Job Searching Advice for Tech Careers

Job Searching Advice for Tech CareersJob Searching Advice for Tech Careers

How to Hire and Retain Web Developers

How to Hire and Retain Web DevelopersHow to Hire and Retain Web DevelopersSo you need to hire a web developer? Great - but so does pretty much every other company out there. You might be in for a rough hiring journey.Make no mistake, the job market is tipped heavily in favor of web developers. Employers across the country are dipping into the same shrinking talent pool, and top candidates are fielding multiple offers. But supply and demand arent the only challenges you might face when trying to staff this role. If youre not tech-savvy yourself, playing the matching game between candidates skills and your companys needs can be headache-inducing. Hiring someone wholl be an easy fit with your work culture can also be tough. And how do you know what the competition is paying so you dont drastically under- or overpay a good candidate?Here are eight essential tips that can help you hire a web developer who has the right skills, experience and fit with your workplace culture. 1. Know what the markets payingStart by benchmarking salaries. According to our research, the midpoint starting compensation for web developers is $98,000 nationally for more experienced candidates, starting salaries reach as high as $139,000. Senior web developers have a midpoint starting salary of $117,000, with some salaries topping $165,750.Market variances for the area youre recruiting in will adjust those figures. Get a copy of the latest Robert Half Technology Salary Guide to gain the insight youll need for setting compensation rates in your area. You want to be ready to meet or beat the going rates to successfully compete for the best talent.DOWNLOAD OUR SALARY GUIDE2. Weigh needs versus wantsAre your criteria for finding a web developer too rigid? If you need a front-end developer whos proficient in JavaScript and jQuery, is it absolutely necessary for them to also have deep expertise in MySQL? And why insist on hiring a web developer who is an expert in PHP when youve identified a prom ising candidate who is a master of HTML5? Be clear about must-have and nice-to-have skills in the job description you post. Otherwise you might discourage outstanding web developers from applying at all.Theres no such thing asthe perfect candidate - not in this hiring market, anyway. If your top pick has 80 percent of the skills youd like to add to your team and, more importantly, the right abilities for immediate projects, be happy and be willing to provide training. Your new web developer can pick up the other 20 percent of your hiring wish list while on the job.3. Go where the web developers areLinkedIn might connect you with potential web developers for hire, but dont stop there. Try social sites like Meetup to learn where local developers get together to share best practices for using tools of the trade. Look for groups focused on Ruby on Rails, Perl or other frameworks and languages your company uses.Expanding your search area may also be wise. If all or most job duties could be performed remotely, why let geography limit your options? Looking outside your market might uncover a great - and available - developer you would otherwise miss.And consider advertising in places only a?skilled web developer?is likely to look. A few years back, Yahoo placed an ad for developers in its front-end source coding. A similar tactic might maketalented developers more interested in working for you from the get-go.4. Emphasize your work environmentBe clear with candidates about your companys mission (particularly if your business is a startup), what your corporate values are, how web assets are important to your firms success and what problems you hope to solve by hiring a web developer. Be sure to convey that the company considers this position integral to the team.That can be especially important for younger workers. In Get Ready for in richtungeration Z, a white paper Robert Half published with Enactus, Gen Zers typically said they wanted to pursue career opportunit ies that aligned with their personal goals and belief systems. For other workers, there might be different priorities. But keep in mind, every candidate will want to know theyll be valued and doing meaningful work before they accept a job offer.An accurate description of the workplace culture is equally important. An office that supports a friendly and collaborative atmosphere will appeal to most candidates, so talk it up in your job posting and interviews. But give a sense, too, of what the teams workstyle is like. Some candidates will thrive in a busy, loud office and daily scrums. For others, that would be a personal hell. Be realistic about your office environment. Sure, its hip to be fun, but if yours is a quiet, buttoned-up corporate environment, then say so. Youre hiring for a tech role, but you and the candidate both want to know therell be a good personality and work style match.5. Promote benefits and perksYou often have to provide something special - even beyond salary - to attract great tech employees. But that doesnt mean your company needs to stock the break room with six types of exotic coffee or pick up the tab on employee dry cleaning services. Generous health benefits, flexible work schedules, wohlbefinden programs and remote work arrangements are some incentives?that can sweeten your compensation package and help you attract a developer of the highest caliber.6. Get skilled supportGiven a web developers highly specialized skill set, you may be out of your depth when writing the job post. Do you need a front-end developer or someone more on the server side?When the resumes roll in, you dont need to go it alone. Seek advice from a skilled developer, either from your company or your larger professional network. Ask for their insight on your top candidates work samples and whether they can suggest some questions to ask during the interview.And go into the interview prepared. Try to have at least one IT expert in the room with you or let a seni or IT staff member meet with candidates separately. Your job opening may be so specialized that only an experienced web developer can determine a candidates skill level.7. Get a hiring assistIf you dont have a team member who can assess a candidates technical qualifications, engage a staffing professional to help you through the hiring process. Specialized staffing firms have the expertise to assess candidates skills and background, so they can offer you only professionals who are a good fit for your needs. That can spare you a lot of time and stress.The best staffing agencies also maintain larger talent pools than do most hiring managers. In addition to working with candidates currently looking for a new position, agency recruiters are often connected with passive job seekers and know what positions might interest them. They can also provide interim staffing to help your company handle immediate needs while they help you search for a full-time hire.GET HELP HIRING NOW8. Move htte n icht viel gefehlt when you find the right personIn a recent Robert Half survey of more than 1,000 U.S. workers, 69 percent say candidates lose interest in the job if they havent heard back within two weeks of an initial interview. Translation The longer your hiring process, the greater your risk of losing the best talent to the competition.You need to get hiring decisions right, of course, but time is of the essence. Try to have everything organized before the first interview and make sure that all stakeholders are ready to make a prompt decision. Also, use technology to speed things up. For example, if you need to do a second interview, try to do it over Skype or the phone instead of bringing the candidate back in.Finding web developers takes organization and the ability to move fast when you find someone great. Before you post the job opening, review your hiring strategy and compensation package, and make improvements where you can. Bring in outside help when you need it. You want to give yourself every advantage when youre looking for expertise thats so hard to find.

How to Become a Police Dispatcher

How to Become a Police DispatcherHow to Become a Police DispatcherTwenty-four hours a day, 7 days a week, police officers are out there, on patrol and working hard to keep the rest of us safe and secure. But they cant do it alone. In every department, there is plenty of non-sworn support personnelwho make sure officers have the help they need to do their jobs. On the front lines of the law enforcement support field are those people who decided they wanted to become police dispatchers. The Minimum Requirements One thing that makes police dispatching such a great career opportunity is that there are very few tiefpunkt requirements. In fact, dispatching is one of a few criminal justice jobs many people can probably qualify for right out of high school. In most states, to be eligible for a dispatching job you must be a United States citizen and be a high school graduate (or equivalent GED). Because you will be spending a lot of time talking to many different people, some departments may also require you to show some work experience in customer service or other public contact occupations. What Skills and Credentials Are Needed for Success Minimum qualifications are one thing. Developing the skills, you need for long-term success is something else entirely. Despite the relatively few minimum requirements, dispatchers play a critical role in the success and safety of the officers they support. To be truly successful in the job, you need to be able to communicate effectively and articulately, think fast on your feet and make good decisions. Typing and data input is also a mustbecause dispatchers use computer-aided dispatch (CAD) programs to take in, record and prioritize calls for service and officer activities. For your own personal wellness, youll also need to be able to effectively manage stress, accept criticism, and be able to get along well with your coworkers Background Investigation Requirements Not only do dispatchers serve as a lifeline for both t he public and the police, but they also have access to sensitive and protected information through the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS). All of that means dispatchers must reisepass a fairly thorough background investigation which might even include a polygraph exam to get hired. Required Education and Training No matter what state or jurisdiction you get hired in, youll need to receive some stringent on-the-job training, if only to be familiar with agency policies, procedures, and equipment. More likely, though, youll need to pass a formalized 911 operator certification program. The training usually consists of legal and liability training, CPR, CJIS full-access certification and a formal field-training program. What to Consider When Becoming a Police Dispatcher Police dispatching, like law enforcement, isnt for everyone. The fact is, these jobs often involve high stress and little thanks. You will spend long days indoors, working shift work, looking at computer screens and talking on the radio or the phone to a diverse group of people. On the other hand, youll be part of an important and often overlooked group of professionals who have a big hand in helping keep their communities safe.

How to Prevent Your Kids from Distracting You During a Job Search

How to Prevent Your Kids from Distracting You During a Job SearchHow to Prevent Your Kids from Distracting You During a Job SearchA successful job search requires a lot of time and attention. You have to be focused and able to ignore outside distractions. But as a parent,it can be nearly impossible to prevent your kids from distracting you.If youre trying to focus on your job search, youll want (and need) to do what you can to reduce distractions from your children.Here are four effective and creative ways to prevent your kids from distracting youwhile youre on the hunt for a new job1. Plan out your day.Planning is key Its not the most creative or original trick, but it works.Every Sunday night, write out what you want orneed to accomplish for your job search that week, and guesstimate how long each task willtake or how much time youd like to dedicate to it (i.e., Monday work on resume for threehours Tuesday, work oncover letter for two hours etc.). Then,plan activities for your kids , and/or arrange for child care during the hours you know youll be busy with your search.2.Have activities or distractions for your kids on hand.In case your child care falls through or you decide you want to spend mora time on your job search while your kids are home, have some toys, games, movies, books, arts and crafts, etc. on hand. (You probably have most of these anywaybut it cant hurt to buy a few new ones and hide them until you really need to use them as distractions or entertainment for your kids)You may want to try setting up play stations around the house or room. Tell your child that they are going to work on a project while you work on yours- and that youllseta 15-minute timer and when it goes off, itll be time to move on to the next play station. (Kids have fairly short attention spans, so switching things up every 15 minutes or so is a good way to keep them engaged for a longer period of time.)3.Involve your child in the process so they understand why its so importan t.If your child is old enough to at least somewhat understand what youre doing, use this opportunity to teach them a little bit about what a job search entails. This is also a good time to lay out the plan for the next few weeks or months and set expectations(kids like this). Tell them what their days might look like (if they will be different) while youre focused on a jobsearch and see if they have any questions.If they have a general understanding of why your job search is so important (e.g., maybe you explained that having a job will allow the family to take more vacations, or that you studied hard in school and now you want to share your skills and knowledge with the world), they may be more respectfulof the boundaries you set.4.Work from your car or outside of your house.Your car may make for a better office or workspace than youd thinkIf your kids are being noisy inside with the babysitter, or the sight of their toys everywhere is too distracting (because you want to drop ever ything and clean the mess), you may want to consider leaving the house.Even when the kids arent home, your house may remind you of all the things you have to do for them- make lunch, do their laundry, clean up their messes, schedule those dentist appointments, etc.- which canbe extremely distracting.A change of scenery might help you re-focus.Not all kids are distracting youall the time, of course. But if and when they begin to interfere with your focus, you may want to employ some of these tactics.Plus, if youre looking for a flexible job anyway, working from home may soon be your new reality, so no better time thanthe present to start figuring out what works.Your child may need some time to adjust to your job search plan. Try to look on the positive side of things when youre distracted. Good luck on your job searchInterested in finding a job a job that lets you telecommute? Check out the top 100 companies for remote jobs.

Why Its Not Always Smart to Avoid Checking Email in the Morning

Why Its Not Always Smart to Avoid Checking Email in the MorningWhy Its Not Always Smart to Avoid Checking Email in the MorningIt has become a business clich to recommend steering clear of your emaille inbox first thing when you roll out of bed. Yet whether youre conducting a job search, running your own business, or reporting to a boss, there are some compelling reasons to do just the opposite. Lets explore those reasons for job seekers, self-employed workers, and traditional employees, respectively.Heres why you shouldnt always avoid checking email in the morningFirst Alerts for Job SeekersSearching for work is a competitive business. Regardless of if youre targeting a full-time spot or pitching for a contract gig, once youve applied to a position, your next objective is timely responsiveness. If youve applied to jobs online and could be contacted by prospective employers about your applications status via email, then you might easily miss the moment by saving your initial email che ck for the afternoon.A recruiter or hiring manager may ping you to ask about your same-day availability for a phone screen or other communication- and if you snooze, you lose. This point can be particularly critical for freelancers and contractors who have applied for opportunities. With a world full of service-provider options for employers to choose from, another candidates choice to respond first thing to a potential new client may land them the business before youve even opened your email.Client Communications for EntrepreneursEven once youve won a clients business, you can never rest on your laurels as a freelancer or independent worker. Entrepreneurs must continue to hustle and stand out to create a competitive edge, or else risk being outperformed by a rival service provider. By checking email early on, youll be able to see and respond to client requests, answer questions, and accept assignment offers before someone else does it first.If your client is in a pinch and needs a project turned around quickly, you could miss out on the chance to snap up the job by delaying your email check too long. Your client (or potential client) may assume that your lack of responsiveness in the first hour or so after contacting you indicates your lack of availability or interest in the offering, and may move onto the next provider on his or her list.Boss Basics for EmployeesIf you report to a supervisor, the advice to hold off on incoming email until after lunch may seriously backfire on you. Avoiding morning email may cause your boss to view your performance negatively, particularly if he or she values responsiveness. While some bristle at the idea of letting other peoples agendas dictate the day, when you work under a boss, this is really part of the job description.Your bosss early email messages may be required reading to help your map out your days top priorities. Without seeing these emails at the start of your workday, you may find yourself missing the latest inf ormation that your boss has directed to you that morning, which you need to successfully complete your tasks.So before deciding whether it makes sense to save your email for later, think about your top constituents and how you can help them reach their goals (and thus your own by association). If your potential employers need a timely response from you to consider you for work, your clients need to see responsiveness to offer you a project, or your supervisor needs to know that youre up to speed with the days work priorities, then saving your email for later on could ultimately jeopardize your career.

The Basics of 2 Page Resume

The Basics of 2 Page Resume Entry-level professionals could be in a position to fit all their information on a single page, whilst someone with several years of experience may need more space. Which suggests that it covers only some of his work experience. You only dont have sufficient experience yet. Possessing a well-formatted, clean and professional resume is a significant way to create a wonderful first impression, which will let you get the job that you are genuinely interested in. If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on 2 Page Resume There are a few general guidelines to generate your resume look good. There are a number of ways to approach the skills section. Resume examples for free will help you in a detailed process on the best way to compose your resume. When it could appear dull, you always have to personalize just about every single correspondence to fit the particular project for which youre employing. The duration of your resume is dependent up on the sort of candidate you are and your degree of experience. Point is, it truly doesnt matter the length of time your resume is. Georgia is a particularly great choice as it was developed to be readily read on a screen. Presentation is the secret to success and lets the strong stand from the crowd. Also, bear in mind that theres a good opportunity you resume will be scanned electronically as an increasing number of companies utilize special software to datenbankindex resumes. Its ideal for a professional who works in social networking or internet marketing. One of the greatest regions to get resume examples is online, since there are lots of sites offering vorlages an individual may download and use. There are lots of free resume templates readily available on the web but sometimes it can be quite challenging to decide on the best one that is most suited to you. The Job Objective Sometimes called a career objective, the work objective is a rather important portion of the resume in the lack of a targeted job title. Only send a lengthier document if its requested in the work description (such as a C.V. for academic jobs). Make certain you choose the most suitable one for the work offer. Landscape Resume by Generous Art2 may be the solution youve been on the lookout for. Dont make the error of thinking all jobs deserve the exact same quantity of space within the resume. The individual who is evaluating your resume wants to learn whether youre the correct person for the job. Not to mention how you need resumes to submit an application for the great majority of jobs anyway. Some resumes are reviewed by many unique employers and dont give them with the information that they are hunting for. You would like your employer to understand what you did in your prior jobs, but you dont will need to incorporate the kitchen sink. If you hope to make a great impression on an employer looking at bad resume examples might be wonderful tool for you. Try, if yo ure able to, to produce the break in information between two distinct jobs. A well written resume is one that is not so overwhelming in the opinion of employers. What You Should Do About 2 Page Resume Beginning in the Next Six Minutes Just because youve got a three-page resume does not signify you should include all 3 pages of every work application. Once you have decided on your perfect resume template from our selection, follow our completely free expert guidance about ways to craft the great modern resume. Well, templates are the absolute most neat and organized structure for virtually any document. Our creative templates enable you to stick out from the crowd. Details of 2 Page Resume When youre asking for a job which relies on the strengths of the person, you will need a resume template that you may inject a little more personality into to make it pop. Each one of our creative style templates provide a perfectly balanced mixture of personality, professionalism and a li ttle style. Massive number of design style will guarantee you will get a resume template that fits with your taste. You are able to alter the fashion of the words too. Many times theres a unique format required and if you dont refer to resume examples then you may not know that requirement in any respect. Resume examples will reveal to you just what type of information is necessary and the format it is required in. The whole assortment of resume templates is composed of a selection of creative resume designs. Sometimes all you will need is a traditional style template thats clean, clear and right to the point. Top 2 Page Resume Secrets Primarily, it really is truly an official sort of letter writing than the traditional letter. Although it is normally good practice to prevent putting references on resumes so as to avoid getting your references become worn out by casual inquiries, it helps to attach a whole collection of references to the resume you bring to the interview. There are lots of examples of resumes, but you need to remain certain to create your resume and cover letter with your very own personal touch. Make certain that you let your resume sit on the printer for a couple moments before picking this up. Theres not anything wrong with a 2 page resume in many instances. If you believe a 1 page resume is crucial, youre mistaken. Use the webpage break function after the previous line of text you need to keep on the very first page. Within the next section, find out precisely when youre require a multiple page resume, and the best way to do it right. Dont print on the front and the rear of one page, which demands the prospective employer to turn the sheet over to observe the remainder of the resume. Leave comfortable margins on the webpage and be sure that everything is neatly aligned. It is better to use columns as opposed to a table. 2 Page Resume - Dead or Alive? Read below for more comprehensive info on the length of time your res ume should be, and strategies for making your resume the ideal length. Instead of give the recruiter eye strain, it is preferable to incorporate the second page. Make sure that you get the information youre looking for. You are able to also incorporate details about a degree program you are enrolled in. Things You Should Know About 2 Page Resume There are a lot of ways resume examples can grow to be a helpful job interview tool. Locating a well-put-together resume example may be a huge hilfe to you as you are attempting to craft the perfect resume for yourself. If youve got a 1 page story, individuals will think youre young and inexperienced. Finding more about a company is just another excellent method to figure the manner to tailor your cover letter. Imagine whether a recruiter reads the very same point in two unique resumes one after another If you have sufficient relevant experience, training, and credentials of interest to the place to showcase on more than 1 page of your resume, then do it. Your very first job is among your best learning experiences. Your resume ought to be focused, concise and emphasize achievements and abilities that fit the job that youre applying for.

Employee Retention 3 Ways to Keep the Best - Spark Hire

Employee Retention 3 Ways to Keep the Best - Spark HireSmall business hiring is competitive. You not only have to compete with other startups and small businesses but the big corporations as well. So once you find the right employee, youll do anything to keep them.But is your company really doing enough to improve employee retention? In todays job market, traditional benefits and compensation arent enough. Job candidates are looking for more perks, incentives and a unique work life balance. The Wall Street Journal highlights some new, more modern approaches to keeping the best employees.Refresh your benefits package. Take a look at what youre offering employees interms of benefits has it changed at all in the past few years? Every year, you should be assessing your benefits package, making sure it fulfills the needs of your employees as they change.Additionally, its worth looking at your health care plans now. Obamacare has a lot of small businesses worried. Do the research into how it will affect your small business specifically, and think creatively about how you can make it all work for the betterment of your employees.Offer sekretariat perks. Big corporations like Google and Apple are well-known for theiroffice perks and therefore employee retention. Obviously, you cant offer the same but think along similar lines. You may be able to provide bagels once a month or take your employees out for a drink once a quarter. Essentially, just because employees are working doesnt mean they cant have fun at their job too.Also, think about perks that wouldnt cost your company a dime. Allow employees to work from home once a week or month. Make a day designated to bringing pets into work. Office perks like these go a long way to make working and staying at your company more socially enticing.Reward with incentives. Again, this is about making work and meeting goals morefun. Providing incentives for hitting goals will foster teamwork and camaraderie in your workplace. An d you can keep these incentives within your budget.They dont have to be cruises to the Caribbean. Instead, they can be small incentives like early release on a Friday afternoon or lunch provided by the office one day. Incentives tend to scare employers, but they dont have to break the bank or change your office dynamic too much.The Wall Street Journal provides plenty of other ways to increase employee retention, like inner office promotions, professional development and financial rewards. You can also come up with your own means to keeping the best employees. Really, its about investing in the people of your company. They will see the time and resources you utilize to keep them and feel that its worth their sticking around for the long haul.How else can you increase employee retention? Of as an employee, what would you like business to do for you? Share now in our comments

Apply Well With Our Front Office Receptionist Resume Template for Word

Apply Well With Our Front Office Receptionist Resume schablone for WordApply Well With Our Front Office Receptionist Resume Template for WordIntroductionYour resume is a priceless opportunity to put your best foot forward with employers. Its often the first thing a hiring manager reviews, and the one that makes the difference between being offered an interview or not. When putting together such an important document, it often helps to look at an example. Read on to see our front office receptionist resume template for Word, as well as some guidelines to use when putting together the summary statement, skills section, work history section, and education section of your resume.Front Office Receptionist Resume Template for Word Ernie H. RiddellTampa, FL 11111E ernietheriddellanymail.com P 555Energetic and ethical front office receptionist with excellent phone skills. Committed to going the extra mile to meet customers and managers needs. Great at multiBachelor of Arts in Philosophy In ProgressColumbia University, New York, NYHigh School DiplomaBay Ridge Preparatory School, New York, NYGraduated Magna Cum Laude

Librarian Job Description, Salary, and Skills

Librarian Job Description, Salary, and SkillsLibrarian Job Description, Salary, and SkillsInterested in a job as a librarian? Heres information on what librarians do, specializations, educational requirements, skills employers seek, and what you can expect to get paid. Librarian Job Responsibilities Librarians evaluate books and other informational resources for consideration as additions to collections. They organize resources so that patrons can easily find the material that they desire. Librarians assess the research needs of individual visitors and identify the necessary resources. Librarians arrange speakers, entertainers, and workshops to educate and entertain patrons. They publicize services to their constituency and endeavor to expand the use of library resources. Libraries are increasing the use of digital delivery systems to present resources to patrons at their facilities and remotely through the internet. Librarians evaluate systems for storing and delivering digital content and follow technology trends in the field.They evaluate and purchase computers, electronic databases, and software for their facility. Library managers and directors formulate budgets and recruit, train and supervise staff. Work Environment and Specializations Librarians work for colleges, corporations, schools, law firms, hospitals, prisons, and museums as well as traditional community libraries. Some librarians become specialists with expertise in areas like music, art, law, science, social science or literature collections. They focus on evaluating materials for purchase and advising patrons regarding how to access and utilize that type of information. Librarians can also specialize in serving specific populations like scientists, artists, medical professionals, lawyers, prisoners, children, or youth. Educational Requirements Librarians typically complete an undergraduate degree in any discipline and then acquire a Masters in Library Science. Individuals intending to specialize in a particular content area benefit from an undergraduate major in a related area. For example, art majors are well equipped to be art librarians, legal studies majors to be law librarians, and biology, chemistry, and physics majors to oversee science collections. Librarian Salaries According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, librarians earned an average of $57,680in 2016. The bottom 10% of librarians earned $34,100or less while the top 10% earned at least $90,140 Library area managers and library directors earn higher salaries while library assistants and technicians earn considerably less. Librarian Skills List Heres a list of librarian skills employers seek in the candidates they hire. Skills will vary based on the position for which youre applying, so also review our list ofskills listed by joband type of skill. Collections Management Perhaps the most important job of librarians is to be highly accurate custodians of the physical and digital collections for which they are responsible. AcquisitionsArchival CollectionsCataloging OperationsCollection DevelopmentDigital ArchivingDigital CurationDigital PreservationDigital ProjectsDocument ManagementInterlibrary LoansLexisNexis LibrarianshipMARC RecordsMobile EnvironmentsOrganizationPreservationProject ManagementReference MaterialsReference ToolsShelvingSpecial Projects Communication and Interpersonal Librarians must stand ready to provide efficient and supportive assistance to library patrons from all walks of life. Whether its helping people to locate books and resources, checking out books, or assisting in research, strong communications and customer service skills are essential. Book SelectionCirculationCirculation ServicesCollaborationCommunicationsComputerCustomer ServiceFacilitationMarketingOral CommunicationPublic ServiceSupervisionTeamworkTrainingVerbal CommunicationsWritten Communications Analytical Librarians use powerful analytical thinking skills to troubleshoot issues, per form library research, identify the individual needs of patrons, and define opportunities for process improvements and policy development. Evaluating Library ServicesEvaluating Stakeholder NeedsInterpretingLibrary Policy DevelopmentTime ManagementTroubleshooting Technology With the widespread adoption in all libraries of automated circulation and catalog systems and, most recently, of digital collections, knowledge of current and emerging library technologies is a critical skill for librarians. ComputerInformation TechnologyInternetjQueryLearning Updated TechnologiesMicrosoft OfficeSoftwareWebCast Education In both school and public libraries, librarians are often called upon to create educational programs to introduce users to the resources that are available to them. CoachingInstructionInstructional DesignInstructional MaterialsLecturingMaterial SelectionMLIS Degree Research Research librarians are key members of the staff of colleges, public schools, and law libraries. Catalog Se archesDatabase SearchDocumentationResearch AssistanceSearching OPACs Librarian Interview Questions Below you can review many of the most common questions that are posed by library hiring committees to potential candidates for open librarian positions Describe a particularly stressful or chaotic situation at the reference desk and tell me how you handled the incident.Tell me about a job you held where you had to multitask. How did you handle successfully completing each task?Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a coworker. How did you handle the situation? What would you have done differently?What would you do if you were unsure of how to answer a reference question?Imagine you heard a staff member provide a patron with an incorrect answer. What would you do? What would you do if you were assisting a person at the reference desk and the telephone rang?How would you integrate technology into your work with teens and children?How would you recommend promoting reading f or secondary school children? Name two books you have read within the past two months and describe one of them as though you were recommending it to a patron.Do you have any experience with audio-visual materials?Do you have any experience with setting up displays?Tell me about a team or group project you have worked on and how you contributed to it. Tell me about a presentation you recently gave at work or school. How did you prepare for the presentation?

How to Avoid Work Burnout and Gain Better Work-Life Balance

How to Avoid Work Burnout and Gain Better Work-Life BalanceHow to Avoid Work Burnout and Gain Better Work-Life BalanceFeeling a Little Burned Out? Take a Work VacationBefore you burn out, get out on a vacation.Long hours managing projects for clients, countless board meetings discussing the rollout of a new product, spending the last five weekends coordinating crisis control ... lets face it we all need a break.Working non-stop is counterproductive and can hurt your business, close relationships, and, ultimately, your health. But many Americans are simply too afraid to take a work vacation or take time off from work. They roll out of bed each morning, groan, and start the saatkorn trials and tribulations.A recent survey conducted by the U.S. Travel Association found that 40 percent of employees neglect to take all of their vacation time. Some fear the extra work theyll face upon return. Others simply cannot find the time to relax, as their jobs are too demanding.On the other hand, many companies realize that these unused vacation days are piling up and productivity is decreasing. Some companies now require their team members to take at least one or two weeks off each year. Other companies offer shorter breaks to alleviate fears of extra work. Executives have learned that the benefits of taking a vacation far outweigh the loss.Improve your health with a few days off.While everyone needs a break, vacations and time off from work arent just about free time and leisure. There are real health benefits of taking a vacation or taking time off from work. Job stress tends to pile up, causing us to feel agitated and anxious. Stress and anxiety can have serious implications on your health. Worrying causes high blood pressure, heart conditions, diabetes, and lowers the immune system. Taking a vacation at least once every two years greatly reduces the adverse health effects caused by work-related stress.Increase your productivity with a little break.Stress affects more th an your health. It causes your work to suffer and interferes with productivity. Taking time off from work re-energizes your body and mind, allowing you to return to work with a renewed vigor. Returning from vacation helps workers focus more on the work they have to make up. But, to reap the benefits of taking a vacation, it means leaving your work at home. Dont take projects or light reading unless its a good book that helps you relax. This isnt the time to catch up on more work or learn new skills.Focus on your relationships.Working nonstop puts a strain on relationships. Spend more time with your family and friends during your vacation. If you dont have children, take your spouse on a romantic vacation. Or schedule some time playing golf with your friends. Time spent with family and friends can strengthen your bonds and reinforce your connections.Prevent burnout by stepping away for a while.Weve all been there. The same job, every day. It gets boring, tedious and stressful. Theres nothing wrong with wanting a little more excitement. We call that a vacation. Step away from the job and take some time off from work before you burn out and lose the fire inside of you. Taking a vacation prevents the pressure and discouragement that come from a burnout. Ignoring the warning signs and forcing yourself to continue working through the burnout could be disastrous. Your productivity will decrease, and you may even make decisions youll regret later.Related How to Prevent Burnout in 3 Easy StepsShould I take a vacation or staycation?The time has finally arrived Your vacation is close and relaxation is guaranteed. But should you take a long vacation to a popular destination or stay at home? Staying at home versus traveling has been a popular debate among vacationers since, well, the first vacation. The answer is simple determine what you want and can afford. No matter what, youre taking time off from work, so you cant go wrong Here are a few pros and cons to help you det ermine the best fit.Staycation prosIts cheaper. Worrying about vacation expenses does put a drag on your time off. Who wants to spend $100 a day eating out when the fridge has plenty of options?More relaxation. Vacations are exciting, but tiresome. Vacationers typically spend more time working than relaxing.No surprises. You dont have to worry about directions or getting lost.Staycation consNo change of scenery. Everyone wants to escape every once in awhile. Staycations provide limited options for new areas and excitement.Your friends are around every corner. Theres a reason they say get away from it all. We need time away from people we know.Attack of the housework Its not easy to ignore chores and repairs youve been putting off for months, especially when you spend the day looking at them.Destination vacation prosGet away from it all. Theres nothing like escaping lifes problems or taking a walk on the wild side. Plus, you dont have to worry about running into your boss at the bar. There are more choices. Vacation destinations are limitless. No matter what climate or culture, travel agencies have it all.Less temptation to work. Lets face it if you stay at home, you WILL be tempted to work. There are so many reruns of I Love Lucy one person can handle. The boredom will drive you back to work.Destination vacation consIts expensive. Those travel agents may have the perfect little beach-front view, but views come with a steep price.Companies that promote vacation time.You may have the desire and the means to take a vacation, but maybe your boss isnt as thrilled with your plans. While most companies rely on employees taking time off from work to re-energize their teams, there are some employers who simply refuse to let you go. This may reflect early warning signs telling you to find a better job. Here are a few companies that promote time off from work.General Electric. General Electric (GE) employs more than 300,000 team members, and with 136,000 in the U.S., Its one of the largest employers in the country. In 2016, GE announced a dramatic change to its vacation plan, allowing 30,000 executive and managerial team members to take unlimited paid days off. This includes sick days, personal time, and vacation.Grant Thornton. Accounting firm Grant Thornton is pioneering a new worker relations strategy. The company recently rolled out an unlimited paid vacation plan to nearly 7,000 employees. The new policy was designed to increase productivity and show more compassion to its workers.GrubHub. GrubHub, maker of the mobile app that helps businesses optimize orders and deliveries, provides unlimited vacation to all its full-time employees. The flexible employment plan was designed to encourage a balance between work and life. The policy applies to vacation, sick leave, and personal days.Netflix. The worlds largest streaming network introduced unlimited time off years before most companies considered the perk. Starting 10 years ago, Netflix started o ffering all team members unlimited time off and focused on the work produced rather the hours worked.LinkedIn. The social media company focused on building professional relationships is building a few of its own. In 2016, LinkedIn introduced the discretionary time off (DTO) policy. DTO allows team members to take time off at their own discretion and prohibits setting a maximum or minimum on the amount of vacation time employees can take each year.Virgin Group. Virgin Group did away with its boring vacation policy in neunter monat des jahres 2014. The new format allows team members to take as much paid leave as they want. While this is one of the best vacation packages around, it was only released to about 160 employees working at the companys headquarters in New York, London, Geneva, and Sydney.Hubspot. One of the nations first and largest cloud-based marketing and sales software platform, Hubspot advocates unlimited paid vacation for its employees. Looking to set the status quo for future companies, Hubspot decided to offer these benefits to all employees, regardless of time with company or job position.Click on the following link for more advice on work-life balance.Make sure your resume is ready for any opportunity. Get a free resume review todayRecommended ReadingThe Truth About Taking Time Off12 Tips to Manage Workplace StressMake the Most Out of a Job You Dont Love