How to overcome your laziness and become motivated

How to overcome your laziness and become motivatedHow to overcome your laziness and become motivatedIn the startup world, its part of your job to combat laziness in all its different forms, whether thats for your kollektiv or for yourself. If youre a founder or a team lead, its a matter of motivating every employee to be the best version of themselves as possible. If youre an employee, its a matter of overcoming those lazy streaks to boost your own productivity.But this can be hard.All of us get lazy at one point or aleidher, but nobody aspires to be lazy at work - not even poor performers. Behaviors we label as lazy usually stem from a complex set of root causes, as opposed to some personality trait or lack thereof. When an employee is sitting paralyzed before an empty spreadsheet, for example, thats usually a sign of procrastination or nerves - not innate laziness.The first step for you in motivating yourself and your team, then, is identifying what behauptung root causes of lazi ness are so you can watch out for them.Cause 1 Anxiety about your work not being good enoughEmployees who have a high attention to detail - who are perfectionists - are susceptible to this trap, where they become so nervous about delivering sohonigweinhing of poor quality that they cant work on it at all.At our gaming studio, my co-founder, Alex, and I have hired a few people who fall into this camp. Most are incredibly talented and committed to their jobs, but they get inside their own heads, convincing themselves theres a better way to present the information in question, or to articulate their messaging - whatever the case might be.What these employees need help with is getting out of their heads.Which is why Alex and I have gotten into the habit of making our employees take short vacations when they begin showing this kind of behavior. Its a matter of forcing them to detach from the task thats stressing them out so they can return to it with a clear - and productive - mind. If at your company you dont have the luxury of letting certain folks take long weekends at home when necessary, try instead having more regular check-ins with them so you can keep a pulse on their more anxious tendencies and reassure them when they flare.Cause 2 Confusion about what the first steps of a task areMost people need an external structure for breaking down tasks. When we launched our gaming studio, we started with a flat structure (as fruchtwein startups often do). But we quickly recognized how this led to confusion, which itself negatively impacted productivity.Having a group of four developers each breaking down their own tasks is not as effective as having a PM or a team lead helping them facilitate this process.While this is not groundbreaking by any means, its important to realize that lack of structure, or bad task management, can cause people to freeze.A formal org structure helps lend accountability to the development process and helps eliminate any laziness that may come from task confusion.Cause 3 Feeling overwhelmed by the volume of tasksThis is a problem leaders themselves often have. I know I do, personally - mostly because Im bad at multitasking.The solution is being able to say no to tasks that are low priority when something of higher priority needs to get done - smart prioritization, in other words.Of course, this can be tough, and employees who struggle with it often see their productivity dip. They end up getting paralyzed thinking about all they have to do, and they end up doing none of it.The solution, as it happens, is best said in this advice from Reid Hoffman there are always far more problems and issues clamoring for your attention than you have the resources to address. You might feel like a firefighter, except instead of trying to extinguish a blaze in one contained spot, you can see separate fires all around you - and you dont have time to put out all of them. One of the ways entrepreneurs can stay alive is by decidin g to let certain fires burn so they can focus on the fires that, if allowed to rage unchecked, really will destroy the company.Employees should be encouraged to embrace this mindset. Always be working, but work on whatevers most important in the moment.Cause 4 Fear of asking for helpWe once had a group of junior developers who didnt know how to use Git - which in turn impacted how much they got done - but they were too embarrassed to ask for help.All team leads should make it explicitly clear to their employees that its fine asking for help.But you should also set something of an internal standard in which if an employee is stuck on any kind of project for longer than X hours, the expectation is they ask for help.What you cant have are team members sitting at their desk not doing what they should be because they lack critical information.Cause 5 Disagreement with decision makingInternal strife can, of course, also affect productivity.I know this from experience, too. Before Alex a nd I made a more concerted effort to be erkennbar in our decision-making processes, we once made a decision about a feature redesign which our team didnt agree with.In retrospect, it was an easy choice we made - we were under pressure to finish that particular project before the end of the year, and we simply needed to get it done - but it rubbed our team the wrong way. It made them think we didnt value their input. From there, the teams anger evolved from disagreement with the decision to something more personal - and our collective effectiveness ground to a halt.Leaders should never let arguments devolve in such an impactful way.Instead, combat these challenges preemptively by building systems and processes which guarantee transparency and ensure everyone on your team remains on the same page in your shared effort to drive your company forward.Cause 6 Employees psychological needs arent being metThis, ultimately, is the most common cause of laziness within teams. Because of tha t, I believe its critical that all founders and team leads educate themselves around what exactly employees psychological needs are. That starts with understanding Self-Determination Theory (SDT).SDT says that humans have certain inherent positive features - or growth tendencies - yet at the same time have psychological needs which must be met in order for them to self-motivate. They areCompetence. The feeling like they have control over an outcome and the capacity to get better and better at a specific function.Relatedness. The feeling like theyre connected meaningfully with othersAutonomy. The desire to direct their own lives.If youre struggling to combat laziness in your company, read up on SDT and ask yourself are you ensuring your employees psychological needs are being met? Sometimes, after all, the reason for your teams declining motivation might not be your people, but you.This article was originally published on Quora.com.

Hart-Davis to Receive the Ralph Coats Roe Medal at the Honors Assembly

Hart-Davis to Receive the Ralph Coats Roe Medal at the Honors Assembly Hart-Davis to Receive the Ralph Coats Roe Medal at the Honors Assembly Hart-Davis to Receive the Ralph Coats Roe Medal at the Honors Assembly Adam Hart-Davis Adam Hart-Davis, DPhil, is one of eight leaders from the field of engineering who will be recognized at this year's Honors Assembly. Hart-Davis, a well-known scientist, author, photographer, historian, philanthropist and radio and television personality, will receive the Society's Ralph Coats Roe Medal during the ceremony, to be held Nov. 17 during the ASME 2014 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition in Montreal, Canada. Hart-Davis, a reside of Devon, U.K., is being recognized for his efforts to educate the public about science, technology, engineering and mathematics by making STEM both inspirational and accessible in multiple media formats; and for celebrating engineers and the lasting impact of their contributions to the world. Established in 1972, the Ralph Coats Roe Medal recognizes an outstanding contribution toward a better public understanding and appreciation of the engineer's worth to contemporary society. After three years of postdoctoral research in Canada and the United Kingdom and a stint as science editor at Oxford University Press, Hart-Davis joined the science department at Yorkshire Television in 1977, where he worked as a researcher, producer and executive producer on programs such as Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World; Scientific Eye, a television series used in 70 percent of U.K. secondary school and in 35 other countries; and the equally successful Mathematical Eye. He was a presenter on a number of programs including Local Heroes, What the Romans Did for Us, and its spin-off series How London Was Built. Hart-Davis has been a presenter on more than 100 radio programs about science and technology including two series of Engineering Solutions. He has written numerous articles, and is the author or editor of nearly 30 books including Chain Reactionsâ€"Pioneers of British Science and Technology, and the children's pop-up book, Inventions - A History of Key Inventions That Changed the World. Hart-Davis is president, patron or honorary fellow of some 35 organizations including the British Science Association, Merton College, the Royal Photographic Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Society of Dyers and Colourists, the Institution of Lighting Engineers and the Newcomen Society. His honors also include the Institution of Engineering Designers' Gerald Frewer Memorial Trophy, the Royal Academy of Engineering's inaugural Public Promotion of Engineering Medal, the Institution of Incorporated Engineers' Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation Medal, the Royal Television Society's Judges' Award for Educational Television, and the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators' Horace Hockley Award. Hart-Davis received his bachelor's degree in chemistry, with first-class honors, from Oxford University in 1966; and his DPhil in organometallic chemistry from York University, U.K., in 1968. He holds 14 honorary degrees.

5 Ways to Make a Lasting Impression

5 Ways to Make a Lasting Impression 5 Ways to Make a Lasting Impression Over the course of my career, I’ve seen a broad spectrum of career successes. (And, well, failures.) And I’ve thought a lot about the causes of those outcomes. Why do some succeed faster than others? Why do some get opportunities and others don’t? Why do some get stuck in their careers? The answer, I’ve found, to all of these questions is making a lasting impression. If you consistently make a positive, memorable impact on your boss, your co-workers, and even your employees, you’ll increase your chances of getting hand-picked for the best opportunities when they come knocking, paving your way to career success. It may sound simple, but leaving that lasting impression takes a strategic approach. Here are five tips that’ll help you make your mark and be remembered over anyone else in the room. 1. Keep it Real I like the quote by Oscar Wilde that says, “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.” Sometimes, we get so caught up in trying to impress that we forget to show our true selves- we hold back opinions, squash our creative ideas, and downplay our personalities, all for fear of being judged. Recently, at a leadership program in San Francisco, I witnessed the opposite- and it was so refreshing. Several groups of leaders from across the company were asked to present their recommendations based on a real-life customer problem. Naturally, seven of the eight teams gravitated toward sending the best sales or marketing leader on their teams to deliver their recommendations. But not one team. Instead, they sent the least obvious pick- an engineering leader. To everyone’s surprise, he took us all on an eye-opening customer journey laced with Star Wars metaphors. Some of his feedback was extremely revealing, but it was accepted very well because it was unfiltered. He came across as a creative problem solver with a sense of humor, and, needless to say, that presentation was the one that everyone remembered because it was authentic and brilliant. 2. Make Deposits, Not Withdrawals Just like a bank, every exchange or interaction that you have is like a deposit or withdrawal. People either feel energized after working with you- or exhausted. To make sure you’re in the former camp, examine the factors that contribute toward deposits. Are you easy to work with? Do you give the person with whom you’re speaking undivided attention? Do you support your team during peak periods of stress? Are you leaving conversations making others feel empowered, motivated, and energized? These are great leadership qualities that will help you grow your deposits. As I share this advice, one vice president that I work with comes to mind. He’s known as a technology innovator and leads one of the largest teams at my company. He knows very well that positive emotion accelerates innovation. As such, he makes a concerted effort to leave conversations making people feel inspired. And they usually do. One easy tip that you can try today is giving the person you are speaking with your full attention. I often find people distracted in their own thoughts. When you’re having a conversation with someone, give your undivided attention and pay a close watch to your non-verbal gestures. Give eye contact, and don’t get distracted by the 10 action items waiting for you (or your phone!). The more focused you are in your conversations, the more you’ll get out of them, and the more deposits you’ll make. 3. Get Comfortable With Pressure In the business world, people are defined by how they handle stress- it’s called “cope-ability.” Whether you’re presenting in front of a massive audience or dealing with a customer service crisis, nailing the pressure moments will define a lasting impression. So, pay attention to how you handle stress and pressure, and start getting comfortable with it. In fact, go out of your way to put yourself in uncomfortable situations. When you do this often enough, you’ll be more immune to pressure when you are stress-tested- it just becomes more normal. I think it’s similar to muscle memory, where the act gets so routine, your body just goes into autopilot. Being in your comfort zone for too long only creates a situation that makes it easier for you to crack under pressure. But if you’re constantly in the “stretch” zone, you’ll create a habit of performing well no matter what the pressure level. 4. Be Bright, Be Brief, Be Gone This tip is something that’s stuck with me from a coaching session I had a few years ago. It’s all about being an expert in your line of work and presenting your ideas in a succinct and simple way. First, you need to know what you’re great at, not what you’re good at. And when you know what that is, don’t be afraid to offer solutions and bring value to discussions. Whether you’re presenting at a meeting or having an impromptu chat with your boss, nail your point with simple language and simple solutions. Be bright, be brief, be gone- and you’ll always be remembered. 5. Get Elected You often hear the advice to “manage up” and to promote yourself, making sure the higher-ups know about your achievements. And many people in the corporate world have climbed the ranks this way. But this approach is never sustainable because it lacks authenticity. In the long run, a “vote for him or her” approach is much more powerful than “vote for me.” You want to be elected; the person who people throughout the organization want to help, want to work for, and want to see succeed. This will happen when you can authentically influence your audience throughout the organization, not just manage up. In fact, some of the best leaders I've worked with meet with cross-functional groups, at all levels, all the time. I’m privy to a vice president’s calendar, and I’ve noticed that he works with a wide audience across the whole company, frequently meeting with people at all levels. As it turns out, he’s one of those who gets the most support throughout the company. Ask yourself this question, “Do I work with a diverse group of people at all levels?” If you do, great. If you don't, look for ways to extend your network to a broader set of colleagues. It’ll create more inclusion and buy-in, and a more successful career all around. Photo of shaking hands courtesy of Shutterstock.

10 Cool Cities Where You Can Actually Afford A Home

10 Cool Cities Where You Can Actually Afford A Home 10 Cool Cities Where You Can Actually Afford A Home Think the only way to experience big city living with great career opportunities is to pay an arm and a leg? Think again. While large, expensive cities like New York and San Francisco have earned reputations as career destinations, there are tons of cities out there that are just as exciting - and WAY more affordable. From the Midwest to the south to the mid-Atlantic, these cities offer all the jobs you could ever want, plus food, music, culture and more. And most importantly, buying a home there isn’t just a pipe dream. Looking to make your next big move? Read on. Often called the birthplace of rock and roll, Memphis is the perfect blend of old-world charm and modern living, all at an affordable price. While the economy is heavily focused on transportation and shipping, a variety of companies call Memphis home, such as FedEx , AutoZone and Baptist Memorial Healthcare . Once you’re there, make sure to check out great barbecue joints like Neely’s, Elvis’s Graceland estate and the world-renowned National Civil Rights Museum. As a native Michigander, Detroit will always hold a special place in my heart. While the Motor City has historically suffered from deindustrialization and suburbanization, anyone who’s been there within the past ten years can tell you it’s an up-and-coming city to watch out for. Detroit is still an automotive stronghold, home to companies like General Motors and Ford Motor Company , but the tech scene is blossoming as well - Quicken Loans has been headquartered there since 1985, and smaller startups appear on an almost daily basis. Traditionally known as an industrial hub, Pittsburgh has seen a revitalization in recent years, with booming healthcare, education and tourism sectors. Build your career with Pittsburgh-based organizations like the University of Pittsburgh , Allegheny Health Network and PNC Financial Services Group . After work, get your fill of culture at one of the city’s many art museums, or your sports fix from a Steelers or Penguins game. While I can’t say I’m crazy about their basketball teams (#DubNation), there’s a lot to like about Cleveland: the culture, the proximity to Lake Erie and of course, the plentiful career opportunities. With a notably diverse economy, Cleveland houses everything from manufacturing companies like Sherwin-Williams to legal firms like Squire Patton Boggs and even to greeting card giant American Greetings . Don’t miss the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream or ( sigh ) watching the Cavaliers in action. Known as the Crossroads of America, Indianapolis is located within a single-day drive of 70 percent of the nation’s business centers and port cities . While the majority of the city’s economy is driven by finance, insurance and manufacturing companies like Anthem and Allison Transmission , it’s also seen a tech boom over the years, with companies like Salesforce setting up shop there. Check out the legendary Indy 500 race or the Indianapolis Children’s Museum! It may be known as the Gateway to the West, but St. Louis is also a destination in its own right. With a number of major corporations like Nestlé Purina , Panera and Anheuser-Busch , stunning tourist destinations like the Gateway Arch and a unique food scene comprised of quirky local dishes like St. Louis-style pizza, ribs and toasted ravioli, St. Louis has all of the benefits of a big city without the hefty price tag to match. The second Ohio city to crack this list, Cincinnati proves that you don’t need to live in an expensive, coastal city in order to advance your career. In 2015, Cincinnati was named the fastest-growing economy in the Midwest , with major companies like Procter & Gamble , Kroger and Fifth Third all headquartered there. But Cincy, as it’s affectionately known, isn’t all work and no play - some of its notable attractions include the zoo, the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Great American Ball Park, home to the Cincinnati Reds. A city steeped in history, Birmingham is in the middle of an economic and cultural revival. The city was once known for its steel industry, and while companies like McWane are still prominent players in Birmingham’s local economy, it has also become one of the nation’s largest banking hubs, with Regions Financial and BBVA Compass both based there. Tourists and locals alike rave about the down home cooking, Civil Rights District and Ruffner Mountain Nature Center. The largest city in the Show Me State, Kansas City is a hub for great barbecue, live music and, of course, plenty of open jobs. The federal government is one of the largest employers in KC, with a significant presence from the IRS , as well as healthcare organizations like Cerner and Saint Luke’s Health System . Kansas City boasts an impressive number of museums, from the National World War I Museum to the Arabia Steamboat Museum, and a burgeoning craft brewery scene. Houston was hit hard by Hurricane Harvey in late August, but a month and change in, the road to recovery has begun. And there is reason to be optimistic for Magnolia City’s future: “hiring has remained strong throughout the recent tragedy. Online job postings on Glassdoor today showed a slight dip following Hurricane Harvey, but have since recovered to above pre-storm levels,” said Glassdoor Chief Economist Dr. Andrew Chamberlain. Although restoration will be a long and gradual process, job opportunities abound at companies like Phillips 66 , Memorial Hermann Health System and S & B Engineers and Constructors . Methodology:   Affordability  is determined by the ratio of median annual base salary to median metro home value. (Median annual base salary per metro based on at least 2,500 salary reports shared by local employees on Glassdoor over the past year [8/16/16-8/15/17]). Median home value is according to the   Zillow Home Value Index for All Homes , as of June 2017). Number of job openings listed as of 10/1/17.

Walmarts MoneyCenters and Other Financial Services

Walmarts MoneyCenters and Other Financial Services Walmarts MoneyCenters and Other Financial Services Walmart, the biggest retailer in the world, has made a major move into financial services. Some key ventures include: MoneyCenters in 1,800 of its 4,300 stores in the United StatesSmall business loans through Sams Club storesBanking licenses in both Canada and MexicoBanco Walmart branches in 263 stores in 31 Mexican citiesA major push for a Walmart Rewards MasterCard in Canada These are variations on two longstanding themes. First, supermarkets have a long history of having existing banks, mainly small local savings banks and thrifts, rent space within their premises for small branches catering to shoppers, usually with extended hours versus those in the typical branch. Meanwhile, Walmart happens to be a major landlord for offices of national tax preparation firms HR Block and Jackson Hewitt. Second, in various other national markets (notably the United Kingdom), large supermarket chains such as Tesco have a history of setting up banking subsidiaries of their own to operate on their retail premises. Some observers have noted that supermarkets tend to be much more serious about delivering excellent customer service than banks, which are more obvious in subordinating service to profit (Special Report on International Banking, The Economist, May 16, 2009). They also point out that supermarkets have a competitive advantage in their low cost of customer acquisition, due to a large number of shoppers that they already serve daily. Walmart MoneyCenters offer these core services: Check cashing (being rolled out to all U.S. stores)Money transfersMoney ordersBill paymentPrepaid debit cardsCredit cardsCheck printing (online orders only) Check Cashing Fees Walmart is looking to serve lower-income individuals who do not have banking relationships. Walmart MoneyCenters charge a flat $3.00 to cash payroll, government and tax (but not personal) checks worth $1,000 or less, and a flat $6.00 for checks above $1,000, to a maximum of $5,000. Check cashing services, contrast, typically charge commissions ranging from 2% on government checks to 4% on payroll checks, per the Lex Column in the June 23, 2010 issue of the Financial Times. The Unbanked and Underbanked Market The market potential for Walmart is large since the FDIC estimates that about 17 million U.S. households, or 7.7% of the total, are unbanked (i.e., with no bank accounts or banking relationships), and roughly 40 million households, or 18%, are underbanked. A 2008 study by market research consulting firm Aite found that Walmart already had 11% of the check cashing market by that time (Banks vs. Wal-Mart: Round Two in Bloomberg Businessweek, August 15, 2011). Indeed, Walmart also offers free tax refunds to serve this part of its customer base. Green Dot Stake Walmart also has a small equity stake of about 1% in Green Dot, a payments processor that supports the prepaid and reloadable Walmart MoneyCards, an alternative for low-income customers who do not have bank accounts. Meanwhile, Green Dot has acquired Bonneville Bank, a small commercial bank in Utah. While this might provide a means for Walmart to add full banking services in the U.S., the company stopped pursuing a banking license in 2007, after facing strong opposition from political opponents and banks fearing competition. Lobbyists for the banking industry are arguing that Walmart MoneyCenters should be regulated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau created by the Dodd-Frank bill (also in Bloomberg Businessweek, August 15, 2011). Small Business Loans Members of Walmarts Sams Club stores can obtain small business and start-up business loans of $5,000 to $25,000 through an online application process with discounted fees. Superior Financial Group, an independent issuer Small Business Administration (SBA) insured loans, is the issuer of these loans, not Walmart. Walmart launched the program in 2010, in response to a 2009 survey in which 15% of Sams Club business members indicated that they had been denied credit. Walmart or Wal-Mart The parent corporation is still legally the hyphenated Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. However, the current corporate logo and trademark is a single word without punctuation, Walmart. Some publications, like The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg Businessweek, use Wal-Mart. Others, like the Financial Times, follow the lead of the companys own website, which uses Walmart, as does the new signage on U.S. stores. Adding to the confusion, many of the companys trucks still bear the hyphenated Wal-Mart name, and give the companys website as the hyphenated wal-mart.com, even though the web address has since been changed to walmart.com, without the hyphen.

Best File Format to Use for Your Job Search

Best File Format to Use for Your Job Search Best File Format to Use for Your Job Search Best File Format to Use for Your Job Search Not all file formats are created equal. You've written your resume, keyword optimized it, and had at least three people edit it. Now it's time to save your document and send it out. Have you saved it in the best resume file format for hiring managers to process? We've all been taught to polish our resumes, divide it into readable sections, and stay away from the first person, but what about the actual format? No one ever mentions that detail. Which file format should job seekers use to upload, email, or submit their resumes? The answer: It depends on the situation. Below are the pros and cons of each file format to help you choose the best resume format for every circumstance. Hard Copy Hard copy resumes may be rare, but they are not completely obsolete. Job fairs and interviews still call for the traditional resume, printed on professional-quality paper. The rules for hard copies are also simpler than their electronic cousins. Keep in mind the following resume tips: Don't use paper colors other than white or eggshell. Other colors look unprofessional and can cause issues with readability. Use new, unstained resume paper with a weight of 24-32 lbs. This paper stock is available at most office supply stores. Stay away from graphics, fancy fonts, and colored writing. Don't staple the resume. Use paper clips. Place a cover letter on top of each hard copy. Word Document Microsoft Word is currently the most popular word processor for writing resumes. Documents written on Word will be saved as a .doc or .docx file, which is a popular file format to send as an email attachment. Indeed, many job ads specifically request Word versions over any other program. Do not use OpenOffice or other programs to save your resume as a .doc or .docx. These programs may save in the format but include minor inconsistencies that will cause your resume to look awkward. Pros of Word Documents: Word is standard in most businesses. It maintains the overall formatting and keeps the same feeling. Cons of Word Documents: Some companies don't allow email attachments because of virus risks. There are compatibility issues (.doc vs. .docx and Mac vs. PC) that may alter the format of your resume. PDF Some might consider the PDF to be the best resume file format. While Word has its ups and downs, emailing a PDF gives you complete assurance that the employer will see your resume exactly as you designed it. PDFs also come with extra protection. Hiring managers or other employees cannot edit or alter the document, ensuring your original copy arrives safe and sound. Pros of PDFs: Eliminates virus risk. Compatible with both Macs and PCs. No one can change the resume once it's saved in PDF. Cons of PDFs: The recipient must have Adobe Acrobat Reader. Job seekers may not have the right software to convert documents to PDF. Not all applicant tracking systems can view and parse resumes in this format. HTML HTML files are making a breakthrough in resume formatting. Job seekers can easily save their resumes as an HTML file, which appears similar to an Internet bookmark. Hiring managers open the file on their browser and view it much like a web page. An HTML resume can be sent as an email attachment or posted on a website. Pros of HTML: HTML retains formatting and layout when the resume is sent as an email attachment. The recipient can view the resume right in the email browser without downloading it. The resume can be posted to your website. Cons of HTML: You may require a separate software application to convert the document to HTML. Not all browsers support HTML documents. The resume file may be mistaken for spam, which is often sent in HTML. Plain Text A text resume has no special effects such as bold, italics, or centering. It contains only plain-text characters that can be created from the standard keyboard. This format is the best for applicant tracking software (ATS) purposes, as all ATS systems can sort through, decipher, and read plain text files that do not contain any design elements or conditional formatting. Pros of Plain Text: A text resume can be sent within the body of an email. Plain text makes it easy for employers to place the resume into a searchable database. Some creative effects can be added using keyboard characters. Cons of Plain Text: Text strips out all graphics and special text effects. Isn't very appealing. Often is hard on human eyes. Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Whether you select Word, PDF, HTML, or plain text for your resume, always keep in mind the applicant tracking system (ATS). This applicant-screening software is programmed with basic, common fonts and styles. Stay away from fonts that are stylistic in nature. Times New Roman, Calibri, and Cambria work best with the ATS. This software often cannot read tables, graphics, or colors, so another resume tip is if your resume is posted online for the computer to read, stick with basic formatting. Click on the following link for more resume advice. Ready to update your resume? Start with a free resume critique. Recommended Reading: Avoid the Resume Black Hole With These Tips Are You Trying Too Hard in Your Job Application? 5 Signs It's Time to Hire a ProfessionalResumeWriter

12 LinkedIn profile killers (and how to fix them fast!)

12 LinkedIn profile killers (and how to fix them fast!) 12 LinkedIn profile killers (and how to fix them fast!) Let’s face it, most of us create our LinkedIn profiles and then leave them there sad and alone while barely feeding or watering them*.And it shows.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!Want to make sure that the next big headhunter or recruiter doesn’t skip right over your profile? Try some of these:No profile at allWould you believe that not everyone actually has a LinkedIn profile? Top executive leadership and career coach Pat Roque says not having one is a “fatal error” since there are over 500 million professionals using the platform. Roque, who teaches courses including “How to Rock Your LinkedIn Profile” suggests creating a profile and challenging yourself to add at least 500 new connections this year.An unprofessional photo (or none at all)Roque reminds us that research shows “having a profile photo makes you 14x more likely to be viewed by others.” She adv ises following follow this suggestion from Lydia Abbot, Blog Editor Content Marketer at LinkedIn: “Make sure your LinkedIn profile picture is up-to-date (within the past few years) and reflects how you look on a daily basis â€" your hair, glasses, makeup, etc.”Typos, inaccuracies or mistakes aplenty“If you make mistakes when describing yourself it shows you don’t care and that you will make mistakes for the people are considering hiring you or working with you,” cautions Bill Corbett, Jr.  , who regularly speaks on the topic of improving your LinkedIn profile and trains whole sales teams on amping up their LinkedIn presence. “Laziness and carelessness are not messages that help your career,” Corbett advises hiring somebody to proof your profile.Not honoring the algorithmGoogle isn’t the only search system to rely heavily on keywords. Roque says to “Be sure to use searchable keywords in your headline, summary, keywords, job titles, and skills.”Ignoring the built- in free career tools“Don’t forget to take advantage of LinkedIn’s Summary tool,” recommends David Bakke of Money Crashers. You can “highlight career accomplishments and achievements. Leaving this blank looks unprofessional and more importantly unappealing.”Thinking LinkedIn is FacebookLeave the bro stuff for your more private social networks, LinkedIn is about building your professional life. “Don’t post items that are personal that don’t relate at least in some way to business,” Corbett cautions. “Doing this makes you look silly and out of touch, as well as unprofessional.”Forgetting to include a Call to ActionGosh, your profile is impressive sitting there all fixed up and everything. But is it doing anything for you? Roque offers this suggestion “Always share an easy way for interested hiring managers or collaborators to reach you, such as inviting them to a virtual coffee.”Failure to respondIf somebody sends you a message, respond.   It’s basic commo n courtesy even if it’s not the best fit. “Failure to do it is rude and hurts your reputation,” says Corbett.Omitting important accomplishmentsIn trying to pare down your profile, Roque says you might be leaving out important “volunteer efforts, anything to show your community spirit and personal interests beyond the obvious job and education history.” Think about what you might do when faced with 20 similar profiles. You’d probably choose the person who seems more connected to their world beyond the office. It proves them well-rounded beyond their cube.Being all about the hard sellAt this point, most of us recognize someone who is always only pushing their own professional agenda. Corbett calls hard selling on LinkedIn “marketing kryptonite, instead of killing Superman these actions kill your reputation.” And people won’t respond positively to that hard push. “People will run away from you instead of running to you!”Never say anything bad about somebodyWhile t he president freely uses his social media platform to tweet about anyone who displeases him, it’s probably not a wise move for anyone concerned with their own reputation. And it’s an even worse idea on LinkedIn. “Being critical of people publicly on LinkedIn is not a good strategy for building relationships,” said Corbett. Besides, you have nothing to gain from ragging on your competitor “and you never look good doing this, even if the person is a complete idiot.”Not publishing or posting articlesIf your job search feels stalled or you just want to perk things up a little, Roque thinks it’s a great idea to keep your profile fresh by writing or linking to think pieces or people relevant to your industry.- - - *Though some people really do shovel on the fertilizer!You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people