Monday, December 30, 2019

Coffee Meets Bagel CEO on turning down $30M on Shark Tank, working with family, and pursuing her dream

Coffee Meets Bagel CEO on turning down $30M on Shark Tank, working with family, and pursuing zu sich dreamCoffee Meets Bagel CEO on turning down $30M on Shark Tank, working with family, and pursuing her dreamBefore she headed one of Millennials top stops for dating, Coffee Meets Bagel CEO Dawoon Kang took a gamble. She didnt have to, but an inner calling welches urging her to do something different with her life. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, Kang welches working for JP Morgan when she wanted to start her own geschftliches miteinander. Together with her two sisters, they started Coffee Meets Bagel, the Millennial dating app that stresses slow dating compared to hook-up counterparts like Tinder and Bumble.Kang recently visited Ladders offices in Manhattan to speak at length about her experience as CEO, the dynamic of running a company with her twin sister, why she left JP Morgan to chase her dream job, and what would she do if two employees met using her app.Career pivotYou w orked at Avon and JP Morgan before leaving and starting Coffee Meets Bagel with yur sisters. Some would say thats a risk. What influenced your decision in changing career fields?I grew up in an entrepreneur family. My sisters and I always knew that we wanted to start a geschftsleben together. It welches very inspiring, particularly my dad, because he ran a pretty sizable business which he built from ground up with his brother. It welches a recycling metal business which had different factories. He actually built a lot of the plants himself. He was an engineer and patented a lot of them. He went through hiring and firing, sometimes going through layoffs - that was his baby. Sometimes he would just wake up and start talking about work. He probably didnt really care that we didnt really understand the things he was saying, but I think just the energy was very contagious.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreIt became something that we knew we were going to do. We just didnt know when. Of course, we all had our own interests as well. For me, particularly in finance, I went to Penn. Wharton has a very strong presence on campus. I majored in psychology, I was a Liberal Arts major. I think part of me always saw finance as this mysterious power and intelligence. I kind of wanted to try it for the sake of finding out what its like to be in it. I was partially interested in the field of micro-finance for economic development and knew that in order to get into something like micro-finance, like private sector finance, experience only helps. I never really saw that as my calling or anything. It was very intellectually stimulating. Theres always something exciting happening and youre surrounded by colleagues who are really driven and ambitious. I knew very quickly that this wasnt something I wanted to do for the long term because it doesnt feed my soul. I did it for three years and then at the time, my twin sister graduated from school. She said we always talked about starting something together, why dont we just try it now. Thats when I moved off.A lot of people ask me, Was it hard? I think because I grew up in an entrepreneur family it didnt seem that crazy to me. Jeff Bezos talks about this a lot because he also comes from Wall Street. He talks about how he started Amazon where he was packing boxes on the floor and what not. He uses this framework called regret minimization model. Its basically like imagine yourself when youre 60 looking back, what decisions will you regret making the least? I think thats where you dont want to be for yourself, no matter what the outcome is. I thought that was such a no brainer because I got to work on something that I wanted to do since I was little with two really awesome people. Being able to give it a go and create something that could impact millions of peoples lives, I mean, it just really felt like a no bra iner.Making a name for yourself in a crowded spaceWhat about joining the dating app landscape? I feel like its always changing with whats hot and popular while others die off.Its never really changed. A lot of people really think dating just heated up recently, but its actually not true. Its always been like this, just not in mobile space. Theres never been a shortage of dating services. The competitive dynamic is still the same. The reason why we landed on dating because we think its an interesting dicke bretter bohren mssen. If youre going to do something for a long time, you better make koranvers its something that youre really passionate and invested in. It has to be really meaningful to you. We said, Hey, whats more meaningful than enabling people to find someone significant in your life? It really does have a transformative impact on you. That felt really good for us. It was an interesting but very hard problem.We also saw market potential. There are millions of singles coming online globally. Its growing 15-20% every year. Its a very huge market. We also saw white space in this sea of dating services. We didnt really see a dating service that took this slow dating angle that focuses on quality. We really thought that was the best - and better way - to actually create real connections that add something more to your life instead of just swiping all day.The leadership transitionWhats the fruchtwein surprising aspect of being a CEO for you?One thing that I didnt realize starting off when you get to a company of 20-25 size, thats probably the biggest transition for a CEO whos a founder. When youre starting small as a founder, youre basically a product person. Your vision, and the problem you wanted to solve, you brought the product into life and youre just building it. Youre the product manager basically. Once your gruppe becomes bigger, you actually become a manager and a leader. That transition is actually the hardest and the fruchtwein jarring for a lo t of founders because we start off as a product person and we feel like thats what we need to be doing. But you kind of start having to let go of that and you need to think about how to build an organization. That takes a lot of investment and work. Thats something that should be talked about more.Was it difficult for you?I think it caught me by surprise. It wasnt difficult. Luckily, I enjoy both - not every founder is like that. But I think I was caught by surprise by how I was spending too little time on leadership and managing and recruiting and retaining. Those all take a lot of time. There was a period of time at CMB that I saw some turnovers very unexpectedly that made me realize what should I be prioritizing at this juncture of this company. I realized I wasnt spending enough time at this area of my job which has now become more important because, in order for my company to be successful, I need have to succeed through my team. I cant be the one who is actually doing things anymore.Being that you run a dating app, whats your stance on inter-office dating?Our teammates use CMB and other dating services because we can always learn to go on dates. A lot of us are single and very much like our target user base. We actually have a singles channel on our Slack for all our singles and we have conversations like these. They are the first people our product and marketing team go to to get immediate feedback. In terms of office dating, we dont encourage. We dont have a specific policy on it.But, hypothetically, what if a coworker were to match with another coworker through CMB, would you encourage the relationshipI wouldnt encourage it like, Oh, I think you guys should date. Were very small so everyone knows each other. If they were to see each other on the app and something starts happening, I think thats great but Im not going to encourage that, per se. Its their personal thing. We encourage everyone to use CMB because they are single and dating. But if they a re single and not dating, I dont want anyone to feel pressured to use it.Swimming with SharksIn 2015, CMB went on SharkTank and turned down reportedly the highest offer ever ($30 million) on the show. What were you hoping to accomplish on SharkTank?We were looking for a deal and exposure. Shark Tank is great because it gives you both.If Mark Cuban were to offer you $30 million today for CMB, would your answer be different?No, I dont think. The problem that we set out to solve which is dating is such a hard, exhausting thing. Its honestly gotten worse with the rise in Tinder and mobile dating apps that emphasize and causes all this swipe fatigue. Theres actually is even more and a real desire and real awareness with this not being the right model here. Years later now, I dont think theres better timing for a service like CMB because of how the dating industry has evolved.Coffee Meets Bagel had a big year last year. The app doubled its user number and raised $12 million in its Series B in 2018.The app underwent a redesign and introduced a ton of new features. Is there anything else on the horizon to look out for?We have so much stuff coming out that Im super excited about like our subscription program. We havent even rolled out the actual product because its still being built into a package that we want to present. But the experiments we have done have been extremely successful, but we want to make it into this ultimate dating hack where its a super no-brainer. Im sure Ladders audience falls into a similar category they want to be super productive and whatever they do, they want the biggest bang for their buck. If youre that person, its no brainer - youll become a CMB premium member because its a great way to get results fast. We are adding things like priority likes where youll always be the first to be seen by your potential matches. There will be unlimited likes. We give our users a limited amount of matches because if the user is actually exposed to too man y, they are just going to be swiping. But if youre someone whos willing to prioritize and commit to dating and making a lot of room for it if youre becoming a premium member, obviously youre not going to swipe and youre going to still be thoughtful, so well give you more. You have access to activity reports, where youre with more data from your matches so youre not left wondering if they saw your chat, how likely are they to respond, do they actually typically initiate chats? Its kind of like your superpower.Were actually creating a section called Likes you for you, where youll actually spend only time on people that actually liked you. Its just going to power-boost your dating life which comes out in July. Its our way to fight to ghosting. Besides the subscription package, not everyone is going to have this approach of wanting the best bang for their buck. A lot of users are not going to want to do that. We want to make sure our basic service is still really good and differentiated and delivering our mission. There are features for everyone. My philosophy with how dating apps have evolved in the last few years is about swiping and what not.We get a lot of inspiration from other dating services like matchmakers like how can we bring in some of their ideas instead of being just a regular dating app. Theres going to be a lot of those features coming up in the summer.Whats the most enjoyable part about being a CEO?There are two things. If I think about the stakeholders of my company, its our customers, my team, and then my shareholders, which actually include my team and investors. What gives me joy the most is when Im able to make them feel joyful and fulfilling. Nothing makes me happier than that. For our customers, when we hear from them about what kind of impact Coffee Meets Bagel has had on them when they share photos or stories or their babies. Even if they didnt get married, they still learned something through the people that they met on Coffee Meets Bage l. Nothing makes me happier or more fulfilled than thinking my time was worthwhile.I would say my team has a higher impact on joy than even the customers. That might sound weird, but I work with my team on a daily basis. I come into the office and see them working so hard, building and making our vision come true. Seeing them with each other really gives me a lot of joy. Recently, we celebrated the anniversary of an employee. Any time theres an anniversary, we celebrate together. My teammate was celebrating his four-year anniversary with us. In the Valley, the average tenure is not even one year. This was a big milestone. He wrote me such a nice email about his reflection on the last four years and what kind of impact working at Coffee Meets Bagel and with me and the teammates has had on his life. It brought me to tears. Thats hands down the most fulfilling part of my job, making an impact on my team and working with my team.Of course, if something doesnt really go well, thats also the most stressful.Keeping it in the familyWhats the dynamic of running a company with your twin sister, Arum? Id have to imagine there are times when you butt heads.Its not easy. The great thing is we have a level of trust and respect for each other. Thats something that needs to be talked about more. I feel its the most critical attribute you need to find in your partner or co-founder because even if theres a little bit of dent in trust, it causes a ton of dysfunction in your company between you and your co-founder. Even if she does something I dont understand, she has the best interest in the company and the best interest in me. She would put that ahead of her own needs or visa verse. I have no doubt in my mind about that which is really awesome.On the flip side, theres a lot of things we have to deal with being sisters, having that baggage and growing up as sisters when we were little. We started as co-founders. My older sister Soo left because she started a family and wanted to focus more on the family. My twin sister and I run Coffee Meets Bagel. Being twins, you get compared a lot growing up. You self consciously compare yourself to the other person. There were certain levels of a competitive dynamic that have gone on and on throughout our lives. We do butt heads from time to time, actually pretty frequently laughs. The good thing is we have the tools now to be able to work things out because sometimes it gets heated. I think its very important for our roles to be clearly defined such that whenever theres an issue that cant be resolved, we have to differ it to the other person when it comes to their own domain as long as we stick to that. In the very beginning, it was very hard to stick to that but now whoever owns that domain owns the ultimate call.5 questionsWhats the best advice you never listened to?I didnt never listen to it, but I definitely didnt get it. The value of relationships. Really, thats everything. Not only for the success of your busine ss but for your life. At the end of the day, thats what matters. If you actually got something at the expense of the relationship, youre going to regret it.Whats the last book you read?Im currently reading A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. Hes a really amazing philosopher who really talks about the new earth. This might be a little bit out there laughs but peoples conciseness wakes up and we become aware of who we are as ourselves versus our ego. A lot of times we think its the same but its actually not.Are you a podcast listener? Have any youd like to share that impact you?One of my favorites isImpact Theory by Tom Bilyeu. I look up to him so much. A lot of things I share are tidbits that I get from him. He talks a lot about dating because he and his wife actually starting a company together and in the Impact Theory, he interviews a lot of great people. Sometimes, he has podcasts that are focused solely on relationship because of both of them on. Hes my hero.Do you have a morning or ni ghtly routine you try to stick by?I have a set routine. Its nothing innovative that I do, but I have a gratitude journal. Sometimes I write or if I feel lazy or too tired, I actually tell my partner. In the morning, I do the same thing every single day. Its by this guy named Hal Elrod called The Morning Miracle. Its six things you meditate, exercise, visualize, you have affirmation and you read and write.Would you say this is your dream job?This is my dream job Its funny - I also went to business school and in the last semester, we have a seminar dedicated to life outside of school. I remember one of the alumni coming and he was talking about his job saying how he wakes up every day to go to work and how he feels grateful for having this job. He said he couldnt believe he got paid to do this. After he left, we were having discussions with our classmates, asking each other, Is that possible? We all concluded that wasnt possible and it was BS. Its so funny looking back on that becaus e Im in the same position. Certainly there are days when I dont feel like this, but usually, I wake up feeling super energized and really lucky to do what I do. I feel really lucky for the team that I have and really humbled and honored by the opportunity. I think its a privilege to run Coffee Meets Bagel and I cant believe I get paid to do it.I could say I wish I could work a little bit less and thats something Im working on. It does sometimes get overwhelming.If someone is in your similar position thinking about leaving a solid, safe job to chase a dream, what would you tell them?This may sound out there, but take time to listen to yourself. That requires sitting still and listening to yourself. When it comes to a dream job that actually not in the realm of what youre used to, theres a lot of skepticism and doubts. You fear thats going to be there. Its going to sway you the other way. Its going to confuse you and you might end up believing that this isnt what you want to do. Its v ery important you create room to listen carefully about what your mind and body is telling you. Keep inquiring. Figure out what the fear is and keep asking. Thats really an important element.I also think creating support is also very important. Of course, if you have more support, its going to feel less scary. If you have a supportive family, supportive friends or finding someone whos actually done this, its very important.I guess this is all mitigating fear so that you can actually just listen to what you really want. This also helped me out a lot. Imagine your worse scenario. For me, it was starting this thing and it not going anywhere. We said we were going to do this for a year. A year in the grand scheme of life isnt a whole lot of time. We invested our own money and I invested the money I was comfortable losing. After a year, if it doesnt take off we move on. Itll be a good experience and I could go back to doing what I was doing before. When I positioned it that way, it didnt feel like a big deal. To think its a choice I have to live with for the rest of my life is really scary. But that made it easier for us to make that change.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Why You Shouldnt Lie on Your ResumeAnd How Many Do Anyway

Why You Shouldnt Lie on Your ResumeAnd How Many Do AnywayWhy You Shouldnt Lie on Your Resume- And How Many Do Anyway2According to new research, 1 in 10 people surveyed have lied or embellished the truth on their resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile to help them get a job at a different company. Yet if job seekers or workers get caught lying about their professional credentials, it can result in serious consequences, including being fired from a job or elend hired for an opportunity.The 2019 research findings from Blindwere based on responses from more than 10,000 people from 17 different companies. The survey focused on workers in the technology industry, and resulted in over 1,000 respondents from various tech firms including Amazon, Facebook, Uber, Google, and Microsoft stating that the following statement was trueI have embellished or lied on my LinkedIn or resume/CV to help land another job.SAP, Amazon, Cisco, and PayPal topped the list of companies that had the most employe es who admitted to this type of career-related lying (at 12.5%, 11.57%, and 10.78% of employees, respectively). Salesforce had the fewest employees who said that they lied on their resume or LinkedIn, at just 2.83%.According to Blind, when people lie on their resume, its often related to their age, academic degrees, technical abilities, or even their criminal records. Interview situations seem to generate a different set of lies about the job candidates references, previous salaries, and full work history.This isnt the first study that has documented a percentage of the job search population as lying- and it isnt just a tech industry phenomenon. In 2017, HireRight published an employment screening benchmark report that found a surprising 85% of employers caught job applicants in the act of lying on their job applications or resumes- an increase from 66% in the five years prior.In an article from Inc., J.T. ODonnell speculated on reasons why job seekers might feel compelled to lie ev en during times when unemployment rates are low, noting that applicant tracking systems- in which applicants must enter their details in a very specific format on the companys website- may be part of whats behind the increasing trend. Job seekers have gotten wise to the finicky nature of the technology and are lying on their resumes and applications in hopes of making the cut, ODonnell wrote.Regardless of how compelling your reason might be to stretch the truth during the application process, its not wise to fib to a potential employer about your background and/or credentials. While you may think that youre getting away with your story in the short-term, employers have multiple ways at getting at the truth, which include (as ODonnell points out)Online background checks, which employers can purchase to confirm everything from past employers for whom youve worked, to your salary history and criminal records.Calling people not on your reference list.While most employers will request th at you provide a list of professional and/or personal references to validate your performance and character, not all recruiters or managers will stick to your list. As ODonnell explains Some recruiters research and secretly contact ex-colleagues of a candidate to inquire about his or her performance. Their goal is to speak to someone NOT recommended to them by the candidate, since most references have been coached to say only good things.Interview grilling.Using interview techniques such as behavioral interviewing, hiring teams may try to throw you off by drilling down into questions that require extensive detail of past experiences to answer. If you falter or cant justify the claimed experiences with concrete examples, then the gig is up.As you can see, lying during the hiring process is a risky business. If youre caught in the act, it goes without saying that you wont get the job that you want. Worse yet, your failure to tell the truth could affect your professional credibility wi th other employers and recruiters as well, since they may network and share their experiences. So instead of making something up on your resume, job application, LinkedIn profile, or during an interview, just do the right thing come clean about your work history and background to have the best chance of getting that offer.Wish you could talk through your job search and career questions with someone?SIGN UP FOR CAREER COACHING

Friday, December 20, 2019

15 Simple Life Changes You Can Make to Become a Better Person

15 Simple Life Changes You Can Make to Become a Better Person15 Simple Life Changes You Can Make to Become a Better PersonMost of us want to be a better rolle- whether at home, in the office, or just when were out running errands. The harte nuss is where exactly do you start?I realized a couple years ago that I was a jerk at times to people I worked with and to people I feel I couldnt get any value out of. Over the past couple years Ive become a much better person by working on myself.Here are some of the things Ive been implementing into my daily routine to become a better person on a daily basis.1. Think Before You SpeakWords can carry a lot of weight. Think about the first time your significant other told you that he or she loved you. How awesome did that feel? However, words can also be hurtful. Have you ever told an inappropriate joke or called someone a bleeping-bleep? You probably felt pretty lousy afterward.Always take the couple extra seconds to think about the impact of you r words before you say them out loud.2. Embrace ChangeChange helps us grow as individuals. Instead of resisting change, you should be open to trying new things, even if they scare you. For example, you may be nervous about trying that new Thai restaurant in town, but you might discover your new favorite restaurant.Besides embracing change, you should also advocate for positive change. You could start a food drive or recycling program at the office, which would both make your community a better place.3. Be GratefulAccording to research, those who have gratitude journals are more optimistic and feel better about their lives. Additionally, those who discuss gratitude are less envious of wealthier people, are more willing to help others, and can prevent health concerns like coronary artery disease.4. Do the Right ThingAs an adult, you should definitely know the difference between right and wrong. Lets say you dont clean up after your dog after taking it for a walk. You dont need someone to remind you that you should clean up the mess. You know that its your responsibility and that its not fair to leave it there for someone else to step in.5. Use Your StrengthsRemember, your skills and talents are a gift. Dont let them go to waste. If you know how to play the guitar, then share it with others. It will bring joy to you and the people in your life.6. Address Your WeaknessesAt the saatkorn time, you also should be aware of your weaknesses. Its another way that helps us grow as individuals. Take the time to make a list of your weaknesses and set goals to work on them.I am a hard person to deal with. I realize this. Learn to admit and address your weaknesses and then find ways to make them better.7. Take Care of YourselfExercise. Eat healthy. Get enough sleep. Youve heard that advice a thousand times before. But taking care of yourself is one of the best ways to make yourself a better person. For example, how can you go outside and play with your kids when you always fe el lethargic? How can you be more productive at work when youre exhausted? Not only will you be happier and more productive, your loved ones and colleagues will also appreciate it.8. Be a HeroThat doesnt mean that you have to put on a pair of tights and cape. It means helping an elderly neighbor with the groceries. Opening doors for others. Buying a cup of coffee for the person in front of you when her card gets declined. Listening to a friend when his relationship just ended.9. Pay Attention to OthersDoesnt it feel great when someone asks how your day went? Try and do the same for others. Even if you have to jot down reminders in your calendar, it can make all the difference in the world to someone when you follow up with them on important events.10. Stop Being WastefulJust because you can have five plates of food at an all-you-can-eat buffet doesnt mean that you have to- waste is a problem for the food service industry. You can also reduce water usage by taking shorter showers and create less trash by recycling. And, dont forget that unplugging devices when not in use can save electricity. During your part, no matter how small it may seem, can be really important for the environment.11. Be CuriousEvidence, shared via The Huffington Post, found that curiosity can help strengthen relationships, keep your brain stimulated, lessen anxiety, keep you happy, and help you learn- even uninteresting subjects.12. Forgive Yourself and OthersHumans make mistakes- even when its you who makes the mistake. And sometimes those mistakes really sting. However, instead of devoting your energy holding onto that mistake or feeling guilty, forgive that individual- or yourself- and focus on the future. Remember, revenge isnt good for your health, and the best revenge is your is success and happiness.13. Dont Be ImpatientWhen we get impatient, we get aggravated and may do something well regret. Ask yourself, how do you feel if you yelled at your child or a colleague because youre in a rush to get out the door in the morning or finish a project? By practicing patience youll not only make better decisions, youll feel better about yourself every day.14. Be YourselfWhen youre authentic, youll be more focused, build courage, establish your own identity, and be able to define your values and beliefs.15. Stop Pointing FingersIll never forget a grade school teacher telling the class, When you point one finger, there are three fingers pointing back to you. We all face obstacles in life, but you cant use that as an excuse to hold you back or to grow as person.In the words of author and motivational speaker Jack CanfieldRemember, you and you alone are responsible for maintaining your energy. Give up blaming, complaining and excuse making, and keep taking action in the direction of your goals- however mundane or lofty they may be.Part of life is growing and becoming a better person- each and every day. What steps are you working on to improve your life?mora From Inc.How P ersonal Values Make You a Better LeaderAre You Nice or Can You Be Nice, Which One Is It?9 Awesome Things Entrepreneurs Are Too Nice to Brag AboutPhoto of happy man courtesy of Shutterstock.

Sunday, December 15, 2019

QA Engineer Job and Salary

QA Engineer Job and SalaryQA Engineer Job and SalaryLarge manufacturing companies and the military - groups at the forefront of the computer revolution - pioneered the QA engineer job. So, it is no surprise that software development and quality engineering are closely linked. The software quality assurance engineer (QA engineer) has become a critical component of the software development process.But how has the role evolved?From CMMI to agileIn the last 20 years, the manufacturing world has been moving toward lean methodologies (such as those pioneered at Toyota) that help to streamline product development processes. QA engineers previously worked with software developers who used Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) and other waterfall development techniques, but in the past 15 years many have replaced them with Agile methods. Agile techniques and tools have taken the software development industry - and the role of the QA engineer - by storm since the writing of the Agil e Manifesto in 2001.Instead of having a big chunk of the development process labeled testing, where developers throw code over the fence and into the QA process, QA engineers now work closely with programmers to produce high-quality code quickly while incorporating feedback from customers along the way. The end result is that development teams and the rest of the IT organization have been gelling into DevOps, with the QA engineer a key part of that transformation.From single to multiple platformsOriginally, applications were developed for only one or two platforms. But todays applications will often have a server component with an application program interface (API) which is, in turn, used by mobile, web and desktop applications. Each of those client applications will likely span multiple platforms such as iOS and Android for mobile, or Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox for web applications. This means even a simple application can have five or more different platforms to be tes ted, requiring the QA engineer to bring specialized knowledge on all fronts. Is it any wonder that there is strong demand for quality assurance engineers in the current job market?From manual to automated testingWhen the Web first hit the scene it welches hard to imagine that the non-interactive pages of the first version of HTML would evolve to become full-fledged word processors, spreadsheets or photo editors within two decades. Not only are these applications sophisticated, but they also have a lot of code written in languages like JavaScript, Python and Ruby. This creates added testing requirements for the QA engineer because there is no compilation step to check syntactical correctness.To keep up, the QA engineer of today uses a wide range of automated tools such as LoadRunner and Selenium to put applications through their paces. Because some of these tools have unique purposes such as unit testing, load testing or regression testing, todays QA engineers need specialized knowle dge to use each of these tools, including the ability to write scripts.Todays skills requirements and salary expectationsIn the past, QA engineers performed most or all of their work manually, which was doable since there were a limited number of devices actually needing to be tested. Modern QA engineers spend much of their time working with automated tools to titelblatt the wide variety of devices that can be used. While mobile and web applications have provided end users with benefits such as the ability to use applications on the go or without complex configuration, they have significantly increased both the need for and the difficulty of the work that the QA engineer must do.SkillsQA engineer (manual) Manual QA engineers define the scope and objectives of various levels of QA testing. They also write and maintain test automation, publish test results, develop quality assurance standards, and define and track quality assurance metrics. Manual quality assurance engineers should be highly knowledgeable in quality assurance principles and procedures and able to define, write and maintain test automation. He or she must have effective communication skills to translate technical processes and analytic techniques to solve problems, and be familiar with the materials used to build a product.QA engineer (automated) Automated quality assurance engineers develop and execute automated testing suites. They also lead quality assurance efforts within a software development group and work closely with development teams and stakeholders performing QA activities. These professionals lead QA efforts through defining, developing, executing and documenting automated test plans and cases. Employers look for extensive knowledge in at least one automated testing framework.SalaryThe midpoint salary for a QA engineer (manual) is $71,500, according to the 2019 Robert Half Technology Salary Guide, depending on factors such as experience, industry, local market demand, specialized ski lls and company reputation.The midpoint salary for a QA engineer (automated) is $84,000, according to the Salary Guide, depending on factors such as experience, industry, local market demand, specialized skills and company reputation.Check out the 2019 Robert Half Technology Salary Guide for more details on salaries and other IT trends.This post has been updated to reflect more current information.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

What you should know about applying for jobs this holiday season

What you should know about applying for jobs this holiday seasonWhat you should know about applying for jobs this holiday seasonIts that time of year when seasons begin to change, and a lot of people start pondering their jobs Is my current role a good fit for me? Is it time to search for something new? Regardless of your employment status or what youre considering for your next career move, here are a few things you should you know applying for jobs this season.Keep in Mind that Hiring Patterns are Industry SpecificGenerally, hiring will slow down during the holidays, however keep in mind that industries vary based on their peak season. For example, January through April is peak season for tax and accounting professionals, so a lot of firms want to hire employees before the end of the year so they can onboard and train them before busy season starts.Retail companies also hire a lot of employees during the holiday time. (Target is expected hire 120,000 workers this holiday season, up 20% from 2017.) Most of the time these are seasonal roles, but you can use this to your benefit. While retail might not be part of your career goals, if youre strapped for cash, taking on a seasonal role can be a great way to make some extra money while mucksmuschenstill maintaining a career focused job search.Research your target industry and approach potential employers accordingly. Industries who thrive in the new year (i.e. health, wellness, nutrition, etc.) will likely hire employees during holiday months to prepare for the January boom. Additionally, if an employee is planning to make a career move, its possible that they will leave one company before the holidays and negotiate the start date for their new role in the new year to gain some needed rest. If this is the case, there will be an opening during the holiday season that the company will likely want to fill. This could be your opportunity to land a job quickly.Continue Applying for Jobs Through the Slow PeriodDont stop applying between Thanksgiving and the New Year. Since many job seekers take this time off, assuming that no one is hiring, youll likely be in a smaller pool of candidates and can more easily stand out, says career coach, Alyson Garrido.Many job seekers simply take the holidays off because they dont think its worth it, so use this to your advantage. If others are being lazy about their job search, use that to motivate you. Employers will likely notice and appreciate your drive, which will work in your favor.Be Mindful of the Time of YearYes, you should absolutely keep applying to jobs throughout the holiday season, but be mindful that the holidays are a time to spend with the people you love. Dont expect to hear back from anyone on actual holidays, and keep in mind that most offices are closed the day after thanksgiving and potentially Christmas Eve/the day after Christmas. Dont send emaille after email asking for a response. Applying to jobs during November and December is one thin g, but pestering a potential employer or industry contact about a job opportunity is something different.Spread Holiday CheerWhen it comes to networking, sending a holiday message is a great way to connect with others without having to immediately reach out to discuss employment opportunities. Alyson Garrido goes on to say, Send year-end notes wishing your contacts a joyous holiday season or happy new year. Its an easy way to keep in touch and stay on your contacts radar without asking scheduling a coffee or asking a question. Simple, personalized notes make a lasting impression.This article was originally posted on CreateandCultivate.

Friday, December 6, 2019

Unusual Article Uncovers the Deceptive Practices of Office Job Resume

Unusual Article Uncovers the Deceptive Practices of Office Job Resume All you have to do is search the world wide web. In a couple of minutes, youll have a flawless instance of precisely how incredible you are as a possible hire. But youre probably earning a mistake thats equally as bad. Theres no need list them. Before getting into the center of a work hunt, its wise to assemble a detailed plan, along the lines of a company program. Cumulatively these little things add up and add to the success of the organization. Owing to that, it usually means that youre likely to need to find techniques to give yourself some advantage they dont have. It is going to also demonstrate that you understand how to get things done. Get the Scoop on Office Job Resume Before Youre Too Late With the objective statement, you can better your probability of getting hired when you include the most suitable mixture of hard and soft abilities, same as in your qualifications section. Make certain tha t you have ready a minumum of one example for a time you demonstrated skills from every category listed here. Theres a simple way to demonstrate your resume experience. Get experience whenever its possible. Our resume builder makes it simple to create a well-written resume in a few minutes. Let our comprehensive resume builder do the difficult work for you. Simply take a look at the entry level post office resume template below to have a start on making your own document. Looking at examples are able to help you make a decision as to what type of content you should include, along with how to format your resume. The job resume is a handwritten or printed document that can help provide precise and brief details about a person who would like to submit an application for a work prospect. This job resume template might be downloaded on the internet or searched from word processing computer software. Beyond a sheet of paper, you would like the manager to learn how valuable youre. The recruiter will learn if you have not properly formatted the document. The resume is a rather important document in the expert career of a person. Dont make them search for this info. Highlight your abilities and respective job responsibilities you had undertaken from your prior employers. We know the reach of her achievement. You might have to receive a small creative, but below are some additional accomplishments you may cite. Proactive individual with superior interpersonal and keyboarding abilities. Companies will always feel that any experience is a great experience. The work description will most likely incorporate a list of required skills. The experience section is going to be divided in line with the different positions youve held. Hard skills are the ones that are teachable. What You Can Do About Office Job Resume Beginning in the Next 3 Minutes Your aim here is to permit the employer understand what you mean to donate to the organization and why you could be ideal for the position. The positive results of your job search is completely your decision. You also ought to state in the Office Clerk resume objective that you fully grasp the roles expected of a person in your position. Any man who applies for work in any organization should prepare and present their job resume. Its crucial to tell the hiring manager what degree youve got, and where youre licensed to practice in your Career Objective. You need your resume to clearly demonstrate the employer what type of employee you are going to be. An administrator should be in a position to have the ability to plan ahead of time and prepare for any possible office problems. Here comes a resume that uses education to demonstrate the applicant is excellent for the job. Outside of experience within the field, hiring managers may be searching for bright candidates with at least a high school diploma or even some kind of business degree. In order to make certain your professional resume w ill support your objectives, utilize this office manager job description to inform what you need to highlight on your resume. While there arent any set-in-stone guidelines outside of what hiring managers are seeking regarding education, a candidate may have to have specific certifications or training to qualify. Above all, it aids the hiring manager quickly grasp the reach of the applicants experiences. The Nuiances of Office Job Resume Last, dont submit the identical application to all the companies you intend to apply to. This statement is the initial and potentially only portion of your resume an employer will read over, therefore its important to showcase your abilities and value within this statement. You dont need to get a costly suit. Explain how you intend to take care of these in case you become hired by the organization.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Why You Cant Approach A Virtual Team Like A Regular One

Why You Cant Approach A Virtual Team Like A Regular OneGetting a virtual gruppe startedNot so long ago, you could landsee every person you worked with from your desk. If you had a question for someone, you just had to walk a few cubicles down to ask. You knew all of your colleagues by their facial features, bedrngnis by their schmelzglas address.Workplace collaboration is significantly different now.In fact, a 2016 survey by RW3 CultureWizard found that around the world, 85 percent of employees have worked on a virtual kollektiv. Of those respondents, 41 percent had never met the other team members in person.While working remotely is becoming the norm, it doesnt come without its challenges, especially for managers of those teams. Heres what you need to know to get the most out of a virtual teamGetting a virtual team startedHiringThe problem When youre hiring virtual team members, location is a big problem. Chances are, not only are the applicants all over the globe, but so is the hir ing team. Different time zones make interview scheduling a nightmare. Not to mention its next to impossible and expensive to get everyone in the saatkorn place in order to interview and evaluate candidates.For many organizations, the next best option is a phone interview. However, this method has severe limitations. If there are multiple members of the hiring team on the call with the candidate at one time, it can be confusing when people begin talking over each other. You also arent able to see the candidate. Subtle, but important, cues from their body language and posture are missed. This leaves you to guessing if the candidate is as confident as they sound.Given these factors, its no surprise that a July 2015 Korn Ferry survey revealed that only 23 percent of executives rank phone interviews as the best way to assess candidates.The Solution One-way, pre-recorded video interviews make location and scheduling irrelevant when hiring a virtual team. Candidates can record their answ ers whenever, wherever. More importantly, members of the hiring team have the same flexibility to review applicants. Since you can easily take a second look at these video interviews, there is no reason to make rash decisions that lead to bad hires. Everyone can take time to think before giving their input. This allows you to make better decisions about which candidates should move on to the next round of the hiring process.Tip Make sure everyone on the hiring team understands the difference between video interviews and regular interviews so they can effectively evaluate talent. For example, they can learn a lot about a candidates professionalism based on where they choose to record their responses and what they wear. CommunicatingThe Problem While there are dozens of different ways for virtual teams to communicate, they all have their issues. For example, text-based communication, like instant messaging platforms or email, can be easily misconstrued. Without vocal or physical cues, a simple sentence like Is the project ready yet? can be interpreted many different ways.In fact, the aforementioned RW3 CultureWizard survey found 51 percent of respondents said it was challenging to fully understand context without face-to-face communication. Plus, employees begin to feel lonely if theyre spending mora time typing to people than actually speaking to them.The Solution Use video communication whenever possible, especially when the information is particularly important. For instance, when its time to deliver good news to your virtual team, do it via a video conference. This will give everyone an opportunity to see and appreciate the excitement of your accomplishment. When messenger or email are necessary, however, take the time to make sure everything is clearly communicated. Have employees rephrase what youve asked them to do in their own words just like theyd do when practicing active listening.Tip Dont be afraid to get creative with communications. You can use me mes or emojis to convey positive emotions more effectively.If you want to set your virtual team up for success, focus on communication. HRClick To TweetOrganizing a virtual teamPlanningThe Problem In any work environment, it can be difficult to decide how to plan and schedule out tasks for a project. With virtual teams, this can be especially tough. You need to be able to determine how much time each step will take and whos the best person for the job.If everyone isnt clear on how theyre supposed to organize their assignments, they will become overwhelmed. In fact, an October 2015 Wrike survey reported that 51 percent of employees found problems surrounding prioritizing tasks stressful.The Solution Have a detailed discussion about what needs to be done with your employees. Take time to decide who will be responsible for which tasks and responsibilities. Prioritize tasks that need to be completed first, and set clear expectations about deadlines. Also, take advantage of technology. T here are many organizing/planning platforms like Trello or Teamwork available for a virtual team. behauptung allow you to assign tasks and deadlines to different employees. You can also monitor the teams progress to make sure everyone is on the right track.Tip Identify who on your team is more of a big picture person and who is a details person. Then have each of them go over the game plan so you can be sure everything is covered.Brainstorming The Problem Many believe the best way to solve a problem is to get in one room to hash out ideas. However, this isnt possible with a virtual team. A conference call allows everyone to communicate together, but its difficult to visualize ideas via phone. The Solution Using video conferences makes it easy for everyone to see whos talking so there are less interruptions. Plus, individuals can share any visuals or diagrams that better explain their ideas through screen sharing. Tip Record all brainstorming sessions so they can be reviewed later for more inspiration or to clarify details if questions arise. Executing The Problem Since all the members of a virtual team arent in the same sekretariat, it can be difficult to keep each other accountable and on schedule. If one person slacks off, it wont be long before the rest of the team starts to suffer.In fact, in the aforementioned Wrike survey, 44 percent of respondents said a lack of accountability stressed them out at work. With a virtual team, where its not always easy to see how everyone is contributing, there can be a sense of people not executing their part. When something goes wrong, team members assume someone isnt pulling their weight, leading to virtual office conflict.The Solution Create regular progress reports so everyone knows where the rest of the team is on project tasks. Be as transparent as possible, especially with your own contributions. This will set an example for your team to be honest and accountable with each other. If someone does fall behind, have a discussion about possible solutions. Ask them if they need more resources or support from you. Encourage other team members to offer ideas on ways the team can get back on schedule.Tip Try to push each other with weekly contests. Each week, the team can vote on which team member has been the most productive or done the best, and be sure to encourage peer recognition on a regular basis.Managing a virtual teamUniting the team The Problem When it comes to a virtual team, absence doesnt always make the heart grow fonder. Its common for virtual employees to feel disconnected from one another. And this can affect trust in the team. In fact, the RW3 CultureWizard found 44 percent of respondents find it challenging or very challenging to establish trust when on a virtual team. As a manager, its important for you to actively develop and nurture relationships between co-workers who have never met.The Solution Find interesting ways to entice team members to get to know each other. Consider pairing up different members to work together on projects. This way everyone is able to understand their co-workers various work styles. Also, make time for everyone to talk about non-work related matters. You can send around a monthly newsletter that keeps everyone up-to-date on their co-workers lives. Employees can share information about their hobbies or weekend activities as a way to get to know and relate to each other.Tip If you use a intracompany messaging system, have a common chat room where any office banter is free-game just like a company water cooler.Recognizing accomplishmentsThe Problem Its easy for employees in any environment to feel overlooked. In fact, a 2017 Officevibe survey found that 63 percent of employees dont feel they receive enough praise. Since you cant give a pat on the back through a computer screen, virtual employees are even more likely to feel unappreciated.The Solution Its so simple we often forget how far thank-yous go. Make a conscious effort to show your gratitude when employees put in a hard day of work. Just be careful that your recognition doesnt lose its sincerity. If you say thanks at the same time for the same reasons, employees will think you dont really mean it. Instead, be clear about what youre acknowledging. Say great job on the sales report this month so the individual can tie the praise to a particular accomplishment.It is also beneficial to record videos recognizing employees. This allows them to see your face and hear your tone so they know how serious you are.Tip Dont privatize employee praise. Be sure to let everyone know whos done especially well lately. That will make the acknowledgement more meaningful for the recipients.Dont let a day go by without acknowledging the hard work of your virtual team. HRClick To TweetEvaluating performance The Problem In a virtual environment, managers often only see the end product, not the process. This can make it difficult to accurately give suggestions on ways employ ees can improve. Plus, if youre waiting for a completed project or task before providing feedback, it might be too late. Either employees will feel like they are neglected for a long period of time or that the guidance is worthless since the project is over.The Solution The more frequently you check in with virtual employees, the more steps you can see in their process. This increases the chances that you will identify where they can improve more accurately.Schedule weekly meetings with individuals and discuss what theyve been working on. Ask them if theres been anything slowing them down and why its been an issue. This will make both you and the employee more aware of how they approach and complete a task. Tip Use technology, like screen shares, occasionally so you can see if employees are properly using the software and tools at their disposal.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Getting fired twice before age 30 taught this CEO an important lesson

Getting fired twice before age 30 taught this CEO an important lessonGetting fired twice before age 30 taught this CEO an important lessonDealing with getting fired is hard, especially if youre just starting your career. But getting fired twice before youre 30 can feel like a double whammy of bad luck.If you find yourself in a similar situation, you can feel at peace knowing that Sarah Robb OHagan, CEO of Flywheel Sports, found zu sichself in that position not too long ago. She was first fired from the leadmarketingposition atVirginAtlantic Airways on the grounds that she was too cocky. The second time was during her tenure inAtaris marketing department.Instead of letting those experiences hold her back, OHagans career has continued to thrive.Since those roles, OHagan has served as president of Gatorade and president ofEquinoxbefore moving on to lead Flywheel Sports.During aninterviewwith Pattie Sellers atFortunes MostPowerful WomenNext in richtung Summit, OHagan said that her negati ve experiences were crucial in helping her find positive ones.Early in your career, you think youre in this place that isnt you, OHagan said at the summit,according to Fortune. When referencing her past experience at Atari, she joked, I didnt even like video games.OHagan believes that your seemingly random experiences give you a great knowledge base to build the rest of your career. But ultimately, being fired twice also taught OHagan to pick something that you care about, and pursue it.I had a huge amount of perseverance that contributed to my own personal interests and turned them into areas of deeppassion, OHagan wrote onLinkedIn. While I absolutely love all of the work that I get to do these days - and have done for pretty much all of my career - a huge amount of my career path has been grueling and enormously difficult.Since becoming CEO of Flywheel Sports, OHagan has also written a book calledExtreme YOUto help young professionals achieve the same levels of success. In the b ook (as well as in real life), OHagan encourages people to follow their interests so they can find their path.I started my career in the airline industry. Not because I waspassionateabout aircraft types, fuselage, or the smell of jet fuel, but because I wanted a job that would fly me beyond my tiny little island nation, OHagan wrote. I was fired up about the idea of exploring and seeing the world, and in order to do that, I had to work my ass off to get the opportunity.Without her first airline industry position, OHagan wouldnt have worked at Virgin Atlantic Airways, so her path would have taken her somewhere other than her current role. Following your interests can clearly have an impact on your career path.But, just in case you need some additional help in finding your footing, heres some more advice from OHagan on how to get to where you want to be.Dont think about what everyone else is doingDuring Fortunes Most Powerful Women Next Gen Summit, OHagan stressed the personal and pro fessional importance of understanding yourself. Do not get distracted by the competition, she told the audience. Focus on you, your strengths and your challenges.Determine what motivates youWhen OHagan evaluates business opportunities for Flywheel, she thinks about what motivates people to exercise. Think about your motivations when youre looking to find something youre passionate about. What excites you about your day? What do you look forward to doing? These questions (and all the ones that follow) are great brainstorm starters.Focus on what youre good atOHagan uses the airline industry as an example of what not to do in business because airlines focus on everyone, they have few loyal, excited customers. The same strategy can be applied to determining what you want to focus on be specific and concise. Be spectacular for a few, OHagan said. Not average for many.This article originally appeared on Fairygodboss.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Mechatronics the Role of Engineers

Mechatronics the Role of Engineers Mechatronics the Role of Engineers Mechatronics and the Role of EngineersMechatronics can be seen everywhere today. Engineers have mechatronics journals and can read mechatronics papers in journals that cover other fields, while a multitude of diverse companies are embracing its principles.The term welches coined over 40 years ago, when engineer Tetsuro Mori combined the words mechanical and electronic to describe the electronic control systems that Yaskawa Electric Corp. was building for mechanical factory equipment.Mechatronics are all around us, from computer hard drives and robotic assembly systems to washing machines, coffee makers, and medical devices. Electronics that control mechanical systems account for much of the value of the average automobile, managing everything from stability control and antilock brakes to climate control and memory-adjust seats.Mechatronics means many things to many people, but when pressed, many engineers reference a drawing shown by Kevin Craig, perhaps the nations foremost evangelist of mechatronic design. It consists of four overlapping circles mechanical systems, electronic systems, control systems, and computers.Mechatronics represents more than mechanical and electronics, according to Craig, a professor of mechanical engineering who left Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to start a mechatronics program at Marquette University.According to Michelle Boucher, an analyst for the Aberdeen Group, a Boston-based technology think tank, the best performers among the surveyed companies have changed the way they worked. More importantly, though, they do not schedule meetings based on timeevery week, or twice monthlybut on key events in the project timeline.So instead of wasting time in a meeting when nothing is happening, key players gather when its time to fit the pieces together. entwurf and project collaboration software are also important. These applications help engineers visualize how systems work and are easy to mark up with questions and comments. If youre an electrical engineer, you dont necessarily have easy access to CAD data, so this helps you see how the device is supposed to work, Boucher said.But the question remains Which engineers lead? According to Peter Schmidt, a senior research engineer at Rockwell Automations Advanced Technology Group who teaches part-time with Craig at Marquette, Were all engineers and were doing engineering, period. Rockwell Automation has long hired electrical and control engineers to design its machine control and factory automation systems. Many of the companys engineers say they have been doing systems integration design and modeling (in short, mechatronics) for 20 years.Its that multidisciplinary approach from concept through delivery that separates mechatronics from old-style control engineering at Rockwell. President Terry Precht calls it a virtual factory, combining design, manufacturing, and depot repair services. While some m echatronics teams like to run simulations, Precht prefers to use the prototype approach. You can answer certain questions from an actual model that you cant get answered in a soft model, he said.Project LeadershipOur mechanical and electrical engineers are always working very closely together on these things, Precht said. When we build systems with complex moving parts, mechanical engineers write the control software since they understand how the devices should operate. We have three graduates that went through Doctor Daves mechatronics course, and it was just obvious from the start how well they can work across a broad spectrum of projects compared with engineers who were classically trained.Doctor Dave is David Alciatore, a professor of mechanical engineering who literally wrote the book on mechatronics, Introduction to Mechatronics and Measurement Systems, with co-author and professor emeritus Michael Histand. The first edition came out in 1999, and the book is now in its fourth edition.A good hands-on mechanical engineer trained in electronics makes a much better mechatronics engineer than an electrical engineer or computer engineer trained in mechanics later, he said.Back to SchoolRight now, the question of who takes ownership and who will lead the development of next-generation electromechanical systems often depends on where engineers work. Companies that make mechanical systems tend to let mechanical engineers lead those that make electronics assign the lead to software and electrical engineers.In the future, though, the issue may be decided by how colleges train the next generation of mechanical engineers. Right now, most schools teach controls, basic electronics, and programming as part of the mechanical engineering curriculum.For example, at Colorado State University in Pueblo, in plus-rechnen to the course work, the engineering program also focuses on teaching students to work on teams, an essential for the multifunctional world of industrial desig n.According to Craig, classical mechanical engineering has become a commodity skill. His goal at Marquette is to integrate courses so that electrical, control, and mechanical engineers learn how different disciplines use the same core knowledge to achieve different results. We have to show how we can integrate electronics and controls into modern mechanical systems, he says.Another approach is to offer a degree in mechatronics. So far, only three schools do that California State University, North Carolina State University, and Colorado State University. The department chair at Colorado State, Jane Fraser, thinks that industrial engineering is an ideal platform for mechatronics because the focus is on bottom-line results rather than on mechanical or electrical components.Manufacturing companies in her community are telling her the same thing. They want students trained to integrate electronics, controls, computers, and moving parts. For them, this is not just where engineering is goi ng. It is where engineering has arrived.Adapted from Who Owns Mechatronics? by Alan S. Brown, Associate Editor, Mechanical Engineering, June 2008.Companies that make mechanical systems tend to let mechanical engineers lead those that make electronics assign the lead to software and electrical engineers.

How to Get a Job at Apple

How to Get a Job at AppleHow to Get a Job at Apple Apple is not just a tech company its one of the leading technology innovators in the world. On top of that, its a great place to work. Apple ranked as one of Glassdoors Best Places to Work not only in 2019, but every year since 2009. Their employees have the opportunity to work with some of the fruchtwein cutting edge, innovative technologies today, while enjoying first-class wages and benefits, from employee discounts to comprehensive health insurance. So what does it take to score a job at this iconic company? Weve got input from real employees and interviewees at the company on how they got an interview at the company, what the process entailed, and what its like to be an employee for the leading technology firm. The interview process was what youd expect from a company like this. I have about three phone screens (all of them were technical and the last one included a code snippet), followed by an all day on -site interview. The on-site consisted of one-hour interviews every hour (11-5), and were all very technical. I was asked to solve various problems (your typical algorithm and data structure subjects), as well as explain the various projects I worked on in my most recent position. The questions involved a lot of thinking, but I was able to find my way to the solutions after some time. All in all, Id say it was too bad as I had prepared by practicing algorithms (searching, sorting, etc), and brushing up on some objective-c (I had to teach myself it in the two weeks leading up to the on-site). A good topcoder browse is a good resource for preparing to interview with this company. Software Engineer einstellungsgesprchThe whole process was very polished and professional. The HR reps were prompt and sharp. Interviewing potential supervisors was somewhat nerve-wracking, because they binnenseemed to have keen b.s. sensing attributes. Questions were difficult, mostly about describing exact ly how you performed in the past. Follow-on questions tested the validity of your answers. Strong emphasis in work ethic, how you perform under pressure, ability to travel frequently, and maturity. From recruitment to offer, 2-month time span. Global Supply Manager Interview Asked a lot of troubleshooting questions and how much you know about Apple products. Role-play scenario about someone having issues with their iPhone. How would you troubleshoot an external monitor? Apple At Home Advisor Interview Super quick and painless. On campus interview and two phone screens, and that was it. I had an offer relatively quickly. They really didnt waste any time at all. Ive heard that they usually give on-sites for full time. This was for a co-op. Product Design Engineer InterviewWorking at Apple means that the things you work on get into the hands of hundreds of millions of people, literally. Its a lot of pressure to get things right and drives one to do the best work of their lives. 2+ years later Im still blown away by the talent and creativity of people I work with. Current Software Engineer The position is at home. The company is AMAZING. There are limitless advancement opportunities. You work with some very cool people and the leadership cares about your development. You may get coaching but you never get battered or belittled. The pay is decent and the benefits include, 401(k) match, stock purchase options, product discounts and discounts on services across many different areas, education assistance, child care assistance, paid vacation, sick time and other time off options, health club reimbursement or bike cost set off. You get 1.5 time for OT and its pretty much unlimited as long as you dont exceed 12 hours in a day or 59 total in a week. Current Apple At Home Advisor Great gruppe of creative thinkers. Open to feedback (culture of receiving and offering positive and negative feedback). Offers special food days during busy seasons. Diversity (of tho ught, feeling, being) is truly honored and respected at Apple. YOU WILL LEARN SO MUCH Great working environment with opportunities to be promoted into a new role. Current Product Specialist Supportive manager, interesting problems, competitive salary, and about everyone is dedicated to the product. Truly first class coworkers and the culture within my org was supportive. I could really focus on the work in a way I couldnt at other larger companies and I knew that my contribution was amounting to an important impact for users. The skills I learned here have translated forward to other jobs I have had afterwards and I am certain I am a better engineer for having spent time here. Former Software Engineer 1. Practice for the interview really practice Apple is one of the leading technology companies in the world. Any technical role you apply for will not only require you to talk about your past work experience and your fit for the current role, but also to pass certain technical tests that show your aptitude for the job. Depending on the job youre applying for, you can search the different types of questions that people interviewing for specific jobs at Apple are asked for using Glassdoor , from software engineers to technical specialists to Apple at home advisors.Getting a job at Apple doesnt always come through an impersonal online application process. In fact, of the thousands of Glassdoor users who interviewed at Apple, only 55 percent applied online, while the rest scored interviews there through employee referrals, recruiters, on-campus recruiting, and in person. This means that doing networking during your job hund at Apple can seriously pay off. This means reaching out to recruiters, talking to current or past employees, and probing your network to see if anyone you know has friends or professional connections at Apple. Current employees have an incentive to refer you, too, because Apple has been known to offer cash bonuses to the employees who refer successful hires. So go out and start talking to people3. Polish and proofread your resume Your resume is the foundation stone upon which you build your job application. Make sure that your resume is polished, proofread, and coherent. Dont be shy to hand your resume over to friends, family members, and colleagues, who can help catch errors. With a ready-to-go resume, youll be prepared to apply to jobs as soon as theyre posted.Apple currently has over 6000 jobs posted on Glassdoor, and more are added every month. You can make finding a specific job easier for yourself by setting a job alert , so when new jobs are posted at Apple, Glassdoor will send you an email about it. You can also set job alerts for related positions at other companies, from software engineering to UX design.Before applying to a job at Apple, its important to do your research . At such a large company (according to industry resources , the company employs more than 132,000 full-time workers as of 201 8) there are many career opportunities within the organization, from working as a software engineer in Santa Clara, California to working as an Apple At Home advisor from your bedroom in Kansas. Check out the job requirements as well as the average salary and typical interview questions for these positions on Glassdoor. Since Apple is always unveiling new products, its important to stay up-to-date on what products theyve just launched, and which ones are currently in the works. Its also important to look at their news about the quarterly reports for example, Apple just released its Q2 report for 2019 financials, which showed a decline in iPhone sales but an uptick and iPad and wearable sales. You can also choose to set a news alert using Google or other tools, so that every time big news related to Apple is published, you can see it right away. Are you an employer? Check out our Talent Solutions Blog .Thanks for finding us We cover everything from career advice to the late st company headlines.Were always looking for experts, executives and trends to feature on the Glassdoor blog. Interested? Contact us. And if youre looking for the latest in employer solutions and advice, we recommend our Talent Solutions Blog . It only takes a second see whos viewing your profile and monitor your reputation.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

How to (Nicely) Say No to an Unwanted Project

How to (Nicely) Say No to an Unwanted Project How to (Nicely) Say No to an Unwanted Project When I quit my 9-to-5 job and started my own independent writing and communication consultancy, I thought my days of having to deal with boring, annoying projects were over. As an entrepreneur, I got to pick and choose my own clients, design my own workdays, select my own self-directed goals. Total freedom and sovereignty, right? Mostly. But not quite. As I’ve learned, four years into the game, it doesn’t matter if you’ve got one boss in the corner office or 1,000 online customers- occasionally, a project you really don’t want to deal with is going to plop into your inbox. It might be a client asking you to drop everything to help him hit an urgent deadline. (When you explicitly told him you don’t work on weekends.) It might be a colleague asking you to review a grant proposal she’s about to submit, just to give her your two cents. (“Just 40 pages. Shouldn’t take you long, right?”) Or it might be a distant relative pleading for your help with a resume, a cover letter, or research for the job hunt. And when that unwanted project arrives? It’s imperative that you learn how to say “no”- respectfully, but firmly. Because without clear communication in place, those kinds of projects will just keep coming, draining your time and energy, wobbling the boundaries around you. But, as we all know, saying “Um, I don’t want to do that” can be tricky. So, to help you find the right words, here are three scripts to help you say “no” (nicely, of course) for three common scenarios at work. When the Unwanted Project is Part of Your Job, But You’re Already Overwhelmed With Other Projects Hey [person’s name], Thanks for the details and clear instructions. Much appreciated. Here’s what’s on my to-do list right now: [Briefly list the top 3-5 projects you’re currently working on, to reiterate your value- and busyness.] Based on our last conversation, it feels like the projects I just listed are top priority. Shall I keep moving forward with those, and shelve [new project] for later? That would be my preference, because I’d love to ride the momentum and get those done first. Or is [new project] my new top priority? Thanks for clarifying. Happy Tuesday! [Your name here] When the Unwanted Project is Part of Your Job, but Seems Kind of Pointless, Redundant, or Unnecessary Hey [person’s name], Just got your note. At our last meeting, we decided that our goals for the next few months are to [describe a few goals here], with an overall focus on [big focus here]. This project seems like a great way to [describe possible benefit here], but I’m wondering if it aligns with our bigger goals right now. Just playing devil’s advocate here. Your thoughts? I want to make sure I’m investing my time where it’s most needed, in the best possible order. Let me know. Thanks! [Your name here] When the Unwanted Project is Not Part of Your Job, Period Hey [person’s name], Thanks for your note. This project looks like a fun challenge, but- unless I’m misunderstanding your instructions- it definitely falls outside of my skill set. It sounds like an ideal assignment for [name of other person, position, role, or team]. They generally handle projects like the one you described. Shall I forward your instructions onto them, or would you like to take it from here? Thanks again. [Your name here] It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: You may need to modify these scripts to suit your personality, your company’s communication policies, your position, and your relationship with whomever is making the request (a boss, a friend, a parent, a peer). But these scripts ought to give you some basic bone structure. Tuck them in the “drafts” folder of your inbox (or set them up as a Gmail canned response), so they’re handy when you need to grab one and go. Here’s to sane workloads- and humane, respectful “no’s.” Photo courtesy of Lindsay Upson / Getty Images.

Monday, November 18, 2019

How to Navigate Tricky Salary Negotiations

How to Navigate Tricky Salary Negotiations How to Navigate Tricky Salary Negotiations Salary negotiations can be quite intimidating for job seekers and current employees. To help ease the stress, here are answers to some of your burning questions. When’s the right time to bring up money if you’re a finalist for a job? For employees, what’s the most polite and professional way to ask for more moolah? Do you even know what your current salary should be? If any of these questions make you anxious, you’re not alone. Many of your fellow creative professionals share the same concerns, and we’re here to shed some light on the salary negotiation process. Following are a handful of questions we received during our Let’s Talk Salaries webinar as well as advice to help you navigate compensation-related discussions. Whether you’re interviewing for a job or asking your employer for a raise, the key is to diligently prepare for the conversation and then present your case with data and confidence. Q: At what point should I start talking about salary in the interview process? Is it a bad idea to be the first person to bring it up? The hiring manager should generally be the first to address pay. That way, you can avoid coming across as presumptuous or requesting a figure that’s much higher (or lower) than the employer’s range. If the hiring manager asks you what you’re looking for, explain that you’d like a fair compensation package based on the position, and your skills and experience. If pressed for more details, give a range so there’s some leeway to negotiate. (Use our Salary Guide to help determine that range.) If the employer hasn’t brought up pay after a second or third interview, it’s acceptable to mention it. GET THE SALARY GUIDE Q: Do potential employers have a right to know my previous salary? Are they entitled to ask my former employer for the actual number? While you shouldn’t feel obligated to disclose your salary history, know that a prospective employer may ask. Hiring managers have an offer in mind based on their budget, and they want to make sure it’s in line with your expectations. If you’re highly interested in the job and decide to share your compensation history, honesty is the best policy. Stretching numbers even slightly can come back to haunt you. It is possible â€" but unlikely â€" that a potential employer will call the human resources department at your last company to ask about your salary. If you feel you were underpaid, make it clear that you’re looking for an improved compensation package. Steer the conversation towards your expected range, rather than your previous one. Q: Where can I find the salary range for a particular city? You’re right that location matters. You wouldn’t make a very convincing argument if you live in a small town in the Midwest but request a big city salary. Use our Salary Calculator to quickly determine the average starting salary for your role in your city. Q: When considering a job in a new city, is it appropriate to ask what the salary range is before traveling for an interview? Again, as the job candidate, you usually don’t want to be the first person to bring up compensation during the hiring process. However, if an interview requires you to fly across the country, it’s wise to ask for more details. That could include specifics on job responsibilities and expectations, compensation, benefits, and more. The hiring manager will appreciate that you are seriously considering the opportunity, without wasting anyone’s time or travel expenses. Q: Salary history seems difficult to address as a freelancer. How should I approach the conversation if I’m trying to obtain a full-time position? Salary history can be tricky to explain if you’re a freelancer, but you can still make a convincing case. Use third-party research, like the aforementioned Salary Guide, to find regional data for the full-time position you’re seeking. If appropriate, bolster your pitch by explaining why you believe your skills and experience make you deserving of the higher-end of the range. Highlight how you’ve used your creative abilities to help clients boost the bottom line, using qualitative data when possible. Q: What’s the best thing to say if I feel an offer is too low but want the position and need to start working? It isn’t uncommon to interview for a job, only to later find out that the salary is insufficient. Start the negotiation by stressing that you’re very interested in the role and give some examples of how you could bring value to the company. Then you could say something like, “I’ve done some research for similar positions in the area, and the average salary for someone with my career experience and skills at a similarly sized company is in this range. Would you consider increasing the salary for this position?” If the employer doesn’t budge or only comes up slightly and you can’t make it work, you may have to politely bow out. But try not to be discouraged. Finding the right fit can take time. It’s rarely a good idea to accept a job offer when you have significant concerns and reservations about anything â€" particularly money. Q: I’d like to ask for a raise. What’s the best way to approach my manager? Tact, timing and diplomacy matter here. Steer clear of salary negotiations during the most hectic â€" or financially unstable â€" times of year for your department or company. In general, you don’t want to seem demanding or aggressive. It would be off-putting to send your manager an email that says, “I need to meet with you about raising my salary.” Instead, you could write, “I’d like to meet with you at your convenience to discuss my career and compensation. When might be a good time?” When you meet with your manager, begin the conversation by saying that you’d like to take your career a step further. Talk about your recent accomplishments and contributions to the company before presenting your salary research. Be confident, not cocky, and never issue ultimatums. Q: What should I do if I ask for a higher salary and my request is denied? Remember to be patient. It’s likely that your manager can’t give a definite answer right away; he or she may have to consult senior management or human resources. If the answer is no, ask if you can revisit the salary conversation in a few months. If your requests continually get rejected, consider other non-monetary perks you can negotiate. Would greater flexibility in your schedule, the ability to work from home, additional vacation time, more interesting projects or professional development make you happy? Think about alternative forms of compensation that your employer might be open to. Subscribe to the blog for a regular dose of career and job search tips!

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Offshoring Nuclear Plants

Offshoring Nuclear Plants Offshoring Nuclear Plants How do you make nuclear energy safely and cheaply? The answer is simple: Build it with well-tested existing technology and put it in a safe location, in a place where it can be easily cooled, and safe from events such as earthquakes or tsunamis. Jacopo Buongiorno, associate professor of nuclear science and engineering at MIT, and his colleagues have been floating just such an idea. Their bobbing reactor design is the offshore oil rig of the nuclear world, and they hope it will address the needs and fears of a power-hungry world. Try convincing an investor or government to build a new reactor and youre bound to come upagainst some resistance. Safety concerns are just part of the equation. Uranium is cheap, says Buongiorno. The problem is that the reactor is an expensive, complex structure. You dont get any revenue during construction, which may take five to ten yearsnot an appealing investment. Buongiornos simplified design could be built in pre-existing shipyards at a much speedier pace than on-site construction. Newport News for instance, managed to assemble the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford in three years, fitted with two nuclear reactors. They could build a nuclear power plant, and it could be towed to anywhere theres a coast line, moored a few miles offshore, he says. The reactor vessel itself is located deep underwater, allowing for passive cooling. Image: Jake Jurewicz/MIT-NSE Scalable and Safe The spar-type platform Buongiorno has in mind is small compared to what shipyards are capable of building these days. It can be scaled to fit various needs and can accommodate as much as a 1,000-MW plant. If a floating reactor of that size could be built in a year or two, nuclear power could become competitive with natural gas and coal. Convincing inventors is the first step; convincing everyone else, the second. Buongiorno believes the inherent safety of his design will do just that. A state-of-the-art light water reactor at sea, connected to shore only by its AC cable, addresses two lessons learned in the nuclear era: Avoid the possible loss of a heat sink, and dont let radiation contaminate land. Offshore, of course, the heat sink is limitless. The reactor part of the rig is tucked in to a cylinder that stays underwater. In a situation with a loss of power, the ocean is still there for cooling. In a worst-case scenario, any radioactivity would dissipate quickly. The ocean is a huge body of water and dilution works, says Buongiorno. Submerged, its kept safe from falling planes and other unforeseen events, while earthquakes and tsunamis will do little to disturb the reactor in waters at least 100 meters deep. It would simply bob up and down with the tsunami waves. Heat Removal The plan also eliminates worry about the reactor destroying habitat by warming waters. The reactor would draw water from the bottom, and after cooling, would be discharged at the same ambient temperatures as water at the surface. According to Buongiorno, marine life would be no more disturbed by the rig than they would be by a cruise ship. For spent fuel, the gap can also be flooded with fresh water from the condensate storage tank during refueling operations. Refueling would be performed every four to five years, and spent fuel assemblies transferred to the onboard spent fuel pool, which has storage capacity up to the plants lifetime, with a passive decay heat removal system that uses the ocean as its ultimate heat sink. Its humans who would most likely to be disturbed by the idea of a floating reactor. But Buongiorno is quick to point out that the elements of his plant are not that novel. One of the selling points is that it is a combination of established technologies, he says, We dont need a new reactor, we dont need any new material, we dont need anything that is high risk for development. What Buongiorno does need is regulatory approval, and the interest of a reactor vendor and a shipbuilding company, all of which he believes may come together soon. We dont anticipate any show stoppers, he says. For Further Discussion They could build a nuclear power plant, and it could be towed to anywhere there’s a coast line, moored a few miles offshore.Prof. Jacopo Buongiorno, MIT

Saturday, November 16, 2019

This is the color you should wear to work if you want to feel healthier

This is the color you should wear to work if you want to feel healthier This is the color you should wear to work if you want to feel healthier Even though summer seems like a time of health and prosperity as people are just outdoors more and there is lots of fresh fruit and vegetable eating you can still be the one in the office with the dreaded summer cold. So what can you do besides downing plant-filled smoothies and putting crystals on your desk? You could try wearing this interesting color.ShutterstockYou have probably heard about the wellness capabilities of turmeric, a flowering plant, including that it can help your joints, acts as an anti-inflammatory, promotes heart health and can help reduce stress, to name a few. And if you wear turmeric yellow (also known as burnt yellow) it can help you as well. Color therapist Constance Hart  told Vogue,  â€œFor the body, it’s a cleanser, and for the mind and emotions, it’s almost like pressing a reset button.” The color is literally like a ray of sunshine.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfact ion, Neuroscience, and more!Burnt yellow has been featured by designers including  Monse, Off-White, and Rosie Assoulin as well as French label  l  Jacquemus which featured the shade in many of its scarves and pantsuits.If you aren’t into wearing the color you could also consider using it as part of your office decor. As an earth-tone, it will contribute to a more warm and friendly office atmosphere.

Friday, November 15, 2019

These LinkedIn Summary Examples Will Make You Irresistible to Recruiters

These LinkedIn Summary Examples Will Make You Irresistible to Recruiters These LinkedIn Summary Examples Will Make You Irresistible to Recruiters Many LinkedIn users tend to think of their profile as a replica of their resume. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Unlike a resume that’s always customized for a specific job opening, your profile must speak to all the positions you want to be considered for. A good LinkedIn summary resembles a strong handshake. It’s the first thing people read when they come across your profile. So it’s a great chance to leave a positive impression and stand out from the dead fish. Take this opportunity to portray yourself, not just as an employee, but as a real, living, breathing person. Your summary is the place to tell the story you want to tell, without getting into start dates or titles. Ideally, it will leave people feeling like they’ve just met you for a friendly chat over a cup of coffee. And that’s definitely something worth your effort, right? Table of Contents 1.  Use space wisely2. Be authentic with first person writing3. Avoid buzzwords4. Create an opening line for the summary preview5. Show passion for what you do6. Sprinkle your summary with some fun facts7. Layer your life story8. Use keywords in the Skills section9. Add a CTA (call-to-action)10. Back up your words with examples11. Proofread 1.  Use space wisely The length of your LinkedIn summary is limited. And it’s so for a reason. With short attention spans, we skim pages faster than ever. We replaced reading with clicking, scrolling a bit and then moving on. LinkedIn gives you 2,000 characters to pull off a great overview of your professional life. So it’s not even worth trying to list everything you’ve ever done. In fact, best LinkedIn summaries are short. A too-wordy summary that uses all space that’s available is not going to win favour with anyone. Steer clear of long dense blocks of texts. Generally speaking, 3-5 short paragraphs will do the job. Try to provide lots of white space. Keep your text tight by using bullet points and sub-heads that will facilitate reading. Opt for brief sentences and replace longer words with their one or two-syllable synonyms. To see an example of optimum length, have a look at the Linked summary of Jenny Foss. 2. Be authentic with first person writing Think about how you would speak to someone you met at a conference. That’s the tone that you want to have in your LinkedIn summary - authentic and personal. Simply pack it with a personality that matches yours and always write in the 1st person. It makes you more approachable and human. Writing a summary about yourself in the 3rd person is a theatrical gimmick that would  make you seem aloof, out of touch and stuffy: Paul is known for his passion for diversity and his work with college students. In his spare time, he is involved with numerous charitable activities and considers his greatest achievement to be the fact that his wife, Jane, agreed to marry him in 1996. They have two daughters, Jack Jill. Now compare it to the following 1st person narrative: Copywriter, editor and content strategist with a knack for telling stories, a flair for detail, and a hint of humor. I blend storytelling, conversion optimization, and persuasion tactics (aka magic) to share your brands message and get you new clients. I love working with craft focused companies (Im obsessed with knitting!), tech, SaaS, online learning platforms, and authors. My favorite brands are unconventional, full of personality, and have that quirky vibe. 3. Avoid buzzwords Specialize.  Experienced. Skilled. Leadership.  Passionate. Expert. Motivated. Creative. Strategic. Look at these words, don’t they sound too familiar? Well, they might because these were the most overused LinkedIn buzzwords in 2017. Their popularity made them lose their meaning and now they serve just as fluff. If your summary happens to swell with overused phrases, it’s time to dust off your thesaurus. There are more than one million words in the English language, that’s plenty to choose from. 4. Create an opening line for the summary preview It’s important to optimize your summary for previews. Unless the readers click to expand, they will see just a fragment of your summary that is 220/92 (desktop/mobile) characters long. The opening sentence doesn’t have to focus on what you’re currently doing. Whatever you choose, you must hook your reader right off the bat. If you’re still in the dark, set a timer for 10 minutes and think about your opening line. You’re sure to come up with at least fifteen different openers to choose from: I am an experienced and well-rounded marketing leader with a proven background in branding, customer acquisition and relationship management for global leading technology companies. I’m a freelance multi-disciplinary graphic designer who’s delivered creative and engaging solutions across brand identity, print, packaging, and digital media. Internationally experienced supply chain manager, strong in turnaround and sustainable performance improvement. As a Statistics graduate I have skills and knowledge essential for delivering advanced analytical projects which can be supported by my IT and business experience gained during several years in consulting. Strategy and growth are the underlying passions that drive my operations and marketing acumen, product brainstorming, and entrepreneurial spirit. 5. Show passion for what you do Alright. Now that you’ve got their attention, it’s time for a couple of paragraphs that will tell your story. This section needs to show what makes you tick and make you excited about your work. Combine dry facts with stories and anecdotes to keep things human and engaging: Transitioning from IT to Digital Marketing Career Advancement was one of the toughest transitions of my life. A well versed, slightly obsessive and experienced online marketer specialising in search, content marketing and conversion rate optimisation. In a nutshell, my passion for creativity and constant learning is accompanied with the thrill of production. Im not the video editor who just wants to get a project out the door. Im the video editor who actually wants to edit compile and splice clips, color correct, animate motion graphics, create text treatment, and deliver the best quality video possible. This is what I love to do. Passion and diligence are two traits that I believe most reflect me as an individual. It is my belief that this is the key to being successful in any endeavour that one set’s their mind to. I love to generate new ideas and devise feasible solutions to broadly relevant problems. I enjoy embracing the lessons learned from failure, stand up and continue to grow. Let people peek into your personal life. Sharing several personal tidbits about yourself is like conducting watercooler conversations. It brings people together, reinforcing the sense of community. Readers feel more connected to a real person rather than to an unapproachable professional. Think of a few of the things you like to do in your free time and weave them into your summary: When I’m not on the job, I love hiking with my dog, working my way through every recipe in the family cookbook, and indulging my love for seeing new places. My strengths include social media marketing and branding. I will also slay you in Scrabble, and I make a mean margarita. City dweller who loves to travel, partake in outdoor activities, and find new adventures along the way. 6. Sprinkle your summary with some fun facts Compared to a traditional resume, your LinkedIn profile is the place to tell your reader anything you want them to know. Maybe you have expertise that is not covered by your qualifications. Or perhaps you’d like to branch out in a direction where you have no formal experience. Feel free to put all of that into your LinkedIn summary. Think of an unexpected, interesting fact about yourself and tie it to your professional career: Helping businesses make their marketing more human with video @Wistia. Son of a beverage distributor and kosher caterer. Always grilling. Love all sports having been a keen amateur footballer (Newtown Rangers FC) and I now go to the gym, cycle and take long walks! Spent 8 years pursuing a career in stand up comedy, appearing on Comedy Central and in the Boston Comedy Festival, before realizing my children liked seeing their father and not starving. My business cards say such things as career strategist, recruiter and certified professional resume writer. But when you get right down to it, Im much more Im an author, an educator, coach, social media strategist and a technical geek (ask me anything about robots or applicant tracking systems, seriously). Ex-lemonade stand CEO, CMO, and COO; ex-juggler; ex-college tour guide; ex-interior firm COO. Current: working with an incredibly bright group of people who are fanatically devoted to solving the problems faced by other incredibly bright people so that folks can do more interesting things, much faster. (And still juggling when asked nicely.) 7. Layer your life story Storytelling can literally take your LinkedIn summary to another level. Listening to stories boosts our levels of oxytocin and makes us more emotionally engaged. One of the ways of including a little tension in your story is to use a writing technique called “string of pearls”. It will help you connect all pieces of your summary by creating an overlapping theme that will piece together persuasive details strand by strand: Start out by illustrating a situation that captures the essence of your role in an exciting way to keep your readers engaged: I started my journey in social media long before people thought it was worth a second glance. While doing my research as a postgraduate student, I had a blog that highlighted my research findings on social media in government. When I was 21, I climbed Mount Everest. Not metaphorically- I literally climbed the highest mountain on Earth. While I was hiking, I thought about quitting approximately 5,000 times. (And that’s a lowball estimate.) But despite the high winds, low altitude, mental and physical fatigue, and trail mix overdose, I kept going. I’m that person. Once I say I’ll do something, it will happen. Now, I put that perseverance to work as a senior account manager for Polar. I don’t have to climb any mountains…but I do have to move them. It passes before its noticed; a slight rising of the eyebrows, a widening of the eyes. It may be accompanied by an almost imperceptible inhalation. The heart adds a beat, like a quiet exclamation point on the experience. Within a 10th of a second the reaction has passed, but not without leaving its mark. Someone found what theyre looking for. Does your Web site generate impulses to act? It can. 8. Use keywords in the Skills section One of the ways to increase your LinkedIn profile views is to search engine optimize your summary. This can be achieved by including keywords that highlight your top qualifications. To get more eyes on your profile, you need to be really specific - generic words like “sales” or “marketing” just won’t do. Create a bulleted list of your keyword-specified specialties at the bottom of your summary: Skills: Editing, Subbing, Paraphrasing, Proofreading, Content Management, Business Development, Content Strategy, Marketing Strategy, Publishing Core focuses of interest currently include: Employer Branding, Communication, Social Media, Technology, Autonomous driving, AI Skilled in Graphics, Logo Design, Branding Identity, Typography, and InDesign. Specialties: Learning Development, Talent Management Campus Recruitment, Employee Engagements, HR Compliance 9. Add a CTA (call-to-action) Closing out your profile, you might be thinking about the action you want the readers to take. Do you want them to message you with job opportunities? Do you want them to call you right away? If you want your readers to follow up, show them the best way to contact you. Wrap up your summary by including a call-to-action - like “message me with” or “email me at” - at the end of your summary: I look forward to connecting with you here on LinkedIn or you can email me at granger_h@hogwarts.com. If you are interested in chatting about big data and operational strategy, reach out to me at weasley_r@hogwarts.com If youre committed to more customers, better qualified leads, and higher profits we should talk. Contact me today at hagrid_r@hogwarts.com or (953) 617-7277. I am happy to respond to all enquiries. Please contact me via email at malfoy_d@hogwarts.com, or via telephone on (945) 017-2375 Think we should work together? I’d love to hear from you at longbottom_n@hogwarts.com. Im right over at diggory_c@hogwarts.com if you want to chat. If you’re interested in grabbing coffee and talking shop, please send an email my way. 10. Back up your words with examples Are you a prolific copywriter or a keen blogger? Don’t forget to attach samples of your work by uploading them as media below your summary. This is the place to show off your recently finished articles, videos, slide decks, reports, or publications.  Including a glimpse into your portfolio will make recruiters stay on your profile longer and see you really know what you’re talking about: By dissecting television series through my own network analyses, details and the appreciation of the stages of production have grown. My humble online footprint can be found on: janhrubes.cz While doing my research as a postgraduate student, I had a blog that highlighted my research findings on social media in government. I have written articles for the college newspaper, my hometown newspaper and have blogged, utilized Twitter and Facebook to assist in promotion of campus initiatives. 11. Proofread Putting together your summary is no easy task. Prepare to wrestle with words, shuffle them around a bit, and remove those that don’t fit. Keep drafting your summary until it’s perfect. And if you’re already satisfied, ask people you trust to give you some feedback. They can help you proofread your work and weed out any typos or grammatical errors you couldn’t spot yourself. Time to get down to work With these examples and tips to draw on, you should now have plenty of inspiration for your own LinkedIn summary. However, dont forget about  other sections of your LinkedIn profile that deserve your attention. If you want to give your LinkedIn profile a total overhaul, check out our Ultimate LinkedIn Guide. Did you know? Once your LinkedIn profile is all pimped up, can help you turn it into a stunning resume in a blink of an eye. Sign up today!   Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments!