Ten Bucks for Keisha

Ten Bucks for Keisha My buddy Daniel Johnson changes his status regularly, and this one caught my attention: Dan doesnt know Im writing this post right now. He just knows I contributed, thats all. Dan is how do I put this the salt of the earth.  Dan is one of those really good, genuine people.  Weve known each other virtually since 2006.  I have always had a lot of respect for what Dan does for job seekers (a lot). Hes one of the first bloggers I wanted to get to know, and I can say that having known him has enriched my life. You may have already given at the office, given at church and given to Haiti. Im just asking you if youll give to Keisha, so she can get hearing aids.  Just a few bucks. I know Dan will greatly appreciate it.  And Keisha will (probably) love you for it. Send $10 (or any amount) on PayPal.  Or use the widget below. Much appreciated! Ten Bucks for Keisha My buddy Daniel Johnson changes his status regularly, and this one caught my attention: Dan doesnt know Im writing this post right now. He just knows I contributed, thats all. Dan is how do I put this the salt of the earth.  Dan is one of those really good, genuine people.  Weve known each other virtually since 2006.  I have always had a lot of respect for what Dan does for job seekers (a lot). Hes one of the first bloggers I wanted to get to know, and I can say that having known him has enriched my life. You may have already given at the office, given at church and given to Haiti. Im just asking you if youll give to Keisha, so she can get hearing aids.  Just a few bucks. I know Dan will greatly appreciate it.  And Keisha will (probably) love you for it. Send $10 (or any amount) on PayPal.  Or use the widget below. Much appreciated! Ten Bucks for Keisha My buddy Daniel Johnson changes his status regularly, and this one caught my attention: Dan doesnt know Im writing this post right now. He just knows I contributed, thats all. Dan is how do I put this the salt of the earth.  Dan is one of those really good, genuine people.  Weve known each other virtually since 2006.  I have always had a lot of respect for what Dan does for job seekers (a lot). Hes one of the first bloggers I wanted to get to know, and I can say that having known him has enriched my life. You may have already given at the office, given at church and given to Haiti. Im just asking you if youll give to Keisha, so she can get hearing aids.  Just a few bucks. I know Dan will greatly appreciate it.  And Keisha will (probably) love you for it. Send $10 (or any amount) on PayPal.  Or use the widget below. Much appreciated!

Accounting Skills Resumes - Learn How to Write a Financial Transactions Resume

Accounting Skills Resumes - Learn How to Write a Financial Transactions ResumeThe role of the accounting skills resume in getting a job is indisputable. If you have bad finance skills, then it can be disastrous for your career and in some cases, it could also affect the life of the employee. This is because bad finance skills mean inability to manage finances. Hence, you should make sure that you always know what you are doing with the money you have.It has been observed that the majority of people involved in financial transactions end up in trouble. Some of them are not aware of their options or mistakes they have committed and some end up in serious cases of fraud. It is so because people use accounting skills resume incorrectly. You have to make sure that you understand how to write the resume so that you can attract attention.Generally, people tend to gloss over financial transactions and make full use of their time with sitting in front of their computers. They simply skip impo rtant areas and do things as if it was nothing. This is the reason why your resume should highlight your knowledge about financial transactions. In fact, it is the perfect resume for the job.The best way to display your knowledge in financial transaction is to start from the ground and work up. In fact, start with the basics. This will enable you to understand what you are applying for. Take time to understand how to put in the necessary details in the text so that you will be able to impress your readers.Start with a single example and put more details in the financial transactions section. In fact, you should start with a financial transaction that you have never seen before. This will help you to prepare and work on different types of transactions. You will not need to learn anything from scratch but you should always have something to learn.You should learn as you go along so that you will keep learning in your own way. Most importantly, you should remember that your resume is t he one that will attract the attention of the employer. You should highlight your skills in accounting skills resume in a way that your client cannot ignore. At the same time, it should be convincing enough so that you will get job offers from those companies that you have never heard of.It is important that you have a clear understanding about what you are writing in your financial transactions. Some people just put in irrelevant details in their resume and end up in frustration. In such cases, they should hire an accountant to prepare the financial transactions for them.There are many websites that are capable of preparing the financial transactions for you. Do not wait for someone else to prepare your financial transactions for you. Make sure that you have the knowledge so that you can make the correct selection.

Masters start here! University of Manchester Careers Blog

Masters start here! University of Manchester Careers Blog If youre just starting your Masters degree, it can all be a bit overwhelming, but half an hours planning now could be the difference between having your dream job lined up after you graduate or struggling to catch up at the end of your Masters, as you realise those plum jobs have already been taken. Why the rush? Some employers in the UK recruit a year in advance for jobs ideal for Masters postgraduates. This mainly applies to large, well-known employers with graduate programmes ie their elite fast track into management entry-level programmes. Theyre visiting campuses and careers fairs and accepting applications right now for jobs which start just after you finish your Masters. If you miss this window, youll find that they may be advertising similar jobs when you graduate but theyll be for start dates in autumn 2015. But Im not an undergraduate what about the Masters programmes, rather than graduate programmes? In the UK, if an employer has a fast track into management programme, they normally call them graduate programmes, even if theyd be perfectly happy with someone who is doing a Masters. Of course, some UK employers do want a specialist Masters qualification (often linked to experience), but for an early career/entry level job, most will be happy with either a good undergrad degree or a Masters. This is different outside the UK, where a Masters may be seen as a requirement. For example, look out for companies with Europe-wide management programmes where they are more likely to expect a Masters degree as standard. So I should panic and start applying now? Not necessarily If you have 3 years+ experience since graduating with a first degree, youre probably well   beyond these graduate schemes. Youre looking for experienced hire jobs which could be advertised at any time of year, and are very unlikely to be recruiting a year in advance (more likely 2-3 months before they want you). If you are looking for a very niche or specialist role, or want to work for a smaller organisation, again theyre unlikely to be recruiting a year in advance. If you want to get into one of those graduate schemes, the fast-track-into-management programmes, particularly if theyre with a big name employer, then you should seriously consider focusing on your career at the start of your Masters, or you may miss out for another year. If youre not looking for a job next but want to get on to a research degree, applications often need to be in by Christmas/January. To be honest, academics have often found leading candidates well before that, as keen would-be PhDs make contact and sound them out over the next couple of months. Nows the time to start your search, particularly if you want any funding. Help with your Master Plan Ive written a document to help Masters at the start of their programmes figure out what they need to do, and by when, to achieve their career aims at the end of their postgraduate degree. Its a long document but you wont need to read more than a couple of pages or so. At the start, there are a few questions for you to answer. These tell you which pages are relevant to your situation, right now. You can ignore the rest (unless you change your ideas, of course). Its available on the Careers Service website, in the Postgraduate section, or you can download it below: Careers Success for Masters: What to do, when to do it (pdf) Your Careers Timetable for the year We have lots of support for you during the year, but certain key events only happen during the autumn. Our Careers Service timetable for 2013/14 is available to download as a pdf, or you can view it here (click on the image for a larger, clearer version): Dont panic plan! Getting on to a Masters degree proves that youre smart, and more than capable of managing this whole process. A lot of the resources you will need are already available on our Careers Service website and through CareersLink. Ill be continuing to highlight support and information through this blog and on twitter and if you need to speak to one of us, just make an appointment. (OK, apologies if you have to wait a bit for an appointment around 15,000 of our students will be looking for a job at the end of this academic year, and they all want appointments in October! However, we will have lots of appointment slots available just ask.) Masters talks starting this week Im giving a number of talks for postgraduates over the next few weeks, including Finding a Job for Masters (this Friday, 4th October), CVs for Masters, Interviews for Masters, Assessment Centres for Masters PhDs, and Academic Careers. Further details in this post here Postgrad Talks, Autumn 2013 or search for Postgrad Focus events on CareersLink. All Postgraduate Applications and interviews Assessment centre CV Getting started graduate schemes job hunting

4 Reasons to Reconsider These Motivational Phrases - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

4 Reasons to Reconsider These “Motivational” Phrases - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Two phrases spewed by motivational speakers and life coaches drive me crazy. When I hear them I want to strangle the messenger. They are attributed to a variety of people, so no one really knows the first person to say them. That’s probably a good thing, since those people would probably prefer not to be associated with the phrases by now. I’ve heard them attributed to Albert Einstein (he seems to be the most mis-quoted of all), Benjamin Franklin, Henry Ford and Anthony Robbins. The only one I can attest to hearing them directly from is Anthony Robbins, whom I doubt is the original source. What are these phrases? Well, they are similar in nature and used to make a similar point. The point is that we need to change our behavior if we want the results in our life to change. It’s a nice concept and important for us to take under consideration. Yet, I’m skeptical these phrases are effective in all circumstances. As a matter of fact, in quite a few contexts, they hold us back. These two phrases are: “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.” “If you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you’ve always gotten.” Maybe, maybe not. As time goes by, the more you do something, and as the environment changes you should expect a different result from the same actions. If not, you’re not improving. If I pick up my guitar to learn a new chord and practice the same movements over and over, I better expect a different result. If I continue to do it the same way over and over, I am doing it to not get what I’ve gotten in the past. As a matter fact, it’s virtually impossible to “get what I’ve always gotten” if I continue to practice the repetitive action of playing the guitar chord the same way. I should expect to get better. Likewise, as we age eating the same types of foods as we did as children, we will not get the same results or reactions from our physical bodies. We need to believe that is the case so we can stay healthy as we age. If companies apply the same marketing strategies they implemented 20 years ago, they better expect a different result or theyll be out of business. Technology and globalization have changed the way business is conducted in that time period, and continues to do so. Here are four reasons we must reconsider these motivational phrases as universal truths: Continually changing demographics Continually changing economics Continually changing social mores Continually changing technology So, next time you hear these phrases spouted by someone trying to motivate you to improve your life, let him or her know that the concept is not universal and those philosophies must be applied in the right context. Few things that are not proven laws of nature, like gravity, hold true 100% of the time. Believing some random motivational phrases do, will hold you back from being the best you can be. That’s why I’m going back to keep practicing over and over again, that new guitar chord today and I will be expecting a different result by the end of today. Author: Skip Weisman,  The Leadership Workplace Communication Expert, works with small business owners to help them lead their employees from drama defensiveness to ownership initiative. During a 20-year career in professional baseball management, Skip served as CEO for five different franchises. That experience gave Skip tremendous insight and skill for build high-performing teams in the workplace. Skip’s new small business coaching program, based on leadership during the American Revolution, is called  Revolutionary Leadership.   For a limited time Skip is offering complimentary  Revolutionary Leadership Strategy Sessions, which are private, 1:1 consultations with small business owners and chief executives. To learn more and request your strategy session visit  www.LeadershipCommunicationExpert.com/freestrategysession  .

How to Use LinkedIn Profile and Resume Writing Services to Land a Top-Notch Job

How to Use LinkedIn Profile and Resume Writing Services to Land a Top-Notch JobIf you have any clue about how to use LinkedIn profile and resume writing services, you can easily make it to the top. However, there are people who think that using LinkedIn profile and resume writing services is not a wise idea.Most of the people simply do not know what these networking sites are all about. But, this is not entirely true. While they may not know much about LinkedIn profile and resume writing services, those who actually take the time to use them will learn a lot about them.Now, you may be thinking that creating an account on one of these networking sites is just an easy process. Well, this is true only in the sense that creating a profile is a very easy process. While it is possible to create a profile for free, it is still not a good idea to do so.Resume writing services are offered to clients at affordable rates. That's because there are experts out there who take the time to create ki ller resumes for those who are looking for a job. These services are designed specifically for professionals who want to land top-notch jobs.Profile and resume writing services can help even those who don't have the best social profiles. After all, the professionals who offer resume writing services have spent their entire lives in the business.In other words, when clients hire profile and resume writing services, they are hiring the experts who will design professional profiles for them. This will ensure that the profiles and resumes reflect an accurate picture of the people who created them.You may think that creating a profile and writing a resume are two different things. But, you'll be surprised to know that it's the opposite. The professionals who offer resume writing services for freelance assignments do the same thing that experts do for clients - they create an accurate profile that is also a well-written resume.So, while your profile can be as important as your resume, you need to ensure that you are employing professional writers who can help you in the process. Do a bit of research on the Internet about the best profile and resume writing services out there. You'll be surprised to find out how much money you can save by utilizing them.

What Are the Top 7 Challenges Commercial Engineering Companies Are Facing Today

What Are the Top 7 Challenges Commercial Engineering Companies Are Facing Today Running a brick and mortar business in today’s predominantly digital world can be challenging. Consumers today want immediate contact and answers and almost as fast results. This makes it difficult for just about any business, but when you are involved in commercial engineering an industry where it takes time to plan safe, accurate structures it creates extra obstacles. Commercial engineering is a term that encompasses all industries from industrial to recreational engineering. If a building is being constructed or renovated, a commercial engineer is required. Engineering also covers addressing potential problems that may occur in the future and designing structures that will mitigate or fix those issues before they happen. But to complete a client’s project within a budget, in the agreed upon, specified time frame, and within the requirements of commercial zoning regulations takes careful planning. Because of these considerations, commercial engineering is one of the most challenging industries to work in today. Those in charge or and working in these companies must acknowledge and overcome many obstacles, like these 7 challenges faced in the industry today. 7 Challenges Commercial Engineering Companies Must Overcome Although the term “commercial engineering” is used to cover a wide array of projects, it often is found hand-in-hand with the following services: Land planning, creating plans for buildings, and anything that requires the drawing and analysis of plansZoning, rezoning, permit applications, applications for special exemptions or special use permitsManaging construction on and off-site, including obtaining insurance for suchRunning and analyzing feasibility and environmental studies to create a macro picture of the finished product before any time, money, and effort are put in furtherSurveying the property before, during, and after constructionWhole-site engineering, from the water resources to the infrastructurePreparing documents, including permits, construction documents, and all other applications and contractsAll aspects of civil engineering, including cordoning off roadways while construction is underway, working with the city or county to construct new entryways, and abiding by all ordinances It’s a complicated job, but somebody’s got to do it. As all of these aspects are considered, though, there are always obstacles that keep the commercial engineer from being able to simply do their job in a manner that takes them from point A to point B directly, such as:   1. Taking the environment into consideration. Yes, the ecosystem should be a priority in every new building. However, the current climate crisis makes it extra challenging for engineers who are constantly working to predict and reduce damage from environmental stimuli before it happens. The climate in which a commercial engineering company like Cochran Engineering   is predominantly working will determine where their main focus in this area is given. With the significant damage to industrial and residential buildings in hurricane-prone areas, engineers must plan their structures in such a way that damage from floods and winds is mitigated.   Similarly, those who build in zones where wildfires are rampant must work to find ways to reduce damage from heat and fire. This same concept applies to commercial engineers in any climate with the potential for severe weather. This often means that top engineering companies are working ahead of the current available materials and solutions to find new, improved ways to help protect the environment and their projects. It’s why engineers must consider everything from the way their plans may cause pollution to the potential to use what they are working on to create sustainable and environmentally-friendly energy solutions. The impact that the commercial engineer’s design may have on future generations means that ignorance is not an excuse. The engineer must stay up-to-date and ahead on environmental pollutants, damage caused by other buildings, and problems with infrastructures around the world so that they don’t make the same mistakes. 2. Water accessibility. Once commercial engineers have determined that what they are doing will not impact the environment detrimentally, they must then figure out how to make clean, fresh, sustainable water accessible throughout their structures.   This obstacle is a common one that often requires working and planning together with the county or city to access fresh water and hiring commercial plumbers to create a network of pipes that cover both drinking water and septic system access.   Ensuring that the water used meets or exceeds the quality standards set by the EPA is part of this job, as well. There are federal standards that must be adhered to, and these standards may change. Today’s knowledge makes this aspect of engineering more important than ever in the past. With so many mistakes made in history due to ignorance of science that caused significant, widespread health conditions, it’s crucial that the water systems be clean and free of pollutants. 3.   Ongoing education. Technology is in a constant state of flux. It’s ever-changing. Since commercial engineering covers such a broad range of factors, it’s crucial that those working in the industry are always staying up-to-date with the changes. Commercial engineers must be on the forefront of every field in their industry. They should be aware or ahead of changes in protecting the environment, water stabilization and zoning regulations and laws. But they also need to stay update on computer technology and new, improved programs released that could make their work more efficient and faster. 4. Security. No one in today’s society is immune to potential cybercrimes. For those working in commercial engineering, where so much of the work is done in the shareable cloud or on networks, cybertheft is a major concern. As a commercial engineer, it’s not only important to secure your own company’s access to sensitive data, but it might even be on the agenda to design and create software programs that use new technology to prevent cybercrime yourself. 5. Increasing supply costs. Online shopping makes it easy to price-check and many consumers want the lowest price without taking into consideration quality. To attract customers, commercial engineering companies may bid low after looking into current rates for the raw materials necessary to complete the project. The problem arises when, by the time the client signs the contract and the labor begins, the raw material prices have escalated significantly. Unless you have specifically stipulated that the client must pay the difference in materials, which is often what scares away the consumer, you will have to eat that cost yourself, cutting into your profit. Big commercial engineering companies are able to get better prices by buying in bulk, but small companies stuck in this same predicament are financially impacted when raw material prices skyrocket. 6. Irrational deadlines. Contemporary society lives in a constant state of immediate gratification. Many clients will expect deadlines that are not feasible and will threaten to go elsewhere if they are not met. Some companies will turn those clients away, choosing safety and careful planning over a potentially turbulent client. But other companies will strive to meet those impossible deadlines, especially smaller companies who need the business and word-of-mouth advertising. The problem with irrational deadlines, aside from the added stress and safety concerns when planning is rushed, is that you can’t control the zoning and permits. Clients who are given a timeframe when an aspect of the project will be met are usually unhappy when that date is delayed, even when it’s not your fault. Permits require time and reliance on people you have no control over, so if you agree to irrational deadlines, be sure to warn your client ahead on the areas that may delay the project and include those areas on your contract. 7. Insurance. Commercial engineering companies are responsible for obtaining insurance coverage for multiple aspects.   If you have employees, you most likely have to offer them the minimum coverage required by federal law. This can get expensive, even if they are paying their share. Health insurance premiums on average go up 6% every year, with the employer compensating for at least part of this increase. Additionally, you may have to have general liability coverage for any construction delay or defect, coverage for accidents that happen during your project, and worker’s compensation insurance. The insurance premiums alone can put a small commercial engineering company out of business if they are not careful with their planning or if a major incident occurs. Engineering is a Tough Field, But It’s Rewarding Commercial engineering is extremely difficult, even with all of the computer software designed to make it simpler. For those who have the calling and skill to work in this industry, it’s a rewarding career. Not everyone can handle the multitasking, higher level thinking, and micro and macro planning required to work in commercial engineering. These aspects alone make it difficult to find competent employees or business owners, but adding in the other 7 challenges faced in the industry today makes it even harder. The extreme difficulty commercial engineers face, though, means that they are in high demand. Even with all of these obstacles, having a reputable commercial engineer working on a project with you means that your final outcome will be done right and last for the long-term.

5 ways accounting firms can retain top performers

5 ways accounting firms can retain top performers accounting, accounting firms, top performers, retain, career management Retaining top performers has always been a priority â€" and a challenge â€" for public accounting firms. With many employers to choose from, competitive pay and the constant demand for talent, public accountants are never far from a recruiting lunch. I spoke to Kristen Rampe, a CPA and author of the new, humorous book Accounting Dreams and Delusions, about retention in the accounting industry. “Many firms are aware of top-talent retention essentials,” she said. “Attractive compensation, career progression, interesting client work, quality mentoring and leadership programs are crucial to stay competitive.” In addition to this standard line-up, I asked Rampe how CPA firms can position themselves to keep their star players around longer. Here are her five ways CPAs can bring new life to retention initiatives: 1. Embrace transparency CPAs spend the day number crunching. Ironically, many of them are in the dark about the financial state of their own organizations. Give them the “inside scoop” about high-level operating expense categories and margins. This will make your firm more profitable in the long run, and will help them become stakeholders in the organization. They are numbers people, after all. 2. Unlimited expense accounts Yes, that’s right â€" and don’t stop reading! If you trust your top talent, this should be possible. And it means that you must stop interfering while your best staff gets the job done. You don’t have to announce it to the world, but let top performers know you’ll stand by their judgment even if it’s not always “ordinary and necessary.” 3. Beat them to the flexible schedule Your top talent may have a life event coming up: marriage, children, aging parents â€" the list goes on. Instead of waiting for an employee to bring up a different work arrangement, beat them to it. When you hear about a baby on the way, as a mentor, you should immediately offer to consider a new kind of schedule or work plan. This discussion is not reserved for the pregnant; dads and partners may also be interested in a change. 4. Ask them what they want Have you tried a “stay-interview” yet? Like a bite of dark chocolate, they’re addictive and healthy, compared to their milk-chocolate cousin: the exit interview. The stay-interview is a one-on-one meeting in which leadership (not “someone from Human Resources”) talks with a team member about his or her satisfaction level. It’s a chance to discuss whats liked and disliked about the job, and what the organization can do for retention. The value of these meetings is far beyond the time they take. Frankly, this is the job of all managers; unfortunately they’re just not doing it. 5. Have fun Surprise! Your workplace culture should make talent want to stay. If your top performers feel like you don’t walk the walk, or that you are trying to win the “Top 100 Stodgiest Firms” award, it will be hard to keep them around. The bonus is, you’ll discover an increase in productivity and efficiency.