U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service to Make 1,700 or More Hires in 2016

U.S. Citizenship and zuwanderung tafelgeschirr to Make 1,700 or More Hires in 2016U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service to Make 1,700 or More Hires in 2016U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service to Make 1,700 or More Hires in 2016The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service processes the applications of about one million migrants to this country each year. Qualified job seekers who successfully navigate the federal application process will land a variety of challenging career positions with the agency this fiscal year.New Hires Needed to Process Those Immigrating and Seeking AsylumMore than one million immigrants are likely to reach our shores or receive permanent U.S. resident status in 2016. A small fraction of these aspiring Americans will seek asylum zu siche as refugees. But however the political winds may blow regarding political refugees from beleaguered nations such as Syria, Iraq, Somalia and Sudan, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service will likely need t housands of new employees to process often-complex applications in 2016, according to The Resume Place.A Naturalized Citizen Sees Opportunity to Prosper, and to ServePaola Palacios is one American who saw career opportunity at USCIS, the busiest agency of its kind in the world. Palacios, an immigration services officer, GS-5, began her first federal job at the agencys Eastern Telephone Center in New York City in February 2015.I initially became interested after I went through naturalization myself, she says. Having experienced the system and process firsthand that allows me to better serve our agency and our people. I thought it would be a great way to serve my country. Palacios immigrated to the United States from Colombia in 2000.USCIS Is a Major Federal Employer with a Vital MissionWhats the mission of USCIS? A unit of the Department of Homeland Security, the agency provides accurate and useful information to customers and grants immigration and citizenship benefits. USCIS has 1 9,000 government employees and contractors working at 223 offices around the globe. USCIS also supports immigrants integration and participation in American civic culture.The agency is bullish on its hiring plans. USCIS modeling indicates that the agency will need as many as 1,700 to 2,400 new employees agency-wide in fiscal year 2016, says Carolyn Gwathmey, a spokesperson with USCIS in Washington, D.C. Most of the hires will be immigration service officers, asylum officers, immigration officers, immigration analysts, and management and program analysts. The agencys funding is determined by the number of applications and petitions it receives so a net increase in immigration can result in more hiring.Reservist Palacios Followed the Steps to Land the JobPalacios was already serving her country when she applied for her first civilian government job. I was working part-time active reserve in the Air National Guard when I was offered the job at USCIS, she says.Palacios qualified for th e USCIS job in part because of her previous professional experience reviewing personnel applications, analyzing and maintaining confidential data, and researching laws. Immigration services officers must decipher immigration and nationality laws and explain them to customers in plain language. All of USCIS job announcements are posted on USAJobs.gov.The federal application and hiring process took a number of weeks Palacios found success by following instructions meticulously, one step at a time. The agencys site advises applicants to include all vital information such as resumes, transcripts, veteran documentation, and anything else that could help determine qualification. The application process for Palacios position required drug screening and a hintergrund investigation, including financial disclosure.Whether youre applying to Customs and Immigration, another DHS agency, or another government department, the federal job application process is demanding and somewhat unforgiving, s ays Kathryn Troutman, president of The Resume Place and author of Military to Federal Career Guide 2nd Edition.An Entry-Level Career Opportunity with Plenty of Room to GrowPalacios daily responsibilities are wide ranging. We respond to customer questions about case status and immigration benefits, says Palacios. The biggest challenge is handling the large influx of calls that we receive daily, while striving to provide great customer service.Palacios likes the job for its diverse challenges. What I enjoy is all the opportunities to expand my knowledge, she says. Every day we encounter situations that require research and investigation. We have many opportunities for professional development, and the agency supports me as military member. She continues to serve in the Air Active Guard Reserve Program.USCIS offers a variety of benefits such as telework, flexible work schedules, transit subsidy, training and career development programs, mentoring programs, health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance, as well as a retirement plan. Get Your Copy Federal Resume Guidebook 6th EditionAvailable TodayOur flagship title is completely updated for 2016. With a focus on writing the best Federal Resume for USAJOBS and other online federal resume builders, the Federal Resume Guidebook provides comprehensive, in-depth guidance on how to craft the perfect federal application to change jobs or get promoted. The sixth edition also includes information for individuals in the fields of Information Technology, Acquisition Management, and Management and Program Analysts, as well as for those seeking a career change.

More Sample Questions for 360 Reviews

More Sample Questions for 360 ReviewsMore Sample Questions for 360 ReviewsLooking for more questions to use when you ask employees to provide feedback about a coworker in a 360 review? In an earlier article, we shared 360 feedback questions in five areas that were identified with data from Indeed.com. They tracked the attributes,characteristics, and traits that employers sought fruchtwein frequently in their employment ads for a period of time. If most employers are seeking a particular attribute, that provides a good starting point for developing 360 review questions. Employees and managers need to provide 360 feedback in an organized format, or it is difficult to understand and create actionable items. If you just ask a group of coworkers to provide feedback, you will receive pages and pages of unorganized commentary. When you ask specific questions, you are more likely to get straightforward, useful feedback. Providing 360 feedback in response to specific questions is better for t he employees who are providing the feedback, too. The questions take care of their most frequent question and concern. They always say, well, Id be happy to provide the feedback, but what do you really want to know? What would most help you to find out? So, do all 360 review participants a favor and take the appropriate questions from an earlier recommended 30 review questionsor use these additional questions to seek feedback. Feel free to customize the questions and determine which questions that you want to ask about each employee who is receiving a 360 review. Questions for 360 Review Use these questions when you request feedback in a 360 review. They ask about areas that are important and valued at work. Detail Oriented When you work with the employee on a project, does he make a thorough plan and then follow through with its accomplishment?What is your experience of the employees attention to detail in his work? Prioritization Does the employee prioritize action ite ms and his work, in general, and then, follow through on the priorities he set?Are the priorities that he selects the appropriate priorities in your view? Teamwork How does the employee contribute to the successful and effective functioning of his kollektiv?What, if anything, does the employee do that interferes with the functioning of the teams on which he participates? Interpersonal Communication Does the employee keep you up-to-date on what you need to know to perform your components of the project or task?Does the employee effectively communicate so that you are clear on his message, meaning, and what he needs from you? Reliable To what degree can you depend on the employee to keep his commitments?Can you provide an example of a time when the employee demonstrated reliability in his work with you? Ability to Multi-Task Can you tell me about a time when you noticed that the employee was performing a number of different tasks and priorities with ease? Did he ever d rop the ball?How effective is the employee at coordinating his tasks with other employees to increase his effectiveness? Time Management Can you provide an overall picture of how effective the employee is at managing her time/Does the employee attend team and other meetings in a timely fashion on a regular basis? Or, is she more consistently late?How timely is the employee about the completion of commitments and assignments, in your experience? Integrity, Honesty, and Truthfulness Do you trust the employee to do what he says he is going to do without making excuses or blaming other employees for any failures?Does the employee tell the truth as you have observed him working with you and other employees?Do you fundamentally trust the employee?Does the employee toss other employees under the bus? Innovativeness Does the employee come up with new ideas, fresh approaches, and innovative solutions as she works with you and others?Is the employee able to take a new idea, build support for the idea among colleagues, and bring the idea to fruition? These are examples of the types of questions that you can use to improve the effectiveness of your 360 reviews. They help the employees responding to organize their feedback in a way that allows the receiving manager or employee to organize and see patterns quickly. Providing feedback to the employee is more effective when you frame questions that guide the feedback. You can use these sample questions to prepare your own 360 reviews or write your own questions based on these examples. 360 reviews are a significant, contributing component of a well-rounded performance management system when they are done well and used thoughtfully.

Internal Audit Manager Leadership Skills Management Resources

Internal Audit Manager Leadership Skills Management ResourcesInternal Audit Manager Leadership Skills Management ResourcesIntensifying regulatory demands, rapidly evolving technologyand many other challenges in todays dynamic business landscape are making it more important than ever for organizations to have a strong internal audit department. They also need skilled, experienced professionals in key roles like audit manager to help support the function.To secure this talent, many employers are prepared to offer higher starting compensation in 2017to audit managers and other internal audit leaders, according to Robert Halfs latestSalary Guidefor the accounting and finance profession.An organizations ability to meet compliance requirements andidentify potential risks requires coordination, cooperation and vigilance by employees at all levels. Through the audit process, the internal audit team ensures everyone in the organization is doing whats required to help avoid risk and meet compl iance demands. However, because audit projects are often complex and time-intensive, its easy for even experienced auditors to lose sight of key details and miss red flags.Enter the audit manager, who is responsible for overseeing completion of audit assignments and confirming the work is of high quality and adheres toprofessional standardsand otherrelevant requirements. The audit manager typically manages an entire audit project, from scheduling audits to preparing audit strategy to assembling the audit team. He or she also must draft detailed reports about audit findings and communicate relevant information to management to inform their decision making.Collaborate and communicateObviously, to do all of the above the audit manager must bring both technical andinterpersonal skillsto the table - including the ability to foster teamwork and helpguide others through change. These skills are important because todaysaudit teams, including their leaders, need to collaborate more frequent lywith staff bothinside and outside of their department - and, perhaps, across geographies.An audit manager is expected to have expert knowledge of relevant regulations,as well. But employers look to audit managers to go beyond honing this expertise and play a lead role in communicating the detailed nature of these rules to everyone in the organization who has a role in compliance. This requires the audit manager to have not only strong written and verbal skills, but also the ability to engage in a productive dialogue with staff, including at the executive level, who dont necessarily understand the complexities of audit speak.A big-picture viewEffective communication isnt possible without first establishing trust, of course. So, another challenge for an audit manager is finding the best way to establish credibility among individuals both within and outside the department. A successful manager leads by example, taking the initiativeto collaborate across departments, consider differe nt perspectives and be respectful to others. (And as our research shows, most professionals view integrity as the most important leadership attribute by far.)An audit manager will need to apply advancedcritical-thinking and analytical skillsin order to interpret audit findings and translate them for the business. Additionally, the audit manager needs to take a big-picture view of the function itself, especially when it comes tohiring.Embracing this broader perspective of the organizationwill allow the audit manager to think strategically whenrecruiting talent that the company will need to stay on top of evolving compliance requirements and emergingrisks. Heor she alsocan make sure staff members have access to theprofessional developmentopportunities they need to succeed, and that will encourage these in-demand professionalsto stay with the organizationfor the long term.This post welches originally published in 2014 and has been updated to reflect more current information.

27 Common Job Interview Questions, and Tips for Answering

27 Common Job Interview Questions, and Tips for Answering27 Common Job Interview Questions, and Tips for AnsweringAs prepared as you might be for your job einstellungsgesprch, it sometimes doesnt take much to get thrown off by an unexpected question. Thats why weve cherry-picked 27 of the most common job interview questions that you might be asked regardless of your industry, as well as some tips for answering them.Here are some of the most common job interview questions, according to GlassdoorWhat are your strengths and your weaknesses?Why are you interested in working for insert company anthroponym here?Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?Why do you want to leave your current company?Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of.Tell me about a time you made a mistake.What is your dream job?How did you hear about this position?Tell me how you handled a difficult situation.Why should we hire you?Why are you looking for a new job?What are your salary requiremen ts?Give a time when you went above and beyond the requirements for a project.Who are our competitors?What was your biggest failure?What are your career goals?What gets you up in the morning?What would your direct reports say about you?What were your bosses strengths/weaknesses?If I called your boss right now and asked him/her what is an area that you could improve on, what would he/she say?What are your coworker pet peeves?What makes you uncomfortable?What are some of your leadership experiences?How would you fire someone?Would you work 40+ hours a week?What questions havent I asked you?What questions do you have for me?Here are some tips for answering any type of interview questionKeep your cool. Some job interview questions are designed for the interviewer to learn more about you. Others are meant to see how you respond under pressure. And frankly, others might be meant to trip you up.No matter what kind of interviewer you have, try to maintain your composure, especially if you wa nt the job. Answer the question to the best of your ability (even if your interviewer asks you an oddball interview question like, What would you do if I died?), and maintain your professionalism.Ask to answer a question again. Lets say that you totally flubbed an interview question. If the interview continues and you think of the answer that you really wanted to say, its completely fine to bring it up to your interviewer.You can say something like, Regarding your previous question, Id like to add X. That way, you can redeem yourself by providing the correct answer during your interview.Be mindful of your body language. Sure, your answers might be communicating one thing to a potential employer, but what is your body language saying? During your job interview, focus on what types of visual cues youre giving off.If you are having an in-person interview, follow these tips Make sure that your arms are at your sides and not crossed in front of you, which can appear closed-off or standof fish. Lean in as your interviewer speaks to express that youre engaged.Doing these things- even for a remote interview- can affect the tone in your voice and make you come across as open, honest, and interested in both the interviewer and the job youre applying for.Have an interview coming up? Browse our job interviewing category for more tips

10 Resume Tips That Will Get You the Job

10 Resume Tips That Will Get You the Job10 Resume Tips That Will Get You the JobIf your resume is in need of a major overhaul, sometimes the hardest part is figuring out where to begin.As a leading provider of career services, including resume and cover letter writing, bewerberinterview prep, LinkedIn consulting, and career coaching, ResumeSpice knows how to turn your resume into every recruiters dream. Here are some tips that will get your resume in the spotlight.1) Keep it relevant to the job you wantIf youve spent the brde five years as a marketing professional, but are seeking a sales position, it might be wise to showcase the relevant sales skills you have developed in your most recent position(s).2) Leave out the objective statementResume best practices are constantly evolving and there was a time when including objective statements was standard.Today, with hiring managers overloaded by resumes, objective statements are seen as at best, unnecessary, and at worst, a way for resu me screeners to weed out candidates whose stated objective doesnt precisely match the position.If you want a potential employer to know more about you and why youre a great fit for the job, include a cover letter with your application.3) Use reverse chronological orderEven though resume standards and practices do change, one thing that has remained constant is the order in which you should list your experience. Youll want to begin with your most recent or current position and work backwards, which means the education section of your resume should be listed after your professional history. The only exception to this rule is for recent grads, who are better served listing their education first.4) Keywords might be the key to unlocking an interview requestBecause your resume will likely be filtered by an applicant tracking system at some point, it should contain the right keywords based on the job description. If you read the description and youre still not sure which keywords to use, there are tools like TagCrowd that can help you decide which keywords are the most relevant.5) Keep it simpleFocus on keeping your information organized and easy to skim over. Most recruiters are scanning your resume for specific skillsets and information, so dont overshadow the content of your resume with wordiness, graphics, or irrelevant information.6) Numbers are your friendUse pieces of quantifiable information that highlight your accomplishments and track record of success. If you increased new business by 25% in the first quarter, put it on your resume. If your targeted marketing campaign generated 150,000 new leads, make sure that information makes it on to your resume. If you arent currently tracking that kind of information, theres no time like the present to begin doing so.7) Fill in those gapsIts a tough time to be a job seeker. There are many people who have been unemployed for six months or longer. But just because you havent been employed by a company doesnt mean you havent been keeping busy. If you have volunteer work or coursework youve been doing, list that on your resume, just above your previous position.8) Proofread like your future depends on itYour resume is only a snapshot of who you are as a person, but unfortunately its the only thing a recruiter is looking at to determine your qualifications. Stay credible with a thorough proofing (or two, or three) of your resume.9) Keep it freshEvery few months, take a minute to tweak and update your resume. Its good to keep it up-to-date even if you arent actively job searching- you never know when youll need to present it for that promotion or volunteer opportunity.10) Ask for helpDont be shy about asking a family member, friend, or trusted colleague to help with your resume. And if youre seeking professional advice, dont hesitate to contact one of the career consultants at ResumeSpice. Our team might be the resource you need to unlock your resumes potential.

The Insider Secret on How to Present a Resume Uncovered

The Insider Secret on How to Present a Resume Uncovered Developing a business proposal might appear to be a formidable undertaking, but it doesnt need to be. Your Resume must contains your Achievements Three questions are extremely crucial for each and every employer and youve got to get answered for that. Some employers may demand a quick proposal which gets scanned into a database. Most employers may wish to observe a resume, which gives an overview of your qualifications for the job. A proposal is a document meant to persuade prospective customers to purchase from you. Once you have all of the information back on the pages, concentrate on ensuring your proposal is visually appealing. If you want to receive a jump start utilizing pre-designed templates with simple instructions and lots of suggestions for content, you may use Proposal Pack, which comprises all the material mentioned previously. The Honest to Goodness Truth on How to Present a Resume For instance, if your e asking for a technical position, remember to highlight all of your technical expertise and also remember to show off value-added skills like business sales or marketing experience. Much like different members of the emergency solutions, youll need to get an ability to reassure and calm members of the general public. Your delivery method will be dependent on the character and schauplatz of your business together with your relationship with your prospective customer. All customers are far more likely to accept proposals tailored only for them. The How to Present a Resume Game Professional writers know just what to say in regards to a resume together with a cover letter. If you would like to be sure you present a fantastic impression, you ought to use a professional resume writing service. Ironically, its a fact that writing a resume has never been a subject of thorough discussion within the classrooms. Adhering to the whole investigator resume writing tips will certainly as sist you in your attempt. Heres What I Know About How to Present a Resume Presenting the details in a well organized fashion will boost your odds of getting work. The most suitable impression gets you the opportunity to interview and show youre perfect for the job. Try to remember, the interview will get you the job, the resume is only going to assist you receive the interview, so keep this in mind whilst writing it The resume will determine who receives a work interview. While there are numerous expert CV and resume writing services available on the web, and theyll certainly do the task for you, it is going to cost you to get it written for you in particular. Resume writing for career change shouldnt need to be a significant challenge. Detecting a job in the nursing profession might be tough at times not just for the new graduate, but for the seasoned nurse also, but using a few tips your job hunting doesnt have to be a complicated adventure. Resumes that ought to be read in depth will probably wind up in the pile of also-rans. You would like to get the position so that you want to make sure that your resume objective encourages employers to learn more about you and talk about your competencies through an interview. At the close of each interview, youre going to be asked if you accept any questions. Resume plays a valuable part in your career decision making. Presumably, each candidate has many distinct abilities and many distinct accomplishments. Only then should you attempt to establish whether an in-rolle visit would be a very good means to emphasize your interestor a great way to secure you branded a stalker. Things that can be not strongly related the work really shouldnt be mentioned. When cerebration on what to accompany an interview, a great deal of things seem to mind, but the eight aloft are the finest essential. Everything in your resume needs to be verifiable. The Fight Against How to Present a Resume The absolute most insightfu l questions demonstrate that youve done your homework. Writing a resume is a tough task especially if the person whos going to write isnt utilised to it. A. Functional resumes have often been called problem solving resumes in they permit you to organize your resume by functional skills instead of purely chronological purchase. One of the main explanations for why students prefer Australia for their higher studies is that the price of living is significantly lower here. If a manager isnt around, dive just somewhat deeper for more info. Most positions require a minumum of one year of expert experience. Your resume objective have to be simple and has to be clear. Working as part of a team also means theres a requirement for each person to take note of the wider team objectives. Resume writing objective is a significant portion of the resume, without it resume wont leave its effects on the recruiter. Simply because it supplies you with the ideal visibility for your abilities and experience and doesnt put the focus directly on your employment history. Or one may take a skill based resume which helps to emphasize your abilities and achievements that are directly related to a particular job target thats also offered. The skills required vary based on the field youre applying for.

A dozen things I wish Id known before I started uni

A dozen things I wish Id known before I started uni A Dozen Things I Wish Id Known Before I Started UniPosted February 18, 2014, by Marni Williams Ive turned (gasp) thirty this year and it seems to be a common discussion among my friends that we all wish we could go back and be undergraduates again. Reality is quick to remind us of mortgages that wouldnt be serviced by part-time retail jobs and 30-year-old metabolisms that wouldnt be serviced by the mi goreng diet, but we still dream about how wed act differently if we were doing our bachelor degrees today. Its elend that we chose the wrong degrees, or did poorly, but as 18 year olds we simply werent fully equipped to seize the opportunity at hand to learn everything possible from the best brains in the business and try new things in a supportive environment. We might bedrngnis be able to turn back the clock, but if youre gearing up to start uni this semester whether youre pre-20s, mid-30s or post-40s then take it from us your deg ree will be what you make of it. Here are some of our tips to make sure your uni years really are the best years your life. 1. No, youre not the dumbest person on campus Your fellow classmates might be nodding knowingly in the lecture theatre but that doesnt mean they have any mora of a clue than you do. While some people are amazingly good at giving the impression of having a higher brain function, the fact is that the majority of students wont have heard of the academics they will be reading every week, let alone their concepts. Sure, universities are, by definition, a place for people who are good at studying, but that doesnt suddenly mean that as soon as you step foot inside those sandstone walls you have to give up gossip magazines for the dictionary. And the beauty of university is that you know just by getting in that you have every right to be there So leave your ATAR at the door and focus on the subjects you love. 2. Its ok if you dont understand every reading Almost no one gets through every reading before class, let alone finds the time to ingest the full groaning list of recommended reading. If you start a reading and find its all making about as much sense as a foreign language, and youve already Googled the author, then put it down and read it after the lecture when youve got a little more context. 3. Youre not the only one panicking, and everyone gets lost If you get through your first semester and havent felt that special kind of dread that hits your stomach before you open the door to a closed lecture theatre, then youre definitely in the minority. And dont worry, your first assignment will be sure to make you want to retreat to your doona until its all over. Its ok to feel like a fish out of water, but if youre still getting sweaty palms in week six then you might need to work on some coping strategies try getting in touch with the student support services at your institution and read on. 4. Dont be afraid to make friends, its w orth it In my first year at university it took me weeks before I pushed myself to talk to people, turn up for the free lunch on Tuesdays and take part in trivia. Insulating myself from the awkwardness of meeting people actually made those first few months really stressful. And Im not the only one to make that mistake according to the Centre for the Study of Higher Educations (CSHE) ongoing research first-year students are becoming more isolated, taking part in less activities and making fewer friends. One of the greatest experiences you get at uni is the opportunity to work with some really interesting and smart peers. Filming a group project in the Bondi Junction car park definitely pushed me out of that shell Out of all the things I did at uni I remember my group projects most fondly in fact, a group of us still run ideas past each other eight years later. 6. No ones calling your mother if you ditch, but you still need to turn up Whether youre studying on campus or online, yo u do need to make sure you keep up with the class. Dont think that just because no one will be on your back if you skip an online seminar that youve somehow won the day. Some subjects will even count attendance as part of your overall marks. 7. Find your voice Youre the one paying thousands of dollars to take part, so believe me when I say a lot of the concepts become clear when you can hear everyone elses stupid questions answered and add some half-baked thoughts of your own. Take advantage of the discussions, whether they are online or in tutorials, and use your degree as a great opportunity to test out ideas you wont be able to speak as freely in professional life when youre worried about doing a good job. 8. P might = degree, but HD = professional pedigree I heard the P=degree saying a lot when I was at uni, but I have to be honest even then I didnt buy it. With more than a quarter of school leavers getting a degree, you really do need to think about keeping your grades high in order to stand out from the crowd. And dont get trapped in the thought that your professional experience is just as important as your uni work. It will be later on, but when youre an undergraduate you should be careful of spreading yourself too thinly, whether its with internships or casual work. The CSHEs stats back me up, confirming that longer hours of work are associated with a lower grade average and increased likelihood of deferral. 10. Get help with your research Theres an important difference between relying on yourself and knowing when you should put your hand up for help. One of the best things to do in your first weeks at uni is to attend the information sessions and seminars on studying, researching, referencing sources and how to use the library. Uni assignments take a lot more time to research, brainstorm and write, so getting confident with your research skills will save you a lot of all-nighters down the track. 12. If its not working for you, change I had a few friends who didnt get into their first preferences so struggled through first year in something else and never really hit their stride. Whatever you do, dont give up If you maintain good marks you can always apply for a transfer into a course you really want to do, or even change universities if the grass is looking greener elsewhere. And if you are finding the demands of getting to class just arent working for your lifestyle, then you can always change to an online course, allowing you to get the same qualification in your own time, from any location. If you want a new way of studying, or youre looking to change your career path, you can always apply for recognition for any relevant subjects youve already done. Whatever you do, expect the difficulty, awkwardness, fear and doubt but dont let it stop you from taking advantage of your time as a student its all going to be worth it in the end. Loving uni life but want to get ahead ASAP? Here are 4 things you can do right now to give your career a boost ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searchesthings to know before unistarting university checklistfind me work experienceuni tips and trickscareer advisor online CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire zugreifbar Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineMarni WilliamsRelated ArticlesBrowse moreAllied HealthHealthAllied health careers Not just doctors and nursesIf you love the idea of helping people with their health issues but dont think becoming a nurse or doctor is for you, then consider a career in allied health.Animal CareAnimal Magnetism Careers For Animal LoversIf you love animals and have the empathy, patience and observational skills required, a career or hobby working with animals could be your calling.ProductivityThank you letter to employee11 Top Tips For Effective Time ManagementTime management is all about making the most effective use of your time and working smarter, not longer.

Jobless Dont Let Desperation Expose You to ID Theft

Jobless Dont Let Desperation Expose You to ID TheftJobless? Dont Let Desperation Expose You to ID TheftJobless Dont Let Desperation Expose You to ID TheftIf youre among the millions out of work and are responding to several job openings or posting your resume to job boards, beware of identity thieves who are just waiting to add to your misery by committing fraud in your name.Desperate times call for desperate measures. And if youre jobless, you may be so desperate for a new job that you ignore your better judgment and submit an online application that asks for your Social Security number, drivers license number, or other data that can be used to track down even more of your personal information.Heres a word of advice Dont give it out, unless you want to put yourself at risk for identity theft.Identity thieves are taking advantage of these uncertain economic times to scam job seekers and gather personal identifying information, the nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) annou nced in a recent statement.How Identity Thieves WorkWhat can identity thieves do with your information? Here are three common schemesCredit cards They use your personal data to open a leistungspunkt card account, racking up perhaps thousands of dollars in charges, which go unpaid and ruin your leistungspunkt record.Banking They open a bank account in your name, write counterfeit checks, or clone your debit or ATM cards to make withdrawals from your account.Government fraud Using your drivers license or Social Security number, they register for government benefits, such as a Social Security pension.How to Protect YourselfDont give out your Social Security number. Never put the number on your resume or a job application, either online or on paper. Let prospective employers ask for it after they have interviewed you and are seriously considering you for the job, the ITRC suggests. The ITRC especially warns of scams in which someone notifies you that youre a finalist for a job and needs your Social Security number to do a background check. If you have not had a face-to-face interview with the company, offer to call them back later when you have more time to talk. This will allow you to research the phone number and company to make sure theyre legit.Dont submit personal information such as age, birth date, marital status, and graduation dates. Employers cannot legally ask you for personal data, and including it on your resume can help an identity thief get even more information for fraudulent activities.Dont pre-register for anything on the web using sensitive information. Avoid any web site that requires you to pre-register with your Social Security number, home address, or drivers license number. The ITRC also warns that you should not have to pay to view job listings. Requirements such as these are strong indicators of a scam.Watch your bank and credit card statements. The first line of prevention is to consistently monitor your bank and credit card statements, and check your credit report regularly. If an identity thief is opening credit accounts in your name, these accounts will likely show up on your credit report. To find out, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suggests you order a copy of your credit reports from the three major nationwide consumer reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union). By law, they must provide you with a free copy of your report once a year, at your request.Need to know more about identity theft? Play this online game on the FTC site. The six true-or-false questions provide valuable information on what you should do if you believe youre a victim.Which precaution do you believe is most important for job seekers in preventing identity theft?

Ancient wisdom reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy

Ancient wisdom reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyAncient wisdom reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyAlright, youve probably read a zillion articles about happiness online and youre not a zillion times happier. What gives?Reading aint the saatkorn as doing.You wouldnt expect to read some martial arts books and then go kick aspirin like Bruce Lee, would you? All behavior, all changes, must betrained.The ancientStoicsknew this. They didnt write stuff just to be read. They created rituals - exercises - to be performed to train yur mind to respond properly to life so you could live it well.FromThe Daily Stoic 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the species of LivingThats why the philosophers warn us not to be satisfied with mere learning, but to add practice and then training. For as time passes we forget what we learned and end up doing the opposite, and hold opinions the opposite of what we should. - Epictetus, Discourses, 2.9.13-14And whats fascinating is that verlottern scientific research agrees with a surprising amount of what ansicht guys were talking about 2000 years ago.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreOkay, kiddo, time to rummage through the Stoic toolbox and dig out some simple rituals you can use tobe much happier.So lets say life decides to suplex you and youre feeling 32 flavorsof badeanstalt. Whats the first thing in the Stoic bag of philosophical tricks to improve how you feel- and help you make better choices in the future?Ask, What would I recommend if this happened to someone else?Traffic is terrible. Your friend is driving. He leans onthe horn, punchesthe steering wheel, and shouts at the other drivers. Youre like,Jeez, calm down. Why you getting so worked up? Chill.The next day besucherzahlen is terrible butyouredriving So, of course, you lean onthe horn, punchthe steering wheel, and shout at the other drivers.See the problem here, Sherlock? We all do it. But theres a lesson to be learned that the Stoics knew a few millennia agoWhen something bad happens, ask yourself, What would I recommendif this happened to someone else? And then dothat. Youll probably be more rational. And its harder to ignore the advice - because its your own.FromA Guide to the Good Life The Ancient Art of Stoic JoyIn his Handbook, Epictetus advocates this sort of projective visualization. Suppose, he says, that our servant breaks a cup. We are likely to get angry and have our tranquility disrupted by the incident. One way to avert this anger is to think about how we would feel if the incident had happened to someone else instead. If we were at someones house and his servant broke a cup, we would be unlikely to get angry indeed, we might try to calm our host by saying Its just a cup these things happen. Engaging in projective visualization, Epictetus believes, will make us appreciate the relative insignificance of the bad things that happen to us and will therefore prevent them from disrupting our tranquility.Slick advice. Does it work? When I spoke with Duke profDan Ariely, author of the bestsellerPredictably Irrational, he said pretty muchthe saatkorn thing. He called it taking the outside perspective. Heres DanIf I had to give advice across many aspects of life, I would ask people to take whats called the outside perspective. And the outside perspective is easily thought about What would you do if you made the recommendation for another person? And I find that often when were recommending something to another person, we dont think about our current state and we dont think about our current emotions. We actually think a bit more distant from the decision and often make the better decision because of that.The Golden Rule says do unto others as you would have them do unto you. In honor of the Stoics, Im going to suggest that when something gets you worked up you should follow The Toga Rule and Do unto yourself what you would recommend to others.(To learn the 6 rituals that ancient wisdom says will make your life awesome, clickhere.)Alright, youre following The Toga Rule when life goes sideways. But some reactions are hard to squelch. You have bad habits. We all do. So what do the Stoics have on their Batman utility belt to deal with bad habits?Turns out they were way ahead of their time on this oneUse the discipline of assentTheres usually a moment - however brief - when youdecide to give in to an impulse or resist it. You have a choice. But you agree to act out that script youve performed a 1000 times, even though it always has lousyconsequences.The Stoics were big on not getting carried away by thoughts and feelings. The discipline of assent is to feel that impulse, that desire to do something you know you shouldnt, and not give in. But, as you know, that isreally freakin hard.Epictetus thought the key welches that moment when youre deciding. Catch yourself when youre a bout to actand justpostpone. You dont have to grit your teeth andbe a willpower superhero yet. Just pause and think.InDiscourses and Selected WritingsEpictetus saidDont let the force of an impression when it first hits you knock you off your feet just say to it, Hold on a moment let me see who you are and what you represent. Let me put you to the test.And modernresearch into breaking bad habitssays the same thing. First, catch yourself in the act, and thenpostponeThose in the postponement condition actually ate significantly less than those in the self-denial condition The result suggests that telling yourself I can have this later operates in the mind a bit like having it now. It satisfies the craving to some degree - and can be even more effective at suppressing the appetite than actually eating the treat It takes willpower to turn down dessert, but apparently its less stressful on the mind to say Later rather than Never. In the long run, you end up wanting less and also consum ing less.Great, you resisted. But its gonna happen again So how do youbreakbad habits? You dont.Youreplacethem.InDiscourses and Selected WritingsEpictetus saidWhat aid can we find to combat habit? The opposed habit So if you like doing something, do it regularly if you dont like doing something, make a habit of doing something different.And recent science says the exact same thing. Dont try to eliminate replace.FromThe Power of Habit Why We Do What We Do in Life and BusinessWe know that a habit cannot be eradicated - it must, instead, be replaced. And we know that habits are most malleable when the Golden Rule of habit change is applied If we keep the same cue and the same reward, a new routine can be inserted.(To learn the science of breaking all your bad habits for good, clickhere.)Alright,clearing out the bad is good. But just taking out the negative doesnt necessarily increase the positive. Because youwant. Youwantandneedandcrave. Enough isnever really enough because we all e ventually take things for granted and then find new, even shinier things to needHow can you stop running on this treadmill of desire and finally justbe happy with what you have? Stoics to the rescueMake it a treatThe Stoics understood just howmiserable runaway desire can make you. In his bookEnchiridion, Epictetus wroteHe is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.And, frankly, the Stoic response to this was prettyextreme. To make themselves appreciate the things they had, these guys would deliberately contemplate losing everything they loved. Theyd think about death. A lot. Theyd deprive themselves of every pleasure to force themselves tostop taking things for granted.FromThe Daily Stoic 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of LivingHeres a lesson to test your minds mettle take part of a week in which you have only the most meager and cheap food, dress in shabby clothes, and ask yourself if this is really t he worst that you feared. - Seneca, Moral Letters, 18.5-6And research shows doing thatreallyworks. But it aint any kind of fun. Luckily, there is a less painful way to get similar resultsWhats something you used to relish that you now take for granted?Did that first morning cup of coffee used to be a wonderful moment - and now its just something you hastily gulp down? Well, skip it for three days.This isnt merely something old dead guys recommend. When I spoke to Harvard professorMike Nortonhe said this is how youcan regain an appreciation for the things that youve taken for granted. Make them a treat. Heres MikeIf you love, every day, having the same coffee, dont have it for a few days and then when you have it again, its going to be way more amazing than all of the ones that you would have had in the meantime Its not give it up forever. Its give it up for short periods of time, and I promise you youre going to love it even more when you come back to it.And then, once the three days are over, oh man, SAVOR that coffee - or whatever it is that youve denied yourself. Yes, the Stoicswantyou to deeply enjoy it. They werent a bunch of joyless bores and they werent like Spock from Star Trek. They didnt believe in being unemotional they just foughtnegative emotions.The Stoics believed in living in the present moment so you could enjoy life more.FromThe Daily Stoic 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of LivingIts ruinous for the soulmusik to be anxious about the future and miserable in advance of misery, engulfed by anxiety that the things it desires might remain its own until the very end. For such a soul will never be at rest - by longing for things to come it will lose the ability to enjoy present things. - Seneca, Moral Letters, 98.5b-6aAnd, yes,sciencebacks up Stoic savoring. When youre focused on the present and turn your attention to the pleasurable experience in front of you, youre happier.ViaHappiness Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychol ogical WealthThe key component to effective savoring is focused attention. By taking the time and spending the effort to appreciate the positive, people are able to experience more well-being.Deprive yourself a bit - then savor the hell out it. This is how you can stop wanting and departure enjoying what you have.(To learn the 4 Stoic secrets to becoming mentally strong, clickhere.)Now its time for the big one how can you make sure your life keeps getting better? Or, put another way how can you make sure youre getting better at life? Not making the same mistakes, always learning and improving so that every day is better than the one before? Toga-truth to the rescueDo an evening reviewAnnual reviews at work dont do much for happiness. But the Stoics were big fans of reviewing your day so that you can improve your life.FromThe Daily Stoic 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of LivingI will keep constant watch over myself and - most usefully - will put each day up f or review. For this is what makes us evil - that none of us looks back upon our own lives. We reflect upon only that which we are about to do. And yet our plans for the future descend from the past. Seneca, Moral Letters, 83.2But does reflecting on your actionsreallymake a difference?Yup. When bestselling authorDavid Epsteinlooked at what makes great athletes great he found that the magic word was reflection.They think about what theyve done and ask themselves if its working.HeresDavidWhen they do something, whether its good or bad, they take time for reflection. They asked themselvesWas it difficult enough? Was it too easy? Did it make me better? Did it not? It sounds simple and sounds facile, but I think we dont do it.Anevening ritualwhere you reflect on what you did that day is critical. Seneca, one of the heavy hitters of Stoicism saidthisWhen the light has been removed and my wife has abfallen silent, aware of this habit thats now mine, I examine my entire day and go back ove r what Ive done and said, hiding nothing from myself, passing nothing by. For why should I fear any consequence from my mistakes, when Im able to say, See that you dont do it again, but now I forgive you.Ask yourself what you did wrong today. Ask yourself what you should have done that you didnt do. Now you know how you can improve tomorrow. But dont beat yourself up. Be like Seneca and forgive yourself. Have someself-compassion.Did you procrastinate today?Research shows that itsforgiving yourself- not beating yourself up - that preventsyou from continuing to put things off.And dont just be critical of yourself. Think about what you did well so you can repeat it tomorrow. Be grateful for the good that happened today. Yes, Stoicism gives the thumbs up to gratitude. Marcus Aurelius believed in counting your blessings.FromThe Daily Stoic 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of LivingDont set your mind on things you dont possess as if they were yours, but count the ble ssings you actually possess and think how much you would desire them if they werent already yours. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 7.27Andwriting those blessings downbefore you go to bed is one of the most scientifically proven methods for boosting happiness.(To learn more happiness tips from ancient philosophy, clickhere.)Okay, youve earned your toga. Time to round up everythingyou now have in your Stoic bag o tricks and learn the ancient technique for getting along with other people so wecan allbe happySum upHeres what Stoicism says will make you happierAsk, What would I recommendif this happened to someone else?Take my advice by taking your own advice.Use the discipline of assentDont resist postpone. Then evaluate. And break bad habits by replacing them.Make it a treatDeprive and then savor.When you cant find a bathroom and then you finally do,thats happiness.Do an evening reviewReflect. Forgive. Count your blessings. Show gratitude. (Yes, you can even begrateful for bloggers who read lots of books so you dont have to.)If you want to be happy, relationships are key. But all too often we focus on whatothersshould be doing forus. Thats a prescription for frustration.One of the most fundamental principles in Stoicism is that you need to focus on what you can control. And you cant control other people. (Okay, maybe you can but those methods result in significant jail time.)The Stoics knew that youcancontrol whatyoudo. And very often, that will affect how others treat you.Senecaput it very simplyIf you would be loved, love.Yes,sciencebacks that up.But reading aint the same as doingSoshowsomeone you love them today. Its the Stoic thing to do.Join over 320,000 readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.This column first appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong peopleAncient wisdom reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyAlright, youve probably read a zillion articles about happiness online and youre not a zillion times happier. What gives?Reading aint the same as doing.You wouldnt expect to read some martial arts books and then go kick ass like Bruce Lee, would you? All behavior, all changes, must betrained.The ancientStoicsknew this. They didnt write stuff just to be read. They created rituals - exercises - to be performed to train your mind to respond properly to life so you could live it well.FromThe Daily Stoic 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of LivingThats why the philosophers warn us not to be satisfied with mere learning, but to add practice and then training. For as time passes we forget what we learned and end up doing the opposite, and hold opinions the opposite of what we s hould. - Epictetus, Discourses, 2.9.13-14And whats fascinating is that modern scientific research agrees with a surprising amount of what these guys were talking about 2000 years ago.Okay, kiddo, time to rummage through the Stoic toolbox and dig out some simple rituals you can use tobe much happier.So lets say life decides to suplex you and youre feeling 32 flavorsof bad. Whats the first thing in the Stoic bag of philosophical tricks to improve how you feel- and help you make better choices in the future?Ask, What would I recommend if this happened to someone else?Traffic is terrible. Your friend is driving. He leans onthe horn, punchesthe steering wheel, and shouts at the other drivers. Youre like,Jeez, calm down. Why you getting so worked up? Chill.The next day traffic is terrible butyouredriving So, of course, you lean onthe horn, punchthe steering wheel, and shout at the other drivers.See the problem here, Sherlock? We all do it. But theres a lesson to be learned that the Sto ics knew a few millennia agoWhen something bad happens, ask yourself, What would I recommendif this happened to someone else? And then dothat. Youll probably be more rational. And its harder to ignore the advice - because its your own.FromA Guide to the Good Life The Ancient Art of Stoic JoyIn his Handbook, Epictetus advocates this sort of projective visualization. Suppose, he says, that our servant breaks a cup. We are likely to get angry and have our tranquility disrupted by the incident. One way to avert this anger is to think about how we would feel if the incident had happened to someone else instead. If we were at someones house and his servant broke a cup, we would be unlikely to get angry indeed, we might try to calm our host by saying Its just a cup these things happen. Engaging in projective visualization, Epictetus believes, will make us appreciate the relative insignificance of the bad things that happen to us and will therefore prevent them from disrupting our tranquil ity.Slick advice. Does it work? When I spoke with Duke professorDan Ariely, author of the bestsellerPredictably Irrational, he said pretty muchthe same thing. He called it taking the outside perspective. Heres DanIf I had to give advice across many aspects of life, I would ask people to take whats called the outside perspective. And the outside perspective is easily thought about What would you do if you made the recommendation for another person? And I find that often when were recommending something to another person, we dont think about our current state and we dont think about our current emotions. We actually think a bit more distant from the decision and often make the better decision because of that.The Golden Rule says do unto others as you would have them do unto you. In honor of the Stoics, Im going to suggest that when something gets you worked up you should follow The Toga Rule and Do unto yourself what you would recommend to others.(To learn the 6 rituals that ancient w isdom says will make your life awesome, clickhere.)Alright, youre following The Toga Rule when life goes sideways. But some reactions are hard to squelch. You have bad habits. We all do. So what do the Stoics have on their Batman utility belt to deal with bad habits?Turns out they were way ahead of their time on this oneUse the discipline of assentTheres usually a moment - however brief - when youdecide to give in to an impulse or resist it. You have a choice. But you agree to act out that script youve performed a 1000 times, even though it always has lousyconsequences.The Stoics were big on not getting carried away by thoughts and feelings. The discipline of assent is to feel that impulse, that desire to do something you know you shouldnt, and not give in. But, as you know, that isreally freakin hard.Epictetus thought the key was that moment when youre deciding. Catch yourself when youre about to actand justpostpone. You dont have to grit your teeth andbe a willpower superhero ye t. Just pause and think.InDiscourses and Selected WritingsEpictetus saidDont let the force of an impression when it first hits you knock you off your feet just say to it, Hold on a moment let me see who you are and what you represent. Let me put you to the test.And modernresearch into breaking bad habitssays the same thing. First, catch yourself in the act, and thenpostponeThose in the postponement condition actually ate significantly less than those in the self-denial condition The result suggests that telling yourself I can have this later operates in the mind a bit like having it now. It satisfies the craving to some degree - and can be even more effective at suppressing the appetite than actually eating the treat It takes willpower to turn down dessert, but apparently its less stressful on the mind to say Later rather than Never. In the long run, you end up wanting less and also consuming less.Great, you resisted. But its gonna happen again So how do youbreakbad habits? You dont.Youreplacethem.InDiscourses and Selected WritingsEpictetus saidWhat aid can we find to combat habit? The opposed habit So if you like doing something, do it regularly if you dont like doing something, make a habit of doing something different.And recent science says the exact same thing. Dont try to eliminate replace.FromThe Power of Habit Why We Do What We Do in Life and BusinessWe know that a habit cannot be eradicated - it must, instead, be replaced. And we know that habits are most malleable when the Golden Rule of habit change is applied If we keep the same cue and the same reward, a new routine can be inserted.(To learn the science of breaking all your bad habits for good, clickhere.)Alright,clearing out the bad is good. But just taking out the negative doesnt necessarily increase the positive. Because youwant. Youwantandneedandcrave. Enough isnever really enough because we all eventually take things for granted and then find new, even shinier things to needHow can you stop running on this treadmill of desire and finally justbe happy with what you have? Stoics to the rescueMake it a treatThe Stoics understood just howmiserable runaway desire can make you. In his bookEnchiridion, Epictetus wroteHe is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.And, frankly, the Stoic response to this was prettyextreme. To make themselves appreciate the things they had, these guys would deliberately contemplate losing everything they loved. Theyd think about death. A lot. Theyd deprive themselves of every pleasure to force themselves tostop taking things for granted.FromThe Daily Stoic 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of LivingHeres a lesson to test your minds mettle take part of a week in which you have only the most meager and cheap food, dress in shabby clothes, and ask yourself if this is really the worst that you feared. - Seneca, Moral Letters, 18.5-6And research shows doing thatreall yworks. But it aint any kind of fun. Luckily, there is a less painful way to get similar resultsWhats something you used to relish that you now take for granted?Did that first morning cup of coffee used to be a wonderful moment - and now its just something you hastily gulp down? Well, skip it for three days.This isnt merely something old dead guys recommend. When I spoke to Harvard professorMike Nortonhe said this is how youcan regain an appreciation for the things that youve taken for granted. Make them a treat. Heres MikeIf you love, every day, having the same coffee, dont have it for a few days and then when you have it again, its going to be way more amazing than all of the ones that you would have had in the meantime Its not give it up forever. Its give it up for short periods of time, and I promise you youre going to love it even more when you come back to it.And then, once the three days are over, oh man, SAVOR that coffee - or whatever it is that youve denied yourself. Ye s, the Stoicswantyou to deeply enjoy it. They werent a bunch of joyless bores and they werent like Spock from Star Trek. They didnt believe in being unemotional they just foughtnegative emotions.The Stoics believed in living in the present moment so you could enjoy life more.FromThe Daily Stoic 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of LivingIts ruinous for the soul to be anxious about the future and miserable in advance of misery, engulfed by anxiety that the things it desires might remain its own until the very end. For such a soul will never be at rest - by longing for things to come it will lose the ability to enjoy present things. - Seneca, Moral Letters, 98.5b-6aAnd, yes,sciencebacks up Stoic savoring. When youre focused on the present and turn your attention to the pleasurable experience in front of you, youre happier.ViaHappiness Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological WealthThe key component to effective savoring is focused attention. By taking the time and spending the effort to appreciate the positive, people are able to experience more well-being.Deprive yourself a bit - then savor the hell out it. This is how you can stop wanting and start enjoying what you have.(To learn the 4 Stoic secrets to becoming mentally strong, clickhere.)Now its time for the big one how can you make sure your life keeps getting better? Or, put another way how can you make sure youre getting better at life? Not making the same mistakes, always learning and improving so that every day is better than the one before? Toga-truth to the rescueDo an evening reviewAnnual reviews at work dont do much for happiness. But the Stoics were big fans of reviewing your day so that you can improve your life.FromThe Daily Stoic 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of LivingI will keep constant watch over myself and - most usefully - will put each day up for review. For this is what makes us evil - that none of us looks back upon our own lives. We reflec t upon only that which we are about to do. And yet our plans for the future descend from the past. Seneca, Moral Letters, 83.2But does reflecting on your actionsreallymake a difference?Yup. When bestselling authorDavid Epsteinlooked at what makes great athletes great he found that the magic word was reflection.They think about what theyve done and ask themselves if its working.HeresDavidWhen they do something, whether its good or bad, they take time for reflection. They asked themselvesWas it difficult enough? Was it too easy? Did it make me better? Did it not? It sounds simple and sounds facile, but I think we dont do it.Anevening ritualwhere you reflect on what you did that day is critical. Seneca, one of the heavy hitters of Stoicism saidthisWhen the light has been removed and my wife has fallen silent, aware of this habit thats now mine, I examine my entire day and go back over what Ive done and said, hiding nothing from myself, passing nothing by. For why should I fear any con sequence from my mistakes, when Im able to say, See that you dont do it again, but now I forgive you.Ask yourself what you did wrong today. Ask yourself what you should have done that you didnt do. Now you know how you can improve tomorrow. But dont beat yourself up. Be like Seneca and forgive yourself. Have someself-compassion.Did you procrastinate today?Research shows that itsforgiving yourself- not beating yourself up - that preventsyou from continuing to put things off.And dont just be critical of yourself. Think about what you did well so you can repeat it tomorrow. Be grateful for the good that happened today. Yes, Stoicism gives the thumbs up to gratitude. Marcus Aurelius believed in counting your blessings.FromThe Daily Stoic 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of LivingDont set your mind on things you dont possess as if they were yours, but count the blessings you actually possess and think how much you would desire them if they werent already yours. Mar cus Aurelius, Meditations, 7.27Andwriting those blessings downbefore you go to bed is one of the most scientifically proven methods for boosting happiness.(To learn more happiness tips from ancient philosophy, clickhere.)Okay, youve earned your toga. Time to round up everythingyou now have in your Stoic bag o tricks and learn the ancient technique for getting along with other people so wecan allbe happySum upHeres what Stoicism says will make you happierAsk, What would I recommendif this happened to someone else?Take my advice by taking your own advice.Use the discipline of assentDont resist postpone. Then evaluate. And break bad habits by replacing them.Make it a treatDeprive and then savor.When you cant find a bathroom and then you finally do,thatshappiness.Do an evening reviewReflect. Forgive. Count your blessings. Show gratitude. (Yes, you can even begrateful for bloggers who read lots of books so you dont have to.)If you want to be happy, relationships are key. But all too ofte n we focus on whatothersshould be doing forus. Thats a prescription for frustration.One of the most fundamental principles in Stoicism is that you need to focus on what you can control. And you cant control other people. (Okay, maybe you can but those methods result in significant jail time.)The Stoics knew that youcancontrol whatyoudo. And very often, that will affect how others treat you.Senecaput it very simplyIf you would be loved, love.Yes,sciencebacks that up.But reading aint the same as doingSoshowsomeone you love them today. Its the Stoic thing to do.Join over 320,000 readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.Related postsNew Neuroscience Reveals 4 Rituals That Will Make You HappyNew Harvard Research Reveals A Fun Way To Be More SuccessfulHow To Get People To Like You 7 Ways From An FBI Behavior ExpertThis column first appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree.

8 Things to Accomplish During Your Companys Summer Slowdown

8 Things to Accomplish During Your Companys Summer Slowdown 8 Things to Accomplish During Your Companys Summer Slowdown After months of navigating the hard slog, it can be tempting to kick back and coast when your workload wanes during the inevitable summer slowdown.Taking steps to avoid burnout is all well and good, but is doing the bare minimum really the best use of your time in this quiet season?The truth is, these slow weeks virtually free of meetings and deadlinespresent a great opportunity to better yourself, your skill set, and your department. Our recommendation Make this time count. Aim to accomplish something meaningful before you get too busy again.Not sure where to start? Try doing these eight things1.OrganizeYour Professional SpaceIs your computers desktop cluttered with files? Is your physical desktop groaning under the weight of paperwork? A slow period at work is a good time to change all that.Get organized Tackle those unread emails, sort and systematize your inbo x,and clean out your drawers. Reconfigure your workspace - digital and physical - to makeit more functional. This will make getting things done and tracking down resources easier once work picks back up. Plus, once youve put your immediate environment in order, your mental space will feel a lot less chaotic, too.2. Review Your Progress and Set New GoalsWhile you have some time to spare, thinkabout your professional journey. How far have you come, and how far do you still have to go to meet the goals youve set for yourself, whether in this current job or in your broader career? With no urgent tasks breathing down your neck, you should have room to evaluate your career map and ensure its still leading where you want it to lead.Take note (literally) of what youve accomplished to date, and while youre at it, use this information toupdate your resume and LinkedIn profile to more accurately reflect your current situation. This way, youll be ready if new opportunities arise. You can also capitalize onthe summer slowdown by reviewing your objectives for the coming months, mapping out how you will reach them, and setting new intentions.3. Return to Old Projects That Have Been on the Back BurnerWe allhave that one big task weve been meaning to get to for months or even years, be it a passion project or a long-term assignment that never quite made it to the top of the to-do list. Slow days are your chance totackle the work thats been on the back burner for too long. If youre not going to prioritize it now, will you ever prioritize it?4. Learn, Read, ResearchNow that you have a little more time to breathe, why not shift your focus from everyday work to professional growth? Take an online course to sharpen your skills or acquire new competencies. Research the state of your field or industry to better understand where its headed and how you can prepare. Read relevant websites and trade publications and listen to insightful podcasts to keep up with the latest news and tren ds.5. Automate Tedious ProcessesWhen yourefighting against a relentless tide of work, theres no time to stop, reflect, and determine whether you are really approaching your duties in the smartest, most efficient way possible. In the summer slowdown,on the other hand, you have ample opportunity to think about the big picture. Pinpoint tasks that can be automated and processes that can be streamlined, and look into tools that can help you maintain higher productivity with less effort all year long.6. Reconnect WithYourColleaguesYour network is one of your most valuable professional assets, but connections between people whither with time - unless you actively cultivate them.Use your newfound free time to check in with past coworkers, superiors, and clients. Message them on LinkedIn, shoot them an email, or invite them to coffee. While youre at it, work on strengthening your ties with current colleagues, too. Initiate conversations in the office, volunteer to help people with difficul t tasks, and organize group lunches or after-work get-togethers.Buildingrelationships with your coworkers will pay off now and in the long run.7. Pick Up Some Secondary WorkHave you been itching to explore a business idea for some time? A side hustle is a great way to diversify your income stream orbreak into a new industry, but building a successful one takes some effort. Get your gig going now while you have the drive, the energy, and the extra hours.8. Unwind and RechargeMaking the seasonal slump countalso means prioritizing relaxation. Once fall arrives and your work picks back up, youll have a hard time keeping up if you didnt use the summer months to recuperate.Spend quality time with family and friends,pick up a new hobby, exercise more, and take moments just for yourself. Focus on refilling your cup, and youll have more to give when office life returns to its pre-summer pace.LiveCareer has tools that help job seekers build targeted resumes and cover letters, including a free resume builderand extensive collection ofcover letter examples.