How To Back Up Your LinkedIn Contacts [Highly Recommended]

How To Back Up Your LinkedIn Contacts [Highly Recommended] Free services do not make guarantees LinkedIn did a major server upgrade the other month, their own blog informed the world that the site would be down for at least five hours. In the end the site was down for almost a day (more for some) and judging by the reactions on Twitter, this frustrated people in offices all over the world. If you use LinkedIn daily for business development, recruitment or marketing you can be left in a pickle without it. This got me thinking, what if an upgrade goes according to plan but a few accounts just happen to be deleted? And what if one of those accounts happen to be yours? What if there is an outage for a week? LinkedIn is a fantastic tool that manages your professional contacts, chances are you have been building these over years and theyre very precious to you. Can you imagine living without the tool tomorrow? As much as I am sure LinkedIn would like to be fail-proof, they cant promise that all your data will be there in case of a server meltdown or a hacker attack. This is obviously especially true as they are a free service (to most users) and as such we cant expect to get assurances. How do you back up your contacts on LinkedIn? If you have ever uploaded an Outlook contacts file to LinkedIn, youll be familiar with how this works. As opposed to importing contacts, we are going to export contacts. These contacts will be downloaded in the shape of a spreadsheet containing names, emails and other details which will be essential in case you have to start an account all over (God forbid). To export your business connection contact information, log in to LinkedIn and display your connections (click My Connections). Youll see Export Contacts click on this and your download process begins. You will be asked which format you prefer, both formats (VCF CFV) can be used with most applications. Then fill in the verification text to tell LinkedIn youre human and your contacts should come through on a spreadsheet. Now that you have downloaded your backup you can breathe out and relax. I would suggest doing this on a monthly basis just like any other backups that you do regularly. My question for you: did you ever back up your LinkedIn data, if so when was the last time?

Resume Heat Map Eye Tracking What Recruiters Look at in the Crucial 6 Seconds

Resume Heat Map Eye Tracking What Recruiters Look at in the Crucial 6 Seconds I have written before how most recruiters spend about 6 seconds on average on each resume they receive for a job position they are hiring for. According to a study carried out by The Ladders,  it was  found out that recruiters spend only 6 seconds reviewing  an individual resume. If you have that short a span of time to make an impact among tens, if not hundreds, of other CVs, you want to know exactly what the recruiter will be looking at. According to The Ladders report Recruiters rated resumes with an obvious information hierarchy as “easier to read.” On a Likert scale of 1 to 7, self-written resumes (below left) averaged 3.9 versus 6.2 for the professionally rewritten resume (below right), a 60% increase. Photo Credit: The Ladders In the short time that  they spend with your resume, the study showed recruiters will look at your  name, current title and company, current position start and end dates, previous title and company, previous position start and end dates,  and education. The two resumes above include a heat map of recruiters eye movements. The one on the right was looked at more thoroughly than the one on the left because of its clear and concise format. 426

The Basics of Building a Productive Workforce

The Basics of Building a Productive Workforce What can you do to improve the motivation of your employees? Its time to take it back to basics, as I list my top three fundamental factors I believe effects employees in the workplace. It can be as simple as giving your office a new lick of paint, or increasing collaboration in the office, but these things all work to increase productivity and boost motivation. 1) Environment: The working environment can effect motivation in employees for a few reasons, all of which play a large part in the productivity and overall effectiveness of the workforce. It can be as simple as the colour of the walls, so what three things can you change up to increase motivation? Lighting   Lighting is a very important aspect of a good working environment. Having low quality lighting can cause issues including eye strain, fatigue and its even been proven that low lighting can add to the effects of depression. Its important to keep your employees eyes happy so invest in a good lighting system, preferably with natural light bulbs. Put down the florescent tube lighting, NOW! Wall colour Its been proven that colour can profoundly influence behaviour. So what colour is best for motivation? It depends! Go for blue if youre looking for a relaxing and motivating boost. Opt for yellow if youre looking to increase creativity and alertness. Red has been proven to increase motivation of those doing physical work, and green is a good colour to use if you want to promote the idea of balance! Take your pick. Furniture Having a suitable desk and chair for your employees is an important aspect of  employee wellbeing which leads to improved productivity. Make sure you provide adjustable desk chairs and dont forget pillows and cushions if necessary. Including risers to adjust the level of screens will work wonders in improving posture and comfort at work. 2)  People: Interaction with work colleagues is such an important part of work life. The experience of working at your brand can be greatly affected by the employees who you choose to employ. You can use this interaction as a way to promote productivity in the workplace, and as well as the added boost in motivation, employees will also feel happier and enjoy work much more. Collaboration Collaboration in the workplace is important for so many reasons. Firstly it allows for added creativity and discussion not only will this increase friendships in the workplace, but will later on improve motivation as they enjoy the experience of working in your company. High performers If you think theres an employee who needs an extra push in the right direction, surround them with high performers. A study undertaken by Michigan State University revealed that those who were the “weakest link” on a running team  improved the quickest when  performing as part of a high-achieving team and this can work in the office too. 3) Basic needs: The old fashioned method of tasks and rewards is SO  nineties. Employees need more than a monetary bonus or a dinner from their boss. Instead, they need what they really want more annual leave, a flexible schedule and the chance of promotion. Annual leave Its important to remember that taking a break from work can increase productivity when at work. So letting employees have a good break every now and then will work wonders for productivity. Richard Branson has even let Virgin Group employees have as many days leave as they want and its working wonders for their productivity. Flexibility Employees will really appreciate a more flexible schedule when it comes to work why not offer the chance to work from home or  from a different location? Or  change the official working hours of the company and see what happens to productivity and workplace motivation? Growth Nothing is more motivating than knowing youre near a possible promotion. This is why its important to provide the chance of growth and manoeuvrability within your company. Your employees will appreciate it. What else do you think are fundamentals in improving workplace productivity? Let us know on Twitter @UndercoverRec

In Your Last Semester of College, Dont Waste Time Looking Back

In Your Last Semester of College, Don’t Waste Time Looking Back [one_fourth last=no]The biggest fear after college is that of the unknown Tonya Vrba [/one_fourth]We are into February already. In only three months, May will be upon us and I, like many, will be graduating from college. Graduation is almost equivalent to being thrown to the wolves, my weapon of choice, a Bachelor’s Degree. If my education is strong and has true value, I will, no doubt, persevere. If not, the wolves will consume me. This semester I’ve been doing a lot of looking back. Regret is trying to throw a wrench into my plans, but I won’t let it. Regret has no place in the celebration of your education. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as you face the world after college. Image Credit: www.memonic.com 1)  Think of the great classes you’ve taken All college students have at least one or two classes they wish they had never taken. Maybe they got a bad grade or maybe the class was just pointless. Don’t think about the classes you should have or shouldn’t have taken. A student could stay in college for decades and still never take every class they are interested in. Instead, focus on what you have learned. There are many who would give anything to be in your shoes. Whatever your GPA is, be proud. 2)  Don’t let finances derail you Like most college students, you’ve no doubt earned a hefty amount of student debt over the past years. Don’t think about the money you may have wasted going out and having fun. As frivolous as those actives may seem, they are essential. Your friendships were not solely formed in the classroom. These friends now form your support system and many of them are facing graduation right by your side. Everyone has debt. It may be necessary to continue living like a poor college student for some time after college, but it will all be worth it. Never doubt the quality of education and friendship that money earned you. 3)  Look for jobs constantly Upon graduation many face the daunting task of finding a job. Don’t stress out about finding a job, but make sure you are always actively looking. Start looking for a job before graduation and you will have no regrets. If you are one of those who worries about having a job in the future, there is no better remedy than to start looking now. Don’t think about the number of rejections you may get. Rest in the peace of knowing you are doing all you can to snag a job. Increase your chances by having your college career center look over your resumes and cover letters. Use the resources your college offers while you still have them. 4)  Take control Where will you live? What will your salary be? Where will your friends be? What will your life look like in a year and will you be happy? There is no way to prepare for every ‘what if’ in life. Instead, take control of what you can influence and rest in the fact you have done all you can. Make a possible budget to live off after college. Plan out what you will do if you don’t find a job. There are options, like staying in your college town until you find a job or moving back in with your parents. You will feel happier and more confident if you have a game plan for any situation. 5)  Relax and have fun This is your last semester of college! Graduation will come fast. Enjoy your college experience while it is here. Be happy and proud of what you have accomplished. Cherish your last semester. This is the end of an era in your life. Don’t let it pass without a little celebration. I extend early congratulations to all college students facing graduation. The personal and professional growth you have experienced in the past years will propel you into the future. Be ever confident and ever positive and good things will come your way! 16

Tips on Resume Coursework and How to Use It to Your Advantage

Tips on Resume Coursework and How to Use It to Your AdvantageIf you want to know more about the importance of resume coursework, then you are definitely not alone. We understand that even though this is not a piece of paper that can be easily bought and placed on a shelf, it is the first impression that you make with potential employers.This is why many people do not take the time to put together their resumes properly. Instead, they put in too much time and effort and they end up getting many rejections. Most people are guilty of doing this at one point or another.Of course, that does not mean that you should continue to put in so much effort if you do not want to have great results. The better approach is to use some free online tools to help you create your resume.Of course, the first thing that you will need to have is a high school diploma. In addition, many times there is a required minimum number of college credits that you must obtain before you are allowed to apply for a job . For those that have already been working, they may also be required to have experience in certain areas of the workforce.You will also want to create a good resume. Your resume should contain all of the relevant information that is needed to be effective. It should also be organized and concise.After you get some feedback from those that have already seen your resume, then you will begin to learn about resume coursework and how to use it to your advantage. For example, you may want to be sure that you include a few objective statements about what your goals are.Then, if you are unsure about how to go about writing an objective statement, then you can take advantage of some free resume coursework. It is a good idea to outline a number of goals that you want to accomplish when you are applying for a job. Then you can put each of these goals into a separate objective statement.If you cannot write a coherent, logical, and actionable objective statement, then you may want to consider g oing to a professional resume writer. In addition, you can find a number of free online resume examples by doing a quick search in a major search engine. This can give you a head start in creating a well-organized resume that will convince future employers that you are qualified for the position.

Coach

6 Tips to be a Better Manager/Coach Be a Better Manager with These 6 Coaching Tips The days of top-down, command-and-control leadership are coming to an end, giving way to a more transparent, empathetic management style. Instead of managers who breathe down their necks, the modern workforce demands a more supportive environment; one in which they are motivated by feeling connected to their work and supporting the success of their team and the business. That means that in order to be successful, today’s leaders must let go of the traditional one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, they must become better coaches; supporting, motivating, and playing to the individual strengths of their team members in the way that resonates best with each individual. However, adjusting to this new management style can be a challenge for some who are steeped in the “old ways” of leadership. Becoming a better coach requires changing your perspective â€" on both yourself and your team. To get some insight on how to make the shift, I e-mailed with Joanne Wells, a senior HR leader and expert in modern performance management, from Halogen Software. Joanne shared these tips on how you can become a better manager by improving your coaching skills. Understand why coaching matters. Employees want to be part of a culture where they can learn and grow as individuals and feel that their contributions have value beyond profitability. Which, when you think about it, isn’t really all that revolutionary. In all aspects of life, don’t we all want to be treated as individuals who matter instead of as cogs in a system whose only purpose is to serve someone else’s needs? If you don’t provide that kind of supportive environment, your team will stagnate like hamsters in a wheelâ€"working hard but not really going anywhere. Soon they’ll be dissatisfied and head for the door. Be willing to adapt. Don’t assume that your management approach is the best. Conduct self-assessments to better understand yourself as a leader â€" your communication style, your intrinsic motivators, and how you want to be recognized and rewarded. Then, recognize that not everyone willâ€"nor should theyâ€"share your perspective. It’s not their job to change how they want to be treated to fit your leadership style. It’s your job to tailor your approach based on their needs. In order to change your team’s behavior and improve their performance, it may be you who needs to change. Get to know the whole person. Set aside time to really get to know your team, both inside of work and outside. Learn about their passions and interests and how they balance work and personal life. Then, use that insight to inspire and motivate them. For example, if an employee is passionate about technology, figure out how to channel that interest in a way that they enjoy but that also helps the business. Remember that your purpose is to help others. Too many leaders think, “How can I get my employees to do what reflects well on ME as a leader?” If that’s your purpose, people will see through it, and you’ll lose their trust. Instead, your focus must genuinely be to improve the performance of your team. Your role is to help them grow in both their careers and in life, to feel valued as a person and not just for their productivity/output. Always address “what’s next?” In each interaction with your team, it’s important to establish a follow-up action. If an issue or obstacle arises for an employee, talkâ€"in that momentâ€"about what the two of you can do to 1) resolve it and 2) prevent it from happening again. Working together to develop solutions and remove barriers not only demonstrates your commitment to helping your employees succeed, but also that you value their input and suggestions. Give them room to experiment. As a manager and coach, it’s not your job to provide the answers to everything. Instead, provide a supportive environment where your employees can figure things out on their own and, if they do fail, can learn from the experience. Being a successful manager is no longer about what you can get out of your employees. It’s about how you can help them succeed as employeesâ€"and as peopleâ€"which, in turn, will help the company thrive. Adopting an employee-centric coaching approach is essential to empowering your team to perform at their best and achieve their fullest potential. Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class now and get the most comprehensive job search system available!

Careers - The Practice of Applied Psychology in Zoos and Aquatic Zoos - CareerAlley

Careers - The Practice of Applied Psychology in Zoos and Aquatic Zoos - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. If you are fascinated by animal behavior and often find yourself wondering why animals do the curious things they do, the field of animal behavior holds a great number of opportunities to develop your interests. Students in animal behavior study applied psychology and assist in research and educational settings to better understand a wide variety of animal behavior. In addition to working in zoos and aquatic zoos, animal behaviorists teach in university settings, consult for domestic pet owners, and provide knowledge related to raising livestock most effectively. Here are some points of interest when considering the field of animal behavior. Most Animal Behaviorists Have Advanced Degrees If you want to work in one of the most prestigious settings, such as a large zoo, research university, or aquaria, you will need not only a four year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university, but also at least a Masters degree and most likely a PhD as well. Of course, most professionals who study animal behavior work on their degrees while they are gaining vital knowledge on the job. Completing internships, mentorships, and volunteer work is all common practice for dedicated animal behaviorists to build expertise in a specialty area when they are just starting out. While most animal behaviorists have a strong background in biology and psychology, they specialize as they find their niche or passion. Some pursue Masters work in animal psychology, some in field research with a particular species, while others engage in curriculum leading toward work in educational settings. Still others become animal trainers and managers of animal behavior research groups. If you are interested in the field, but are not sure which direction your career path should take, getting involved in a professional organization and attending related conferences and seminars can help you meet people already working in the field and gain valuable insider knowledge about the most desired training and professional development to pursue. One such organization that provides information for those interested in careers in animal behavior is The Animal Behavior Society (http://animalbehaviorsociety.org). Planning Your Educational Strategy Summer internships, part-time jobs in the field and volunteer opportunities all provide situations to interact with animal behaviorists, animal psychologists, or those working on special research projects in applied psychology with a particular species of interest. Comparing programs and enrolling in curriculum that is supported by a fully accredited and highly ranked college or university will leverage the best opportunities over the life of your career. While the field has a wide diversity of specialties, seeking many experiences when you are just staring out will give you a strong foundation on which to build advanced knowledge as time progresses. If you are just starting out with your first courses in psychology, many online degree programs allow you the opportunity to work in your current job and pursue a degree at the same time. Many colleges have partnerships with local zoos and other settings where you can gain practical knowledge while advancing your skill set. Plus, working alongside peers who are achieving similar goals can help build alliances that can last a lifetime. While there are jobs in the settings mentioned above, you can also tailor your education for jobs in museums, writing for magazines and other media sources, working with conservation groups in the U.S. and overseas, or running your own consulting service. Most professional animal behaviorists start as a research assistant after the completion of a four year Bachelors degree. Working in a specialized area allows the recent graduate to be sure that the specialty is the right choice for them. Some animal behaviorists seek a variety of opportunities before specializing further. Because there are so many opportunities to try new avenues and to travel, some professionals spend many years travelling in programs to support endangered species recovery efforts. Conclusion Studying animal behavior can take many paths, which is part of the attraction to the field. Because there are so many opportunities to engage in interesting professional development in a variety of field settings, a strategic plan is necessary to identify short term and long term goals to support your own unique situation. Seeking education from highly respected sources is one vital step in preparing a strong foundation for your future. In addition, taking advantage of the helpful resources offered through professional organizations is another way to be sure you are making the necessary plans now to support the longevity of your career and engage in professional development that will set you apart from the pack. more Job Alternatives About the Author Dafe Ojaide writes on applied psychology degree programs and careers for University Alliance on behalf of Florida Tech. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook