The underutilized power of questions

The underutilized power of questionsThe underutilized power of questionsWhen people think of Einstein, they see a lone genius with his discoveries.Mostof usdont quite understand what exactly these discoveries were, but we all learnfairlyearly on that he changed urunderstandingof physics.Similarly, Leonardo da Vinci is familiar to us mostly for his famousMona Lisa,and we know that his notebooks also contained a wide variety of sketches that predicted inventions in science and engineering.Theseimmediateimages that we have of themcreate amental narrativein our mind that associates their intellectwith an ability to produce answers.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreAfter all, without Einstein, there likelywould be noTheory of General Relativity, and who knows how far behind the world would be rightnow.While Da Vinci didnt quite shift our understanding of reality to that degree, it make s you wonder how much more progress we could have made if something welches actually done with the sketches he produced.Yet, this narrative is limited in the broader context.Theanswersare what history remembers,but they dont represent the process that produced them.Neither of them actually focused too much on getting to a solution.Of course, once they knew what they were looking for or producing, they put in the work to get to an end, but thats only a verysmallpart of it.BothEinstein and da Vinci, like many other effective people,were driven primarilybyasking rather than answering, andit was the strength of their questions that ultimately shaped their lives.How Useful AreAnswers?At some point or another,we all want to know the meaning of life, andits no secret that everyone is looking for a formula to guarantee happiness.The problem is that evenif you were to randomly find an answer to these questions, they likely wouldnt mean anything to you.Everyanswer isconfinedto the context wit hin which itoperates, andif you havent walked through the path that leads to that context, then the answer will either be completely irrelevant to you or it will cause confusion.Further yet,somanyof us spend our timelooking for such answers without realizing what exactly we want from them.Sure,you want to be happy, but what does that even mean and why is it important?Just because you know that the Theory of General Relativity is one of the pillars of modern physics doesnt mean that this fact is going to improve your life in a tangible way.If you dont understand the broader context within which this theory is true, all it does is lead to more noise and disorientation.In a way,our love of answers comes from our need for certainty.We havean innate attraction to the idea of knowing something, regardless of whether or not its worth knowing.This rarely leads in the right direction.The real secret, as both Einstein and Da Vinci knew,wasnt to strive for certainty,buttobe guided by curiosity .It was to first do the work ofasking the right things before seeking a solution.Creating Smaller Circles ofRealityTherealitywe know is ahugely confusing place defined by its complexity.To dive in and look for answers in this messisto invite more problems than solutions.You cant just ask the world to organize itself.What you can do, however, ismake the effort yourself.If youpay attention to whatsaroundyou, andrather than immediately manipulating things to fit into your existing mental models,you just observe and then ask,you gain a huge advantage that pays dividends throughout any process.Thepower of questionsis that theyallow you to take something big and messy,like our observation oftheworld,and use it to create smaller circles of reality that are more clearly defined.Its creating this definition that reallyallows you to zone in on things.Instead of looking for happiness or the meaning of life, youstart by first asking the obvious questions that everybody neglects.What is happines s?Why is knowing the meaning of life relevant?Much of the time,the more you ask and the smaller your circle of reality gets, the more you realize thatmany of thesequestions dont actually require an answer.At least not one that is relevant to your life.Other times, youre able to focus in beyond the surface-level assumptions that drive the need for an answer.The result is often the realization of a core truth that generally has nothing to do with the initial starting point.Questions are what truly matter.The TakeawayEinstein got a taste of his future theoryby first asking himself what it would be like to ride a light wave like a surfer rides an ocean wave.Da Vinci spent his timeasking so many questions in his famous notebooks that eventually thosequestions couldnt help but lead to an answer.If you look at the life of any introspective genius, youll notice a similar underlying curiosity.This curiosity is slow to seek certaintybecause its busy getting the context right.Paradoxically, th ats ultimately what leads it to the right answer rather than any random one.In the words of one of my personal heroesBertrandRussellThe greatest challenge to any thinker is statingtheproblem in a way that will allow a solution.We all have a naturaltendency to get stuckverzierungfocusing on surface-level problems thatare so far detached from the reality were actually trying to understand that we end up pushing ourselves in the wrong direction.The good news is thatit doesnt take a genius to remedy it.It just requires us to bemore aware andless attached to discovering pre-packaged solutions.A lot of the confusion in life stems from an inability to narrow down reality to the part of it that actually matters for our intents and purposes.Luckily,if you ask the right questions, thats entirely solvable.This article originally appeared on Design Luck.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you sa y, 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 people

9 Companies With Cool Benefits Perks

9 Companies With Cool Benefits Perks9 Companies With Cool Benefits Perks Transportation subsidies, tuition assistance, pet insurance, 3 months parental leave- companies today are offering some pretty enticing benefits and perks. Whether youre looking for a contract gig with benefits, an sekretariat with cycling classes during lunch, or just want to bring your dog to the office, here are nine awesome companies with cool perks.Survey Monkey Benefits & Perks In April, Survey Monkey announced that contract workers and vendors will now receive employer-sponsored medical, dental and vision plans, 70 hours of vacation leave per year, 12 weeks of paid parental leave and a monthly subsidy of up to $260 for public transit. Open Roles Sales Compensation Manager, Finance Manager, Director of Marketing Web, Sales Engineer, Senior Salesforce Administrator, Marketing Analyst & more. What Employees Say Frequent exposure to upper management, collaborative & supportive work environment, work perks (unlimited vacation, flexible work hours, gym, free breakfast/lunch, 16wk maternity leave, 4 week sabbatical after 4 years) positive fun people - Current Product Marketing ManagerExperian Benefits & Perks Paid time off including flexible time off (15 days per year for those with less than two years of service, 20 days off for those with 2-6 years of service), 5 sick days annually, 10 company-paid holidays. Employee extras including voluntary benefits programs, education assistance, corporate discounts, adoption assistance, tax free commuter passes & more Open Roles Data Analyst, Senior Project Manager-Scrum Manager, Senior Financial Analyst, Senior Performance Engineer, Graphics Designer, Automotive Account Manager, Analytics Consultant Lead (Remote) & more. What Employees Say The company supports work arrangements that allow for life balance and they offer amazing benefits. - Current DirectorPeloton Interactive Benefits & Perks Peloton offers a to p-quality health care package, commuter benefits, maternity/paternity support, a 401k program, and more. We work hard but always make time for some fun, like office happy hours, team rides, and company-wide events. Pelotons ride anytime ethos extends to our team, too. Ride for free in our NYC studio, or on our in-office bikes. Open Roles Sales Specialist, Strategy Associate, Brand Manager of Acquisition, Member Support Associate, Director of Global Communications, Senior Manager of Demand Generation, Manager of Member Experience, Sales Specialist, Showroom Leader, Warehouse Associate & more. What Employees Say Excellent pay for work involved. Really fun product to sell. Home riders are awesome and after awhile I had not only met amazing people but made a lot of friends. - Former EmployeeActivision Benefits & Perks Activision has considered every facet of their employees lives when crafting the benefits program. Perks include tuition assistance, up to $5000 of adoption assist ance, fertility and new parent support, ergonomic benefits, veterinary pet insurance and even legal assistance. Open Roles Video Editor, User Research Moderator, QA Tester, Senior DevOps Systems Engineer, Product Director, Designer, Lead Data Scientist, Manager of Software Engineering & more. What Employees Say Proud to work for one of the best companies in the gaming industry. - Current EmployeeWVU Medicine Benefits & Perks The eight hospital-system in West Virginia will begin offering tuition reimbursement for employees and their children this fall. WVU aims to hire 200 nurses and will also offer free housing to some of its nurses as part of its commuter program. Open Roles Home Care Registered Nurse, Anesthesiology Technician, ICU Registered Nurse, Hospital Coding Specialist, Pharmacy Care Coordinator, RN Clinical Manager, Ambulatory Care Assistant & more. What Employees Say Excellent work environment, and able to work your schedule how you need to. - Current Employee Instacart Benefits & Perks In addition to discounts on Instacart deliveries, full=time employees enjoy annual retreats, weekly events, free lunch and dinner. Plus, the San Francisco headquarters boasts a yoga room for stretching and unwinding. Open Roles Director of Product, Strategic Partner Manager, Junior Analyst, Senior Data Scientist, Quality & Risk Operations Associate, Operations Research Scientist & more. What Employees Say Tremendous scope of responsibility- you can have as much impact as youre capable of generating. Colleagues are very humble and smart and well-intentioned. - Current EmployeeTrupanion Benefits & Perks Our office contains two pet playrooms that allow dogs to exercise and socialize with other pets during the day. Each dog receives one walk per day, provided by the five in-house dog walkers on staff. We have a Pet Emergency Team, made up of mostly former veterinary technicians, who respond to animal pet issues if they arise. Open Roles Digital Mark eting Acquisition Specialist, Regional Director, Account Manager, Retention Specialist, Customer Care Specialist, Territory Sales Manager, Accountant & more. What Employees Say Open atmosphere. Strong message of be yourself. This is evident in no dress code, people are truly individuals within the walls of Trupanion. - Current Account ManagerRyan LLC Benefits & Perks Employees working in a regular, full-time capacity (minimum of 30 hours per week) are eligible to take time off at their discretion, guilt free, consistent with the needs of clients and the Firm, as long as their work gets done. Because Ryan measures performance on results achieved, not hours worked, traditional vacation and Paid Time Off (PTO) programs are not in place for exempt (salaried) employees. Open Roles Senior Data Engineer, Consultant of Property Tax Compliance, Communications Director, Consultant of Sales and Use Tax, Administrative Assistant, Senior consultant of Credits and Incentives, CRM Coordinat or & more. What Employees Say myRyan (our program for work-life balance) is what sold me from the very beginning and it has been everything I hoped for and more The ability to work from home and take off when needed for vacation, appointments, general life/home maintenance makes me feel appreciated and respected as an employee. Im so grateful to have a CEO and manager who understand and respect that we all have lives outside of work - Current EmployeeOpendoor Benefits & Perks Opendoor offers flexible PTO, 12 weeks of paid parental leave for both parents, plus they provide catered meals, personal growth stipend, and regular game nights. Open Roles Software Engineer, Data Scientist, City Launcher, Senior Brand Designer, Technical Program Lead, Salesforce Developer, Operations Manager SF, Recruiting Coordinator & more. What Employees Say Ridiculously high caliber talent across the board. Empathetic leaders. Team members that go above and beyond to be supportive and collaborati ve. - Current Employee

5 Easy Steps to Get Perfect Summer Job

5 Easy Steps to Get Perfect Summer Job5 Easy Steps to Get Perfect Summer JobSummer is around the corner. It is the best opportunity to find a summer job, get some useful skills and earn money. How should you proceed to get a nice summer job? Continue reading and we will answer all of your questions.1.First of all you should ask yourself What kind of job do I want? How many hours am I willing to spend there? What kind of money do I want to earn?2.The next step to consider are your skills. What do you have to offer to an employer? If you feel confident in a particular area, take advantage of it. Do the same thing with an environment. Do you love sunshine and beach? Why dont you try to be a lifeguard?3.Create a resume If you dont know how, you should check out our blog post on How to Write Resume for Dummies. With a good CV, you can leave a professional image, which could be the key for a new job.4.Start asking everyone around and read every job offer. There are many angeschlossen tools with job offers as well. You will shortly find a few jobs that fit your preferences. Just apply for a job and send a CV. If it doesnt work out, dont be sad. It is almost never that easy. You will get your job interview eventually, just be patient.5.Dont be nervous on a job interview. Try to act confidently and search for a basic informations from the field. Think of some questions they could ask and be prepared. Dont be late These advices might help you to leave a good impression and get your dream summer jobDo you like this story? Share it with your friends.Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments

Self-Sailing Boats in the Atlantic

Self-Sailing Boats in the Atlantic Self-Sailing Boats in the Atlantic The autonomous automobile gets all the thunder, stirring our dreams of a technological utopia, of inattentive daily travel, of a chance to get in an extra nap on the commute. But theres another mora ancient mode of travel that has made some progress in the realms of autonomy, even if it has, perhaps, stirred fewer dreams futuristic and otherwise the sailboat.To pump a little excitement and ingenuity into the area of robotic boating, professors Mark Neal of Aberystwyth University in Wales and Yves Briere of the Institut Suprieure de lAronautique et de lEspace in Tolouse, started the Microtransat Challenge. To win the contest, which has groe nachfrage every year since 2010, participants must build a sailboat, under four meters in length, which can successfully navigate, on its own, the Atlantic Ocean from the European continent to the American (or vice versa).So far, no ones managed it.Paul Miller, a professor in the Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering Department at the United States Naval Academy, and his students, have tried a few times, and this year theyre at it again.The first time was in 2014, and the boat made it out to the Grand Banks from Cape Cod and got scooped up by a scallop dragger from Canada, says Miller. They sent me an e-mail with the best subject line Ive seen. Ive posted it on my door here Canadians Capture U.S. Navy Vessel. So I went up to Nova Scotia, picked it up, and they gave me a scallop dinner and were apologetic.Route planning for a micro-transat voyage is not a trivial matter. Images The United States Naval AcademyMiller fixed the solar panel, which had broken, and a new crop of students set about improving the programming. The students accidentally put in a bug, so in 2015, the boat sailed a very nice course from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia, rather than out to the Atlantic then sailed right into a harbor in Nova Scotia where it was picked up by a Canadian scallop dragger, says Miller. So I went up there and picked it up and they gave me a scallop dinner.This year Miller and his students tried two boats, ABoat Time and Trawler Bait, both of which were supposed to avoid areas of high fishing. The first boat broke in two days, he says. Then the other one, we dont know for sure, but its exhibiting all the characteristics of having been picked up by a scallop dragger. First it was doing loopers, then it went twice as fast as its capable of going. Its either in a whale or in a boat.Wherever the boats have wound up, a great deal of engineering went into getting them as far theyve gone. Until about 2011, solar panels and computers werent efficient enough to make such an undertaking possible. Now, a 10-Watt, 12-volt solar panel and a 5-Watt, 5-volt solar panel provide all the energy needed to turn the rudder, adjust the sail winch, and run the computer (an average of 68 milliamperes).The boats have to be small not just to meet the criteria of the con test, but also so that they can be launched by a single person, and fit in the back of a Land Rover. The small size is really the challenge. Unmanned motorized Navy pistol boats crossed the ocean back in the 1970s. Lighter boats are slower and cant fight stronger currents as easily, So you have to be a lot smarter with where you go and you have to be a bit luckier with the wind, Miller says. They also have to be something his students can build in two months for under $1,000.To make sure the boats can withstand storm environments, Miller and his team subject the boats to a classic drop test. They throw them off a pier. They also submerge the boats to be sure there are no leaks.Of course, theres mora to surviving an ocean crossing than storms and moisture. Theres the simple matter of trying to find equipment with endurance. For example, Miller called the company that made the off-the-shelf rudder servo he wanted to use to find out its limit for how many cycles it would produce. Theyr e like, Oh, itll last you for years. And I said, Well, were sending this across the Atlantic and its going to have to operate at least three million times. There was a long pause. Then, Eh, I have no idea. So far the servo has worked as long as the boats have managed to sail.Once Miller has had a little more success with the ocean crossing, he plans to create progressively smaller boats a three-foot, a two-foot, and then a one-foot. Ultimately, he hopes the boats will be used by oceanographic students for data collection.Just how many scallop dinners it will take before that happens remains to be seen.Michael Abrams is an independent writer.The boat sailed a very nice course from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia, rather than out to the Atlantic then sailed right into a harbor in Nova Scotia where it was picked up by a Canadian scallop dragger.Prof. Paul Miller, United States Naval Academy

The Appeal of What Is the Difference Between a Resume and a Cv

The Appeal of What Is the Difference Between a Resume and a Cv The Key to Successful What Is the Difference Between a Resume and a Cv You are able to utilize CV and resume alone in the work application and theyre able to go together in the event the time calls. A resume generally features only the experience and abilities that are related directly to the work description. Generally, resume is prepared for certain jobs to display your skills that youre most acceptable for the job. Youre able to search your work and search for the keywords that are typical in your job search to effectively utilize it later. What About What Is the Difference Between a Resume and a Cv? In different parts of the Earth, the expression CV keeps its American meaning. The terms can at times be used interchangeably. There are a couple differences. There are a few other crucial differences, too. In the USA and Canada, theres a difference between a CV and a resume. In the USA, the primary differenc e between a CV and a resume is the function of the documents. In the usa, CVs are chiefly reserved for academic and health care circles due to the fact that they outline mora details. A CV is a thorough document containing the comprehensive history of an individuals professional and academic achievements and major accomplishments. The End of What Is the Difference Between a Resume and a Cv Regardless of whether you take advantage of a CV or resume, you must thoroughly edit your document. If youre not sure which sort of document to submit, its wise to request clarification. Documents sasiml software which supplies a flexible programming language that allows statistical programmers to execute statistical data analysis simulation. Therefore its important to make an impressive and job-specific document. Find out what one is and the way that it can be employed to focus a prospective employers attention on your finest attributes. There isnt any particular order that resume writ ers follow, they simply arrange the info in a manner that important information receives the priority and catches the interest of the recruiter. Its important to adjust a resume to a certain position so as to fit the requirements and requirements. Sometime the expert skills of an individual in a resume are presented in such a way that perfectly targets the prerequisites of the advertised job. Our CV builder (its possible to create your CV here) will provide you tips and examples on the best way to compose your own personal profile or another section. On the flip side, the resume has no specific layout to show the info. You might want to translate your CV. An expert CV stipulates a summary and a fantastic overview of a persons life. You would like to impress an employer, which means you are usually too enthusiastic in your resume. If it comes to CVs, some employers are extremely specific about what they would like you to include and the way the info ought to be laid out. Mak e sure that you read any instructions supplied by employers in their job postings. Both provide information on the subject of the work seeker to the employer. A CV is a perfectly manicured document that lay out all of the data in detail to clearly show your achievement and experience through the years. If all else fails it sometimes is worth it to seek the services of a specialist. So make sure you make it well organized and simple to read. The Battle Over What Is the Difference Between a Resume and a Cv and How to Win It Make sure you pick a curriculum vitae formatthat is suitable for the position youre applying for. Curriculum vitae have become the most popular document required by applicants in the work application. If youre asking for work in a technical field like the medical and academic field a CV will probably be required. Heres What I Know About What Is the Difference Between a Resume and a Cv Keep in mind the difference inrequirements. Possessing a web-based profile with numerous connections may also make it simpler that you land work in your area, particularly if youre connected to people from said field. Having done a career document actually makes it simpler for you to think through your situation and that which you would like to do. The most frequent are the chronological format, but it isnt always the ideal selection for everybody. Understanding What Is the Difference Between a Resume and a Cv An individual can be a little informal when writing a resume, but for a CV you will need to be totally formal and adhere to the etiquettes of writing. Only mention languages that you may speak fluently. It is most important if writing a resume, but in addition, it applies to CVs. Critical but it comes to aid youre unsure of short expert cv and cv or google. For instance, an Indian employer might ask you for a CV or a resume. The most commonly used CV is referred to as the Chronological CV. Or, use our CV maker at which you can merel y enter your data and your perfect CV is going to be available for download in only a quarter hour. Essentially, it is a great deal longer and more detailed.

Psychoanalytic Study Shows what Truly Leads to Workplace Happiness

Psychoanalytic Study Shows what Truly Leads to Workplace Happiness Psychologists at Cangrade have completed a research study identifying the best predictors of job satisfaction and happiness in the workplace. Traditionally, money has been viewed as the primary driver of job satisfaction and employers have responded in kind by increasing compensation in order to improve performance. But the new study undermines this conventional assumption by finding money at the bottom of the list of factors contributing to job satisfaction. When asked How much of a persons job satisfaction does each job characteristic account for? nearly 600 participants responded Intellectual stimulation (18.5 percent) Achievement and prestige (18.4 percent) Power and influence (14.9 percent) Job security (8.8 percent) Work-life balance (8 percent) Affiliation and friendship (5.9 percent) Money (5.4 percent)These findings are qu ite surprising, because employers often assume things like income are the strongest drivers of happiness on the workplace. In fact our research shows that it may be the weakest, said Steve Lehr, Cangrades Chief Science Officer.The results of the survey led Cangrade to make the following recommendations for developing happy employees Ensure task variety and intellectual stimulation through autonomy, influence, and opportunities to gain prestige and recognition. Provide breaks for employees whether they explicitly ask for them or not. Offer additional financial incentives, security, and social opportunities in moderation.Research of this sort will change how things are done, said Lehr. If there is a major takeaway here, its that we can finally prove that money doesnt buy happiness, and that happiness isnt as elusive as we might think.

Customize this Outstanding Quality Assurance Tester Resume Sample

Customize this Outstanding Quality Assurance Tester Resume SampleCustomize this Outstanding Quality Assurance Tester Resume SampleCreate Resume Samuel Lackson100 Broadway LaneNew Parkland, CA, 91010Cell (555) 987-1234example-emailexample.comProfessional SummaryDetail-oriented Quality Assurance Tester with the ability to craft tests and final quality reports that assist in generating higher amounts of revenue. Proven track record in creating applicable test requirements based on software specifications, developing test cases that can be easily duplicated and presenting quality assurance results to developers and management.Core QualificationsAccurate Test Result ReportingDatabase Testing ManagementDesign Specification ReviewTest Documentation ReportingSoftware DevelopmentQuality Assurance TrainingExperienceQuality Assurance Tester, October 2010 May 2015Henderson Software New Cityland, CAResponsible for creating new test cases based on new software specifications for each update g eneration.Established efficient reporting policies for written and verbal results reporting.Created several innovative testing methods that helped to uncover potentially critical software errors.Quality Assurance Tester, June 2006 October 2010Jetson Software New Cityland, CADeveloped a set of spreadsheets and reporting templates that helped to better understand the deliverables for each project.Established the format that is still used to deliver quality assurance testing reports.Responsible for isolating and repairing all software errors and then delivering an error report to the developers and management.Education2006 Bachelor of Science, Software EngineeringTatum Hillside Professional College New Cityland, CACustomize Resume

What Its Really Like to Work With a Resume Writer

What Its Really Like to Work With a Resume WriterWhat Its Really Like to Work With a Resume WriterWhat Its Really Like to Work With a Resume WriterWhat is it really like to work with a resume writer? One woman shares her experience from her first DIY attempt to receiving her final TopResume product. Ive never truly felt proud of my resume I mean, its always been fine, but elend something that Id frame and hang on the wall at best, Im indifferent to it. And why would I ever be proud of a document Ive candidly always approached with a cavalier attitude? My old resume was only updated when I had a bad day at work and fantasized about being anywhere else even then, I approached things with a twinge of resentment towards the process. Cram everything that might make you valuable to a stsortimentrs eyes onto this document and make sure its only one page That was the prevailing rationale behind my a lot of my past resumes, and an approach Ive since come to find is utterly incorrect.Proacti vely perfecting my professional documentsI have always been someone who floated from job to job on the backs of kind words and recommendations from colleagues I had a resume but never needed a resume. As I found myself growing restless in my current position, I decided to be proactive and conquer the challenge of redoing my job-search materials. I know Im capable, smart, and can be an asset to any company, and I wanted a resume that would show that I am qualified for a broader range of positions outside of the niche advertising community where word of mouth has served me so well.I felt myself craving something new and different a job that would push me to the edge of my comfort zone and wanted to have all of the right documentation ready so I could spring into action when the right job posting came my way.From a DIY try to hiring a resume writerI felt completely out of my element, obsessing over every word in the descriptions of every job Ive held as I wrote my resume. I didnt wan t to take any gelegenheits, either I wanted to ensure I was set up for success. I scoured Pinterest for the prettiest resume designs and created a visual masterpiece that I thought showed off my 10 years of expertise, my creativity, and my analytical skills. It was so unique, it all fit on one 8 by 11, and I believed no one would be able to resist the person who could create something so beautiful. Shes a must-hire, we need her.I found TopResumes free critique when I wanted to validate my efforts I felt like I had done all the right things and wanted an expert to confirm that my hard work paid off. I uploaded my multi-colored beauty to the service and patiently waited for the results. When I opened the results in my inbox and read them over, my heart sank.I had no idea there were so many robots and digital gatekeepers standing in the way of me and the real hiring managers I wanted to meet.I had no idea that the resume I thought was a compelling work of art presented me as a person who only has a few years of experience instead of a decade.I had no idea that all the visuals and pictures could prevent a hiring bot from reading anything about me at all. Nothing binnenseemed to come through clearly or correctly, not even my address.It was then I realized I needed a professional. My time is valuable, and the value of the time it would take me to learn about all the fixes and changes I needed to make was far greater than the cost of hiring a writer. Plus, I was ready to start applying I needed to get this resume fixed and fast.One click of an Order Now button and just like that, I had hired someone to help me redo my resume.The questionnaireBefore I got paired with a resume writer, TopResume issued me an extensive questionnaire where I shared my goals and strengths the things I wanted to highlight with my new resume. The questions made me feel like I was going to receive VIP treatment thanks to the complete and total focus on my career.I really appreciated the e xperience of getting to do the questionnaire. As I moved through question after question about my career, my trouble spots, and my resume, I was forced to self-reflect and think about the arc of my career story. For the first time, I really understood the value of getting outside eyes to reframe your experience. Youve lived as yourself your whole life, and your understanding of yourself and your self-presentation may not line up with how the rest of the world views you.The experience of completing all of the prerequisite questions also doubled as job-hunting prep in a way, too. TopResume asked for examples of job descriptions for the ideal positions I wanted to achieve with my resume. It took a lot of the stress away from surfing LinkedIn for potential dream jobs knowing that I was going to receive a resume that was made to look as attractive as possible for the positions I wanted most.Meeting my brand-new resumeA few days after completing the questionnaire, I got my first draft bac k from the writer assigned to my case and was shocked to see the differences. My resume writer violated resume rules I had long held to be true, like that I had to keep a resume to only one page. The format was completely different and looked a lot less stylized than the picture-perfect-Pinterest version I had whipped up on my own.Changing your mind about anything is hard, and it was startling to see some of the differences between the original and this new draft. They werent changes I would have ever made myself a fact which reinforced my initial decision to hire a resume writer.When you embark on your own journey working with a resume writer, you have to be open-minded and trust the process.The professional writers understand what works and what doesnt works better than you do.I loved reading the way my writer reinterpreted and reframed my career accomplishments. It filled me with pride to read how my career was viewed from outside eyes. It was another reminder that others can se e you so differently than you might see yourself in this case, my resume writer found impressive things to say about my career and work performance that I wouldnt have ever noticed or called out. Reading my rewritten resume was a huge confidence boost.Youre able to go back and forth with your writer a bit for a first draft and then a final draft, a feature which I took advantage of. You leave your writer comments and notes simply by adding them to the draft document of your resume you dont need to put forth a ton of extra effort to give feedback. Because I was proactively redoing my resume and didnt have a deadline, I took my time thinking through all of the comments I gave to my writer although to be honest, she did a pretty amazing job straight out of the gate. If I didnt have the luxury of time, I still wouldve been OK.The resultsOverall, Im thrilled with my resume-writing experience Im so glad I had it done. It set me up for job-hunting success in an environment where most of ten, applicant tracking bots control whether or not you get a chance to meet anyone from the company face to face.I learned about the new resume best practices yes, you really can have more than one page Best of all, I got to benefit from having outside eyes review my career and the way I was presenting it. It gave me an opportunity to understand what weaknesses a hiring manager might see in my resume and work with my writer to address them.Im so excited to embark on a new round of job hunting with my upgraded resume the new document, while maybe not Pinterest-perfect-pretty, conveys my competence, skills, and strengths far better than I did myself. Now its up to me to go and use it, and use it well.Were ready to prepare you for a more successful job search. Learn more about working with a professional resume writer from TopResume.Recommended ReadingWhat Is an ATS? How to Write a Resume to Beat the BotsIts OK to Ask for Resume HelpWhat You Get From a Professionally Written Resume

How to Get Ahead at Work Without Being a Manager - The Muse

How to Get Ahead at Work Without Being a Manager - The MuseHow to Get Ahead at Work Without Being a Manager While its tempting to measure career growth and success solely according to the number of rungs we scale on the corporate ladder, management isnt the only path to a satisfying career. Being a manager comes with responsibilities that dont appeal to everyone. Even worse, managerial work could take you away from the aspects of yur job you love most. But just because you dont have any interest in presiding over a team doesnt mean that youre destined to stagnate- or that you have to grudgingly heave yourself up to the next level. In other words, you dont always have to move upward to move onward.We asked professionals whove blazed a trail off the management track to fill us in on four ways you can continue to evolve professionally- minus the supervisory duties.1. Look for Opportunities That Offer In-Role AdvancementNot all growth involves taking a step up. Certain roles offer opport unities to stretch yourself within the same position, through a greater variety of projects, mora prestigious assignments, deeper work, or mora responsibility. When hunting for your next non-managerial job opportunity, consider point-blank asking about what growth looks like within the role rather than whats beyond it.While working as a media agency VP, Nathanael Yellis realized managing a team came with some emotional costs. Being on-call as a resource for his direct reports- as well as being beholden to his own managers schedule- took away from the time and energy he welches able to spend with his family. So he platzset out to find an individual contributor role that still offered in-role growth. Not having to make the emotional commitment to managing people frees emotional bandwidth I have at home.Nathanael YellisYellis ultimately found it within his current position as an Inbound Consultant for HubSpot. There, not only does he have more direct control over his time, but he can s till develop his career without stepping up to a managerial role. I have promotions available to me that come with increased position or customers who are more critical to HubSpots success, he says. As I continue to grow in the role, Ill have the opportunity to work with larger companies in a wider variety of industries.Because hes customer-facing, hes able to establish clear boundaries for when and how he interacts with clients, such as deciding he isnt available for conference calls between 5 and 8 PM. Beyond that, he says, not having to make the emotional commitment to managing people frees emotional bandwidth I have at home.2. Make a Lateral Move Somewhere Bigger or More PrestigiousIf youre not interested in becoming a bigger fish in a small pond, consider bigger ponds, whether that means a larger company, a greater swath of sale territory, or a more prestigious brand. In the case of Danielle Radin, the digital correspondent for NBC San Diego, the puddle-to-lake leap meant a big ger broadcast market.If youre not interested in becoming a bigger fish in a small pond, consider bigger ponds.While Radin had a masters degree that primed her for the managerial track, she found that she liked being a reporter, and didnt want to deal with the office politics that came with managing others in the newsroom. Instead of hopping up the ladder, shes been hopping to larger markets. In broadcast the goal is to move up to bigger markets, which are ranked by population from 1 all the way down to 209, she explains. I started in one of the lowest-ranked markets, 195, and was able to jump to San Diego, ranked 28.Of course, few fields offer quite the concrete ranking system by which to measure your growth, but other indicators, both quantitative (think company size and potential number of clients) and qualitative (think influence or reputation) can be your guide when youre looking to make a lateral move.3. Go Solo as a ConsultantOnce you become an expert in your field, you can de ploy your skills and experience in a consulting role. Thats what Stacy Caprio, founder of Accelerated Growth Marketing, an SEO/SEM consulting company, did.Caprio previously worked as the search marketing manager for a finance company, but didnt like the idea of having to be responsible for anyone elses work but her own. She tested the waters by consulting as a side hustle and eventually made it her full-time career. When you go it alone, you can chart your own career growth with the same metrics you use to measure your consulting business success, such as reach and revenue.I like that it has given me the opportunity to learn so much and be hands on in what I do.Stacy CaprioThough the freedom of consulting is a huge perk in itself, Caprio says its also been more financially lucrative than her previous position. I like that it has given me the opportunity to learn so much and be hands on in what I do, instead of just a supervisor who has no idea what her employees are doing, she says. It has also allowed me to make a lot more than I would have been able to make in a managerial role.4. Deepen or Broaden Your Skill Set to Become an ExpertIf youre not devoting time and energy to cultivating managerial skills, you can focus on honing other skills, whether that means perfecting your sales pitch, becoming a financial-modeling wizard, or mastering every project management tool under the sun.In addition to having the tangible metric of market size by which to gauge her growth, Radin says her non-management path has given her the opportunity to improve her writing, editing, shooting, and presenting abilities on a daily basis. Find a niche in your job that you truly thrive in, and improve it as much as you can so that you are considered one of the top in that skill set, she advises.Find a niche in your job that you truly thrive in, and improve it as much as you can so that you are considered one of the top in that skill set.Danielle RadinWhile a deeper skill set is satisf ying in and of itself, you can also establish a few key performance indicators to assess growth more objectively. Alex Tran, a digital marketing specialist, opted out of management to focus on the more hands-on aspects of her career. Instead of measuring her performance according to how close shes getting to a head-honcho title, she uses other metrics relevant to her industry. In marketing I am measuring our brand visibility and reputation. If we are getting more leads than we can handle, that is great, she says. That means we will need to expand and hire more, which is what every growing organization wants. I am a grower, not a leader.Stepping outside of management may give you a chance to expand your skills outward as well. When Caprio made her move to consulting, she found that she was able to extend her expertise beyond the parameters of her in-house role. In those 9-to-5 jobs she held, my focus was 70% running paid Google and Facebook ads, she explains. Once I was consulting fu ll-time, I really dove into more than just theoretical SEO, which enabled me to develop a new skill set driving more unpaid traffic to sites. she adds. I used this to further expand into buying my own sites and growing them, so one thing led to another.