7 Work-at-Home Ground Rules to Boost Your Productivity

7 Work-at-Home Ground Rules to Boost Your Productivity7 Work-at-Home Ground Rules to Boost Your ProductivityWhen you are trying tobalance your personal professional life in one place, there may always be a few unexpected wrinkles that cut into your professional productivity. However, most of the issues home-based workers encounter (e.g. interruptions, distractions, etc.) can be avoided by setting some work-at-home ground rules for your family, yourself and even your coworkers. While the specifics of every work-at-home familys rules will differ, address these 7 issues to ensure your productivity.? 01platzset (and Track) Working HoursHero Images / Getty ImagesWhen you work remotely your employer, clients or customers need to trust that you are working on their behalf as they expect you too. To build that trust you will need to be accessible. This meanswriting efficient emailsand answering others quickly. It means picking up the phone and calling when necessary. It might even mean going into the office occasionally.

The Disadvantages of Going to Law School at a Later Age

The Disadvantages of Going to Law School at a Later AgeThe Disadvantages of Going to Law School at a Later AgeGoing to law school is a big decision at any age. Its a huge financial commitment and its a significant time commitment as well. Of course, if youve always wanted to be a lawyer, theres no doubt that its worth the sacrifice. But what if youre older? The average age of first-year law school students is about 24, but what if youre older than that? What if youve spent years in another profession, but you keep thinking, What if I went back to school and got my law degree? Going to law school can be a formidable challenge for older students who left academia years ago. Add to that asaturated job market, cut-throat competition, and achanging legal industry, and you might wonder if its worth it or even if you can secure a job after youve graduated and passed the bar. Then again, you might find that these factors dont particularly intimidate or deter you. In either case, here are a f ew considerations for going to law school at a later age. Can You Afford It? Theres no way around it- going to law school is expensive. U.S. News World Report looked into just howexpensive in 2017 and found that the average student at one of the top 10 law schoolsspent an average of $60,923 annuallyon tuition and fees. That comes out to more than $182,000 total, a walloping investment to make in your future. This is particularly the case if youre already tied down with a mortgage and supporting a family. Of course, you dont have to shoot for the stars. Nothing says you have to go to one of the top 10 schools, and theres always financing available. But keep in mind that if you finance your education through loans, you wont have as many years left in your working life to repay them. Granted, the average retirement age has been going up in recent years. According to MarketWatch, it was age 64.6 as of 2015. If you graduate from law school at age 35, that still leaves you close to 3 0 years to pay off those loans before you retire. In this respect, theres not a really significant difference between graduating from law school at age 26 or age 35. You still have some time to pay off your student loans. But what if youre 45? Its important to weigh the benefits of returning to school against the financial burdens of furthering your education, particularly if you have children who will also be heading off to college right around the same time youre entering law school. For some families, it can come down to whether youre going to help pay for their educations or for your own. Age Bias Age bias exists in the legal profession just as it does in many other industries. Some firms prefer to hire younger, inexperienced workers who are willing to work for less money, as well as for other reasons, such as career longevity, trainability, and commitment. Age discrimination can be a challenge for older workers, and todays tough job market only exacerbates the situation. T his is where what you were doing in those years between college graduation and law school comes into play. Were you working in a field that was related to the law? Maybe you were a police officer or a paralegal. In this case, the law firm isnt getting an older worker whos still wet behind the ears when it comes to legal issues, someone who would have to start from the ground up at age 40 or so. Theyre getting a seasoned professional who simply put the finishing legal touch on his experience by getting that law degree. This can definitely set you apart from younger applicants, and in a good way. Career Opportunities Statistics show that its more difficult for older lawyers to land a job at large law firms, andlarge firms typically offer the most lucrative salaries. But this doesnt mean you wont have any opportunities on the horizon. According to the National Association for Law Placement, 53 percent of law school graduates who are 36 years old or older go into private practiceor join firms with fewer than 10 attorneys. Only 17 percent join law firms that employ more than 250 attorneys. Examine your goals. If youre contemplating going to law school at age 35 or even age 40, youre probably doing it because law is something youve always been avid about. You might be perfectly happy opening your own firm, although you should keep in mind that this will require a little start-up capital in addition to paying off those student loans. But if youre going to law school purely in pursuit of a six-figure salary, you might want to think long and hard before you invest the time and the money. U.S. News World Report also indicates that solo practitioners earned a median income in the neighborhood of $68,000 a year, and those that enter the public sector, such as entry-level prosecutors, topped out at about $52,000. But, of course, these are median figures, not averages, so at least half of those working in these capacities were earning more. Career Longevity Older employees entering the legal profession have fewer working years ahead of them, so employers sometimes hesitate to hire second-career lawyers. Many law firms seek employees who are willing to make a long-term commitment to the firm, lawyers who will stick around long enough to make partner and contribute to the long-term growth of the organization. This is where you have to sell yourself. If you have a passion for the law, let it show. Yes, the firm might not have you around as long as it would that 27-year-old, but if the 27-year-old is yawning or fidgeting her way through the interview, you might still come off as the better prospect. Time Commitment Time is a big consideration and sensibly so.Older employees often have children, aging parents, and other commitments that prevent them from making the 50- to 80-hour-per-week time commitment that many law firms require. This gives some firms and organizations good reason to hesitate to hire older employees. Take a step back and look at your life.Canyou put inmega hours? Maybe youll be 45 when you graduate, but youre a divorcee and your kids are grown so you can dedicate your life to the firm. Let that be known. Remember that prospective employers cant ask about your home life, but youre always free to volunteer the information. If youre 35 and married with three kids, however, or if youre 35 and divorced with custody of three kids, you can be relatively sure that future employers will be wary- even if they just assume this is the case. Trainability Older workers are often more set in their ways, so employers sometimes fear that they cant be molded or trained as easily. Some older employees also find it awkward to accept assignments or direction from younger supervisors. Is this you? Age really is just a number. If you embrace every newfangled gadget your kids bring home, if you listen intently when your 30-year-old neighbor tries to explain something to you about which he knows a great deal and you kno w nothing, find a way to get this trait across to prospective employers. Otherwise, you might want to stay in your current profession, because theres a strong chance that the lawyer youll be reporting will be at least a few years younger than you are. Know That Youre Not Alone The Law School Admissions Council has estimated that approximately 30 percent of law school students arenottossing their four-year-degree caps into the air and proceeding directly to law school- theyve taken at least a few years to think about it. The odds are that about three out of every 10 other applicants striving for the job you want will be close to your age and facing the same obstacles. Make sure you stand out from them and that you give those 20-somethings a little competition, too.

How to Decline a Reference Request

How to Decline a Reference RequestHow to Decline a Reference RequestEmbarking on a job hunt can be stressful and overwhelming, but what if you get pulled into one and youre elend the job seeker? Thats what happens to job references who get that email, phone call or letter requesting a reference for a former colleague, co-worker or subordinate. When you can vouch for the work of someone, providing a reference is an honor and a duty you perform in the interest of the person who asked. But what do you do if the person who asks didnt do good work?Should You Give the Reference?When youre asked to be a reference, the first thing you need to decide is whether or not you are willing to give one. Here are a few things to think about when youre asked to be a reference for someone you dont want to refer Your reference will reflect on you. If you give a good reference and the candidate doesnt live up to your description, it reflects on your professional reputation.Your reference would help someo ne get a job for which they arent suited. If you give a good reference and the candidate isnt a good fit for the job or doesnt have the personal qualities necessary for the position, its just a matter of time until theyre on the job hunt again because they wont last long in the position. Declining a reference can be a good opportunity for the job candidate. If you decline and feel comfortable providing reasons why, this can be a great opportunity for the job candidate to gain insight into their performance and make changes that positively affect their career.Declining the reference doesnt have to be an insult. There are many reasons people decline to be references, so dont feel pressure that everything rests on your shoulders. Its well within your right to decide against being someones reference, and the person can still move on to get the job.How to Decline Being a ReferenceDeciding not to give a reference can feel awkward, but there are several ways you can do so without creating a lot of drama or losing a friend or ally If you dont want to give a reference because your feedback is neutral, let them know that it is an inconvenient time for you and you are unable to be a reference for them. Or, if this is the case, let them know that you dont know enough about their performance to provide the kind of reference they need. Indicate that you dont want it to reflect badly on them you simply arent able to fulfill the requirements right now. If you dont want to give a reference because your feedback is negative, let them know that you want them to be successful but that you are not in a position to give the best possible reference. Ask that they connect with someone else who could speak to their positive qualities. If you want to give specific feedback you can indicate that you cant provide a reference because of X behaviors you witnessed on the job, sharing the examples in a polite, factual way.Saying no is notoriously hard, but in this case it is in the best inte rest of both your reputation and the reputation of the person applying for the job. If you ever feel pressured to be a reference despite your polite refusal, respond with a firm, Im sorry, but my answer is no.Have you ever declined to be someones reference? What did you say, and how did it go?

Protect Yourself from Work-at-Home Scams

Protect Yourself from Work-at-Home ScamsProtect Yourself from Work-at-Home ScamsI talk with people every day who have been burned by, or are skeptical of, telecommuting and work-from-home job opportunities. And for good reason. In the current economy there seems to be even more scams and too good to be true opportunities targeting people who want or need to work from home.Unfortunately, its important to acknowledge the abundance of work-at-home scams. It is always important to steer clear of all jobs thatMake claims that are too good to be true (e.g., $3,000 for 5 hours of work per month).Require upfront payment for training, supplies, or to learn secrets for getting rich while working from home.Say you dont need any job skills or work experience.Ask you for any personal financial information, such as credit card numbers or bank account information.Bottom line- if a job opportunity doesnt make sense or seems suspicious in any way, it is probably a scam. Trust your gut, and do researc h before applying to any job.Most of the time, people are successfully scammed because they let their guard down, or are caught in a moment of desperation to find a job. Dont let your need to find a job overshadow your sense of caution. Always ask for time to consider a job offer if youre suspicious the company isnt legitimate. And never accept a job thats been offered to you without so much as an interview. Scammers thrive on catching you off-guard when your defenses are down.Here are a lot more tips on protecting yourself from work-at-home scams.

Skills List for Resume Reviews & Tips

Skills List for Resume Reviews & Tips The Skills List for Resume Trap Yes, employers would like to know you have the simple hard skills for work, but if youre a quick learner, you can expand your skill tischset as time passes. If youre uncomfortable around other men and women, or dont have certain skills which make others feel comfortable with you, you might not be happy working for a paralegal. If you would like to showcase your organization skills, acquiring a tightly structured resume certainly helps. Listing your skills provides a chance to showcase your abilities and experiences to prime employers for the remainder of your resume. Being a quick learner is a significant skill for nearly every job. To begin with, if youre seeing a great deal of hard skills that you just dont have, it could be far better move on to the next position. Remain truthful and accentuate the traits which you feel will help you to get the job for which youre applying. Designers will almost alw ays discover that including the Adobe Create Suite is a terrific starting point. Your skills section stipulates a window into how much capability you may bring to the business. Review their About Us page and see whether your soft abilities or attributes are aligned with the corporations core values. Much like HTML, think about including notations for software you have certifications or particular expertise in. Coding One of the simple skill sets an employer will try to find in an IT professional is the capability to write code. Along with highlighting the general skills you will need for most jobs, its important to show employers that youve got the job-specific skills necessary for success at work. Studying resumes of individuals who hold, or have held the sort of job that youre pursuing, is also helpful. Employers like to be aware that a man or woman can be to work in time and have a tendency to find a part who is dependable and is prepared to get the job done. The Basic Facts of Skills List for Resume Creativity is a wide kind of soft skill that can enable you to develop innovative solutions to problems on the job. If youre not certain which skills you would like to share, consider your prior experiences. Analytical skills are the ability to collect information, visualize and solve complex and simple issues with the information available. The placement of your skills section is also a rather important thing to take into account. Its therefore essential that you have good problem solving skills. Soft skills are a little more vague and open to interpretation. Regardless of what your age, and however much experience that you have, you need to always be ready to learn a new skill or technique. The Lost Secret of Skills List for Resume You will also need to highlight your skills during interviews too. While there are numerous skills can be made better with practice, others might be rather difficult to improve upon, and still others, are either present or they arent. Some skills could be relevant while others arent. More technical or computer-centric hard skills are occasionally also called technical skills. Communication is a top skill valued in virtually every profession, but it gets especially significant in the plan industry. Professional skills are extremely important additionally to include on your resume. Want to Know More About Skills List for Resume? In reality, there are particular jobs in which its important to place a skill section at or close to the top of the resume. There are a couple diverse kinds of skill sections and formatting alternatives that you need to think about when crafting your resume. The skill section may be the most important section on your resume if you set it together correctly. A Key Skills section, on the flip side, is listed on top of a resume. If one of these categories is an area where you excel, visit its particular page to learn how resume skills may be used to your benefit . According to her, its also the reason putting your information just in the header or footer isnt a good idea. If youre interested in submitting an application for a particular job, review the post carefully and observe the list of skill requirements. You should make sure your list is complete. The Importance of Skills List for Resume Read through it a couple of occasions and youll probably spot three or four essential skills mentioned repeatedly throughout the document. Job are always showing signals of change and developing, and you need to demonstrate an openness to raise and learn with that shift. You also ought to prove your capacity to collaborate with teams. For some positions, problem-solving ability is going to be regarded as critical, while in others youll be expected simply to follow instructions.

Resume Writing Service Scams Secrets

Resume Writing Service Scams Secrets Resume Writing Service Scams Identify if the business is overseas. If it is a member of the BBB, the next step is to contact the BBB and ask them to mediate on your behalf. Such businesses do not leave any stone unturned in regards to supplying complete satisfaction to their clientele. Some businesses will freeze the funds and after that refund your money in the event the investigation proves your claim. Want to Know More About Resume Writing Service Scams? Job searching may be depressing and long-lasting procedure, especially if one wants to have a government job. Education is another significant part your resume. The tafelgeschirr quality will certainly vary, and it is dependent on specific factors. The standing of a service should tell you everything that you need to understand. After the billing is contested, as it is a subscription you merely get the previous charge refunded, if at all. If youre a brand-new graduate seeking to p roduce your start on your career ladder, we can still help you distinguish yourself from the crowd. When you wish to find the best resume help, you may simply follow our lead. You need assistance with making a resume. A simple online resume builder will supply you with decent results if youve got great writing skills. With our customized essay offer, you can be guaranteed to get any kind of essay help youre looking for. Whether you are a newcomer to writing resumes and cover letters or your written resume doesnt appear to secure you invited on a lot of interviews, were right here to assist you. Avoid Scammers Unfortunately, there are lots of scams currently running on the internet. Our sole aim is to aid others in locating a reliable resume service, not get tricked by the many scam companies which exist online. Every recruiter may have specific and vital crucial factors and it might be not very easy to attract his attention from the very first lines. Call their contact num ber and ask to consult with the individual who will do your resume. The Resume Writing industry gives a vital, valuable support. Dont neglect to add your professional social networking accounts on Facebook or LinkedIn, especially if youre looking for work in IT or Marketing. It is normal for organizations to receive over 300 resumes for a work opening. The organization has done a superb job in every perspective. It is possible to also take a look at the score of the resume writing company. Bear in mind our reviews are completely unbiased. Most senior executives wont publicly disclose that they hired an executive resume writer, and they wont be surfing third-party sites to compose reviews of businesses on a normal basis.