What to Do When a Co-worker Loses His Job -The Muse

What to Do When a Co-worker Loses His Job -The MuseWhat to Do When a Co-worker Loses His Job A few years ago, on an otherwise typical Wednesday morning, one of my companys executives called a last-minute meeting. My co-workers and I, most of us looking bewildered, gathered around a table and learned Lisa (leid her real name) would no longer be working at the company.While it welchesnt exactly clear whether or not Lisa had been fired or let go, the one thing that was plain as day was that we werent to gossip about it among ourselves. That was, it seemed, mora than anything else, the reason the meeting had been called.Though we understood the reasoning behind the instruction, it was difficult not to say anything at all to one another and simply go about our day has though nothing had happened, as though this very senior person, whom most of us admired and valued, would be no longer a part of our workday. But so it goes One day youre working side-by-side with Trevor, emailing him for th e numbers you need and laughing with him over the annoying fire drill during one of the coldest days of the year- and the next, his desk is clean, and his chair is empty. What are you supposed to do? How are you expected to react? Since I struggled with complying 100% with the VPs recommendation that we not speculate about it, I decided to reach out to Melody Godfred, Muse Coach and founder of Write in Color, for her expert advice on how to handle a co-workers dismissal professionally, but also like a real, live human with feelings.Though it may feel natural to analyze whats happened when a co-worker loses his job, Godfred suggests reminding yourself where your primary responsibility lies with your employer. She goes on to say that the best thing to do is avoid engaging in any speculating, gossiping, or general conversation, and that goes for both publicly and privately. It should go without saying that talking smack about your employer- even if your work wife got canned- is ill-adv ised. Not only could it jeopardize your job, but it could create a toxic culture that inhibits your own growth and the companys as well. And, Im sure in your hasty anger, saying that so-and-so shouldve gotten fired instead isnt something youd ever want to come back and haunt you. As Godfred points out, Culture is a big buzz word right now, and though it can be over-emphasized, it has real meaning in a situation like this where the vibe at work is almost as important to your happiness as the work that youre doing. If you kill that vibe by being negative and badmouthing your own employer, all youre accomplishing is making yourself and your colleagues miserable, and even potentially talking your way into getting fired.With that said, its nearly impossible to continue on as normal when this happens to a member of your team- especially when you dont know all the details and when you genuinely liked the individual. Its not crazy to wonder if youre going to be the next to disappear. Your m ind, inevitably reeling, starts to question your own security or lack thereof. Maybe you even begin questioning your performance. Is it possible that your job is on the line and you have no idea? Or, if youre certain that your boss has no complaints about your work, you wonder Is this the first sign of bigger lay-offs to come? Regardless of whether youre concerned about getting fired for performance or laid off due to company budget cuts or department restructurings, it wont help you much to let the anxiety reach record proportions. Instead, schedule a frank conversation with your manager and speak candidly about your concerns. If beginning a frank conversation on the recent employees firing or lay off feels scary, then try working it lightly into the conversation, maybe even making a small joke if you have an easy and communicative relationship with your boss. You might say, I was really sorry to hear about Name of persons departure. I dont expect to know all the details, buthope I m not nextChances are, your boss will put your fears to rest right then and there. Or, the conversation may end up being an opportunity for you to get valuable feedback on ways you could improve yourself- not just to avoid getting fired, but to put yourself in the running for a promotion or a raise. Once youve had any fears about your own job loss quelled, know that you dont have to up and forget about what happened and bury yourself in your assignments. You should feel at liberty to reach out to the person who lost his or her job, but Godfred doesnt recommend commenting specifically on the situation. Rather than saying, It sucks that they did this to you, you can say Ill miss you at the office. If the person was a friend, of course you can and should continue to be a friend to him or her, especially because chances are they need a friend more than ever during this difficult time.Godfreds advice is spot-on. Even though Im not guilty of bad-mouthing my company, a wiser me would have remained even more mum, for my own sake. So, offer a shoulder or an ear, and let your pal know hes missed, but avoid saying anything that you wouldnt be comfortable having the CEO get wind of. Sure, you may think you know the whole story, but rarely is that the case with these complicated matters. And, if other co-workers try to engage you in gossip and pointless chatter, shut it down. Youre not helping the person who lost his job by talking about him behind his back. Youre only instigating future problems- and, like Godfred said, putting your own position on the line. Yes, this is a hard situation, but unfortunately its one thatll probably rear its head a few times throughout your career. Learning how to handle it now will only help you in the future.

These are the biggest mistakes recruiters see at job interviews

These are the biggest mistakes recruiters see at job interviewsThese are the biggest mistakes recruiters see at job interviewsShowing up to a job interview can be daunting. Even if you bring your A game, you may bedrngnis get the position. Whats worse, of course, is making preventable mistakes.So, a good first step is to know what recruiters themselves will tell you are the biggest mistakes they see. Survey results have found that certain things you do - or dont do - could be working against you.Zogby Anaytics surveyed 831 U.S. recruiters for Jobvite. Of all the points in the research, here are a few that stood out.This is how to miss out on job opportunity, recruiters sayJobvites 2017 Recruiter Nation Report found that for 86% of recruiters surveyed,having a bad attitude toward the receptionist or other support staff would immediately disqualify a candidate during an interview.Also, whatever you do, keep your hands off you phone 71% of recruiters said theyd disqualify an applicant for checking one at the time of an interview, 58% said they would do so because of tardiness, 38% said toting food along was a killer. Five percent said excessive makeup hurt a candidates chances, versus 1% who said a lack of makeup was a problem.The crazy things recruiters say theyve seenThe Jobvite report found that 75% of recruiters have seen an applicant show up to an interview underdressed, 54% had an applicant who didnt know what company they were interviewing for, 27% have seen an applicant in tears at the interview, 25% witnessed a candidates racist ideas, and 24% said theyve had a candidate who seems to be drunk during an interview.What recruiters say is fruchtwein important to get rightThe report shows that 92% of recruiters say past job experience is a hiring factor, 83% said culture fit, and 51% said employee referral.Conversational skills are by far the most important factors (92%) determining whether a candidate is a cultural fit. But enthusiasm and appearance / perso nal style - both judgment calls - arent far behind, the research says.Bias in recruitingThere are ways recruiters can potentially cut down on bias and find talent they might not have found otherwise, but that doesnt mean the problem has been solved.Over half of recruiters - 57%- think that implicit bias is a real issue facing American employees. But only 13% chose increasing diversity at my company within their top three goals over the course of the next year.Fifty-one percent of recruiters say they havent developed concrete targets for gender diversity in hiring, and the same number say they dont have targets in terms of racial diversity either.

Payroll Supervisor Job Description

Payroll supervisorin Job DescriptionPayroll Supervisor Job DescriptionPayroll Supervisor Job DescriptionThis payroll supervisor sample job description can assist in your creating a job application that will attract job candidates who are qualified for the job. Feel free to revise this job description to meet your specific job duties and job requirements. Payroll Supervisor Job Responsibilities Pays employees by compiling and processing payroll information maintaining records.Payroll Supervisor Job DutiesAccomplishes payroll human resource objectives by selecting, orienting, training, assigning, scheduling, coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees communicating job expectations planning, monitoring, appraising job contributions recommending compensation actions adhering to policies and procedures.Meets payroll operational standards by contributing information to strategic plans and reviews implementing production, productivity, quality, and customer-service standards resolving problems identifying system improvements.Meets payroll financial standards by providing annual budget information monitoring expenditures identifying variances implementing corrective actions.Updates records by reviewing and entering changes in exemptions, insurance changes, deductions, paid-time not worked, status, and pay calculating vacation earned.Prepares pay by verifying time records calculating and producing checks or electronic transfers calculating and producing quarterly incentive bonuses.Balances payroll accounts by auditing information identifying and resolving discrepancies initiating journal entries.Determines payroll liabilities by entering federal and state income and social security tax information, 401k transfer and direct deposits, wage assignments and garnishments.Fulfills wage garnishment requirements by completing forms adjusting payroll records, documenting and transmitting withholdings negotiating with collection agencies to convert garnishments to wage assi gnments.Purchases savings bonds by maintaining deduction records completing forms coordinating renewable limits register initiating deductions ordering bonds recording purchases.Maintains life insurance by updating calculations preparing check requests initiating disbursements.Remits tax payments by collecting and verifying data preparing federal, state, and local tax reports, and W2 statements initiating payment.Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops reviewing professional publications establishing personal networks benchmarking state-of-the-art practices participating in professional societies.Accomplishes organization goals by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.Payroll Supervisor Skills and Qualifications Tax, Compensation and Wage Structure, Worker Compensation, Benefits Administration, Employment Law, Analyzing Information , Attention to Detail, C onfidentiality, Thoroughness, Verbal CommunicationLearn more abouthow the hiring processVideo Make yourRecruiting Stand OutIs Perfectionism Hijacking your Hirin Process?How to Interview to Uncover a Candidates Ethical Standards

Engineer Profile Andrew Kreider, PSU Graduate and Global Advocate

Engineer Profile Andrew Kreider, PSU Graduate and Global Advocate Engineer Profile Andrew Kreider, PSU Graduate and Global Advocate Engineer ProfileAndrew Kreider, PSU Graduate and Global AdvocateAndrew Kreider along with other EWB-ASME-PSU volunteers interacts with the students of Baoma, Sierra Leone creating spaghetti towers. Photo courtesy of Beth MilliganWhen The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) ASME Student Section was looking for a humanitarian engineering project to undertake, they looked no further than the institutions Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Chapter. The two teams aligned and with the support of two ASME Diversity Action Grants (DAG), they designed and constructed a water storage and treatment ordnungsprinzip in Baoma, Sierra Leone.It was the most interesting thing I got to do as an undergraduate, says Andrew Kreider, a recently graduated ME major and was Chair of the PSU ASME Student Section. The project consisted of building a retaining wall to protect the most heavily-used water source from runoff contamination, and a latrine for the elementary school. These infrastructure projects drew myself and others in mora meaningfully thanmostlab classesdid.Not only did Kreider enjoy the effort and camaraderie, but he also gained skills that he recognizes are very attractive to employers. For the first time, on our own, we navigated everything that had to do with project management, he says, from delegation and personnel issues, to funding and logistical challenges, to internal and external communications and even diplomacy. On the ground in Sierra Leone, the students are running the show, clarifies John Lamancusa, PSU Professor of ME and Advisor to PSU EWB Chapter, which is a priceless opportunity You cant learn this stuff in the classroom.One particularly useful hurdle that the students overcame had to do with designing overly-complex systems. Engineers tend to be more complicated in their planning than they often need to be, says Lamancusa. But as the teams found in Sierra Leone, simplicity and adaptability were key. If the Romans didnt think of a technology to use, we probably shouldnt use it either, he adds. Before I traveled, I was all for building a latrine that had multiple compartments, with each feature requiring more money and more complexity, recalls Kreider. Once his team visited the site and spoke with the clients, they realized that a simpler system was best. We scrapped many of our plans along the way, he concedes.Now, as he embarks on graduate school in environmental engineering at PSU, Kreider recalls his stint with ASME and EWB with great fondness. The organizations constituted a major part of my engineering education, and Id be happy to do it all over again, he says cheerfully. But he doesnt have much time to reflect because he and the team are still hard at work they are currently developing a prototype of a water filter that potentially every family in the village could easily use in their homes. They w ill travel again to Africa in December 2013 to install the filters and train the villagers in their use.- Diversity Action Grant Applications may be submitted from the beginning of the Fall Semester until the Deadline of November 1st.By Alaina G. Levine

The Secret of Sales Resume Examples Nobody Is Talking About

The Secret of Sales Resume Examples Nobody Is Talking About A Startling Fact about Sales Resume Examples Uncovered To compose a very first class resume you want to make it predominantly results oriented and concentrate on your achievements and contributions during your career. Apart from that, you could also download our Resume Skills Examples so that you can have guides of what skills to write in your resume for the particular job position which you want to submit an application for. You must also speak about past experience. Only go back further in case you have earlier experience that is immensely relevant. There are 3 distinct formats, but the fruchtwein typical is the chronological strategy, so thats the overall manager resume sample well share at the close of the report. Its certainly recommended to include as many of the subsequent examples of information as possible. Perhaps while trying to find examples you noticed poor samples all around the internet. Our sample resume is a great case of the way you can package your years of sales experience for that managerial function. Take a peek at our pharmaceutical sales resume samples to find some ideas about how to compose your own. The use of professional profiles for your application in the business of sales is dependent upon the position which youre applying for and the qualifications that you can present to your intended employer. If you own a computer with word processing capabilities you may use the salesperson resume templates below. Below is an absolutely free sales representative resume template it is possible to study and use in making your own and boost your probability of being called in for additional discussion. Lies Youve Been Told About Sales Resume Examples In case it consists of pertinent info and it appears like its been prepared by a prospective employee thats willing to go the excess mile it will make you distinguish yourself from the crowd. A candidate whos already acquai nted with your product line is going to have a smoother onboarding procedure, saving you time and money. You are able to add Willing to relocate whether the position requires moving to a different city. After youre prepared to look for your next sales position, you have to stick out from the crowd. As a way to acquire different peoples attention easily, youve got to consider beyond sales. A thriving career in sales requires a whole lot of passion. For instance, a sales executive might have the daily job of cold calling potential customers and a wish to grow the quantity of clients in a particular sector. If this is the case, you have the material for a potent chart or graph in your sales resume. So before you begin writing, make some notes on your intended companies and what theyre searching for. A summary comprises the most crucial things you would like your employer to understand that may not appear on your resume elsewhere or emphasizes points that look elsewhere on the w ebpage. Below, you will discover a list of resume examples that may assist you with your work search. Once youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to learn how to vary using action verbs and receive a feel for what makes a highly effective accomplishment statement. Knowledgeable sales professionals should think about forgoing a number of the base salary instead of a strong commission structure to benefit from the experience on their sales resume. For instance, if the organization is extremely service-oriented, explain your sales accomplishments in a manner that equates sales with service. Not only will a company employee be in a position to provide you with tips on the best way to pass the interview, he or shell likewise be able to enlighten you on bits of information you wouldnt have known otherwise. To be successful in just about any form of sales occupation, you want the skills to convince a person to purchase your businesss product. Sales Repres entatives work in a range of businesses and environments and are accountable for maximizing organization profits. Retail sales associates want to work with many folks, and thus they ought to be strong in communication. Sales also requires the capacity to identify and fulfill the requirements of consumers. They is similar to customer service as salespeople can be effective in a range of industries. The Ultimate Approach for Sales Resume Examples My resumes produce results in the current competitive job marketplace. Its more important for recruiters to understand what you could do now. A work recruiter wont know just when you wrote it. Wowing hiring managers with a good representation of your qualifications can be hard, therefore we provide a pharmaceutical sales executive resume sample to supply you with a helping hand. In case you were referred by a present employee that could help determine the individual that is doing the hiring include them. Like sales associate resumes, you might create certain sales resumes in the event that you need to turn in an application for a targeted position wherever your qualifications will be fully utilized. If youre attempting to obtain work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume.

Job interview question and answer Why did you leave your last job

Job interview question and answer Why did you leave your last job Job interview question and answer Why did you leave your last job?Posted October 13, 2011, by Helen IsbisterThe key to answering this question with your employability intact is simple maintain a positive attitude. A koranvers-fire way to teleport your application to the bottom of the pile is to badmouth your ex-boss and grumble about your old job. Be clear, confident and calm about why you left, or are leaving, the other gig, before redirecting your response to exactly why you are so keen to work in the stelle on offer.Reason for leaving You got sackedThis is the Mount Everest of tricky interview questions if youve just been sacked, but its not impossible to conquer as long as you figure out your tactics and dont panic. Its a risky business to leave an ill-fated stint off your resume (especially if it was your most recent), because if you are caught in the lie your chances will go up in smoke. The safest way to navig ate this interview danger zone is to be honest, take responsibility for the situation, explain what you have learned from the experience and how the problem wont apply to the new position.Possible response It was decided that my skills and qualifications werent suited to the position. I am excited by this role because it matches my experience and I know I will be able to thrive and make a valuable contribution to the company.Reason for leaving You were made redundantBeing made redundant is a world away from getting sacked. Make aya you explain the circumstances behind the redundancy the company was downsizing, moving in a different direction or relocating to another state so it is clear that the decision was in no way based on your ability or attitude. However, dont dwell on it nothing screams dont hire me like a bitter or insecure mindset. Show you are enthusiastic about the career opportunities you are now presented with and are ready for new challenges.Possible response The company was relocating to Brisbane and closing my office. I was with the company for 15 years and I see this as a fantastic opportunity to use my skills gained in that time in a new role.Reason for leaving You hated your boss/colleagues/job/all of the aboveDespising the ground your boss walks on, wanting to strangle your colleagues or an inexplicably tedious job are very valid reasons for showing yourself the door. But offload your career angst on your partner, mother or dog and make sure the angry vibes get nowhere near the interview hot seat. Focus on other reasons, any other reasons, about why you are considering a change of job and psych yourself into a positive frame of mind.Possible response After graduating, I spent seven years with the one company gaining exceptional knowledge of the industry. I am now enthusiastic to apply my skills in a different organisation with new opportunities and challenges.Reason for leaving You werent getting paid enoughThe bottom line is often, we ll, the bottom line when it comes to leaving a job. However, a potential employer isnt going to be impressed that a big pay packet is your primary motivator. It also wont go down very well if it becomes evident you have an over-inflated sense of your own monetary value and that they will be funding your next round-the-world trip You can mention that your