Monday, December 30, 2019

Army Re-Enlistment and Other Bonuses

Army Re-Enlistment and Other BonusesArmy Re-Enlistment and Other BonusesAccording to the Army Retention Program, Personnel readiness is a command responsibility. All commanders are retention officers, responsible to sustain Army personnel readiness by developing, implementing, and maintaining aggressive local Army retention programs designed to accomplish specific goals and missions consistent with governing laws, policies, and directives. The goals of the Army Retention Program are to reenlist, on a long-term basis, sufficient numbers of highly qualified Active Army Soldiers in buchen to support end-strength and readiness requirements.Also, through monetary reward or to career development, the Army has special programs such as the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS) and Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Green to Gold programs for highly qualified soldiers. About Army Bonuses The Army offers re-enlistment bonuses for soldiers who hold certain military occupational specialties and/or special skills, who agree to re-enlist for active duty. Whether or notlage a bonus is offered and the amount of money involved depends on several factors, including MOS/skill, rank, how much active duty time the soldier has, and for how long the soldier is re-enlisting. Re-enlistment bonuses are subject to federal income tax, except when the soldier re-enlists in a designated combat zone. In that case, the entire amount of the re-enlistment bonus is tax-free. Whether or not a re-enlistment bonus is subject to state income tax depends on the laws of the individual state, that the soldier claims as his or her legal residence. These are slightly different than retention bonuses, which is whenan officer or enlisted soldier serving in a designated critical area agrees to extend active duty for at least a year. This kind of bonus is not generally available to soldiers who have more than 25 years of active duty or are approaching their 25th year. New Bonu s Discussions in 2019 According to the Pentagon, bonuses of up to $40,000 are currently available, but a salary increase of $60,000 per year, and even huge bonuses of $250,000 are being considered by the Army top brass as it begins the process of looking for highly qualified infantry soldiers to do the infantry jobs of the 21st century. Rules for Re-Enlistment Bonuses If a soldier has completed at least 17 months but less than 14 years of active duty and is qualified in a skill the Department of Defense identifies as critical, he or she is likely eligible for re-enlistment and a corresponding bonus. The amount of bonuses and the skills most in need will vary. Usually, in order to be eligible to receive a bonus, soldiers will reenlist or voluntarily extend their enlistment for at least three years. Different Types of Army Bonuses Besides re-enlistment bonuses, the Army offers other types of financial incentives for both new recruits and enlisted soldiers. A seasonal bonus of up to $20,000 is available for recruits who ship to basic combat training within a specific time frame. Soldiers who successfully complete officer candidate school (OCS) training and commissioning may be eligible for a $10,000 bonus, which they receive upon completion of OCS. Soldiers who complete Ranger indoctrination and get permanently stationed in the 75th Ranger regiment, which is a special ops unit, may receive a bonus of up to $10,000 once theyve reported for duty. HUMINT Bonuses Another type of bonus that the Army and other branches of the U.S. military offer, on a regular basis, is for those soldiers who enlist as a MOS 35M human intelligence (HUMINT) collector. Soldiers in this MOSconduct source operations, interrogations and debriefings to collect information. They are primarily responsible for supervising and conducting information collection operations. Among their duties include preparation of information intelligence reports, which may include difficult translati ons, conductingdebriefings and interrogations of HUMINT sources in English and foreign languages. These soldiers are in demand if they speak one of the priority languages for which the Army needs translators. That list can vary but includes Arabic Modern Standard, Arabic Egyptian, Arabic Libyan, Arabic Lebanese, Arabic Moroccan, Arabic Tunisian, Arabic Iraqi, Chinese Mandarin, French, Korean, Persian-Farsi, Persian-Dari, and Russian. Bonuses for soldiers who speak at least one of these languages can be as much as $40,000. Being in the Army as the contiuous wars from 2001 draw down may have its perks besides serving your country. The 21st battlefield is going to require highly qualified operators and they do not come cheaply.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

6 Simple Steps for Finding Your Next Executive Position

6 Simple Steps for Finding Your Next Executive Position6 Simple Steps for Finding Your Next Executive PositionThe time has come to bid farewell to your current executive position.You did all you could, the company is in a great position, and it is best to go out on top.But you have a problem. You are not sure what executive role you want next.You are also in need of a position you find rewarding and fulfilling.We offer this advice for finding your next executive position.1. Make a list of your most attractive skills and accomplishmentsIt is great that you know how to do 100 tasks at a time while at work.Now, stop and make a list of the skills you have that companies will find the most attractive.Keep this list with you while at work For the next 30 days, keep a record of your achievements at work and note which skill was used to make it happen.Take the time to departure reviewing your accomplishments from the previous year(s).Again, note what skills were used for each accomplishment. The end result is you discovering your best skills and accomplishments for your executive resume2. Its time to start brainstormingUse Google and LinkedIn to look up ideas for your next company and position.On LinkedIn, start turning those 2nd and 3rd-degree connections into 1st-degree connections.Look up people at the companies you want to work with and start researching both the people and the companys background.An executive has to be concerned about his/her career reputationIt is best not to join a company that will not be around in a year.3. Make a list of all your favorite companys competitionOne of the most overlooked opportunities in business is working with your competition or even your enemy.Is this risky? bedrngnis necessarily. Chances are if you are an executive doing a great job at Insurance Company A, more than likely, you will be very valuable to Insurance Company B.There are laws and non-compete clauses you must contend with before working with the competition.However , knowing your competition gives you an advantage over new executives in an industry.The smarter executive knows it is just business. Get to know your competition.4. Start contacting all of your favorite companies and their competitorsUp until this point, you have several things going for youList of your skills and accomplishmentsBrainstormed list of favorite companies and the people who work thereList of competitors to your favorite companies and people who work thereNow, it is time to start contacting people. Go to LinkedIn and start messaging your connections.Target the proper people with your messages and let them know why you are writing.Avoid making these simple LinkedIn message mistakes. Be positive and engaging in comments always maintaining your executive presence.Clean up your LinkedIn profile to give it a digital executive presence, as well.5. Start making a record of the people and companies who engage with youIf you are spending all this time writing messages, do you re ally want to work with companies that never reply?When people are being responsive to your LinkedIn messages, it is a sign that they are interested in you in some way.Why chase people or companies that show no interest in you?Make a record of who engages most and stop engaging those who stay quiet on LinkedIn.6. Decide what company will eventually meet all of your needsFinally, decide what companies of interest will be able to provide what you need.Whether it be financial stability or work-life balance, make a decision based on the company that looks more willing to fight to keep you around.Once you have found the company that fulfills your needs, you are ready to make the next career move as an executive

Friday, December 20, 2019

Nurse Supervisor Job Description

Nurse teamberaterin Job DescriptionNurse Supervisor Job DescriptionNurse Supervisor Job DescriptionThis nurse 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.Nurse Supervisor Job ResponsibilitiesPromotes and restores patients health by developing day-to-day management and long-term planning of the patient care area directing and developing staff collaborating with physicians and multidisciplinary professional staffs providing physical and psychological support for patients, friends, and families.Nurse Supervisor Job DutiesAccomplishes nursing 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 nursing operational standards by contributing information to strategic plans and reviews implementing production, productivity, quality, and customer-service standards resolving problems identifying system improvements.Meets nursing financial standards by providing annual budget information monitoring expenditures identifying variances implementing corrective actions.Identifies patient service requirements by establishing personal rapport with potential and actual patients and other persons in a location to understand service requirements.Maintains nursing guidelines by writing and updating policies and procedures.Assures quality of care by developing and interpreting hospital and nursing divisions philosophies and standards of care enforcing adherence to state board of nursing and state nurse practice act requirements and to other governing agency regulations measuring health outcomes against standards making or recommending adjustments.Completes pa tient care requirements by scheduling and assigning nursing and staff following up on work results.Establishes a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families.Promotes patients independence by establishing patient care goals teaching and counseling patient, friends, and family and reinforcing their understanding of disease, medications, and self-care skills.Provides information to patients and health care team by answering questions and requests.Resolves patient needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies.Maintains safe and clean working environment by designing and implementing procedures, rules, and regulations calling for assistance from other health care professionals.Protects patients and employees by developing and interpreting infection-control policies and protocols enforcing medication administration, storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by monitoring confidential information processing.Maintains documentation of patient care services by auditing patient and department records.Ensures operation of medical and administrative equipment by verifying emergency equipment availability completing preventive maintenance requirements following manufacturers instructions troubleshooting malfunctions calling for repairs maintaining equipment inventories evaluating new equipment and techniques..Maintains nursing supplies inventory by studying usage reports identifying trends anticipating needed supplies approving requisitions and cost allocations.Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops reviewing professional publications establishing personal networks participating in professional societies.Maintains a cooperative relationship among health care teams by communicating information responding to requests building rapport participating in team problem-solving methods.Acc omplishes organization goals by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.Nurse Supervisor Skills and QualificationsJudgment, Supervision, Informing Others, Nursing Skills, Creating a Safe, Effective Environment, Hospital Environment, Medical Teamwork, Listening, Pain ManaEmployers Post a job in minutes to reach candidates everywhere. Job Seekers Search Nurse Supervisor Jobs and apply on now. Find out more about compensationSalary Negotiation Avoid the Peanut Butter ApproachSalary Negotiation Tips for EmployersSalary Calculator

Monday, December 16, 2019

The Hollywood Assistant Survival Guide

The Hollywood Assistant Survival GuideThe Hollywood Assistant Survival GuideWhen youre first starting out, perhaps one of the best jobs to get in the entertainment industry is a job as an assistant. Now, the outside world often refers to this position as a secretary because essentially, you will be doing just about everything that the typical secretary does. That includes answering phones, picking up the dry cleaning, fetching coffee or whatever else the babo might demand. Unfortunately, Hollywood is notorious when it comes to the treatment of its assistants. In fact there have even been a few movies made about it (e.g. Swimming with Sharks, Hijacking Hollywood, etc.). Most Hollywood executives and producers know that the job of being the lowly assistant is a high demand job that they can easily find a replacement for if the person sitting in the assistant chair cant hack it. Depending on whom you work for, the job can be high stress, all consuming and one that your friends and famil y will constantly wonder why you havent quit. Well, the fact is that being an assistant is almost like going to Hollywood School. Because assistants arent just secretaries theyre executives and producers in training. Most Hollywood bosses are smart enough to know this before hiring you which is why you dont see a huge number of career secretaries working in Hollywood. Because of the immense opportunity these positions hold, your boss might constantly berate, push and stretch your efforts up to and often past your breaking point. Many of them were assistants once themselves and although there is definitely a bit of I was treated like this, so I get to treat others like this going on, the fact is that many bosses will push their assistants as far as they can to make sure that they will make the best executives possible considering that many are promoted from within. So, how do you survive such a challenging work environment if you find yourself working for a Hollywood tyrant? Remembe r the following ten rules and you will enjoy your job that much mora. Never Bad Mouth Your Boss Its all too tempting to bad mouth a bad boss. But unless its only to a few close friends who will never say a korrekt about it, just dont do it. It will not only make you look petty and weak, it might very well find its way back to your boss. You never know where other peoples loyalties lie especially in Hollywood Make Your Boss Look Good Your job is simple make the boss look good. If you make your boss look good, you will be rewarded with a boss who respects you and is willing to help you out in your career efforts. Dont Take it Personally Many Hollywood bosses just love to scream. Its in their nature and theres nothing you can do about it. Sometimes it may not have anything to do with the pressures of the job they might just be a jerk. So, the secret to your not wanting to go home crying every night is to not take whatever they say personally. Take up yoga, find a bunch o f great funny movies, anything you can to keep the events of the day from weighing on you after you get home. Be Available Some say its a bad precedent to set, but if you make yourself 100% available to your boss, you will soon find a boss that is more willing to care about your needs down the line. Dont Expect Praise Unfortunately, most Hollywood bosses wont say anything until you do something wrong. Until that occurs, they literally expect perfection on everything from rolling calls to typing up a memo. Everything you do reflects on them so really, youre nothing more than an extension of your boss so why would they praise a part of themselves? Dont expect to ever be praised for your job and if you do happen to receive it youll appreciate it that much more. Dont Give In Remember this if nothing else at the end of the day, its just a job. The worst thing that can happen to you is to get fired. So, unless your boss if physically assaulting you in some way, learn to let the yelling and stress roll off your back. Assistants who manage to stay the course for 2-3 years are often richly rewarded with a lucrative career in management, development, producing and many other venues. Assistants who put up with their bosses crap can sometimes (ironically) achieve their respect. Truth vs. Lies In the movie Glen Gary Glen Ross there is the line tell the truth its the easiest thing to remember. When working with a high-level boss, lying about a problem might get you into bigger trouble then you might already be. Take your licks and stay truthful and youll never have to worry about which lies you need to cover. Pick Your Battles There will come a time when you have been legitimately wronged. That could be the boss taking credit for your work or some other atrocity. Depending on the nature and most importantly, the severity of the situation, determine whether or not its something deserving of your full attention. If its not something you feel you can liv e with then start by confronting your boss. If you cant work it out with him/her then move up the ladder until the issue is resolved. Understand, however, that the higher and more public you make the issue, the more likely it might negatively affect you as well. Remember That Youre the Gatekeeper One thing to always remember with this position is that you are your bosss gatekeeper. No one can speak with your boss until you put the call through. Most Hollywood executives know this and will be nice to you to make sure their calls get returned. Dont take this position lightly. Be diligent to protect your boss against callers whom they dont want to speak with. Watch and listen to those callers that your boss deems a priority and those people he prefers to avoid. Learn All You Can Remember why youre there. Its not because you really enjoy getting the bosss coffee or walking his dog, youre there to learn. So learn everything you can about what your boss does. What do the other peo ple in the department do? What will your boss be willing to teach you? Learn the names of everyone your boss is calling and whos calling him. Find out what their titles are and what they do. They might just come in handy for your own efforts someday. Being an assistant in Hollywood is no easy task. There are bosses who scream at, throw things, berate or just love to outright humiliate underlings. But in the end, the road can lead to fun, lucrative positions in a wide variety of avenues. Learn all you can and you might just find yourself in a position with your own assistant one day

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

US Military Fitness Test Requirements

US Military Fitness Test RequirementsUS Military Fitness Test RequirementsIf you are thinking of joining the United States Military, you will have to take a fitness test to enter, as well as every six months once you have completed your basic training and are serving in your military job. There are five branches of the military - each with similar but different fitness tests and standards. There are also many ways to join as anofficer or enlisted personnel. Below is the list of the regular military fitness tests and the basic requirements for new recruits and officers seeking entrance into the military. kriegsmarine Corps The Marines have arguably the most difficult fitness test as it requires Marines to run an additional mile and do pull-ups. The USMC physical fitness testrequirements are crunches for 2 minutes, pull-ups to the maximum repetition, and a 3-mile run. The Marines fitness testing is undergoing changes and starting to add push-ups as part of the PFT. A Marine can op t out of pull-ups and choose push-ups but only receive 70 percent of the maximum score by replacing the pull-up event with push-ups. For instance, if a new Marine maxes out the pull-ups (23), s/he will get 100 points. If the Marine maxes out the push-ups (87), the Marine only gets 70 points. The maximum score for the USMC PFT is 300. Army Next on the list of physical fitness testdifficulty is the Army PFT. The Army PFT consists of the following exercises 2-minutes of push-ups, 2-minutes of sit-ups, and a 2-mile timed run. In accordance with AR 350-1, soldiers have to pass the APFT by scoring at least 60 points on each event and an overall score of at least 180 points. Soldiers in Basic Combat Training (BCT) must attain 50 points in each event and an overall score of 150 points. The maximum score a Soldier can attain on the APFT is 300 points. Navy The Navy allows its active duty sailors to choose between the 1.5-mile run or 500yd or 450m swim in the Navy Physical Readiness Test. However, if you are attending boot camp or the Naval Academy or any Navy ROTC program, you must run as the swim is notlage an option until you have graduated from your basic training or officer training program. The Navy Physical Fitness Test consists of 2-minute push-ups, 2-minute sit-ups, and 1.5-mile run or 500yd/450m swim. Air Force Recently overhaulingtheir fitness standards (2013), the Air Force Physical Fitness Testrequires the following exercises push-ups 1 min, sit-ups 1 min, and a 1.5-mile timed run. Though the Air Force calls their abdominal exercise sit-ups, they are actually crunches, if you define sit-ups as placing inter-locked hands behind your head. The Air Force sit-up is the same exercise as the Navy crunch. Coast Guard The Coast Guard Fitness Assessment requires the member to be tested in the following events 1 minute of push-ups, 1-minute of curl-ups or sit-ups, and a 1.5-mile run. The one minute test is one of the differences, but the option to d o curl-ups (crunches) versus sit-ups (with hands cupped behind the ears) is the other difference in exercises being tested in the Coast Guard. Service Academy Fitness Assessment (CFA) The Service Academies of the Air Force (USAFA), Navy (USNA), Army (USMA), and the Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) use the Candidate Fitness Assessment as their entrance exam. The test is very different from any of the active duty military physical fitness tests and consists of the following Kneeling Basketball ThrowCadence Pull-Ups120 ft. Shuttle-RunCrunches 100Push-Ups 1001-Mile Run The major difference between this fitness test and other PRTs in the military is the use of the shuttle run and the kneeling basketball throw. The good berichterstattung for the multiple service academy applicant is that you only have to take the test once for any of the academies that use this test. The service academies are highly competitive and it behooves the applicant to score the maximum possible on these tests. Sit-ups, Curl-ups, and Crunches Differences You will see the terms sit-ups and crunches. They are similar core testing exercises but they are different how they are performed and counted. The sit-ups requirethe Army soldier to lock the hands behind the head and sit-up to bring the elbows to touch the knees of bent legs. The Crunch requires the sailor or airman to cross the arms over the chest and sit-up to touch the elbows to the legs (between knees/thighs). Curl-ups are synonymouswith crunches. The Coast Guard sit-up option requires the hands to be cupped behind the ears instead of interlocked behind the head as in the Army.

Friday, December 6, 2019

A Fools Handbook to Summa Cum Laude Resume

A Fools Handbook to Summa Cum Laude Resume The Lost Secret of Summa Cum Laude Resume In case you have any certifications pertinent to the job, be certain to add them alongside your degrees. Alas, many job applicants dont provide that very same degree of care to their education section. Make certain that you choose courses that are related to the job for which youre applying. In some instances, students also have to be nominated by professors or fellow students. Choosing Summa Cum Laude Resume Is Simple The maximum honor distinction is, in the majority of circumstances, reserved for people truly unmatched in academic pursuits. It should give the reader a thorough understanding of what you would like. If you may add 2 or 3 to each experience, then youll demonstrate that youre a goal-oriented individual. Express your eagerness to meet up with the reader. Cum laudeis a phrase used mainly in the USA, though its found in different nations too. The examples above demonstrate that it is possible to write cum laude on your resume in lots of ways. I am quite happy with my resume and Dee is superb A keynote speaker and refreshments emphasize the program held annually in April. When employers review your resume, they need to be able to work out quickly what you did at a specific job. The applicant also demonstrates they can deal with the pressure of being responsible for a substantial budget. Your experience for a cashier at Burger King isnt likely to assist you in getting work at an IT consulting firm. If youre asking for work at a law firm, ensure it remains formal. The distinction is the most common in the USA, but occasionally appears in different nations also. Its unlikely you are going to have an honors section specializing in school achievements. Although Latin honors are very typical in the USA, very few different nations around the world use the ordnungsprinzip. In different fields, academic honors might be less crucial to success. Lif e, Death and Summa Cum Laude Resume However as a way to reach it, I will need to essentially become straight As this semester. The range of honors to be awarded in any parteicular year is often capped so the system isnt going to be cheapened by means of an excess of recognized students. Students entering and completing another baccalaureate program following completion of the primary degree are entitled to obtain the honors designation. You are here because youre the best the ideal edition of yourself and nobody else. Definitions of Summa Cum Laude Resume The proportional length of each work description is critical. Youre going to want to tailor your resume to the work description. Be sure that your resume works effectively via email and on the internet together with top paper and on a cell device. Then take a look at work description. Summa Cum Laude Resume Secrets Bear in mind, your resume or CV should emphasize your individual strengths. Every one of the statements lis ted below are essential aspects you need to consider when choosing the perfect support. You might decide to incorporate this section if you possess any extra experiences related to your field of study, or in the event you want to showcase a crucial component of who you are. Therefore dont be shocked if you discover lots of the identical information listed for both resumes and CVs The Dirty Truth About Summa Cum Laude Resume If youre a seasoned professional, set your professional work history section prior to your education. By writing an ideal student resume. If youre just emerging from graduate school, your school research experience could possibly be the very first and biggest item, but nevertheless, it shouldnt be the just one. For more information about how to structure a graduate school resume, have a look at our guide on the best way to compose a graduate school resume. If youre suspected of attempting to mislead, it is going to be bad for you. Even for those who hav e zero experience under your belt, there are those around wholl be happy to employ you. Theres not any reason to feel intimidated. Never quit pushing yourself. The Downside Risk of Summa Cum Laude Resume The Honors College Student Advisory Council provides a select group of student leaders a chance to earn a true effect on the Honors College Student Advisory Council provides a select group of student leaders a chance to generate a real effect on the Honors College. Some programs might also need eligible students to compose an honors thesis or take part in an advanced seminar or sequence of honors courses so as to prove their worthiness. It might be possible, as an example, to discover Latin honors in middle and high schools, along with in some graduate programs. All you need to do is write in the credits you did figure out how to get. The Tried and True Method for Summa Cum Laude Resume in Step by Step Detail Total information regarding commencement can be found at the beg inning web website. Resumes are just a page in length (if you dont own a range of years of experience in a specific field), and space is at a premium. The format of your resume will heavily are based on the information that you need to work with. Offer to offer an impressive reference. A History of Summa Cum Laude Resume Refuted Below is a concise breakdown of the sorts of sections you may include on your resume. Your work experience will probably be among the longest sections on your resume. Seriously, all you have to do is take another look at the examples in the former section, and decide on the format you find to your liking. Be certain to include a succinct explanation on any awards or distinctions that arent familiar to the majority of readers. There arent any firm boundaries or rules about whos eligible and whos not, and therefore, the award can mean slightly different things in various places. Your resume should give them a very clear response to that question.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Does the State You Live in Affect the Kind of Job Seeker You Are [Infographic]

Does the State You Live in Affect the Kind of Job Seeker You Are Infographic Back in late January, we posted an infographic from personality assessment and career test providersTruity Psychometricsthat explored howpeoples personalities may play a role in their career paths. Now, Truity offers another infographic, one that dives into how the state a person lives in may shape their personality. Is there any truth to the stereotypes of the hospitable Southerner, the plainspoken Midwesterner, the flighty Californian? asks the infographic?The infographic sorts the people of each state into five categoriesThe Producers Hailing from states as diverse as Texas, Washington, New Jersey, and Wisconsin, among others, the producers are hardworking, no-nonsense folks who enjoy the company of others.The Open MindsThese intellectuals, who have strongpredilections for the arts and sciences, are spread across Ameri ca, popping up in Alaska, California, New York, and a host of other states.The CriticsThe brash and tough-minded, debate-loving critic can be found in Pennsylvania, Iowa, Illinois, and a few other places.The CharactersThe members of this complex bunch are independent-minded people who buck conventions. Employers can find them in Delaware, Kentucky, and Vermont.The Friendly ConservativesThink salt of the earth. The friendly conservative takes pride in their community, says whats on their mind (warmly, of course), and lives in one of the two Dakotas.If youre an employer, you may want to take a look at this infographic to find out where you should focus your recruiting efforts. Looking for arts-minded intellectuals? Track down talent in the open-minded states. Need people who wont shy away from a challenge? The critics are yourdream candidates.Likewise, if youre a job seeker, you may want to use this infographic to help you figure out what kind of career path you want. Do you fit in wi th your states overall personality traits, as delineated by Truity? Then you may want to seek out career opportunities that will help you make the most of your character.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Professional Portfolio Essentials

Professional Portfolio EssentialsProfessional Portfolio EssentialsCreating and maintaining a professional portfolio is part of the price of admission to the creative industry whether youre seeking an in-house role, agency job or running a freelance business. But what exactly do you need, and what format is right for you? Heres a quick QA.What is a professional portfolio?Whether its digital or print, your professional portfolio is essentially a collection of work samples that demonstrate your creative skills. Think of it as a visual resume that communicates the message I have done great creative work for others and I can do the same for you.Who needs a professional portfolio?Anyone who wants to work as a creative professional, including graphic designers, web designers, UX designers, copywriters, marketing communications professionals and multimedia experts.Should I have a digital portfolio?Yes Every creative professional should at least have a digital portfolio of some kind. Agency o wners and hiring managers often surf online portfolios as their first step when determining which candidates to contact for interviews. If you want to be on their radar, youll need a digital portfolio. You can post one on your website or use sites like Behance, Coroflot or Carbonmade to get up and running quickly.A well-optimized digital portfolio lets you share samples with anyone, anywhere, which can be a great time-saver when youre talking to potential clients or employers. It also helps you to pre-qualify prospects so you waste less time talking to people who arent a good fit for you. Some portfolio apps and websites also let you tailor what you show depending on the situation or the prospects needs.SEARCH OPEN JOBSDo I also need a printed portfolio?While digital portfolios are versatile and inexpensive, its sometimes easier to communicate your skills by sharing a tangible item that the would-be client or employer can hold in their hands. Consider having a printed portfolio in a ddition to your digital presence if one or mora of the following apply to youYou frequently present samples to more than one person during face-to-face meetingsYou regularly work in a larger format than the size of a laptop or iPad screenYou want to show fine photographic detailYour work is three-dimensional, such as packagingYour samples feature specialty folding, die-cutting, pop-ups or other custom paper treatmentsYour samples use elements that dont display well on computer screens, such as metallic or neon colors, reflective surfaces and varnishes.How many pieces should I include in my professional portfolio?A safe range is eight to 12 samples. Aim to show the breadth of your abilities with as few samples as possible, so choose carefully from the best pieces you have. If there is something in your portfolio you dont love, leave it out. Its important to self-audit and be sure that your professional portfolio represents your best work and clearly demonstrates the type of skill the client or employer is looking for. Some creatives maintain a larger secondary portfolio in Evernote or a similar tool. That way you can quickly access two or three appropriate selections when a client says, We like what we see in your portfolio, but have you ever done X?And heres a quick bonus tip for copywriters Be sure to include work samples that your design colleagues have done an excellent job with. A little visual appeal makes your work more than just a wall of words. If possible, use pieces featuring a variety of design styles to reinforce your versatility as a copywriter.How often should I update my professional portfolio?Whether its digital or physical, youll want to update your portfolio regularly to keep it fresh. Theres no hard and fast rule, but looking things over at least once a quarter is a good general practice. Any time you complete a project that youre really proud of, consider adding it to your portfolio sooner rather than later. Youll also want to rotate out an y samples that are becoming stale or dated. Looking for creative work? You can create your own digital portfolio on The Creative Group website. If youre not yet a TCG candidate, simply submit your resume to get started.

Friday, November 22, 2019

ASMEs New President Said Jahanmir Discusses Goals for FY19 at...

ASMEs New President Said Jahanmir Discusses Goals for FY19 at... ASMEs New President Said Jahanmir Discusses Goals for FY19 at... ASMEs New President Said Jahanmir Discusses Goals for FY19 at Presidents DinnerJune 15, 2018 Said Jahanmir, ASMEs new president, outlined his goals for his term as ASMEs 137th president during the Presidents Dinner on June 5 at the ASME Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia.During his inaugural address at the ASME Annual Meeting Presidents Dinner on June 5 in Vancouver, Canada, ASMEs new President Said Jahanmir discussed his goals for his yearlong term, which include increasing the number of active members, especially early career engineers and students, and motivating staff and volunteers to develop genuine collaboration and partnerships. Cultivating an active and motivated membership base is essential to ensure the continued success of the Society and appealing to the rising generation of engineers is necessary for that to happen, Dr. Jahanmir said. We must attract and retain students and early career engineers and capture their energy, creativity and passion, he said. In order to do this, he continued, we need to have a clear value proposition that includes new programs and services. We should provide what members, and particularly younger members, need for their professional growth, for example professional development and leadership training. ASMEs immediate Past President Charla Wise passed the presidential gavel to ASME President Said Jahanmir during the Presidents Dinner.In addition, Jahanmir said, it is also imperative that we strive for increased diversity and inclusion, notlage only in ASME, but also in our profession keeping in mind that diversity is a major contributor to our success as engineers and to finding innovative solutions.On the subject of volunteer and staff collaboration, Jahanmir noted that the ASME structure and culture have always been based on a close partnership between staff and volunteers. We need to nurture this relationship and make it more seamless. Charla Wise, ASMEs immediate past president, reflected on the past year during her speech at the Presidents Dinner.As his address drew to a close, Jahanmir expressed optimism for ASMEs future. I am convinced that we have a great path for future, he said. I look forward to the opportunity of serving as your president and setting the stage for this great Society to achieve its true potential and serve humanity by improving the quality of life worldwide.Earlier in the program, ASMEs new Immediate Past President Charla Wise reflected on high points of the term over which she had just presided, including the continued implementation of ASMEs new strategy, the creation of the new Group Engagement Committee, the selection of Thomas Costabile as ASMEs new executive director, and the annahme an kindes statt of the new Integrated Operating Plan, which set budgets and targets for ASME staff and volunteers of the segments, divisio ns, councils and sections. (Left to right) ASME Executive Director Thomas Costabile, ASME President-Nominee Richard Laudenat, ASME President Said Jahanmir, and ASME immediate Past President Charla Wise at the Presidents Dinner in Vancouver. We have just begun the evolution of ASME, Wise said. A year ago, I said that my theme for this year would be Continuity, as we move forward, together. I have said it many times and continue to believe it. This is the answer to ensuring a healthy and robust organization. Thats the beauty of ASMEs strategy that the Board has been working on for several years. It brings us continuity as we look to the future. It helps us move forward toward achieving our mission by having clear goals. It brings us all together.Wise challenged the ASME members in the audience to DARE to create the future D Disseminate ASMEs technical knowledge and solutions A Advance and apply engineering knowledge for improving the quality of life R Recognize each others accom plishments and achievements and E Excite the next generation engineers. We must DARE to create the future because we are leading the charge and we have the knowledge, expertise and commitment to make this world a better place, Wise said.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Bookstore Basics - Marketing and Merchandising

Bookstore Basics - Marketing and MerchandisingBookstore Basics - Marketing and MerchandisingLike any other bricks-and-mortar retailer in this increasingly digital world, bookstores need to need to aggressively market themselves as well as their wares. From bags to blogs to book signings, these promotional tactics can work effectively to attract and maintain a loyal clientele. Bags Bookstore bags, printed with the stores personenname and/or logo and location are pretty much retail 101.When a consumer leaves with a bag, it becomes a promotional vehicle for the store - which is something to keep that in mind when it commissioning a design. Bags dont need to be expensive, but as they do cost money, they should work to appropriately present and remind folks of the store and its image. Bookmarks Like bags, bookmarks serve a business card-like purpose for their stores, listing address, store hours, website, etc. every time a customer uses one and print readers still do, very much it reminds him of the store. Also, like bags, bookmarks should reflect the stores brand with not only its logo but with its ambiance of the store. For example, quirky Bienville Books bookmark shows an alligator swamped in the foreground with the city buildings of Mobile, Ala. in the background. Website Stores need websites, period. At the very least, the site should list all the pertinent retail information location (with a link to directions), hours, email address, and phone number. The best websites make sure this information is on every page so that a potential customer doesnt have to work to find it. The website may or may not include a blog (landsee below). A facebook inc page is a good secondary web presence, but you should have a website with a store-specific URL, to ensure you show up in Google and other search engines and maps. There are a lot of easy-to-use publishing platforms out there now, but it might be worth hiring a designer to give the site an appealing look thats also user-friendly. Blog Blog posts are great for announcing events (and posting pictures afterward), arrivals of new titles or merchandise, or any other news. However, blogs are a commitment - one without constantly new content or with outdated content (seriously still hawking holiday books in March?) makes a store seem dull, dusty and amateurish. Luckily, blog software is pretty simple nowadays, make refreshing content pretty simple. But if you dont want to do it, make one of your employees responsible for the blog. Newsletter Newsletters are a good vehicle to alert customers about author readings and signings and other store events and to highlight recommended books in various categories, like general fiction or specific genres (mystery, romance, cooking, kids, etc.) Store newsletters can appear in a number of formats a one-sheet piece or a multi-page, newspaper-like publication. Like blogs, newsletters need content and tend to become their animals, so its advisa ble for a bookseller starting a newsletter to create a template, format, and schedule, then assign staff adequate time and deadlines to help fill the piece. Email newsletters should be mora newsy Short and sweet, serving as event reminders rather than substituting for hard-copy pieces for in-store use. Book Display In-store visual merchandising is critical for any retailer, of course. Book placement, seasonal book promotions, book displays by subject or category, placing impulse buys at the cash register or along the check-out lines - all this can help upsell the book buyer. Even whether a book is displayed face-up or spine out can have an impact. Signings and In-Store Events Geared to sell a particular book or books by one author, readings and signings bring people in the door- and more people mean more book (and cappuccino) sales. They also create a festive atmosphere, often attracting casual browsers and passers-by. Besides specific evens, participation in events like In dependent Bookstore Day help promotes the overall store. Shelf-Talkers These pieces of cardboard that hang off the shelf can call attention to books for a variety of reasons. Whether theyre allowing the staff to wax poetic in a favorite reading experience (see Staff Picks, below), or alert a consumer to a regional bestseller or a good reading group pick, shelf-talkers are inexpensive, but ingratiating, ways to highlight book choices. Staff Picks Where hand-selling meets word-of-mouth a thoughtfully-written, heartfelt, and sincere Staff Recommends or Staff Pick can entice a prospective reader to look twice - and maybe buy - a recommended book. These can come in the form of a shelf-talker positioned near the book, or grouped regularly in a monthly or seasonal newsletter. Store-Branded Merchandise T-shirts, mugs, re-useable book totes These items serve the dual purpose of promoting the store while bringing in a bit of revenue. Design counts something unique and a book- o r reader-centric sells better than a generic store-branded item. Pricing the merchandise depends on which side of the merchandise /promotional line you see the items falling. Bookstores with a large and avid fan base or that attract a lot of visitors or tourists areas might want to price the items more in line with the souvenirs in the area for maximum profit, while other stores might want to price the merchandise more as a loss leader, to maximize the local promotional value.