5 Steps to Owning a Solid Online Reputation

5 Steps to Owning a Solid Online Reputation We live in a world where your online reputation can literally make or break your career. Success and opportunity is no longer based on who you know but much more on whom knows you. Googling someone is standard practice. We all do it, and what shows up strongly influences the decisions we make about others: Should I hire this person? Is he the right match for our team? Should I date her? Research shows that over 1.5 billion names are being Googled every day!  Therefore, it goes without saying that you are being googled by others on a regular basis, perhaps right now! How do you show up on Google? What are people actually seeing about you when they search for you online? Search results for your name can be categorized in the following ways: Digitally Disguised   Nothing shows up when someone searches for you online. You essentially dont exist! Sad, but true. Digitally Dissed   You exist on the web but not on page one.  Even if you show up on page 2 or 3 of search results, you might as well be invisible as most people do not go past page 1 to find information about you. Digitally Disastrous   A lot of information does show up for your name, but it is either negative or worse yet about someone with a bad reputation or criminal record who happens to have the same name as you! Digitally Dabbling   There are some on-brand results for you and it accurately reflects who you are, but more information is needed to truly compel others to engage and do business with you. Digitally Distinct   This is where you want to be. There is a lot of relevant information about you on page one of search results and beyond. You are sending out the right message and even others are talking about you online building your visibility and credibility. Over 75% of US adults feel that they are not accurately represented on their search results clearly the need to be more proactive in managing our online reputations is required. How to proactively build a good online rep: Follow these 5 steps to proactively build a good rep online (even if you have a bad rap!): 1) Be content with content: (Yes, the stress goes on the second syllable in the first content!) One of the best ways to make sure accurate, positive, and credible information shows up online about you is to actively generate new content on a regular basis. Share your thought leadership and expertise by starting your own blog, guest blogging for others, posting comments on LinkedIn groups, etc. As a blogger you have complete control over all the content your publish which translates immediately into complete control over your online identity. 2) Set up Google Authorship: Creating content is one thing, but ensuring your authorship for this content is vital. Google allows you to verify your authorship to the content that shows up on Google search. Essentially what this does is link your content to your Google+ Profile. This means that your profile photo appears alongside search results attributed to you as all as a link to more content from you as the author. Even if you have zero interest in Google+, set up a G+ profile and link it to the content you create. This is one of the simplest and most overlooked ways to build your online reputation. To learn how to set up Google authorship  click here. 3) Set up Google Alerts: A fast and easy way to find out what is showing up online about you is to let Google tell you! By setting up Google alerts for your name, Google will email you on a regular basis every time you show up in search results. One thing to make sure to do is request Google to check all results and not just only the best results. This will ensure that anything and everything with your name will be monitored and reported back to you. RELATED:  How To Use  Google Alerts  for a Live Job Search 4) Choose your profiles wisely: Having an online presence in social media is a great way to increase your online reputation, but with so many networks out there it can be a challenge figuring out which one is best for your needs. One place you need to have a presence is on LinkedIn it  ranks higher than all other social networks on the first page of Google search results. Keep in mind that simply opening a LinkedIn page for Google ranking and leaving it blank can actually be damaging to your reputation. Take the time to create a complete LinkedIn profile with the branded presence that compels people to connect with you. READ MORE:  How to Create the Perfect  LinkedIn Profile 5) Manage your rep: Your online reputation is a living, growing creature. Simply doing the 4 steps above and expecting to be digitally distinct forever is a recipe for failure. Eventually, your good rep might disappear. Managing your reputation with a handful of different online reputation management tools will ensure you will not be digitally dissed, disastrous, or disguised. Three leading tools I often recommend include Brandyourself.com, Vizibility.com, and Reputation.com. Each one offers a variety of services, free and paid, to meet your needs. The key here is to take ownership in managing your online presence all of the time. Even a small investment upfront in a reputation management tool can save you more than just money down the road. Any other tips? Let us know in the comments below!

How to Power Nap During Your Work Day - CareerMetis.com

How to Power Nap During Your Work Day Source : Pixabay.comWe’ve all experienced the dreaded afternoon slump. A few minutes or a couple of hours after lunch, you start feeling sluggish, unable to focus on work. Words and numbers start swirling around, and your eyes begin to feel heavy. This is your body telling you that you need a nap â€" a power nap.How long should your power nap be?Experts suggest a shuteye no longer than 30 minutes. Nap longer than that and you risk entering a deep sleep stage, which can make you groggy upon waking up. For many, a power nap of 10 to 20 minutes is enough to recharge their bodies and refresh their minds.evalLet’s take a closer look at the benefits of taking a power nap and how to incorporate it into your work day.The case for napping at workevalIn some cultures, napping during the day is an accepted and even encouraged part of daily life. The Spanish take asiestaafter the midday meal.A study done by the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians showed that a 30-minute nap after lunc h can help in improving memory and alertness as well as in reducing stress.The Japanese also take work day naps seriously, and even have a word for sleeping at work. “Inemuri,” which when translated roughly means “sleeping while present.” In most other countries however, sleeping on the job â€" or simply being drowsy on the desk â€" is often taken as a sign of laziness and weakness, of poor time management, of the inability to cope with the demands of work.In the American culture for example, people believe that productivity is a result of effort â€" work hard enough and you will become productive. However, according to psychologist Ron Friedman, the reality is that humans have a biological or innate need to rest, the same as our need for food and water.Fortunately, recent studies are now showing how restorative napping can be.evalPower napping during the work day has been found to improve performanceand increase productivity, prompting companies to put on-the-job snoozing i n a more positive light.Companies such as Google, Nike, Zappos and Huffington Post even have designated rooms for sleeping. By being open to the idea that a power nap can contribute to increased productivity, these companies are now starting to eliminate the stigma around napping at work.Let’s hope that other companies would soon follow suit.Is napping during the day necessary?No, but there are cases when taking a power nap can help improve performance.evalFor example, if extreme drowsiness is preventing you from focusing on a really important task, then it makes sense to get a few minutes of shuteye.According to medical professionals, humans have a natural tendency to get drowsy in the afternoon â€" it’s part of our circadian rhythm. This feeling of midday fatigue can be worsened by poor quality sleep at night. This means that if you don’t get enough nighttime sleep, feeling drowsy during midday or the early afternoon is a more likely occurrence.On the other hand, if you get enough sleep at night, you’re less likely to itch for a nap during work hours.Benefits of a power nap at workRestoration of energy levelsIncrease in staminaSharpened motor skillsA reduction in stress levelsIncreased productivityImproved memory recallBetter emotional controlHigher level of alertnessImproved concentration and cognitive performanceHow to power nap at work1. Look for a quiet and private spotPower napping at work is a practice that has not yet been widely embraced by most companies, so if your office doesn’t have a designated “nap room,” it’s up to you to find a place where you can doze off undisturbed.The space you choose should be isolated so you don’t get woken up by people passing by, and it should be relaxing so that it won’t be hard for you to fall asleep. It can be your own private office, a conference room that’s not being used, a nearby library or in your parked car.2. Try to fall asleep quicklyThe sooner you fall asleep, the faster your body can recharge. Some people find it easy to fall asleep as soon as they close their eyes, while others need a little more time before they can really let their body relax.If it takes a bit of time for you to fall asleep, try wearing an eye or sleep mask and ear plugs to block out the brightness and noise from your surroundings. You can also put earphones on and listen to white noiseor soothing music to mask distracting sounds.3. Turn power napping into a routineLike sleeping at night, it’s important to establish a napping routine at work. Nap at the same time and at the same place while listening to the same audio to train your body to rest in the middle of the day. Over time, this routine will make it easier for you to get your midday zzz’s in.4. Put together an office napping kitFrom jackets with inflatable hoods to sleep pods, we are now seeing a wide variety of products being marketed as accessories that make napping at work more enjoyable. But you don’t really have to spend mu ch, if at all, on an office napping kit.evalYou just need to make sure you have something comfortable to sleep on (like an ergonomic chair), something to support your head and neck (like an inflatable neck pillow), something that makes it easier for you to sleep (like a travel blanket or oversized sweater) and something to block the light and control the noise.5. Get your boss on your sidePerhaps the best thing you can do to really enjoy a power nap at work is to have the go signal from your boss. Not only that, it would be great if you and your workmates are able to convince management of the benefits of sleeping breaks, which can lead to your very own in-office napping facilities.Many companies already have wellness programs in place, so it’s just a matter of presenting managers with hard scientific data about how naps help in making people perform better and become more productive. Cite how the biggest corporations in the world have embraced power naps, and your pitch may just earn you the nod to nod off at work.

Making the switch - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Making the switch - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Im writing this blogpost on my laptop in the Firefox browser as usual, but this time ITS RUNNING ON LINUX. Penguins rejoice! Ive been wanting to install linux on my laptop for a while because lately its been running slower and slower a typical syndrome for PCs running Windows. All the usual windows remedies gave only short term improvements. So friday I installed Ubuntu Linux (probably the most user friendly and easily installed flavour of Linux), and Ive spent the weekend trying it out and getting stuff to work. The installation was really easy once I figured out how to install it on my laptop which doesnt have a CD-rom drive. Importantly, all the major stuff worked right after installation and the Ubuntu installer correctly recognized and configured my hard disk, keyboard, trackpad, wifi, etc A few things didnt work or werent installed by default, and in each of those cases, Ive been able to find excellent online resources giving step-by-step instructions. Some major victories: * Getting my online bank to work * Getting my Palm Treo to sync with the Evolution calendar application included * Migrating all my mails and bookmarks from Windows Woo-hoo :o) My overall impression is paradoxical: Windows XP Professional Edition which Ive been running so far is made by a huge, succesful corporation and sells for a lot of money. Linux is made by passionate amateurs and professionals around the world, loosely organized in an open source Community. The version Im using is not only free, they actually go to considerable lengths to give it away, eg. by mailing people free install CDs. And yet Ubuntu Linux feels like a more professional, finished and complete product than Windows XP, which has always struck me as half-baked. There are solid practical reasons why I think Linux is preferable to Windows: * Price/value Hey, its free and just as good (at least) * Free appplications Ubuntu comes with the Openoffice.org office suite and many other great applications. * Speed/performance Applications run faster than on Windows * Security Linux is less vulnerable to viruses, adware and other attacks than Windows * Stability Windows is famous for crashing or needing rebooting often. Linux is famous for being stable. Also, there are two fluffier reasons for me to choose Linux: * Ideology Ubuntu Linux is committed to an ideology which is Free Software. This is free as in freedom not free as in gratis, meaning: * The freedom to run the program, for any purpose. * The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs. * The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others. * The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that everyone benefits. Microsoft on the other hand is comitted to Microsoft. Time and again they make business and technology decisions that clearly favour their bottom line rather than their customers. I dont blaiming them, most businesses (but not all) choose this approach. Its just not a philosophy I favour or want to support more than I absolutely have to. Does values and philosophy matter when choosing products? It does to me, and while the Free Software philosophy doesnt make the product any more useful to me, I believe that these principles will create better IT solutions for all of us. * Technology base Linux has a better technological base than Windows quite simply, its built on a better foundation. Again, this may not make much of a difference for me here and now, but in the long run it definitely pays to build on solid ground. PS. Mygdal suggested I should switch to Apple, but while the Apple OS is certainly a better product than Windows, Apple falls short on values. Apple is Microsoft with better design. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

What You Need To Know About A Freelance Graphic Designer Resume

What You Need To Know About A Freelance Graphic Designer ResumeFreelance graphic designers may be thinking of including a resume with their work. Resumes for freelance graphic designers are the same as resumes for any other type of designer. As the job market for designers continues to grow, the number of freelance designers seeking resumes is expected to increase as well.You need to be able to present your freelance graphic designer resume in a way that will best draw attention to your skills you have for developing graphic designs. The best way to do this is to include your job objectives and details of your previous work history. You should also mention any special skills you have, such as knowledge of computer software and programs, programming skills, knowledge of web design, or other expertise you possess. It is important to be specific in describing the most important qualities you possess.When it comes to your resume, you want to make sure it reflects the type of work you wil l be doing for the target audience. This means that while you may think of yourself as a freelance graphic designer, your resume should highlight your experience and skills related to creating magazines, brochures, posters, or other printed material. If you have designed ads for commercial ventures, then you want to make sure that your resume includes examples of these items. Your resume should not only reflect what your skills are, but it should also highlight your abilities to achieve the goals you have set out to accomplish and provide your objectives as the steps you are taking to reach your goals.If you are applying for a position where you will have the ability to produce graphic design in house, you will want to include several samples of your past work. You can use them to put together a short portfolio. This will allow the hiring manager to see exactly what type of projects you have completed. They will also have an idea of what kind of projects you can complete if you were hired for the position.Ifyou are a freelance graphic designer, you will want to be able to explain the steps you take to complete your design assignments. This includes explaining what materials you use, how you create them, and the results of the projects you complete. You will want to mention the name of any sub-contractors you used, how many pages were produced by them, and how much the project cost.Freelance graphic designer resumes should also include references. A reference list is helpful because this list can include everyone you worked with when you were designing the graphics for a project. If you are working with another company while you are preparing your resume, this list can provide references to that company that can help with your success.If you are applying for a position as a freelance graphic designer, it is a good idea to include information about your education. If you are currently in school, this can provide you with more options. A graphic design degree wil l give you additional qualifications. If you are not currently in school, you should make sure that the company you are applying for has sufficient experience to offer you employment.As you can see, a freelance graphic designer resume should have some key components. Freelance graphic designers should include details of their prior work history, plus details of their qualifications and their capabilities. They should provide references and be detailed in explaining the steps they take to complete their design assignments.

Writing An Objective For A Nursing Resume Examples

Writing An Objective For A Nursing Resume ExamplesWriting an objective for a nursing resume is crucial. This is one of the essential components that employers look at in determining whether or not you have what it takes to work in their company. Your objective should show employers that you can use the nursing field as a stepping stone to a career that allows you to make a difference and not just focus on taking care of your patients. The objective can also help you get the attention of recruiters, especially if you are having a hard time getting job interviews.A nursing objective is pretty easy to write, but some resume examples may not be able to get across the point you are trying to make. To make sure that your objective stands out from the rest, you may want to consider writing it at a lengthier and more concise level. In order to do this, you will need to consider the types of objective that are commonly used. Here are a few of the different types.Medically Related Objective: T his objective is used when you are describing your experience working in a hospital setting that focuses on the medical care and other benefits that come with being a nurse. Since you will be providing medical care for the majority of the patients, this type of objective is very important to mention. It should also contain information about the skill sets that you bring to the job, including your clinical skills, communication skills, and work ethics.Standard Objective: A standard objective is just like a standard job description. It is focused on making a note of your work experience in the past. Most employers prefer this type of objective, as it displays your general experience that will make you look more competent and trustworthy to the employer. It does not require you to list the specific duties you performed in the past.Student Objective: This objective is very similar to a standard objective. The only difference is that the student objective contains information on how many years you have been in school. Some employers believe that this objective shows the importance of your education, which can benefit you when looking for a job.Certification Objective: If you have completed a specific type of nursing degree or certification, you will find that this type of objective may be able to get the attention of the employer. Employers often choose this type of objective to make an example of someone who has already worked in the field. As long as the information given in the objective does not include any old information, you should be fine. However, it is best to focus your attention on a standard objective for most jobs.Writing an objective for a nursing resume is not difficult. You can incorporate a lot of different examples to make it the perfect one for you. One thing you should keep in mind is that your objective should not just be something that sounds right and gets the attention of the employer. It should be a reflection of your personality and skill s, so keep that in mind when creating your objective.

The Secret of English Grammar Resume Writing Nobody Is Discussing

The Secret of English Grammar Resume Writing Nobody Is Discussing If, on the flip side, you're trying for a management job, you're want to demonstrate that you've got leadership experience. If, for example, you're really a team player give an example in which you worked in a team. Nothing, resume is American English (AmE) When you make an application for a job give a succinct description of the job that you are applying for or the type of jobs you're going to be applying for. The trick to picking the most suitable legal resume writing company is to check at their professional resume writers. Learning an assortment of writing skills isn't as hard as you may think. Resume writing services often provide a whole package strategy to resume writing. Creating your first resume doesn't have to be a struggle. What Everybody Dislikes About English Grammar Resume Writing and Why In case the writer chooses to incorporate an objective on his resume, he should incorporate a section tit le ahead of the description. Each work listing ought to have a similarly written description. While no 2 resumes will look the exact same, there are particular similarities in all decent resumes. Resume composing firms are a really good place from where you are able to readily get your resume crafted in a way which potential recruiters would want. Some quantity of skill must write resume cover letters due to the fact that they help candidates officially fill out an application for a certain post. There are various sorts of resumes you're able to create, based on your circumstances. Your resume should be formatted in an easy, professional way. Understanding English Grammar Resume Writing The first thing you should do is to learn the grammar rules. Keeping a great dictionary is vital in looking for the suitable word and finding out the real meanings that will assist you in selecting the most suitable words. Look and Lingo Ensure there are no spelling mistakes whatsoever. Wh at follows are some fundamental English language and grammar rules that you ought to pay exclusive attention to. The Ugly Secret of English Grammar Resume Writing Don't forget that your resume may be read by means of a computer. Not all resumes are suitable for all sorts of jobs. You should be very attentive when selecting a resume writing service as everyone can put up an indication they write resumes. Resume writing services may be used by men and women who aren't just fresh graduates and are searching for their very first job. Actually, it doesn't just makes it possible to produce a better resume, it can help you prepare for a work interview. You will need to work closely with the writer during the introduction of your resume, therefore it is crucial to truly feel comfortable with them. A resume writer is somebody who should understand how to layout your specific resume and present it in the manner that employers wish to see it. Choosing a resume writer is a terrific dea l more than simply hiring someone type up our resume.

How To Talk About Your Past Bosses In A Job Interview - Work It Daily

How To Talk About Your Past Bosses In A Job Interview - Work It Daily Here Are 4 Questions You May Be Asked About A Past Boss Along With Great Answers. Talking about your previous boss to your potential new boss in a job interview can be tricky. Related: 5 Things Every Employer Wants To Hear In An Interview Here Are 4 Questions You May Be Asked About A Past Boss Along With Great Answers. 1. Have you ever had difficulty working with a supervisor or manager? We all know that we should never answer an interview question negatively, but what do you do when a question practically demands a negative answer? Don’t be negative. It says more about your attitude than it will about your former boss. If you can truthfully say you’ve never had trouble, then say so. If not, give a neutral-to-positive answer, such as: “In my very first job, I had a little trouble. I didn’t know enough to clarify expectations before I started, and it ended up being an issue. I got some advice from someone with more experience than me to go and speak with my boss about what was going on. That turned out to be the best move I could have made, because we cleared the air and were able to move forward. It turned out to be a great lesson for me about the importance of clear communication right from the start.” An answer like this one is a very positive one. It doesn’t lay the blame on the boss, and is very relatable. Who hasn’t had trouble over poor communication or unclear expectations? Most importantly, this answer tells what you learned from it and how you became better as a result of this experience. 2. Who was your best boss and who was your worst? When you talk about your best boss, a great answer will focus on what you learned from that person that will help you be successful in this new job. For example: “I’ve had some great bosses I’ve learned a lot from. One in particular was…” and then you can talk about a skill, a good habit, or something else that will contribute to your success in this new job. When you talk about your worst boss, stay positive. As much as you can, avoid specifics with this answer and concentrate on communicating that you are adaptable and get along with a wide variety of people. You may say something like: “I once had a boss who was hired after I’d been working there for a while, and our communication styles were very different. I got along OK with her, and I succeeded in my job, but it wasn’t as great a relationship as I’ve had with other managers.” You aren’t badmouthing this person, and you’re pointing out that you were able to get along and be successful. 3. Tell me about a time you disagreed with your boss over how something should be done. There’s probably no one who’s ever worked who always agreed with the boss on how everything should be done. This is a good opportunity to explain how you can be diplomatic and respectful, and put forward an idea without bashing someone else’s. A great answer might sound something like: “My boss made a decision to move forward on something that I could see would cause us a lot of problems down the road. So, I went to her and told her about my concerns, along with some alternative ideas that we could think about. She appreciated that I had come up with thoughtful solutions, and ended up implementing one of my ideas. It worked out well, and we got XYZ results.” Every time you tell a story, make sure you end with the results you got from your actions. This is an important thing that hiring managers pay attention to. 4. What would your manager say was the area you most needed development in? This is another version of “What’s your greatest weakness?” The best answer to this question (as in any question about your weaknesses) gives an answer that clearly is a weakness, but won’t harm your job performance in this new position. For example, I was in sales, so I always gave impatience as my weakness. Impatience is a problem in my personal life (just ask my kids) but drives me to make the sale. If your current boss will be one of your references, talk to him or her ahead of time and make sure you are both on the same page. Always be strategic in your interview answers and sell yourself for the job. Find more than 200 job-winning answers in How to Answer Interview Questions and How to Answer Interview Questions II, available on Amazon. Related Posts How To Manage Without Being Mean (Is It Possible To Not Be Pushy?) 5 Things To Consider Before You Take That Management Job #1 Key To Becoming An Effective Leader About the author Career Coach - Peggy McKee is an expert resource and a dedicated advocate for job seekers. Known as the Sales Recruiter from Career Confidential, her years of experience as a nationally-known recruiter for sales and marketing jobs give her a unique perspective and advantage in developing the tools and strategies that help job seekers stand head and shoulders above the competition. Peggy has been named #1 on the list of the Top 25 Most Influential Online Recruiters by HR Examiner, and has been quoted in articles from CNN, CAP TODAY, Yahoo! HotJobs, and the Denver Examiner. Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here. Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!