What Are the Benefits of a Shorter Work Day

What Are the Benefits of a Shorter Work Day Working for less time for the same pay  sounds like a dream, right? Well for a lot of Swedish professionals this has become a reality, as employers across Sweden have recently  elected  to introduce shorter working hours, replacing the standard 9-5 routine with a six  hour working day. Theyve come to this decision in a bid to improve employee productivity and offer a better work-life balance to their employees, which in turn will lead to a happier, more satisfied workforce. Rather than reducing workload, the idea is that staff will work more intensely for the time they are at work, so that they get more done in a shorter amount of time. Trying to maintain focus for 8 hours a day isnt an easy task, not to mention it can become exhausting. In fact people are working harder and longer than ever before and it could be taking a toll on their wellbeing. So could a shorter working day be the answer? People value time over money Maintaining a good work life balance is a top priority for workers  these days, especially among millennials. In the large part, people would rather have more  free time to spend with their family and friends, than a higher salary. So wouldnt it be nice to have our cake and eat it too? A couple more  hours of free time each day would mean that people have the chance to achieve their personal goals, as well as professional, such as picking up a new hobby or making time to exercise. It also offers working parents the opportunity to be there for their children more, as clocking off from work earlier would mean they are available for school runs etc., which will cut childcare costs too, which is an added bonus. It will improve  focus Working eight hours a day  doesnt necessarily mean that we are doing more work than if we were in the office for less time. More often than not we are just stretching out our  workload  throughout the day, making us prone to getting distracted. Procrastination gets the better of most of us at some point or another, especially if youre working at a computer all day long, where the list of distractions is endless. Having said that, this commonly tends to be a mid-afternoon habit, so could the infamous 3pm slump be a thing of the past if these new working hours were introduced? During an eight  hour day we probably feel like we have the time to let our attention drift to other things, because time has a tendency to stand still as home time approaches, right? However if we had the pressure of completing our To Dos  by 3pm, it would instil a sense of urgency in us to stay on task and quit our dilly dallying. Better  employee wellbeing Its hard to maintain your focus when energy is  lacking and a  long working day  often means that employees come into work feeling drained, resulting in poor work performance and increased stress levels. In fact, it has been found that  the cognitive impairment brought on from extreme tiredness is very similar to that triggered by alcohol, so you may as well be turning up to work drunk! Shorter hours could lead to  employees  having the down time that they need to reenergise, thus arriving at the office feeling refreshed and energised (granted they dont spend their extra free time partying).  People who feel better in themselves will usually be more productive and driven in their jobs. Not to mention that conflict in the office is often caused by tiredness and  irritability, so it could even be the making of a more harmonious working environment too! It will benefit talent  attraction and retention A shorter working day could be what it takes to attract new employees and keep hold of your best staff! Its a very attractive perk  of a job and it could be the deciding factor that gives  you one up on competing businesses. Martin Banck, the managing director of a  Toyota service centres in Gothenburg told the Guardian that he has found that turnover rates have reduced significantly since they  move to a six hour day 13 years ago. He came to this decision after realising that employees were becoming stressed and making mistakes when their energy levels dropped and that working less hours meant that their work performance improved. As a result staff are happier and enjoy working for the company. [Image Credit: Shutterstock]

Writing a Publication that is Ready to Submit on a Resume

Writing a Publication that is Ready to Submit on a ResumeWriting a publication that is ready to submit on a resume is a crucial stage in the entire process of preparing your resume for your job search. However, this stage should not be taken lightly as it's a necessary step towards securing the kind of position you want.A writing a publication that is ready to submit on a resume would entail things like formatting it for an outline, formatting it for a specific resume type, and changing it for a summary of the materials you submitted. The goal is to prepare a concise and easy to read document that is capable of informing the hiring manager of your experience and skills.You need to get yourself familiar with several kinds of documents which are designed to help the writing a publication that is ready to submit on a resume writer to prepare and document a very concise and attractive document. It would be much better to stick to professional writers who will take care of your job in ter ms of formatting your document, but most of all, they should know how to make your resume look much more attractive.In the first place, the heading of your resume must be one of the most important things. Whether it is the 'Responsibilities' section or the 'Curriculum Vitae' part, it's always important to see what sort of headers you should use. It is suggested that you include the most important information about you: your educational background, your skills, your accomplishments, and your accomplishments with organizations.The format of your resume needs to be brief and professional. To get rid of any grammatical mistakes, you can request professional writers to proofread your resume as well as give you comments if there are certain errors that may have slipped your mind.Lastly, you must get to know the particular company you're applying to. You can do this by seeking out information from the HR personnel. Do not allow them to intimidate you, but rather, observe how they work and observe how they interact with other employees.Speaking of interaction, networking with other employees is also very important when preparing a resume that is ready to submit on a resume. These coworkers are people who have similar professional goals and ideals so when they see how the application process was handled, they can learn a lot about how to prepare a resume that is ready to submit on a resume.Once your resume is ready to submit on a resume, you must find a reputable writer to write it for you. The job is not just difficult; it is an art which requires training and expertise to get right.

The Top 6 Travel Destinations That Are Calling Me Back - Classy Career Girl

The Top 6 Travel Destinations That Are Calling Me Back When my daughter and Classy Career Girl Founder, Anna, asked if I would write a guest article  for her website, I was honored, and a bit perplexed as to how this vintage traveler could be of interest to young and ambitious Classy Career Girl readers. I started thinking about the many travel destinations Ive traveled to, and the ones that are still calling me back, for a more leisurely visit. Here are the top 6 travel destinations that  you must add to your travel  bucket list: 1. Trondheim, Norway I visited Trondheim, Norway, in 1967, when I was traveling through Europe with friends on $5 a day.   There, I met my grandmothers sisterâ€"her only living sibling at that time. She gave me a bracelet that I still cherish. My grandmother, Anna, left Norway for the U.S. in the late 1800s. She never returned and never saw her sister again. This wasnt unusual back in those days. They kept in touch by writing letters. Since my ancestors came from here, I would like to return for at least a week in the warmth of the summer, exploring the old town, wooden houses on the River Nid, and meeting distant cousins who are still around. 2. New York City A city that Ive been to many times and would  return to again in a heartbeat is New York City. I can walk for miles along the crowded streets to view a fascinating mix of modern and historic architecture, and 19th-century brownstones, along tree-lined streets. With a population of 8.5 millionâ€"37% foreign-born, and dozens of parks, rivers, museums, theaters, skyscrapers, restaurants, there is never a shortage of things to explore. Its hectic, and Im always ready to leave, but theres something special about New York that keeps calling me back. 3. Santorini and Mykonos, Greece My husband and I visited Greece about ten years ago in April, a delightful time of year to be there. It was off season, and we could ride the ferries and enjoy the uncrowded islands at our leisure. I have great memories of that enchanted region that I must  go back to see someday. 4. Castelrotto, Italy Another spot that I have fond memories of is a small town in northern Italy called Castelrotto, near the wonderful  Alpe Di Siusi.   It offers easy hikes, interesting nearby villages,   wonderful scenery and reasonably priced bus passes to explore the area. Yes, thats an area I would go back to frequently, given a chance. 5. Amalfi, Italy Once my husband and I spent a couple of nights in Amalfi on the western coast of Italy, just below Naples. I would love to return for a vacation to the place we stayed at with a balcony overlooking the turquoise sea and then jump a train and head down the southern coast of Italy. 6.  Gunten, Switzerland Finally, I will return  to the chalet perched on a mountain above Gunten, Switzerland, overlooking the Thunner Seaâ€"a   place we recently visited. This I could do every June for the rest of my life and not tire of it. Hopefully, Ill be hiking the nearby trails, just as the locals do, well into their nineties. [RELATED: How to Not Feel Guilty Taking Time Off Work] So these are my brief words of  travel wisdom for followers of the “Classy Career Girl”â€"those special women who are working every day to make their lives better. We can all grow, and frankly, life keeps getting better. Most importantly, if you wish to travel, as my father use to say, “Go while you can.” Dont pass up any opportunities that come your wayâ€"some of them only come once a lifetime.  The Vintage Mom Where are you headed? Do any of these travel destinations interest you?

10 Ways to Negotiate a Lower Rent

10 Ways to Negotiate a Lower Rent You’ve landed your first job in the city of your dreams. Life couldn’t get better. That is  until you realize that your landlord increased the price of rent. If your rent is breaking your back, it doesnt have to stay that way, you know. You can always talk to your landlord, and ask (nicely) whether you can knock a few hundred dollars off your rent. If youre worried that your landlord will balk at such a direct request, heres what you can do beforehand: Do Your Homework Visit rent comparison swebites and check the average rates for similar units in your area. Also, find out whether your landlord is on the lookout for new tenants. You can use both of these as bargaining chips since (1) the landlord cant charge higher than the average, unless theres a good reason; and (2) its much, much easier to keep existing tenants than find new ones.   Keep a Clean (Financial) Slate Think you can keep your credit history from your landlord? Think again. Landlords can purchase information from private credit reporting agencies to find out whether youre as capable with your finances as you say you are. Be honest with your landlord about your situation, but give them some sort of guarantee that you wont flake out on them once collection day comes.   Extend Your Lease Say something like Okay, Ill rent for x more months/years, as long as I pay only this specific amount. Most landlords would rather receive a lower consistent monthly amount  than leave a unit vacant and waste its income-generating potential.   Advance Monthly Payments If you have more than enough money to spare, ask your landlord whether you can pay off 3 to 6 months worth of rent in advance. Chances are, your landlord will appreciate the gesture; after all, tenants who pay early are rarer than tenants who pay late. Oh, and theres a good chance youll be given a lump-sum discount too.   Pay Ahead of Time, Always If your landlord tells you things like I really appreciate you always paying ahead of schedule, pounce on it. Suggest that tenants will have an incentive to pay earlier if they get a discount  or something like that.   Take Good Care of Your Place Nothing makes a landlord happier than a tenant who takes care of her place. Spruce up your unit with these garage organization tips, or ask your landlord whether they have a specific aesthetic in mind. Trust us; theyll be flattered that you think so well of their taste.   Find Other Tenants If your landlord is having trouble finding tenants, consider helping out. Post about vacant units on social media, or refer people you know.  Your landlord might just be grateful enough to shave a small amount off your rent. If not, at least youll have people to rely on within the premises, right?   Offer to Help Out Of course, you dont have to wait on your landlord hand-and-foot. But doing little things â€" watering the plants, collecting money from other tenants, or even doing DIY stuff, if thats your thing â€" can make your landlord, and people in general, more partial to you.   Hint (Nicely) That Youre Moving Out Thisll be easier if (1) you have a good track record as a tenant, and (2) you actually have a place to move into. Say things like I found this neat place that costs only this amount, and Im considering moving there. Be careful with this tactic, though; if your threat is empty, your landlord and rent wont budge the way you want them to. Be Reasonable Even after doing all of the above, however, dont spring a request for a 50-percent discount right off the bat. Otherwise, your landlord will see you as an opportunist, refuse your request, and force you to start from Square One. Ask for a discount low enough for your landlord to agree on, but high enough to add a little extra to your monthly savings. Remember the No. 1 rule of negotiation: Make sure the situation is a win-win for everyone involved. Take your landlords situation into account, but dont shortchange yourself either. If youre soft but firm in your negotiation, youll get what you want in due time.

5 Benefits of Using a Resume References Template

5 Benefits of Using a Resume References TemplateWhen you use a resume references template, it will be much easier for you to focus on the most important aspects of your resume. This can ensure that you will be able to write a perfect resume that will stand out among the rest of the hundreds of resumes on the market.There are many benefits of using a resume references template in order to get the job you want. These benefits include:First, it is a great thing to take advantage of when you are trying to get work. You will have more confidence when you are writing your resume because you know that your information is going to be presented in a formal manner. It will be a lot easier for you to compose it if you have a template that you can follow.Second, you will also notice that you will have an easier time writing your resume. You will be able to write it faster because you know that you are going to have specific guidelines that you need to follow. This will also be useful in terms of presenting your information. Therefore, you will be able to present your information in the best way possible and get it noticed by a company.Such templates are not that expensive either. In fact, they are very affordable. You can buy them at a very reasonable price as well, so you can use them in order to get that interview you want.Another benefit of such templates is that they are written in such a way that they will help you communicate effectively with employers. In fact, employers are always looking for people who can communicate clearly and precisely in order to communicate a certain message.The fourth benefit of using a resume references template is that it will be easier for you to understand. When you have a manual to follow and areference sheet that you can reference, you will find it a lot easier to understand how to write your resume. When you have all of this information, you will be able to present your information in a better way.In conclusion, using a resume refere nces template is a great thing to do when you are trying to get the job you want. You will be able to present your information in a better way when you are using these templates. Therefore, it is a great way to help you get that interview you want.

Creating a Job Search Plan and Strategy - Pathfinder Careers

Creating a Job Search Plan and Strategy - Pathfinder Careers Creating a Job Search Plan and Strategy For some people, the loss of employment becomes completely debilitating as well as demoralizing. Consider the fact that most people spend the greater portion of their time during the day functioning in the workplace, it is easy to start associating our personal self-identity with our work and career. When the paradigm shifts, however, and suddenly that major part of our lives is no longer there, a person experiences grief, sadness, despair, loss of self-esteem, and yes, even sometimes panic. Given the uncertain economic times, there’s even more to fear about what it is going to take to survive, let alone bolster our feelings of isolation and depression. The key to overcoming these strong and sometimes overpowering emotions is to draw up a job search plan and strategy which focuses that energy into being productive. This will be designed to actively engage oneself in the types of activities that will provide the most opportunity to strike upon that one contact that could become a job prospect. Develop a plan that is something that you feel is truly do-able. You know your limitations and motivation levels â€" write down a reasonable list of things you plan to do on a weekly basis that will help get you out, networking and meeting people to connect to prospective employers and learn about new job postings. The key is that you want to be engaged in the search actively; sitting at home in bed with the covers pulled over your head isn’t going to bring you a job offer on a silver platter. A mentor once told me that looking for a job is a full-time job unto itself, so you are going to have to put some legwork into your efforts in order reap the rewards! Start the process by listing out the specific goals you’d like to accomplish weekly. This could include (as an example): 1) Develop a list of the top companies you are interested in; do your due diligence by researching them thoroughly on the Internet to find out key information about that company and people you might want to talk to 2) Cold call five people on that list this week on that list and request an informational interview 3) Call five friends and ask them if they know of anyone that you could talk to in those companies or in your career field to request an informational interview 4) Attend three networking events; make sure you get some business cards made up that you can hand out as a way of reaching you; résumés handed out at networking events is generally frowned upon 5) Apply for five jobs in the field you are qualified/interested in The above list is a pretty demanding job search plan for one week- you can tailor-make it to fit your own style. If you think about it, however, in one month, you would have had hopefully 20 informational interviews, contacted 20 friends (who can turn out to be job search advocates) to engage them in your job search, attended 12 networking events, and applied for 20 positions. That’s pretty impressive! It seems like a lot once you summarize it, but if you make each one of the points above an objective for a day, it won’t seem so burdensome. You’ll feel that you have a plan of work to focus on, and have results to show for it, too! Another thing you might also consider when developing a job search plan is to communicate it to a friend who will be able to keep you accountable. Let them know your goals, and plan to re-connect at the end of the week. Having someone that you need to report to will also provide structure and focus that otherwise might be lost while grappling with job search emotions. Keeping a positive, upbeat attitude, maintaining contact with professionals that you know, and networking with new people will put fresh energy into your job search. So get out of the house, and get going- there’s a whole world of opportunity out there just waiting to be discovered!

How Sharing Your Life Challenges With Others Can Change the World - Kathy Caprino

How Sharing Your Life Challenges With Others Can Change the World I live in a small New England town that is home to only about 18,000 residents. As in many small towns, hundreds of children attend the public school system, play sports, and participate in art and music activities together. And many of the parents see each other daily in the pick-up lines at school, at Starbucks, and in the hockey stands and soccer sidelines. Despite the frequency with which we all intersect, many of us can feel isolated and alone â€" facing our own hidden battles in private especially when we are dealing with life-threatening challenges that bring us to our knees. My friend, Claire Craven, is experiencing just one of these challenges with her family. In the Fall of 2012, when Claire’s beloved husband, Eric, 47, began to experience symptoms of grip weakness and tightness in his throat, they never suspected it was anything other than just the process of getting older. Nine months later, at what they thought was a routine preventative visit to a neurologist, everything in the lives of Eric, Claire, and their three teen children changed in the span of 15 short minutes. It was obvious the doctor was concerned and something was seriously wrong. Two weeks later following a myriad of tests, Eric was diagnosed with ALS. ALS stands for Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS was first discovered in 1869 by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, but it wasn’t until 1939 that Lou Gehrig brought international attention to the disease. Ending the career of one of the most beloved baseball players of all time, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness, paralysis, and ultimately, respiratory failure. Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS. Although approximately 30,000 Americans have the disease at any given time, most are stricken between the ages of 40 and 70 and live 2-5 years after the first signs of the disease, with only 10% living longer than 10 years. The Cravens learned that while Eric’s mental faculties would remain sharp, his body would decline, and his life expectancy would likely be only 5 years. Claire shared with me that at first, they were, of course, shattered, and desperately wanted to keep the news private. They had so much to contemplate, to figure out and plan, and they had the well-being of their children to think of. Although “normal” no longer seemed to exist, they wanted it for their children. “Given the rest of their world was reeling, the last thing they needed was to have their peers treat them differently.” Life continued on as much as possible as it had before, although they now treasured and relished the time they had together. But behind the scenes, Claire and Eric needed to prepare for a new future that would be anything but what they had dreamed of for so many years in building their life together. For the whole family, it was heartbreaking, lonely and overwhelming. In September 2013, Claire widened the circle of those who knew the news just a tiny bit, telling the children’s teachers and their son’s hockey coach, to ensure that those who were seeing the children every day would be able to give some added support if needed. The family had a routine, and they kept the situation between them, for Eric. But it was like “living a secret life â€" a double life, and at times so difficult,” Claire shared. “I found out about Eric just 2 weeks before being inducted as the PTA President, and there was no one to replace me. So I then had to tell a few more people â€" the wonderful women on the executive board of the PTA and they were amazing. They stepped up and helped in every way imaginable. That’s what I grew to love about this town â€" all these amazing women all around me who helped me, and us, survive.” Then, in Fall of 2014, a new opportunity emerged that altered how Claire and Eric viewed their commitment to privacy. The Cravens’ oldest son, 18, is a senior in high school and has played hockey since he was six years old. The Cravens’ daughters, 16-year-old identical twins, are juniors in high school and also play hockey. The boys’ varsity hockey coach, Brett Amero, began contemplating ways he could help the family and approached them with an idea. He wanted to explore how they might be able to leverage the new global awareness of ALS that had been achieved through the viral explosion of the “Ice Bucket Challenge” (that generated $115 million in donations to the ALS Association since July 14, 2014). They arrived at an idea together that would draw on the participation of both the boys and girls school hockey teams, and also partner with the town’s top rival to highlight the importance of battling hard on the ice, but coming together as part of the bigger hockey family t o help one of their own by raising funds for research â€" the only hope for a cure. The plan emerged that the two rival hockey teams’ epic game would serve as the backdrop for a fundraiser for the ALS Therapy Development Institute, the world’s first and largest nonprofit biotech focused 100% on ALS research. They hoped to raise over $40,000 from the game. I asked Claire what it felt like to contemplate sharing this news with so many, after keeping it private for months. “When the coach brought this idea to us, at first I thought, ‘No way â€" everyone would know.’ But when I turned to ask the family, unanimously, they all said, ‘Yes, let’s do it.’” Claire realized, “We’d had the time we needed as a family to deal with this; we felt so blessed he was doing so well, but also knew at some point we would need to go public. It just seemed as if something told us all at the same time that it was the right thing to do and we would be ok if we shared our story.” The hockey event happened, and it was a tremendous success. On January 10th, with hundreds of people (both residents of Wilton and of the rival town Ridgefield, CT) in the stands and throughout the arena, the two towns came together and with matching funds from corporate donors, generated over $52,000 for ALS research. And from the middle of the ice rink, Claire, Eric and the family publicly shared the news. Eric hadn’t shared with many at work about his disease, but people heard about it from the hockey event publicized in the papers, and the next Monday, there was an outpouring of support from his colleagues. Claire shared, “So many amazing things have happened since the announcement was made; it’s changed everything. The biggest joy has been the change in Eric. I always knew Eric would feel relieved to let the secret out, and when people found out he would be surprised and deeply touched at how many would reach out to him. “We’ve seen that if you don’t give people the chance to bless you, to help you, to give back and support you, you miss out and they miss out. And when you’re hurting, if you can help someone else, it puts your own pain into perspective, and that change in focus from us to others is what brings healing. The biggest surprise has been that so many people thought we lived the Cinderella life here, and didn’t know what we were going through. “It’s so important to remember that we all have hidden battles and we’re all dealing with challenges and heart-wrenching situations. But joy comes in how you respond. You can let it destroy you, or you can grow and become better, stronger and a help to others. If I hadn’t had the many challenges I had in my early life, I wouldn’t have it in me to even get out of bed, much less to be able to give back now, or receive this outpouring of love and support.” * * * ** To me, Claire’s story reinforces a fundamental truth that is so important to remember but so easy to forget: Everyone you meet is fighting a hidden battle that you know nothing about. Be kind, and live from your heart, and share your love and support. And when you open up and share your traumas and challenges with your community, you â€" and they can come together to help change the world. (Upcoming hockey events in CT in support of ALS research are February 15th sponsored by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and February 18th at the SONO Ice House, Norwalk, CT from 7-11pm.   For more information about ALS and/or to donate, visit als.net/craven.)