Wednesday, November 27, 2019

How to Know When to Quit Your Job

How to Know When to Quit Your JobHow to Know When to Quit Your JobShould You End Things with Your Job?When is it time for you to end things with your job?No one takes a job with the expectation that it will turn into a disappointment, much like no one chooses to go into a new relationship thinking about how it may not work out. When you arrive at the realization that your job has become a source of anxiety, things may look grim indeed. If your relationship status with your job is complicated, thats just another way of saying Its not working. So how do you know when to end it?Many professionals have a strong resistance to leaving a job thats not working out. Quitting is hard because it carries an implication that you gave up, did not try hard enough, or were not good enough to make it work. The reality, as Seth Godin so aptly puts it, is that the motivational quotes that tell you Quitters never win and winners never quit are wrong. Winners quit all the time they just quit the right stuff at the right time.That can be surprisingly difficult to do. How do you make sure you quit for the right reasons? How do you find a new job while employed? Here are five questions to ask yourself that can help you think through your complicated relationship with your job and make the best decision.1 Where is the problem really coming from?Before you plan your next career move, your first step should be to honestly look at the current situation and figure out whats happening. Sometimes, the issue has little to do with the job and everything to do with your personal life. Dissatisfaction or missing pieces in one part of your life can certainly spill elsewhere, so check your basics before you give up on a career. Health, sleep deprivation, relationships figure out where exactly the problem is before you make any dramatic changes at work.2 Is your discomfort temporary or permanent?Professional growth does not come pain-free. If the discomfort you are experiencing is a temporary si de effect of learning new things or stretching into new challenges, quitting your job will rob you of an opportunity to grow and advance professionally. If the discomfort is permanent or damaging, however, staying in the situation will cost you time from your career and not contribute much to your professional development.3 What is your personal point of no return?Everyone has a personal set of factors that are firm nonstarters. What are yours? An abusive boss, a job that has offered no opportunities for growth and career development, a commute to the new office that consumes two hours in one direction you decide what would spell an absolute no for you.4 What needs to change for you to feel great about staying?This is the reverse of question three Instead of thinking about what would make the decision to quit a no-brainer, consider what it would take to stay. Most situations can be salvaged, even if just in theory. Perhaps it might take reporting to a different person, finding a tr usted mentor, or taking on a good career development opportunity or interesting side project.5 Have you exhausted your options for making it better?This may be the most challenging because it forces you to face the fact that the complicated and painful situation you are in was co-created with your active participation. Be brutally honest and ask yourself if you have really done everything you could to make this better. Own your part in the mess so that you can begin to dig your way out.RelatedIts OK to Quit (Your Job)What if you have answered the five questions above and concluded that your work situation has moved beyond Its complicated and into Its time to break up? The best strategy is to start actively looking for other options and applying for jobs while still employed. This step is best done as quietly as possible, no matter how tempted you might be to make a scene. Here are five common job-quitting mistakes that could be detrimental to your long-term career. Avoid them at all costsJob-Quitting Mistake 1 Gossipping and complaining to co-workersSure, it may help you blow off some steam and bond over the shared misery. However, complaining and gossiping adds no constructive value beyond making you feel momentarily better. The relief will pass quickly, but the consequences may last longer than this job. Feeling frustrated and upset is completely normal in your situation, but try to channel those feelings into constructive next steps Brush the dust off of that LinkedIn profile, get a professional to review your resume, or re-connect with professionals who can help you find a new opportunity.Job-Quitting Mistake 2 Using the possibility of quitting as leverageHere is the big secret successful professionals either stay in a job and make the most of it or leave without making a fuss. They dont talk about quitting in hypothetical terms or use it as a negotiating leverage.When you feel underappreciated or undercompensated, its tempting to believe that the threat o f leaving will make your boss realize how amazing you are and finally give you what you want. In your imagination, the company will pay you more, grant you the things you have been asking for, reassign you to a different job, and give you more flexibility just to make you stay. Unfortunately, real life does not work that way. Instead of delivering on your requests, your boss is much more likely to begin searching for your replacement Your outburst of Well, I guess I will just start looking for other opportunities will lock you out of interesting new projects and make you look unprofessional and childish. Dont do it.Job-Quitting Mistake 3 Not showing upChecking out physically or mentally spells the death of good opportunities for professionals. Its difficult to remain engaged when your heart isnt in it (Im not suggesting you become the companys biggest cheerleader), but you think twice before you stop doing your work. Stay focused. References matter and todays business world is more connected than ever before. Do your best to leave with your performance reviews and professional integrity intact.Job-Quitting Mistake 4 Making emotional decisionsSlamming a door in your bosss face will give you a few seconds of satisfaction. So will stomping out of a meeting or screaming at a difficult co-worker. In the end, though, all of those actions are more likely to sabotage your next career move than set you up for success. Keep your eye on the ball, take a deep breath, and do whats best for your career in the long run, which, in most cases, involves taking control of your emotional state.Job-Quitting Mistake 5 Quitting on a whim with no planWalking out of a job has its perks a completely open day tomorrow, for instance. However, it also takes away one of your options without automatically creating others. Looking for a job while unemployed is definitely not an impossible task plenty of professionals do it to great effect. However, searching for a new opportunity from th e safety of a stable paycheck gives you the luxury of time. It lowers the pressure to find a position in two weeks or risk missing your rent or mortgage payment. That, in turn, improves the odds of finding a position that is a great fit instead of something to just tide you over.When things get complicated at work, keep a cool head Just as in romantic relationships, sudden, poorly-considered moves wont serve you in the workplace. Even if your situation at work leaves much to be desired, more options are always better. By continuing to show up and taking an honest look at your circumstances, you gain the perspective and the time to craft a plan and make your next career move a good one. After all, you deserve nothing lessClick on the following link for more advice on changing careers.Make sure your resume will help you find the one. Request a free resume critique todayRecommended ReadingBefore You Jump Ship, Consider These 5 TipsCareer Quiz Is It Time for a Career Change?Make the Mos t of a Job You Dont Love

Friday, November 22, 2019

How to Handle Every Online Resume Builders Challenge with Ease Using These Tips

How to Handle Every Online Resume Builders Challenge with Ease Using These TipsHow to Handle Every Online Resume Builders Challenge with Ease Using These TipsHow to Handle Every Online Resume Builders Challenge with Ease Using These TipsCourtesy of Markus Spiske from unsplash.comCrafting a resume can be a daunting task especially when you are creating it from scratch. If you are leid expert at resume writing, often you will consider getting help especially if you entering the working world or transitioning into a new career. Whether it is creating one from scratch, hiring a professional resume writer,zugnglich resume service or using a resume builder, the choice is dependent on experience, time and budget. If you are on a budget but also want to save time while crafting a resume that tells your story and shows your personality, an zugreifbar resume builder is a great choice.Some people will tell you not to use a resume template because almost everyone will likely have the same templa te or you are selling yourself short because there is little to no originality. But the reality is using an online resume builder not only helps you to save time but allows you to focus on whats key in creating a resume which is the content. Will it look like the rest, quite likely if you take a lazy approach to creating your resume, but if you know how to use templates resourcefully, you can stand out among your peers.Major Benefits of Using an Online Resume BuilderConsider these four tips for using online resume builders versus creating your resume from scratchHelps you to stay consistent. With hundreds of resumes reaching employers and a mere six seconds being spent reviewing resumes, it is important to have a resume that will keep their attention. A koranvers way to lose any recruiters attention is inconsistent fonts and layout. With an online resume builder, it can help you to stay consistent with current market trends such as the standard font, layout, and format. Having a con sistent resume helps with having a more professional look and speaks volumes about your personal brand.Saves you time. One of the major benefits of using an online resume builder is the time it allows you to save in researching most suitable formats. Instead, it gives you more time to focus on the creating content and telling your story. Also using an online tool helps to accelerate the time spent on resumes.It keeps your document up-to-date. Have you been out of the job market for a while? Using a template will empower you to be in keep with industry standards. Withthe bestonline resume builder, as industry trends change, online resume templates are revised and conform to the latest trends. With resume formats constantly changing, having a tool in place will help you not only to be consistent but does not make your resume look outdated.Provides visual flexibility. Not everyone is blessed with a great eye for design and layout to create an impressive-looking and professional resume. That is why having tools like an online resume builder will help you save time off hands while helping you to have a standout resume. The visual flexibility of online resume builders and templates such as those provided by Canva helps with organizing your content in a readable format that keeps the information tidy and sharply aligned. In an era where having a strong personal brand is a plus, the capability to get creative using styles, themes, and colours while showing your personality to your resume is an outstanding element.Convinced that online resume builders are the right fit for you? Here are some online resume builders you can consider, from modern to unorthodox options.KickResume Allows users to select templates based on their profession and provides a feature to easily write a titelseite letter using the same design as your CV so you can keep all documents consistent when you need to buy CV online. A key feature is it allows US-based users to search for jobs on the sites j ob board.ResumeBuilder With little to no resume writing experience, this tool provides a step-by-step guide for writing every section of your resume. One of the key features is its keywords which enable users to optimize their resume.Google Resume Builder One of the simpler tools, Google Resume Builder gives you the flexibility to create a professional-looking resume in minutes. One of the pros is it connects to your Google Drive account which means your resume can be easily edited and shared with whoever you like.Canva A favourite for many individuals who are big on visuals is Canva. It provides users with the visual flexibility that are uncomplicated. Someone with little or no design skills can easily put together a professionally designed resume. The plus, there are many templates that suit almost every profession and style. Canva offers great designs which are sometimes a con on other resume builder platforms. The only setback to this tool is there is no option to upload your CV .Common Struggles with Online Resume BuildersWhile there many tools to craft your perfect resume, we cant overlook that every online resume builder tool comes with its share of pros and cons. Some of the common struggles includeToo much information. Some templates can be a bit overwhelming with information and many sections that are not relevant. Having a template with many sections isnt a pass to add all your accomplishments and previous positions, instead, you should consider the most important and relevant details.Formatting Adding and removing sections on some resume templates can be a pain which often leads to misalignment and formatting. Should you make changes to the template, the key is always to ensure cohesiveness and readability. Make sure employers can quickly skim the sections they need to see. So choose formats that have sufficient white space, uses bullet points and a font that is easy to read.Personalization One of most mentioned cons about using a template is having a resume that looks like everyone elses. Lack of personalization can give off the impression of being lazy and can send the wrong signal to employers who constantly receive template resume. The solution, consider spending a little more time to enhance the visuals and layout of your resume.Ways to Handle the Challenges in Building an Online ResumeHere are some useful and practical tips for tackling challenges you might face in creating your resume using an online tool.Keep it clear and concise. Make sure your resume is clear and concise. Remember, employers spend only a few seconds on resumes, so keep it readable but marketable. Sometimes templates can have the options for many sections of a resume, only use those that are applicable and consider merging sections to limit the number of pages and reducing irrelevant information.Go off the beaten path. Many people use templates that are less than impressive and spells boring, consider using templates that are modern and slightly diffe rent from the norm but totenstill professional. Consider using templates that are less popular but still has a clean and modern finish. Also, feel free to browse other templates and incorporate different elements you like into your template.Find one that matches your personal brand. Feel free to remove and add sections that will showcase your skills. Dont like a font, colour or that border, change it. Add your creativity and make the template your own while illustrating your brand and personal style while bearing in mind industry standards and trends. Your resume should create an image about you. Make sure it has a personal touch.Getting the job, you deserve in this economy can be difficult without the right help, with the use of templates you are empowered to make the right step and to craft a great resume that will place you ahead of the competition. Remember, your resume should be a tool to open doors.Do you create your resume from scratch or do you use online resume templates? C arey-Lee DixonCreative thinker is passionate about helping individuals and organizations to grow by taking risks and challenging the status quo. Carey-Lees has extensive experience in geospatial technology and digital content creation (blogging and social media) with solid graphic designing skills.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The History and Purpose of SWAT Teams

The History and Purpose of SWAT TeamsThe History and Purpose of SWAT TeamsOn August 1, 1966, Charles Joseph Whitman killed his wife and mother. Afterward, he ascended the 28 floors of the Main Building at the University of Texas at Austin and took up a position as a sniper. Over the course of approximately one and one-half hours, Whitman shot and killed 14 people and wounded 32 more in and around the campus. The police officers who responded to the incident were poorly equipped to absprache with the challenges posed by a well-insulated sniper in an active shooter situation. In part because oftheir lack of appropriate weapons orspecialized training and tactics, respondinglaw enforcement officers simply could not eliminate the threat fast enough. The tragedy garnered national attentionand is widelyregarded asthe catalyst that led to the proliferation of SWAT teams across the United States.? Los Angeles Leads the Way Even as the events of the Texas Tower Shootings - as the tragedy i n Austin came to be called - were unfolding, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office were developing new units within their agencies to verstndigung im strafverfahren with violent and volatile situations everyday police officers werent trained or equipped for. On the heels of the Watts Riots, during which 34 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured, Los Angeles law enforcement officials began to evaluate how similar events could be handled better in the future to minimize civilian and law enforcement casualties and bring about quicker resolutions. It welches from these evaluations that the idea of special weapons and tactics evolved. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the first SWAT unit consisted of 15 4-man teams. The teams were made up of a select group of volunteers, all of whom had prior specialized experience and had served previously in the military.The Los Angeles SWAT unit became a model for departments across the Unit ed States and around the world, and police agencies sought ways to meet new challenges facing law enforcement. Traditional Police Response and SWAT Teams Once SWAT teams became staples within law enforcement, the traditional response to a high-risk situation was for patrol officers to respond to and secure the area while they awaited the arrival of the better trained and better equipped tactical teams. It was seen as the safest way to minimize casualties, especially police causalities, particularly during hostage situations. The tragic school shooting in Columbine, Colorado on April 24, 1999, caused police to rethink this traditional SWAT response model. In the case of Columbine, it became apparent that during active shooter situations, police could not afford to wait the importance of eliminating the threat as quickly as possible to minimize deaths and injuries was far too great to wait for SWAT officers to suit up and arrive. The Militarization of Police While SWAT teams a re still reserved for high-risk situations like hostage rescues, warrant service, and riot control, more and more police officers are receiving what once would have been considered basic SWAT training. Also, more patrol officers are carrying semi-automatic rifles and even armor to aid in rapid response to dangerous active shooter situations, and military drawdowns have led to surplus vehicles and weapons being made available to police departments that would otherwise be unable to afford such equipment. The proliferation of such tactics and equipment have led some to voice concerns over what they consider to be a blurring of the lines between military and law enforcement roles and functions. Role and Purpose Special Weapons and Tactics teams continue to play a vital role in enforcing laws, particularly in situations that regular patrol officers arent trained or equipped to handle. The goal of the SWAT team is to respond quickly to dangerous situations and bring them to a swift a nd hopefully non-violent conclusion. Ultimately, the real job of the SWAT team is to mitigate and minimize casualties to whatever extent possible through special training and tactics. In so doing, their function provides a greater service to the public at large.