Ive been hiring people for 10 years, and I still swear by a simple rule

I've been hiring people for 10 years, and I still swear by a simple rule I've been hiring people for 10 years, and I still swear by a simple rule Making someone an offer to join your company is always risky.The truth is, the hiring process can only uncover so much. You are often basing your decision on a small sample of data that you collected during a few hours of speaking with them (sometimes not even in person).And sure, maybe you had them take a test or complete an exercise, and you talked to three people who worked with them previously. But still, you never really know how it’s going to work out until they come on board. And sometimes even the most promising hires turn out to be the wrong fit.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!As the executive managing editor of Insider Inc., I interview people all the time for open jobs. I have hired hundreds of them.When I first started hiring, I came up with a simple rule: We shouldn’t move a candidate to the next stage in the interview process unless they send a thank-you e mail.I  wrote a piece in 2012  that explained the No. 1 mistake that people I interviewed were making: not sending thank-you emails. Many people disagreed with me. I received lots of angry emails.Still, seven years later, I stand by it.(To be clear, I am not speaking about handwritten, snail-mail thank-you notes. As I wrote back then,  you should never send a handwritten thank-you note. That still stands.)As a hiring manager, you should always expect a thank-you email, and you should never make an offer to someone who neglected to send one.Why?The thank-you email reflects two important things: It signals that the person wants the job - or rather, no thank-you email signals the person probably doesn’t want the job. The handful of times we’ve moved forward with a candidate despite not receiving a thank you, we’ve been ghosted, or the offer we make is ultimately rejected. A few times, the offer is accepted, but the person pulls out before their start date or leaves after a few months. How someone presents in interviews might not translate to effectiveness in the role. While sending a thank-you note doesn’t necessarily guarantee the person will be a good hire, it gives you the tiniest bit more data: The candidate is eager, organized, and well-mannered enough to send the note. It shows resourcefulness too because the candidate often has to hunt down an email address the interviewer never gave them. At Insider Inc., we look to hire “good eggs.” The thank-you email is a mark for the “good egg” column. To be clear, a thank-you note does not ensure someone will be a successful hire.But using the thank-you email as a barrier to entry has proved beneficial, at least at my company.This article first appeared on Business Insider.    You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people

Diet means nothing if youre not also doing this

Diet means nothing if you're not also doing this Diet means nothing if you're not also doing this A new study recently published in the March edition of the  journal Obesity might repudiate the old maxim that declares the formula for maintaining a healthy weight to be 80% diet and 20% exercise.According to researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Health and Wellness Center (AHWC) at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, participants that effectively kept weight off for a year, owed their success much more to high levels of physical activity than restrictions of dietary intake.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!The circumstances of the studyThe researchers were motivated by the universal struggle many dieters face to keep off weight in the long term.  Danielle Ostendorf, the study’s lead author expounds by saying,  â€œBy providing evidence that a group of successful weight-loss maintainers engages in high levels of physical activity to prevent weight regain- rather than chronically restricting their energy intake- is a step forward to clarifying the relationship between exercise and weight-loss maintenance.”To better identify the specifics of their hypothesis, the researchers started with a group of “weight-loss maintainers” and compared them to a control group composed of obese and overweight individuals and a group of participants with BMIs similar to their own.The weight-loss maintainers and the individuals with similar BMIs had body mass indexes around 68 kg compared to the group of overweight individuals that had BMIs around 97kg.A collection of urine samples over the course of one to two weeks revealed each individuals energy expenditure and intake.  In addition to this, the experts measured the resting metabolic rate of each participant to distinguish daily energy expenditure  derived from physical activity versus restingThe findingsInterestingly enough, the daily amount of calories consumed and burned by the weight-loss maintai ners was about 300 calories more than those with normal BMIs but not significantly more than the overweight control group.Obviously, the number of calories burned due to physical activity was much higher amongst weight loss maintainers (by about 180 to be exact) compared to both the control group and the individuals with similar BMIs.Researcher  Victoria A. Catenacci punctuates by saying,  â€œOur findings suggest that this group of successful weight-loss maintainers are consuming a similar number of calories per day as individuals with overweight and obesity but appear to avoid weight regain by compensating for this with high levels of physical activity,”Does this mean we can eat whatever we want if we exercise?Well no, unfortunately.While the study confirms the overall importance of physical activity when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, staying true to fitness goals is still a complex process.It’s true that intense physical activity will help you burn unwanted calorie s, but achieving weight loss goals isn’t only about calorie intake. You also have to be fueled by the kind of foods that will enable you to engage in consistent physical activity.DailyBurn  recommends a combination of carbohydrates and protein after a workout, and eating some carbohydrates before exercising.To keep unwanted pounds away for good, adhere to a balanced diet and introduce a sufficient amount of exercise into your schedule.You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people

4 office protocol tips to follow for Valentines Day, from experts

4 office protocol tips to follow for Valentine’s Day, from experts 4 office protocol tips to follow for Valentine’s Day, from experts Since Valentine’s Day falls on a weekday this year, common-sense rules of professionalism should be followed at work. Interacting with coworkers should be like any other day. Experts recommend to keep things low-key and act as if it’s any other Thursday.Don’t give gifts or cardsNot only is giving cards or gifts to co-workers unprofessional for Valentine’s Day, it’s not appropriate, says Rachel Wagner, a business etiquette and protocol expert.“This can send the wrong message and cause awkwardness when you meet in the hallway or break room,” she says.Don’t engage in Valentine’s Day undertonesWagner says Valentine’s Day does not give anyone license to “flirt” with coworkers and possibly convey misunderstanding and mixed signals: “On the same note, avoid giving ‘compliments’ that convey the wrong message, like, ‘You look really nice in that dress.’ Instead, keep the compliments professional, ‘Ashley, I appreciate how you ran the meeting today.’ ”On e acceptable compliment, however, is to acknowledge the gifts that others received from spouses/significant others that might be displayed on their desk, such as flowers, Wagner says.Keep gestures general and genericEveryone can “share the love” by taking in treats for the entire department or team.“Great items to share include: heart-shaped cookies, a homemade cherry coffee cake, brownies, bagels with strawberry cream cheese or a box of chocolates,” suggest Wagner.Everyone will appreciate your thoughtfulness even if they don’t indulge.Keep your Valentine’s Day plans privateDiscussions of personal life and relationship status, hot dates, etc are also not appropriate for work, says Lew Bayer, CEO Civility Experts.“I’m not sure what the equivalent of a Christmas Scrooge is â€" but whatever it is, I highly recommend being that at work, at least from 9-5 on Valentine’s Day.”

3 Common Work Style Interview QuestionsAnd How to Answer Them

3 Common Work Style Interview Questionsâ€"And How to Answer Them 3 Common Work Style Interview Questions- And How to Answer Them Because each organization has its own special culture and way of doing things, hiring managers often ask questions directly aimed at figuring out a candidate’s work style. A good fit increases the odds of bringing aboard someone who will be comfortable with the expectations for the job and the environment in which it is performed. Smart applicants think about work style questions prior to an interview in order to present effective, thoughtful answers. While there isn’t a right or wrong work style, feigning a match can lead to disappointment. “Candidates should always be truthful or they may regret it,” says Linda Matias, president of CareerStrides.com. “For example, a candidate who prefers to work alone will tear his hair out if the majority of his workday requires him to work  on a team. An answer may not mesh with an interviewers expectations, and thats okay. The end game isnt to get  any  job offer. Its to get one where the candidate will succeed professionally and culturally.” Ready to showcase your work style? Prepare responses to these three commonly asked questions: 1. Can you work without supervision? An employer asking this may be hinting that the position requires a self-motivated individual capable of producing with minimal hand-holding. Lavie Margolin, author of Mastering the Job Interview, suggests a sample answer such as: “I can work under any management style, including without supervision. Once it is clear what my objectives are and how the company wants me to execute those objectives, I can do the job. In my last position, the supervisor had responsibilities that pulled him in many different directions, and he had little time to oversee my work. As I understood what was expected of me, I was able to work without a problem.” 2. Would you rather work on a team or alone? Some roles require substantial interaction with colleagues, while others involve more independent projects. A person in a position that aligns with his personal preference is likely to be happier and more productive. That isn’t to say that someone needs to be exclusively on one side. As this Work It Daily article notes, “If you know you’ll be working alone most of the time, you can say, ‘I prefer working alone, but I think that working with a team on occasion is nice, because it boosts my creativity.’ If you’ll be mostly working with a team, say, ‘I like working in a group setting, but sometimes it’s nice to have sole responsibility for a project.’ Keep in mind the primary working conditions for that job, while remembering that sometimes you will be required to step outside of your comfort zone.” 3. Who was your worst boss? Conflict with management is a common occurrence. The interviewer wants to understand your style of dealing with such situations. Saying that you’ve never had a difficulty can be a bit unbelievable. Instead, focus on your ability to handle conflict and arrive at a positive outcome. Consider offering a real-life example, such as this one formulated by Margolin:  â€œWell, I wouldnt say that any boss was the ‘worst,’ as it’s natural for a manager and subordinate to have conflicts at times. But there was one who I thought would be my worst boss when we got off on the wrong foot. After about two years at my first job, I was assigned to report to a new manager. His management style was very different from my first manager’s, and it took some time to adjust. One manager was very hands on while the other was hands off, and each had different preferences for communicating and reporting information. After a few miscommunications with the new manager, I asked for a meeting to clear the air and go over his expectations and preferences. It was very helpful, and we actually ended up working very well together after that.” Looking for more interview help? Check out these articles on weird questions companies ask and how to answer questions about weaknesses.

This favorite snack may get rid of your cough (according to a doctor)

This favorite snack may get rid of your cough (according to a doctor) This favorite snack may get rid of your cough (according to a doctor) It is very rare these days to get good news. But we may just have drudged some up, and the prospects are delicious. Because according to an expert,   “Chocolate can calm coughs.”Dr.  Alyn Morice, a professor at the University of Hull and  a founding member of the International Society for the Study of Cough, said he knew his assertion sounded like something out of Mary Poppins - just a spoonful of cocoa makes a cough subside. Nevertheless, it’s true.  The viscosity and stickiness of cocoa means that it can coat our throats and subdue the urge to cough.Morice  explained this shocking revelation in the Daily Mail a few years ago. Why the idea did not transform medicine as we know it (what else could chocolate cure, and why aren’t pharmacies giving out over-the-counter Godiva now?), this writer will never know. But at least it justifies eating fistfuls of candy during a sick day (aka  a work-from-home day). Or does it?Technically, it depends on the kind of chocolate. Most of Mo rice’s observations are based on medications that incorporate cocoa, among other ingredients. One such medicine is  Unicough.Morice hypothesized that sucking on a piece of chocolate “may provide some relief, but I think it is the way the chocolate compounds work with other ingredients in the linctus which make it so effective.” Sadly, hot chocolate is not a suitable stand-in for chocolate-based medicine, either.What it sounds like is, for science’s sake, we should all be testing whether eating entire bars of chocolate soothes our tired throats. It’s a good time to stumble upon this knowledge as well, as many of us are currently battling winter colds and flu. So instead of bringing cough drops to work, stop by the bodega and grab a Toblerone bar.Then, we self-described medical experts can assess our own chocolate-infused data and see where we go from there (probably to the store for more chocolate).

Important Bookkeeping Job Skills

Important Bookkeeping Job Skills Important Bookkeeping Job Skills Bookkeepers record and classify financial transactions. As well as being comfortable with numbers, organizational skills are particularly important for people in this role. If you are applying for a job as a bookkeeper, review the following list of  bookkeeping  skills, along with information on how to highlight these skills throughout your job application.     Whats the Difference Between a Bookkeeper and an Accountant?   In fact, these two roles have their similarities; bookkeepers and accountants often possess similar sets of skills.  However, many states govern whether you can call yourself one or the other. Bookkeepers often start from a data-entry level, maintaining a business’s financial records and documenting its transactions. Bookkeepers can add certifications to their resumes, from college programs to professional organization certifications, such as the  American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers  (AIPB) and the  National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers  (NACPB). Accountants typically go beyond record keeping to provide analysis on the financials.   Top Skills for Bookkeepers   Bookkeepers must master a variety of hard skills, as well as possessing some soft skills. Here are some of the most important skills to highlight in your application:   Debits and credits: At the heart of the bookkeeping role is recording what a business spends (debits) and what it takes in (credits). It can be helpful to mention your familiarity with accounting software, both generally and the names of specific companies (like Quicken) in your application.   Numeracy: A good bookkeeper is comfortable with numbers. Of course, you dont need to do mental arithmetic (calculators, spreadsheet formulas, and software are here to help), but familiarity and comfort with numbers will help you catch errors.   Invoicing: In order for the company to make money, invoices must be sent out. As well as detailing the process, it can be helpful to think through and share examples of how youve dealt with late payments or customer pushback on invoices.   Attention to detail: Bookkeepers must make sure that the books are reconciled and that every last bill is paid, and every single invoice is sent out and followed up on in a timely manner. Being willing to track down every tiny detail and not forget any task is a core soft skill for bookkeepers.   The following is a full list of bookkeeping skills.   Basic Accounting and Bookkeeping Skills Accounting skills are the foundation for bookkeeping since you are maintaining the financial books for the business. You need to know your way around debits and credits, to say the least. Any additional skills you can add will give your resume a boost. AccountingAccounts PayableAccounts ReceivableAccrual AccountingAuditingBalance SheetsBank DepositsBank ReconciliationDebits and CreditsDeferral TransactionsDepreciationFinancial StatementsGeneral LedgerInventory TransactionsNonprofit AccountingJournal EntriesNotes Payroll Accounting Skills If the business has even one employee, and that includes you, it has to deal with payroll bookkeeping and accounting. Employers will be looking for skills that include these. Benefits CalculationBonuses and CommissionsDepositing Payroll TaxesOvertimePayroll Journal EntriesPayroll Tax CalculationsReporting Payroll TaxesWage and Salary CalculationWithholding Vendor and Customer Skills Managing transactions and the flow of cash is a critical bookkeeping function. BillingCustomer RelationsInvoicingMonetary ExchangePaymentsVendor Relations Computer and Technology Skills As a bookkeeper, your technical skill set will almost always need to include familiarity or expertise with some form of computer software. Accounting SoftwareComputerFreshBooksGoogle DocsLess AccountingMicrosoft OfficeQuickBooksQuickenSageSpreadsheets, ExcelTax SoftwareWave AccountingZoHo Books Soft Skills Soft skills are often called people or interpersonal skills, but theyre more than that. They also include your emotional intelligence and your ability to understand situations and respond in a way that produces the best results. Attention to DetailContinuous LearningCritical ThinkingDecision MakingDetail OrientedError CorrectionFinding InformationJob Task Planning and OrganizingOral CommunicationProblem SolvingSignificant Use of MemorySupervisingWorking With OthersWritten Communications Hard Skills and Proficiency With Numbers Hard skills are skills you can learn through study or skills that you can easily quantify. These are part of your technical skill set and demonstrate your ability to perform specific tasks. Math LevelNumeracyRecord keepingTyping Speed (WPM)Using CalculatorsUsing  Adding Machines How to Use Skill Lists Once youve reviewed the above list, heres how to use them to craft a bookkeeping-specific resume and throughout your application:   Add skill words/phrases to your  resume.  In the description of your work history, you might want to use some of the keywords listed above. It may also be helpful to include some in your resumes skills section.   Include them in your  cover letter.  In the body of your letter, you can mention one or two of these skills, and give a specific example of a time when you demonstrated those skills at work. Mention your skills during an  interview.  Think through examples of times when youve demonstrated the top skills listed above.   Of course, each job will require different skills and experiences, so make sure you read the job description carefully, and focus on the skills listed by the employer. You can also review our lists of  skills listed by job  and  type of skill  for more skills to potentially highlight during your job hunt.

3 Investments to Improve Your Chances of Landing a Job

3 Investments to Improve Your Chances of Landing a Job 3 Investments to Improve Your Chances of Landing a Job As a job seeker, you naturally expecta return on your job search in the form of a steady paycheck and gainful employment, right? While a position with a steady paycheck is your primary goal, you might need to make an investment at times to get to that point. Some job seekers move quickly through the process of landing a job. These are the ones who understand that they must give a little on the front end at times. What does this mean, practically? Investing in a job search might include the following: Getting a new “interview outfit” Enlisting someone to create a professionally crafted resume Spending time and money onother necessary expenses Below are a few additional investments to consider if you are currently seeking employment or will be this year. Volunteer your services The skills you need in orderto remain successful in your industry can change at a rapid pace. If you spend even a few months unemployed, you may end up behind. When you find yourselfout of the loop of new technology, the impact of being out of work is only intensified. How can you offset this problem? Trying volunteering in your industry. This can keep your skills from becoming stagnant. Is there a nonprofit organization, school, or small business in the area? Does it have a lean staff? Can you use relevant skills in this organization or business? If so, this is a perfect place to offer your expertise. It is a win-win situation. The company will receive the assistance and you will have recent experience on your resume. Meanwhile, you will be staying busy and keeping your skills sharp. The added bonuses of volunteering include working alongside professionals that can help you to get hired or refer you to someone else with a job opening. Get professional headshots This price of professional headshots may vary but they do not have to be overly expensive. You may be able to find photography student in your area that will take your photos for a small investment or a grade for a class. Investing in headshots will improve your personal and professional brand. A professional photo will also make you appear more approachable on social media (including LinkedIn). (For more LinkedIn photo tips check out 5 Tips For A Perfect LinkedIn Profile Photo.) I am not sure what is worse, the selfie profile picture or no photo at all. However, it is certain that a professional image of you with a nice and inviting smile will make recruiters want to read your profile and know more about you. The photo will help them to connect with you as well. Other places to put your professional headshot: On your business cards On your online resume profile Join aprofessional organization Is there a group or organization that specializes in educating, nurturing, or providing resources to people in your field? If there is not an official association, look for an informal group or meet-up. The fees can range in price but it is worth the investment. Here are a few benefits of joining a relevant professional organization: It will provide excellent resources for networking It will give your resume a boost You will have the ability to network with your peers If applicable, you will have the opportunity to hireprofessionals in your industry Some associations also have a job board that lists jobs exclusively for members. In that case, you will be able to get a leg up on the competition. May we help you? In summary, being a proactive job seeker is necessary to stand out from the competition. Whether your investment includes time or money, the return on the investment will be well worth it. Good luck with embarking on these three investments that can improve your chances of landing that dream job! Do you need help writing or updating your resume? Here at Find My Profession, we offer a terrific resume writing service. Contact us today and let us know how we can help you craft a professional resume for your job search.