Reap the Benefits of Being Your Own Boss With Contract Lawyer Work

Reap the Benefits of Being Your Own Boss With Contract Lawyer WorkReap the Benefits of Being Your Own Boss With Contract Lawyer WorkWhether you are thinking of changing careers, in search of a permanent legal job at a law firm, or looking for better work/life balance, dont overlook work as a contract lawyer as a viable short- or long-term employment option.More and more attorneys are realizing the benefitsto working on a project basis as a contract lawyer, including diverse assignments and the opportunity to work with a variety of employers. Here are four reasons why you should consider working as a contract attorney1. The variety of work will enhance your skills and deepen your legal knowledge.For many, working as a contract lawyer can not only provide a source of income but also the opportunity to keep skills and legal knowledge fresh. Contract lawyer work also can be a way for enterprising attorneys who are hanging out their own shingle to earn steady income while growing their pr actice. These assignments also might lead to a full-time lokalitt at a law firm or as part of an in-house legal team.Employers looking to hire contract attorneys differ, and so do the types of work they offer, including litigation support and the ediscovery process, contract administration, and mergers and acquisitions-related matters. For example, an employer may need help drafting pleadings or contracts, analyzing data for ediscovery, or preparing for litigation by taking deorts or interviewing witnesses. Or an attorney may need extra help handling a high number of court appearances. Working as a contract attorney can provide you with a wide variety of work experiences.2. You can select assignments that suit your legal professional needs and better balance your personal obligations.Contract lawyer work is not just a path to full-time work, however. Because of its many benefits, some attorneys choose to work in project-based positions for years, largely because of the flexibility s uch work provides. One assignment might entail 50 hours a week for three weeks another, 60 hours a week for eight months, depending on the nature of the job. While such unpredictability might be unsettling for some, many attorneys prize this kind of flexibility and find it enables them to achieve greater work/life balance, sign up for classes that support legal continuing education or pursue other interests.3. Youll have an opportunity to connect with a diverse array of employers.Contract attorney work provides you with an opportunity to make connections in the legal community. Over time, you are likely to work with numerous attorneys and legal professionals at different firms. These connections can prove invaluable if yourelooking for a full-time positionand often can help to connect you with legal job opportunities or leads.Another advantage of project work is that attorneys can choose when and where they want towork. After one assignment ends, theyre free to move on to another or take a break.4. Staffing agencies for legal employment can do the legwork for you.Consider signing up for email notificationsfrom your local bar associations legal job board or industry websites. If youre a recent graduate, your law schools career services office should be able to provide you with a list of relevant resources. Also, searching for contract or temporary attorney positions on career websites, legal-based or not, can produce valuable job leads.You also can find a contract attorney position by working with aspecialized staffing firm. If you choose to take this approach, there will likely be an initial interview process, after which youll receive information regarding projects for which youre qualified. Staffing agencies for legal employment can help to simplify your search by doing the legwork for you. And the best legal staffing companies have extensive networks to help them match you with the best and most appropriate opportunities.For more information regarding contr act lawyer positions, visitour website.

Top 100 Misspelled Words in Resumes

Top 100 Misspelled Words in ResumesTop 100 Misspelled Words in ResumesTop 100 Misspelled Words in ResumesIn my never-ending quest to learn everything there is to know about resumes, I came across the web site of the Kentucky Office of Employment Training, which has a handy list of 100 commonly misspelled words on resumes, cover letters, and job applications. Its nice to have them all in one place.I was not all that surprised to see that words such as business, knowledge, recommend, responsibility, and grammar all made the list.So did the word writer, which is kind ofdisturbing.But the most puzzling entries in the commonly misspelled resume words have to be prophecy and prophesy. Really. How many people are out there looking for work as prophets?Come to think of it, I guess the gift of prophecy would make you stand out from the crowd. (Talk about a soft skill)Anyway, Im curious, what are YOUR favorite or most hated misspellings?Here are mine Ican never remember how many rs are in e mbarrass and exaggerate, and it drives me CRAZY when people write loose when they mean lose.

Drink up! Alcohol can actually improve your ability to speak a foreign language

Drink up Alcohol can actually improve your ability to speak a foreign languageDrink up Alcohol can actually improve your ability to speak a foreign languageIts well documented that drinking alcohol can loosen your tongue and inhibitions, but one unexpected side effect is that your beer courage may give you the superpower to relax and speak a foreign language better, according to a new study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.We know, we know.Consuming alcohol seems to run contrary to the skills needed to conjugate your French verbs correctly. As anyone who has woken up to a headache of bad decisions post-drinking knows, chugging one too many glasses of beer inhibits your executive functioning, inhibitory control, and working memory.This cognitive inhibition is the key to the hypothesisFritz Renner of Maastricht University in the Netherlands and his colleagues were testing when they recruited native German-speaking studentswith comparable levels of proficiency in Dutch. Th e researchers theorized that alcohol would inflate bilingual speakers perception of their own ability to speak Dutch. Drinking a vodka cocktail would help the students think they were speaking Dutch better, while leid actually improving their ability to speak Dutch.Or so the researchers thoughtStudy 1-2 drinks can actually improve your ability to speak a foreign languageBut to the researchers surprise, the boost of Smirnoff Red did not make a significant difference in the students self-rating of their language skills. Their confidence levels were not overblown with the addition of a drink.The drink did, however, make a difference in their ability to be understood in Dutch by others.Native Dutch speakers scored the students who drank higher than the ones who were given water, noting that the drinkers had better pronunciation and overall Dutch language skills.The key is relaxationThe drink of alcohol did not appear to inflate students confidence of their abilities, but the researchers speculate that moderate consumption of alcohol may have helped them relax.Alcohol is known for its tension-reducing properties, the study states. It is possible that a low to moderate dose of alcohol reduces language anxiety and therefore increases both ones foreign language proficiency and ones subjective foreign language evaluation.Its important to note that theres a difference between the moderate alcohol consumption the researchers tested and overdoing it. Drinking a glass of champagne may help you be less self-conscious about your vowels, but drinking four of those wont stop your speech from slurring, regardless of how many Spanish classes you took in high school. Drink wisely.

Extreme Resume Makeover Junior Web Developer

Extreme Resume Makeover Junior Web Developer Extreme Resume Makeover Junior Web Developer Ive given a lot of practical resume tips over the years, but I think its often hard to apply general tips and strategies to your own very specific situation. So to help you visualize how these tips can be applied to an individuals work history, Im going to start a regular series in which Ill show you some of my resume makeovers. These are real clients although their names, contact information and work histories have been disguised heavily.Every two weeks, Ill post a before and after resume and explain the reasoning behind the decisions I made. Hopefully, these real world examples will help you step back and take a look at your own resume especially if you havent been getting a great response to yours.Our ClientClive came to us a few years ago. He had been employed in a couple of internships since leaving college but had been unable to secure a full-time position. As we do with all our clients , we had Clive complete our proprietary self-examination questionnaire, The Explorer. Theres very little this questionnaire doesnt catch, and once I reviewed his answers, I knew what our strategy would be.Web Developer Resume BeforeBut first lets start with the resume Clive was using when he signed up with Blue Sky (click the resume to binnensee a larger version of page one)Clive had done many of the right things with his resume. He had presented himself professionally and in an organized manner and he had tried to communicate what made him valuable to potential employers by creating a qualifications profile.But speaking as someone who has done more hiring than I care to remember, this resume just doesnt stand out. At all Nothing about it says hire me and this is a particular problem when you consider that Clive has very little work experience. Not to mention the gap in work history. The resume was written at the beginning of 2008 and you can see that his belastung internship ende d in 2006. All in all, when this resume lands on an employers desk, it is not going to be there long before it winds up in the no pile.The MakeoverHere is page one of the resume I created for Clive (again, click to enlarge)Key points to noteClive was from Germany and was waiting for a US work visa to be approved. This is why he hadnt worked since 2006. But he was a keen designer and had used his time to work pro bono on a variety of assignments. Therefore, I wrote about these as freelance work and positioned them above his internship. There is no rule that says experience has to be paid to be valuable.When you are relatively new to the workforce, your passion and attitude and enthusiasm are one of your best selling points. (Trust me, very few of your competitors are communicating these things) So I spiced up the introduction to Clives resume with a prozentsatz from his Explorer worksheet. This jumped out at me when I read it as exactly the kind of thing employers needed to know abou t him and yet its nowhere to be seen in his old resume. No matter what stage of your career youre at, conveying passion is key.Clive is a gifted designer, but you wouldnt know it from his resume. Now there are limits to what can be done with resume design, for reasons I explain here, but those limitations dont stop us being somewhat creative. I checked Clives website and found a beautiful clean orange and gray design. As much as possible, I replicated the look on his resume (including the image, which was lifted directly from his site). Make sure youre presenting a consistent and eye-catching look across all media especially if you are in a creative profession. As a developer, technical skills are key and yet Clive had hidden his one page 2 of his resume. Since he is just starting out in his career, its very important that he show employers the scope of his knowledge. I moved these skills up on to page one. Make sure key information is right upfront.Personality is key in a resume. Clives old resume was full of the words people think sound good in a resume (for example skilled in prioritizing and managing multiple tasks simultaneously while mastering innovative tools and software but be honest doesnt that sound like a big bunch of blahblahblah when you read it? Would you be excited to meet that person? Compare that to the quote from Clive where he expresses real enthusiasm and personality and theres no competition. Be yourself in your resume dont use words youve seen other people use if they dont sound like you.There are people who disagree with me on this last point, but I think simple and clear language is key in a successful resume. Dont use twenty words when ten will do and dont use long words just because they sound more official. The language in the new resume is much clearer and easier to read than in Clives original and therefore it packs more punch. Be direct, concise and easy to understand.The last I heard, Clives visa came through and he had secu red several interviews for entry-level development jobs with web design agencies. He was truly surprised at the change in reaction to his resume and yet nothing about him, his skills or his career history had changed just the way he presented himself in his resume.Thats the power of making these kind of changes and if youre struggling to get interviews, I hope seeing this example inspires you to take another look at your own resume.Good luck and if you need step-by-step help in writing your resume, check out The Blue Sky Guide to Resume Writing. In this downloadable eBook, I walk you through the entire resume creation process from start to finish, just as I did in this blog post. Your resume will never be the same again

Do You Have a Lack of Internal Applicants for Managerial Roles

Do You Have aLack of Internal Applicantsfor Managerial Roles Do You Have aLack of Internal Applicantsfor Managerial Roles If you recognize this situation, there may be an image problem or an actual problem with the middle management experience in your firm that is negatively impacting your ability to attract internal talent. Alack of of internal talent will dent your competitive edge, as studies show that internal hires perform better, cost less, and are mora profitable than external hires.If youfind that staff have a genuine fear of management in your business, you cannot afford to ignore the problem. You may be consoled by the knowledge that you are not alone in this predicamentaccording to a CareerBuilder Survey,52 percent of workers dont want to move into management and are doing just fine in their current role. This means that, at least in part, you may be caught up in a wider anti-management trend, one that potentially stems from the high-profile failures in management seen during the recent economic crisis.Nevertheless, you do need to take action to defeat this antipathy toward management if it exists in your business if you are to realize the full potential of your workforce. I have identified several strategies that can help you galvanize your workforce and re-engage topperformerswith the career ladder in your business.1. Remove the Fear of FailureDont play Chutes and Ladders. The risk of failure is a major deterrent that prevents many employees from aiming for managerial roles. High-performing employeescan move into management positions, crash and burn quickly, and find themselves tossed out without a parachute.It doesnt have to be this way. Show workers that failed managers are not ejected from the organization unceremoniously, but aretreated with respect and given the option and support to move sideways or downwards to a role in which they can be a star again. Let staff members know theres a parachute and a soft landing if the management career isnt right for them.2. Hire More Dissatisfied PeopleThe CareerBuilder survey mentioned above shows that workers who are satisfied with what they have tend not to shoot for the stars. Theres nothing wrong with that its a healthy mindset and a valid pathway to inner peace, even if it isnt staunchly capitalist. However,having too many satisfied types will harm your talent pipeline. Take a good look at the hiring process and start to swing the balance a little in favor of hiring more ambitious and dissatisfied candidates.3. Job Sharing and Four-Day Management RolesAnother bigreason why people dont want to manage is the perception that theyll need to sacrifice their work-life balance and start putting in 50-hour workweeks. Can you try a management job-sharing program, or build three-four day part-time management options that make it unnecessary for employees tosacrifice work-life balance when they become managers?4. Prepare Employeesfor the TransitionMany workers lack the confidence or feel they lack the competence to move into managerial roles. So, you should provide managerial training and support from the outset to encourage more candidates to apply for these positions.If you adopt these strategies in whole or in part, you should be able to increase the flow and range of internal applicants for your managerial roles.Id love to hear from people who are reluctant to move into management and why that is. Id also like to hear from managers who have been able to encourage reluctant managers to move into management roles and how they achieved that

A Startling Fact about Hobbies and Interests for Resume Uncovered

A Startling Fact about Hobbies and Interests for Resume Uncovered There are several social activities you may include in your resume. Keep in mind, you would like to be relatable and likable. Highlights the experience and skills you have which could be associated with the job which youre applying for. These examples of hobbies are optimized to show certain abilities or abilities which will be advantageous to unique profiles. Your interests help them know that youre exactly the type of person they are interested in finding. By providing several unique activities, you can demonstrate that youre flexible to be comfortable in various circumstances and youre relatable to many different individuals. You have to organize the info in your resume in a means which best portrays your experiences. Everybody likes music, which is the reason you should always avoid being vague. A possible employer is going to have an interest in you if they believe that you can set the requirements of the business at first before your personal gains. You could find that the employer values employee hobbies and interests beyond work. If youre on the lookout for an internship at a company such as Google, for instance, one previous intern says hiring managers wish to see interesting personal details on your resume. If youre searching for an internship at a company such as Google, for instance, one previous intern says hiring managers wish to see interesting personal details on your CV. Hobbies and Interests for Resume - Dead or Alive? Hence, its important that whatever youre including needs to be regarding the job youre applying to. In significance, its related to the kind of job that youre currently applying for. Hint If youre not hoping to obtain a specific job, use an Objective range to describe what kind of do the job which youre browsing for and why you would like it. For instance, perhaps you are asking for work in a dynamic, collaborative work atmosphere. Showing s ome interests and activities beyond your work experience could really offer you a leg up over the remaining portion of the candidates. Painting You get a creative mind. For instance, you might list international travel for a hobby if its something which you do regularly. The main aim of your own as you look for a work which you have to hunt for that ones, which may be the absolute fruchtwein near what you desire. If youre a job seeker, you might be wondering in case you should contain hobbies in your resume. Always bear in mind that you wish to be relatable and likable. If you decide on hobbies and experiences that are acceptable for your position, you will be proving that youre even mora of a fit. Ensure you also focus on the skills which are going to be beneficial for the new position. Though you might have multiple hobbies, yet your selection of a career will allow you to decide what hobbies to mention in resume. Possessing quirky and distinctive hobbies and individual i nterests on resume is an incredible approach to assemble attention Mentioning an extensive collection of hobbies and individual interests on resume might be an issue as the man or woman may come out to be quite distributive. Be aware that computing for a hobby is introverted. Youre able to reveal your hobby is cooking. For the large part, you only ought to list hobbies if theyre professionally relevant. The Fundamentals of Hobbies and Interests for Resume Revealed Participation in group sports like basketball, football, cricket etc. signifies that youve got the capacity to work as a member of a team to accomplish a frequent aim. An interest in games including Sudoku and chess indicates that you have the capacity to think strategically. It isnt necessary that you need to have the generic photography or football for a pastime. Even should you will have to learn in your private time, you might move quicker up the ladder in the event that you really would like to be better. I n terms of the employer perspective, companies discover that their employees are more motivated to carry out well and are more inclined to remain in the position longer when they feel satisfied at work. Unless your interests are associated with the job youre applying to, the skills may not help you grabbing the job. When youre seeking work, be certain the work will cause you to get happy. In addition to that, additionally, it displays a work ethic that may set you apart from other candidates. Listing your hobbies plays a part in demonstrating how youre relate to the organizations culture. Odds are you will locate a topic to bond over. Most individuals find reading a pastime. If you cannot think of any particular interests or passion that you are able to document supporting your program, dont be tempted to bring the cliches. So besides improving your academic wisdom and experience, youve got other interests like keeping yourself active and fit. Knowing your interviewers indi vidual interests provides you with a pocket full of icebreaker topics.

Occupational Health Safety

Occupational Health Safety Occupational Health SafetyPosted October 13, 2011, by Andrea RiddellAll Australian workplaces need to adhere to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards to avoid workplace illness and injury. Good OHS leid only improves safety in the workplace but also increases morale and productivity. OHS standards are enforced by each state or territory. Employers and employees need to work together to maintain a safe and effective workplace.EmployersEmployers have a duty of care for the health and safety of their employees. In order to provide a safe working environment, employers need to identify possible hazards and risks and adapt OHS policies and procedures to prevent accidents, injuries and illnesses. An employer must guarantee that their business has (if applicable)Safe premisesSafe machinery and materialsSafe systems of workInformation, instruction, training and supervisionA suitable working environment and facilitiesThis is achieved by understanding th e Occupational Health and Safety Act and byKeeping up-to-date knowledge on health and safety mattersUnderstanding the operations undertaken by the business to foresee hazards and risksProviding training and productive instruction for workersObserving and monitoring safe practices during work operationsEmployeesWorkers also have a responsibility to work sensibly and follow correct procedures. Employees need to be aware of and understand OHS policies and workplace instructions, especially when operating machinery. It is critical that workers have input into the monitoring and reporting of workplace safety. Employees need toTake reasonable care and monitor their own health and safetyTake care that their actions do not negatively affect the health and safety of fellow employeesComply with reasonable instruction in health and safety proceduresAlert their supervisor or OHS representative about hazards or other safety issuesAbiding by these principles can greatly reduce the amount of sic kness and injury in the workplaceOHS practicesSome OHS procedures that are common across all parts of Australia includeUtilising all safety equipment provided when necessaryFollowing health and safety instructions given to you by supervisors or OHS representativesUsing equipment, including machinery, properlyParticipating in health and safety training and proceduresBeing aware and understanding safety signs and symbolsSafety HazardsThere are a range of factors in the workplace that can potentially become a safety hazard to employees. behauptung depend on the physical environment, nature of operations and employee compatibility. As either an employer or employee, you need to be aware of issues that may arise.Psychosocial issuesHuman interaction, behaviour and psychology can greatly affect ones health and safety in the workplace. These would include things like bullying, fatigue, stress, violence, and alcohol and drugs. Some workers may be more vulnerable than others to psychosocial stress, due to certain characteristics. These can includeHaving a non-English speaking backgroundHaving different cultural or religious beliefsBeing of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descentBeing aged between 1625Having a disability or long-term illness or injuryWorking on a temporary grund Employers and employees need to be aware that these characteristics can cause difficulties in communicating and can lead to victimisation, bullying, and an adverse overall effect on health and safety in the workplace. As an employer you will need to be aware of any unusual or changed behaviour in your workers. It is important to try and understand any underlying problems that may have caused these psychosocial issues. For this to occur you need to have strong channels of communication. As employees it is important to inform your supervisor or OHS representative of any unusual or changed behaviour in your fellow employees. Also be sure to inform your employer of any problems or issues th at you may be facing that might affect your work or jeopardise your safety.ChemicalsChemicals include materials and substances that can adversely affect the health of workers. Some chemicals can pose an immediate risk to workers as well as the environment and are labelled as dangerous goods. Chemicals can also cause harm through exposure. These are usually classified as hazardous and can cause long-term effects to your health. The storage and handling of chemicals needs to be strictly monitored to ensure the safety of workers.CarcinogensCarcinogens are substances which may cause cancer. Carcinogens are listed as notifiable or prohibited and there are specific requirements concerning their use and regulation.Manual handling and ergonomicsManual handling includes any activity or task that may require physical exertion. These can include lifting, pushing, carrying or any other repetitive or awkward movements. Injuries resulting from manual handling are extremely common, but are prevent able.NoiseConstant exposure to loud or excessive noise can cause permanent hearing loss. Employers need to put in place control measures to ensure that worker safety is guaranteed when noise levels exceed a certain level.Plant machinery and equipmentOperating machinery can be extremely dangerous and can lead to injuries and even fatalities. Workers need to be thoroughly trained in how to operate and maintain plant. Any machinery and equipment needs to be kept in a safe and working condition. This is achieved through regular inspection and maintenance to keep up-to-date on the need for repairs and replacements.Working environmentSome hazards can arise from the work environment. Issues may arise from smoking, confined spaces, sun exposure and temperature. It is up to the employer to identify and control hazards that could occur in the workplace. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becomi ng a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice Administrator CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineAndrea RiddellRelated ArticlesBrowse moreResume tipsSocial mediaTraditional resumes still reign supremeWe may be living in a digital age, but leading HR professionals still rank the traditional resume as the most effective recruitment tool.FinanceRisky businessYou crash your car. You have emergency heart surgery. Your suitcase is stolen. Of course, these are all less-than-ideal situations but theyre all linked by an urgent need for one simple thing insurance.CoworkersHow To Respond To A Confusing Email An Email TemplateWeve all received this kind of email before. You know the one it makes absolutely no sense and has you (and the rest of your team) scratching your heads and wondering what exactly your colleague or client wants you to do. Heres how to respond.