Things All Hopeful Expatriate Employees Should Consider

Things All Hopeful Expatriate Employees Should ConsiderThings All Hopeful Expatriate Employees Should ConsiderAn expatriate is defined as someone who lives outside their native country. There is no denying we live in a connected, global economy where anyone can work with anyone from anywhere. New global technology communities have lead to the growth of expatriate employees, who travel abroad to experience expat life working in a new country.Before becoming an expatriate employee, there are still things you need to know before picking up and leaving your country for a new job. Make sure you plan for the following to have an easy going expat life.Have your paperwork in bestellungPassports are essential for expatriate employees to travel zwischenstaatlichly. Renew your passport and/or make sure you have a brand new one. The last thing you need is to be an expatriate who gets stopped at an airport by immigration BEFORE you arrive at your location. This US Government website is very helpf ul at explaining how to apply and renew your passport.Try and speak the language of your new countryNo one can learn a language overnight, but there are great apps like Duolingo that make learning a language much easier.There are many expatriate employees in countries that have negative attitudes towards people who want to live in their countrybut canleid speak the language. Do some research and see if it will be a problem for you. Learning the local language will open up new doors for you.Have money saved in a bank account in your native countryAs an expatriate, this money will be your emergency money just in case something happens to the money you make in your new country. Aside from possible security issues that may arise with ID theft in a new country with new banks, you also want to make sure you know how much money you would actually make back home. Try using this currency converter. Make sure your country plays nice with your new countrySee if you have a job in one of the bes t countries for expats.Not all countries play nice with each other. If you have a passport stamp from a country that may be in conflict with the country you are supposed to work in, you may be denied entry into the very country you are supposed to working inTo give you a personal example, I once had difficulty entering Egypt because I had a stamp on my passport from Israel. Why? Well, I did leid ask. It was best I did not. Immigration saw I had just made a mistake, gave me a stern warning, and let me go.Tip If you are in that situation, you may want to apply for a 2nd passport. Here is a guide on how to do that and avoid any problems entering a country.Investigate possible health and food issuesWhen expatriate employees go to a new country, they all say the food tastes different and it does not always sit right in their stomachs. As an expatriate, you may encounter new diseases or bacteria that your body never built up an immunity to in the USA. This guide is excellent for researchi ng what health warnings countries are currently experiencing.More so, remember that you are going to a new country that may not have the same level of healthcare you get normally. If you are on prescription medications, for example, make sure your new country carries it.Make sure you are able to get International Health Insurance, as well. Costs of healthcare vary from country to country and the last thing you want is to get violently ill in a country that has no idea how to treat you.Ask your company to assign you an ambassadorWhen expatriate employees are strangers in a strange land, they need someone familiar with the local cultures who enjoys teaching outsiders about all the things to be careful of or how to interpret local cultures. As an expatriate, it will serve you to be a student of their culture.I had created several ambassador programs working for international companies over the last 15 years. Some fun things I still remember being told from visits to Denmark, Colombia, and EgyptColombia You have to understand the way they tell you, No, because they do not like to use that word. Also, never slam a car door on a taxi. They see it as a sign you were unhappy with the ride. And dont be fooled by the moderate temperature. The sun is really strong given the elevation of much of the country. Finally, learn Colombian Spanish. To the locals, that is the real Spanish.Denmark The Law of Jante. This was explained to me as the reasons why people never brag in Denmark.Egypt When shopping in a market, it is insulting if you do not haggle with merchants. Also, buy the meat with flies buzzing around it. If you do not see flies, it means the merchant sprayed it with bug spray. And, again, make sure your passport is clean of stamps from countries not viewed favorably.There is always something new and the world is a fascinating place. An ambassador can help you learn why people reacted a certain way to your behavior. You will learn some street-smarts for your new coun try, which makes assimilating much easier. It is also a good way to not accidentally cause an international incident.Have an exit planHave a plan for what happens if the job does not work out. It happens in every job you get started and suddenly realize neither the company or country is a great fit for you. Or something happens that demands you head back. Have that plan in place for the possibility you need to be on the next flight home.

#4 Bored at Work Watch these Remarkable New TV Series

#4 Bored at Work Watch these Remarkable New TV Series #4 Bored at Work Watch these Remarkable New TV Series Breaking Bad Breaking Bad may not be the newest TV series, but it is one of the most successful. Highschool chemistry teacher diagnosed with lung cancer uses his knowledge to cook and sell crystal meth in order to pile up some money for his family. Your guess is right, he falls into a deep, deep trouble (Better Call Saul) Spin-off of the Breaking Bad series. The main character is Saul Goodman, known from the original series. Every fan of Breaking Bad constantly fell in love with this unlucky lawyer. Better Call Saul says his more than interesting story from the beginning. Game of Thrones We should probably warn you: some of the scenes are NSFW (Not Safe for Work). This series says the fantasy story about several families fighting for the control of a mythical land of Westeros. It is based on a novel by R.R. Martin. Think twice before watching it. This TV series may swallow you and steal all of your free/work time. The choice is yours True Detective This TV series is not only greatly written, but its visual style is outstanding too. Story about detectives trying to solve the case. It is covered in mystery and mind blowing plot twists. Matthew McConaughey along with Woody Harrelson did some genius acting here. House of Cards Have you ever wondered what it is like behind the political scenes? This TV series may described it in the most realistic way possible. Not everything is as black and white as it seems. If you like Kevin Spacey, you shouldnt miss this one! Knick If you are in a mood for something creepy, check this series out. It describes the life of a hospital staff in New York during the early 20th century. You can imagine how crazy the procedures were compared to the present times. This series is not afraid of showing the real face of the 1900s. Do you like this story? Share it with your friends. Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments!

Where are Millennials getting married

Where are Millennials getting married Where are Millennials getting married Getting married, buying a home and starting a family has long been major milestones in American life. However, millennials are pushing back these major life decisions, especially when it comes to marriage. According to the  U.S. Census Bureau, the median marriage age for women is currently 27.8 and the median marriage age for men is 29.8.In the 1950s, the median age for marriage was significantly lower: about 20 for women and 23 for men.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!There are many reasons why millennials are delaying marriage. For example,  cohabitation  has become more socially acceptable among millennials than among previous generations. Today, 15 percent of adults ages 25-34 currently live with an unmarried partner. In addition, many of these young adults suffer from a  lack of economic security, driven by underemployment and lower incomes resulting from the aftermath of the Great Recession.It’s understandable that millennials want to be on firmer financial ground before committing to a marriage. The hesitation to tie the knot, though, has contributed to a widening socioeconomic gap among married and unmarried households.As marriage rates decline, the wealth gap between single millennials and married millennials increases. Research by the  Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis  showed that even after adjusting for household size, married young adults’ wealth has been consistently higher than that of either single adults or cohabitating partners. (Note: Neither Haven Life nor the information provided in this blog post has been reviewed or endorsed by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.)U.S. Census data shows that the median household income for married millennials was $75,000 in 2017, compared to $40,000 for unmarried millennial households and $57,652 for all households.With married millennials benefiting from higher median household incomes, t hey are also more likely to own a home than unmarried millennials. While the 56.3 percent homeownership rate among married millennial households still trails the national homeownership rate of 63.4, it’s more than double the unmarried millennial rate of 22.7 percent.Similar to wealth and homeownership, marriage rates skew higher among the highly educated. According to  Pew Research, as of 2015, 65 percent of college-educated adults over the age of 25 were married, significantly higher than the 50 percent marriage rate among those with a high school education. By contrast, in 1990 the marriage rate was above 60 percent for both of these groups.Nationwide, 32.9 percent of all millennials are currently married. However, in certain cities, the millennial marriage rate significantly outpaces the generation’s average. To identify these cities, researchers at life insurance agency Haven Life analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. For each metropolitan area - grouped into large, midsize, and small metros based on population- Haven Life, an online life insurance agency that sells  term life insurance, looked at marriage rates, homeownership, income, and the proportion of households with kids. Here’s what they found:TakeawaysAmong America’s metropolitan areas with at least 100,000 people, millennial marriage rates range from a low of 21.2 percent in Gainesville, FL to a high of 56.1 percent in Provo-Orem, UT. The national rate is 32.9 percent. Despite low  homeownership rates  among millennials overall, homeownership among married millennial couples (56.3 percent) is much closer to the national rate of 63.4 percent. Similarly, while  birth rates  are at historic lows and while just  48 percent  of millennial women are moms, 72 percent of married millennial households have children. Metropolitan areas on the East Coast are noticeably absent when it comes to higher rates of millennial marriages. Locations in Texas and Utah, on the other hand, are particularly well-represented.Large metros with the highest millennial marriage rates15. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Percentage of millennials that are married:  35.7 percent Millennial population:  454,821 Homeownership among married millennials:  33.3 percent Percentage of married millennial households with kids:  61.9 percent Median income of married millennial households:  $132,769 San Jose is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, where jobs in technology and engineering are plentiful. The city has multiple public transportation options too, which makes for easy commuting. San Jose has the highest median income on this list, with married millennial households earning $132,769 per year. Only a third of married millennials in San Jose own a home though- a result of skyrocketing housing prices in the area.14. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Percentage of millennials that are married:  35.8 percent Millennial population: 555,992 Homeownership among married millennials:  53.9 percent Percentage of married millennial households with kids:  66.1 percent Median income of married millennial households:  $80,915 With a millennial population of 555,992, Portland is a great place for married millennials to live and work. Portland’s growing tech industry includes giants such as Google and Oracle, and it is convenient to commute to work by public transit, bike, or car. Since Oregon has no sales tax, millennial households can save more money to put toward a house, retirement, or entertainment. Portland is known for its Old Port district, which hosts diverse restaurants, fishing piers, and waterfront walking trails. The homeownership rate for married millennials in Portland is just below the national homeownership rate for married millennials.13. Birmingham-Hoover, AL Percentage of millennials that are married:  36.2 percent Millennial population:  238,310 Homeownership among married millennials:  66.7 percent Percentage of married millennial households with kids:  70.3 percent Median income of married millennial households:  $76,598 Drawing from its history as a Southern industrial city, Birmingham’s largest  economic sectors  are in metals manufacturing, automotive, and IT instruments. Millennial families can spend their weekends visiting the botanical gardens, the zoo, and Railroad Park. The city’s youthful feel is augmented by the University of Alabama’s thriving Birmingham campus. Birmingham also hosts the Southeastern Conference for college athletics. Over two-thirds of married millennials have kids.12. Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN Percentage of millennials that are married:  36.3 percent Millennial population:  440,251 Homeownership among married millennials:  65.3 percent Percentage of married millennial households with kids:  72.0 percent Median income of married millennial households:  $77,864 Indianapolis is known for more than the Indianapolis 500. The state capital of Indiana, Indianapolis is home to company headquarters like Anthem Inc., Eli Lilly, and the NCAA. On the weekends, millennials and their families can enjoy different cultural institutions such as the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Hilbert Circle Theatre, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Homeownership among married millennial households in Indianapolis is above average.11. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Percentage of millennials that are married:  36.4 percent Millennial population:  810,315 Homeownership among married millennials:  70.1 percent Percentage of married millennial households with kids:  69.4 percent Median income of married millennial households:  $94,628 Minneapolis and St. Paul are located in close proximity to each other, offering ample opportunities for employment, housing, and entertainment. Families can visit the Mall of America, the walkways along the Mississippi River, or one of the many parks scattered around the region. Bundle up, though- the Twin Cities are known for cold winters and high levels of snowfall. The 70.1 percent homeownership rate for married millennials is higher than both the national homeownership rate for married millennials and the national homeownership rate overall.10. Raleigh, NC Percentage of millennials that are married:  36.7 percent Millennial population:  296,482 Homeownership among married millennials:  60.9 percent Percentage of married millennial households with kids:  68.6 percent Median income of married millennial households:  $85,939 Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and home to North Carolina State University. Along with Durham and Chapel Hill, Raleigh is one of the three North Carolina cities considered part of the “Research Triangle” due to the high concentration of universities in the region.  Major employers  in Raleigh include North Carolina State University, IBM, and UNC Rex Healthcare. For entertainment, residents can enjoy the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, North Carolina Museum of Art, and the North Carolina State Fair.9. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Percentage of millennials that are married:  36.9 percent Millennial population:  697,642 Homeownership among married millennials:  59.6 percent Percentage of married millennial households with kids:  67.5 percent Median income of married millennial households:  $88,010 Nestled east of the Rocky Mountains, Denver offers an ideal combination of urban comfort and outdoor recreation. Due to its position as a major transportation hub and a city rich in natural resources, Denver has employment opportunities in fields such as aviation, aerospace, mining, and energy. Outside of the office, residents can attend games at Broncos Stadium, walk through one of the city’s numerous parks, or visit an art gallery or museum.8. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX Percentage of millennials that are married:  37.0 percent Millennial population:  1,546,701 Homeownership among married millennials:  53.5 percent Percentage of married millennial households with kids:  74.5 percent Median income of married millennial households:  $79,968 The Houston metropolitan area is the most populous in Texas and home to the Texas Medical System, Hewlett Packard, and ATT. Major industries in the area include energy, advanced manufacturing, digital technology, and biotechnology. Within Houston, residents can explore the many attractions in the Museum District and the Theater District. Nearby Galveston Bay also offers access to the water and a pleasant escape from city life.7. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Percentage of millennials that are married:  37.2 percent Millennial population:  919,040 Homeownership among married millennials:  49.0 percent Percentage of married millennial households with kids:  63.2 percent Median income of married millennial households:  $94,699 The greater Seattle area offers a variety of job opportunities for millennials, especially in the tech sector. Several large companies, including Starbucks, Amazon, and Microsoft, are based in Seattle. Seattle is also surrounded by the natural beauty of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, which are perfect for hiking. The median income of married millennials is $94,699, and households can keep more of that money since Washington state has no income tax.6. Nashville-Davidsonâ€"Murfreesboroâ€"Franklin, TN Percentage of millennials that are married:  37.8 percent Millennial population:  456,081 Homeownership among married millennials:  62.7 percent Percentage of married millennial households with kids:  68.9 percent Median income of married millennial households:  $73,655 Nashville is a major hub for live music, outdoor festivals, and millennials, too. The metro area is home to a millennial population of 456,081, about 25 percent of the overall population. The greater Nashville region hosts more than  40,000 businesses  and offers a wide array of job opportunities in fields like education, healthcare, and automotive. Nashville residents can visit performing arts centers like the Grand Ole Opry, art museums like the Frist Center for Visual Arts, and music institutions like the Johnny Cash Museum.5. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Percentage of millennials that are married:  38.0 percent Millennial population:  1,610,861 Homeownership among married millennials:  53.3 percent Percentage of married millennial households with kids:  73.0 percent Median income of married millennial households:  $78,702 The Dallas-Fort Worth metro area is one of the major economic hubs in Texas. Due to its high concentration of technology firms, this region is often referred to as Silicon Prairie or the Telecom Corridor. Tourism is another popular industry in Dallas-Fort Worth, which is great news for both employment prospects and finding things to do. Residents can visit art galleries, state fairs, and major sporting events.  At 1,610,861, Dallas has the highest millennial population of all metropolitan areas on this list.4. Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI Percentage of millennials that are married:  38.3 percent Millennial population:  211,559 Homeownership among married millennials:  74.3 percent Percentage of married millennial households with kids:  72.3 percent Median income of married millennial households:  $74,760 Grand Rapids has the smallest millennial population on this list, at 211,559.  Major industries  include manufacturing, trade, education, and health services. More specifically, Grand Rapids is also known as “Furniture City” due to its high production of furniture. This charming Midwest city combines the benefits of living in a big city with the community-oriented atmosphere of a suburb. Grand Rapids also has the highest homeownership rate on this list, with 74.3 percent of married millennials owning their own home.3. Kansas City, MO-KS Percentage of millennials that are married:  38.3 percent Millennial population:  468,949 Homeownership among married millennials:  63.7 percent Percentage of married millennial households with kids:  71.6 percent Median income of married millennial households:  $82,704 The Kansas City metro area spans the Kansas-Missouri border. It is also located at the intersection of two major water systems: the Missouri River and the Kansas River. The  federal government  is one of Kansas City’s largest employers, but jobs are also available in other fields like healthcare, education, and financial services. Riverboat casinos, art museums, and family attractions like Legoland offer ample entertainment opportunities for young families.2. Oklahoma City, OK Percentage of millennials that are married:  38.7 percent Millennial population:  336,318 Homeownership among married millennials:  64.5 percent Percentage of married millennial households with kids:  74.8 percent Median income of married millennial households:  $69,551 The state capital of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (OKC) features  employment opportunities  in fields like finance, manufacturing, and oil energy. OKC is also home to  Stockyards City, the largest cattle market in the world. For entertainment, OKC hosts multiple festivals every year and has a growing arts and culinary scene. At $69,551, Oklahoma City has the lowest median income on this list for married millennials. Fortunately, because of affordable home prices, the homeownership rate still outpaces the national average. In Oklahoma City, 74.8 percent of married millennials have children, the highest percentage on this list.1. Salt Lake City, UT Percentage of millennials that are married:  43.2 percent Millennial population:  309,681 Homeownership among married millennials:  59.9 percent Percentage of married millennial households with kids:  72.5 percent Median income of married millennial households:  $72,479 Salt Lake City has the highest percentage of married millennials on this list. Culturally, Salt Lake City is the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and contains architecture and institutions related to the church and its history. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the greater Salt Lake City region features ski resorts, national parks, and the Great Salt Lake itself. Job prospects in Salt Lake City are also positive, with  employment  in trade, professional services, and government.MethodologyThe data used in this analysis is from the U.S. Census Bureau 2017 American Community Survey PUMS. For the purpose of this analysis, millennials are defined as respondents between the ages of 21 and 36 in 2017.Metropolitan areas were sorted and ranked by their millennial marriage rate- the percentage of all millennials currently married (not including separated). In the event of a tie, metros with more total married millennials were ranked higher.Only metros with a population greater than 100,000 were included in the analysis. Metros were grouped into the following categories based on population:Large metros: more than 1,000,000 peopleMidsize metros: 350,000 â€" 1,000,000 peopleSmall metros: 100,000 â€" 350,000 peopleThis article first appeared on Haven Life.  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

Help Develop Your Employees StrengthsNot Weaknesses

Help Develop Your Employees' Strengthsâ€"Not Weaknesses Help Develop Your Employees' Strengths- Not Weaknesses A management philosophy, that flies in the face of conventional thinking, compels you to help your employees develop their strengths by deliberate practice. This is a substitute for helping employees develop their weaknesses, a concept more traditional in management thinking. But does helping employees develop their weakest areas of performance ever make any sense? Not really. This theory of helping employees develop strengths was proposed by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman in First, Break All The Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently. The recommendations were made as a result of the Gallup organizations interviews with 80,000 managers who were rated as effective performers in their organizations. (Gallup also identified the twelve most important factors for employees to become or stay engaged at work.) On top of trying to complete their daily work and achieving their annual goals, employees have a finite amount of time for development. Spend time on what matters. Develop employee strengths- not weaknesses, and in the process, train your management philosophy and company culture. How HR Managers Can Hone Their Strengths Using an average HR professional as an example, the majority are good with people and good at conveying the simple, common sense, applicable information. Many HR people are not very good with mathematical story problems and other mathematical concepts- although exceptions exist. No matter what, some HR professionals will never be good at solving complex mathematical problems. Could they get better? Probably. But, why not spend their time honing their strengths? Yet, the traditional approach to developing employees, one of the critical factors in employee motivation, has been to identify weaknesses, often during an annual performance appraisal meeting. The employee is then sent to training, given mentoring and coaching to help, or just told to get better at whatever his or her weak area is. Now, if the area of weakness is critical to the employees job success, developing the weaker area might make sense. But, it is more likely that the employee is just in the wrong job- a job that does not take advantage of their best strengths. Consider matching the employees best skills to  your companys needs in a different job. In another example, think about an employee who has always been a good writer. Giving the employee the opportunity to write every day as a part of their job description will strengthen their writing skill. Writing is a perfect example of a skill that you can develop if you approach it with deliberate practice a number of times a week. Once the employee started writing every single day, with hours of practice and a deliberate commitment to growth, they continued to develop the strength and became a better contributor to the business. This is an example of a mutual win- a win for the employee and a win for the employer. Imagine the difference and the frustration if the employer had asked the employee to spend her time trying to develop a skill she didnt already have in her tool bucket. You have an equivalent example in your own life- or your reporting employees do. What skill should you deliberately develop daily for your own career development and your employers needs? Why Develop Employee Strengths With Deliberate Practice? Experts and people who have studied the topic of helping employees develop their strengths as opposed to their weaknesses provide analysis about why this practice is important and worthy of your consideration. Deliberate practice involves two kinds of learning: improving the skills you already have and extending the reach and range of your skills. The enormous concentration required to undertake these twin tasks limits the amount of time you can spend doing them, said Dr. K. Anders Ericsson, the Conradi Eminent Scholar of Psychology at Florida State University, in Tallahassee. Additionally, Stephen J. Dubner at the Freakonomics blog weighs in with these thoughts: A while ago, we wrote a New York Times Magazine column about talent- what it is, how it’s acquired, etc. The gist of the column was that raw talent, as it’s often called, is vastly overrated and that people who become very good at something, whether it’s sports, music, or medicine, generally do so through a great deal of deliberate practice, a phrase used by the Florida State psychologist Anders Ericsson and his merry band of fellow scholars who study expert performers in many fields. In the column cited in the quote above, Anders Ericsson concludes that: …the trait we commonly call talent is highly overrated. Or, put another way, expert performers- whether in memory or surgery, ballet or computer programming- are nearly always made, not born. And yes, practice does make perfect. These may be the sort of clichés that parents are fond of whispering to their children. But these particular clichés just happen to be true. Ericssons research suggests a third cliché as well: when it comes to choosing a life path, you should do what you love- because if you dont love it, you are unlikely to work hard enough to get very good. Most people naturally dont like to do things they arent good at. So they often give up, telling themselves they simply dont possess the talent for math or skiing or the violin. But what they really lack is the desire to be good and to undertake the deliberate practice that would make them better. So, it seems there is truth to the power of developing your strengths and deliberately practicing the areas you want to improve. You also have to love their plug for love your work, a concept that is discussed frequently by HR practitioners because of its power to impact your work life. Do you agree? More About Goal Setting and Personal Development Achieve Your Dreams: Six Steps to Accomplishing your GoalsReasons Why You Need to Love the Job You Have

How to Write a Sample Business Letter

How to Write a Sample Business Letter How to Write a Sample Business Letter This sample includes the formal components of full block business letters. Some of these components are optional for typical, employment-related business letters. You may download or copy samples, examples or templates of employment-related business letters, by clicking on the links below. See business letter image for guidelines on each step of the process. Resignation lettersThank you lettersRecommendation (reference) lettersSalary history and lettersResume cover letters This format is just a guide. Variations and customizations are common. Want to download this sample without the graphics? Click Download Samples here or in the menu below. Full Block Business Letter Components Return Address: If your stationery has a letterhead, skip this. Otherwise, type your name, address and optionally, phone number. These days, its common to also include an email address. Date: Type the date of your letter two to six lines below the letterhead. Three are standard. If there is no letterhead, type it where shown. Reference Line: If the recipient specifically requests information, such as a job reference or invoice number, type it in one or two lines, immediately below the Date (2). If youre replying to a letter, refer to it here. For example: Re: Job # 625-01Re: Your letter dated 1/1/200x. Special Mailing Notations: Type in all uppercase characters, if appropriate. Examples include: SPECIAL DELIVERYCERTIFIED MAILAIRMAIL Ons are: PERSONALCONFIDENTIAL Inside Address: Type the name and address of the person and/or company to whom youre sending the letter, three to eight lines below the last component you typed. Four lines are standard. If you type an Attention Line, skip the persons name here. Do the same on the envelope. Attention Line: Type the name of the person to whom youre sending the letter. If you type the persons name in the Inside Address, skip this. Do the same on the envelope. Salutation: Type the recipients name here. Type Mr. or Ms. [Last Name] to show respect, but dont guess spelling or gender. Some common salutations are: Ladies:Gentlemen:Dear Sir:Dear Sir or Madam:Dear [Full Name]:To Whom it May Concern: Subject Line: Type the gist of your letter in all uppercase characters, either flush left or centered. Be concise on one line. If you type a Reference Line, consider if you really need this line. While its not really necessary for most employment-related letters, examples are below. SUBJECT: RESIGNATIONLETTER OF REFERENCEJOB INQUIRY Body: Type two spaces between sentences. Keep it brief and to the point. Complimentary Close: What you type here depends on the tone and degree of formality. For example: Respectfully yours (very formal)Sincerely (typical, less formal)Very truly yours (polite, neutral)Cordially yours (friendly, informal) Signature Block: Leave four blank lines after the Complimentary Close to sign your name. Sign your name exactly as you type it below your signature. The title is optional depending on relevance and degree of formality. Examples are: John Doe, ManagerP. SmithDirector, Technical SupportR. T. Jones - Sr. Field Engineer Identification Initials: If someone typed the letter for you, he or she would typically include three of your initials in all uppercase characters, then two of his or hers in all lowercase characters. If you typed your own letter, just skip it since your name is already in the Signature Block. Common styles are below. JAD/cmJAD:cmclm Enclosure Notation: This line tells the reader to look in the envelope for more. Type the singular for only one enclosure, plural for more. If you dont enclose anything, skip it. Common styles are below. EnclosureEnclosures: 3Enclosures (3) cc: Stands for courtesy copies (formerly carbon copies). List the names of people to whom you distribute copies, in alphabetical order. If addresses would be useful to the recipient of the letter, include them. If you dont copy your letter to anyone, skip it. General Tips Replace the text in brackets [ ] with the component indicated. Dont type the brackets.Try to keep your letters to one page, but see page 2 of this sample if you need continuation pages.How many blank lines you add between lines that require more than one, depends on how much space is available on the page.The same goes for margins. One and one-half inch (108 points) for short letters and one inch (72 points) for longer letters are standard. If there is a letterhead, its position determines the top margin on page 1. If you dont type one of the more formal components, dont leave space for them. For example, if you dont type the Reference Line, Special Mailing Notations and On-Arrival Notations, type the Inside Address four lines below the Date.

Houston Unemployment Rate

Houston Unemployment Rate Houston Unemployment Rate Houston Unemployment Rate According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of December 2014, the Houston unemployment rate was 4 percent, less than the overall US unemployment rate, which was 5.6 percent for that same time period. Taking into account the areas surrounding Houston, which have seen high unemployment, the rate is consistently lower than the nation at large. An Improvement in the Unemployment Rate The rate of unemployment in the Houston economic area was 6.2 percent in 2013. This showed modest improvement from 2012, when the rate was 6.8 percent. Houston and the 2008 Recession As in many other parts of the United States, the 2008 economic recession had an adverse effect on the Houston unemployment rate, but the impact was not immediately severe. The annual unemployment rate in the area was 4.3 percent in 2007 and 4.8 percent for 2008. While the Houston area experienced a job market slump in 2009, the annual unemployment rate climbed to 8.1 percent. That change was likely due in large part to the economic recession of 2008, but the annual data for 2008 did not show the true impact of the recession. During 2011 and 2012, the unemployment rate rose, but 2013 marked the start of an improvement in the areas unemployment rate. Throughout 2014, the rate generally remained steady or fell, indicating that although the 2008 recession impacted the area, Houstons economy experienced a highly successful recovery. Industries That Recently Impacted Unemployment in Houston BLS data collected across the second half of 2014 showed that the unemployment rate steadily declined during that period.Jobs in the mining and logging industries showed healthy labor patterns, where the employment rate rose every month except for November, totaling a 10.4 percent rise overall across the previous 12 months. However, the results were not as favorable for the leisure and hospitality industry, according to BLS data. Although job figures for the industry still ended up contributing to the workforce, the effect was not as great as in the previous example. The employment rate was 5.2 in July of 2014, then fell for the next three months before recovering slightly, then falling again. This indicates that the leisure and hospitality industry at least temporarily caused a rise in Houstons overall unemployment numbers, especially during months when labor force data numbers sank. Future Job Trends in Houston If historical data from the local area, as well as national workforce data holds true, jobs in the governmental sector are not likely to have a significant impact on reducing unemployment in Houston. Data shows only a small rise in employment across a reporting period made up of the past 12 months. A similar story is seen by jobs in an industry classified by the BLS as Other Services. The 12-month change in that respective sector showed a 3.2 percent rise, but that figure fell to just 2.6 percent in October 2014. In contrast, employment opportunities in the education and health services sector performed strongly overall in 2014, seeing a 7.6 percent rise in employment in October 2014. Although that figure fell slightly to an increase of 6.8 percent during the last month of 2014, the industry performed comparatively well across the reporting period when contrasted with other sectors of the workforce. The BLS projects jobs in the Houston area healthcare industry will grow much faster than the national average. Its also helpful that several of the top employers in Houston, such as The Methodist Hospital and the Baylor College of Medicine, are healthcare-related options. Although the projected growth rate for education-related jobs is not as fast-paced, its still expected to show positive changes rather than a decline in employment. A key measure of labor supply, the unemployment rate is defined as the percentage of the total labor force that is unemployed but actively seeking employment and willing to work. Use the links below to see unemployment trends from the 28 major metropolitan markets: Atlanta Detroit New York City San Francisco Boston Houston Philadelphia Seattle Chicago Los Angeles Pittsburgh Washington, D.C. Dallas Related Resources Post a Job: Houston

3 Reasons to Rely on Recommendations More Than Resumes

3 Reasons to Rely on Recommendations More Than Resumes 3 Reasons to Rely on Recommendations More Than Resumes Personal and professional recommendations complete the picture that resumes start and recommendations can sometimes even be enough in the absence of resumes. For example, some people will lean entirely on a recommendation depending on the source. If a highly trusted person said, Hire this person and dont think twice about it, you might just do it out of fear of losing an “A” player. For the following reasons, recruiters should take recommendations into account even more so than resumes to determine the truth behind a potential hire’s credentials: 1. Trusted vs. biased sources Though job seekers often do not tarnish their resumes with blatant lies, many inconsistencies have been discovered on these self-written testimonials. Remember the Yahoo! CEO resume scandal? When taking into consideration the materials presented to you by the job seeker, it is important to identify the source and their motives. In a sense, a resume is a biased document by the candidate manipulated to meet the job responsibilities of the open position. Clearly, job seekers will strategically place themselves in the best light to be a convincing force for the company. On the other hand, recommendations are written or rated by trusted sources with reputations of their own to uphold. Along with providing a referral comes responsibility. The recommender has to be confident enough in the candidate’s ability to succeed or else they will lose their credibility along the way. Given two resumes with equal work experience and a similar educational background, the one with a solid referral from a trusted source should have the upper hand, every time. 2. Actions speak louder than words A potential hire can talk the talk, but can they walk the walk? If a person is a great articulator and communicator, they will be able to sell themselves in an interview over and over again. However, you need to know if they can really communicate consistently and in different situations and that can only be determined by a testimonial from a trusted source. Talking and doing are two different things. With the power of recommendations, the written skills and accomplishments on a resume are brought to life. For example, the potential hire may have been the team leader for launching a successful product based on their resume, but what kind of experience was it for those surrounding the leader? Was the potential hire easy to work with and diligent with all other responsibilities? With recommendations, these questions can be answered by a trusted source confirming their actions. Recommendations are the proof in the pudding when it comes validating the candidate’s written qualifications. 3. Time saver So much time is wasted during the recruiting process reviewing resumes and checking references time that you will not get back if the job candidate does not work out for one reason or another. By recognizing the value of recommendations in the recruiting process, distinguishing between top candidates and the average Joe or Jane becomes simplified. Consider the resume as your initial filter of candidates. Within 6 seconds of examining a resume, you have already started to determine if the candidate is the right fit for your company. Using specific keywords youre able to filter through the candidates, focusing on the key characteristics in their resume. However, do you still have enough information to determine the A players? By adding personal and professional recommendations revealing the personality, determination, and intelligence of your next potential hire, you can speed up the process and be certain if an in-person interview is the next appropriate step. Resumes and recommendations are not mutually exclusive, but relying on one more so than the other can give undue justification of the candidate’s qualifications. The resume is the sketched outline and recommendations create the full, colorful portrait. Do you consider recommendations when landing top candidates? How do you strive to paint the full picture of a potential hire?Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. We're SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career. Like this article? We also offer tons of free eBooks on career and recruiting topics - check out Get a Better Job the Right Way and Why It Matters Who Does Your Recruiting. document.write('[Read more '); in Resume References]