Friday, December 27, 2019

Dont Make These Mistakes When Writing a Resume

Dont Make These Mistakes When Writing a ResumeDont Make These Mistakes When Writing a ResumeDoes it matter if you make a mistake on your resume? It does. In fact, the quickest way to get screened out as an applicant is to submit a seriously flawed resume. Think about it Your resume is one of the main ways hiring managersassess you as a candidate. Typos and grammatical errors can make you look unprofessional and unqualified. Another big mistake submitting a resume that doesnt match the job for which you are applying. Doing this will knock you out of contention for the job, both by hiring managers and thetalent management softwarethey use to screen resumes. Review more information on the most common resume mistakes and tips on how to avoid them. The Top 10 Resume Mistakes 1. Misspellings and grammatical errors are resume killers.Spell check then proofread by placing a finger on each word. Catching your own errors is hard. Try printing your resume out, changing the font, or copying it into a leer email. These strategies help you see your words with fresh eyes, which can help with catching errors. Reading it out loud is another option for catching mistakes. Or, ask a career coach, friend, or family member to review it for errors. 2. Not including keywords that match the job posting.Your resume should include the same keywords that appear in the job listing. If your resume doesnt have theright keywords, it most likely wont get noticed because you wont appear to be a strong fit for the job. 3. An outdated resume will make you look obsolete.Your resume should be updated and targeted for every job you apply for. Be koranvers to update yourskills sectionas well as yourwork history. Check to be sure that skills, especially the computer and technical skills, listed on your resume are current. 4. Including too much information.Dont tell your readers everything about each job. Focus on the highlights keep your document to one or two pages unless you are applying for a p osition within academic and research settings. (In that case, you might want to create a CV in distribution policy of a resume.) Use formatting techniques like bullets and short paragraphs to enhance readability. Limit your resume to the last 10 to 15 years of work experience. You dont need to include everything you ever did. 5. Writing a resume objective which doesnt match the job.Avoid using anobjective statementwhich doesnt correspond well with the focus of the target job. Many job seekers now leave an objective off their resume or use aprofileinstead. If you include either, make sure it underscores your interest in the font of work for which you are applying. 6. Including a career summary that doesnt match the job requirements.Dont use a mismatched ?summary of qualificationsat the top of your resume. Your key skills in the summary should match manyof the job requirementsor else leave it off. 7. Writing position descriptions that dont show what you accomplished.Avoidjob descripti onswhich simply list your duties or responsibilities. Instead, write active statements which showcase relevant skills and accomplishments. Make sure the employer can easily see how you added value in your role. 8. Leading your paragraphs with mundane or irrelevant duties.Start with the hardest hitting statement which shows that you have key skills related to the job at hand. Otherwise, your reader might just skim by that description. 9. Not quantifying accomplishments.Avoid empty self-congratulatory phrases by quantifying accomplishments or providing other concrete evidence to support your assertions. Numbers, like people managed, sales figures, etc., are always helpful. 10. Being too modest.Share any awards or recognition you have received in a matter-of-fact manner i.e. Promoted to associate director after increasing annual donations by 25% or Received team player award at three annual company-wide awards ceremonies. While you dont want to seem boastful, your resume is the appropr iate place to share accomplishments. The Top 5 Resume Grammar Mistakes Most resume mistakes fall into the 1 category for this list grammatical errors or typos. Brad Hoover, CEO of the automated proofreading serviceGrammarly, reports that there are five errors on a typical job seekers resume, and most of these issues - nearly 60% - are grammatical. The most common errors seen in resumes are Hyphen use (e.g. entry-level)Verb tense (e.g. led vs. leads)Formatting (e.g. inconsistent fonts or different styles of bullet points)Education information (e.g. misspellings or incorrect apostrophe use in a bachelors degree ormasters degree)Careless spelling mistakes (the most commonly misspelled words are simple words such as and planned and materials) How to Avoid Resume Mistakes Reread and edit your resume.At the very least, be sure to read your resume over once before submitting it for an application. However, it is very hard to catch your own mistakes. People tend to see what they i ntended to type (and not necessarily whats actually on the page). One tip is to read your resume and other application documents from the bottom up (or, from the last page back to the first page). This keeps you from focusing too much on the content and layout of the page, and more on any sentence-level errors. Rereading your documents out loud can also help you catch errors. Ask a friend.It is always a good idea to ask a friend or family member to look over your application before submitting it. Unlike you, they will be looking at your materials with a fresh set of eyes and may spot errors you do not. Utilize online resources.Sign up for a free trialof Grammarly, which will help you catch more mistakes than just using Words spelling and grammar checker. You can use Microsoft Words checker first, then run Grammarly to catch the rest of your errors. You can also use Grammarlysonline grammar check for free. Editorris another site you can use for online proofreading and copy editing. Its pay as you go, and one of the areas they specialize in is resumes and cover letters.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Questions That Successful People Ask Themselves

Questions That Successful People Ask ThemselvesQuestions That Successful People Ask ThemselvesAsk yourself critical questions on the way to success.There is no set way to become successful, no guide. You dont have to emulate every single thing that a successful person, such as reach the saatkorn books, listen to the same podcasts, watch the same movies. However, it doesnt hurt to pick and choose certain rituals that many successful people do and apply them to yourself. Questions, for example, are a great way to probe deeper into your thoughts and mind and find out what you can do to be a better employee/manager/etc. Asking yourself questions is a way to criticize yourself and find out what you can do better. These questions are a great place to start.What decisions can I stop making?To put it simply, making decisions takes time and energy. If you can minimize the number of decisions that you have to make in any given day, it gives you more time and energy to focus elsewhere. Take Mar k Zuckerburg, for example. In a recent interview, he was asked why he always wears the same grey shirt. Zuckerburg responded with a similar response of how getting rid of the decision of what to wear each morning saves him valuable time that can be spent elsewhere.What is todays most important goal?You probably have a large schedule that you work off of on day to day basis. There are lots of things to get done. Being able to prioritize these things is an invaluable skill, and one that all successful people have. When you start a day, think of the single goal that needs to be accomplished that day. If you keep that goal in mind, you will be more productive throughout the day to reach that goal.What am I afraid of?Being able to conquer your fears is a step towards becoming successful. The road to success is not an easy one- you will come across obstacles that will be hard to deal with and overcome. Being able to identify these obstacles ahead of time, at least to the best of your abil ity, will give you the chance to find solutions before the obstacles arise. If you can identify what you are actively afraid of, you should also be able to come up with a strategy for how you are attempting to move past those fears.What are my weaknesses?If you want to be successful, you cant lie to yourself. Of course, you should already know your strengths. But you should also be able to truthfully identify what your weaknesses are. Once you know what they are, you can take the steps needed to remedy them. Think about the tactic for a job interview, where the interviewer asks what your weaknesses are. You shouldnt lie or talk about weaknesses that are actually strengths (i.e. Im too detail-oriented). You should talk about challenges that you face in your career, and the steps you are taking to get rid of those weaknesses.Are the people around me supportive?You are only as strong and successful as the people you surround yourself with. If you take notice of successful people, their inner-circle typically consists of other people that are equally, if not more, successful. If you surround yourself with people that are unsupportive or destructive, they are likely to bring you down with them.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

HUMINT Specialist (MOS 0211)

HUMINT Specialist (MOS 0211)Counter Intelligence/HUMINT Specialist (MOS 0211)The Marine Corps Intelligence Community is a unique group of Marines who work closely with other intelligence assets in the field.As a Human Intelligence Specialist, you can also be tasked to engage in counterintelligence to identify and de-escalate the threat of hostile combatants and intelligence organizations.The Marines who join this military occupational specialty (MOS) can do so from any other MOS with a seitlich move.There is a relaxed uniform appearance allowing for beards and less than military grooming standards.Counter Intelligence (CI) and Human Intelligence Specialists (HUMINT) go undercover to find information that is helpful to their fellow Marines as well as can save the lives of Americans overseas and at home. CI/HUMINT specialists are involved in all facets of planning and conducting CI and human intelligence operations and activities. Definitions of Counter Intelligence and Human Intell igence Counter Intelligence includes organized activity of an intelligence service designed to block an enemys sources of information, to deceive the enemy, to prevent sabotage, and to gather political and military information.Counter Intelligence officers scan for people or enemy agencies engaged in espionage,sabotage, subversion, or terrorism. Human Intelligence isdefinedas any information that can be gathered fromhumansources. The National Clandestine Service is the branch of theCIAresponsible for the collection ofHUMINT. HUMINT activities are designed to obtain intelligence information using human beings as both sources and collectors. CI/HUMINT specialists must learn to be adept in both CI / HUMINT and must grow to have a working knowledge of the organizations, operations, and techniques employed by foreign intelligence services and terrorist organizations. HUMINT is gathered by interrogation, debriefing, and screening. Many 0211s will specialize in a foreign language or use i nterpreters in deployed to areas that do not speak the language of the Marines. With this skill set of language, they may, in turn, exploit foreign language documents and recordings. MOS 0211s when deployed must become familiar with the area, the customs and traditions of its people, and the infrastructure of a foreign force. CI/HUMINT specialists share and obtain the information by special automated databases, interview/interrogation techniques, liaison, specialized CI techniques, technical support measures, investigative photography, and reporting-writing techniques, to name a few methods.The information the 0211 obtains is vital to the planning and mission of air, ground, and special operations troops military-wide. Job Requirements To lateral transfer from your current MOS into the MOS0211, you must be a U.S.citizen, 21 years of age, a volunteer, and be the rank of corporal or sergeant. Staff sergeants may apply for a lateral move however, must have less than one-year time in grade and a waiver. Marines must pass an interview to become recommended to join the MOS 0211by a screening board of CI/HUMINT personnel as well as a polygraph test. ASVAB scores must also be high. Applicants must possess a GT score of 110 or higher. Must take the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) test and be willing to undergo language training. Marines who can meet the minimum standard Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) score ( 2/2 or better) for a language may be excluded from the DLAB requirement. A foreign language capability is not required for active duty 0211 MOS. Reserve Marines with a foreign language capability verified by DLPT scores, desiring a lateral move into the 0211 MOS should have completed language training prior to affecting the lateral move. Prior to entry into Defense Language Institute (DLI), Marines must have sufficient obligated service to allow 24 months remaining upon graduation. You must pass a Special hintergrund Investigation and be eli gible for a top-secretsecurity clearance and access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) predicated upon a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) Application for the SSBI must be submitted prior to attendance of the MAGTF Counterintelligence/HUMINT Course at NMITC, Dam Neck, VA. Marine must complete the Nelson-Denney examination or Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) examination at a base education center or similarly accredited education establishment and achieve a minimum score of 10. Prior to entry into the MOS 0211 Training Course, The Marine must have sufficient obligated service to allow 36 months remaining upon graduation. Then the Marine must complete the MAGTF CI/HUMINT Course, Navy Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center (NMITC), in Dam Neck, VA.

Friday, December 13, 2019

Accounts Receivable Clerk Job Description Sample

Accounts Receivable Clerk Job Description SampleAccounts Receivable Clerk Job Description SampleAccounts Receivable Clerk Job Description SampleThisaccounts receivable clerksample job description can assist in your creating a job application that will attract job candidates who are qualified for the job. Feel free to revise this job description to meet your specific job duties and job requirements.Accounts Receivable Clerk Job ResponsibilitiesSecures revenue by verifying and posting receipts resolving discrepancies.Accounts Receivable Clerk Job DutiesPosts customer payments by recording cash, checks, and credit card transactions.Posts revenues by verifying and entering transactions form lock box and local deposits.Updates receivables by totaling unpaid invoices.Maintains records by microfilming invoices, debits, and credits.Verifies validity of account discrepancies by obtaining and investigating information from sales, trade promotions, customer service departments, and from custome rsResolves valid or authorized deductions by entering adjusting entries.Resolves invalid or unauthorized deductions by following pending deductions procedures.Resolves collections by examining customer payment plans, payment history, credit line coordinating contact with collections department.Summarizes receivables by maintaining invoice accounts coordinating monthly transfer to accounts receivable account verifying totals preparing report.Protects organizations value by keeping information confidential.Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities.Accomplishes accounting and organization mission by completing related results as needed.Accounts Receivable Clerk Skills and QualificationsOrganization, Accounting, Data Entry Skills, General Math Skills, Financial Software, Analyzing Information , Attention to Detail, Thoroughness, Reporting Research Results, Verbal CommunicationHiring your next Accounts Receivable ClerkEvery company needs a well-organized account receivable clerk. How can you find the right hire? Were here to help. Sign up for exclusive https//www.youtube.com/ advice and well send you helpful hiring tips delivered right to your inbox. Well even throw in a special job posting offer to get you moving in the right direction Make your next hire one that will help your geschftsleben succeed.

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Heres What I Know About Combination Resume Template Word

Heres What I Know About Combination Resume Template Word The Nuiances of Combination Resume Template Word Optional information includes listing your mailing address and links to www portfolios, which could be beneficial based on your industry. If you discover that the chronological resume format is not functioning for you, it might be for any variety of reasons and you might be better suited to a combination resume layout to present your profile to prospective employers. When youre using combination resume, summary block is among the most essential. A combination resume sample gives examples of what things to put in each individual section that the candidate can use as a guide to make sure they make the the majority of the practical combination resume format. Facts, Fiction and Combination Resume Template Word Deciding on the most suitable font can look to be an impossible endeavor, especially because there are dozens and dozens of choices out there. Locating a blank templ ate is a dilemma of chance. At times, your typical reverse-chronological resume isnt the very best option. A combination layout has a lot of characteristics that can help you produce the desired impact. So, developing a combination resume would be problematic for you. Thus, utilizing a mix of established resume standards together with the hottest trends (by deciding on a recognized and current resume format), you greatly increase your probability of getting shortlisted by companies. What You Must Know About Combination Resume Template Word Formatting your resume is a significant step in making a professional, readable resume. There are a number of different strategies to format your resume. If thats the case, then the reverse chronological format could be perfect for your resume Ultimately, it doesnt really supply the very best format for those who have zero experience. Have a peek at some of our favourite formats below or browse our whole variety of free resume format layou ts. When you format your resume you need to ensure your leave enough margin space to permit for printing. Editable templates are amazingly valuable to use. Editing your layout may help you optimize space, but you should be certain to keep the document as uncluttered as possible. In that case, then the functional resume format could be perfect. A Resume is of unique kinds of, to make a resume there are various kinds of formats available here on the best way to compose a resume. Combination Resume Template Word - Overview If youre looking for work in creative industries, wherever your portfolio matters more than your resume, go right ahead and utilize creative functional resumes. Broadly speaking, there are 3 distinct varieties of resumes which are well accepted in the business. If you held more than 1 position for the very same employer, make sure that you list each position separately so that your career growth is more noticeable. You should also think of the position, compan y and industry that youre pursuing. The Importance of Combination Resume Template Word You have earned a job that you love and nows the opportunity to make it occur The more better your resume is, it is going to force you to receive a work fastly. Every job has to be limited to some qualification. It is very important to tailor your resume to the particular job or career of your selection. Still, although the combination template looks to highlight skills, the reason it is a combination resume is because it permits you to also heavily feature your precise work history. A combination resume emphasizes relevant abilities and accomplishments at the peak of your resume. A well-written combination resume can be a potent tool for promoting a professional image and receiving a work interview.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

How to Use Content to Build Your Personal Brand

How to Use Content to Build Yur Personal Brand We often talk a lot about content in the marketing world. Broadly defined, content means creating and sharing relevant information. Itcan range from business-related articles and blog posts to videos and podcasts. Content can paint a picture of acompany, explain what itsells, create engagement, and do so much more.Many companies also use content to build their brands. Engaging content can give potential customers great insights into what acompany offers, what it cares about,and what itstands for.Content, however, is not just the domain ofcompanies. You, as an individual job seeker or professional, can use content to build your own personal brand as well.Who Are You?In order to figure out what kind of content you should create/shareand the approach you should take, you first need to figure out who you are. What do you stand for? What is your message going to be? What do you want people to know about you? What areas of expertise can you bring to the table?For me, Im a people connector. Im a marketer. I connect the best and brightest candidates with the best and brightest managers for my company. I market our company as a best-in-class employer of choice to external candidates whomay be looking to make a move to a new, more exciting opportunity. Ive built my own personal brand around being knowledgeable in my craft andknowledgeable in the craft I recruit for. Marketing is a huge passion of mine, and I spend my free time researching trends reading educational books, articles, and blog posts andwriting articles such as the one youre currently reading. I love sharing the knowledge I learn.Build Your BrandOnce youve established who you are and what your message is, its time to start building yourpersonal brand.Get involved with social media by joining sites likeTwitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, andSnapchat. Join conversationson these platformsand get conversations going.What are you an expert in? If youre a product manager building websites and apps, for example, then you should follow various groups related to the subject on Twitter and LinkedIn.Start sharing your expertise by writing posts on LinkedIn or blog sites likeMedium, and share those posts with your followers on Twitter and Facebook. The more knowledge-based value you bring to the table, the more people will take notice of and follow you. Push out your content on a schedule that works for you, whether that be on a daily basis or on a weekly basis. Just make koranvers it is consistent.Engage With the CommunityNow that you have developed your personal brand and have gathered afollowing, be sure to follow people back. Read their blogs, articles, and posts, and be sure to share your insights on their content. Share other peoples contentviayour social media channels. This will further add to your value by showing people you are engaged in the space you are passionate about.With Twitter, its a good idea t o set up an automated direct message (via Crowdfire or the like) that is sent to people who follow you. The message should thank them and point them to your website/blog, as well as let them know you will follow them back.At the end of the day, building a strong personal brand meansbeing a brand ambassador for yourself and sharing the knowledge you have learned alongyour career journey. Producing and sharing content is a great way to do just that.John Indiveri is a senior corporate recruiter with 10 years of experience in the talent acquisition industry.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

5 career lessons from Game of Thrones Daenerys Targaryen

5 career lessons from Game of Thrones Daenerys Targaryen5 career lessons from Game of Thrones Daenerys TargaryenYou may not be the Mother of Dragons, but that doesnt mean that you cant have theconfidenceof one when youre at work. Daenerys Targaryen, one of the breakout characters fromHBOs Game of Thrones, is best known for her quest to conquer the Seven Kingdoms in the shows. However, if you look at it from a different perspective, shes also an incredibleentrepreneurwho turned a few dragon eggs into a major empire.Whether youre a fan of the show or not, we can all learn something from one of televisions best female role models. Here are some key business lessons that the Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea and leader of many other names can teach workingwomen.(As a precaution, this article will reference moments in Game of Thrones through the end of season seven. If you want to avoid spoilers, youll want to bookmark this article for later)Surround y urself with positive influencesIn season one, Daenerys was consistently put down and manipulated by her power-hungry older brother. She wasnt given the freedom to make her own choices, and when she made suggestions or asked questions, Daenerys was told that she wouldnt understand the intricacies of the business she was trying to enter (a.k.a. being a queen).How did she get out of her bad situation? By surrounding herself with positive influences. She spent less time with the people that made her insecure in her own power and created a sttze system ofadvisors, confidants and allies. Now, several television seasons later, that support has propelled her to furthersuccess.Learn from everywhereWhen Daenerys was told she would become Khaleesi, she could have rejected the opportunity. Instead, she actively made the effort to learn from and immerse herself it. This earned her the respect of her subjects, who have since followed her across the Narrow Sea to help her achieve her goals.Daenery s experience remind us of the importance ofdiversity. When you open yourself up to new experiences and to working with people of different backgrounds (like Khaleesi did when she elected to work with Olenna Tyrell, the Queen of Thorns), you open yourself to more opportunities. The more opportunities youre presented with, the more chances you have to better yourself as a professional and as a person.Know your self-worthDaenerys knows that shes meant to be queen of Westeros, and she makes aya that everyone else knows it too. Whenever shes confronted with an individual who does not believe in her legitimacy, she emphasizes her self-worth and ensures that those she is speaking with are aware of it as well. As she constructs her kingdom at Dragonstone, the self-proclaimed Breaker of Chains makes sure she is treated exactly the way that she deserves.As a professional, its important toadvocate for yourself- especially when you dont think youre being treated the way you should be. Dont hes itate to speak up for yourself, whether that means making sure a work dispute is handled correctly or asking your boss for a raise. It can be difficult, but the more you advocate for yourself the easier it becomes.Recognize whats a priorityWhen Jon Snow convinces Daenerys to join his fight against the Night King, she does so because she understands that its more important to work together to ensure the existence of the Seven Kingdoms than to continue squabbling over who gets to rule it. Though shes putting her biggest goal on the backburner, shes not giving up on it. Rather, shes prioritizing her tasks in a way that helps her in the long run.Knowing how to prioritize is an underrated skill in the workplace. Managing a long to-do list full of micro and macro-level goals is tough, but being able to put all those items side-by-side and know which to tackle first will help you manage yourself and your team responsibly. It also helps strengthen your work-life balance, which is important to protect your mental and physical health.Dont give upThe Daenerys Targaryen we see in the first Game of Thrones episode is drastically different than the one we see in season seven. Shes learned a lot, met new allies andenemiesand made many mistakes along the way. And yet, despite all this, she has never given up.Professionals across all industries will tell you that grit and perseverance are more important to success than natural talent. Though she will no doubt continue to encounter many obstacles along her journey, her dedication to her cause is what makes her the most likely victor in the war that she has entered.This article was originally published on Fairygodboss.comAt Fairygodboss, our mission is to help you create the best career for your life. Weve helped over a million women do this by crowdsourcing hard-to-ask information about job flexibility, salaries, work-life balance, maternity leave policies and whether women are promoted fairly in their companies and departments . Come see our free job reviews and career advice

Saturday, November 23, 2019

ASME Fellows Jahanmir and Taboas to Receive ASME Awards at Honors Assembly

ASME Fellows Jahanmir and Taboas to Receive ASME Awards at Honors Assembly ASME Fellows Jahanmir and Taboas to Receive ASME Awards at Honors Assembly ASME Fellows Jahanmir and Taboas to Receive ASME Awards at Honors AssemblySaid Jahanmir Each year at the Honors Assembly, ASME pays tribute to the engineering trendsetters who have made invaluable contributions to the profession and the Society. At this years ceremony, which will take place next month at the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition in San Diego, ASME Fellows Said Jahanmir and Anbal Taboas will be among the 10 influential individuals who will be recognized with ASME awards during the multimedia event.The 2013 Honors Assembly - A Celebration of Engineering will take place on Nov. 18 from 600 p.m.-730 p.m. at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. Admission is free to all Congress attendees. Said Jahanmir, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer MiTiHeart Corp. and vice president for biotec hnology at Mohawk Innovative Technology Inc., will receive Honorary Membership in ASME at the ceremony. First awarded in 1880, the founding year of the Society, Honorary Membership recognizes a lifetime of service to engineering or related fields. Dr. Jahanmir is being recognized for seminal contributions to the advancement of mechanical engineering, particularly the multidisciplinary technologies in tribology, manufacturing, biomedical materials and devices, in the promotion of standards and for significant contributions to ASME. At MiTiHeart, a subsidiary of Mohawk Innovative Technology, Jahanmir is leading research and development efforts on implantable blood pumps, high-temperature coatings, high-speed micro-machining and high-speed oil-free compressors. His efforts have led to the development and pre-clinical testing of a new generation of mechanical heart assist pumps with magnetic bearings for heart failure patients, and the development of a novel ultra high-speed micro-machi ning spindle with rotational speeds beyond 500,000 rpm. Jahanmir has also been an active ASME volunteer, serving as chair of the Tribology Diimagination, chair of the hauptplatine on Research and Research and Technology Development, and chair of the International Congress Committee, among his many Society positions. As a member of the Board of Governors from 2009-2012, he served on several Board committees and Presidential task forces, and was instrumental in the ASME Global Impact Strategic Initiative and the new ASME website. Jahanmir received ASMEs Dedicated Service Award in 1995 and Mayo D. Hersey Award in 2001, and the Tribology Divisions Donald Wilcock Distinguished Service Award in 2009. Anbal Taboas Anbal L. Taboas, president and CEO of ASPIRA Inc., will be recognized at the Honors Assembly with the Societys Dixy Lee Ray Award. The award, established in 1998, recognizes significant achievements and contributions in the broad field of environmental protection. T aboas is receiving the award for advancing closure of the nuclear fuel cycle, and for his internationally recognized leadership in regulatory engineering and sustainable environmental management. Taboas work experience ranges from research and development at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory to a career at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) from which he retired, followed by consulting on strategic leadership, risk management and the defense fuel cycle. Among his significant contributions, Taboas had the vision and persistence to establish a defensible technical basis for regulations governing the categorization, management and disposal of hazardous materials according to practicability and risk, rather than by origin. Subsequent statutory and regulatory acceptance has served as the solid foundation for numerous developments, such as the waste acceptance criteria for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.Taboas has held various positions on the ASME Environmental Engineering Divisions Environmental Communication and Executive committees. He also served on the Honors and Awards Committee and as chair of the International Conference on Environment Management series. He received ASMEs Dedicated Service Award in 2010.The ASME Honors and Awards program is sponsored by the ASME Foundation, through the management of award endowment funds set up by individuals, corporations or groups. For more information on the Honors Assembly and each of this years award recipients, visit www.asmeconferences.org/Congress2013/Honors.cfm.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Blocking Out Biases When Conducting an Interview

Blocking Out Biases When Conducting an InterviewBlocking Out Biases When Conducting an InterviewBlocking Out Biases When Conducting an InterviewOver the past five to 10 years, companies have launched diversity hiring programs with the greatest of intentions but limited success. Managers believed that achieving a diverse employee population matching the breadth of their customer base was both noble and required. While these corporate-level awareness programs are important in raising the diversity issue as a critical corporate objective, more needs to be done. Words, slogans and strategies wont solve the problem. Tactics will.The real problem lies with the hiring manager, interviewing team and the hiring process. This is where diversity hiring initiatives and legal hiring processes can easily fall apart. One of the fundamental problems preventing these programs from gaining any momentum is that most interviewers overvalue first impressions and personality.Avoid Common Hiring MistakesMo re hiring mistakes are made in the first 30 minutes of the interview than at any other time. First impressions, personal biases, stereotypes and prejudices unconsciously come into play when the interviewer and candidate meet in person for the first time. If an interviewer doesnt like someone during this brief encounter, the person will not get hired. Competency is irrelevant. And if the interviewer likes the person, competency is overlooked. Strengths are magnified and weaknesses ignored.Personality and first impressions as measured in the interview are not good predictors of subsequent performance. Some candidates can fake being nice and put on their party personality. Other candidates are somewhat nervous, and it takes a while for them to reveal their true selves. But this is when the interviewers biases and prejudices are most pronounced. One way to get past these is to never make a hiring decision in the first 30 minutes of the interview. First, measure thejobs performance.Match Candidate Skills with the Job DescriptionInstead of using skills and qualifications to assess competency, define what the person must do to be successful. Deliverables like designing a product or building a team of engineers are far more relevant than an engineering degree and five years of management experience. Get detailed examples from the candidate of comparable accomplishments. Evaluate these accomplishments over time, and look for their trend and growth. This is how to define and measure performance.During the interview, make sure all interviewers get examples of comparable accomplishments, especially during the critical first 30 minutes. This is how you measure performance. All candidates need to be asked the same questions, whether you like them or not. The 30-minute cooling-off period will allow natural biases and prejudices to dissipate.After 30 minutes, measure your first impression again. Youll discover that about a third of the candidates are far stronger than first i magined, and about a third are not nearly as strong as you thought. The other third are about the same.This 30-minute delay will allow you control your biases and prejudices. We all have them, but disciplining yourself this way helps you overcome them. The biases will reveal themselves. Understanding how you and other interviewers and hiring managers are affected by different types of people is critical for implementing a diversity hiring initiative.