4 Strategies for Successful Career Change

4 Strategies for Successful Career Change4 Strategies for Successful Career Change1It takes a certain amount of gumption to consider changing careers. For those of us who feel as though weve been wearing blinders that have prevented us from looking for new career directions, the biggest hurdle to change can be simply working up the nerve to try something new. Below are four strategies you can use for a successful career change.One way to take the stress out of making a career change is to have a business plan approach change objectively, think through your alternatives logically, and have an end goal in mind. Use change as you would a GPS device, with you acting as both programmer and chief navigator, and new job opportunities and options as your final destination. After all, changing your career takes more than wishful thinkingOnce youve taken the helm, dont be daunted by the big picture. Keep your eyes on the horizon, operate strategically, and take things step by step. Nows the t ime to design your career and turn it into what youve always wanted it to beStart your search for new job opportunities hereHere are four strategies for a successful career change1. You are your best PR firm.Who knows more about your accomplishments than you? Make this the moment to polish your resume, update your work skills, and sell your best asset you.2. Face your fear of change.Have the audacity to carve out your own path. Often, being in the saatkorn career or job setting for years can narrow your ambitions and limit your career goals. Break out of the mold, and dream big.3. Dont sell yourself short.Sometimes, people whove been honing their skills for years lose sight of their value in the marketplace. If youre looking to switch careers in order to make more money (as opposed to simply seeking greater job satisfaction), check with your current employer, if you have a job, to make sure they know youre putting yourself on the market. Employers are usually intent on attracting an d retaining the best talent for themselves.Your boss may give you an in-house opportunity to take on a new role. In short, know your job market value4. Dont be afraid to cash in.Cashing in isnt necessarily all about making more money, it can also be about finally getting the credit and job satisfaction you deserve, for the skills youve developed over the years.In some instances, flexible job opportunities, including telecommuting jobs and part-time employment, can allow you to test the waters without jumping all the way in.Readers, have you made a successfulcareer change? What did you do tomake it happen? Tellus your tips in the comments below

10 Ways to Offer Employee Recognition

10 Ways to Offer Employee Recognition10 Ways to Offer Employee RecognitionAs various times of the year, managers look for ways to give employee recognition for a job well done - without breaking the bank. Cash bonuses are often the ultimate employee incentive, but theyre not the only way to make employees feel appreciated.You can keep yur team motivated and committed to the company by offering alternative forms of employee recognition. Feeling appreciated, after all, is the top factor driving happiness for people in accounting, according to new research by our company, ITS TIME WE ALL WORK HAPPY.GET THE REPORTHow can you turn a simple thanks into something more meaningful? Consider these 10 low-cost options to give employee recognition for a job well done1. A hand-written thank youWith electronic communication so prolific in our current office culture, taking the time to write a brief but sincere handwritten good job note can go a long way toward making an employee feel valued. Writ ten notes require extra time to craft and deliver, something sure to be recognized and appreciated by recipients.2. Emails ccing the teamAnotzu sich way to show that someones efforts went above and beyond what would normally be expected is to write an email and copy the entire team or other supervisors. This is a way to encourage employees to praise each other.3. Public pat on the backYou can use the written word for employee recognition in even more public ways, too, such as with a feature in the company newsletter or an article in a trade publication. Being singled out and praised in a public forum can motivate an employee to continue to achieve.4. Face-to-face timeEven if youve sent a note or email, visiting an employees desk and explaining how much you appreciate his or her work can be extra meaningful. Face time can be particularly valuable for direct reports, who will see youve carved out time specifically to acknowledge their work with warmth and gratitude.5. Gifts of appreci ationAlthough elaborate or expensive gifts may be out of the question, dont overlook small tokens, such as gift cards to the local coffee shop or a pair of movie tickets. Theres truth to the clich that its the thought that counts. Simply making your own effort to recognize your employees work is sure to be appreciated and boost morale, no matter the monetary value.6. Office celebrationsWhether its an office lunch, a gift exchange or simply a social hour, most employees appreciate the chance to relax and socialize with their co-workers on company time. At the cost of only a few hours out of the day and minor planning and budgeting on your part, you can provide a relaxing, team-oriented perk your employees will appreciate. Consider hosting a weekly or monthly thank-you lunch for employees, or incorporate good food into a workplace recognition meeting.7. Special employee perksLow-cost options for employee perks can include a special Employee of the Month parking spot, an office plaque, or company gear such as T-shirts or coffee mugs. Workspace decorations or flower bouquets are also appropriate tokens of appreciation.8. Additional time offOffering additional vacation time as a form of employee recognition is one of the most appreciated perks you can offer - if your company is in a lokalitt to do so. You dont have to provide full days off but could do this in a smaller way by giving employees an hour or half a day off. Breaks can increase productivity and help your staff maintain valuable work-life balance.9. CompensationWe promised low-cost ways to show appreciation, but salary boosts or performance bonuses can go a long way to show employee recognition. Think of it this way The scope of employees duties is outlined in their job descriptions and what they are paid to do. But what if team members go well beyond that scope? Then theyre performing extra services that benefit the organization. And compensation is recognition for that extra effort.10. Fairness to all While its true most top-performing employees continue to shine throughout their careers, be careful not to shower gifts and perks on only a few of your favorites. If the same employees are regularly singled out, that can breed resentment and jealousy among others. Spread the recognition as equitably as possible.Getting creative with forms of employee recognition can help your team feel more engaged and, as a result, less likely to look for a new job. Whether you introduce a formal employee recognition program or just use some of these retention tips for end-of-year acknowledgments, incorporating low-cost employee perks can create a win-win for everyone in your organization.Thank you is a short sentence, but it can have long-term value.

Its Time for a Wake-Up Call

Its Time for a Wake-Up CallIts Time for a Wake-Up CallMost professionals say theyre often tired on the job, and admit their work performance can suffer for it. See the infographic for survey results. Its Time for a Wake-Up Call7 in 10 Workers Admit Theyre Tired on the JobWe asked professionals for their thoughts on working while tired.The ramifications can be costly, as these statistics show.WORKING WHILE TIRED HAPPENS TO MOST PROFESSIONALSHow often do you work while tired?43% Somewhat Often31% Very Often25% Not Very Often 1% Never77% of men71% of women86% of 18-34 year olds71% of 35-54 year olds50% of age 55+ said they often work while tired.WHEN PROFESSIONALS ARE TIRED ON THE JOB, WORK SUFFERSHow does working while tired affect your work performance?*52% I cant focus/get distracted47% I procrastinate more38% Im grumpy/grouchy29% I make more mistakes16% It doesnt affect me1% OtherLack of sleep costs U.S. companies $63 billion in lost producti vity each year.1Professionals admitted to or heard of others making these mistakes at work while being tiredOrdered 500 more computers than were neededMissed a decimal point on an estimated payment and the client overpaid by $1 millionAccidentally paid everyone twiceDeleted a project that took 1,000 hours to put togetherExposed executive compensation to the entire firmMORE THAN HALF OF WORKERS WOULD WELCOME CATCHING SOME Zs ON THE JOBIf your amtsstube had a nap room, would you take advantage of it?55% Yes31% No2% Already have a nap room and use it2% Have a nap room and dont use itSOME SAY NO TO WORKPLACE NAPPINGWhy would you not use a nap room or take naps at work?**46% Might make me sleepier35% Dont want to be perceived as a slacker34% Worry about getting work done16% Other (e.g., cant sleep in public, never take naps, hard to sleep during the day)accountemps.com1Insomnia and Performance of US Workers journalsleep.org/ViewAbstact.aspx?pid=28247Source Accountemps survey of more than 1,000 workers in the United States* Multiple responses were permitted** Based on 337 respondents who would not use a nap room or take naps at work. Multiple responses were permitted. 2016 Robert Half International Inc. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.Most professionals say theyre often tired on the job, and admit their work performance can suffer for it. See the infographic for survey results.

How to Make Your Halloween Fun and Safe at Work

How to Make Your Halloween Fun and Safe at WorkHow to Make Your Halloween Fun and Safe at WorkHalloween is one of your employees favorite holidays to celebrate in the workplace. For employers, Halloween is a chance to build teamwork and encourage positive morale among employees. Its an opportunity for executives and senior managers to mingle with the rest of the staff so that when an employee approaches the senior leaders in the future, the contact might elend seem so scary. Halloween also provides the perfect setting for the families of your employees to see the workplace where Mommy or Daddy spend most days. Family friendships are also a frequent offshoot of families enjoying fun activities together in the workplace. These are a boon for helping you reduce employee turnover. After all, who wants to leave their best friends behind? Compelling reasons exist to celebrate Halloween in the workplace. From the employers perspective, you just need to prepare and communicate so that you an d your employees are on the same page about appropriate behavior at work. Halloween celebrations can range from trick-or-treating and crafts with employees children to pumpkin carving contests, to adult costume parties with alcohol. They all encourage employee interaction and workplace engagement. They all open the employer to potential liabilities and concerns. In Why Halloween Hijinx Should Frighten Employers, according to Dennis Donnelly, J. D., Halloween celebrations in the office also bring their own set of challenges for the employer. Although Halloween is meant to be a festive day, for some employers it could be mora frightening than fun when employees celebrate Halloween in the office. Do make plans to celebrate Halloween in your workplace- but lay the groundwork early to nix the scary aspects. Make the participation voluntary and never pressure employees who may not want to participate. At the same time, make plans and communicate with employees to avoid these four potentia l problems. Sexual harassmentHostile work environmentAlcohol-related problemsPhysical safety Sexual Harassment Dont count onyour employees to practice appropriate dress without a reminder. The reminder can accompany the invitation to dress up for the Halloween costume contest or attend an adult workplace costume party. Tell employees that they need to make their costumes G-rated and that, while you encourage an employee to get into the spirit of the costume, this does not mean behavior that can be considered hostile or sexual harassment. Professional behavior is expected even when the employee is wearing a costume. Here is a sample note from an employer (scroll to the end of that article to see the sample note). You can avoid this possibility altogether by not holding an adult costume contest or party. Instead, focus on activities for the children of your employees. The majority of adults behave when they know that children will be present. You can also set a theme for adult cos tumes (but fewer employees will participate) such as Disney characters, aliens, or the 1950s. Hostile Work Environment Your reminder note should also tell employees what costume themes to avoid. Steer clear of costumes that demean political parties or figures, show insensitivity to employee religions and nationalities and make fun of diseases such as mental illness. Attorneys remind employers that a discrimination complaint would not be a welcome ending to a happy Halloween celebration. Pornography, unwanted physical contact, and fake weapons all produce a hostile work environment in which some employees may feel offended or uncomfortable. So, remind your employees not to go there. Alcohol-Related Problems Drunk employees are a problem. They are more likely to commit sexual harassment or create a hostile work environment when alcohol colors their judgment. They are more likely to injure themselves or others. They are even more likely to make fools of themselves by spending t he evening throwing up in the restroom or falling off their chair. Even if the employee doesnt remember what he did in the morning, his behavior will earn him the disrespect of his coworkers. People do talk and gossip about what goes on in the office- even more so about party behavior. Senior managers, who hear about or see the employee actions, are less likely to think well of or promote employees who show poor judgment in a professional setting. Even though parties are supposed to be fun, workplace parties remain work functions- employees do well to remember this. Here is how employers can minimize the impact of serving alcohol at workplace events. Physical Safety for Employees Employers need to exhibit common sense. Never serve alcohol at a pumpkin carving party or contest, for example. Require each child participating in a pumpkin carving contest or trick or treating in the workplace to be under the supervision of an adult. If there is an injury while employees celebrate Hal loween in your workplace, the injury should be recorded in your OSHA reporting. Limit the prominence of alcohol at company events and parties to diminish the possibility of employee accidents like falling down stairs or an auto accident on the way home. In this era of marijuana legalization, you may also want to encourage employees to limit their smoking of pot as a part of your pre-party communication. It is also the preference of many employers that alcohol is not served when employers hold parties and events for employees and their children in the workplace. You can celebrate a wonderful Halloween at your workplace. If you plan and communicate with employees in advance of the event, you will ensure the happiness and safety of your employees and limit your legal liability as an employer. More Related to Celebrating Halloween in Your Workplace Celebrate Holidays at Work for Motivation and Team Building

Things You Should Know About Profile on Resume

Things You Should Know About Profile on Resume A profile serves to show what youve got to provide an employer what you will do for the business in the future. Your profile ought to be customized to coordinate with the qualifications the employer is seeking. Make a decision as to what you are resume sales wear beforehand. To make an eye-catching retail sales associate resume, you will need to incorporate a few crucial components. What You Dont Know About Profile on Resume For writers it is a library. The profile isnt a succession of sentences, but instead a series strategically placed words and phrases. An excellent profile will quickly highlight your most marketable skills since they relate to a particular job, and itll encourage the employer to carry on reading on to the upcoming sections of your resume. The resume profile is among the essential elements of a good teaching resume. Top Profile on Resume Choices If you currently have the training, that could make you very appealing over another candidate who will want to learn. So resume objectives will differ depending on the sector in which you are searching for employment. An objective may be a superior selection for somebody who knows the precise job and industry they need to be in, and often if this job or industry is competitive. Career objectives are most useful for people targeting one specific position, since they let the applicant to directly cover the requirements of the business and show how they are going to fit in the workforce. Resume profiles are the very first chance to highlight someones relevant career experiences, skills, and what goals they are trying to achieve while in their next position. If you would have to relocate, then it will get a bit more complicated. Dont forget, your resume should always underline the skills, experience, and accomplishments which are most relevant to your job objectives. The trick is to format the info in a manner that makes it simple to scan quickly to recognize your job objectives and relevant qualifications and achievements. Resume Profile Examples play an important part in assisting and supporting job seekers in the appropriate way. Profile bewertung plays an important part in the resume. A Career Aim, Personal Statement or Profile can be a helpful means of flagging an interest and techniques for a specific career on your CV, particularly when you have no appropriate degree or employment experience to present your CV focus. A personal profile statement is a critical part of your CV, and its a brief statement outlining your own personal characteristics. Sensitive or internal company info, together with overly personal details, should never create the cut. A profile title must comprise keywords particular to the job for which youre applying. Its a good idea to include at least brief specifics about them. Your odds of getting the job will be dependent on how good or bad your resume is. The huge day profile almost here and you must prepare yourself sales it. Then keep these must-haves in mind while you customize the resume for your business enterprise experience. fruchtwein receive on-the-job training, which often lasts a couple of days to a couple of months. Profile on Resume Secrets That No One Else Knows About Stating an objective on your resume is a means to convince employers that you understand what you want in work, even though a profile explains what you need to give the employer and can help sell your candidacy. Gathering salary information is only one of the data points. Most resumes show plenty of work history that suits the work description. Infographic resumes are impossible to comprehend, states MacIntyre. Lies Youve Been Told About Profile on Resume Howeverthe career aim here has to be fairly broad or maybe you get submitted for few vacancies. In addition, you can find out more about IT careers on Monster. Furthermore, you can look for custodian jobs on Mons ter. Throughout your career for a payroll specialist, you will get both company-specific and industry-general training. Choosing Good Profile on Resume So, here are four crucial differences you need to understand before you even consider touching copy-paste. Its possible for you to refer resume objective samples on the web and can write the objective that may make an impression at a glance. Typically you dont need to list more than four profile unless older ones are really related to the position youre applying to. However tempting it may be to stretch the truth, lying on your resume is always a poor idea. Where to Find Profile on Resume It is quite a bit more difficult to swiftly focus when reading a resume that does not own a profile. An amazing profile instantly summarizes your qualifications for a certain job. Your CV personal profile is just one of the most essential portions of your CV. Writing a personal profile can be an intimidating task even once you know just w hat information to include. A specialist profile summary is practically always best. You are able to ask a reliable friend to proofread your LinkedIn profile so that you dont miss any glaring problems a prospective employer might notice. In addition with LinkedIn profiles, all of the info is in the exact location, so its simple to compare two individuals on exactly the same factors.

Trade jobs in crisis

Trade jobs in crisis Trade jobs in crisisPosted October 13, 2011, by Helen Isbister The shortage of skilled tradespeople in the construction industry has been eased for the first time in years, but unfortunately the dicke bretter bohren mssen hasnt been solved in the most ideal of ways. The global economic crisis has created a decrease in demand for residential and commercial building putting jobs at risk across the board, lowering the salary of trade contractors and meaning a greater skills shortage will occur once the economy does recover. One saving grace is that the health of the construction industry has been a key priority of the government as it struggles to keep the economy afloat and save jobs. The construction industry received much-needed relief with the announcement of the governments second stimulus package on 3 February 2009. Prime Minister Kevin Rudds $42 billion nation building plan will spend about $6.6 billion on building 20 000 new social housing dwellings and 802 new homes for defence personnel. There will also be urgent maintenance to upgrade 2500 vacant houses so they can be used for social housing. A $3.9 billion green initiative to insulate 2.7 mio homes is aimed at simultaneously saving jobs in the construction sector and reducing greenhouse emissions. $500 million will help pay for community infrastructure projects such as town halls, libraries, sports centres and community venues. Mr Rudd said these projects would provide a massive and immediate boost for the housing and construction industry. The boost to the sector comes off the back of a recently unveiled $4 billion bailout of the commercial property sector, which the PM says will save as many as 50 000 jobs. Many of the 150 000 workers employed in the commercial property sector are tradespeople such as plumbers, electricians and carpenters, and Mr Rudd says a third of their jobs are under direct threat from the global economic downturn. As part of a partnership with the major ban ks, the government will finance office buildings, shopping centres and other commercial property projects, while another $26 billion will be lent to finance commercial projects if required. The plan has copped criticism due to its focus on the commercial sector, when the residential sector has been harder hit and some are saying its greedy property developers and their foolhardy financiers who will benefit most from the scheme. But stimulus packages, government bailouts, infrastructure spending, green incentives, falling house prices, first home-buyer grants and declining interest rates and have not yet managed to salvage the flailing industry. The downturn in economic activity has in the short term improved trade availability, but a drop in housing starts of between 10 and 15 per cent is not an appropriate cure for trade shortages, said Chris Lamont, chief executive of the Housing Industry Association. And because the increase in availability of workers is due to less work rather than an actual increase in skilled tradespeople, when the economy eventually finds its feet things could be worse than ever. When construction activity bounces back, we will be left with a further deterioration in the availability of skilled tradespeople, Mr Lamont said. Mr Lamont has called for the government to boost funding in trades training, so there will be enough skilled workers when the economy recovers. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searchesoperations manager job descriptiongraphic designer job descriptionskincare therapist job descriptionequity & diversity project manager job descriptionhow to get cpa CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire zugnglich Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnqui re Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineHelen IsbisterRelated ArticlesBrowse moreProductivityStudy tipsHow To Boost Your Productivity, According To Science InfographicLooking to squeeze more into your day? Here are six tips to up your productivity game, all backed by scienceTheres no business like show businessMusic, film and television occupy a big place in most of our lives they help us to relax, help us to feel, and shape how we see and experience the world.Dressing for workJob hunting tipsWhat To Wear To An InterviewGot pre-interview outfit jitters? Whether youre applying for a corporate job, need to pull off the business casual look or are a creative professional, weve got all the tips and tricks you need to know about dressing for an interview.

4 Ways to Improve Cross-Departmental Communication

4 Ways to Improve Cross-Departmental Communication 4 Ways to Improve Cross-Departmental Communication kollektiv. Departments. Divisions. Silos.Wait, what?If youre not familiar with thejargon, silois a term used in business to refer to a group of individuals within a company. Having silos within your company isnt an issue, butproblems do arise when the silos become disconnected from one another, creating a silo mentality. To quote BusinessDictionary, this is a mindset present in some companies when certain departments or sectors do not wish to share information with others in the same company. This mentality can lead to lack of alignment, frustration among employees, duplicate work, and poor customer experiences, to name just a few of the consequences.Whenteams are separated from one another, a weird competitive atmosphere develops, promoting power struggles, job protection, and politics. Communication becomes slow and disjointed throughout the organization. Everyone may be marching in the same general direction, but the plans are different for each team and no one is discussing what the outcomes should be. The company functions awkwardlyinstead of nimbly, which ultimately prevents growth.Keep your internal silos healthy and thriving with these four best practices for better cross-departmental communication1.Clarity Starts at the TopCompany executives and leadersmust get on the same page and meet regularly about strategic goals and company priorities. They must communicate these plans often throughout the entire organization.Working alone or within departments creates differing plans for the same goals due to differing opinions among teams, but when the leadership team communicates clearly, everyoneknows exactlywhat the 3-5 year plan, annual plan, and quarterly priorities are. This allows the entire team to march the same path in the same direction. When teams are working together to accomplish whole-company initiatives - rather thanoperating compartmentally to achievedepartmental goals - the needle really begins to move.2. Create a Shared Culture, Purpose, and ValuesMuch has been written about the millennial desire to do work that makes an impact, but all generations in the workforce really ?want that same thing?. Identifying and strengthening your company purpose gives employees a clear, shared vision, which creates an environment of trust and fosters increased sharing of information and knowledge.Dont let visions of trust falls and awkward team-building exercises hinder you from taking the leap. Team huddles, notes ofkudos, and quarterly outings are stress-free ways to build a culture of shared purpose and collaboration.3. Streamline Project WorkflowMany operating procedures are set up to move from department to department, dumping the work into the nextsilo on the checklist. This method of operation may seem to work on paper, but in reality, it is clunky and creates internal inefficiencies the lead to poor customer experiences.Inst ead, create teams that are agile and collaborative. What if a designer sat in on your development projects and your developers collaborated with designers? What if your accounts payable person was involved inyour sales team onboarding, so that salespeople would be working with a familiar face when collecting invoices? Your business will benefit from the diversity of thought, and your employees will thank you for distributing the workload mora thoroughly.4. Measure What MattersTheres a myth that adding bean bags and ping-pong tables to the office will make employees happier and more productive. However, productive employees are happy - not the other way around.Its important to note that productive isnt the same as busy. Employees are fulfilled when they know what outcomes they are working toward and when team progress is transparent. Your teams should feel like theyve had a successful day when they are reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs) and contributing to moving company priorities toward completion.- Many CEOs and executive teams are afraid to break down silos becausethey worry they willlose control. However, when you connect your departments through a shared vision and culture, communication, efficient workflows, and KPIs, you actually ?gain? control through transparency, alignment, and accountability.Jennifer Faught is an entrepreneur coach at Petra Coach.

4 of the Most Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

4 of the Most Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them4 of the Most Common Interview Questions and How to Answer ThemPrepping for a job bewerberbewerberinterview? Here are four common interview questions you should be ready to answer.A prospective employer calls and wants to meet with you. Congrats That means youve gotten your foot in the proverbial door. But once the excitement about the prospect of a new job starts to fade, you may find it replaced with a tinge of anxiety.Its no wonder. Job interviews can be incredibly stressful. What do you wear? What if you get caught in traffic and arrive late? But the question that looms over all the others in your mind is probably, What will the interviewer ask me?The stress of wondering what questions youll be asked during an interview is enough to make you reach for the antacids. But before you pop the cap to that bottle of chalky pastel tablets, read on. In order to help you ace your interview, weve listed four of the fruchtwein co mmon interview questions and the answers that hiring managers are looking for when they ask them.1. Why are you interested in working for our company?This query tops the list of most common interview questions. Interviewers ask this question to see not only what you feel youll gain from working at their organization, but to gauge whether or not youve done your homework. Make sure you read up on the company before you walk through the front door.2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?Hiring managers wield a double-edged sword when asking this question. They are really evaluating your capabilities. But they also want to see if youre aware of areas in which you could improve, and how youre planning to do so. The key to answering this question is to focus on professional qualities, and to use positive phrasing. For example, I could definitely grow my professional network. Ive recently taken steps to do so by updating my LinkedIn profile and organizing a monthly meeting where business contacts share their ideas and experiences.BROWSE OPEN JOBS TODAY3. Where do you see yourself in five years?Interviewers are evaluating your drive and dedication to your career. They want to discern whether you have solid career goals and aspirations, or if youre just drifting along until you stumble into a position.4. Can you give me an example of a time when you overcame a professional challenge?Not only is this one of the most common interview questions, its also one that interviewees like least. Prepare for this query by having an anecdote ready to go. Yes, hiring managers are looking for examples of your critical thinking and analytical skills. But theyre also focusing on your behavior in handling the challenge you describe. Did you initially panic? Or did you calmly assess the situation and proceed with the best possible solution?Take the time to prepare for these common interview questions. Doing so will show hiring managers that youre serious about the opportunity.This post has been updated to reflect more current information.Learn how Robert Half can help you get results in your job search.

What to Know About Navy Basic Training

What to Know About Navy Basic TrainingWhat to Know About Navy Basic TrainingThe Navy only has one location for enlisted basic training the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois. All new recruits will spend boot camp here, but dont worry about doing drills in inclement weather unlike the other branches of the U.S. military, most of Navy boot camp is conducted indoors. This means there are indoor marching and drill, the confidence course is indoors and even weapons like shotguns and pistols are fired indoors. This makes a lot of sense if you think about it much of Navy life and duty is spent aboard a ship or in a submarine. The Recruit Training Command processes more than 50,000 recruits through Navy boot camp per year. But before you can take part in Navy basic training, you must pass an initial fitness assessment. Your recruiter administers this test. The initial standards are listed below. Navy Standards for Male Recruits Age 17-19Sit-ups 50Push-ups 421.5-mile zustrom 12 30 Age 20-24Sit-ups 46Push-ups 371.5-mile run 1330 Age 25-29Sit-ups 43Push-ups 341.5-mile run 1400 Age 30-34Sit-ups 40Push-ups 311.5-mile run 1430 Navy Standards for Female Recruits Age 17-19Sit-ups 50Push-ups 191.5-mile run 1500 Age 20-24Sit-ups 46Push-ups 161.5-mile run 1530 Age 25-29Sit-ups 43Push-ups 131.5-mile run 1608 Age 30-34Sit-ups 40Push-ups 111.5-mile run 1645 Passing the Navy Swim Test During the first week of basic training, you will also have to pass a Navy 3rd Class Swim Test. If you cant swim, dont worry. The Navy instructors will teach you how (at least well enough to pass this test). Obviously, this is going to be a crucial skill to have in a branch of the service where youre likely to see a fair amount of time at sea. In buchung to graduate from Navy basic training, you must score at least a Good (Low) score on the normal Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT). For men age 17 through 19, that means 62 sit-ups, 51 push-ups and running 1.5 miles in 11 minutes. For women in this age bracket, theyll need to do 62 sit-ups, 24 push-ups and1.5 miles in 13 minutes, 30 seconds. Requesting Leave After Basic Training The Navy does not usually grant leave (time off or vacation) immediately after basic training. When you graduate from Navy basic, youll proceed to your Navy A-School (job school). Your first leave will be when you graduate from A-School or around 10 days during the Christmas period, whichever happens first. If you enlisted under the GENDET or GTEP programs (no guaranteed job), your first leave will be at the discretion of your supervisor.