Cyber Distractions How to Prevent Technology from Inhibiting Productivity

Cyber Distractions How to Prevent Technology from Inhibiting Productivity In this digital age, we are connected to both people and information like never before. It’s hard to imagine going back to a time five years ago, or better yet, fifteen years ago, when the world wasn’t at our fingertips at the touch of an app. But the influx of information comes at a price, and for many, productivity suffers. Just because we have access to all this information doesn’t mean the human brain can handle it all at once and still stay productive. Sound familiar? For some, prioritization isn’t a problem. They know when to work and when to play, and they never let one affect the other. For others, however, technology is a constant distraction, preventing them from excelling at their job, spending quality time with friends and family, or doing anything else that requires uninterrupted attention. Those people fall into two groups: those who realize that technology is hindering their productivity, and those who have no idea. Those in the second group must move to the first group by recognizing their productivity could be improved by setting limits on the number and frequency of distractions. The next step is to set limits on those distractions to provide longer periods of uninterrupted productivity. Here are some starting points. Schedule Breaks When concentrating on one task for an extended period of time without breaks, productivity starts to decline rapidly. However, studies have shown that when short breaks or mental diversions are incorporated into the work schedule, the ability to focus for prolonged periods improves significantly. The key is to plan out the breaks so they don’t interfere with periods of concentration and work output. One option is to work for a solid 55 minutes, then take a five-minute break to check e-mails, return phone calls and check social media sites. Stepping away from your work will allow you to return to it refreshed and reinvigorated, ready for another 55 minutes of solid productivity. However, during this time, be sure to silence your phone, close your e-mail program and turn off all push notifications on your apps. They can wait until the next break. Utilize Folders and Lists Despite the separation of work time and play time, if you’re a person who is easily distracted during periods of concentration, isolating your apps and sites that are regular offenders may help keep them out of sight and out of mind. One method is to try grouping apps into folders on your phone and utilizing Twitter lists. In the event that your work requires you to use your cell phone, social media apps and games that may be distracting can be grouped into folders and considered “off limits” until time permits. Similarly, Twitter lists can be created that separate profiles used for business from those used for social or entertainment purposes. This will minimize the chances of distracting click bait entering your Twitter feed while focusing on work. Avoid the Bandwagon Every so often, a new social media site appears with enticing new features that existing sites don’t offer. Suddenly, everyone jumps on the bandwagon and invests hours and hours into the site, while trying to convince their friends to join. For the next few months, people are battling for mayorship of their favorite restaurant on Foursquare, or bidding for Ello invitations on eBay, only to find out later that their new site was nothing more than a flash in the pan. Some people may consider the thrill of a new SoMe site a worthwhile use of their spare time. But for those whose time is at a premium, waiting to jump on the bandwagon until a site is legitimized will save hours, days or even weeks of time that could be better spent on more productive tasks. The Productivity Police For those who need a little help in the time-management department, there are a number of websites that may prove useful. RescueTime can be used on your computer and mobile devices to provide a detailed report of the time you spend on various websites and apps, reading e-mails or attending meetings. It can also be used to block distracting websites. If you already know the source of your distractions and are simply looking to block the violating sites, there are a number of options including Anti-Social, Cold Turkey, SelfControl and StayFocusd. Each can be set to restrict access to multiple sites for a predetermined amount of time in order to keep distractions to a minimum and keep your eyes on the prize. Even the most focused person can only hold their attention on a single task for so long before their mind needs a rest. What’s most important is the quality of work one can produce between periods of diversion. The amount of technology at our disposal is continuously increasing, leading to decreased attention spans. While some have the discipline to disconnect during crunch time, it’s the ones who remain unable or unwilling to look away from their mobile devices or social media accounts for a few hours that will always find staying productive a challenge. The true test will be up to the individual and his or her manager. If one of them notices decreased productivity due to constant technology distractions, it may be time to develop a plan that will help focus attention back on their work. Image: Shutterstock

Writing a Resume and CV - Why You Need a Good Resume

Writing a Resume and CV - Why You Need a Good ResumeWriting a resume and CV is a useful way to introduce yourself and get an insight into your personality. Employers and recruiters often need this type of information, particularly in the job hunting stages. A well written resume and CV can help you land a good job.When compiling a resume and CV, it is important to remember that they are not just a checklist of information that should be included in your resume. Many people start with a general outline and then fill in the details as they go along.Make sure that when writing a resume and CV, you consider the type of job you are looking for. There are a variety of jobs that a CV will be appropriate for. For example, if you are looking for a position with finance, you can include your experience in this field. If you are interested in working with computers, a computer CV will also be appropriate.It is very important to make sure that the formatting of the CV is very professional. Most employers are used to seeing the same resume format every year, so it is important to make sure your CV is professional. A personal touch makes it more likely that the employer will remember your application and be interested in you.When writing a resume and CV, there are certain key points that must be included on your resume. These points include: education, skills, work experience, industry experience, hobbies, and any special talents or skills that you may have.When you are creating a resume and CV, it is important to include your goals for obtaining the job. This helps employers understand what your expectations are when it comes to the job and why you want the job.In addition to developing a resume and CV, it is important to update it often. The CV will help to introduce yourself to employers, and by keeping it current you are helping to show employers how busy you are and how interested you are in their company.There are many benefits to writing a resume and CV, and employers appreciate being introduced to people who are interested in their business. With these tips, you will find that you can easily begin creating a resume and CV that has all of the necessary information included in it.

10 Steps to Becoming a Social Executive

10 Steps to Becoming a Social Executive Would you say that the executives of your company are social? They dont all have to be Richard Branson,  but they ought to have decent social profiles, networks and a  solid social strategy. Reputation is vital for success Here are some stats to back it up: 80% of consumers agree that social media enhances the image and reputation of executives Research shows that companies with social C-Suite executives enjoy higher levels of trust, and people are more likely to buy their products. 60% of a companys market value is attributed to its reputation 10 steps to becoming a social executive: Add and accept connections. Share and re-share great content. Ask and answer questions â€" start conversations. Make and receive recommendations. Join speci?c interest and industry groups. Point out your skills and experience, not just your job history. Write an eye-catching personal tagline â€" don’t forget your photo. Put your elevator pitch to work and sell yourself in 10 seconds. Use an authentic voice and inject some personality. Stand out from the crowd with unusual interests. More in the infographic below, courtesy of LinkedIn. RELATED:  Here’s Why Your Boss Should Become a Social CEO Learn more about becoming a social CEO in our  interview with the Chief Reputation Strategist of Weber Shandwick, Dr. Leslie Gaines-Ross (also available in iTunes). [Image Credit: Shutterstock]

Winter Blues Get a Lift With One of These Great Reads

Winter Blues Get a Lift With One of These Great Reads Blame it on the winter blues, the cloudy skies, or simply the looming thought of six more weeks of winter, theres no mistaking it.    Its that low energy feeling when all you really want is a good book, a cup of coffee or tea, and a warm fire to sit next to.   We cant help with the drink or fire, but we do have some pleasant suggestions for some great winter reads. If youre in the doldrums and need a little escape, or a little inspiration, heres our four suggestions for great winter reads to give you a much needed lift!    Theres something for everyone here, so pick one up.   Or get all four to move yourself right into spring! Whos In Your Room? Ponder the advice of these four well-known people: Jim Rohn:    â€œYou are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Colin Powell:   “The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve.   Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity. Mark Ambrose:   “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” Oprah Winfrey:   “Surround yourself with those who only lift you higher.” Its pretty easy to see a common thread.   And it may even bring back echoes of your parents nagging you about who you were hanging out with.   But the truth in all four of those statements cannot be denied. If you dig a little deeper, youll realize that who you choose to associate with has a powerful effect on your life. Whos in Your Room helps you see the real dynamics of your relationships, what theyre costing you, and how taking control of your life is really about taking control of your relationships.   Want this year to end differently, in a very good way?   Get the book.   Read it.   Take the challenge. Operation Clusterpuck Are you a fan of The Office?   Is the tube a distant second to indulging in a great book?   Then youll find your business nirvana with a twist of humor, a dash of dysfunction, and a side of irreverence in Operation Clusterpuck. The second book in a (we hope) series, Operation Clusterpuck picks up the same all too familiar theme of B.S. Incorporated, which published in 2016.   Who needs reality TV when life in the real world of business serves up a continual string of WTF moments! Warning:   Youll LOL, so be sure to keep that coffee or tea on the table and not your lap.   When youre done reading this one, you just might feel a little more normal tomorrow! The Ultimate Side Hustle Book Im convinced that one of the defining terms of this decade is side hustle.   Whether its out of need (remember the post crash years . . .), or just the desire to make that business dream a reality, the number of people with a side hustle is growing every year. If you havent jumped on board the side hustle express, whats holding you back?   Inspiration, you say?   Okay, change that coffee or tea to a glass of wine, and ponder 450 money making ideas in The Ultimate Side Hustle Book. Bedtime Stories For Managers Where ever you look, theres ample evidence that management ala-2018 has gone off the rails.   Leadership has too often evolved into a whats-in-it-for-me joke.   Author Henry Mintzberg says its a matter of having too much lofty leadership and not enough engaging management. If you agree, and want to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem, this collection of 42 reflections on management is one you dont want to miss.   You need to DO something different to create a new and better future.   What you need to do is check out Bedtime Stories For Managers and start making the difference you want to see.   Its due out in February, so make a note in your calendar to get a copy.

What Is SEO Writing Experience on Resume?

What Is SEO Writing Experience on Resume?If you are going to apply for a job that requires writing, and the only resume or CV you have is your writing experience on it, then you should know what is SEO writing experience on resume. Most employers are expecting them and they will look for your writing experience when considering you for the job.You may be wondering why you didn't already have the experience for this job before applying? That is because most employers expect you to already have the experience for this job before you apply for it. They also expect the work you submitted to be done by someone who has done this sort of writing before.That is the reason why you should know what is SEO writing experience on resume before you submit it. It can be written as anything, but just like it can be anything that you have written in the past. So, just be sure you are submitting your best work.The only thing to keep in mind when writing about your SEO writing experience on resume is t o be honest and precise. That means you should write about what you have done, how much time you spent, and what works best for you. You should also state what format or style you prefer and how you write for you.When you are having SEO writing experience on resume to include a few keywords that you think might be related to the position you are applying for. Many employers do look for specific keywords on a resume to figure out if the person applying is a good candidate for the job.So, you should include some SEO writing experience on resume that includes keywords related to the job, the company, and the position. But, if you do not include any keywords in the resume, then you may be wasting your time writing it. Your resume is not supposed to be the entire article, and you do not want to waste your time on something that is already over half done.You should also be sure that you have proofread your SEO writing experience on resume as well. This will prevent you from getting the wr ong information about yourself.Even if you did get the job, it would still be helpful to have your SEO writing experience on resume written by you. While doing this, the employer will see that you have the ability to do this and do it well.

Happy About My Resumes Barbara Safani offers great advice... - Sterling Career Concepts

Happy About My Resumes Barbara Safani offers great advice... Happy About My Resumes Barbara Safani offers great advice Barbara Safani, author ofHappy About My Resume, just posted her top 5 worst pieces of resume adviceand theyre right on. In fact, Ijust had a conversationlast week with a client debating listing his degrees with graduation dates. If you have nothing to hide, then dont make it look like youre hiding something! I would add a sixth point to Barbaras list of bad resume writing tips Use an Objective Statement.This is sucha dated format.Today, youll get much better results by starting off your resumewith a summary section that highlights the value you bring to anemployer. Yesterdaysobjective statement was focused on what you wanted, the position for which you were looking. Sorry to disappoint, but whenrecruiters arescanning your resume, thats not their top concern. They have jobs to fill. A well-written summarywill show a potential employer your top stregnths and how you would best fit into their organization. Thats whatcompels them to read further!

Whats New - Job Search and More - CareerAlley

Whats New - Job Search and More - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. We are currently not planning on conquering the world. We are currently not planning on conquering the world. Sergey Brin Imagine that youve been looking for a job for six months and youve had virtually no luck. Yes, you get the occasional interest, but nothing serious. You begin to feel like there is something wrong with you. Most likely there is nothing wrong with you, but it might be time to make a change in your approach. There is always something new in job search on the Internet. Of course new is a relative term. What is new to me may not necessarily be new to you (or the Internet). New or not, any change you make to your approach gives you a bit of a fresh start (which is not a bad thing). So, lets explore a few career sites that might be new to you. Speedupcareer.com The tag line on this site is Jobs Careers section featuring useful advice tips on work and job related issues and the site lives up to that. There are tabs at the top of the page for Career, Career Change Job, Work Career and more. Each of these tabs seem to link to a Google ad with related links. The mains page is structured by topic, leading with Resume Writing Tips and followed by Cover Letters, Career Development and a host of other career related topics. Each topic has related links. Once you click on any of the topic links, you will see an article on the topic. On the right hand side of the page there are links for the latest articles and links to the other career categories. This site is definitely worth a read. RezScore This site offers a free web app that reads, analyzes, and grades your resume. How cool is that? We all worry about our resume, while we think it is great, what will the interviewing manager think? Using this site, you can take some of that apprehension out of the equation. How does it work? From the main page, upload your resume and you are on your way. Once you get your grade, you can view tips for improvement, get a resume makeover, see potential job matches and more. Healthcareercenter.org This is a career and job search site that focuses on (as you might have guessed) health careers. There are tabs at the top of the page for Explore Careers, Job Search, Salary Info and more. Center page is a list of health careers by category, each with links to a dedicated page on that topic. Clicking Job Search returns a page with job search by industry (top half) followed by State. Additionally, there are job search resource links at the bottom of the page. Take a look. The New (Job Search) Rules This article was posted on dreams-goals.com and covers three primary career rules. This is a must read whether youve been working for 30 years or are still in school. So often we forget (or perhaps never learned) the key traits for success. Some of us learn it as we go and others seem to get it from the start (and still others will never get it). The Life Skills piece that follows is as much a requirement for career success as are the career rules. 5 Positively Propelling Job Search Tips A great read if youve been struggling in your search. In addition to providing great tips (see below), the lead-in will hit home for anyone who has spent any length of time looking for a job (with limited success). The tips, from managing your expectations to transforming yourself are all great ideas. Other Resources: Onlinecollege.org Thinking about college? Find the online college to meet your needs. Callmejobs.com The Call Center Job Board Good luck in your search.Visit me on Facebook