Should Employers be Doing More to Reduce the Stress of Commuting

Should Employers be Doing More to Reduce the Stress of Commuting An employee’s commute experience has traditionally fallen outside the responsibilities of an employer, but the tide seems to be turning. There’s a growing body of evidence to show the detrimental effect long and stressful commutes are having on the health and productivity of the workforce, leading more and more employers to consider what adjustments and options they can offer staff to help ease the strain. Only recently a debate began over whether commuting time should be counted as part of the working day, given many employees now use their smartphone and better Wi-Fi connectivity on public transport to complete work tasks on their way into or home from work. So, is it time for more employers to sit up and take note of the commuting experiences of their employees and offer more support? A snapshot of commuting experience An employee’s commuting experience can vary greatly to the next. To find out more, Moneybarn recently conducted a survey of 2,000 full-time workers in the UK. According to respondents, the average UK “working day” is around 11 hours including time spent commuting, with people leaving home at 07.17 and returning home at 17.48. The amount of time per day spent commuting is 62 minutes, with 15% of workers commuting for 102 minutes or more. 23 miles is the average round trip, with 14% of commuters traveling over 42 miles a day. Workers in London have the UK’s longest and slowest commutes of all, traveling at just 14 miles per hour, despite paying some of the highest prices for fuel and monthly season tickets for public transport. In comparison, commuters in the East of England travel over double the distance per hour (29 MPH) and workers in Wales and the South West spend the least amount of time getting to and from work (48 and 49 minutes respectively). When it comes to delays, commuters in the South East and the South West are the most likely to experience travel delays every day, while workers in Northern Ireland and Scotland are the least likely. What support can businesses offer? Surprisingly, 57% of workers surveyed aren’t offered anything by their employer to make commuting easier. For employers wanting to lead the way in supporting staff to maintain a healthy work-life balance and benefit from having a productive, satisfied and loyal workforce, there are many options available, ranging from small adjustments to larger investments. Flexible working is becoming an increasingly popular offering, allowing employees to stagger their start and finish times to avoid peak commuting hours. Every employee** has the legal right to request flexible working from their employer, however, only 21% of UK workers surveyed said they have been offered flexible working hours. Employers in the East Midlands and the East of England are the least likely to offer flexible working opportunities (15% and 16% respectively), whereas 37% of employers in Northern Ireland are the most likely to allow staff to adapt their working hours, followed by employers in London (32%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (21%). Working from home can also help employees avoid the stress of commuting altogether. Businesses in the South East are leading the way, but only 16% currently offer this. In comparison, only 6% of employees in Wales are able to work from home. Another important factor in commuting experience and overall work-life satisfaction is the cost of getting to and from work. Employers in London are the most likely to give workers financial support to ease the burden of high commuting costs, with 30% offering season ticket loans and 13% subsidized transport. However, it seems despite these efforts, commuting is still unaffordable for many in the Capital, with a recent study revealing 60% of Londons workers have skipped work to save money on their travel costs. When looking at the UK as a whole, only 10.6% of employees are offered season ticket loans and just 5.7% can take advantage of subsidized transport. All in all, the findings of Moneybarn’s new commuting survey highlight that while some employees are being offered support to help reduce the stress of commuting and the negative impact it has on both their personal and job satisfaction, more can certainly be done. As employers it’s important to pay close attention to the impact commuting is having on staff and take action to recognize this as part of health and wellbeing strategies. Offerings such as more flexible working arrangements to avoid rush hour or work from home, car share schemes and subsidized transport costs are becoming increasingly valued by workers and could help businesses attract and retain the best talent. About the author: Catherine Diamond, is Director of Human Resources, at Moneybarn.

Realistic Ways To Speed Up Your Morning Routine

Realistic Ways To Speed Up Your Morning Routine We all tend to hit the snooze button a few more times than we should in the mornings, and by the time we’ve finished our routine, we’re often either in a massive rush to get out the door to avoid being late, or already running late. If you can simplify and shorten your morning routine, it can help you not only feel more organized and put together, along with being less stressed, but it can also help you generally be more productive throughout your day. With that being said, how do you know places where you can speed up your routine, without sacrificing? Below are some of the most straightforward and realistic ways to get ready faster in the morning, and pave the way for a more successful, less overwhelming day. Take a Shower At Night For most of us, taking a shower can end up being one of the most time-consuming aspects of our morning routine, and then there’s everything that comes once we turn the water off, like drying our hair. If you want to have more time to relax in the morning, shower in the evening. If you’re worried about your hairstyle going flat overnight, there are plenty of great hair products that will help you get that bounce and volume back, even if you blew your hair out the night before. Play Your Favorite Music There are a couple of valuable reasons to start playing music while you get ready in the morning. The first is that it can energize you and set the tone for your day. Also, if you have a morning playlist, it’s a fun way to track how long you’re spending getting ready. If you can limit each of your morning routine tasks to one song, you’ll be able to stay on track while enjoying yourself a bit more as you prepare for the day ahead. Limit Your Products If you have a ton of beauty, hair or skin care products, it can make it harder to get ready in the morning. Stash your supplies in a closet, and leave out only the essentials that you must absolutely have. This way, you won’t worry about indecisiveness or digging through tons of items to find what you’re looking for. Prep Your Meals Meal prep is a hot topic right now, and it’s growing in popularity. Essentially, when you prep your meals you’re making big batches ahead of time, which can help you stay healthier and resist temptation, and also save time throughout the week. Pick a day during your weekend where you can meal prep not just lunches that you can grab as you’re on the way out the door, but also breakfasts. You’ll get the double benefit of staying on track with your nutrition, and speed up the time it takes you to leave every morning. These are just a few of the first steps you can take toward a more efficient morning routine that don’t require you to sacrifice the things you want to do but still let you get out the door in a more timely way.

Graduating - To The Real World

Graduating - To The Real World Youre about to graduate.  Youre about to join the ranks of those we call well-educated.  But have all those years of study and sacrifice prepared you for the real world?  In what reads like Post-College Life For Dummies,   Russell Bunio shares 50 best work practices that he has picked up from successful leaders and adapted to his own work ethic and personal success. “The Graduate Handbook” details readers through what to expect in the workplace and how to make the best of it. Its a  perfect list of reminders for the college graduate who is leaving the realm of full-time student life forever in the past.  Heres a few of the 50, and my commentary based on my post-graduate education, the one called the school of hard knocks! * Early In, Out Late The sooner you realize that the time youre investing as an employee is an investment in your own future the faster you will move towards your goals. * Hardworking The old cliche is dont work hard, work smart.  Wrong.  Ask any entrepreneur.  In order to achieve great things, youll have to work smart and work hard. * From Me to We The millennial generation has been accused of being the me generation.  So were others.  In our exuberance to excel, we sometimes forget that we are not in the game alone.  When our team (friends, co-workers, family) win, we win. * Customer Focus Everyone is your customer.  Even you.  Act accordingly. * Mentored At the beginning of any journey, someone has to show you the way.  Choose a good guide.  Later, it will be your turn to be the guide, and it will become even more clear how important choosing a good one was to your own development. * Write It Down Unless you have a photographic memory, keep a record of what works well and what was a lesson you dont want to repeat.  Build on the good, and use the mistakes as warning signs along the road ahead. * Professional Communications Besides the intended audience, theres almost always someone else listening.  Including you. * Reliable, Trustworthy Those people who come to the decision makers mind first are those who have a reputation for results.  Be that person. * Hustle Yes, the turtle will eventually get to the finish line.  But its better to get there before all the judges go home for the day. * That Interview Would you hire you?  Dig deep, and look at who you are and what you bring to the table, as well as how you present it.  When you can say wow, youll get the position. * Attention to Detail Knowing that some things demand more detail and some less, you have to become a good cook, and add the amount that makes the end product delicious. * Look, Listen, Learn Be an observer of everything.  Practice and learn to use your entire field of vision and all your senses to really experience whats going on around you.  Be alive and fully engaged. * Ethics and Ethical Behavior There is no footnote to bad behavior, it will not be excused away.   There is little in life as valuable as your reputation. * Volunteer It will get you noticed, whether youre in charge or not.  You can lead from the front, beside, or from behind, and either will garner attention leading to unexpected future relationships. * Make Accomplishments Known Humility is fine in its place.  And pride can turn into boastfulness.  Practice the fine art of self-promotion that brings admiration and respect. * Those Bosses You will have good bosses.  And you will have not-so-good bosses. Learn from both. Respect both.  You will have your chance to emulate soon enough.  Consider a plus 1 on this, and strive to help your not-so-good boss be better. * Continuous Improvement Our world is not static.  Everything is constantly changing.  You, too, must continue to change, to evolve, to improve, or face the consequence that something better will replace you. Image credit: Disoriented Sabbian Paine

The 3 Best Ways to Find Jobs Online and Offline in 2020 - Career Sidekick

The 3 Best Ways to Find Jobs Online and Offline in 2020 - Career Sidekick The 3 Best Ways to Find Jobs Online and Offline in 2020 Applying for Jobs Networking / https://www.edenscott.com/blog In this article Im going to walk you through the best ways to find jobs quickly and easily, without wasting time or having to submit tons of applications on job boards without hearing back.Well look at the 3 best ways to find jobs online and offline, and then Im going to give you a few extra tips to help make your job search easier.So if you cant find a job, or are just starting a job search and want to get hired quickly, youre in the right place.Lets get started.Method #1: Using Your Network to Find a JobIll start by saying I know not everyone has a strong network they can rely on. Its okay. But whoever you do know, you should talk to and utilize. And you should make new connections/relationships to make your job search easier as well.Rule 1: Tell EVERYONEThe first rule of job search networking: Tell people youre job hunting. Nobody can help you if you dont tell people.I once landed an interview at a top tech company in Boston by telling my haircutter I was job hunting.What happened? Earlier in the week, a hiring manager had come in and dropped off his business card in case the haircutter finds any recent graduates who are job hunting. I mentioned it, he gave me the card, and the rest is history.Rule 2: Always Try to Get Introduced to a CompanyAlso, think of anyone in your existing network (former coworkers, classmates, friends and family, etc.) who work at companies or have connections to companies you might want to work at.Approach them and ask if they know if the company is hiring. Explain why you thought the company would be a good fit and see if they have any ideas how you might be able to get in contact with them.Its best to ask casually like this, rather than directly asking for a big favor upfront unless youre very close with the person youre talking to (like a sibling, best friend, parent, etc.)Why Its Always Better to Get IntroducedAny time you can get introduced directly to a company or hiring manager, you will have a much higher chance of getting the interview. You might even skip the conversation with a recruiter or HR and go right in to meet the hiring manager.So always get introduced to a company if you can. This is faster and FAR more effective than applying online, or other cold approach methods.Thats why networking will always be one of the best ways to find jobs, and the first methods you should go to.Method #2: Apply Directly to Targeted CompaniesYou should spend a good portion of your time finding companies that fit what you want to be doing in your career, and apply directly via email or via their Careers page.This includes companies that are hiring, but also companies who are not hiring.Your odds of hearing back from a company that doesnt appear to be hiring are lower, but youll have virtually no competition if they do reply and show interest in your background.So aim for a mix, maybe 70% companies who are hiring, and 30% companies who dont appear to be hiring or dont have a job that fits your background listed on their site.Reasons Companies Might Interview You Even if a Job Wasnt PostedThey were planning on posting a relevant job soon, and you caught them at the right time (youd be amazed how much luck goes into a job search. This can absolutely happen)Theyre growing fast and want talented people in general. Many growth-stage companies are always looking for ambitious talent, and if you go out of your way to email them even when they dont have a job posted, youll definitely get their attention!What to Put in Your Email/ApplicationHowever you choose to apply to these companies, make sure to explain why they caught your eye in your cover letter or email.Saying I need a job isnt good enough. You need to show a company why you want THEIR job. So you need to show:Youve done your research and know something about themYou know what youre looking to do next in your career, and their company seems to fit thatSo make sure those two points are in your cover letters or e mails when you send your resume.Pro tip: This is VERY important when preparing for job interviews too. Always be able to explain what youre looking for and why you applied for their job. If not, you probably wont get hired.Also make sure to tailor your resume for each job. This will multiply the odds that you hear back, usually by 3-5x.If you follow these steps, do your research and dont rush, this method is one of the best ways to find a job online.Method #3: Rapid-Fire LinkedIn Job Search MethodWhile method #2 above requires careful research, and selectively picking companies to apply to, this method works by ramping up the number of applications you send out.This is one of my personal favorites and has been working very well for job seekers for the past two years. It remains one of the best ways to find jobs online, even if you dont have any network to rely on.The main goal with this method: Get your resume in front of a lot of companies so you can start having conversations FAST .And the best place to do that is LinkedIn.To see the how, go read this case study. Or heres the original video that started this whole method (its been viewed by over 125,000 people now):The general idea: You use LinkedIn to search for jobs by keyword, location, etc.And then you apply directly via LinkedIn, which eliminates the need for a cover letter, and saves you TONS of time because you dont need to create an login/password for different job portals, or fill out personal details like name and address, etc.You simply find jobs that might interest you, attach your resume and click send. You can do a very high volume of applications this way, and get job interviews scheduled relatively quickly.Dont only use this. But its one of the best ways to find jobs and get in front of more companies. And it can definitely get you hired.Those Are The Best Ways to Find Jobs, But What Order Should You Use Them?If I were starting a job search today Id aim for a 33% split between all methods, unl ess I had a very strong network. In that case, Id rely on my network almost entirely at the beginning.I recommend you start by going through your network, writing down a list of who you know, and contacting them.Id then spend at least half a day using Method #3 above. Try to apply to 25-35 companies in half a day).After this, spend a few days on Method #2, targeting specific companies youd like to work for.Going forward, keep splitting your time between methods 2 and 3, and remember to use your network whenever possible. A referral is almost always the best way to contact a company.A Couple More Hints for Finding a JobNow, I promised Id shared a few tips thatd help you in finding a job, so here a few resources from our website thatll help you further.First when you get interviews lined up, you should review and practice answering the common questions here. That link has a list of 128 questions you can expect to hear.Do *not* go in unprepared and waste all the hard work you put into applying for jobs. You want to get a job offer from every interview you can!Next, Id recommend making sure youre timing your job search correctly, so here are the two best and worst times to look for jobs.Now, you cant always control when you need to job hunt. But its helpful to know whether youre in a fast or slow time of year so you can adjust your strategy.And finally- remember, you only need one job offer. Youre one interview away, so dont get discouraged.Always remember that, and good luck!

#63 Leadership Expert Series Joyel Crawford

#63 â€" Leadership Expert Series Joyel Crawford The Career Insider Podcast Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSSForEpisode 63of The CareerMetis Podcast, we will be continuing the Leadership Expert Series; and we will be hearing from Leadership Coach and Consultant Joyel Crawford.Guest Introduction â€" Joyel CrawfordevalevalJoyel Crawford did not originally dream of becoming an entrepreneur. She originally worked in telecommunications for 18 years. After being with a company for 10 years, she began to feel like there was more she could be doing.Deciding that there was more to her professional life than she initially realized, she began to build her business while working full time.Crawford Leadership Strategies was born from her efforts, and now she helps individuals get more of what they want out of their career path.Episode Summary1. Joyel talks about her time in telecommunications and how she eventually found her way into entrepreneurship, and the beginning stages of what became Crawford le adership Strategies.2. She expands on the idea of promotions within a company, and gives Nissar her opinion on what leadership is about.3. She talks about the mindset of a leader, and how important it is to re-frame the narrative a person tells themselves about what makes a good leader.4. She also discusses limiting beliefs, and how to combat them as an effective leader.eval5. Joyel gives tips, perspective and insights around the topics of leadership, team building and communication.6. She talks about legacy, and why it’s so important to acknowledge thepeople around you, and how to have an impact on the lives of others in a positive way.Quotes“When they stop promoting you, it’s time for you to go”“Starting a business, working full time and giving 150% of yourself is a lot”“if the doors stop opening, it’s up to you to figure out how to keep opening them, and it might not be in the same place as where you started”eval“You need to make sure you’re showing others w hat you want to see out of them”“There’s nothing worse than being led by someone who sits in their ivory tower and shouts orders down from above”“If you do what you love and you acknowledge the people that you work with along the way, you could be super successful”“Take care of yourself”Links ResourcesTo learn more about Joyel Crawfordand for additional resources, you can visit her site Crawford Leadership Strategies.You can also connect with her or follow her onTwitter,Facebook.Intro Music provided courtesy ofAccelerated Ideas(www.accelerated-ideas.com). Soundtrack â€"Siren KickbackEnding Music provided courtesy ofAccelerated Ideas(www.accelerated-ideas.com). Soundtrack â€"No Need to Rush

Kangaroos, stethoscopes and love - CareerAlley

Kangaroos, stethoscopes and love - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Changing jobs, let alone careers, can be a challenging and destabilizing undertaking, but in life its important to always be open to new opportunities and possibilities. Such an opportunity came my way a couple of years ago and I am living proof that no matter how remote some careers may seem, if you keep an open mind and find the courage, almost anything is possible. I fell in love with Australia the moment I saw a photo of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge surrounded by dazzling cobalt blue water. If my father had made it to Australia on business, then one day when I grew up, so would I, only I wouldnt just visit. I would live there. Of course the land Down Under was a long way away for a 12 year old Colombian girl growing up in Bogot, but I had my heart set on it so I knew that I would make it there. I just didnt know then quite how long it would take and the mountain of obstacles I would have to overcome to turn my dream into reality. In fact it was some 20 years later before I was to set foot on Australia. As a medical doctor, the first opportunity I had for extended travel was 12 years after finishing school, at the end of 12 years of medical study. By accident or design, I was accustomed to living abroad, having emigrated to Spain after finishing school; and spending a year in France and another year in Germany on Erasmus during university. By the time I left for Australia I could speak 5 languages (Spanish, Catalan, French, German and English) and had specialist medical qualifications in emergency medicine and general practice, so I was confident of my prospects of travelling and possibly working there. What I had not accounted for was meeting my future fianc five hours after arriving in Sydney. Two weeks later, we were in love and my trip to Oz took on a wholly new dimension. That was two years ago. Today I am living in Sydney, working in the emergency department of a major hospital. But to make that happen is a testament to love because obtaining the appropriate visa and medical qualifications was no trivial task. Not only are considerable expenses involved, but you need to undergo a rigorous assessment process that, depending upon your country of origin and source medical qualifications, can include an examination process lasting several years before you gain full unrestricted registration. If you are a medic and want to work in Australia, here are some of the processes you need to fulfill. The Australian Medical Council (AMC) issues medical registration in Australia: 1. You must apply to the AMC seeking assessment via one of three pathways: -The Specialist Pathway (successful completion leads to registration in the relevant speciality). -The Competent Authority (successful completion leads to general registration). -The Standard Pathway (successful completion leads to general registration). Depending on the pathway thats applicable to you, before you can even apply for a position you need to successfully complete a multiple choice written exam (locally known as the MCQ). 2. You must be demonstrably proficient in English (for example have successfully complete the IELTS with a mean score of 7.0 or greater). 3. Visa: You need to obtain a Temporary Business (Long Stay) 457 Visa. 4. Employment: You need to obtain employment by a certified employer who can sponsor you, which generally means they are qualified to supervise you until you obtain unlimited registration. If fulfilling those requirements was not enough, the competition for medical positions in Australia for international medical graduates (IMGs) has increased exponentially over the past few years- the position I eventually obtained had over 200 applicants. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners informed me recently that in 2011 IMGs comprised 40% of the staff of Westmead Hospital (a major hospital in western Sydney); in 2012 that figure dropped to 4%; and it was anticipated that next year there would be no IMGs on staff. This is apparently due to an increasing number of Australian graduates filling the positions. Emergency medicine remains one of the only fields likely to require IMGs for the next two or three years. Additionally, if you come from a non-English speaking background, overseas doctors face the challenge of practicing medicine in Australian English, which presents novel difficulties if you are not accustomed to it. Perhaps most challenging is the nature of the medicine practiced in Australia, which I have found markedly different in its approach compared to that in Spain, Germany and France. I was surprised to find the British doctors confirmed there were many differences compared to the UK. Possibly there are greater similarities to medicine in the United States however I dont know as I havent worked there. Having said that, after 3 months of working in Australia, and nearly two years of living here, it is an incredible country full of opportunities and experiences that simply cannot be found anywhere else in the world. If you have the chance or desire to work here I highly recommend it. If you can bring, or find, the love of your life to support you, its an experience you will treasure forever! The Australian Governments DoctorConnect webiste (http://www.doctorconnect.gov.au/) and the Australian Medical Council website (http://www.amc.org.au/) contain detailed information for international medical gradutes wishing to practice medicine in Australia. Author biography: Dr Veronica Borrego is a resident in the emergency department of a major Sydney hospital. Her dream of living and working abroad in Australia came true in part by what she describes as the ability to understand the real meaning of love. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ Visit Joeys profile on Pinterest. Job Search job title, keywords, company, location jobs by What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

How to Write a Resume - The Proper Way to Go About This Process

How to Write a Resume - The Proper Way to Go About This ProcessIf you are an engineer and you want to get your dream job, then you should know how to write a resume. If you are an engineer and you want to get your dream job, then you should know how to write a resume. It is a must for everyone who wants to get a well-paid job as an engineer.You should have a pretty good idea of what a resume should look like before you start writing one. This is because you will be using it in different settings, both offline and online. So, you should have an idea of what sort of a resume you want to produce. If you do not have this idea, then you should consider how to develop one from scratch.The easiest way to make your own resume is to make one on the computer. But you should make sure that you do not try to do so when you are under stress or when your concentration is not on the computer. Use this time to write down the important information about yourself that you would like to include in your resume.As soon as you have a good idea of what you want included in your resume, you should begin writing your important information in a resume format. For example, you should use a comma to indicate an important piece of information in each of your sections. In some cases, you can also use bullet points or numbered lists for a different perspective of your work experience. Some engineers prefer to include the number of years that they have worked as well as the number of patents that they have secured.You should create a brief history of your past employment with different pieces of information. This will include your past employers, their contact information, and their functions. If you are planning to apply for another job, you should mention this as well so that your future employer can verify that you have not already lost your position. If you are planning to send your resume out for someone to read, you should take a few minutes and organize your thoughts. There should be a section at the top of your resume where you write your name, a brief biography, and your full contact information. Do not forget to include the address that you sent it to as well. You should note the date that you sent it as well. You should also not include any college or graduate school information unless it has been verified.How to write a resume should be a simple process if you have the right mindset. You should always come up with a resume that will best meet the needs of your potential employer. Then, you should follow the directions in the job advertisement. It is easy to forget things, but make sure that you get them right.It is not too late to get a job search. So, do not wait until your resume has turned into a pile of papers in the office and piles on the floor.