5 ways to better handle a see-saw narcissist at work

5 ways to better handle a see-saw narcissist at work5 ways to better handle a see-saw narcissist at workHaving a narcissist in your work circle can have you scratching your head and wondering if they like you or are if they manipulating you. Its a guessing game as their messages are often a mix of fake kindness or direct ridicule. Its common for narcissists to see-saw back and forth. When they want you to feel valued they treat you as special, but when you decline their requests or fail to agree with them, suddenly youre on their bad side.Weve asked experts for their take on how to level the playing field to better handle unpredictable, narcissistic coworkers.Recognize their gameIts both confusing and frustrating to feel like youre in someones good favor one day and treated like the enemy the next.But its important to recognize whats going on when youre dealing with a narcissist, says Amy Morin, a psychotzu sichapist and author of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do.She recommen ds to take a step back and look at how you as well as other people in the office have been treated over time. The rolle who is hailed a hero at one meeting might be blamed for ruining the entire company at the next meeting, Morin adds.Dont take anything personallyMorin says dont waste your energy trying to figure out what you did wrong or what you need to do to fix the situation.A narcissist doesnt look at situations the same way you do so your logic wont apply, she explains. Remind yourself that the situation reflects how the narcissist feels about themselves, rather than how others perceive you.When the narcissist feels good, theyre likely to hold you in high regard to others, but, says Morin, the minute they start feeling bad, they wont hesitate to put you down, even when youve done nothing wrong.Resist the urge to win good favorOnce youve cracked the code about what makes the narcissist hold someone in high regard, it can be tempting to try and win good favor. But doing so is a waste of time, Morin says.You wont be held in high esteem for very long, she adds. Its like trying to get ahead in a game where your opponent is cheating. All your effort will only get you so far - and it will backfire in the end.Focus on doing your bestRegardless of whether your efforts are praised or noticed, continue to do your best. Your job isnt to win favor, but instead, its to do your work to the best of your ability, says Morin.At the end of each day, ask yourself if you did your best. When you put your energy into the right place, youll experience less distress about the rollercoaster of emotions that can come with working with a narcissist, says Morin.Realize you cant change themThe one immutable truth when it comes to narcissists is that they cannot be changed, says Matthew Kelly, CEO of FLOYD Consulting, who also has an upcoming book The Culture Solution, published by Blue Sparrow Books to be released in January 2019. The see-saw narcissist at work, turns on and off, if for you and then against you for two reasons massive insecurity and the lack of object constancy.He or she doesnt actually see you as a real person, but rather as a conglomerate of various people from his or her past and imagination, Kelly says. The bottom line in their mind is you cannot be trusted and are unreliable. The reality is they are unreliable and cannot be trusted.

You can probably have your old job back, 94% of managers say

You can probably have your old job back, 94% of managers sayYou can probably have your old job back, 94% of managers sayWhen companies search for new hires, they can often find no better candidates than former employees.A new Accountemps survey found that 94% of senior managers would consider re-hiring a former employee.In this market, where its so hard to find talent, if youre a hiring manager and youve got a person who left in good standing thats familiar with your culture, familiar with the processes of the organization, and they did a good job for you hiring managers tend to be pretty enthused about bringing back a person like that, Michael Steinitz, executive director of Accountemps, told Ladders.Thats whats makes a former employee so attractive. They know the ins and outs, theyre essentially trained, and you know what youre getting, Steinitz said. Ideally, a boomerang employee somebody who has left a company and then come back is someone you didnt want to leave the first tim e.Expect to go through the saatkorn formal interview process that everyone else goes through, not to get in the back door.One of the bigger differences, when youre re-hiring someone, is that youve really got to dive into why the person left the first time, said Steinitz. Potential boomerang employees should be as honest as possible here, so that past problems dont become future ones.However, according to the survey, only 52% of workers were likely to apply for a position at a previous company, citing reasons like unhappiness with management (22%), a bad culture fit (17%), and unfulfilling job duties (13%).There are a myriad of reasons why former employees left the first time and why they wouldnt be interested in going back Some people dont want to go back to something they already know theyd rather keep moving forward.If youve been offered a position at an old job or are thinking of going back, think hard as to the reasons you left in the first place. If the reason you left could b e changed like replacing a bad manager with a new one consider going back. But if the conditions around your departure are still the same, tread carefully.You just have to be very honest with yourself to make sure youre not putting yourself in the same position, Steinitz said.

Enjoy these Game of Thrones travel experiences

Enjoy these Game of Thrones travel experiencesEnjoy these Game of Thrones travel experiencesWith Game of Thrones back for its eighth and final season in just a few weeks, now may be the time to plan a trip to celebrate the story coming to a resolution.The final episodes just around the corner, and there are tour companies that are curating trips to real-life places where scenes from the show were filmed.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreHere are a few expert travel companies that have put together itineraries and experiences to mark the series finale.Seven Kingdoms AdventuresTravel to the Seven Kingdoms with Friendly Planet Travel, a full-service global specialized tour operator. For Game of Thrones-enthusiasts, Friendly Planet offers trips iconic filming destinations in Spain, Morocco, Croatia and more.Fans can cruise to Croatia and discover Kings Landing in Dubrovnik and Daenery s throne room at Diocletians Palace in Split on the 11-day Croatia Cruise Adventure.Or, fans can jet to Spain and explore The Alcazar of Seville, which serves as the Water Gardens of Dorne, and Cordobas Roman Bridge, also known as the Long Bridge of Volantis on the 8-day Discover Spain trip. Other interesting show-inspired trips include Discover Croatia, Discover the Adriatic, and Best of Morocco.Take the Road to Winterfell through IrelandTake the Road to Winterfell with Brendan Vacations via private chauffeur on a 7-day journey through the iconic film sites in Northern Ireland.Visit over 15 film locations throughout Winterfell and the Iron Islands while experiencing Irelands dramatic landscapes, steeped in history, along the way.From Dublin and Belfast Castle Ward, also known as Winterfell Giants Causeway and Ballintoy Harbor, home of the Iron Islands and The Dark Hedges, famed as Kingsroad, this package includes premier accommodations, multiple meals, and excursions led by local g uides like a cycling tour through Castle Ward, and a private car with chauffeur for convenient transportation throughout Ireland.Westeros WanderlustContiki, a social travel company for 18- to 35-year-olds, knows that Game of Thrones is on travelers radar, so theyve created Call the Banners, an interactive quiz that will tell travelers where to travel for Westeros-inspired scenery based on their House.Swear allegiance to the King in the North? kampfstark supporters will love Contikis 6-day Scotland trip through the Highlands. Those with a fiery personality (House Targaryen, of course) can travel to New Zealand on Contikis Kiwiana Panorama, exploring the diverse landscape fit for dragons.For those that swear no loyalty to any king (aka the Nights Watch), you can travel to Iceland, a major filming spot for Game of Thrones, on the 6-day Fire and Ice trip.Experience the Royal Treatment in New YorkTo honor this highly-anticipated final season, NYCs Refinery Hotel has created Lannisters La ir, a suite that will be available every Sunday from April 14th through the end of the season.Fans can toast to the monumental season with goblets full of wine while you indulge in a themed room service menu with dishes such as Braavos Branzino and Dragon Snack.This decked out suite starts at $569 for the night and includes GOT-themed perks like fur throws to drape over your royal throne mood-setting dragon egg candles and access to HBO and HBO GO to binge watch all seasons to date.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Tips for Answering Job Interview Questions on Resigning

Tips for Answering Job Interview Questions on ResigningTips for Answering Job Interview Questions on ResigningDid you resign from your job, or are you thinking about it? Not sure how to answer the interview question, Why did you resign from your job? or Why are you resigning from your current standort? Youll likely be asked this question during your interview. Potential employers will want to know about your reasons for moving on, to help them decide if youll be a good addition to their company. When answering this question, you should strive to remain as positive as you can, focusing on why this new job is the right fit for you. There are lots of good reasons to resign from your job. Some of them are easier to explain than others, and some should be phrased very carefully to avoid placing blame on your previous employer or colleagues. Hopefully, when you tendered your resignation, you were able to leave on a positive note, on good terms with your former company. Remember to be hones t with your response, but dont mention any negative feelings you may have left with. Your explanation may well make it back to your previous supervisor, during a reference check or other routine contact, and your story should match what they will share. How to Answer the Question When answering this question, its crucial to try to remain positive. Keep your explanation brief, and turn the conversation to the qualities you have that will make you an ideal employee in the new position. Dont go into detail about your terrible boss, or the horrible work conditions. You should answer the question honestly, emphasizing what you did like about working there, while explaining the unavoidable circumstances that led to your departure. For example, maybe the job welches ideal for right after college, but now you are ready for more responsibilities. Or perhaps the schedule didnt fit your situation anymore, but this jobs schedule is ideal. Along with being positive about your previous experi ence, you should keep the focus on the new job youre interviewing for. Once you say why you left your previous job, you can give examples of the reasons why you think this new job would be a better fit. Take the time during your interview preparation to come up with a few examples of how you have successfully used the key skills for the new position during your previous employment. It will help you keep your answer positive while allowing you to segue into why you are an ideal candidate for the open position. Sample Answers Below are some sample answers to the question, Why did you resign from your last job? Use them to help come up with your answer to this challenging question. I took this job right out of college, and the position helped me develop a number of skills necessary for this industry. However, there was little opportunity for growth, and I felt it was time to move on to a job with more responsibility. This job will allow me to use the skills I developed at my last j ob while taking on challenges that I know I am ready for.I resigned because the schedule was no longer manageable. The position required me to be on-call evenings and weekends, and it was difficult to arrange childcare on short notice. This job will allow me to continue to use my nursing skills in a more ideal schedule. I resigned because the position was part-time while I loved the responsibilities I had there, I am ready for a position where I can perform similar duties full-time.My skills werent a good match for my previous employers needs however, it looks like theyd be a terrific fit for this position.Ive been working as a temp in the same industry, and with similar duties to the job here. However, I am now seeking a permanent position, so I resigned from the temp agencys staffing roster. I loved my time as a temp, and look forward to applying the skills I learned to a full-time job. Im seeking to grow my career with a position in a new, forward-thinking company. It was difficu lt to job search while working at my previous company, so I am now devoted to finding a position where I can put my skills and abilities to the best use. Your company is the type of organization where I think I can add value.I resigned due to family circumstances however, I have regained the flexibility I need to work effectively in a full-time job.

Mathematics and Statistics Resume Template 2018s Top Format

Mathematics and Statistics Resume Template 2018s Top FormatMathematics and Statistics Resume Template - 2018s Top FormatYour resume is your first contact with a potential employer, and how well its written determines if you get an interview or not. Recruiters quickly read this document to determine if your skills and education fit open positions within the organization.Mathematics and statistics jobs require a high level of precision, so resumes for this field should exhibit skills and work experiences that are related to numeric accuracy. To do this, include information on things like related degree work, tutoring experience, and organizations of which youre a member.Putting your information in the mathematics and statistics resume template featured below is a great way to get started on the search for your next position. Create ResumeAliyah Daniels100 Main Street, Cityplace, CA, 91019 H (555) 322-7337 C (555) 322-7337 example-emailexample.comProfessional OverviewSuccessful Math P rofessor with broad scope classroom experience encompassing lesson plan development, individualized instruction and classroom management. Foster a positive learning environment by encouraging students to develop skills to master difficult subjects. Extensive experience in teaching Algebra for undergraduate and graduate levels.Core QualificationsInspiring lecturer in mathematicsInnovative teaching methodsCurriculum developmentPassion for teachingProblem resolutionExperienced professorEffective tutor in AlgebraLessons in English and SpanishAccomplishmentsA successful 80% of my classrooms earned grades above average.90% of my tutored students raised more than 25% of their grade.Voted member of The School of Mathematics Senate for three consecutive 2 year periods.Implemented new teaching strategies to overcome the less prepared students coming from public high schools in Venezuela.Named coordinator of the Teaching Committee, for three consecutive 2 year periods, by The School of Mathema tics Senate.ExperienceTutor in Mathematics09/1986 to CurrentTutored more than 40 students. All of them raised their grades.Specialize in understanding each individual difficulty to focus my own strategies in the believe that you like something when you get to understand it.Managed to give individual tutoring to groups of up to four students.Tutored on all levels of Algebra, and college Calculus.Professor09/1996 to 09/2011Universidad Central de VenezuelaCaracas, VenezuelaTaught courses in algebra for undergraduate and graduate levels.Held office hours to support students to master the material.Planned strategies to level students for specific courses. Allowing students to take higher level courses.Managed algebra courses to unify evaluation and teaching criteria.Managed the teaching committee to improve professor schedules and quality teaching.Attend and participate in academic/management meetings as scheduled.Teamed up with colleagues for curricula updates.Mentored more than 40 stud ents, all of them got to graduation.Teaching assistant09/1995 to 07/1996Northeastern universityBoston, MAAssistant Professor03/1988 to 07/1991Universidad Central de VeneuelaCaracas, VenezuelaEducationPh.D. Mathematics2000Universidad Central de VenezuelaCaracas, VenezuelaMaster of Science Mathematics1993Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA, USABachelor of Science Mathematics1991Universidad Central de VenezuelaCaracas, VenezuelaFellowships and AwardsNamed PIN student by Consejo Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientficas y Tecnolgicas (CONICIT).Scholarship for 5 years from CONICIT to study graduate level in the US.Memberships/Scholarly SocietiesAMV Asociacion Matematica Venezolana 1990-2011 Customize ResumeMore Science Resume TemplatesEntry Level Mathematics and Statistics Resume TemplatesPhysicists Resume Templates

Up in Arms About Simple Resume Template?

Up in Arms About Simple Resume Template? Its automatic-save feature helps to ensure that you dont lose yur work. Its content-packed layout is ideal for engaging employers with several facts, from experience to education. Our clean, easy, easy-to-read format will cause you to stand out to hiring managers and simple to distitelseite in applicant tracking systems. You may also pick and pick a resume from a variety of option created by various resume creators. Simple Resume Template at a Glance Always make a crystal clear mention of the simple fact that youre enclosing the resume with the letter. The letter must be written in such a way that it should convince the employer about the discipline. A cover letter is a small something to decide on your resume. It should be brief and should hold the attention of the reader. Type of Simple Resume Template Simple resume vorlage download is principally meant to earn a fantastic first impression in the front of the interviewer. 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4 Ways to Motivate Your Employees - Spark Hire

4 Ways to Motivate Your Employees - Spark HireIt shouldnt take a rocket scientist to figure out that a motivated employee produces elend only more results, but better results than their apathetic colleagues. Not only that, but motivated employees usually enjoy their job and are fully engaged with it. They want to do a great job and constantly seek to best themselves time and time again. Their energy and drive likely leads your team and motivates others around them to get the ball rolling in the right direction.As you can see, motivated employees are somewhat of a goldmine, so its no secret employers and team leaders want them on their team. The challenge to this though is once you have motivated employees on your team, how do you keep them motivated? And how do you motivate those that seem to just be floating through their job? Its the responsibility of a good leader and employer to find ways to keep their team motivated. To get you started, here are a few things to keep in mind whil e trying to keep your team motivated.CompensationBefore getting into managerial styles and other ways to motivate your employees, first think of how much you pay them. While employees list being appreciated as their number one desire, money is totenstill very important. If you are not paying your employees at least the average salary for someone in their position, then chances are they are not going to be very motivated to go above and beyond for you. In the Careerist Daniel Pink, the author of the book Drive The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us states that, You have to pay people enough money. If you dont, it is a demotivator. And that should make perfect sense. It would be difficult to expect greatness out of someone that is being paid less than the majority of other people working in their field.You should remember our post from last week though that touched on using promotions as a way to boost employee morale. Unless you are going to actually raise the salary of your em ployee, dont give them a promotion in order to motivate them. It wont work. Instead, be sure that you are paying your employees what they should, and deserve to, be paid.Avoid MicromanagingIt can be really difficult to find some kind of motivation when your anfhrer is constantly breathing down your neck and telling you how to do your job. Micromanaging stifles not only creativity, but motivation in your employees as well. The Careerist states, Good managers give people compasses, not maps. In other words, let them know what direction you want to go in and what you expect in the end, but dont stifle them by trying to guide their way the entire time. As mentioned in the past, you hired this employee to do a specific job and thought they were competent. Let them do the job you hired them to do then. Micromanaging can take all of the motivation out of an employee because theyre not really allowed to spread their wings and show you their full potential. Once they are stifled, that motiva tion goes right out the door.Listen to Your EmployeesSpeaking of what employees want from their employer, in the infogaphic Spark Hire published months ago employees stated they wanted to feel in on things. In fact, this was actually the second most important thing employees wanted from their employers- even above good wages. When you listen to your employees and actually take time to hear their opinions on things they will feel as though they are truly part of the company and that they are valued by you. This is a huge motivating factor. An employee would surely want to work harder if they knew their boss or employer truly valued them and their opinion. On the other hand, if they dont feel as though they are part of something that matters, motivation easily gets thrown out the window. Whats the point?Encourage GrowthIts way easier for an employee to be motivated in their position if they think their employers care about their career growth. People want to further their careers and constantly improve- and arent these the kind of employees you want on your team? Those that are comfortable just flat-lining and never think about ways to better themselves in their career will likely refuse to bring their best to the table for you. Why would they look to improve if they are satisfied and comfortable with where they are now?Conversely though, if you show employees that you care about their future and want them to constantly work towards improving themselves then they will likely be motivated to do so. Look for ways to challenge your employees rather than just letting them get comfortable with the same day-to-day drum. Suggest that some of your employees take classes to improve their skill set, or at the very least allow them to take the day off in order to attend a class that will improve their skills. Its a win-win situation for you your employee comes back armed with more weapons, and they are fully motivated to bring their A game for you. What more could you ask for?Theres no one thing that will motivate your employees to do their job better. Rather there are a multitude of things that you need to do as an employer to ensure that you are challenging and motivating your team all the time. Step back, listen and genuinely care. Those three simple things can actually get you, and your team, really far.What are some things you do to motivate your team? Share with us in the comments section belowIMAGE Courtesy of Flickr by photosteve101

7 tiny habits that will keep you moving in the right direction

7 tiny habits that will keep you moving in the right direction7 tiny habits that will keep you moving in the right directionPeople tend to forget the small stuff.They notice when big things happen - big life changes, big events, big promotions, big strides forward.And then completely miss the value all the tiny, positive habits provide on a day-to-day basis.Your life is not built out of homeruns.Your life is built on smallsteps.Here are 7 tiny things I do every day that are absolutely crucial to my development as a person.And I can tell you from experience that when I dont do them, things start to fall apart.1. Morning meditationI cannot stress this enough. (Get it stress.)Some people say I dont like to meditate or I just cant get into it.Look. There is extreme value in learning how to sit in silence for a few moments.Call it whatever you want.Personally I like to meditate after my morning shower so Im a bit more awake.You can sit for 510 minutes in silence and just listen - listen to the sounds around you, the heater, the whir of the fan, the besucherzahlen outside your window - and in this process, you will learn how to hear your true self.You will learn the difference between inward and outward landseeking, between always reaching for more and realizing that everything you need is right where you already are.This shift in being is monumental.Do it every day, and youll fundamentally change the way you operate in the real world.and then, if you stop doing it, watch how quickly that foundation starts to crumble.2. Eat a healthy breakfastIt doesnt matter if I have to wake up at 3 am for a 5 am flight, or if I have a 6 am meeting, or if Im camping in the woods and I have to wake up with the sunset to go hike for 15 miles, I always, every day, without fail, make time for a healthy breakfast.This meal is the foundation of your day.This is what sets the right things in motion.This is also another opportunity to get your head straight and in the zone for all that you have to set out to do today.Eat breakfast.(And if you dont have the time, then you have a much larger issue you need to address.)3. Make time to breatheI own my own company. Its called Digital Press.It doesnt take a brain surgeon to recognize the speed at which this industry operates. Im literally glued to my phone and/or laptop from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep.Which means, in order for me to maintain a sense of clarity, I have to force myself to step away.Once every 90 minutes or so, I get up and walk outside.I look up at the clouds.I take a few deep breaths.I do a check in to see where Im at (am I frustrated with a project? Am I thinking about something else? Am I feeling excited about something?) and then I decide where I should move to next.By the time I walk back inside, I know exactly what Im going to work on for the next 90 minutes. Lather, rinse, repeat.Some days, I only get to do this once.Some days, not at all.But setting it as a habit has helped m e see tasks differently, time differently, and to remember to stay aware while I work to maintain a sense of inner calm.Trust me, the people that do this well are the ones who do so much, you wonder how they ever sleep.Ill let you in on a little secret. They do sleep. They also rest a lot.And thats why theyre so successful.4. Get back into your bodyEntrepreneur or Corporate Cubicle Worker, we all sit and stare at screens all day, every day.And trust me, Im a huge supporter of technology.If you want to maintain balance and flow in your life, you HAVE to find a way to get back into your body. Youre in your head all day. Numbers. Excel sheets. Proposals. Emails. Social media - DING DING DING DING DING - going off non stop.At some point you need to step away and bring things back to a place of feeling.Go to the gym.Do some yoga.Go for a run.Bike around the city.Whatever.But make time to get back into your body.5. Have a hobbyHobbies are something I couldnt imagine living without.It co uld be anything from drawing little stick figures in a notebook, to making music, or painting, or writing poems, or building rocking chairs, or knitting sweaters, or whatever.There is so much value in having something that you make for yourself.Theres also something to be said for your hobbies to encourage you to take chances, explore, play, and be creative.I think collecting baseball cards or something can work too (after all, I was an avid Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh card player back in my day), as long as its something where you can remember, no matter how old you get, that you still have an imagination.Hobbies should help you reconnect with your inner child.6. Keep a journal of ideasIm stealing this from James Altucher.I think everyone should have a notebook, where they write down thoughts during the day, ideas that come to mind, lists of things they want to do, etc.It will inspire you - or make you realize how much you say you want to do and never actually do - which hopefully pisse s you off enough to take action.Buy a journal and put it in your bag or backpack.Write down interesting things.Dont just ignore your ideas.Make them tangible and youll see what happens.7. ReadOne of the best things you can do for yourself is read.Not that garbage on Buzzfeed.Buy books. Read books.Read during your morning commute (unless youre driving, then audio books).Read at night before you go to bed instead of lounging in front of another Netflix show (I know theyre addicting but are they really helping you grow?).Read, read, read.Read about things you want to know more about.Read good fiction.Read good nonfiction.Read about things you dont know about.Read about things you dont agree with so you can be more educated.Read what other people recommend (books come into your life for a reason).Read and you will see good things come.Youll find your conversations carry more depth. Youll find you can add more value to situations. Youll find yourself hungry to learn more, faster, all the time.If its any motivation, I hated reading growing up. Hated it. I maybe read 5 books in total before I graduated high school.But as soon as I got into the writing department in college and I realized how well-read my peers were, I felt like an idiot and did a 180. I read everything I could get my hands on - and still do.Read.This article was originally published on Medium.com.

Job Interview Tips for Retirees Returning to Work

Job Interview Tips for Retirees Returning to WorkJob Interview Tips for Retirees Returning to Work30There is a elendiceable trend of retirees returning to work. Some are looking for part-time, consulting, or other flexible work options, while some are choosing to jump right back into a full-time position. The reasons vary from financial need to boredom, with several stops in between. Sound familiar?If you can relate to this scenario, chances are great that youve got experience and longevity in your industry and youve researched resume tips for retirees and seasoned professionals. All this work has resulted in being invited to interview for a job that sounds like a great fit.Here are some interview tips for coming out of retirementSet aside your frustrations.Understand that mora job history means more experiences- both positive and negative. If youve been job searching for a while, or your last work experience was less than positive, you might be frustrated and dismayed in your job se arch. While these are natural and understandable feelings to have, its vitally important that you stay positive while job searching and interviewing with employers.Dont let your age be an issue- for youSimply put- if you dont want age to be an issue, dont let it be at the forefront of your mind. Others will pick up on it if it is. Instead, focus your job interview answers on your qualifications and what you can offer a company. Explain why your wealth of knowledge is an asset.Dont let your age be an issue- for themIts important to let the interviewer know that you are not set in your ways. Give specific examples of current technologies, training, and methods that you are comfortable with. Communicate your willingness to explore new ideas and learn from others in the company- regardless of their age.Make sure your appearance is current.You might not think about things like getting a new pair of glasses, wearing new shoes, or carrying a new bag, but these items, for better or worse, a re a part of your professional image. The more fully you commit to your professional makeover, the more confident and refreshed you will feel, and employers will pick up on that.Being mindful of these issues will go a long way in helping to convey the true asset that you can be for an employer.Readers, what are some areas of concern for retirees returning to work? What areas would you like more advice on? Let us know so we can bring you more great career advice

Your Company Culture Doesnt Have to Be Perfect -- Just Authentic

Your Company Culture Doesnt Have to Be Perfect -- Just AuthenticYour Company Culture Doesnt Have to Be Perfect Just AuthenticJust over half of the companies surveyed in the 2014 Employer Branding Global Trends Survey stated that they had a clear employer branding strategy. With employer branding positively linked to employee retention and lower cost of hire, its surprising that more companies arent making an effort to articulate and implement a clear employer branding strategy. After all, many candidates have come to expect information about a companys culture as they apply and bewerbungsgesprch for jobs.Wendy Nolin, business and career coach at Change Agent Careers, advises her clients to clarify what they are looking for in a company culture before they apply so they know what to look out for when reviewing information, not to mention what questions to ask in the interview. People will get their information anywhere they can, she said, but they are mostly limited to whats on the c orporate site, plus LinkedIn, published articles and review sites.For large global companies with career websites, established employer branding programs and rankings on best place to work lists, this is less of a problem. But a lot of people dont want to get lost in the shuffle at big companies, said Nolin. People who want to work at smaller companies where they can really stand out often have a hard time finding information.erde Winston, principal at Interract Consulting, advises candidates to have conversations with current and former employees to verify and expand upon marketplace perceptions. The things they want to know are What type of people are successful here? What is the work/life balance like?How hard is it to get promoted? Is it as cutthroat as I heard? Is it as collaborative as I heard? Is it as competitive as I heard? Is it as intense as I heard?This real-world information is important, Nolin said, because theres a good amount of skepticism. People know that informati on published on a companys website is window covering.Authenticity is more than a buzzword in branding. Its a necessity. Anyone with experience knows the perfect environment doesnt exist, said Nolin. Balancing a positive employer brand with the reality of everyday workplace challenges can be tricky for some companies to convey on a careers page.While people on the outside may be more cynical, employees may not be aware of the deliberate efforts behind employer branding. According to Winston, Employees often look at branding statements about the experience of working here and compare it to their real life experiences. A disconnect between messaging and experience can create cynicism among employees that will eventually trickle down to candidates.As the marketplace becomes more competitive, employer differentiation also becomes more important. Winston takes the long view that interest in employer branding ebbs and flows with the job market in that industry.Right now theres a shortage of software engineers and programmers, said Winston. Its not surprising to find that the larger tech companies are very interested in employer branding.How well does your company compare to your competitors, and who is doing it well? In the coming months well provide more specific and actionable advice for evaluating the health of your employer brand.Read part one of this ongoing series on employer branding.