How Airline Pilots Can Have Successful Relationships

How Airline Pilots Can Have Successful RelationshipsHow Airline Pilots Can Have Successful RelationshipsFor pilots, marriage can be complicated. Most airline pilots wouldnt trade their job for anything. After all, it beats sitting behind a desk, and it comes with a fantastic viewalong with many otzu sich benefits. But there are also challenges.It can be difficult for a pilots family and friends to understand what, exactly, they are up against while theyre in training or on trips. How hard can it be to fly around the world, indulging in drinks at bed and breakfast bars with fellow crew members? And why does their schedule always have to be so complicated? I caught up with a few airline pilots on Facebook, and they sounded off on pilot marriages and relationships. Sarah E. is a first officer for a major airline. She says its hard for outsiders to understand what pilots go through.Its hard for people who dont live the airline life to understand it. They think that while we are away that we are on vacation and partying. Its difficult to convey the amount of work we do its fatiguing and challenging, especially for a wife and mother.Sleeping in a hotel and living out of a bag isnt the most fun, but we are pilots and have a passion for what we do. Its in our blood, and its part of who we are. The Job Puts a Strain on Relationships and Marriages For an unlucky number of pilots, their relationships or marriages end due to one or more of these challenges leading to misunderstandings. Some of these can be blamed on the rigors of the job, which is difficult for any non-pilot to comprehend. And those that are trying to make a marriage work often spend their time explaining the ins and outs of the pilot career to their significant others left behind, often left alone to deal with the challenges of raising a family. The details, like why pilots spend an enormous amount of money on fast food and why they were scheduled during the familys yearly vacation to Hawaii even tho ugh they bid for a different schedule, can become sources of contention, and often, family members behind feel left out and misunderstood themselves. This is likely a major reason for pilot divorce - the lack of comprehension on what the job entails, says Melinda W., a married first officer at a major airline. One captain clued me into best management practices for a content spouse, Remember, the weather is always crappy, the hotel is a dump the crew is a bunch of idiots. Your spouse doesnt want to hear youre having a good time on a trip while theyre home dealing with a backed up toilet, a car problem, a sick kid, shoveling snow, or the dog got sprayed by a skunk Maybe so, but spouses dont need to be protected from the daily lives of pilots. Pilots just need to convey the truth, that while the weather in Hawaii is nice and yes, they did enjoy a cocktail at the hotel bar, that theyre exhausted and yes, still committed to their marriages. And even though they try to explain it, many pilots wish their significant others understood what happens around them every time they fly. As a first officer at a major airline, Evelyne T. knows the process well, too. Its a long-term education process. I found that by talking and telling stories and explaining in detail, openly and candidly my work experiences, trials, tribulations, and adventures I can give my family members and friends a window into my world... I dont ever dumb anything down and give lots of backgrounds. For others, their best-laid relationship plans didnt work out in the end. A number of pilots responded to my request for information to saytheir significant other ran off with a flight attendant, or that it just didnt work out for one reason or another. Life happens. Schedules dont line up. Dreams get in the way. And for airline pilots, its not difficult to see why. Training An airline pilots hectic schedule begins right away, usually during simulator training. If the pilot is coming out of the military , the training environment is one that theyve probably experienced before. But if they built their experience in the civilian world - flight instructing or towing banners or something similar - theyre just as new as the rest of the family and probably a bit clueless about the process themselves. But one thing is for sure Its called a fire hose for a reason. Days are long, the books are thick, and the absorption rate of the material is fast. Its intense. Pilots are expected to learn a huge amount of material in a very short time with little time in between lessons. They go to class all day, maybe grab dinner with their new coworkers at night, review notes for an hour or two, go to bed and then repeat the process the next day. There is very little time for anything else, leaving family members wondering why their husband or wife all of the sudden checked out. And its true - pilots often put their partners on hold as they check out of family life and check into a crappy hotel for a few months. Luckily, training is temporary. And its worth it when they put on that crisp new uniform and epaulets. Downtime Once a pilot is done withsim training, they often just want to decompress. If their partner tries to hand them a to-do list, theyll sigh. If their partner makes them breakfast with the hope that theyll join them, theyll sleep in. And if asked where they want to go for dinner, they might respond with I dont care. Information overload, constantly being in a leadership position and the decision-making faced on the job leaves pilots in a zombie-like anti-decision-making state of mind. They dont care where you eat. Theyll eat anything at this point... except maybe McDonalds. On Reserve After training, a pilots time home is often brief, and then theyll be off to their reserve location, which means that they have to live near the airport in case they are called upon to fly. It is also a temporary situation, fulfilled while the pilot waits to fly the line at thei r regular gig, but that doesnt mean its not challenging. If theyre lucky, the reserve base is nearby. The majority of pilots, however, live in a crash pad in another city while on reserve. While crash pad living might sound like a party, your pilot is just as annoyed as you might be about this situation. He or she is living with a host of other male or female pilots and flight attendants who are loud, up at all hours and also cranky that theyre not at home with their families. Its not the most glamorous life. On the Line After a few months on reserve, pilots get a spot flying the line, which means they can bid on their schedule and be at home when they arent flying. juniorchef pilots - those low on the seniority list - will fly nights and weekends and any other shift that the senior pilots dont want to bid. It is also temporaryand is dependent upon how quickly pilots are retiring and how fast new pilots are being hired. And even line pilots have their challenges. The job can be exhausting, both mentally and physically. Flying, in and of itself, is mentally fatiguing. Pilots are responsible for hundreds of lives in a single flight, and they make important decisions about the safety of those flights. Add the trip through the time zones and a bad airport diet, and the body quickly fatigues, too. And then there are the relationships theyre working to uphold back home. Like anyone else, pilots have lives beyond flying, and there is often an added stress of worrying about kids and spouses and finances while theyre away. Jealousy can play a role in a pilots marriage (or lack thereof), too. Maintaining a friendly relationship with crew members of the opposite sex without causing a significant other to become jealous can be a challenge. And then theres commuting. Commuting Commuting is a part of the job for many pilotsand involves them flying to their assigned domicile before their schedule even begins and is done on their own time, often adding a day to the be ginning of the pilots scheduled trip. And then they have to commute home, adding a day to the end of the trip, too. By the time a pilot gets home, he or she might not want to leave home, which is why a pilot might balk at the idea of taking a family vacation on his or her week off. Often, the last thing he or she wants to do is hop on another airplane. A pilot that has seniority can bid for a schedule that suits their needs, making it possible for them to - finally - be home on Christmas and attend important school functions for their kids. And the good news for all pilots is that when theyre home, theyre home. Their time is their own when theyre off the clock, which is not something that is true for many other professions. Relief If a pilots marriage can last through the random scheduling, the missed holidays, the jealousies and other various challenges involved with becoming an airline pilot, then maybe, just maybe, theyll see relief. As an airline pilot gains seniority, he o r she will be able to gain more control over his or her schedule, allowing more scheduled time for family and other hobbies. With seniority comes a pay increase, and any money arguments that were there before may subside. And eventually, a pilot will be able to be home on holidays and keep important dates. The pilot lifestyle is challenging. There are manyhappily married pilots out there, but the secret to a happy marriage is probably less about pilot scheduling than it is about basic marriage virtues. Understanding the pilots lifestyle is just the beginning.

The Ultimate Job Search Playlist

The Ultimate Job Search PlaylistThe Ultimate Job Search Playlist4maximize your job search.Here are 10 motivational tunes compiled by the team here at Eye of the Tiger SurvivorFirework Katy PerryGood Vibrations Marky MarkThese Are Days 10,000 ManiacsDreams The CranberriesDaylight Matt KimPush It to the Limit Paul EngemannGroove Is in the Heart Deee-LiteHappy Pharrell WilliamsDont Stop Believin JourneyListen to our job search playlist here Readers, what songs are a part of your ultimate job search playlist? Does music help motivate you while searching? Let us know in the comments below

Tips for Asking for Time Off at the Holidays

Tips for Asking for Time Off at the HolidaysTips for Asking for Time Off at the HolidaysFor many of us, the holiday season is a period of time we want to spend with friends and family, without having to worry about responsibilities related to work. The trouble is, though, that many of your colleagues have the same idea. Add the fact that some people are in fields where work must continue through the holidays, and you have a tricky challenge to negotiate. Almost everyone would love to have some extra time off during the busy holiday season. Employers have to juggle requests in order to keep employees happy and to make sure that the workload is covered. It can be a challenging time of year to ask for - and get - extra time off from work, especially when youre working for an organization that is busy during the holiday season. Tips for Asking for Time Off at the Holidays Whats the best way to ask to take vacation or personal leave? When you want to take time off for the holidays, it s important to be flexible, to be willing to give as well as to get, to plan to ask early, if possible, and to be able to offer solutions for getting your work covered, if necessary, while youre away. Here are tips for successfully asking for time off from work during the holiday season. Know What Time Off You Have Available Before you ask for holiday time off, check your vacation or personal leave allotmentto be sure you have the timeavailable to use. Also find out if your company has a use it or lose it vacation policy, which could mean you have to take days off from work prior to the end of the calendar or fiscal year or forfeit them. Check company policy to see if there are guidelines for requesting time off, and be sure you complywith them. The information should be available in your companys employee handbook or website. Ask Sooner Rather Than Later Strategies for handling this holiday dilemma will vary given your situation. However, the earlier to you ask, the more li kely you will be to get your request approved.If you are in a sector like retail, hospitality, IT, or healthcare, where coverage must be maintained, then you may need to discuss scheduling with both your manager and your co-workers. One approach is to prioritize your holiday preferences as far in advance as possible and to bring the issue up for discussion with bosses and colleagues. The earlier you raise the topic, the better, and although being the first one to ask for time off doesnt necessarily guarantee that your request will be granted, it does give you more leeway with your negotiation. Be Ready to Compromise Be understanding and patient when asking for time off. Kindness will go a long way. You should also spend some time thinking about how you can best compromise if your request isnt granted in full. For example, if your family gets together on Christmas Eve, then you might volunteer to work on Christmas so you can take off the day before.If you have colleagues who cele brate Jewish or Islamic holidays, then you might volunteer to work those days in exchange for coverage on Christmas or New Years Day. Another approach is to explore the possibility of splitting shifts on holidays. For example, you might offer to cover 6 am to 12 pm, or 12 pm to 6 pm, instead of your typical 12-hour shift. Plan in Advance If continuous coverage is not an issue in your field, then advance planning can be the best way to clear time off for the holidays. Anticipate deadlines that occur around the holidays, and set your own deadline for December 15th to make sure you get the work done before the holiday period. Sharing your plan to work extra hours or do whatever is necessary to clear the holidays with your coach and team members well in advance can help alleviate any concerns. Raising this issue with your work team well in advance can also help you to avoid preemptive requests from aggressive fellow employees. When you submit your request for time off, be sure to co nvey to your supervisors how you plan to ensure all of your responsibilities will be taken care of before you leave for your vacation.

Why Being a Mentor Kicks Ass

Why Being a Mentor Kicks AssWhy Being a Mentor Kicks AssIts no secret that having a good mentor is an important factor for success in your career. We all know we need them, and we probably have a pretty good idea of who wed choose if we had the chance.But how often do we talk about what mentors get out of the deal? Aside from the gratification of seeing a former mentee go on to succeed in her career, what really motivates great leaders to share their hard-earned secrets with someone else?Recently, I had the privilege of being in a situation that enabled me to address a few of those questions myself. A friend and colleague- who Im not sure I would even say I welches mentoring, if she hadnt used those words herself- wrote me a letter thanking me for all the advice I had shared during an exciting and challenging time in her career.Given she was a friend, this is advice I was happy and willing to give, and I initially hadnt really seen it as anything more than just two friends sharing th eir thoughts on a situation. But her gratitude clearly expressed much more than that, and thats when I learned the real rewards of being a mentor.You Know More Than You Think You DoEvery day, were challenged with situations that threaten to prove that we dont know what the hell were doing (phone calls from angry clients, for example). Whether youre right out of college or youve been on the job for decades, that feeling (unfortunately) never totally goes away.Until you start to mentor someone.Seeing someone else take your advice, apply it, and succeed with it is solid proof youve earned a few stripes. My friend is in a completely different industry, with a job title that didnt exist a few years ago, let alone when I started my first job. Yet, she was able to translate and apply my advice to her own situation- and that told me loud and clear that my experience is valuable, and that I know a lot more than I give myself credit for.SomeoneWantsto Hear Your OpinionNearly every place Ive w orked, Ive been told that everyone has an open door policy and that feedback and discussion are encouraged among the staff. But in reality, the opposite was usually true. Bosses and colleagues liked to say they wanted my opinion, but in most cases, it was window-dressing, and in reality they thought everyones ideas but their own were terrible. And, quite frankly, that can get a bit discouraging at times.When youre mentoring someone, this is not the case. Ill admit, it was difficult at first to believe this young woman- talented in her own right- really wanted to know how I would handle a situation if I were in her shoes. But, when she started to report back how well things went, and continued to ask, I started to realize that she- and probably plenty of other people- really did care what I thought.Youve Reached a Milestone in Your CareerRealizing you know a thing or two, and that someone out there wants to hear all about it, is a great feeling. But aside from the benefit of passing down your experiences, whats in it for your career? Yes, youre drawing on your own experiences to share insight with your mentee- but you arent doing any of it just because youre trying to get a promotion or impress your boss. Youre doing it because, quite simply, you want to help someone else- hopefully, like someone helped you.And reaching this point in your career means that youve reached an important milestone. For me, it was the first time I truly felt like a leader. Yes, I had managed a large team, hired, fired, and handed out raises and promotions before, but this was the first time I understood how much my experience could benefit someone else. Suddenly, all those long hours, hard work, and challenging situations added up to something larger than myself- and it had nothing to do with my paycheck or my title.Becoming a mentor signifies a level of maturity, empathy, and experience that doesnt happen overnight. It wasnt something I ever specifically set out to do, yet, when it happened, I was overwhelmed with pride, and humbled by the responsibility. In that moment, I saw myself as one of my previous mentors, which was an honor I never expected to achieve.Being a mentor is an important job- it must be if were constantly telling everyone to find one, right? And that means those who take up that role should be ready and willing to accept that responsibility. But, when you do- know that the rewards will go far beyond seeing your mentee succeed. Youll that find your career, too, is enhanced by the time you put into your mentoring relationship.Photo of women talking courtesy of Shutterstock.

Thoughts on Resume Outline in Simple Step by Step Order

Thoughts on Resume Outline in Simple Step by Step Order Top Resume Outline Secrets The use of correct format and terms are extremely needed. No matter which format you decide on, keywords will always aid in improving your odds of making it through ATS. Opt for a resume style Resume styles and formats are two individual parts of the resume puzzle, and you will want to look at both. Part of creating an effective resume is selecting the right format to inform your private story. If you wish to figure out how to earn the most of a functional resume, our dedicated guide has all of the answers. Just scroll down until you discover a section named Resumes or CVs, based on where you are. Submitting resumes online is usually not sufficient to find a new job. Resumes are definitely the most important document during the abflug of your job application approach. Additionally, among the critical purposes of an outline is to clearly convey the relation between the thesis and every one of the topic sentences. The job of organizing your resume will be simpler if youve already gathered materials for the many sections of the resume. Its essential to understand how to use your resume outlines full potential. Youve got to strategize your resume outline depending on the technology. The formatscover a wide spectrum of requirements, which means you will see something in our free samples that fit your objective. Whichever direction you select, however, the aim of the resume is the exact same. Once youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to learn how to vary the usage of action verbs and receive a feel for what makes an effective accomplishment stellungnahme. As soon as you add your private stamp to it through imputing your exclusive abilities, professional experiences, and wording, it is going to stand from the crowd for all of the appropriate factors. You may find it most helpful to choose a sample resume that matches your existing experien ces and is tailored to the sort of position you may be seeking. Knowledgeable writers know the worth of organizing their thoughts. Theres no doubt that a resume which is both cohesive and professional will have a much better likelihood of standing from the crowd even supposing its made utilizing a vorlage. Where to Find Resume Outline There are a few employers who dont actually care whether their applicants are college graduates or simply large school graduates. If for no other reason, obtaining the resume will enable you to easily finish all the on-line profiles teams require prospects to finish. Use a functional resume outline if you need to highlight your skills at every job, as opposed to the work title or position itself. Doing side-projects beyond our day jobs or school work is a great way to learn new skills If you may create the type of resume that gets the interest of the employer, then youve got a chance to really sell yourself in the interview. Its cool that youre trying to find a job to have some money, but you need some issues with resume. Excellent luck and hope you find a great job. Make certain you didnt miss whatever could cost you the job that you dream about You have to know there is not any hard-and-fast-rule for determining whats sufficient for a good resume. The statement ought to be a couple of sentences that describe the work applicants career objectives. Also make certain you tailor the document to the job youre applying for. At any time you send a resume or application to a possible employer, you must incorporate a cover letter in the event the employer requests it. Be certain to include the date of last update so the employer knows how recent the info is. You might believe you understand how to email a resume to a possible employer. No employer will actually check references before the very first interview. The employer will appear at the cover letter for around eight seconds, so be brief. A resume builder will allow you to rectify any errors and supply you with a working vision of the resume as you edit. Internet resumes have a massive advantage over hard copies in they can be updated on the fly and theyre living. To start with, ensure you really understand what a resume is supposed to attain. Resume Outline Employing a template can lessen the quantity of time youve got to spend formatting your document, which enables you to concentrate on adding content and polishing your resume. The template is absolutely free to download. It includes two resume pages as well as a cover letter template and can easily be edited and customized with your choice of fonts and colors. Employing a resume template is now an acceptable and smart practice for several reasons.

Are You the Office Grouch How to Get Along at Work

Are You the Office Grouch How to Get Along at Work One of my very first clients called meto say he had committed career suicide. He had yelled at everyone in his geschftszimmer and kicked the trash can. He needed help rebuilding his workplace image.Every workplace seems to have that one person who is known for bedrngnis being a gruppe player. You know the person the grouch, the gossip, causing discontent wherever they go. Everyone avoids this person but what do you do when you are that person?Here are some tips on how to build rapport in your career, overcome self-sabotage, and be recognized as a team player1. Keep a Candy Jar on Your DeskThis will make you approachable. People will stop by your desk to say hello and take a piece of candy. This gives you the opportunity to greet your coworkers and strike up friendly conversations. It may seem simple, but this strategy worked for my client.A twist on the candy jar concept is to bring donuts occasiona lly or, if youre like me and love to bake, bring in home-baked goods. No one can resist homemade chocolate chip cookies or brownies.2. Make It a Point to Greet PeopleAs you enter your place of employment, greet everyone with a warm and friendly Good morning. Your greeting and smile may be just what someone needs to put them in a positive mindset.3. Participate in Office FunctionsParticipating may mean giving up an evening to go to a coworkers baby shower or heading to the office picnic on a Sunday. Be present and positive. Do not be the disgruntled employee.4. Occasionally Go to Lunch With Your CoworkersEven if your normal routine is to go home and walk the dog or eat lunch at your desk, make time once a week or once a month to go to lunch with your coworkers. If your coworkers do not go to lunch together, you can be the one to invite them to join you.One of my clients welches new to her workplace and started inviting coworkers even the negative Nellies to join her outside at the picnic table at lunchtime. She learned a lot about her coworkers and developed a respect and understanding for them. You never know what burden someone is carrying until you get to know them.Invite gloomy Gus and negative Nelly to join you and others at lunch. Maybe they are a bit negative or gloomy because they feel left out. Make them feel welcome.5. ContributeIf your employer allows you to celebrate birthdays and acknowledge special events, I encourage you to contribute. Dont be the I wont contribute $5, and you cant make me guy. Again, be a team player.A great idea that doesnt cost anything and was recently used at my daughters workplace is giving someone a treasured book to mark a special occasion. The birthday girl loved to read, so my daughter asked everyone to bring in a book off their bookshelf they liked but probably wouldnt read again. Each employee wrote a note to the birthday girl inside the book they gave her. It was a huge success. The birthday girl posted on social media that she had the best birthday ever thanks to her coworkers. She told everyone how she had cried happy tears because their kindness so touched her. This consideration didnt cost anyone anything, but it went a long way in building a cohesive team.6. Be ApproachableYour body language reveals a great deal about your attitude. Be mindful of how you carry yourself. Actively listen when people are talking to you.7. NeverParticipate in Office GossipIf someone runs to you with a juicy story, shut the conversation down fast. Politely, yet firmly, let the person know you do not want to engage. Also, be mindful that you are not the one oversharing or gossiping.Being a team player is critical to your career success. You do not want to be invisible. You want people to remember your name for the right reasons, of course. The above tips will help you become someone who exudes positive energy in the workplace instead of the office grouch.Jaynine Howardis a military veteran whose work as a ca reer strategist and reinvention specialist has been recognized by professional organizations throughout the nation.

How to Learn When Youre Alone in Your Department - The Muse

How to Learn When Youre Alone in Your Department - The MuseHow to Learn When Youre Alone in Your Department We all know that ongoing learning is an important aspect of career success and happiness. Many of us dream of a job that provides opportunities to learn new skills, take on new projects, and be mentored by senior colleagues (that is, in addition to free lunch and unlimited vacation). But what happens when you dont get to work alongside a team of inspiring co-workers? When theres no senior mentor to take you under their wing? How do you continue learning in your role when youre the only one in your workplace who does what you do? Have no fear Here are five tips to keep you growing, even when youre a team of one. 1. Read Everything (and Often)While writing this article, I spoke to professionals from a variety of industries who have had experience working solo. By far, the most common strategy they used was to read aggressively. Look for news articles, blog posts, and books that c an help you keep updated in your field. Also, it never hurts to monitor what your competitors are doing (and publishing). Liz Heijkoop is a one-woman marketing department at a ride-sharing startup called Ridj-it. She suggests making a daily habit of reading relevant publications If you spend just 30 minutes of each day browsing the news in your field, youll not only keep yourself up-to-date, but also leave yourself open to new inspiration and ideas that could wind up being rocket fuel for your company, she says. 2. Join Virtual CommunitiesEven if youre the only one in your company who does what you do, there are probably many people out there who occupy similar roles at other companies. ansicht days, its easy to connect with these kinds of people using social media. Youre almost guaranteed to find a group dedicated to professionals who do what you do. Use LinkedIn, Facebook, and other platforms to find and join these groups. Then, make a habit of contributing your voice to the discu ssion and asking questions. If youre at a larger company with multiple offices, you may be able to connect with others at your company who are in similar positions but at different locations. Some companies even have internal systems that make it easy to establish these connections. You may have to get creative to find the other professionals in your field. That was the case with Dee Dee Mendoza, who works as a university fundraiser. Dee Dee created a unique fundraising model in which startup founders pledge to support their alma maters when their equity becomes liquid. She ended up starting a blog as a way of sharing her innovative model and connecting with those who occupied similar roles at other institutions. 3. Get Educated OnlineAdding some specific skills to your repertoire could improve your performance in your role. There are literally thousands of courses online, many of which are free or available at an affordable cost (we even offer some on The Muse). Some of the people I spoke with also suggested searching YouTube for tutorials and attending webinars. If you find that the training you need costs money, dont be afraid to ask your anfhrer for a professional development budget. 4. Attend ConferencesWhile its great to tap the resources of the digital world, nothing beats a bit of face time with others who do what you do. Find out where professionals in your role meet up in person. Are there industry conferences you can attend? Local meetings or networking events? Aim to attend at least two in-person events per year with others in your industry. Need a budget? Use the same approach you used when asking for funds to cover an online class. Focus on what you hope to learn at the conference, and make the case that your participation will help your company achieve its goals. 5. Continue to Seek Out New ChallengesFinally, continue to take on new challenges at work. Volunteer for interesting projects, even if they dont fit neatly inside your current role. Ste p up to be part of new initiatives, especially those that dont have an established plan or owner. That way, youll be able to experiment with new methods and learn new skills as you work to solve whatever problems you encounter. The most important thing is that you continue to learn and grow on the job. Otherwise, you risk career stagnation, and nobody wants that Rest assured that many people have used the strategies in this article to keep learning while on a team of one, and you can, too.

Top 5 Strategies for Landing a Job on Capitol Hill

Top 5 Strategies for Landing a Job on Capitol HillTop 5 Strategies for Landing a Job on Capitol HillMany young people with their newly printed political science, public policy and law degrees set their sights on Capitol Hill as a place to get their feet wet in the national political scene. They dream of working long nights crafting legislation, talking points, and press releases. They cant wait to get neck-deep in Washington politics and policymaking. But these people dont start in the thick of political drama. First, they have to master making coffee and copies. And only after performing well on menial tasks do they get to start taking on tasks theyve daydreamed about since they decided they wanted to work on Capitol Hill. Earning a job in a congressional office is not easy. The competition is stiff. Hundreds of well-qualified twenty- and thirty-somethings apply to the lowliest of jobs. So how do you emerge from such strong applicant pools? Here are five strategies you can employ to help you land a job on Capitol Hill. Network The best way to make your anthroponym more than just another collection of letters at the top of a resume is to meet people on Capitol Hill. Most applicant pools for congressional office jobs are loaded with people who had the quintessential college careers for work on Capitol Hill, but if you can be the one person who is a known commodity, you have an edge. And it doesnt have to be a huge advantage to pay off. It can be as simple as being the person who made an appointment to talk with the legislative director and then made a good impression. Think about who you know who knows someone important in politics. The connection can be a family friend, a professor, a former employer... anyone The trick is to find one or more paths from you to the person hiring entry-level staff in a congressional office. If you have no idea where to start, see if you can get a meeting with the district director for your congressman. Consider it both a lear ning experience and job interview. You probably wont get the job at the first meeting, but you definitely can lose it. Prepare well, and make yourself look good. Volunteer for Campaign Work To the victor go the spoils. No doubt youve heard the saying. In American politics, it means elected officials can help those who helped him or her get elected. And when a Republican ousts a Democrat or vice-versa, there is a considerable amount of churning among congressional staffers. Sure, the campaign manager is going to have his or her zupflmmel of choice jobs like thechief of staff, legislative director or communications officer, but there are many jobs to be handed out. Now, not every person working on a campaign can get a job right away, but if you prove yourself as dedicated and hardworking, you stand a good chance of at least getting a bit of help in moving your career forward. It may take working on a few campaigns before you get your opportunity at a Capitol Hill job, but keep doi ng good work, and good things will happen eventually. Move to Washington, DC Moving to a city especially an expensive city like Washington, DC is a risky move when you dont have a job. But doing so can give you an edge when it comes to Capitol Hill jobs. First, living in DC gives you more opportunities to meet people who can help you in your career. You can introduce yourself to people you meet, ask them about their jobs and tell them about your career aspirations. Who knows? They might be able to help you. And if you run into enough people, youre bound to get some help. The second reason to move to DC is hiring managers in congressional offices are more likely to interview people who already live in the area. Youre already in town, and that gives you more flexibility in scheduling. After all, hopping on the DC Metro will get you to an interview much more quickly than booking a flight to Dulles, Reagan or Baltimore. Plus, you wont incur travel expenses each time you have an in terview. Sure, youre going to have to find roommates, and youre probably going to live in an apartment that is way too small for the number of people living there. But youre pursuing your dream, and its going to require some sacrifices. And youre going to have the same living situation once you land a low-paying entry-level job on Capitol Hill. Use the Senate tischordnung Office Each congressional office is its own employing entity. There is no central human resources office supporting members of Congress. However, they do have some help. In the Senate, help comes from the Senate Placement Office. The Senate Placement Office performs two key functions for senators offices and committees. One, they advertise vacant jobs. They do this through Senate Employment Bulletin. Each job posting has information about the employing senator or committee, job duties and how to apply. The other main function of the Senate Placement Office is maintaining a resume bank. Hiring managers in senato rs offices can ask the Senate Placement Office to refer qualified candidates. It only takes three steps to put yourself in the mix. First, you create an online profile. Second, you input your resume. Third, you participate in an informational interview. Remember, this only gets your resume into a big pile of others, so this cant be your only strategy for getting a Capitol Hill job. Use the House Vacancy Announcement and Placement Service Much like the Senate Placement Office serves particular human resources needs for Senate offices and committees, the House Vacancy Announcement and Placement Service supports House offices and committees. This placement office publishes the House Employment Bulletin and keeps a resume bank. Again, signing up to receive the House Employment Bulletin and putting your resume in the bank cannot be your only steps toward your internship or congressional staffer job. Work as many angles as you can. You never know which ones will pay off.

How to Decide Between Multiple Job Offers

How to Decide Between Multiple Job OffersHow to Decide Between Multiple Job OffersWhile some job seekers struggle to get any offers, other candidates experience the good fortune of several employers wanting to hire them. If you find yourself in this fortuitous situation, carefully evaluate each position before making a final decision.Here are factors both practical and personal to consider when debating between multiple job offersMoney and BenefitsAs tempting as it might be to immediately lean toward the job with the larger paycheck, putting too much stock in numbers can backfire. That said, every person desires ritterlich compensation for work performed and needs to pay bills.Calculate what salary you need to cover current expenses and important future goals (such as a vacation or a better car). If an offer isnt meeting this level, youll need to negotiate for more money or remove the position from consideration.In a similar vein, look at the benefits available for each position and know what you require. If health insurance is a must, dismiss offers without it.Take a hard look at the overall compensation package. An awesome retirement plan, a generous amount of vacation, and tuition reimbursement may more than make up for slightly lower take-home pay.The Nature of the WorkExamine what each job entails on a daily basis. Which gives you the most opportunity to perform tasks you find exciting? As noted by H.V. MacArthur, author of Low Man on the Totem Pole Stop Begging for a Promotion, Start Selling Your Genius, You will be spending the majority of your time at your job. You will want to make sure the time spent feels enriching vs. draining.Think, too, about how each position fits in to your larger career objectives. Is the job connected to your lifes purpose and passion? Will taking it help you move closer to the role you ultimately hope to hold? Experience and skills gained from one position often influence the next.drehort and FlexibilityEvaluate how each job fares in terms of promoting work-life balance. A lengthy or challenging commute definitely could be a strike against certain offers, as might the work schedule.Likewise, companies may score brownie points for offering flexible arrangements such as telecommuting and focusing on deliverables rather than the clock. Flexibility of hours enables you to spend time with your family and friends in a way that enriches those relationships, so look to see how flexible your schedule can be, MacArthur says.CultureMacArthur also stresses the importance of gauging workplace culture. If you are a laid back professional who is looking for a fun and creative environment, dont let the promise of a big paycheck lure you into believing you can handle a buttoned-up culture with lots of checks and balances. You may find it difficult to stay motivated and engaged in a way where your best work comes to the forefront.Think about the vibe of each place. How did it feel to be there? Did you enjoy the people yo u met? When you look at the companys website or read about it on social media, does it sound like a firm which youd be proud to represent?Gut ReactionLastly, remember that for better or for worse, selecting a job isnt a precise science. While spelling out the pros and cons of each offer aids in making a sound decision, dont discount intangibles. That nagging feeling that something isnt quite right with one employer or how another company just keeps sparking your imagination shouldnt be ignored.Looking for some outside perspective?Check Out Our Career Coaching Services