Ahem for the record #aws

Ahem… for the record… #aws Recently we announced that we moved our hosting from an in-house server to Amazon Web Services. This is exciting for many reasons, and in general it went well. Immediately we got emails saying JibberJobber was simply faster something we noticed, too. Why did it take so long? Partially because back in 2006, when we launched, AWS was new enough that they were still experiencing issues. like something going down.  And when part of AWS goes down, it can take down tens of thousands of websites.  Literally tens of thousands.  Back then I chose to keep JibberJobber on our own server to have more control, even though there are plenty of things that could have (and some that did) go wrong. Over the years I got plenty of emails saying why not move to Amazon, or AWS, as people call it.  The Amazon Cloud. I just wasnt ready yet.  Until a few months ago, when the sun, moon, and stars had aligned, and it was time. We moved, it was good, and Im excited! However, the move isnt without potential hiccups AWS problems are not strictly a thing of the past. Just yesterday the AWS Northern Virginia site had issues, and took down a bunch of sites for about 4 hours. Why am I posting this? Well, just as a point-of-reference documentation in case JibberJobber goes down again, to remind myself that AWS offers us loads of benefits, but its not 100% failsafe. There are always risks. Alas, we take the bad with the good, and work to have a great solution for you, long term.  Theres a lot that goes into making JibberJobber a tool for job seekers around the world! Ahem… for the record… #aws Recently we announced that we moved our hosting from an in-house server to Amazon Web Services. This is exciting for many reasons, and in general it went well. Immediately we got emails saying JibberJobber was simply faster something we noticed, too. Why did it take so long? Partially because back in 2006, when we launched, AWS was new enough that they were still experiencing issues. like something going down.  And when part of AWS goes down, it can take down tens of thousands of websites.  Literally tens of thousands.  Back then I chose to keep JibberJobber on our own server to have more control, even though there are plenty of things that could have (and some that did) go wrong. Over the years I got plenty of emails saying why not move to Amazon, or AWS, as people call it.  The Amazon Cloud. I just wasnt ready yet.  Until a few months ago, when the sun, moon, and stars had aligned, and it was time. We moved, it was good, and Im excited! However, the move isnt without potential hiccups AWS problems are not strictly a thing of the past. Just yesterday the AWS Northern Virginia site had issues, and took down a bunch of sites for about 4 hours. Why am I posting this? Well, just as a point-of-reference documentation in case JibberJobber goes down again, to remind myself that AWS offers us loads of benefits, but its not 100% failsafe. There are always risks. Alas, we take the bad with the good, and work to have a great solution for you, long term.  Theres a lot that goes into making JibberJobber a tool for job seekers around the world!

Tips to Make Your Business More Diverse and Inclusive

Tips to Make Your Business More Diverse and Inclusive As a woman in business, you likely understand how diversity and inclusivity can strengthen and protect your brand. Including team members with a variety of experiences leads to shaping products, services, and customer journeys in a way that reaches more people and provides more genuine experiences. You’ll find more authentic success by hiring the right people to inform your entire structure, design, and process. Harnessing inclusivity in the workplace is about more than simply hiring diverse people. Here’s how to create an inclusive, cooperative workforce, provide for your team’s needs, and benefit from their skills and input. Understand the Differences Between Diversity, Inclusivity, and Invitation Diversity is all about hiring and highlighting employees of various genders, sexualities, religions, and races. They may come from a variety of economic backgrounds and educational levels as well. A diverse team isn’t hard to put together if you’re mindful of it, but diversity alone is not enough to elevate your business to its full potential. Inclusivity involves an integrated process in which all team members are actively participating in the day-to-day operations of your business. If all of the people of color at your business work in your warehouse or all of the women are confined to administrative roles, you’re not only missing out on skills and opportunities, but you’re not providing a chance for individuals in your workforce to empower themselves. There has to be an opportunity, and it’s got to be a collaborative effort. Invitation is about a specific request to take a seat at the table. It involves a direct question â€" for example: “Would you like to join the team for new product development as a project manager in your area of expertise?” This earnest invitation is about integrating a specific perspective, skill set, and background, including life experiences that may differ from yours. This is far better than simply sticking someone on a team for the sake of diversity (which is insulting and transparent). Being open to feedback from members of your workforce is essential. The only way you’ll know there’s a problem is if you’re receptive. Make sure you address accessibility concerns. Does your shift schedule conflict with public transportation? Are your workspaces accessible to those with varying levels of mobility? You might not think of this until it’s brought to your attention. Start With Your Mission Statement What are the values of your business and brand? Does your mission statement include a desire for inclusivity, welcoming diverse voices? If not, marginalized jobseekers and customers may not recognize inclusivity efforts, consider you for employment, or buy whatever it is you’re selling. You’ve got to bake it into your company’s culture from the ground up. Make sure you incorporate those values into your public-facing website, specifically on your “about us” and “careers” pages. Your inclusivity is an investment and a commitment to be proud of; don’t hide it on a buried page. This is part of walking the walk. Understand also that your mission statement can, should, and will change due to diverse team input. Make it clear that this is just a starting point and that the mission and vision belongs to everyone. Only through this collaborative mentality can you embrace inclusivity. Educate Your Workforce Emotional labor shouldn’t be the burden of your marginalized employees. If a black woman is responsible for educating other employees on why it’s wrong to touch her hair without permission, you’re not fostering an inclusive workplace. It’s your responsibility to provide your workforce with the sensitivity training required to create and maintain a welcoming workplace for everyone. If marginalized employees wish to take on such an initiative themselves, empower them â€" but don’t expect it, and always ensure their time and efforts are recognized and compensated fairly. You should also direct marginalized employees to helpful resources, should they express or demonstrate a need for them. For example, if an employee with a disability is unable to access reliable transportation, direct them to the National Organization for Vehicle Accessibility. This organization provides grants to individuals with disabilities who are in need of financial assistance to get accessible transportation. Employ Empathy Cultural misunderstandings in multinational or multicultural offices are bound to happen. It’s your responsibility to stay aware of issues affecting your workforce and their communities. In some smaller American towns, immigrant populations experienced a 130% increase since 1990, and local corporations had to embrace the change or get left in the dust. If your marketing messages fail and you receive negative feedback because you’ve done something that offends others, respond appropriately. Avoid, especially on social media, saying things like “I’m sorry you were offended.” Instead, tackle reputation management head on, answer questions thoughtfully, promptly, and honestly. Do not respond aggressively to negative feedback, but don’t ignore it, either. Many organizations work hard to specifically connect underrepresented, qualified candidates with jobs. Consider contacting one of them to help you in your recruitment process. Moving forward with respect, empathy, understanding, and a commitment to investing in your workforce creates a collaborative, productive environment. Are you ready to commit to this type of environment? This guest post was authored by Brooke Faulkner Brooke Faulkner is a writer, mom and adventurer in the Pacific Northwest.  She spends her days pondering what makes a good leader.   And then dreaming up ways to teach these virtues to her sons, without getting groans and eye rolls in response.

Develop a Personal Brand Mindset in the Workplace - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Develop a Personal Brand Mindset in the Workplace - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career In a struggling economy, there are no guarantees when it comes to keeping a job. Employers can and do let workers go for a variety of reasons, not all of which are fair. In this atmosphere, many employees want to play it safe by towing the line to protect their job. However, the safe route may not be the best course of action. Instead of an employee mindset rooted in fear or sticking with the status quo, workers should have a personal branding mindset focused on distinguishing oneself from the crowd. Here are some ways to achieve a personal brand mindset in the workplace. Be distinct. The instinct for some employees is to blend in and not stand out to avoid getting the boot. However, blending in makes you unremarkable and therefore easier to let go. Instead, stand out from the crowd by letting your skills shine and showing your employer your value to the company. That doesn’t mean you should be annoying or difficult to work with. You still need to get along and work well with your team, but you want to do it in a way that makes you invaluable. Be authentic. No office is free of drama and angst, but you don’t want to get caught up in office politics. Some employees participate in the cliques, backstabbing and other political moves in hopes of securing their job or advancing a career. However, a worker with a personal brand mindset knows their worth and does their best work to move ahead as opposed to working the system. Especially in today’s volatile work environment in which a manager that was an ally leaves and is replaced with a manager that is an enemy, it’s best to leave office politics out of the equation. Keep learning. Employees rely on their degree and required continuing education to retain their jobs, but the minimum doesn’t cut it for someone focused on a personal brand mindset. Staying informed of industry trends and trained in job skills not only increases job security, but improves marketability to advance or find a new job if needed. Reading industry journals, attending seminars and taking courses above and beyond the minimum shows commitment to your career and a willingness to add value to the work you do. In essence, your employer gets a better informed and trained worker, for no extra cost. A personal brand mindset moves your thinking away from protecting your job by trying not to make waves. Instead, it’s a proactive way of projecting your value to your employer so that if cuts are made, there’s no question about your worth. Author: Leslie Truex  is a career design expert who has been helping people find or create work that fits their lifestyle goals since 1998 through her  website Work-At-Home Success. She is the author of “The Work-At-Home Success Bible” and “Jobs Online: How To Find a Get Hired to a Work-At-Home Job”. She speaks regularly on career-related topics including telecommuting and home business.

How to Be More Confident at Work

How to Be More Confident at Work Although some people might seem to have far more than others, confidence is actually not something we are born with â€" it’s very much nurture, rather than nature. The amount of confidence that you grow up with can be influenced by a broad range of factors, from whether you learn to ride a bike, to how quickly you learn to feed yourself, what your school experience is like and whether you go on to further education. Not only does your confidence grow, stall or fall according to factors like these but it’s not set in stone either and will continue to change throughout your working life. In fact, the business world is probably one of the harshest environments when it comes to confidence. Whether your confidence grows or falls at work will depend on many factors, from how you make decisions, and what kind of decisions you make, through to the way that you accumulate knowledge and assimilate experience. Your ability to deal with feedback and criticism, your attitude to goals and your commitment to achievements will all have an impact. With all that in mind, here are seven key steps to take if you want to turn all of these random factors into one solid result: increased confidence at work. What are your strengths and how can you maximise them? This is basic, but key. We are all programmed these days to look for faults and even to apologise for ourselves. While some self-assessment and constructive criticism is essential for your growth you also need to be able to accept your faults and not dwell on them. Instead of focusing on the negatives, work out what your strengths are â€"what are you naturally good at and what can you learn fast? If you’re confident then you can look at yourself as a whole and accept everything. This will make it easier to spot the opportunities to shine. Dump the negativity. Some of us feel like negativity is a defence against things going wrong â€" pride comes before a fall right? Well, there’s a difference between being confident and looking at things positively and being so full of yourself that you trip over your feet. Avoid indulging feelings that the world is your enemy â€" we all get them. A pattern of ‘bad’ experiences â€" missing the bus, spilling your coffee etc â€" is just a series of coincidences. To be confident you need to look at problems as the chance to change something, or to learn. If you decide to handle whatever happens then you can always be confident that you can deal with any outcome. What needs work? If you have ongoing issues that are affecting your confidence then make a plan to deal with them. You don’t need to punish yourself or be obsessive but look for practical weaknesses in your character or approach that might sabotage you at work. Remember that everyone has faults so you’ll never be 100% perfect but you might find that when you start to examine your attitude there are entrenched problems that are really holding you back. Once you identify these you will most likely already know what to do about them â€" it’s often quite instinctive. Improving yourself and overcoming the obstacles you put up for yourself will be a big confidence boost and if you know you’re not lying to yourself about the way you do things you can have complete confidence in your abilities. Constantly learn and educate yourself. The more you know, the more your confidence will rise â€" ok this might seem like an obvious step but it really works. Knowledge will give you tools to deal with situations that others might struggle in. It will give you the ability to have a broader range of experiences and to start contributing to the development of others too, all of which will help boost your own confidence levels. Let it go. Yes, criticism is depressing and can make you feel low. And yes you do need to see if there’s anything to learn from constructive criticism. However, once you’ve identified any potential positive learning experiences then just let that criticism go, don’t dwell or carry it with you. If you can hear it repeating in your mind then block it, reject it or just think about something else. Don’t allow this kind of negativity to play on repeat in your brain, as it will damage your confidence. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot. We all have different coping mechanisms and for some of us it’s easier to be the joker or the one who always causes trouble than to face up to fears of failure or to actually fulfill potential. You will only undermine yourself by taking these roles on and they will damage your confidence because there’s no positive progression, no career development and you will mostly likely alienate your support networks too. Throw away the disguise and just be you. Be a smiler. It’s true that you tend to smile more when you feel confident but what if you could reverse that process and trigger confidence with the smile? Try it and see how you feel when you’re the one delivering smiles, confidently asking about someone’s day or allowing yourself to be happy and positive instead of pretending everything is ‘boring’ because you’re at work. A smile will show the people around you that you have a positive outlook and that is a great way to get noticed and to motivate your colleagues too. Bio: James Gouge is chief executive officer at Unity Recruitment, a recruitment agency serving candidates businesses across North London the surrounding areas.

5 Little Changes That Will Make a Big Difference With Your Resume

5 Little Changes That Will Make a Big Difference With Your Resume Photo Credit â€" Flickr.comGetting an interview in today’s highly competitive job market means getting your resume past an individual whose job is to forward qualified candidates onto the hiring official, so you, as an applicant, can make it to that ‘oh so important’ step, the interview.7You could be the most qualified individual for the advertised position, but failure to make that blatantly obvious on your resume most likely means you will not even have the chance to make it to your interview.Here are a few little resume changes that can make a big difference and assist you in making it to the interview.1. Avoid Generic, Cliché, or Overused StatementsevalYou may be the most amazing multitasker the business world has ever seen, but this is one of the most widely used statements on a resume, and the individual reading the resume will most likely pass over this statement without giving it even a second thought. If you are an advanced multi-taker, quantify this statement as you make it.Let the individual know that you were responsible for answering 200+ phone calls, while waiting on over 150 customers, and responding to 90+ emails a day, all at the same time. This gives credibility to your statement that you are an amazing multi-tasker, and takes the statement from generic to one that is quantifiable.2. Make Sure Your Qualification and Skills Information is Not OutdatedWhen you are reviewing your resume and your skills section, avoid fluff and make sure specific skills are not outdated. For example, stating that you are proficient on a computer or a telephone is fluff and expected for many positions.Furthermore, if you were once licensed on software that was relevant at one point, for instance, Microsoft 2007, ensure that you are including the most up to date information. If Microsoft 2007 is the most current software that you are familiar with or proficient on, remove that particular skillset from the resume, or reword it to state familiar with Microsoft Office Family of Products.3. Make Sure You Are Emphasizing the Correct InformationIf you have 20 years work experience, but just completed graduate school, and the organization you are applying for is more interested in your work experience than your education level, make work experience the key focus of your resume.Professional resume writing experts at Solid Essayrecommend to begin with your work experience and skillset, or the employer may think you are lacking work experience. On the other hand, if the organization you are applying for is looking for someone with a higher degree of college education than work experience, ensure that you are placing the emphasis on your recent college graduation.4. Keep the Format and Layout ProfessionalWhile you want to stand out for a job position, getting overly creative with your resume is not the proper time to try to stand out. Keep the format and layout professional, easy to read, and to the point. Save the creativity points for the interv iew process.5. Quantify Your Accomplishment with Measurable ItemsevalIf you say on your resume that you sold $1 million worth of items in a six-month time frame, this may sound impressive, but if your six-month quota is $1.5 million, you are letting the organization know that you did not make a quota.Instead, point out that you sold $1 million worth of items in a six-month time frame, which had a quota of $750,000. This lets the hiring organization know that you went above and beyond what was expected for the quarter.The key to making it to the interview portion of an application process is to know precisely what an organization is expecting out of a qualified candidate and tailoring your resume to demonstrate how you fit those needs.Ensure that you do not embellish your resume or oversimplify your skill-set and qualifications. These little things may make a big difference in your ability to make it to the interview session of the hiring process.

Life Balance - Jane Jackson Career

Tottering on the Scales of Work/Life Balance - Jane Jackson Career Do you have work life balance? Do you have multiple demands made of you on a daily basis?   Work, children, elderly parents, partner, housework, voluntary work and/or study?   When there are multiple competing responsibilities weighing on you, this places huge amounts of stress on you and your family.   Work-life conflict is a problem that impacts everyone.  According to a 2012 Canadian study of 25,000 employed participants on work/life balance, (“The 2012 National Study on Balancing Work and Caregiving in Canada” by Linda Duxbury, PhD, Professor, Sprott School of Business, Carleton University and Christopher Higgins, PhD, Professor, Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario), onein three respondents were considered to be in the ‘Sandwich Generation.’The Sandwich Generation is the one that spends time each week taking care of both children and aging parents.   Balancing that plus work and all other demands in their lives has made the balancing act between work an d life balance extremely challenging.This problem seems to be one that is growing despite more awareness of the importance of work/life balance.Two important demographic factors contributing to the growth of this Sandwich Generation are that people are waiting until their early thirties or older to have children and life expectancy has increased over time.This means that the number of employees who are faced with balancing the demands of the three high energy roles, Employment, Childcare and Eldercare is likely to increase over the next decade.With this being a reality, employers need to give more tangible attention to work life issues in order to remain competitive.So, what is work/life balance?   It is being able to meet the needs and wants of those who are important to you, including your own, in a realistic manner.It’s a state of satisfaction and harmony within the areas of your family, work, social, health, financial and spiritual well-being.Work/life balance means that you a re able to enjoy the peace and harmony that comes from a balanced lifestyle providing you the opportunity to focus your energy and time on what is most important to you â€" not just what is urgently requiring your attention.So where do you start?   There is no quick fix for those who are pulled in multiple directions however keep in mind G.E.M., the following 3 mantras:Gratitude â€" Energy â€" ManagementGratitude Adopt an attitude of gratitude for what you have rather than what you have not.   Be hopeful, never give up on what you are determined to achieve for yourself.EnergySurround yourself with people who provide you with energy rather than draining it away from you.Maintain your physical energy by eating a healthy diet, drinking enough water, and take time to rest and relax.Remember that YOU are the most important person in your life no matter who else is demanding your attention.ManagementAdopt the most effective way to manage your time.Prioritise and schedule in specific times for your physical and mental recuperation.Whether you follow the insights of Steven Covey with his First Things First principles or another method, find one that works best for you and stick to it.For more tips on creating a happy life and career book a complimentary career clarity chat with Jane or join The Careers Academy online.

How to Begin Hen Writing the RSum

How to Begin Hen Writing the RSumWhat's the best way to begin Hen Writing the RSum? If you're a beginning writer, then it can be difficult. There are many different styles of writing that you can choose from to write your first work of fiction. This article discusses four different styles of writing, in order of the difficulty of learning how to write them.Eulogy - This is the simplest of all styles and requires the least skill. The primary objective of this style is to tell the reader what the author thinks about the person he is writing about. You don't have to be an expert on the subject of the eulogy to do well at this style. You just need to understand what makes it successful.Memoir - This is the easiest style to do well in. The greatest challenge to writing this style is the use of pronouns and adjectives. If you are not used to writing in this style, you may want to practice on several papers before you actually start writing for a living. The memoir is a form of extended wri ting. This will help you learn to use the tools of this style properly.Essay - This is the most formal style of writing. It is the 'classic' style of essay. This requires the most practice, but if you love the essay, this is definitely the style you want to be best at.Eulogy - This is a form of writing in which the writer tells the reader how the subject of the essay feels. It is most effective when the writer is skilled at expressing the feeling of the person. This is not a style where the writer is being dictated to by what the subject feels.Poetry - People enjoy reading these forms of writing because they are entertaining and often include such things as metaphors. They are like short stories, but written for the English language. Learning how to write this style can be intimidating.Dictation - This is a very specialized form of writing. A good writer will be able to do well in this form. In this style, the writer can ask questions and follow up on the answers with audio. It is n ot the most fun way to learn how to write, but it can be rewarding.Writing the RSum has many options, but each style has something to offer you. Learn the four most popular writing styles so you can decide which is best for you. Then you can begin to create your own unique style of writing.