Why We Shouldnt Pretend The Workplace Is Gender Neutral

Why We Shouldnt Pretend The Workplace Is Gender Neutral A version of this article welches originally published on Forbes.How much does gender matter in the workplace? For the over 50% of women who believe they do not receive equal opportunities to men in the workplace -- it would seem to matter a great deal.For most of my career, I was parte of the other 50%. Youve all met women like me a hard-charging, Type A personality convinced that gender issues at work were a dangerous issue to avoid, with little upside and a lot of downside to playing the victim. Despite working in law and finance on all-male teams with only male bosses and earning the nickname George in the office, my faith in meritocracy was stubbornly unwavering. I witnessed countless jokes and off-color comments and inappropriate moments, participated in sports outings, and joined in fraternal bonding drinks and events. Throughout it all, rightly or wrongly, I believed I was generally getting a ritterlich shake.And then, c ame the day when my gender finally hit me. I was two months pregnant, and keeping the news discreetly hidden under my blazer as I went around to job interviews. Men become parents, but they dont become pregnant. And men are typically not judged less competent or committed to their careers once they become fathers. As cliche would have it, it was one of the first times in my life when I realized that I could no longer pretend I was experiencing the world as a man might.Let me be clear there was no scandalous punch-line in my moment of awakening. My story is not one where I told an interviewer I was pregnant, got the cold shoulder, and then was unceremoniously booted out the front door. If you want those kinds of tales, all you need to do is turn to places like Pregnant Then Screwed and Elephant in the Valley where women share their experiences of pregnancy discrimination and sexual harassment. For me, all that happened was the fear of being judged unfairly and denied an equal chance. That fear was enough to jolt me out of my complacency and help me understand that gender did impact me in the workplace, whether I admitted it or not.Being two months pregnant at the time, how often did I ask about maternity leave? Never. What about my desire to speak with other working moms at the office about their schedules and promotion opportunities? Again, I didnt mention it. In fact, I instinctively steered clear of any questions that might remind the interviewer of my gender (as if it were something I could skirt under the rug). Instead, I stuck with the geldschrank inquiries about the companys growth trajectory and business operations. I worried about being labeled as anything less than fully dedicated, and wanted to avoid any stigma. Instead of addressing my questions with the hiring managers and HR reps, I turned to the internet.Once again, I had to confront the reality that my gender mattered. For better or worse, the internet has largely been built by men. Nowhere was this more apparent than when I started to research questions like What was a companys maternity leave policy? Were women mommy-tracked upon their return? How many women were in senior management? How are older women treated at this company differently than older male employees? Were younger women taken seriously as professionals, and were women paid and promoted fairly overall? The job sites and employee reviews online didnt address these issues at all.That was two years ago. Since then, Ive been on a journey of discovery, seeing all the ways in which many women experience the workplace differently than men. If I were an academic I would have launched a long-term research study. Instead, I enlisted the help of a former colleague and together, we launched Fairygodboss.Fairygodboss is a community of women sharing job reviews, opinions and data to help other women in the workplace. Our mission is to improve the workplace for women by creating transparency. Essentially, were building a fear-free zone for female job-seekers. No question or topic is too taboo to ask or discuss, and were sure the best employers for women would want it that way. In fact, employers who embrace transparency have become our partners and customers because they realize they cannot control the internet and job-seeker opinions by dictat.Instead, they can attract highly qualified female employees by being authentic and sharing their side of a complex issue. As Accentures CEO of North America, Julie Sweet puts it, We believe that transparency creates trust. Fairygodboss is helping to change the game for women who want to easily identify companies that enable them to succeed both professionally and personally. We are excited to be part of a new level of collaboration and connection among women in the workplace.We all instinctively understand that restrooms and locker-rooms need to be built differently for women. Our differences and different experiences should receive attention and, sometimes e ven celebration. Women comprise half the labor force so its high time that gender awareness in the workplace isnt only equated with issues and problems. To me, gender awareness simply means that we dont pretend that workplace issues are the same for women as men. They arent, and sometimes that is the result of deep-seated issues and bias, and other times, its the result of fact that we (men and women) dont leave biological and social constructs behind when we walk through the office door. By accepting that we simply dont exist in a gender neutral world, we can work towards building a more inclusive future and harness our differences to drive better business outcomes, too.The voices of Fairygodboss are by no means a unified consensus. We are individuals of all political persuasions, millennial and Baby Boomer, feminists and non-feminists, mothers and non-mothers, straight and queer, urban and rural, white-collar and blue-collar. But we all self-identify as female, and that shared exp erience matters. Even (or especially) when we dont all yet realize that it does.Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women. Join us by reviewing your employer

Life, Death and Monster India Resume Writing Service Review

Life, Death and Monster India Resume Writing tafelgeschirr Review Always make koranvers to have a look at the review my essay section of any writing tafelgeschirr website youre thinking of using. Importantly, if you prefer, your resume writer may consist of industry-specific keywords into your resume. Simply speaking, the service exists, so should you want to use it in order to find a top essay, thats reason enough. Employing a writing service is the perfect method to have a well-written essay to use as a guideline to guarantee the essays you write are hitting all the vital points and are at the appropriate depth necessary for your academic grade. Whatever They Told You About Monster India Resume Writing Service Review Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why Therefore, it is critical for a top resume to continue to keep your skills section short and just list useful capabilities that are appropriate to the post you desire. To begin with, you would need to select which sort of service you would want to use. However polished your writing skills are, occasionally its far better to employ a professional who can frame your experiences in a manner that enables you to command the interest of the greatest companies in your industry. For product managers, interpersonal skills are the most crucial and also the toughest. What You Should Do to Find Out About Monster India Resume Writing Service Review Before Youre Left Behind Bottom Line If you enjoy securing a discount, Resume Writing Service is among the best resume writing services to think about. Salary information is usually incorrect. Bottom Line If you are searching for top rated resume writing services, Careers Booster is definitely an institution to think about. One other great thing which makes Resume Writing Service one of the very best rated resume writing services is they frequently offer discounts. Monster India Resume Writing Service Review No Longer a Mystery The organization utilizes an individual approach to each customer and customizes every resume. Through his resume software, Jimmy Sweeney has the capability to give job seekers an opportunity to easily create a resume that isnt just presentable to hiring companies but excellent enough to find a lot of calls for job interviews in only a couple of months. Its vital that the service you decide on knows for sure theyre only selecting the very best essay writers. Read my essay writing service reviews and my guide to selecting the very best service for everything you will need to understand about how to select the best writing businesses. My site is your very best solution if youre fighting with the decision on which service you ought to choose. If you cant locate a review on a specific company you want to know more about, I advise that you take a peek at our top rated resume writing services and pick one from the list. Resumes Planet Review If you desire a business that has good resume writing services reviews, Resumes P lanet may be a good choice to think about. The Most Popular Monster India Resume Writing Service Review Your own personal writer can help you create a faulen resume, dependent on your career story and meeting all of the high standards of your industry. First impressions matter, which is the reason why the best resume writing services might be big asset for you. Include the tools youve got experience with. Therefore, developing a masterpiece resume is essential. As stated above there are many amazing alternatives. The service utilizes an individual approach for writing all kinds of personalized documents, including cover letters and other sorts of employment-related correspondence. Opposition Oppositions to produce sure you intercourse knowledge commonly tend so that you are able to think who the will be not necessarily education from every, nevertheless a specific attack via the specific educational facilities into an outstanding market connected with private, together wit h loved ones, lifespan.

How to Be a Competitive Recruiting Agency - Spark Hire

How to Be a Competitive Recruiting Agency - Spark HireIn recruiting, it is important that your geschftsleben is competitive and staying on top of the game in order to provide the best talent to your clients. With so many different recruiting agencies going after the same business, its important to ensure that your business is competitive by understanding and keeping track of several things.1. Know the latest trends in advertisingAs always, recruiting is about finding the best talent. If you want your recruiting agency to be top notch, you need to always understand the latest trends in advertising.Do you know where to find top talent in your industry? Its important that you realize that top talent is not necessarily on the job boards, waiting for your recruiter to call.Make sure that you are taking full advantage of advertisement in the areas of social media, radio, TV, billboards, industry newsletters and magazines, as well as online banner ads. Knowing where to find your talent is t he first step in putting you ahead of your competition.2. Understand what your competition is doingAlways know who your competitors are and what they are up to. Check out your competitors websites and job postings frequently. If you speak with someone who recently worked for your competitor, find out as much as you can about what your competitor offered as far as salary, health benefits, and any other employee benefits.Understanding where your offerings stand compared to other recruiting businesses can help you to develop the most appealing offerings that will attract the top talent in your industry.3. Be visible to top talentI dont care if you are recruiting for temporary, temp-to-perm, or permanent positions you need to be visible and accessible to top talent.Are you on social media sites and active in industry related groups? Are you always growing your network and having conversations with top talent in your industry?In addition to being visible online, you also need to be physi cally visible. Make sure that you are attending industry job fairs and networking events. Looking someone in the eye, shaking their hand, and handing them your business card can go a long way.4. Offer the latest technical optionsMany recruiting businesses are jumping on the band wagon when it comes to the new advances in technology. Going mobile and offering access with ease to real-time updates, job postings, and numbers of interested candidates is something that many of your clients and candidates may be looking for from you in the nearing future.Do you offer mobile options for top talent to access job postings and apply with ease? Are your clients provided with real-time updates regarding how many candidates are interested in their position or have been submitted and interviewed?In todays world, clients and candidates alike are looking for speed and quick updates. As a busy recruiting agency, it will help you to operate more efficiently by moving towards automated and mobile solu tions.In addition, consider offering options to talent and clients such as acceptance of resume videos and video interviewing. behauptung are excellent ways to offer individual flexibility based on your candidates and clients preferences and schedules.What are some other ways that you could make sure that your recruiting agency is staying competitive? Please share your tips in the comments below.Image Rawpixel/BigStock.com

Infographic Details Occupations that Boost Well-Being

Infographic Details Occupations that Boost Well-Being Infographic Details Occupations that Boost Well-Being But what does it really mean to have work-life balance and how do you achieve this? Citytowninfo.com has created an infographic, Happy, Healthy Jobs Occupations the Boost Well-Being, to help answer these questions and more.According to the infographic, Gallups 2012 Work and Education Poll revealed that 47 percent of Americans are completely satisfied with their jobs 42 percent are somewhat satisfied and another 11 percent are completely/somewhat dissatisfied.The respondents shared which aspects of their job gave them the most satisfactionSafety conditions of the workplace (73%)Relations with Co-workers (69%)Salary (30%)And, the infographic explains, a 2012 Employee Job Satisfaction and Engagement report from SHRM detailed the top five factors for job satisfactionOpportunities to use skills and abilities (63%)Job security (61%)Compensation (60%)Employee/senior management commu nication (57 %)Relationship with immediate coach (54%)The data goes on to list some of the careers that offer the greatest satisfaction, based off well-being, emotional health and work environment. Those careers range from physician and nurse to teacher and farming, fishing or forestry.And according to the infographic, job satisfaction is crucial not only for employees, but companies as well. Job satisfaction helps workers win by providingLess burnout (125%)Greater job satisfaction (46%)More commitment to the organization (32%)Better overall performance (16%)And companies win because job satisfaction results inMore productivity (43%)Higher retention (37%)Higher sales (37%)

Front-End Framework in Web Development

Front-End Framework in Web DevelopmentFront-End Framework in Web DevelopmentIn the web development world, you encounter the terms front-end and back-end pretty frequently. Just to refresh, front-end development is all about the parts of a website that users see, while the back-end is more about the behind the scenes functionality. Using a framework to construct your websites front-end has a lot of advantages (and is pretty easy to boot). Lets go over what front-end frameworks are and why you should consider incorporating them into your web development work. Front-End Framework Also referred to as CSS frameworks, these are packages containing pre-written, standardized code in files and folders. They give you a base to build on while still allowing flexibility with the final design. Typically, front-end frameworks contain the following components A grid which makes it simple to organize the design elements of your websiteDefined font styles and sizing that varies based on its funct ion (different typography for headings versus paragraphs, etc.)Pre-built website components like side panels, buttons, and navigation bars Depending on the specific framework you choose, theres a lot more they are capable of as well. Why Use One There are a lot of good reasons to use a front-end framework instead of starting all your code from scratch Save time Obviously, if youre writing every single line of code by yourself, its going to take a lot longer to launch your website. Frameworks can help get you started with the basics.Add extra components that you might not have otherwise. Its always nice to have the option to tack on another button or two without creating any extra hassle for yourself.Know for sure that the code works. Instead of spending a lot of time writing your own code only to discover that it doesnt work (or isnt compatible with 60% of web browsers), youll know that youre using pre-tested, functional code. Its also important to clarify how not to use front- end frameworks. Treating them as a replacement for having code-building skills wont do you any favors. Get familiar with HTML and CSS first, and then you can start using the shortcuts. Treat your framework as an assistant, not a crutch. Examples of Front-End Frameworks Not all CSS frameworks are created equal, so make sure to do your research about which one best fits your unique needs. Heres a quick overview of the top five Bootstrap The most popular one out there. Has tons of stars on Github and lots of resources to get your questions answered. One of the easier ones to use, but some say it has a very distinctive Bootstrap look.Foundation Offers a lot of flexibility and customizability. Good for those who are experienced with front-end development and like to cover the basics while retaining a lot of creative control.Stylus Expressive and stylish CSS language. This framework can only be used on Node.js applications. Semantic UI Concise, intuitive, and makes debugging your code nice and simple. Gives you a lot of design freedom and adapts to your needs.UI Kit The framework to use if youre interested in developing iOS apps. Has a basic style that makes it easy to develop your own site look. Conclusion Frameworks are incredibly helpful tools for front-end design, especially if you have a job where youre frequently developing that side. They allow you to speed up your workflow and increase your productivity without sacrificing quality or functionality, while still leaving the door open for a unique, customized look. Just remember to use them as a tool to complement your skills, not as a way to cut corners- and enjoy

7 Things to Consider Before You Ask a Friend for a Job Referral

7 Things to Consider Before You Ask a Friend for a Job Referral7 Things to Consider Before You Ask a Friend for a Job ReferralBut before youmake such a big ask of this person- no matter how close of a friend they are to you- there are a few things you should consider before.Heres what to ask yourself before you ask a friend for a job referral1. Do Ireally want the job?If you plan to ask a friend to put in a good word, or take the time to formally refer you, you should be sure youre truly interested in the opportunity. You shouldntwaste your time or theirs- and you dont want them to go out of their way to sing your praises, only to look like a fool when you turn down the invitation to come in for ajob interview.If your friend fires off a job referral for you- and then you decline the job offer- it could put you on shaky ground with your buddy. Not to mention, if you do find a flexible job that you love in the future, your friend might not be so quick to make a second (or third) referr al for you. So make sure that the job is really one that you want before enlisting others to help you close the deal and get hired.2. Will this even help me, or them?Find out how this company treats referrals. Maybe they have an incentive program (e.g., any employee who refers someone who is hired gets a $500 referral bonus), or maybe HR doesnt treat referred candidates any differently than non-referred candidates. If its the latter, you may not want to bother your friend with this request. But if its the former, it can be a win-win for both of you.3. Is this an appropriate request?How comfortable are you asking for this favor? How comfortable- or uncomfortable- do you think this friend would be? Consider feelings before you make the request.Also consider other factors, like how long this friend has worked for the company, the fleck they hold, whether youd asked them for this type of favor in the past, etc. If you feel confident that you wouldnt be putting them on the spot or in an uncomfortable situation, it may be fine. Otherwise, dont ask them for a referral.4. Are weon good professional and personal terms?Sure, you thought that the little tiff you had with your friend was squashed, but he might not think so. If your friend is still harboring a grudge for something that you thought was water under the bridge, try to clear the air- and salvage the friendship- before you ask for a job referral.5. What if they say no?Have you considered what would happen if your friendsaid no? How would you feel? How would this affect your relationship?If you feel that he could possibly say no, rethink your request.6. Would I actually want to work with this person? And what would our working relationship be?If you were to land the job, this friend would become your coworker How do you feel about this? How does he feel about it? How would it impact your friendship?Before you proceed, find out how closely youd be working togetherand have an open conversation about whether youd b oth be comfortable with it. This person may be your friend, but that doesnt mean you want him to be your boss.7. Does he know mywork ethic?Yes, youve been friends since college, but that doesnt mean that your friend has a clue as to who you are professionally. When you ask your friend for a recommendation, sit down for a phone chat or coffee and offer some information about your professional background, your work ethic, and anything else you thinkhe should know. Make sure to give him a debriefing on all of your professional accomplishments and accolades.If he were to go to HR to put in a good word and they ask him questions about your experience or background, youll want him to be prepared to answer them.Its true that asking for a job referral can be tricky. So before you text your friend asking for one, consider these seven questions to make sure that you dont put either of you in an awkward situation, and that you receive the job referral that you deserve.

How MOOCs Can Help Fill your Employee Training Gap

How MOOCs Can Help Fill your Employee Training GapHow MOOCs Can Help Fill your Employee Training GapHow MOOCs Can Help Fill your Employee Training Gap DeZubeIs your workforce equipped with the skills and knowledge it needs to remain competitive and grow? If not, think MOOCs.MOOCs or Massive Open Online Courses offer employers the opportunity to train workers across a variety of skills. They can also help workers keep up with ever-evolving technology.Half of todays jobs wont exist in 2030, says Anant Agarwal, CEO of edX, a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) non-profit founded by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.Whats more, the remainder of the jobs left will either change completely or be different in some way.Growing businesses in particular will be tasked with the challenge of how to empower their existing workforce to upskill and reskill to meet the changing demands of their jobs says Agarwal.Heres how MOOCs can help companies address their knowledg e gap and employees the opportunity to develop their skills.Keeping Up with InnovationThe typical MOOC is a college-level course offered via the Web to anyone who wants to enroll. Some are free to viewers who only watch the course. Other MOOCs charge students who want to complete a full course (including tests) and earn a certificate.For employers, MOOCs can be a cost-effective, efficient way to bridge employee training gaps. Theyre particularly useful for widespread workforces, smaller companies with limited time and budget for training as well as companies whose employees need to stay current as technology evolves.Steve Halligan, chief operating officer of N2grate, a 30-employee company that provides data center and cloud solutions to Federal agencies, uses the classes at Cybrary to keep his employees up to date on technical and cybersecurity innovations.Weve been using MOOCs for years, Halligan says. In a world in which no one can be an expert in all things, the ability to use on going, flexible content to sharpen the skill development saw has been a key piece for us.Billable hours drive PL at N2grate. That makes MOOCs a plus as employees can learn while commuting or in the evenings, instead of leaving the office to attend in-person classes.It strikes me as a smarter way to train, says Halligan. It doesnt need to be one-to-one or one-to-many at a certain time or place. Thats not how you bank or Christmas shop or how you work.MOOCs Can Help Reduce CostsAs MOOCs retrain your existing workforce, they can also help reduce recruitment and employee relocation costs.There is an arbitrage to assess when recruiting talent versus growing it in-house. Since online programs do not require massive internal resources to produce, update and roll out, there is a clear benefit in terms of cost and time for growing businesses, Agarwal says.There may also be an income-side boost gained from online learning. According to Bersin Associates, revenue generated per employee is 26% higher for companies that offer training using technology, including digital learning, Agarwal says.MOOCs as BenefitsParticularly for todays often restless Millennials, MOOCs can signal a commitment to employee development.As we think about the younger generation of employees, employee development is something they really care about, says Julia Stiglitz, vice president at Coursera, a MOOC with 2,000 courses and 180 specializations taught by instructors from 149university partners.Among the companys most popular offerings are information technology and project management courses, business classes that mimic the first year of a typical MBA program and specialized programs in hospitality and advanced manufacturing.Stiglitzsees larger businesses using MOOCs in novel ways that might also work for growing businesses.For example, when BNY Mellon onboards Web developers, it has them complete Courseras full stack Web development specialization taught by Hong Kong University of Science and T echnology. Once they complete the six-course series, employees share a common set of skills and language, Stiglitz says.Cosmetics company LOreal Paris also uses MOOCs as an employee perk. Staffers can choose to take any of a curated set of courses on management, leadership, business fundamentals and data science.MOOCs that Fill Skill GapsEven in a hot tech area like Silicon Valley, some jobs remain hard to fill and keep filled. These areas include data science, mobile development, or Web development. Sometimes, there simply arent enough qualified candidates around.These skill gaps often occur with new skills such as artificial intelligence or cloud computing all areas covered by MOOCs.MOOCs can also be an efficient way for in-house employees to gain soft skills. Agarwal says companies use edXs MicroMasters program to help new leaders gain specialized management skills without sending them to multiyear, on-campus MBA programs.Could MOOCs enable you to create a skilled workforce from the ground up? A company in West Virginia for example uses MOOCs to reinvent the careers of the 70,000 Americans who now work in the coal industry?Halligan is skeptical of using MOOCs to build a technically competent IT staffer from scratch. Yet some MOOCs offer a money-back guarantee of preparing workers for jobs.MOOCs can be of use to everyone including senior leaders. Consider the free business and enterprise skills courses at ALISON, a MOOC that covers entrepreneurship to risk management to employee management.After all, why should your staffers be the only ones learning something new?