5 tips on how to maintain a healthy relationship with social media

5 tips on how to maintain a healthy relationship with social media This article was written by a member of the Debut Contributor Network. These are Sahar Mahmoods tips on maintaining a healthy relationship with social media. Nowadays, the one thing that seems to occupy a large amount of our time is social media. Today, there are approximately three billion active users of social media, with just over two billion users on Facebook alone. There are clearly lots of benefits of social media; such as the ability to connect with people from all over the world, having a space to be creative and a chance to have your voice heard. It empowers people of all kinds to achieve their dreams. That’s why we love our social media so much. However, amongst the excitement of exploring what social media can do for us we can sometimes forget what it can do to us. A study conducted by the Centre of Addictions and Mental Health in Canada, found that young adult users of social media were more likely to rate their mental health as poorer than those who used it only occasionally. So, the question that arises is how can we strike a healthy balance with our social media? How can we make sure that we don’t spend too much of our time on social media and spend enough taking care ourselves? Here’s five top tips to help: Dedicate a timeslot in your day to check your social media Setting a timer for a specific time within your day to check the social media you use can be a really good way of controlling how much time you spend on them. This could be a period of just 20 minutes within a break time to check Facebook or scroll through Twitter. A timer can be helpful in ensuring that you don’t go over the allotted time and don’t accidentally end up spending forever watching Snapchat stories (something we’re all absolutely guilty of!). However, it’s important to make sure that this isn’t the first activity in the morning or the last before getting into bed. Choose a time somewhere in the middle of the day to do this and you’re all set. If something is negative remove it! This is probably the best thing to do if social media is bringing you down. Often, we end up following accounts or people that contribute nothing useful or positive. This can lead to negative impacts on our moods and can lead to real mental health problems. So, deleting the negativity off your timeline or unfriending that individual that causes you to feel unhappy (even though it’s hard) can have massively positive impacts. It’s important to remember that its completely okay to put yourself and your mental health first, so don’t feel bad about unfollowing or unfriending anyone because you deserve better! Delete, delete, delete â€" get rid of social media apps if necessary This is really important and isn’t as bad as it sounds! Deleting your social media apps isn’t as permanent as it seems because your account still exists and should you wish to access it again you can. But deleting the apps off your phone can really help to prevent the temptation of checking your social media from becoming too much. No app, nothing to check. Instead energy can be focused on something more useful and can actually allow more productivity. So go ahead and delete Twitter for awhile. When you’re ready the Twittersphere will still be there to welcome you back! Remember to talk to someone if you need to If you are feeling pressured or upset by social media its crucial to find someone to talk to. Whether that is a friend or family member, or just someone you trust. Talking about how you feel may be helpful in managing the stresses that come with being an active social media agent. Having a conversation with someone about your social media use and how it makes you feel can be a very constructive and healthy way of dealing with the pressures. Safe zone = no social media allowed Creating a safe zone where no social media is allowed can be another useful method to strike a healthy balance with social media. A safe zone maybe any area where you feel comfortable, for example, this could be either the bedroom or living room. Once in this zone, all social media access should be turned off. This can create a physical distance between you and your social apps, helping give you the necessary break from the accompanying tensions. Love it or hate it; social media is both powerful and dangerous. It clearly has a lot of advantages and within reason it’s a lot of fun. But it’s crucial that we also aware of the problems that our use can cause. Striking a healthy balance between our daily lives and our social media lives is imperative. Remember social media is a part of your life, it’s not your whole life! Connect with Debut on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more careers insights.

7 Ways to Motivate Yourself When Youre Uninspired at Work

7 Ways to Motivate Yourself When You’re Uninspired at Work If you absolutely adore the work you do, have a great boss and feel self-motivated 100% of the time, congratulations! You’re in a rare and sought-after position. But for most of us, there will be times when work feels like a drag, we lack motivation and can’t figure out how to get out of that negative state. Someone recently wrote to me with this issue in the extreme. Does any of this sound familiar? “I’ve been struggling with work. The problem is that I believe I have a lot of potential and a lot that I could bring to my workplace, but I find myself out of energy, and it's all I can do to force myself to work throughout the day. By the end of the day, I've forced myself to work so hard that I'm tired, resentful, and have accomplished little. I don't connect to the company vision, and I don't find it particularly inspiring. I don't feel like my work matters â€" the company is so big that if I don't show up, lots of people can instantly jump to fill in my place. I want to take ownership of my situation. My manager is not good at any of the things that give me energy and inspire me, and disengagement is high throughout the whole company. How can I start motivating myself, and stop leaning on my managers and the workplace to motivate me? How can I give myself the energy to actually start acting like this? I seriously believe there is a way, because a lot of successful people are doing this in one way or another, but I just can't find how.” It takes courage to admit this. I would start by saying this to the person who wrote in: First, kudos to you for wanting to become self-motivated and take ownership of your career. Second, I admire your positive belief that there is a way (which there definitely is!) and congratulations for reaching out to find it. Third, you are not alone, so take heart. 7 Ways to Get Motivated at Work If you also need help in finding your way to being motivated and enjoying your work again, let me share seven ways for doing that. Start with the ones that most apply to your situation, and then experiment with the rest. 1. Find Meaning We all need to feel like there’s a purpose in our work â€" to be part of something bigger. That’s what makes life feel meaningful and worthwhile. Since we spend most of our waking hours at work, it’s especially discouraging if there’s no bigger “why” behind our efforts. When it feels hard to connect with your company’s vision, do some thinking and soul-searching to find that meaning. Channel the janitor at Cape Canaveral who told U.S. President John F. Kennedy in the 1960s that he loved his job because he was “helping to put a man on the moon”. That janitor understood the mission and vision of his company and understood his contributions toward the larger goal. So, for example, if you work for an insurance company, your purpose could be “protecting people from disasters”. A travel and leisure employee might find meaning in “delivering joyful experiences”. And a banker could be “helping businesses flourish”. Look for the energizing way to describe your company’s purpose. What’s the energizing meaning behind your work? 2. Focus on Your Best Strengths It’s motivating when we’re in a flow state â€" when we’re in our element and everything feels like it comes easily. That usually happens when we’re using our best strengths. Start by identifying what yours are. The simplest way to do that is to look at what you’re great at doing and love to do. It’s at that intersection where you’ll find your sweet spot. What you need to watch out for are those tasks that you’re great at but don’t love to do. That’s what will drain you and ultimately make your job a drudgery. Since it’s hard for other people to tell which of the many things you’re great at doing are also things you love to do, it’s up to you to let them know â€" in a diplomatic way, of course. Once you know what your special strengths are, spend at least 50% of your time using them. What are your best strengths and how often do you get to use them? 3. Reframe the Task Most jobs involve repetitive tasks of one kind or another. When there’s a task you have to do “over and over again” such that the novelty has worn off long ago, a useful strategy is to reframe it â€" to think of it in a different way or take a different approach. For example, actors in Broadway plays do the same exact show 7-8 times a week for years at a time. Yet those are highly sought-after jobs, and actors seem to enjoy it. They look at their performance as art, and they see it as an opportunity to create an experience for a different audience every time. Or take Southwest Airlines’ flight attendants who need to make the safety announcement at the start of every flight. They take a creative approach and make it their own, whether that’s turning it into a song, a rap or a comedy routine. That makes it fun for them and also for the passengers â€" a win-win. How could you take your repetitive tasks and reframe them into something that’s energizing? 4. Reframe the Situation When you feel like you’re a replaceable cog in a big machine, that can feel discouraging. But just as you can reframe a repetitive task, you can also reframe the overall situation of being in a big organization. While it could well be that you’re the kind of person who thrives in a smaller organization â€" think “speed boat” â€" that kind of shift requires some longer-term planning. To help in the near-term, consider the power of being on the equivalent of a “super tanker” or aircraft carrier. How can you harness the benefit of being in an organization that carries clout in the industry? How can you leverage the brand name of the company to build your external profile and personal brand? And if you’re in the opposite situation of feeling like a big fish in a tiny pond, think about reframing your situation to see the benefits of being in the speed boat. How can you reframe the situation you’re in to capture its best elements? 5. Associate with Positive People Moods rub off on us, so if you spend most of your time with unmotivated or even disgruntled colleagues, it’s hard not to be dragged down along with them. And if you’re isolated in your work or spend most of your time on individual projects, that can affect your motivation too. After all, we humans are pack animals and need to feel we belong. Look around at who you’re spending time with. As the late Jim Rohn said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” So, surround yourself with people who are self-motivated and you’ll find it’s easier to pursue and reach your higher aspirations. How could you associate with positive people whose aspirations are similar to yours? 6. Be a Positive Force Yourself Just as others’ moods can rub off on you, yours can affect theirs too. So, why not be a force for positive energy? Not only will that help others, you’d also be starting a virtuous cycle: by improving the environment around you, that’s one less thing that can demotivate you and your colleagues. To become that positive force that lifts the mood of the room, start to use positive words, replace negative thoughts with positive ones, and focus on things that spark joy for you. Be a force for positive energy to improve the environment around you. What can you do to be a positive force in your workplace? 7. Help Others When I’m feeling low, it often improves my mood and motivation to help others. Whether it’s because I’m spending time with people (rather than focusing on my problems) or experiencing the “feel good” effects of helping a fellow human being, I always feel more motivated and positive after I’ve mentored someone or helped them in some way. As an added benefit, it can give you a window into another area of the company and possibly lead to future collaborations on new, interesting projects. Who could you reach out to and help or mentor? What will you do? If you’re feeling unmotivated, call a time out and choose one of these actions to take to start the journey toward the self-motivated person you know you can become. I’ve shared seven possibilities here, but it doesn’t matter so much which step you take. The important thing is to size up your situation and pick an action that gets you moving in the right direction. Then, you can move onto the rest. And speaking of the rest, stay tuned for more ways to motivate yourself next week. In the meantime, what about you? Are you uninspired at work and which of these actions would help motivate you? Leave a comment below â€" I’d love to know.

Using References To Get Hired

Using References To Get HiredIf you're looking for a job but can't seem to find the right one, a reference resume is your best shot. A good reference resume is essential, as it's the first step towards getting the job you want. When you use a good reference resume, the resume gets seen and it gets called to the interviewer's attention.Some professionals refer to the reference resume as a good body of professionally written information that covers all the points of their professional references. It's good information that will help the hiring manager to identify with the candidate's abilities and suitability for the position.In order to come up with a reference resume, it's important to set up a line-up of professional reference lists that you can select from. Depending on your skills and qualifications, you may have to send it in to several potential employers.It would be beneficial to receive at least one reference resumes from each of the prospective employers so that you can see w hich of the resumes are more favorable to the hiring managers. The reference resumes you get will be useful tools in helping you decide if the person is right for the job.Your resume will need to contain pertinent information about yourself. It will also contain your cover letter, including the contact details and other necessary information. Make sure you send your reference resume in the right format, i.e.You can always edit the information in your resume, while keeping in mind the format and content; or you can send it in the electronic format that is easily read and edited. Make sure you submit your resume in an email attachment.However, you need to remember that it is your reference resume and therefore it must be your own work; this way, you can make sure that it is both professional and also yours. That way, you know that it can't be discarded and used as a sample.Be sure to check the reliability of the references you get when you are collecting reference resumes for your job search. A reference resume is often a useful tool, and therefore it is important to look for the best possible reference resume that suits your particular needs. This way, you can get all the relevant information about a particular employee and in turn, you'll get more interviews!

Tips For Writing an Effective Resume

Tips For Writing an Effective ResumeFinding the best tips on writing a resume is not easy. There are many resume writing tips available on the internet but how can you find one that fits your requirements and meets your needs?If you are preparing a job resume, you have to know the importance of organization. It is very important to organize the information on your resume as well as the details on your application. There are some resume writing tips that will help you achieve this goal.When listing out the details of your skills and qualifications, list them at the end of the list as well as the start of the list. Organize them such that you don't get confused on where to put each of them. They can be placed at the end of the paragraph or be grouped together. Make sure that you are able to include all the information related to your skills and qualifications in the one place.In order to get a better chance of getting a job, you have to prepare yourself for that job interview. It doesn 't matter whether you're applying for a job in sales or in marketing, it is important to look professional and presentable in your job application. If you have the proper resume, you can also look good at the interview and make sure that you get the job you want.Writing an effective resume has many benefits, one of which is that it also helps you in getting a job. You can now show your skills and qualifications to the hiring manager and the company. The important thing about a resume is that it helps in securing a job.There are different types of resumes available in the market. You can choose the one which is best suited for your skills and qualifications. If you're trying to find the best resume tips, you can check out the Internet as well as magazines that have articles and other useful information related to resume writing.Resume writing tips vary from individual to individual. It's always important to do your own research and find out what is the best resume writing tip for you .

What You Dont Know About Writing Various Locations on a Resume Could Be Costing to More Than You Think

What You Don't Know About Writing Various Locations on a Resume Could Be Costing to More Than You Think Resume Style Since the difficult work is completed, you would like to see to it everything is polished in an ideal way. Writing resume bullets is often the most difficult part of writing a resume. There are a few things that don't belong on a resume for work. Sometimes people receive a promotion that includes a new title and increased responsibility, but their day-to-day job functions are the exact same, Sykes states. Resume writing services offer you various packages and some also provide additional mentoring or other job search and interviewing information that someone may benefit from to raise your professionalism and dependability. For this reason, you wish to make sure your resume will help you distinguish yourself among the rest of the applicants as a fantastic fit for the position by tailoring the information that you include to your audience and to the position des cription. Writing information or records could be requested. Skills-based resumes may also enable you to combine related work and other experience during the skills-based headings. Return to your list of skills and discover the skills you saw in the work ad. Use a skills-based resume if your prior job experience doesn't necessarily fit with the job you're applying for. Since a recruiter often examines the objective first, ensure you spotlight your strongest attributes and experience so that you can prove you're the ideal selection for the personal driver job. When you're tailoring your resume to fit a particular job, be sure to devote some time identifying the keywords in the work description, including specific abilities or tasks the job requires.

4 Helpful Tips For Your Accounting Career - Work It Daily

4 Helpful Tips For Your Accounting Career - Work It Daily They say life is a marathon, not a sprint. Viewing your career the same way can help you handle its various ups and downs - from being downsized to getting offered one of the hottest accounting jobs in your area. Though your co-workers and managers might have great advice for how you can get through your job’s specific tasks, we spoke to a few industry experts to get their long-term advice and tips for your accounting career. 1. Become A CPA CPA - It’s an acronym you’re likely already familiar with, and might already have on your business card after your name. The certified public accountant designation is one that opens doors for people to more and greater accounting jobs. Financial consultant and auditor Milton Galeas, who has over 15 years’ experience across both the public and private sector, considers becoming a CPA one of the most important things a person can do to excel in accounting. Galeas points to the versatility a CPA will afford you. After becoming one, you will be able to branch out into a wide range of industries in finance, and be free to work in internal or external auditing. This includes the private sector, where accounting jobs that become available to you include areas such as financial reporting, corporate tax and Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) compliance. 2. Know The Basics Well Los Angeles-based CPA Robert Wheeler, author of the new book “The Money Nerve: Navigating the Emotions of Money” (Balboa Press, 2013), stresses the importance of understanding the fundamentals of accounting. “Work a year or two in private accounting, learn some accounting software and get familiar with how clients do their books so that you can communicate with them about things that matter,” he advises. Knowing these basics will make it easier to communicate with your clients. “Many CPAs don't understand the accounting software and aren't able to show clients how to do journal entries, bank reconciliations or other practical matters that clients need guidance on,” says Wheeler. 3. Don’t Trust The Computer It’s one thing to use spreadsheets to help you get your job done, but it’s another to rely too heavily on their calculations. Errors can occur at any stage of a process, and it is important to verify that formulas have been entered properly and that the machine is doing what you set it up to do. “I have found that many of the younger hires assume that if they input information in the computer, it will come out right,” Wheeler shares. “Several times I have reviewed the work and it’s wrong. When I ask the staff person, ‘Did you look at the completed forms after you input the data?’ they usually say, ‘No. I am sure that I input it correctly so I didn't bother to look at the output.’ Wheeler reminds those in accounting jobs that double-checking the numbers and reviewing your work multiple times is key to getting the figures right. He says he has seen many botched financial statements that resulted from no one checking the numbers because they had been entered into a formula in Excel. 4. Show Interest In Your Organization, Not Just Your Job Many accounting jobs can seem to be all about the numbers, and in a way they are. But the longevity of your career depends on more than just getting the math right. Companies are attracted to employees who believe in what they do and who have ambition. Especially when you are interviewing for a position, this is important to keep in mind. Ian Smith is the executive director of business and administration at the University of Cincinnati Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. When he interviews candidates, he is turned off by those who think only of their immediate employment. “It's obvious they want ‘a’ job... not ‘my’ job. They need to be interested and have a good story for why they want my job one day, and show they are interested in the organization.” Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

How to get Your CDL in Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi

How to get Your CDL in Alabama, Arkansas and MississippiThis article is useful for anyone who wants to get a CDL in Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi. If you want to learn about earning a CDL at other states, we have put together a comprehensive guide on how to get a commercial drivers license in every state of the country. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1472832551951-0) ) AlabamaBefore You Apply for Your CDL1. Get youdoctor to fill outthe current Department of Transportation Medical Examination Report (Form 649-F)2. Learn or reviewthe rules and regulations of commercial driving. You can study these in Alabamas Commercial Driver License Manual.How to ApplyTake the following documents to your nearest Driver License Division office (make sure to research ahead for one that handles CDLs)A current Alabama drivers licenseA Social Security card or other proof of Social Security numberYour current DOT medical certificate (from above)Proof of insurance for the te sting vehicle if you are taking the skills test$25 for the written test, $20 for the skills testLicense fees vary depending on your desiredclass of license. Class A costs $66.25 Class B costs $56.25 Class Ccosts $36.25. If you are purchasing a CDLor a license to operate only a school bus, the fee is $36.25.What to Expect When TestingFirst, on test day,you will take one or more knowledge tests (which are written), depending on the license and endorsements you want.Then, if you pass the knowledge tests, you qualify to take the skills test (which is a driving test). Another option at this point is choosing tobe issued a learners license, which will allow you to practice drivinga rig with a licensed commercial driver in the passenger seat.When you feel ready to take the on-road driving test, you can make another appointment atthe CDL licensing office.The driving skills test includes vehicle inspection (where you mustprove your vehicles safety and show your inspection skills), vehicle co ntrol (you will be asked to drive forward, backward, and in turns, in a smallarea), and the actual driving test (this tests how well you knowsigns, driving laws, and regulations).ArkansasBefore you take your certification exams, you must assess your driving record. If you have any serious offenses, likeDUI, you may be disqualified.The Knowledge TestsYou must pass the written knowledge test before you can take your road skills test. In order to familiarize yourself with the content of the exam, study the ArkansasCDL Manualto learn about driver safety, cargo safety, equipment, traffic rules, inspection procedures, and hazardous materials.To bring on test dayDocuments that prove your age and identity$42, which is the fee for your CDLIf you haul hazardous materials, you will need to have federalbackground and fingerprint check.The Road Skills TestAfter you have passed the written tests, you are ready for the road skills test.On this test, you will be asked to perform driver tasks includ ing pre-trip inspections, changing lanes, tying down cargo, and maneuvering intersections.The Arkansas CDL Manual review everything you will be tested onreview the criteria before test day so you are familiar with the tasks you will face.RequirementsYou must self-certify one of the following driving categories with the Arkansas DMVNon-Excepted InterstateExcepted InterstateNon-Excepted IntrastateExcepted IntrastateIf you choose Non-Excepted Interstate, you must provide the DMV with a federal medical certificate.MississippiTo obtain a CDL in Mississippi, you must hold aRegular Class R drivers license. You must also obtain a current medical card when applying.Testing for the CDLNext stop is to take and pass the written and skills tests. All the information you need to know about the exam is in the Professional Drivers Manual, which you can find at anydrivers license officethroughout the state. You can schedule an appointment for the driving test eitheronlineor by phone.What You Must Br ingYour valid Mississippi drivers license, a CDL learners permit, and your completed application for your desired CDLAnother driver to accompany you who holds the same class CDL license (or greater) as the one you seekA current medical cardThe same class of vehicle you will be driving once you obtain your CDL (it must pass inspection before any tests will be administered)A Social Security cardProof of residency (electric or water bill, lease agreement, vehicle-registration receipt, mortgage documents, homestead exemption receipt, bank statement, notarized employer verification on company letterhead (with a phone number) that states your address)Appropriate feesOut-of-state applicants applying for a Mississippi CDL can use their valid drivers license from another stateNote If your job entails hauling hazardous materials, you must undergo a background check. You will have to complete aDrivers License Hazardous Materials Endorsement Applicationand pay a fee.