College Counselors Top Tips for Students Applying for Federal Jobs

College Counselors’ Top Tips for Students Applying for Federal Jobs College Counselors’ Top Tips for Students Applying for Federal Jobs College Counselors’ Top Tips for Students Applying for Federal Jobs Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) April 24, 2014 (see article on PRWeb) Many students and new grads are interested in federal employment. About one-fourth of US college students list government as one of their three major targeted employers, according to the 2013 Student Survey. Yet just 8.5% of all federal workers are younger than 30. In a recent Washington Post article, Tom Fox of the Partnership for Public Service wrote that a crucial strategy for bringing more young people in is strengthening their understanding of the fed’s application process. However, as the recent Washington Post article noted, they need to be better informed about how to apply. The Resume Place, publisher of the Student’s Federal Career Guide, 3rd Edition and a certifying trainer on the federal hiring process, recently interviewed career counselors at two colleges. Tamara Golden at the University of California, San Diego and Emily Gomez, MS at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill shared tips for getting the inside edge in the federal job market. The counselors emphasized learning how to write the longer, more detailed federal resume and offered other important tips. Tip #1: Learn how to cast a wider net on www.usajobs.gov (the US government’s official job site) Both Gomez and Golden agree that many students make the mistake of searching for openings on USAJOBS by the limited number of federal agencies they know. “They don’t realize that there are a lot of similar positions and similar agencies,” says Gomez. Instead the counselors recommend searching by “occupational series.” The Student’s Federal Career Guide walks you through determining which occupational series would fit you best. “By searching by occupational series, you can find those hidden gems,” advises Golden. Tip #2: Be sure you’re actually qualified before applying. “The vacancy announcements will literally describe who will be eligible to apply,” observes Golden. And the Student’s Federal Career Guide explains how to understand the complicated announcements, adding that they must be looked at carefully. Golden recommends that you also spend time reviewing the “Occupational Questionnaire” linked to the announcement. If you can’t score yourself at the highest level across most skill areas, then you won’t be qualified, she says. Avoid “status” positions only open to current or recent federal employees. And students interested in “Recent Graduate” positions need to note how close to graduation they need to be to apply. Tip #3: Know that federal resumes are longer, and different, than private industry resumes. You can’t just attach a private industry resume if you want to land a government position. Fed resumes must be longer (3 to 5 pages) and more detailed. “Just this afternoon, one of my students expressed frustration at repeatedly being designated ‘best qualified,’ but never getting an interview,” says Golden. “The student had been using a one-page resume, which is a big no-no.” She told him to change to a multi-page resume at the least and also steered him to using USAJOBS’ online resume builder. Many USAJOBS announcements even require applicants to utilize the resume builder option only. Tip #4: Draw on your student experiences to demonstrate your skills and knowledge. Academic activities can play an important role in showing that you have what fed HR wants. Class projects, presentations, papers and other academic accomplishments can be highlighted on your resume, along with internships and community activities. Golden has her applicants include this info in the work section of the resume builder. The Student’s Federal Career Guide includes 8 sample resumes showing how college classwork and accomplishments can be addressed. Tip #5: Play the card you hold in terms of veteran’s preference. Vets get preferential scoring for their applications for many positions. If that’s you, make sure you supply all the needed paperwork. One exception to vet’s preference is for Scientific and Professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher. The Student’s Guide includes a helpful chart that lists these exempt positions. Golden has found these exemptions to be helpful for her non-vet students’ applications. Tip #6: Start to prepare your federal resume now before you need it. More and more often, fed job announcements only allow a limited amount of time to apply. Gomez says it would be difficult to create an outstanding federal resume if you only have a week before the deadline. “Start to build that fed resume today,” she advises, “and then you’ll just have to make minimal changes based on the specific requirements.” Gomez agrees that many times students have no idea what it entails to apply for a federal position when working on their own. “The federal government is not going to hire you because you’re a college student or new grad,” she points out. “They want to see that you’ve done what’s required as described in the job description. That’s why your resume needs to be so thorough.” The new Student’s Federal Career Guide, 3rd edition, by Kathryn Troutman and Paul Binkley, EdD, was just selected as a finalist in Career for the Book of the Year Awards! This informative 178-page guide is available in paperback, Kindle and PDF, and it’s sold at The Resume Place website and Amazon.com.

Job Search Checklist Where Are You Going Wrong - FlexJobs

Job Search Checklist Where Are You Going Wrong - FlexJobs Job Search Checklist Where Are You Going Wrong 13If you’ve been applying to jobs for a while without receiving any offers, you might be wondering what’s going on. Thoughts like, “Is it something I said? Something I did? Or didn’t say or do? Where am I going wrong?” are very common for almost all job seekers. The trick is being able to answer these questions honestly and change your tactics to improve your chances. Check out his job search checklist to help you determine where you are getting hung-up in your job search: If you can honestly answer “yes” to most (or all!) of the answers below, you’re doing the right things and should keep at it. If most of your answers are “no” or “not really” or “kind of,” it’s time to double-down on your job search, invest more time and energy into the process, and concentrate on any areas where you didn’t answer a resounding “yes!” For many of these check-points, we’ve got articles to help you put right whats wrong. If you see a hyperlink on a point that you haven’t checked, be sure to read the article it links to for tips and tricks to improve that part of your job search. If you’re applying but not getting any callbacks or job interviews: ___ Are you targeting your job search to specific jobs/careers that you are most interested in? ___ Have you made a list of large and small companies for which you’d most like to work? ___ Are you tailoring every resume and cover letter you send out to be specific for each job/company? ___ Have you networked with friends, colleagues, and other professionals to learn more about possible job openings? ___ Do you fill out online applications completely and with information and answers that will “beat” the application system? ___ Have you proofread your application materials for grammar and spelling, and have you asked others to proofread them too? ___ Are you following up on applications to make sure employers have received them (either by email or phone)? And to reiterate your interest? ___ Are you active in professional associations or other networking groups? ___ Have you asked people in your network, if they work for a company you’ve applied to, or know someone at a company you want to work for, to put in a good word for you? ___ Have you had your resume reviewed by a professional? ___ Are you sending a cover letter (or cover email) with every application? ___ Are your application materials free from sounding angry, frustrated, desperate, or otherwise negative? ___ Rather than applying to everything you are qualified for, are you spending time on jobs that you truly want, crafting unique resumes and cover letters for each? ___ Is your phone’s voicemail box able to accept messages and is your voicemail greeting professional? ___ Is your email box able to receive new messages? ___ Is your email address professional and does it contain your name? ___ Are your social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) private so employers cannot see them, or have you made them completely professional-looking? ___ Do you have any professional online presence such as a LinkedIn profile or a professional portfolio? ___ Have you used social media in your job search? ___ Are you applying to jobs as soon as they are posted rather than waiting days or weeks to apply? ___ Do you follow job application instructions explicitly? If you’re getting phone (or first-round) interviews, but not second-round invitations: ___ Have you practiced phone interviewing? ___ Do you have a dedicated space where you are free from interruption and background noise to conduct your phone interview? ___ Have you researched the company to learn as much as you can before the interview? ___ Do you practice answering job interview questions out-loud? ___ Are you smiling while speaking over the phone? ___ Are you keeping your answers positive and refraining from speaking ill of past employers, coworkers, companies, or experiences? ___ Are you inquiring about the interview process moving forward, and when you can expect to hear from them again? ___ Are you sending a thank-you email or note right after the interview, no matter how short the interview was? ___ Are you not only talking about what you’ve done, but what you can and will do for the company if awarded the job? ___ If asked about salary, do you give them an appropriate range and let them know that you’re flexible as to the exact number? ___ Is your phone connection strong and do you sound clear on the other end of the phone? ___ Are you giving more than short, one-or-two-word answers? ___ Are you comfortable with silence and able to stop yourself from talking on and on? ___ Do you make it clear what your biggest strengths are and how you’ll be an asset to the company? ___ Do you demonstrate that you’ve researched the company by speaking about what you’ve learned? ___ Are you enthusiastic and upbeat with your responses? If you’re getting final-round interviews, but not getting offers: ___ Do you send a thank-you email or note to everyone who interviewed you immediately after the interview is over? ___ In your thank-you, do you reiterate your qualifications for the position and clear up anything that didn’t come out right during the interview? ___ Do you prepare a few examples of ideas you have for the position and talk about them during the interview? ___ Are you enthusiastic and upbeat with your responses? ___ Do you try to differentiate yourself from other candidates? ___ Do you demonstrate what youve learned by researching the company in your answers? ___ Can you tell the interviewer(s) specifically why you want to work for their company? ___ When answering questions like, Where do you see yourself in five years?, do you give the impression that you want to work for their company? ___ Have you prepared specific examples of how you can contribute? ___ When speaking about your weaknesses, are you choosing a real weakness and telling them how you are already working to correct it? ___ Are you making regular eye contact and smiling during the interview? ___ Have you prepared (and asked) thoughtful questions about the company, your potential coworkers, and your potential responsibilities? ___ Do you ask if there is anything else they’d like to know about you before the interview is over? ___ Do you bring extra copies of your resume to hand out to multiple interviewers? ___ Are you letting your personality come through in your responses, body language, and mannerisms? ___ Are you inquiring about the interview process moving forward, and when you can expect to hear from them again? ___ If possible, are you bringing examples of your work with you to show to interviewers? ___ Do you bring a list of at least three references who can speak well about you as a professional and employee and leave it with the interviewers? ___ Do you ask your references for their help ahead of time, and send them a copy of the job description so they know what you’re applying for? ___ Do you provide your references with a copy of your resume and give them specific ideas of what to talk about should they be called by a potential employer? ___ Have you asked your references if they’ve heard from potential employers yet?

How to List Your Accomplishments on Your Resume

How to List Your Accomplishments on Your Resume How to List Your Accomplishments on Your Resume As you begin to  write your resume for a new position, you should be aware that there is a common mistake job seekers frequently make in formatting their resume text. Oftentimes, people simply list what they have done in previous jobs without pointing to the impact of their accomplishments and contributions.   Your resume should not read like a set of job descriptions that convey only what your responsibilities were in past jobs.  Instead, the focus should be on  how you made a good impression at work and made a difference to your department and organization. It’s important to show what you have accomplished in your resume, rather than simply presenting a list of tasks. Expand Your resume should communicate how you have been an asset to the past organizations with whom you have been affiliated. These details about your specific achievements will help you to stand out from your competition. How to Include Accomplishments on a Resume Here are tips for incorporating accomplishments into your resume. Follow the process for each of the jobs you’ve held so you can highlight what you have achieved in each position on your resume. Define How Success Was Measured Identify the bottom line for each of the departments or functional units where you worked.  Ask yourself how one would measure the success of those units.  This means knowing  how to include numbers on your resume  when possible. For example, a recruiting department might be measured by whether or not it sourced the right talent.  An accounting department might be graded by how clean their audits were.  A purchasing department might be rated by the money it saved.  A restaurant might be measured by the number of repeat customers or the quality of their online reviews. Highlight How You Impacted Success Itemize how your role was connected to the bottom line in each of your experiences. For example, a recruiter might note that she was responsible for selecting the best feeder schools for entry-level candidates.   A purchasing agent might have evaluated the best vendors for computer hardware. A waiter might focus on the quality of service which he provided to restaurant patrons.   Identify and document any baseline indicators related to the bottom lines for your departments at the time you took on your roles.  For example, as an accountant, how many audit findings were there for your area of responsibility prior to your assuming that role?   As a recruiter, what was the average cost per hire prior to your arrival?  As a production manager, what was the average downtime for the assembly line before you took over that role? Quantify Your Accomplishments Estimate the level of change that you helped to engineer in your role and quantify it if possible. For example, you might state that you reduced negative audit findings by 50%. Perhaps you cut travel expenses in your department by 20% or reduced staff turnover by 25%. It’s a smart strategy to highlight these percentages in boldface so that they “pop” on the page.   Qualify Your Accomplishments If the change cant easily be expressed in quantitative terms, use qualitative language that appropriately points to the magnitude of change.  For example, you could say: Significantly enhanced morale.Resolved customer complaints much more quickly.Greatly reduced staff turnover.Increased response time significantly. Include Action Words Utilize  action words on your resume  that imply an accomplishment or some results that you have produced.  For example, begin your statements with words like: increaseddecreasedreducedenhancedupgradedinitiatedcreatedreorganizedeliminatedinstitutedestablishedacceleratedadvancedinitiatedsurpassedpersuaded Accomplishment statements will be more convincing if you include references to how you generated the results.  Point to the skills or strategies you employed to achieve each success. Examples of how this would look on your resume: Improved staff productivity by establishing incentives for reaching volume goals.Increased the percentage of positive customer reviews by installing a system that tracked comments by employee.Evaluated alternatives for payroll vendors and selected a new partner resulting in savings of 15%. How to Add Value to the Accomplishments Listed on Your Resume Accomplishments dont need to be monumental in order to  show an employer how you can add value  on your resume.  Think of how you have made things better, in even a minor way.   For example, a human resources clerk might say, Recommended changes for processing new applications that reduced response time to candidates. A retail salesperson might say, Repositioned product displays to more efficiently move dated merchandise. Another way to validate an accomplishment is to cite recognition by a supervisor, employer, customer, or another stakeholder.     For example, a server might say, Selected as employee of the month based on outstanding customer service.   A Human Resources professional might say, Promoted to Assistant Director of Human Resources based on successful recruitment of graduates for IT jobs.  A supervisor might say, Recognized during performance review for enhancing staff morale.” After you’ve decided upon which of your career accomplishments you should showcase,  review some resume templates and builders  to see what format would best help set them off to their best advantage.

Research reveals How to create happy memories that will last a lifetime

Research reveals How to create happy memories that will last a lifetime Research reveals How to create happy memories that will last a lifetime Your first kiss. Graduation. Your first job. Your wedding day. Birth of your first child.These are the big memories that we all cherish. But there are other  littlememories that stick out because they had such a powerful emotional impact on you. Moments that enriched your life, bonded you with others and helped you define who you are.Well, the latter are just “magic”, right? Serendipity. Can’t engineer that. They just “happen”…*Writer rolls his eyes so hard he gets a migraine.*Yeah, and sometimes they  don’t. More often than not, one day rolls into the next, one month rolls into the next, you blink your eyes and you’re staring down the barrel of another New Year’s Day saying:  where the heck did the time go?Serendipity can be a bus that never arrives.  So why do we leave special moments to chance? And why do we not do more to create those special memories for others - the way we’d like them to make some for us?We get tired. We get lazy. And then boom - suddenly CVS is loaded with Christmas ornaments and it signals the end of another year.  No good. If we want great memories we have to make them.But how do you do that?  What makes some little moments so powerful? And others the epitome of “meh”?Chip and Dan Heath have a new book that lays out the science you need to know -  The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact.Time to learn how to construct more events that will restock your reminiscence reservoir. Boost your nostalgia number. Fill your flashback fund.Let’s get to work…1) Create moments of elevationParties. Competing in sporting events. Taking off on a spontaneous road trip. What do they have in common?From  The Power of Moments:Moments of elevation are experiences that rise above the routine. They make us feel engaged, joyful, amazed, motivated.If you feel the need to pull out a camera, it’s probably a moment of elevation. (Unless you’re taking a selfie. In that case, just put it away, you na rcissist.)So what is it at the core of a moment of elevation that we can add to any event to make it more special? Remember the 3 S’s:  sensory, stakes, and script.Boost sensory appeal:  This is why concerts, museums and great meals stick in your memory and why sitting on the couch is so forgettable. Engaging the senses more intensely makes moments stand out.Raise the stakes:  Competing in a sporting event is more exciting than watching one. In fact, betting on a sporting event makes watching one more entertaining. If there’s something to gain or lose, you’ll be paying attention.Break the script: Don’t do the usual thing. Don’t just get coffee or have dinner. Boring. Take your default and flip it on its head. Defy expectations and strategically surprise people.Southwest Airlines broke the script by tweaking their normal flight safety announcement. One of the lines they added was:If you should get to use the life vest in a real-life situation, the vest is yours to keep.Peop le loved it. In fact, those who heard the new messages actually flew more. And that resulted in an extra $140 million per year for Southwest. Breaking the script produces delightful moments.The Heath brothers write,  â€œThe most memorable periods of our lives are when we break the script.”  Sounds kinda pat and corny â€" but it’s true.Research shows that when older people look back on their lives, a disproportionate number of their big memories happened in a very narrow window: between ages 15 and 30.That’s not even 20% of the average lifespan.  Is this because our memory is sharper then? Or because young adulthood is a “magic” time?  Heck, no…It’s because after 30 life can get pretty darn boring.  After their third decade has passed, most people don’t do anything as novel as falling in love for the first time, leaving home, going to college, or starting their first job.So months and years blur together because nothing new and shiny happens. But neuroscientist David Eagleman says that when you inject novelty into your life, you prevent the blur. Surprise stretches time. So break the script and interrupt the blur with moments of elevation.(To learn more about the science of a successful life, check out my new book  here.)So boosting sensory appeal, raising the stakes and breaking the script can turn little moments into big memories. What else has that power?2) Celebrate moments of prideA graduation party. The ceremony where you received your black belt. Or that special session when the parole board declared you “rehabilitated.”You want to commemorate achievements. When you have your skill noticed by others, you can puff your chest out and take a second to feel really good about yourself.  And this is not a “nice to have.” Research shows we  needthese.From  The Power of Moments:Carolyn Wiley of Roosevelt University reviewed four similar studies of employee motivation conducted in 1946, 1980, 1986 and 1992. In each of the studies, employee s were asked to rank the factors that motivated them. Popular answers included “interesting work,” “job security,” “good wages,” and “feeling of being in on things.” Across the studies, which spanned 46 years, only one factor was cited every time as among the top two motivators: “full appreciation of work done.”According to one survey the Heath brothers found, the #1 reason people leave their jobs is “a lack of praise and recognition.” So take the time to appreciate what you’ve accomplished and to let others celebrate with you.Now I know what some people are thinking:  But I don’t achieve big stuff very often…But you’ve already made big strides that you never took the time to revel in. Surface the milestones that already exist. How long have you and your BFF been friends? Ever celebrated that? Didn’t think so. (No, that does not make you a bad friend. I still like you. You’re cool.)The Heath brothers tell the story of one couple that even looked b ack and actually celebrated  fights  the two of them had during their first year of marriage. Why? Because they got past them. They overcame the obstacles. That’s worth appreciating.And for extra credit, set goals. Build milestones on the road ahead. Why? Because the more finish lines you set, the more moments of pride you’ll be able to celebrate. Not only does that feel good, it will  motivate you.George Wu at the University of Chicago looked at the data on how long it took over nine million runners to complete marathons. Most took about 3.5 to 5 hours. But the results weren’t evenly distributed. There’s this huge spike right before the 4 hour mark. Why? 4 hours is arbitrary, right?Yeah - but it’s a nice round number. And for many it is achievable if they push themselves. People saw that “arbitrary” time limit approaching and kicked in the afterburners so they could say, “I finished in under 4 hours.” And so many did.Celebrate moments of pride. You don’t have t o win a Nobel Prize. In fact, celebrating a silly milestone “breaks the script” and may be even more memorable. Set goals so you have more moments of pride to motivate you to achieve and have more things to celebrate in the future.(To learn the seven-step morning ritual that will make you happy all day, click  here.)So you’ve elevating and celebrating milestones. Great.  But relationships are what brings us the most happiness. (And ice cream. Ice cream brings happiness, too.) So how do we make memories that deepen our relationships with others? (And may involve ice cream?)3) Build moments of connectionVacations. Reunions. Holidays.  The times that bond us with others where we feel all kinds of warm fuzzies.These are the moments when some of the most powerful memories are formed.  What does the research say deepens the connections you feel with others?Struggle. Yeah,  struggle. No, I’m not saying you should get in an argument with Uncle Jack again.Anthropologist Dimitris Xyga latas (say that three times fast) found that groups that went through “high-ordeals” bonded far more than those that went through “low-ordeals.” Struggling together made people closer. This is why fraternities haze. Why soldiers feel like they are kin.So what the heck does this have to do with relaxing vacations and get-togethers with friends?Less watching movies and more playing board games as teams. Less shopping and more touch football. If it ends with high-fives, you’re probably in the ballpark.And even better if it’s a team activity that is connected to  meaning. Yes, that even means helping your friend paint their new kitchen and having beers after. You’re helping them turn “that house” into “their home.”Even if it sounds like a chore beforehand, we often look back fondly on those times…. especially if your friend paints himself into a corner.(To learn the 4 rituals from neuroscience that will make you happy, click  here.)Okay, we’ve learned a lot. Ho pefully it was a memorable moment - but just in case, let’s round it all up and learn how to make the most powerful memories of all…Sum upThis is how to create happy memories that will last a lifetime: Create moments of elevation: Boost sensory appeal (light some fireworks.) Break the script (don’t wait for the 4th of July.) Raise the stakes (hope you don’t get arrested.) Celebrate moments of pride: If your  first book  comes out and someone insists you go someplace special that night,  do it. Otherwise you wouldn’t have a vivid memory. You wouldn’t have photos. All you would have is some random date to remember like in 8th grade history class. Build moments of connection: Struggle. Working together on something, especially something meaningful, bonds us together. So just help Gary move this weekend and stop whining. How do you make the most powerful memories of all?  You don’t have to use just one of the tips above to improve a moment - you can use them  all.Celebrate a friend’s “moment of pride” with the “struggle” of a paintball match and “break the script” by also making it a costume party with everyone getting decked out in full military regalia - from the Revolutionary War.Now  that’s  memorable. And insane. But insane is memorable. And not boring.You now know how to make great memories that can last you the rest of your life. You can make them for friends as well â€" even better,  share  them with friends…But usually we don’t. We do the hum-drum and the days blur together. Life becomes stale and boring and we die a little inside. But you don’t have to.Break the script. Don’t let the script break you.Join more than 320,000 readers.  Get a free weekly update via email  here.Related posts:New Neuroscience Reveals 4 Rituals That Will Make You HappyNew Harvard Resear ch Reveals A Fun Way To Be More SuccessfulHow To Get People To Like You: 7 Ways From An FBI Behavior Expert  This article first appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree. Research reveals How to create happy memories that will last a lifetime Your first kiss. Graduation. Your first job. Your wedding day. Birth of your first child.These are the big memories that we all cherish. But there are other  littlememories that stick out because they had such a powerful emotional impact on you. Moments that enriched your life, bonded you with others and helped you define who you are.Well, the latter are just “magic”, right? Serendipity. Can’t engineer that. They just “happen”…*Writer rolls his eyes so hard he gets a migraine.*Yeah, and sometimes they  don’t. More often than not, one day rolls into the next, one month rolls into the next, you blink your eyes and you’re staring down the barrel of another New Year’s Day saying:  where the heck did the time go?Serendipity can be a bus that never arrives.  So why do we leave special moments to chance? And why do we not do more to create those special memories for others - the way we’d like them to make some for us?We get tired. We get lazy. And then boom - suddenly CVS is loaded with Christmas ornaments and it signals the end of another year.  No good. If we want great memories we have to make them.But how do you do that?  What makes some little moments so powerful? And others the epitome of “meh”?Chip and Dan Heath have a new book that lays out the science you need to know -  The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact.Time to learn how to construct more events that will restock your reminiscence reservoir. Boost your nostalgia number. Fill your flashback fund.Let’s get to work…1) Create moments of elevationParties. Competing in sporting events. Taking off on a spontaneous road trip. What do they have in common?From  The Power of Moments:Moments of elevation are experiences that rise above the routine. They make us feel engaged, joyful, amazed, motivated.If you feel the need to pull out a camera, it’s probably a moment of elevation. (Unless you’re taking a selfie. In that case, just put it away, you na rcissist.)So what is it at the core of a moment of elevation that we can add to any event to make it more special? Remember the 3 S’s:  sensory, stakes, and script.Boost sensory appeal:  This is why concerts, museums and great meals stick in your memory and why sitting on the couch is so forgettable. Engaging the senses more intensely makes moments stand out.Raise the stakes:  Competing in a sporting event is more exciting than watching one. In fact, betting on a sporting event makes watching one more entertaining. If there’s something to gain or lose, you’ll be paying attention.Break the script: Don’t do the usual thing. Don’t just get coffee or have dinner. Boring. Take your default and flip it on its head. Defy expectations and strategically surprise people.Southwest Airlines broke the script by tweaking their normal flight safety announcement. One of the lines they added was:If you should get to use the life vest in a real-life situation, the vest is yours to keep.Peop le loved it. In fact, those who heard the new messages actually flew more. And that resulted in an extra $140 million per year for Southwest. Breaking the script produces delightful moments.The Heath brothers write,  â€œThe most memorable periods of our lives are when we break the script.”  Sounds kinda pat and corny â€" but it’s true.Research shows that when older people look back on their lives, a disproportionate number of their big memories happened in a very narrow window: between ages 15 and 30.That’s not even 20% of the average lifespan.  Is this because our memory is sharper then? Or because young adulthood is a “magic” time?  Heck, no…It’s because after 30 life can get pretty darn boring.  After their third decade has passed, most people don’t do anything as novel as falling in love for the first time, leaving home, going to college, or starting their first job.So months and years blur together because nothing new and shiny happens. But neuroscientist David Eagleman says that when you inject novelty into your life, you prevent the blur. Surprise stretches time. So break the script and interrupt the blur with moments of elevation.(To learn more about the science of a successful life, check out my new book  here.)So boosting sensory appeal, raising the stakes and breaking the script can turn little moments into big memories. What else has that power?2) Celebrate moments of prideA graduation party. The ceremony where you received your black belt. Or that special session when the parole board declared you “rehabilitated.”You want to commemorate achievements. When you have your skill noticed by others, you can puff your chest out and take a second to feel really good about yourself.  And this is not a “nice to have.” Research shows we  needthese.From  The Power of Moments:Carolyn Wiley of Roosevelt University reviewed four similar studies of employee motivation conducted in 1946, 1980, 1986 and 1992. In each of the studies, employee s were asked to rank the factors that motivated them. Popular answers included “interesting work,” “job security,” “good wages,” and “feeling of being in on things.” Across the studies, which spanned 46 years, only one factor was cited every time as among the top two motivators: “full appreciation of work done.”According to one survey the Heath brothers found, the #1 reason people leave their jobs is “a lack of praise and recognition.” So take the time to appreciate what you’ve accomplished and to let others celebrate with you.Now I know what some people are thinking:  But I don’t achieve big stuff very often…But you’ve already made big strides that you never took the time to revel in. Surface the milestones that already exist. How long have you and your BFF been friends? Ever celebrated that? Didn’t think so. (No, that does not make you a bad friend. I still like you. You’re cool.)The Heath brothers tell the story of one couple that even looked b ack and actually celebrated  fights  the two of them had during their first year of marriage. Why? Because they got past them. They overcame the obstacles. That’s worth appreciating.And for extra credit, set goals. Build milestones on the road ahead. Why? Because the more finish lines you set, the more moments of pride you’ll be able to celebrate. Not only does that feel good, it will  motivate you.George Wu at the University of Chicago looked at the data on how long it took over nine million runners to complete marathons. Most took about 3.5 to 5 hours. But the results weren’t evenly distributed. There’s this huge spike right before the 4 hour mark. Why? 4 hours is arbitrary, right?Yeah - but it’s a nice round number. And for many it is achievable if they push themselves. People saw that “arbitrary” time limit approaching and kicked in the afterburners so they could say, “I finished in under 4 hours.” And so many did.Celebrate moments of pride. You don’t have t o win a Nobel Prize. In fact, celebrating a silly milestone “breaks the script” and may be even more memorable. Set goals so you have more moments of pride to motivate you to achieve and have more things to celebrate in the future.(To learn the seven-step morning ritual that will make you happy all day, click  here.)So you’ve elevating and celebrating milestones. Great.  But relationships are what brings us the most happiness. (And ice cream. Ice cream brings happiness, too.) So how do we make memories that deepen our relationships with others? (And may involve ice cream?)3) Build moments of connectionVacations. Reunions. Holidays.  The times that bond us with others where we feel all kinds of warm fuzzies.These are the moments when some of the most powerful memories are formed.  What does the research say deepens the connections you feel with others?Struggle. Yeah,  struggle. No, I’m not saying you should get in an argument with Uncle Jack again.Anthropologist Dimitris Xyga latas (say that three times fast) found that groups that went through “high-ordeals” bonded far more than those that went through “low-ordeals.” Struggling together made people closer. This is why fraternities haze. Why soldiers feel like they are kin.So what the heck does this have to do with relaxing vacations and get-togethers with friends?Less watching movies and more playing board games as teams. Less shopping and more touch football. If it ends with high-fives, you’re probably in the ballpark.And even better if it’s a team activity that is connected to  meaning. Yes, that even means helping your friend paint their new kitchen and having beers after. You’re helping them turn “that house” into “their home.”Even if it sounds like a chore beforehand, we often look back fondly on those times…. especially if your friend paints himself into a corner.(To learn the 4 rituals from neuroscience that will make you happy, click  here.)Okay, we’ve learned a lot. Ho pefully it was a memorable moment - but just in case, let’s round it all up and learn how to make the most powerful memories of all…Sum upThis is how to create happy memories that will last a lifetime: Create moments of elevation: Boost sensory appeal (light some fireworks.) Break the script (don’t wait for the 4th of July.) Raise the stakes (hope you don’t get arrested.) Celebrate moments of pride: If your  first book  comes out and someone insists you go someplace special that night,  do it. Otherwise you wouldn’t have a vivid memory. You wouldn’t have photos. All you would have is some random date to remember like in 8th grade history class. Build moments of connection: Struggle. Working together on something, especially something meaningful, bonds us together. So just help Gary move this weekend and stop whining. How do you make the most powerful memories of all?  You don’t have to use just one of the tips above to improve a moment - you can use them  all.Celebrate a friend’s “moment of pride” with the “struggle” of a paintball match and “break the script” by also making it a costume party with everyone getting decked out in full military regalia - from the Revolutionary War.Now  that’s  memorable. And insane. But insane is memorable. And not boring.You now know how to make great memories that can last you the rest of your life. You can make them for friends as well â€" even better,  share  them with friends…But usually we don’t. We do the hum-drum and the days blur together. Life becomes stale and boring and we die a little inside. But you don’t have to.Break the script. Don’t let the script break you.Join more than 320,000 readers.  Get a free weekly update via email  here.Related posts:New Neuroscience Reveals 4 Rituals That Will Make You HappyNew Harvard Resear ch Reveals A Fun Way To Be More SuccessfulHow To Get People To Like You: 7 Ways From An FBI Behavior Expert  This article first appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree.

How to Create a Branding Statement for Your Job Search Find Your Dream Job

How to Create a Branding Statement for Your Job Search â€" Find Your Dream Job How to Create a Branding Statement for Your Job Search - Find Your Dream Job Today’s task is about recognizing your strengths, and making sure employers recognize them, too. Today you will create a branding statement â€" a short, catchy sentence (15 words or less) that highlights what makes you an ideal job candidate. Your statement should focus on how you will add value to a company through your skills, experience, and/or achievements. How to Write a Branding Statement To begin writing your branding statement, make a list of your strengths, as related to the job for which you are applying. List your accomplishments in your most relevant previous positions, particularly accomplishments that added value to an organization. List your personal assets that helped you reach those accomplishments â€" these can be personality traits, skills, etc. Look at the requirements of your target job (you can do this by looking at online job postings), and then circle anything on your list of accomplishments and assets that overlap with those job requirements. Your final branding statement should weave together one or two adjectives that describe your key strengths, your desired job title, and one or two of your accomplishments. Branding Statement Example Here is an example of a branding statement: “Detail-oriented development assistant experienced in coordinating extensive fundraising efforts and drafting successful grant proposals.” How to Use Your Branding Statement in Your Job Search You can use your branding statement in a number of ways throughout your job search. You can include it on your resume, listed between your contact information and your professional experience. Write a Resume Profile You can also expand it into a longer resume profile (which is typically a small paragraph), and include that on your resume instead. Your resume profile will also be useful during job interviews: it is a great answer to the common question, “Tell me about yourself.” Having a branding statement also helps you better understand your strengths, which will be important when answering another common interview question, “What are your strengths?”

3 ways to make planning a vacation a little easier for you

3 ways to make planning a vacation a little easier for you 3 ways to make planning a vacation a little easier for you You can follow a pre-vacation checklist one line at a time - including setting up the perfect out-of-office email reply - and still feel frazzled when you’re planning a trip.Here are three ways to take the edge off during the process.Stay ready: do some packing before you actually have toThis could both save time and help you avoid forgetting something on your way out.The Washington Post features information from and about Alice Boyes, PhD, the author of The Anxiety Toolkit and a former psychologist. Here’s some insight on how she stays ready for travel.“Rather than repacking toiletries every time, Boyes keeps duplicates of items she uses frequently, such as her toothbrush and toothpaste. She places one in a suitcase and keeps one at home. She also keeps clothing in her suitcase that she knows she will wear on the road. This allows her to put less time and energy into preparing the night before when she’s usually still working late,” the publication reports.Before leaving : tell your colleagues when you will and won’t be freeElizabeth Grace Saunders, an author, founder of Real Life E Time Coaching Speaking and time management coach, explains this in the Harvard Business Review.“Once you’ve figured out what you will do before leaving on vacation and what can be handled while you’re away, clarify what you will not do until you return. I recommend having a sense of this in your mind early. But wait until three or four days before you leave to make the final call on what’s in or out. By then you should be sure about what you can reasonably accomplish, and you can relay this information to your boss, teammates, and anyone else involved in the work,” she writes.“It can be uncomfortable to have these conversations, but it’s almost always best to be up front about what to expect instead of leaving people hanging who are expecting something from you, and then having to deal with a mid-vacation crisis caused by lack of communication. Update co lleagues on the status of projects and let them know that nothing will move forward until after you get back in the office. Also, give key individuals the heads-up that you won’t be available - or as available - during the time that you’re away,” Saunders continues.On the trip: don’t get flustered too easilyDon’t forget to cut yourself some slack.Social psychologist Susan Newman told the Reader’s Digest that when things go off-track on your trip, you should “think of it as an adventure, because often the mishaps and the things that go wrong actually become either humorous in your memory bank or the best thing that happened on the whole vacation.”

Worried about taking time off Heres what to do.

Worried about taking time off Here's what to do. Worried about taking time off Here's what to do. Paid vacations can be tricky. They give employees a much-needed respite from the grind, yet lately many are hesitant to utilize them to their full extent. According to a recent survey conducted by GfK in conjunction with Project Time Off, while there has been a slight uptick in recent years, 54% of full-time employees still ended 2016 with unused paid time off.Millennials, who job hop more regularly and thus know how easy it can be to be replaced, are even less likely to take vacations. A whopping 43% of “work martyrs”, aka people who sacrifice time off to keep working, are millennials.Imagine you started a job a couple months ago and are finally getting into the groove of things, but you have a vacation coming up that was planned a year ago. You might have told your boss about it when you first came on board, but the idea of abandoning your post so early in your stint there keeps you up at night. What if your associate takes over your responsibilities and does a better job? Will they promote her and get rid of you? How can you prove to them that you’re indispensable?Your worries may be somewhat irrational, but that likely won’t stop them from plaguing you even when you’re supposed to be relaxing and recharging. So what can you do to assuage your fears?  Here are four steps to help you prepare for a vacation so you can actually enjoy it.  1. Start a tally of your work contributionsIf you think you might be replaceable, the best way to show your boss (and yourself) that you’re not is  a list of all the things you’ve done for the company. Whether it’s projects you’ve completed, successes you’ve instigated, or simply great ideas you’ve put out there that made an impact, write them down  and keep them handy. You don’t need to send the list to your boss like a self-evaluation or progress report - they’re just a good reminder that your contributions are unique and worth remembering.  2. Make sure your work is covered in your absenceThis is a pretty simple consideration, but it often seems as if few employees think to do it. While you might not need to find a formal replacement to do your job in your absence, it’s always a good idea to make sure those who work in your department know you’ll be gone, and that they’re comfortable taking on some of your responsibilities in need be. By taking that step, you’ll be helping out your manager and higher-ups who would have had to do that delegating. Not only does it show you’re thinking of other people’s time; it also highlights your care about the company as a whole. It shows you recognize that your role is part of a larger system that wouldn’t run as well without it.3. Create an “in case of” manual for sudden situationsIf something unplanned should occur in your absence that doesn’t fall into your normal, day-to-day tasks, it’s helpful to have a guide for someone who might have to step into your job to solve the problem. Things that could arise might be a nything from a client needing specific information that only you know to finding figures on a past project that aren’t recorded in a commonly known place. While you can’t plan for every out-of-the-blue need, you can try and put all that information together and make sure it’s accessible for when those situations arise.4. Talk to your boss about your concernsIf you’re still feeling anxious even after you’ve done everything you can to prepare to take time off, it might be a good idea to have a matter-of-fact conversation with your manager. Tell your boss what’s making you nervous about leaving, and together the two of you can make sure all your bases are covered. At the very least, if your boss has already approved your vacation, they will likely give you the encouragement you need to feel secure in stepping away. Then, finally, you can take a deep, relaxing breath, put up your “out of office” automatic email reply, and let work go for a while.