What Is a Literary Agent and How to Become One

What Is a Literary Agent and How to Become OneWhat Is a Literary Agent and How to Become OneWhen most people hear the term agent, they immediately think of Hollywood. Agents are known for representing actors. They are thewheeler-dealerswho live in L.A. and negotiate good deals for their clients in Beverly Hills. What probably comes to mind is Ari Gold, the upbeat, aggressive agent (played by Jeremy Piven) on the HBO smash hit Entourage. Well, agents dont only represent actors. Agents represent a whole host of creative types, including writers. In the book publishing world literary agents, much like agents in Hollywood, sell proposals, but literary agents sell proposals to book editors, notstudio heads. Literary agents find literary talent and then package that talent because most authors cant get a book deal without a literary agent. In other words, a writer needs representation. How Do You Become a Literary Agent? Everyones heard tales about Hollywood moguls who started in the mailroom at William Morris. Well, thankfully, you dont need to work in the mail room if you want to be a book agent, but you need to start somewhere, and often, that somewhere is in the role of assistant at a literary agency. (For this scenario think Ryan Reynolds in the blockbuster hit The Proposal.) Most of the literary agencies are in New York City, although there are some elsewhere in the country in particular, there a few in San Francisco. Also, at ICM and William Morris, which are the two biggest talent agencies, there are some literary agents based in Los Angeles. Where Does an Agent Work? For the most part, literary agents work at talent agencies. There are bigger and smaller agencies and some agents, after years of experience, become entrepreneurial and go off and start their own agencies. Whether you work at a large agency, a small one or are hankering to start your own agency, in terms of geography, most agents end up working in Manhattan. Thats because the major pub lishers are in New York City and, to do the job you need direct access to the editors at the big houses. Exactly What Do They Do? In some respects, agents act as a line of defense for editors. They read manuscripts and then sign authors who they believe can sell books. Agents get a percentage of the money made in the sale of a book - what is called the advance in industry terms - and therefore it behooves them to sign authors that they think will be of interest to the general public. In this respect, an agent needs to get a pulse on what the public wants. Agents must also have a good understanding of the publishing business. They need to know the right people at the right houses to make deals as well as an understanding of the individual houses and the kinds of books they publish. That said, for works that attract multiple editors, auctions are often arranged allowing many editors to bid on a manuscript. Auctions, by the way, often result in higher advances.

Learn How to Get Into Vet School

Learn How to Get Into Vet SchoolLearn How to Get Into Vet SchoolThere are only 30 veterinary schools accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association in the U.S. and admissions are highly competitive. Getting into vet school certainly isnt easy, but you can greatly increase your chances of acceptance by achieving good grades, gaining varied experience, and carefully crafting your application package. Applying with a 4.0-grade point average is every applicants goal, but it often doesnt end up being the reality. Dont give up if you dont have a perfect average. Generally, most schools look for at least a 3.0-grade point average straight As are not mandatory. Many students can get in with a grade point average in the 3.5 to 3.9 range if they have a combination of great practical experience and solid recommendations. Holding positions of leadership in college organizations is also a big plus for your application. Gain Varied Animal Experience Gaining varied animal experience is critical. You need to be able to document as many hours of experience as possible working in both large and small animal veterinary clinics. You will likely start out doing very basic work as a kennel assistant and work your way up to assisting with procedures and treatments as a veterinary assistant. Also be sure to document additional experience working or volunteering at zoos, stables, wildlife rescues, and animal shelters. Dont overlook improving your communication and leadership skills. You want to be as well rounded as possible. You can take courses to better your skills as well as get involved in extracurricular activities. You can take courses in public speaking, run a committee or get involved in leadership positions in your local community. Get Recommendation Letters Your college professors and employers will be the ones you ask for recommendations on your vet school application, so it is important to build solid relationships with them. You will typically need thre e letters of recommendation to include with your vet school application. You can let those writing the recommendation letters what areas youd like them to emphasize, such as animal handling experience, leadership roles, or communication skills. One of these letters should be from a veterinarian that you have worked for, another should be from a science professor, and the third could be from an employer or an additional veterinary contact. Be sure to ask for the letter early to give the writer plenty of time to accommodate your request. The Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS), which houses the erreichbar application process, only accepts electronically submitted recommendation letters through their Evaluation Portal.Its important to check with the school youre applying to, for the proper method of submitting your letters. Include a Personal Statement You will also need to include a personal statement on your application. Put some serious thought into this state ment. It is your one chance to personalize your application and give the acceptance committee a feel for who you are and what you might bring to the veterinary profession. Explain your interest in veterinary medicine and what you have done to prepare yourself for this career. Study for the Exam You will need to take the Graduate Record Exam or GRE. There are many GRE prep books with a CD-ROM if you study well on your own, or take a classroom preparation course. Some schools require the Biology GRE in addition to the general GRE. Make sure you have your scores sent to your chosen schools in a timely fashion. Apply to an In-State School When sending in an application, make sure to apply to your state school provided theres a veterinary program in your state. Some states without vet schools have agreements with neighboring states to accept a certain number of students. Your best chance of acceptance will be at an in-state school. Also, be sure to carefully read up on each schoo ls prerequisites to be sure that you meet all the requirements for acceptance. Most schools have similar requirements, but you dont want to be turned away on a technicality. You dont have to be a pre-vet major to get into vet school, but a majority of applicants have a major in a science related field. Science majors generally take most or all of the prerequisite courses as a part of their program. Many U.S. veterinary colleges accept a centralized application from the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). This application is available online and is typically due by September 17th. During the application process, you may be selected for an interview at one or more of your potential schools. Be sure to prepare for this, as you may be subjected to a variety of interview styles. If you dont get in on the first try, dont give up. You can always consider pursuing further education (such as a masters degree), getting licensed as a veterinary technician, or adding more ve terinary work experience to your resume before applying again. Get in touch with the schools that turned you down and ask for feedback on what could make you a more attractive candidate in the future.

Age Discrimination Isnt About Age

Age Discrimination Isnt About Age Age Discrimination Isnt About Age If youre over 40, its natural to worry about age discrimination after all, thats the age at which you start to be protected against discrimination by Federal law and even if you dont look your age, you might be starting to feel it now and then. (Maybe youve noticed you cant stay up as late as you used to, or maybe you caught yourself making that noise your dad makes when he up from the chair) So youre feeling a bit older than youd like and now you have to look for a job.The good news is that age discrimination isnt about age. Its about all the things that people associate with growing older. Like getting slower. Being less healthy than a younger person. Falling behind the latest technology advancements. Its usually not that Manager X doesnt want any 50 year-olds in his company its abut the fact that Manager X has a bunch of stereotypes in his head about what being 50 means and its those stereotypes he wants to avoi d.Once you understand this, there are all kinds of things you can do to ensure that age isnt an issue on your resume.My Tips for Minimizing Age DiscriminationThink they might worry youre behind the times technologically? Show them that youre not. Include URLs to social networking profiles such as LinkedIn and Twitter. Set up a personal website using a tool like Weebly.com or Visual CV and then add the URL to your resume.When it comes to fighting the perception of ill health or lack of energy, I recommend adding any hobbies that are sports-related or require high energy. For example, one former client included his experience running marathons and riding in long bicycle races. Another included yoga as a hobby.Finally, consider leaving older experience off your resume to prevent people from guessing your age. For example, you might want to omit jobs that go back more than 10 years.Note If this experience is important to your ausverkauf message maybe because it directly relates to wha t you want to do next or includes a banner name company in your industry you dont have to eliminate it. Instead start a new section of your resume called early experience and simply omit dates of employment in this section. (By starting the new section, you give yourself permission to change the format in this way.)None of these techniques will change your age but all of them will change the all-important perception of your age and that is all you need to do.

6 Skills You Need to Move Up to Payroll Management

6 Skills You Need to Move Up to Payroll Management6 Skills You Need to Move Up to Payroll ManagementInterested in moving up to payroll management? Theres been no better time. Payroll managers are in high demand, and employers are offering attractive compensation to secure top talent.Still, advancing to a managerial role can be a big step. Most companies will want to landsee at least five years of working in payroll, along with a relevant bachelors degree. For candidates without four years of college, employers often accept equivalent experience. This often translates as a longer work history, especially in a supervisory role. Many payroll managers also have a certification, such as the Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), but its not always required.Is that all? Well, even in a hot hiring market, youll need to do more than meet minimum requirements. Competition for the better jobs can always be tough. And when hiring for a leadership sttte, employers look for gold. Here are six skil ls to develop that will help you stand out from the crowd and land the payroll management position you want.1. Payroll systems experienceEmployers expect senior payroll professionals to know their way around common payroll platforms such as ADP Workforce Now, Kronos and Workday. But experience means more than just data entry and basic navigation. Really get to know your systems more advanced features, such as customizing portals, setting up access and permissions, changing workflow events and creating custom templates.2. Other technical expertiseDeveloping your hard skills is always a good career move, no matter your position or industry. For payroll managers, that means hands-on experience with general accounting software and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, such as SAP, Netsuite and Oracle proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Drive is also expected. To really get ahead in your field, stay current on the latest in payroll technology, including process automation and the rise of artificial intelligence.Not sure where to start? Register for vendor-sponsored courses and work through online tutorials. Ask your supervisor for cross-training, or for permission to job shadow a senior payroll professional. Youll learn a lot, and by asking for professional development and on-the-job training, youll show senior managers your initiative and desire to learn.3. Business acumenYou have to have some level of expertise to advance your payroll career, of course, but try to take time to become a generalist as well as a specialist. What does this mean? Thanks to ERPs and a trend toward cross-departmental collaboration, the line between payroll and other functions is blurring. So learn what you can about human resources, accounting and data analysis. The more you understand how a complex business operates, the better situated youll be to take the helm as a manager.4. befolgung knowledgePayroll systems continually update their software to reflect legislative ch anges to taxes, medical benefits and other matters that fall under payrolls purview. However, humans specifically, payroll managers are ultimately responsible for making sure a company remains compliant with myriad local, state and federal requirements. To stay current, subscribe to payroll newsletters and compliance-related blogs then make it part of your work schedule to read them. Webinars sponsored by professional organizations are also an excellent source.5. Leadership qualitiesIts the age-old conundrum To get a job as a payroll manager, hiring managers typically want supervisory experience. But how do you get that when youre not yet in management? For one, you could hone your leadership skills by asking for assignments that will put you in charge of a project or team. Also, look outside the workplace for leadership opportunities, even as a volunteer (professional associations are excellent training grounds, and they offer valuable networking opportunities). Career developme nt courses and guidance from a mentor can also give valuable insight into the qualities of leadership.6. Excellent soft skillsEffective payroll managers know how to deal with a range of people - their team, other directors, company employees, board members, vendors and government functionaries. As you sharpen your hard skills and burnish your credentials, give as much attention to your interpersonal skills. Polished written and verbal communication, customer service and conflict entschlieung skills, for example, are all essential for managing people and their expectations. Managers also possess self-initiative, outstanding time management skills and similar qualities to handle their heavy work load.Rewards of payroll management rolesBuilding your skill set takes time and hard work, but its worth it. For one thing, salaries go up as you get into management. The 2019 Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance Professionals reveals that payroll managers can expect a starting salary of $7 2,750 per year. That can vary by industry and location. Use our Salary Calculator to find out what payroll manager salaries are offered in your city.When you make yourself an authority on payroll processes and show your ability to lead effectively, you raise your profile and make yourself indispensable. Thats the gold employers look for.

Short Article Reveals the Undeniable Facts About References for a Resume and How It Can Affect You

Short Article Reveals the Undeniable Facts About References for a Resume and How It Can Affect You The References for a Resume Trap Some realities References later Many companies will merely approach references if theyre interested in you. Additionally, there are links to other sites which serve as great references for certain forms of writing and other writing related homepages. The variety of references you should provide is dependent on your profession. As soon as youve selected your references, make sure theyre well-prepared to assist you. There are alternatives also. Different types of reference There are a range of different sorts of reference or referee which may be sought (so ensure you receive the appropriate ones). Organizing a resume and utilizing good wording for optimum effect. Its also advisable to state the length of time you have known the reference. You might even be worried about the sort of reference youll receive. It is helpful to supply an academic refe rence if youre able to. Under the references contact info, indicate what kind of reference he is and your relationship. Using References for a Resume The ideal time to try to find a job is when youve got work, but it doesnt indicate that its simple to look for work during the time that youre employed. If you are searching for work, then youll need references. If youre asking for a great deal of jobs you dont have to allow them to know about each application. The most essential parte of obtaining a job is having the ability to sell yourself to an employer. References can be a really strong tool in your job search. Also guarantee that the publications and presentations you decide to display on your resume are related to the job which you are trying to get. Instead, make a distinct reference sheet you are able to bring to your job interview. The Appeal of References for a Resume In the same way, in the instance of awful exam results or gaps in employment, it would be wise to offer less coverage or to attempt to offer a positive slant. The References section on your CV is a very important part which cannot be entirely omitted. Dont forget that your resume is your very first line of defense in regards to landing your ideal job. Nonetheless, if you would prefer not to use a referee from an earlier job, be ready to explain why. You would rather not include things like an email address with a typo or a telephone number thats missing a digit. Use the exact same heading at the surface of your references page as you use at the very top of your resume. If it is not specified, the normal number is two. The variety of references you list is dependent upon your career level. Referee A referee is someone who might well provide a reference. Listing a person for a reference without permission could be harmful to your job application. When an employer doesnt ask by the conclusion of the interview, you should ask them if theyd like reference details. Also, sh are with them a copy of the resume youre submitting so they can be on precisely the same page if and as soon as the hiring manager calls them up. For the self-employed finding references for a resume when wanting to move into employment can be hard particularly if you have been self employed for a lengthy period of time. Character references can show youre the sort of person employers want to get.

The Unknown Details Regarding Writing Reference Page for Job Resume That Some People Arent Aware Of

The Unknown Details Regarding Writing Reference Page for Job Resume That Some People Arent Aware Of The One Thing to Do for Writing Reference Page for Job Resume If youd like someone to be an excellent reference, youve got to act as a mensch, Kay states. Remember your direct manager makes a more powerful reference than your peers. Some businesses wont contact any of your references and some can only get in touch with a select number. Following your interview, your references could be a fundamental component on whether you get a job offer from a business. They are your personal evangeliststhey should know you very well and be able to speak about your qualifications for the job youre pursuing. Its quite acceptable to include references aside from your prior employers. The Characteristics of Writing Reference Page for Job Resume Ask each reference if theres any information they dont want listedthis will help safeguard your contacts private info, Nolan states. Evaluate infor mation you make it through reference checks regarding your position. If it is not clear from your resume, you could also desire to include details about your relationship with the reference. Just be certain it has all the ideal contact information for all your references. Although some employers might ask you to submit resume references as a piece of the application procedure, others might ask after a telephone screening, face-to-face interview or before the last step in the hiring process. Writing and including a reference sheet with your resume is one method to show which you are fully prepared and prepared to put in the work force. Choosing who to request a reference is a significant step in your application approach. Its imperative that you keep up a strong personal relationship with anyone who you want to be your reference, especially since they could hold the key to your upcoming job opportunities. If an expected reference says they cannot comfortably give you a refer ence or even should they hesitate in responding to your request, then abflug looking for another person. Youll also discover a sample reference list. The sample reference page provided here can readily be adapted to satisfy your requirements. Theres no correct or wrong method to make your reference list. When youre asked for references, you may strategically select the best people to represent what you would like highlighted for the opportunity, she states. The last thing anyone needs is work that isnt a very good fit, he states. For instance, if youre going into the work market for the very first time, you might just should list three references. Even when you have enjoyed good working relationships with your references, youll never be able to be completely certain they wont say something which might damage your odds of getting work.

10 things I love about working from home (plus 5 things I hate)

10 things I love about working from home (plus 5 things I hate)10 things I love about working from home (plus 5 things I hate)In November or 2008, I made the jump from a typical arbeitszimmer job to working from home as aself-employed internet marketer. I consider myself blessed to be able to work from home for the past 10+ years and it has honestly changed my life in several ways.Over the years Ive received a lot of interesting comments and questions from friends and people who find out that I work from home. Apparently, there are a lot of misconceptions about what its really like to work from home (no, I dont sleep in or spend all day in my pajamasor worse).Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraAlthough I love working from home and Im grateful to have been able to do it for more than a decade, not everything about it is amazing. There are some challenges as well sorta like being yo ur own boss. It wont work for everyone.This article covers the bestandthe worst, based on my own experience.Some of the things I mention in this article will be relevant to anyone working from home, but other things may not apply to those who work from home as an employee of a company. My experience being self-employed is a little different from my wifes experience when she worked from home for a large national bank for about three years.10 Things I Love About Working from Home1. mora Time Around My FamilyProbably the biggest benefit to working from home has been more time with my family. I have a daughter who is 6 years old and a son who is 3 years old, so Ive worked from home their entire lives. And my wife has been a stay-at-home mom since we became parents, so our kids have always had both of their parents at home.I dont consider myself a stay-at-home dad because my main role during the day is to work and my wife is the primary caregiver for our kids, but I leise have a lot more time around them as compared to if I worked a more traditional job.In the mornings, I help the kids with breakfast and have a few minutes with them, instead of rushing off to an office. Most of my days include some time to play with my son as a part of my lunch break, something I definitely wouldnt be able to do with a different job.In the afternoons, I take a short break to either pick my daughter up at school or walk down to meet her at the bus stop.Overall, Id estimate that I have a few extra hours with family each week thanks to being able to work from home. Running an online business has been a great fit for me and my family, but its only one option. There are plenty of otherjobs for parents who want to stay home.2. I Can Work from Anywhere with an Internet ConnectionAlthough I typically work from home, I have the flexibility towork from anywhere. When I first left my office job I would feel like I really needed to get out of the house, so I would go to a local public library and work for a few hours fruchtwein days.Ive also been able to work while traveling, which is probably one of the biggest perks of my job. Before we had kids, my wife and I traveled a lot and I welches able to work for a few hours per day. The past few years we havent traveled as much, but now that our kids are getting older, I hope to take advantage of this more often.Being able to work from a hotel, a library, or a coffee shop is an awesome privilege.3. Flexible ScheduleI can choose when I start and end my workday. I maintain pretty regular working hours, but its great to have flexibility when its needed.That flexibility comes in very handy for making appointments, whether its an appointment to go somewhere (like the dentist or to get the car inspected) or an appointment that involves someone coming to our house (like getting an appliance repaired).And its not just my own appointments. If my wife has to go somewhere for an appointment, I can take off for an hour or two and watch t he kids while shes gone.In the past, work schedules made appointments a hassle, but now its not much of an issue.I also have flexibility in how I use my time for work. For a few years, I ran photography blogs as my primary source of income. I would occasionally use a day to go hiking and take photos as a part of my work, but it was a lot of fun too.I even had some bigger trips to National Parks and places that I always wanted to visit, and I was able to do it as a part of my job.I wasnt a professional photographer, but having a blog on a topic that I loved allowed me toturn a hobby into a business.4. Lack of Distractions from Co-WorkersIf you work in an office, Im sure youve experienced frustration over some co-workers that make it difficult to do your job. Working from home, I have no co-workers to distract me, and I find that Im usually a lot more productive.This really depends on your personality and not everyone will thrive in a work-from-home setting. Some people like or need i nteraction with others, and if that applies to you, working from home is probably not a good fit for you.5. I Control My Days OffWhen I had a traditional job, I would need to fill out a request form if I wanted a day off. In most cases, I could get the day off. But if a boss or teammate was already scheduled to be off at that time, or if it was a really busy time or the year or month, I might not get approved for the time off.Being self-employed and working from home, I get to choose when I take my days off. I dont have to plan time off months in advance to make sure that I can get the days approved, and I dont have to plan my vacations around the schedules of co-workers.Im able to take longer breaks/vacations than I could if I worked a more traditional job. In the case of a longer vacation, Ill typically take advantage of the flexibility to be able to work while traveling, and Ill work a few hours per day, which makes the longer vacation possible.Unplanned days off are also a nice perk. Ill admit, I havent done this as often as I would like, but as our kids get older, this is starting to become more regular. This summer, Ill probably take a few spontaneous days off at random times for a family trip to an amusement park or a museum.I originally started my business on the side while working full-time as an auditor. At my job, unplanned days off were frowned upon. That wasnt really my main motivating factor forstarting a side hustle, but its turned out to be a nice perk now that the side hustle is my full-time job.6. More Time in My DayFor most of the years that I worked in a typical office job, I had anywhere from a 30 minute to a 60-minute commute each way. That adds up to 5 10 hours per week, or 250 500 hours per yearNot needing to drive to a job has essentially added more time to my day. Most days, that extra time is used for work, which helps me to get more done and ultimately to make more money. But I can also use that time in other ways, like with famil y, relaxing, or even sleeping more.When you calculate the value of your time, this becomes a very convincing reason why working from home is a great option.7. Save Money on Gas, Car Maintenance, and InsuranceIn addition to saving time, not commuting to work also saves money and a lot of it. Ive put less than 7,000 miles per year on my car (we use my wifes car primarily for the family, but even that one only gets about 9,000 miles per year). Sometimes I go a few weeks without filling up the gas tank.Driving less also means less money needs to be spent on car maintenance. My car is going on 8 years old but totenstill in great shape, and should stay that way for at least a few more years.The number of miles you put on your car each year, or the number of miles you drive to work each day, can also impact your car insurance premiums. I was able to reduce my rate thanks to the lower number of miles that I drive.All of these things add up to significant savings in the budget.8. Mental Heal th BreaksI usually try to get outside and go for a quick 10-minute walk around the block a couple of times each day to get some fresh air. Ive found it to be a great way to clear my head and re-focus. After I get back from a quick walk, Im able to increase my productivity.For some reason, I only started doing this about two years ago, after I had already been working from home for eight years or more. I wish I had started sooner.9. Weather (Snow) Doesnt Prevent Me from WorkingI live in Pennsylvania and we typically get a few good snowstorms each winter. When I worked in an office, that meant I usually had to drive to work in bad conditions. Only in the worst of situations was it ok to miss work or be late because of snow.Now, I dont have to miss work because of snow, and I also dont have to drive in it. A snowstorm has virtually no impact on my work schedule, except that I need to find some time to clear off the sidewalk and driveway.The one downside to this is that when it snows, I typically avoid driving. I used to drive in just about anything, because I had to get to work. Now that I dont drive when it snows, on the rare occasion that I am out in the snow, Ive become one of those overly-cautious snow drivers that holds up traffic.10. Save Money on ClothesGas and car-related expenses arent the only way you can save money by working from home. I also save a lot by not needing to buy clothes for work. My closet mostly consists of jeans and t-shirts that are my everyday attire.5 Things I Hate About Working from HomeIts only fair to also mention the things that I dont like about working from home.1. Lack of Separation from Work and LifeI think about work all the time. This is partly related to working from home and partly related to being self-employed. My home office is always right there, so I usually wind up checking my email or going into my office at some point every evening, and definitely on the weekends.Its very hard to totally get away from work. When I had a typical office job, I would come home at 500 and work didnt cross my mind until the next morning. I could take vacations and not care about what was happening at the office.This is easily the biggest downside to what I do for a living, partly because it impacts my family as well as myself. Fortunately, Ive gotten better about this since weve had kids, but I still need to improve in this area.2. Noise in the HouseWhile there are no co-workers to disrupt me, other things in the house (mostly kids) can be a distraction. I worked from home for four years before having any kids, and I can tell you that it is completely different now that kids have been added to the mix.The location of your home office also plays a role in this. At our old house, my office was in the basement and I had good staffelung from the noise in other parts of the house. In our current home, my office is on the main floor and I have glass doors that do next to nothing to block sound or sight.Dealing with noi se is one of the biggest challenges in working from home if there are other people in the house.3. Other Disruptions Add UpI mentioned earlier that I love the flexibility of being able to schedule appointments during the day. While thats true, these little things can sometimes add up and hurt productivity. Whether I am going out or someone else is coming to the house, there are times when I feel like Im not getting anything done because of several small disruptions.4. Sometimes I Just Need to Get OutStaying home is great, but it has its limits. Thankfully, schedules with kids and other social activities usually give me something to do in the evenings and on weekends, but there are times when I havent been out of the house and I just need to get out. Im usually quick to volunteer for a trip to the grocery store or some other errand because I enjoy the chance to get out.5. Weight GainThis one is something that I never anticipated when I was thinking about what it would be like to work from home. After I left my job, I almost immediately gained 10 pounds.At my old job, I would pack a lunch every day. I ate what I packed, and that was it. Working from home, I find that I eat more for lunch if Im not careful because I have an entire kitchen full of food at my disposal. Snacks and drinks can also be more of an issue.While there are definitely pros and cons, overall, I love working from home and its been overwhelmingly positive for me and my family. Its not for everyone, but if you can handle working on your own and not being around a lot of people, there are plenty of perks that come along with it.This article first appeared on ThinkSaveRetire.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of menta lly strong people

How to Nail Your First Meeting With a New Client - The Muse

How to Nail Your First Meeting With a New Client - The MuseHow to Nail Your First Meeting With a New Client Client relationships can make or break a business- and a career. If you work with clients already, you know that establishing mutual respect and a good working relationship should be your number one priority. And if you are just starting out with clients, youll learn this very quickly. The first meeting with a new client? Well, thats the first thing that can make or break the relationship. Whether youve just been assigned to an existing project or youre getting down to business with a newly closed client, its important to impress from day one. After years in the PR world, here are five things I always keep in mind.1. Do Your Research BeforehandJust like you would go into an bewerbungsinterview with a solid understanding of the company, you should go into your first client meeting with at least some baseline knowledge about your client and his or her business. Obviously you cant know everything- and the client should understand that you are just jumping in- but the mora youre able to showcase your knowledge of the industry and business, the better. Start by knowing how to pronounce the company and client names, and even top competitors just in case. Have an understanding of your clients stance in the industry and any successes and struggles the company has faced. You can often find this out by doing some research online ahead of time. Google your client contact, the company, and the industry- and be sure to check out the news section for any trends. Articles can reveal so much about a company, including its stance in an industry.If this client has worked with others in your company before (or has worked with other people in your network), learn what you can from them. Is there anything especially unique about this client? Does he or she have any likes or dislikes that your colleagues have picked up on? Any tips for working better together? ansicht nuances dont have to be obvious they can also be the smallest, most ridiculous things. For example, one of my clients doesnt like contractions (or should I say, does not like contractions). Its a tiny pet peeve, but knowing this helps me avoid annoying someone right away.Finally, its worth doing a little research to learn seemingly unimportant details about the person youll be meeting with. Did you go to the same university? Have similar hobbies? It may not be related to your work together at all, but weaving these tidbits into the initial conversation can build a great rapport. 2. Be Upfront About Your Experience and CapabilitiesA clients main concerns will be your skills and knowledge- are you the right one to help with this work? Most likely, you will be presented with an opportunity to introduce yourself and give a little background, and this is a chance to address these experiences up front. Remember You were chosen to work with this client for a reason, so dont be afraid to show off w hat youve got.Not sure what to say during your intro? After stating your name, this template is a good place to start Great to meet you For your background, Ive worked in role for more than number years and have worked with around number companies. Im excited to be working in the industry type industry again- I actually worked with a example of company at a previous agency.This doesnt need to be longer than a couple sentences- you dont want to seem like youre trying too hard- and be sure to round it out with a reason why youre excited to be working with together. 3. Listen and AdaptOnce youve had a chance to introduce yourself, sit back and listen. Even in the first conversation, you should be picking up on what matters most to the client and what he or she wants your role to be. Should your meetings be focused on work and the task at hand or more about getting to know one another? Should you be asking questions to prompt more conversation or reigning in a conversation that loses fo cus? Should you interject recommendations throughout the meeting or listen entirely before coming back with your thoughts?Be prepared to adapt no matter what the case is. Mirroring your clients sentiment and body language will help with your first impression, while noting and adapting to these will help in all of your future interactions.4. Ask Questions and Take NotesEveryone loves to feel like an expert and be sought out for expertise. Based on your prior research, ask relevant questions about the client and his or her business. This relationship is new, and now is the best time to gather as much information as possible. Your questions shouldnt be so basic that a little research would have already addressed them (e.g., What is your companys main service?) and should focus more on overarching trends, like the direction of the business or industry. Try questions like What are your companys biggest challenges? What trends are seeing in this industry? And, of course, make sure youre t aking thorough notes. Also, if your client is looking for a more personal relationship, feel free to also ask questions about family life or outside interests. Once again, take notes. Knowing about a clients upcoming holiday plans, family, or even preference between tea and coffee could be of use in the future.5. Follow Up QuicklyA quick email after your introduction will provide the client with your contact information, give you the opportunity to reinforce your eagerness to be working together, and allow you to reiterate any action items that came out of your meeting. This can be a very brief note. Hi Name,Thank you for the warm welcome earlier this weekIm excited to be working with you and the Company Name team. If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to contact me. You can find my contact information below.You will be hearing from me shortly to set up our first status meeting.Thank you,Your NameIf possible, now is a good time to make your role clear to the client. If you re the point person from now on, mention that in your email so that there is no confusion moving forward.With a great first impression, your relationship with the client will be off to a running start. You can look forward to establishing a good working relationship and diving into the good stuff- the work.

New study says these cities have the best opportunities for women

New study says these cities have the best opportunities for womenNew study says these cities have the best opportunities for womenIf youre a woman looking to move to a new city, consider one of these top metro areas. A newstudyfrom moving company Movinga ranked the top 100 cities for new jobs. Of course, were fans of making smart career moves, but what really sparked our interest in this study was that it also ranked the best cities with opportunities for women.The study based the rankings on the gender wage gap, womens liberty and legislation, and womens opportunity for advancement. Movinga looked at the percentage difference between the average monthly wages of men and women, the sum of ratings of cultural and legislative restrictions on womens rights and the extent to which companies offer the same opportunities for women to rise to leadership positions as they do men. The cities were ranked with a score between zero and 10.While Boston, United States ranked first as the all-aroun d best city to find a job, Oslo, Norway took the top spot for the best city with opportunities for women.Here are the Top 16 best cities with opportunities for women, according to Movingas10-point scaleOslo, Norway - 9.49Helsinki, Finland - 9.17Malmo, Sweden - 8.87Gothenburg, Sweden - 8.87Stockholm, Sweden - 8.87Ljubljana, Slovenia - 8.44Copenhagen, Denmark - 8.26Montreal, Canada - 7.97Quebec, Canada - 7.97Toronto, Canada - 7.97Ottawa-Gatnieau, Canada - 7.97Vancouver, Canada - 7.97Calgary, Canada - 7.97Geneva, Switzerland - 7.91Basel, Switzerland - 7.91Zurich, Switzerland - 7.91After Zurich, 20 cities in the U.S. rank with the same score of 7.89 for opportunities for women. These include Detroit, Atlanta, Portland, Las Vegas, Miami, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Chicago, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Houston, Minneapolis, Denver, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Seattle, New York, San Diego and Boston.Living in a city where you feel empowered to succeed is important. Co nsider Movingas list of the top cities for finding a job, but look closely at the opportunities that each specifically offers women. Youll be able to thrive in your career and personal finances more than ever before if youre in the right environment.Do you live in one of these top cities with opportunities for women? Join our exclusiveLinkedIn Groupand tell us about itSee the studys full list of 100 top cities and the methodologyhere.Thispostwas originally published onSwirled.comin the Thrive section, which covers valuable career and personal finance content for Millennials.