Mindful steps to connect with employees, loved ones, and clients

Mindful steps to connect with employees, loved ones, and clientsMindful steps to connect with employees, loved ones, and clientsYouve read the Gallup data 70% of the workforce is not engaged or actively disengaged in their work. So how do we connect with employees and customers so they feel we care about their careers, their business, and their future?1. Care about what they care aboutYour employees and customers and loved ones have the same issues that you have every day. But we discount them because we think they are not relevant to the work environment or we dont know how to make things better so we disengage.Questions that can be answered with one word are not conversation starters. How was your weekend? is not as personal as What has been the favorite parte about preparing for the reunion? followed on Monday by, So what was the funniest thing that happened?2. Be with them in their lowest momentsThis requires incredible self-management. When we notice a colleague has self-doubt or is in pain we have to first identify whether that triggers our own discomfort. Often it does and then we flee the situation because it brings back bad memories. We sometimes masque our discomfort with indifference or minimize their pain by one-upping them with our own similar situation. Can you be an observer of that urge building inside you enough to step into their situation to comfort them without assuming their anguish? Can you lay down your guard and just listen without dictating what they should do often when you couldnt do that yourself?You need not provide a remedy for their personal situation. They just need to know you hear them and can come alongside. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you, seems trite compared to I sense that you are going through a difficult time. I am interested if you want to tell me about it. Regarding customers If you use our service youll get mora clients, does not establish the trust that this does, As I listen to you I hear the fru stration you experience losing clients when you are working so hard to find them. If I could show you how to keep them and not spend anything more than you already are would that be of value?3. Shift from certainty to inquiryNothing is ever certain with clients or employees. Squeeze in between the moment you want to jump to a conclusion and where you can allow curiosity to be your guide. Think of yourself as a lead explorer on an important journey to a place you have never been. You have a map to get there and plenty of experience but you have never been to this place with these followers.You will bring the tools and knowledge to build systems. But you dont know how the towns people live or strive to live so as to build something sustainable for them. In order to understand the dynamics, you have to get to know them. How would you define your biggest challenge? What is most important to you? What would you like to see happen in a perfect world?Mary Lee Gannon, ACC, CAE is an execut ive coach and corporate CEO who helps busy leaders get off the treadmill to nowhere to be more effective, earn more, be more calm and enjoy connected relationships with the people who matter while it still matters. Watch her FREE Master Class training on Three Things to Transform Your Life and Career Right Now atwww.MaryLeeGannon.com.

You Have More Friends Than You Think

You Have More Friends Than You ThinkYou Have More Friends Than You ThinkExpand your networking circle with these tips on making friends.Today more than ever, the net rules Not the Internet. Not by a long shot. I mean your own network. When giving seminars and talks, I like to surprise people with statistics that reveal why sitting behind your monitor actually impedes an effective job search. Its necessary to some extent, sure. But not the best use of all your time.A study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics several years back shows that a whopping 48 percent of job seekers secured employment via referrals from friends or relatives. Thats nearly half And the most Ive ever heard the Internet yielding is 10 percent. Thats still nothing compared to the power of referral.So I ask you Got referral?Most anyone is a friendSince youre born with your relatives and can only expand that niche through marrying or being adopted, the key is making more friends. Websters Dictionary defines a friend as one who is attached to another by affection or esteem an acquaintance one who is not hostile. That last bit of definition really opens it up, doesnt it? If all those not hostile to you are friends, you have a lot of room to play.We cant let our high-tech world diminish the eternal need for high-touch career development. Folks, it will never, ever change. Whether technology gives us phone e-mail videophone or surround-sound, handshake-simulation devices, the nuances and human energies that evolve from face-to-face meetings will always prevail in terms of career transition. It simply comes down to meeting people. Meeting them in a memorable way is all the better. If you can be so memorable that you stay top of mind, youll lead the pack. And, if you maintain that top-of-mind status through constant contact, youre home free.So, lets talk about networking. What makes someone willing to take the time to meet with you? Its surely not your need for a job. Ive said it before, and Ill sing t his song forever The best way to get a job is not to be looking for one. If you need something that someone might not be able to give you, their natural tendency will be to say no to a meeting. Thats why your letter and resume gets shuffled off to HR which distributionspolitiks you in the job-seeker vat.Make friends feel like they will succeedTo combat the vat, you have to approach people in a way that appeals to their natural human nature to be helpful while removing all chance that they wont succeed. If you need a job, they might not succeed. On the other hand, if you need information, guidance or direction, they will win and maybe get their Good Samaritan ego stroked at the same time.The second biggest block to people being willing to meet you is time. We all have so little of it, and people working their jobs today are very cautious about time. So, you dont ask for a lot. A dab will do you. Requesting a five-to-10 minute meeting, face-to-face, in their office to explore a subjec t youre researching is enough to get on the radar. With effective personal branding in place and by understanding the human nature of informational interviews, you can make a memorable initial impression. Further, it can be elevated to friend status through regular maintenance of that relationship. You never even have to say youre looking for a job because, when people can help, they do so without your even asking. But you have to get in front of them.Even more critical than the all-important job you need is the wealth of relationships that can build from the referrals youll get to others who can assist in your research. Again, you cant play this as a game to get a job. People will smell through it. But if you demonstrate a legitimate research effort, youll be given names of others to assist in the effort.Look at it this way. If you have a small music station in the middle of a valley, youll be able to broadcast pretty well in the valley. However, if you place more antennas in strat egic locations along the mountain ridge, your signal will reach across to the other side. Youll have a wider broadcast and, therefore, have more song requests coming your way. Thats how you want to develop your career tribe - to get your song out to a wider audience.

New Power Energy Event Encompasses Four ASME Conferences

New Power Energy Event Encompasses Four ASME Conferences New Power Energy Event Encompasses Four ASME Conferences New Power & Energy Event Encompasses Four ASME Conferences This year, ASME will introduce a new event, ASME Power Energy 2015, which will bring together four conferences addressing the latest developments in the fossil and nuclear power generation, solar, wind and fuel cell industries and much more. The new event, taking place from June 28 to July 2 in San Diego, Calif., will encompass three of the Societys premier conferences - the ASME Power Conference, the ASME Fuel Cell Conference and the ASME Energy Sustainability Conference - as well as the inaugural ASME Nuclear Forum.mora than 1,000 engineers, manufacturers and other experts from the energy community are expected to convene at the San Diego Convention Center for five days of plenary sessions, technical tracks, workshops, poster presentations, an extensive exhibition, technical and social tours, and plenty of opportunities to network with peers. A number of prominent leaders from the energy arena will be featured as keynote speakers, including Caren Anders, vice president of transmission affairs and emerging technology at Duke Energy Greg Ashley, president of Bechtel Nuclear Power Dan Baerman, director of origination and portfolio design at San Diego Gas and Electric Joseph Desmond, senior vice president of marketing and government affairs for BrightSource Energy David Hochschild, Commissioner with the California Energy Commission Asim Hussain, senior director of marketing and customer experience at Bloom Energy Lloyd MacNeil, a partner at the law firm Dechert LLP Mark McCullough, executive vice president, generation, American Electric Power and Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA). Additional keynotes will be announced later.Attendees who sign up for ASME Power Energy 2015 by March 30 will save up to $100 on registration. Registration by that date will cost $725 for ASME members, $875 for non-me mbers, $300 for ASME student members, and $325 for non-member students. One-day registration is also available.Presentation-only abstracts are still being accepted for all four conferences until May 12. Abstracts should be submitted via ASME.org by visiting www.asme.org/events/power-energy/call-for-papers. To register for ASME Power Energy 2015, visit www.asme.org/events/power-energy/register. For more details on the event and the four conferences, visit http//go.asme.org/powerenergy.

According to a new study, your cat can recognize his or her own name

According to a new study, your cat can recognize his or her own anthroponymAccording to a new study, your cat can recognize his or her own nameResults published in the journalScientific Reportssuggest cats can, in fact, distinguish their name from other sounds, even if they dont actually grasp the concept of identity.The science behind name recognitionThe Japanese researchers involved in the study examined animals in four different experiments-some experiments conducted in the cats home and others conducted at cat cafes.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreIn these experiments, the researchers used the cats owners voices in some situations and a strangers voice in others. All human participants began by speaking four different words to accommodate the cats to sounds being spoken and then the participants would speak the cats name.In one version of the experiment, the researchers play ed a recording of the cats owner saying the four different words, with a 15-second pause between each word. In another version of the experiment, the recording would mix in names of other cats that lived in their house with four different nouns. These variations were tested with strangers voices as well.The results were made clear in all four experiments conducted within the house of the cats. The majority of the cats featured in the study moved their head or perked their ears when their names were spoken, irrespective of the previously mentioned variables.We conclude that cats can discriminate the content of human utterances based on phonemic differences. This is the first experimental evidence showing cats ability to understand human verbal utterances, the researchers wrote.Because the four words chosen in each experiment were all nouns with the same length and accents as the cats own name, the researchers could determine a definitive link between the catsperking up and name recog nition.Cats got your tongueThere were some considerable exceptions when these experiments were conducted at cat cafes, however. Cats residing in cat cafes could reliably make distinctions between nouns and their name, but not between their names and the names of other cats.This seems to suggest that cats identify the sound of a name as the precursor to either a treat or some kind of reprimand or task. This is what the researchers refer to as salient stimulus, meaning cats form phonetic links between their names and rewards, such as food, petting, and play.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 mentally strong people

Social Work Resume Examples Reviews & Guide

Social Work Resume Examples Reviews & Guide Clinical social workers may also diagnose some mental and behavioural problems, and they work with doctors to come up with treatment plans. Employers have a tendency to spend less than half a moment, sometimes only a couple of seconds, reading a resume. See our guide on how to check your online presence before they do. Any responsibility and duty youve performed previously or currently performing as a social worker or associated lokalitts ought to be presented here. When making your professional CV it is critical that you lay out any work experience which is very linked to the position which youre applying for. In some cases, a few of your leisure pursuits may well fit within the work specification for the job that you are applying for. What You Should Do to Find Out About Social Work Resume Examples Before Youre Left Behind You must leid offer correct contact info and has to point out your sole objective so that itll be easy for them to hire you. If you want more help, have a look at our guide about how to craft the perfect resume profile. If you have lots of social work experience, you should think about utilizing an expert summary. If your experiences require another page, do it The Key to Successful Social Work Resume Examples The most typical mistake in a resume that you ought to avoid is grammatical errors and absence of specifications. The duration of your resume depends on your degree of experience. The following are a few important thoughts for putting your very best application forward. Moreover, tailoring your resume will allow you to list job-specific important words and techniques, further adding to your appeal for a candidate. The position you held in the past should be shown past tense, while the ones that you are presently holding ought to be presented in present tense. Secondly, you can get away with providing concrete information that does not need an excessive amount of explanati on on account of the situation which youre in. Firstly, you dont have to write too much when youre writing an objective, letting you be at peace with whatever you do write. Normally, an objective is utilized by somebody who has just graduated or has very little experience. In many industries, you will need to focus more on certain facets of your resume. Resume examples by industry you should create a resume that highlights the particular skills employers are interested in. Additionally, it is going to demonstrate your professional goals are in accordance with the requirements of the business. Perhaps its your networking abilities. Have been in a position to use my high amount of knowledge and robust inter-agency relationships to guarantee all clients have continued access to specialist services. Usually companies wish to know if you are able to turn into an asset due to your abilities and achievements or if there are others who can supply them with a better edge. Therefore youll need to target your resume to fit the specific position thats advertised and attempt to blend your skills with the requirements of the provider. My capacity to understand my customers needs and work with an extensive array of professionals from a number of diverse sectors has been key to my success in assisting clients to maximise their private recovery and capability to manage their own lives. Vital Pieces of Social Work Resume Examples In the summary, write what it is possible to provide the employer and prevent making demands. In years past it was expected that you would incorporate a social services resume objective stated clearly at the peak of your document. Its highly probable that youre going to be requested to compose an expert statement or essay together with completing a standardized application form. Make sure it is contained in your professional statement or essay. Social Work Resume Examples - Dead or Alive? Social work isnt a field at which you can succe ed without a true awareness of mission. Social work licensure confirms that social workers have the ideal education and training as a way to offer competent services to the general public. Social worker resume objectives can tell an employer a great deal about the man or woman applying for employment. Graduate programs want to get learners who will add to the learning atmosphere. Keep in mind that youre responding to a work post so that your objective, skills, education and work experience should match the demands of the employer. Language skills are highly desired in social work, because sometimes youll have clients whose first language isnt English. teilen Essay, locate a topic that individuals might. Social workers help a broad range of folks deal with everyday issues. It is far easier for a hiring manager to discover that value in a brief paragraph than attempting to piece it together from a lengthy history of specialist experience and education. Conclusion Crafting a soc ial worker resume that catches the interest of hiring managers is essential for getting the job. A good way to show employers you may offer the things that they need is to highlight your skills throughout the work procedure. Taking the opportunity to tailor your resume to coincide with the particular demands of a job is quite wise.

Incredible Facts About Linkedin Resume Tips

Incredible Facts About Linkedin Resume Tips If youd like to relocate, use your intended location in your LinkedIn Profile to entice employers in that region. Recruiters have many alternatives for searching inside LinkedIn. Although hoping for recruiters to produce contact could work in some scenarios, it might also turn off busy recruiters or prospective clients who wish to observe a resume straight away. Show the recruiters youre worth what they are ready to pay. If you are able to, ask somebody who has experience in the public sector to look at your answers and review your responses. The advice for LinkedIn is, needless to say, the precise opposite. Make certain your pertinent accomplishments and skills really stick out. Use the following suggestions to make your resume really stick out. The Start of Linkedin Resume Tips List the most relevant abilities, the ones which you would utilize to land the job which you wish to work in. As a student, you have a lot of opportun ities to find experience. Then, all youve got to do is add the ones which relate to your skills into your resume. After all, you would like to be noticed for your abilities and experience. How to Choose Linkedin Resume Tips Usually your online profiles are what your future employer is likely to check at the very first go and thats how theyre going to earn an impression of yourself. Once you are finished with sending out the applications, the following thing you are able to do is to crack the telephonic round of interview thats mostly the very first stage of any interview. A customized URL will cause you to stick out from different candidates. Most resumes incorporate the subsequent sections, even though the order is dependent upon the resume format you select. Headlines should be short and personal so as to entice visitors. What the In-Crowd Wont Tell You About Linkedin Resume Tips LinkedIn offers users quite a few strategies to create an impressive profile. So, simply take a look at a profile and learn what you have to learn. Follow the link on the right-hand side of your newsfeed to determine if youre attracting the proper type of people to your profile. You may want to look over your LinkedIn profile for a form of a resume. The New Fuss About Linkedin Resume Tips Or merely include your email, or maybe a distinctive e-mail you use just for LinkedIn, so should you get spammed it is easy to close the account. When you submit an application for work, the employer might also take a look at your LinkedIn profile to find out more about you. Facts, Fiction and Linkedin Resume Tips You should be certain that you have clearly mentioned in the profile that youre currently searching for employment. Before you begin applying for jobs, have a look at the profiles youve got and the updates youve posted. When you wish to apply to jobs that you find, you will be able to attach a resume with the work application. Think as a recruiter filling the job wh ich you want next. Furthermore, your LinkedIn profile can improve your visibility online and help you construct your professional brand. Even in the event the site was great. If youve got public social networking profiles, they will appear if a possible employer makes the decision to run a search on you. If you are searching for jobs in a startup in India, then you have to make an attractive profile on AngelList. To make sure your resume is getting seen, you have to optimize it for the proper key terms. Youre able to actually download a LinkedIn profile for a PDF file. In the event the file still wont get the job done, make certain that its under 300 MB. With a suitable strategy, your LinkedIn resume will become your company card, greatly boosting your odds of being noticed. Also, be certain your Facebook resume puts you in the very best possible light for a candidate who would like to work for a certain organization.

20 Best Jobs to Work in the Retail Sector

20 Best Jobs to Work in the Retail Sector20 Best Jobs to Work in the Retail SectorThe retail sector employs alfruchtwein 16 million workers in many different types of positions. The pay isnt always great, and youll need a flexible schedule for many jobs working in retail. However, not all roles require formal education, and there are opportunities to grow with a company and move up the career ladder. The Best Retail Job for You Whats the best job for one rolle may not be the right fit for someone else. It depends on your skills and interests, and what you want to get out of work. For example, cashier positions are often low paying, but you may be able to work a flexible schedule around school or other responsibilities. Retail sales associates can earn more, especially when there is an opportunity to get paid commission, but you need strong interpersonal skills and the ability to close a sale. Because of the large number of employees in the field, and the scope the retail industry covers, there are plenty of opportunities for career advancement. Once youve moved up from an entry-level job, there are opportunities for decent paying department, store, and district management positions, especially with the larger national chains. Youll also likely find IT, security, and administrative positions at the big corporations. For college graduates interested in making retail a career, many leading retailers have management training programs and actively recruit students and recent graduates. Youll find the details in the career section of the companys website. Heres an overview of some of the top retail jobs, including what the job entails, the qualifications needed to get hired, and the median earnings. Buyer Buyers and purchasing agents (median annual salary) buy the products sold in retail stores. They are responsible for evaluating vendors, negotiating prices, ordering, and arranging delivery schedules. One of the perks is getting to attend trade shows to chec k out whats new.At large retailers, buyers work out of corporate headquarters. Smaller organizations may have an in-house buyer. Cashier This isnt the best paying retail job (median hourly pay), but its one where there are no formal educational requirements for new hires. You can apply online at most major retailers, and on the job training is provided. Opportunities are available at department stores, grocery stores, gas stations, and other retail establishments. Positions are plentiful, with 2.8 million people employed as cashiers in 2015. Many positions are part-time, though some employers offer benefits. Customer Service Representative There are many different customer service roles (median hourly salary) in retail. The job could be working at the customer service desk handling returns and payments, providing product information and pricing to customers, or responding to inquiries about availability and delivery. Demonstrator/Product Promoter Demonstrators and produc t promoters (medianhourly pay) share information on new products, and products which are being promoted. Depending on where you work, you could be giving away food or beverage samples, suggesting makeup options to customers, sharing information on products in the store, or otherwise getting customers to notice the product youre pitching. Department Manager A department manager (medianhourly pay) is responsible for one section of a retail store. For example, grocery stores have managers for produce, frozen food, meat and seafood, and dairy. This job could be a promotion from a stock or associate job, or the employer could recruit candidates with experience in that department. District Manager District Managers (median annual salary) handle a group of stores, usually within a geographic territory. They supervise operations and manage the stores within their region. Information Technology Coordinator Retail IT Coordinators (median annual salary) provide operations and user support for retailers. Responsibilities may include hardware, software, mobile, messaging, and server support. IT coordinators troubleshoot and resolve issues, and upgrade and maintain store systems. menschengerecht Resources Manager/Training Manager Human Resources Managers (median annual salary) are responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and employee relations. Depending on the retailer, this role could be either a store or corporate position. Logistics Coordinator Retail Logistics Coordinators (median annual salary) get the products to the store. They keep track of inventory, order stock, allocate merchandise to stores, manage the organization of stock rooms, and ensure timely shipping and delivery to maintain stocked shelves and racks. Loss Prevention Associate Loss Prevention Associates (median hourly pay) are hired to prevent shoplifting. Employees are required to follow the organizations loss control policies and cash handling procedures. Responsibilities m ay include greeting customers, checking bags and tags, and inspecting store alarms and locks. Manager Trainee/Leadership Development Associate Many retailers have management training programs (median annual salary). Some are designed for college graduates to rotate through different areas of the retail business as an introduction to starting a career with the company. Others are focused on training employees who are being promoted from within. Marketing Coordinator Retail Marketing Coordinator (median annual salary) job responsibilities will vary significantly based on your employer. If youre working for a small retailer, you may handle everything from print advertising to social media engagement. At a large employer, your role may be more specific. Online Merchandiser This is a retail job that pays well and lets you skip being on the sales floor. Online Merchandisers (median annual salary) are responsible for digital merchandising of the products on the company website. The ability to measure customer interest, determine sales strategy, decide on product promotion, and analyze data are all requirements. Optical/Fashion Stylist Stylists (medianhourly pay) help optical clients choose frames, suggest clothes to customers, manage fitting rooms, and drive sales. These positions are available in eyewear stores, high-end department stores, and specialty clothing and accessory stores. Order Processor Order Processors (medianhourly pay) work for retailers that sell big-ticket items like cars, furniture, and appliances. They receive and process orders, track orders, handle customer and vendor inquiries, and coordinate shipments and deliveries. Pharmacy Technician Pharmacy Technicians (Median Hourly Pay) work in drug stores and pharmacies within large retail stores. They receive and process prescriptions. The job involves data entry, printing labels, stocking shelves, and preparing and packaging medications. Strong customer service skills are imp ortant for this role. Retail Merchandiser Retail Merchandisers (median hourly pay) set up and maintain displays, including featured and seasonal products. Some merchandisers work for the store, while others work for the product manufacturer. Sales Associate Sales is a high employment occupation (median hourly pay), with 4.3 million retail salespersons employed in the U.S. in 2015, and 7 percent expected growth between 2014 and 2024. It isnt a high paying job when you look at the average hourly rate, but there may be an opportunity to earn commission. That can add up when youre selling high ticket items like furniture, appliances, or automobiles. Store Manager The Store Manager (median annual salary) is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the store including inventory, customer service, productivity, promotions, and profitability.The role may include hiring, scheduling, training, and managing employees. Team Leader/Assistant Manager A retail Assistant Manager (median hourly rate) helps the store manager with day-to-day operations. Depending on the size of the store, job responsibilities may include oversight of a specific area of the store or assisting with general management. Projected growth data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Salary data provided by PayScale.com.

5 Tips for a More Focused, Targeted Job Search

5 Tips for a mora Focused, Targeted Job Search5 Tips for a More Focused, Targeted Job Search0Whether you are looking for a new job voluntarily or searching due to involuntary unemployment, having a targeted and focused job search can help you get better results from your efforts. Below you will find tips for a more focused, targeted job search, as well as information on why a focused job search is a more productive method of finding and gaining employment.With time being of the essence for many job seekers, having a more focused job search strategy and targeted process can help in alleviating some of the hustle, as well as optimizing precious time.Why a Targeted Job Search Is More ProductiveTargeting and focusing your job search can eliminate the stress of mass mailings and the waiting game. Rather than focusing your time and effort on getting as many resumes out as possible, targeting specific industries, companies, or areas helps in identifying positions that you qualify for and ar e interested in.Sure, sending a lot of resumes out gets your name out there, but it may be for the wrong reason. HR personnel are overwhelmed with applicants for every position, so if you dont make the effort to personalize your documents and target specific areas, your hard work may end up in the trash pile. Your time may be much better spent tweaking your resumes and deckblatt letters, applying only for jobs you qualify for, and doing the necessary research to make a lasting impression, or at very least, a new connection.How to Target and Focus Your Job SearchChoose a path.Most people have a hard time figuring out what they want to do with their lives, especially during a job search. You may be willing to do just about anything, at one point or another, but it is more effective to really dwindle the list down to a few areas you can focus on. Consider your background, your education, your life needs, and your passions. Understanding these can help your job search by identifying an industry, market, or a range of companies you can focus your search on. Finding similarities between the path you want to follow and your work-life balances needs will help you decide the type of job you want, whether it be part-time, freelance, or even an internship.Find a theme.Rather than applying for any job, think about your personal brand and who you are as a professional, and then find jobs that fit. Your resume should be targeted and customized for each position you apply for. Take note of any recurring themes and keywords in the job description to help you format your resume to highlight the qualifications and skills that the job requires.Do research.Whatever you do, dont skip the research. Companies are looking for people with attention to detail. By researching the company and the job, you can create customized cover letters and exceptional resumes. Additionally, when you are well versed in the company and the job description, you will be ready to talk and take action whe n it comes to the interview process. Going into a job blind may find you back in job search mode sooner than you expected.Know your qualifications.The whole point of a target is to hit the center. When you forget to aim at the target, chances are you are going to miss. The same applies for job applications. You must know your skills and qualifications so that you can target your efforts towards positions that you are qualified for. Sending your resume out to every job opening you see is going to, more than likely, put your resume into the trash. Find your path, do your research, and know your skills so that you can focus on the target of getting your dream job.Network.With more and more jobs not being publicly advertised, but spread through professional networks and word of mouth, having an established network in your targeted industry or profession is important. elend only does your network connect you to other professionals and like-minded individuals, it also opens up doors to jo bs that you otherwise wouldnt have known about.Focusing your efforts and time on a targeted job search is important. Knowing what you want to do, creating personalized documents, doing the research, understanding what you qualify for, and growing your network are great ways to focus your energy and begin to target those ideal jobs.

New Skills for the New World of Engineering

New Skills for the New World of Engineering New Skills for the New World of Engineering New Skills for the New World of EngineeringBecause many of todays devices and products designed by todays mechanical engineers incorporate electronics and other non-mechanical components, companies want mechanical engineers with experience in additive manufacturing, robotics, computer and electrical engineering, mechatronics, system networking, and the Internet of Things.As a modern-day mechanical engineer, youre expected to know or at least understand disciplines and skills you werent taught in college. Unfortunately, many employers dont offer the continued, cross-functional engineering training you need to keep up with the job. While some companies offer programs and training to bring their engineers up to speed, engineers without access to these resources must either fight to bring them in-house or access them through off-site education to stay fresh and advance their careers.For You 12 Skills You Need to Advance an Engineering CareerNearly 40 percent of manufacturers polled for a recent survey said the evolving and changing engineering skillset needed for systems-driven product development is one of their biggest workforce challenges, according to research firm Tech Clarity.The survey also found that 70 percent of the top-performing engineering companies polled expect the balance of engineering disciplines to continue to change over the next decade.Engineers who have been exposed to other engineering disciplines and have experience working on multi-discipline teams will be more prepared to participate in todays product development teams, according to the survey.Many divisions of the engineering software maker Siemens PLM use training to ensure employees are up-to-speed on the companys software offerings. The training serves a dual purpose, as Siemens PLM users are also testing the training technology called Siemens Learning as a Service, says Beat Neuhaus, Siemens PLM vi ce president of educational services.Sometimes customers ask What happens if I train my employees and then they leave because they get a better offer? I answer, What happens if you dont train them and they stay? Beat Neuhaus, Siemens PLM Siemens offers its employees a wide selection of courses and training. Image SiemensThe training is available to engineers under the perform membership, which is designed to kooperation life-long learning and to help engineers and other users of the companys digital enterprise software suite keep their knowledge up-to-date with the latest developments in digitalization. It offers engineers point of need about specific bits and pieces of information.Siemens PLM has seen cost savings, faster time to market, high employee engagement, and long-term employee satisfaction as a result of the angeschlossen training systems, Neuhaus says..This leads to faster and deeper user adoption and productivity and avoids underutilization of the purchase d tools and systems, he adds.Training Against a Shortage of EngineersAdmittedly the Siemens program, like others from the makers of engineering technology, focuses on how to best use that companys tools.Surveys and articles dot the Internet about the need for continued training, but examples of companies that put that into place are rare. Their rationale is often misplaced, Nehaus says.Sometimes customers ask What happens if I train my employees and then they leave because they get a better offer? I answer, What happens if you dont train them and they stay? he says.The Skills Gap in U.S. Manufacturing, a 2016 study by Deloitte, cites that employers need to provide training for their existing workforce to ensure that a skills gap doesnt develop that cant be filled by hiring.The Deloitte study also found that involvement with local schools and community colleges can ensure a future supply of engaged, skilled professionals for manufacturers.Looking further at the issue, a 2016 Deloitte article titled A 3D Opportunity for the Talent Gap looked at how manufacturers can address the shortage of engineers and other technical employees with additive knowledge. It too called for continued training.Its unclear if engineering firm are heeding that call. What is clear, however, is that theyll soon have to be to remain competitive.Ongoing learning in engineering and design is the only solution for keeping up-to-date with rapidly evolving technology in the emerging knowledge economy, says Tony Glockler, the chief executive officer of Solid Professor, which provides online and mobile training tools for engineers.Smart investment in ongoing training is the hallmark of successful engineers and high-growth companies, he says.But what to do if you work for a companyand there seem to be manythat doesnt offer cross-functional engineering training?Ask your managers to make training available. Arm yourself with the studies cited here as well as other statistics and training options a vailable.Be aware that your higher-ups may fear engineers will leave for other opportunities after they have education and experience in new areas like additive manufacturing or robotics. For this, be ready to reiterate the quote from Neuhaus and cite the way your company can continue to succeed with well-rounded engineers on board.Jean Thilmany is an independent writer.Read MoreFreelance Engineering? Theres a Site for ThatThe Rise of the Master of Engineering Management DegreeMeasuring Motivation