Working Too Hard The US States with the Most Amount of Free Time

?Working Too Hard The US States with the Most Amount of Free Time How much do you value your free time?Considering Americans spend an average of over 90,000 hours at work over their lifetimes, our guess is not a lot. In our always on culture, its become the norm to prioritise your career over life outside of work.Many dont seem to think of commuting as part of their working day but given that the average American spends over four hours a week getting to and from their workplace, this should really be factored into the equation.As a growing number of scientific studies keeps telling us, making time to do the things you enjoy away from the stresses of commuting and work is essential to maintaining good overall health. With this in mind, we set out to discover which states have the most amount of free time, to make not only a state-by-state comparison but to see whether theres also a correlation between spare time and remuneration.Why is free time important?Spending too much time travelling to and being at work can take its toll on both your physical and mental wellbeing. Stress and working to the point of burnout have been linked to health issues such as hypertension and heart problems as well as depression and anxiety.[1]Overworking can increase tiredness, lower concentration and decrease productivity, making working for longer hours counterproductive. Tasks that would usually take half an hour can take twice the time, more mistakes are made, and you spend more time fixing the errors.On the flip side, spending time away from work doing the things you enjoy is good not only for your sense of happiness and fulfilment but gives your mind and body time to readjust and recharge.These feelings can only be achieved by spending a reasonable amount of time both inside and outside work. You need to put in the hours to achieve your career goals but still feel like youre getting the time you need to de-stress and refresh.Taking this into account, surely the states and industries with the best work-life balance are those that allow for an adequate amount of downtime. So, we put the US to the test to see which states offer the most spare time. To calculate this, we took the average hours worked weekly, added it to the average commute time over the week and subtracted this figure from the total amount of hours in a week, like so:Hours in a week - (hours at work + commute time) = average free time per US stateWhen we look for a new job, industry and salary are often at the top of our search criteria. Not many of us really stop to consider the length of the commute or whether the company expects us to do overtime. But a higher income wont get back the time spent at work and commuting. Considering this fact, we looked at the average salary and top industry within each state to see if there was a correlation and ranked the states in order of most to least amount of free time.The four worst states in which workers have the least amount of free time are Alaska, Washington, Virginia and Maryland. Interestingly, the average ea rnings for these states are all in the top 10 of the best wages. The top 10 states that have the most amount of free time have an average salary of $47,531. This is lower than the average US salary of $49,577, potentially supporting the idea that that longer work equals higher pay.Rhode Island is the only state in the top 10 for both free time and income, making it the best for a good work-life balance and an above-average paycheck.Workers in Utah have the most amount of free time. The World Population Review announced earlier this year thatUtah was the 2nd happiest state in the country. While we cant say this correlation is conclusive, it could certainly be an indicator that more free time has an effect on mood.Based on our research, workers in Alaska has the least amount of free time; however, those in Utah spend more time commuting a week than those in Alaska. This means it takes the people of Utah longer to get to work, but theyre spending less time there once they arrive. The a mount of time Alaska spends at work could be reflective of the leading industry in that state oil and gas extraction; mining and quarrying, which tends towards long shifts.Workers in New York have the longest commuting time at 5.62 hours and those in South Dakota have the shortest at 2.88 hours.The key findings here are reflective of myriad factors:Some states are a hub for specific industries that allow for more free timeThe transport infrastructure could be better suited to faster commutesThe pay in some states may be higher because the cost of living is moreThe list goes on.While were not going to tell you to uproot your life and move to a different state or completely change the industry you work in, there are some things you can do to gain more precious free time.How to achieve a better work-life balanceWhen youre looking for a new role, its easy to be blinkered by salary. We get that more money is enticing, but time is also your most precious commodity.In light of this, we su ggest thinking about these things when looking for a new role:The working hoursThe commute timeThe company perks, including flexible hoursThe long-term career possibilitiesThe responsibilities and pressures of the roleAdjusting your priorities when weighing up the pros and cons of a particular role can give a better indication of the impact it will have on your quality of life, hopefully prompting you to put yourself first and live a healthier lifestyle.Sources[1] https://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/work-life-balanceAverage hours worked per week: the most overworked states in the US, 2018, business.org,https://www.business.org/hr/employees/most-overworked-states/Mean commute time to work: commuting characteristics by sex, 2017, United States Census Bureau,https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_16_1YR_S0801prodType=tableLeading industry: top industries in every state, 2019, The Stacker,https://thestacker.com/stories/2571/top-industries-e very-state#6Average earning per state: state occupational employment and wage estimates, 2018, Bureau of Labor Statistics,https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htmWork Life Balance, Mental Health America,https://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/work-life-balance

Is it OK to Bend the Truth in Your Resume

Is it OK to Bend the Truth in Your Resume Bending the truth in your resume can be a double-edged sword. It may help you get the  job you apply for, while getting caught bending the truth can come back to bite you years  later. Depending on the truth you bend, you might cause legal issues for yourself,  especially if you are bidding for a project as a contractor. Its sometimes a temptation to exaggerate your experience or give your job title a slight upgrade, but I suggest you think twice before embellishing your skills or experience, or you may find yourself looking over your shoulder for years to come. Background checks are common practice when making hiring decisions, so it is likely that you will be caught out, and its foolish to put the effort into  applying for a job and going on job interviews, just to lose out because youve been dishonest  to try and make your resume look more impressive. Fake it ‘til you make it: What’s wrong with this strategy? If you are experienced and knowledgeable and you just  need a little boost to your confidence to help you get your dream job, you are not really  faking anything. This strategy may actually benefit you as it gives you confidence and  motivation to move forward. However, if you are really faking your qualification and  knowledge when, in reality, you have little or no capability or experience to back up the  way you represent yourself on your resume, this will not end well. You will come across  as disingenuous and deceitful, and will likely shoot yourself in the foot. Leave out certain information: Although you never want to outright lie on your resume, you do want to present yourself  in a favorable light. This could mean leaving certain information out. If you are applying  for a technical position and you have worked as a shelf stocker at a grocery store, you  don’t have to include this in your resume. Doing so will just waste valuable space on  your resume that you can use to elaborate on the achievements you had at the relevant  jobs. In addition, sometimes you may want to leave out information that make you seem  overqualified for the job you are applying for. The bottom line is you want to leave out  information, no matter how impressive, that makes you look like the wrong candidate for the position. Don’t exaggerate your position: While you might have done more than your position required and think that you deserve  a more senior position, you don’t want to lie about your position. For example, you  worked as an intern at a company but worked as hard as your manager. You can’t change  your job title from intern to manager on your resume. You can still explain your  achievements at the job and demonstrate to your prospective employers that you are a  hardworking candidate. Sometimes it is tempting to stretch the truth a little on your resume. However, if you  don’t want to be worried about someone in Human Resource decides to audit their files,  don’t lie on your resume. Get the job without lying: If you are well-qualified and your skills are in demand, its likely you will be able to overcome some obstacles to the land the job you want. Referrals are a good way of boosting your chances of getting hired, even if you do not fit the exact criteria for the role, as a good recommendation goes a long way; so do your best to impress anyone who has influence over the hiring decisions. If the job you want requires a degree, instead of fabricating one and risking getting caught out, look into how you can actually attain one. There are lots of options available for working professionals to study from home, so why not take up a course in your free time? Photo credit:BlueSkyImage

After Graduation Six Common Mistakes People Make After Business School

After Graduation Six Common Mistakes People Make After Business School Business grads often make mistakes after graduation that can get in the way of their success. They spend countless semesters mastering difficult material in order to develop careers in fields that will contribute to the public good, but there is plenty to do after. After youve finished with graduation celebrations, make sure you dont make these six mistakes: 1 Missing Bill Payments Despite the financial knowledge they gain in business school, business grads often ignore the wisdom theyve gained and make unwise financial decisions. One such decision would be to miss bill payments and use the money for things like gas, food, and other expenses. Missing bill payments will lower your credit score, and create financial difficulty for years to come. 2 Just Looking For A Job Although you may think focusing all of your post-graduation energy into finding a job is a prudent decision, this may not be the case. Why? Because when you finally get called in for an interview, your prospective employer may want to know what type of productive work youve been engaged in. If you cant list anything professionally significant such as an internship or volunteer work, you may not be able to compete with other job candidates who have. 3 Forgetting To Network In many cases, business majors who have just obtained their degrees are excited about being outside of the classroom and want to spend time on entertainment and relaxation. While this is practical and even prudent, it is also important that business majors continue expanding their network in order to increase the likelihood that they will get hired and find business partners who can help them move their careers forward. They can expand their network through internships and volunteer work. 4 Not Getting Health Insurance The rationale for not getting health insurance immediately after graduating from business school is strong. Right after graduation, many business majors opt to invest money in repaying loans or starting their own companies. While garnering as much money as possible for these ventures can be prudent, deciding not to get health insurance can be financially dangerous. To avoid having to pay large sums of money for medical expenses later, its a good idea to invest in health insurance now. 5 Avoiding The Idea Of Moving Home In many cases, business grads ignore the idea of moving home in order to save money as they look for jobs and establish themselves. This antagonism and/or indifference towards moving home can result from a plethora of factors, including the fact that many business majors have entrepreneurial spirits and like to forge out on their own. Despite the personal and professional growth that can result from such efforts, it is important for business majors to remember that moving home after graduation can afford them the opportunity to save money while gaining wisdom from their parents. If you are currently engaging in some or all of the practices listed above, you may need to change your behavior in order to ensure that you can attain the successful career and personal life that you want. What are some ways you plan to remain positive and productive after graduation? Tweet us @mscareergirl now!  

6 Hiring Mistakes Startups Should Avoid

6 Hiring Mistakes Startups Should Avoid Employees are the greatest asset a company has, but for startups, they’re also the most volatile. When you’re building out your team in the early stages, every single hire is a crucial one with the power to massively impact your business. In an environment where one hire can literally make or break your success, this is what not to do in the pursuit of that all-important candidate. So here are 6 mistakes all startups should avoid to ensure success. 1. Hiring your friends This should be obvious but hiring a friend because they’re your friend is stupid and you shouldn’t do it. Even if they’re your friend and exceptional at their job, it still doesn’t make them a fit for your company and/or a viable business partner. Existing dynamics make it impossible to work together with a clean slate and more often than not, you end up damaging both your business and your friendship. 2. Hiring yourself It’s human nature to be drawn to candidates who look like ourselves but sometimes the most valuable thing a new hire can offer you is a different perspective. Try to find the balance between hiring a cultural fit and a sparring partner. At this crucial stage of expansion, it’s important to seek out team members who will drive your business forward in ways that you can’t. 3. Trying to fill roles too quickly Hiring in a hurry is a short-sighted solution to a long-term problem. The urgency that comes with rapid expansion often leads to dangerous compromises on the suitability or quality of a candidate. Each new employee plays such a crucial role in developing the company culture and brand, that you can’t afford to make rash decisions for the sake of relieving your workload. 4. Looking for all-rounders The elusive coder/marketer/content writer/sales whizz doesn’t and shouldn’t exist. While it’s nice to have someone who can wear multiple hats if needs be, hiring them because you think they can wear multiple hats is a mistake. For one, you end up with someone who is average at a lot of things but not amazing at anything. Aside from that, you have the obvious problem of making them obsolete as the team grows and you need specialists to accelerate your growth. Instead, invest your resources in a candidate who is the best in the world at what they do and can add serious value in a specific area. 5. Being unclear about your mission Your mission and values as a business are core to everything you do and influence your entire operation from product developments to partnership acquisition. If you don’t communicate your mission to new starters effectively, you face a world of pain when it comes to making important decisions about the direction of the business. On the other hand, if you are clear and uncompromising about your values, you end up with a cohesive team that are all working towards the same goal. 6. Hiring a startup virgin You can describe startup culture a million times over but until someone actually experiences it for themselves, they won’t fully understand what’s expected. Hiring someone with an impressive corporate background might look great to your investors but it can cause serious problems as the business grows and doesn’t meet their expectations. You need people who aren’t tied to process and rigid structures and who are willing to get their hands dirty to get projects over the line. About the author:  Aoife  Geary  is a Content Creator at  Jobbio  specializing in the areas of Workplace Culture, Diversity, Startups and Digital Trends. She’s fond of a burrito and even more fond of a bad pun.

Resume Writing Berkeley Tips

Resume Writing Berkeley TipsIf you're seeking employment, resume writing Berkeley is a great place to start. The technology industry is the largest employer in the State and has close ties with Berkeley.While working with bright minds, these companies constantly search for top performers. Because of this, employment opportunities are offered to candidates with the skills to perform at a high level. There is an abundance of jobs available, so it's crucial that your resume is something that's convincing and provides the employers with all the important information.Resume writing Berkeley puts a premium on transparency. This type of employment service must be one that is devoted to helping you find a job. This is so much easier said than done. As you can imagine, many people use resume services to either cover up their lack of skills or to get around the more detailed approach.Most people make a big mistake when they use these types of services. They try to cut corners and use less thor ough or detailed methods to prepare their resumes. However, the least productive resume services will ignore the basics and try to take shortcuts to get you hired.When applying for a position with the company, you should know who you're applying to. Don't base your resume on what someone else says about you. You should base your resume on who the company wants to hire and who the company needs to fill a specific position.Keep in mind that this will be the first impression that the employer gets of you. It's much easier to understand how qualified someone is if they present themselves in a professional manner. It's also helpful to take personality traits into consideration.The motto of most businesses located in California is 'we can.' When searching for employment, it's best to remember that employers are looking for the best person for the job. Some resume writing Berkeley employees utilize samples of past resumes, but others take the time to write them from scratch.It's very impor tant to be yourself and use examples to help you convey yourself. Using a sample will help you become familiar with the format of your resume. It may also help you see where you can improve on your resume. In many cases, using a sample will not only give you a feel for what to write, but it will also provide some examples of how to rewrite it based on the traits that were mentioned in the sample.

BMW sez bureaucracy sucks - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

BMW sez bureaucracy sucks - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog The latest BMW ad campaign has very little to do with cars and focuses instead on the corporate values of the Bayerische Motoren Werke. One version of it says: We say no to: Compromise Complacency Bureaucracy Red tape Lowest common denominators Middle managemet Second guessing Herd mentality So we can say yes to good ideas. BMW fights bureaucracy. This is cool. Why is it cool? 1: Bureaucracy kills happiness at work Bureaucracy saps peoples energy and motivation. If you dont believe me, read Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordon Mackenzie. Its an excellent book about how to thrive in organizitions plagued by red tape. 2: Branding through good corporate identity rules BMW are choosing to brand themselves not through their products or technology but through how they run their business. 3: Branding that matches products rules This campaing works only because the corporate identity they are expressing happens to match the products. BMWs vehicles (Im the proud owner of one myself) are innovative and exciting matching the (mildly) revolutionary message of the ads. Its great to see companies making a stand against bureaucracy and Its even better to see companies making bold, positive identities and standing by them. It just struck me though: Is anyone else surprised to see such an anti-authoritarian message from a German company :o) Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Summary Sunday 3 New Things To Try

Summary Sunday 3 New Things To Try On Sunday, I round up the job search and career posts that had an impact and are worth highlighting! Here are three I think should inspire and invigorate your upcoming week! Love this! RT @DitchDareDo: “Flaunt your quirks.” @williamarruda #personalbranding #quotes #willism Hannah Morgan (@careersherpa) January 9, 2014 So what are your quirks? Weve all got em! Are You A Survivor? Take a look at this post and see what six habits survivors have in common! Embrace these please! 6 Habits Of Resilient People http://t.co/S1dMJPvTIV via @FastCompany Hannah Morgan (@careersherpa) January 7, 2014 You Are Missing An Opportunity Donna Svei wrote an excellent post about the BIG mistake you are makingfix it! The Common Little Email Mistake That Can Hurt Your Job Search http://t.co/TG2fYqrJw1 by @Avidcareerist TOTALLY AGREE, be the 52% Hannah Morgan (@careersherpa) January 9, 2014 The RoundUp on Rebel I find and share a ton of articles every week- most I share on Twitter. If you arent on Twitter, you can find what Ive shared all in one place!