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The Coronavirus pandemic has affected jobs globally, with an estimated 2.7 billion workers to be out of a job, according to the International Labor Organization. Despite this disturbing figure, there are some industries that are experiencing a spike in demand, with companies hiring aggressively. Find out if your skill set matches any of the professions that industry experts say are in demand. You may want to use this opportunity to learn new skills or aggressively market yourself and what you can bring to the table. How can you apply for a job? – Some of the portals you need to know. There are several online portals that you can use to set up a professional profile, including government job portals and industry specific ones. So, if you are looking for a job, here are some of the ways in which you can start your job hunt. Online Portals Getthat.com LinkedIn.com Bayt.com Indeed.ae Naukrigulf.com Gulftalent.com Jobs.laimoon.com/uae Recruitment Agencies There are quite a few hundred recruitment companies in the UAE. A few of them can be found on https://dubaiemploymenttips.com/recruitment-agencies/list/ You may want to register with as many as you can. Which professions are in demand? Logistics and Delivery Another sector experiencing a high demand is logistics and delivery. Everybody needs some sort of delivery is it groceries from the supermarket or orders from consumer-based online services. This means logistics, warehouse staff, delivery supervision, stores, and stock management of food and nonfood essentials Technology Businesses are currently asking how they can get the right technology in place to provide their products and services online. So, if you are a technology expert you should be sprucing up your online profile. Software Engineering (Mobile Developers, DevOps, Full stack developer) Cloud Infrastructure and Cyber Security Business Intelligence and data analytics Digital product development and management – user interface and user experience (UI/UX) and product managers Finance In the current scenario, because cash is tight, we are seeing a lot of companies hiring credit controllers who can manage the finances and make sense of the data to help companies make better financial decisions. Financial Analysts Business Analysts Credit and Cost Controllers Debt Collectors E-Commerce Demand in the industry sector is huge, particularly in e-commerce. We are getting a lot of inquiries for high-end technology professionals who can help companies through their digital transformation, as almost every company tries to brush up their online presence while recruiting people to work remotely. Insurance Claim administrators Many third-party insurance providers have requested a staff that can help them deal with the surge in claims they are experiencing. Medical Insurance to include and insurance cover for Covid-19 in medical claims has been in very high demand. While having experience in insurance can help your chances of getting hired, any person with experience in processing transactions, whether having worked in banks or pharmacies, can also try to apply for such jobs. Medical Service Providers - Nurses - Doctors - Consultants We are seeing an increase in demand for medical professionals, not necessarily from hospitals and clinics but from corporates. Many corporates require nurses as they are going to do basic health checks for their employees each day. So, if you are currently a licensed (or not yet licensed) nurse, there is a lot of demand for you. Printing and Packaging Has always been and continues to remain in demand. Specialized printing solutions for packaging on almost all consumer and corporate products contained in the paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, electronics, and commodities. Sales and Marketing Has almost been the most demanded role. There is always a need for young energetic or experienced indoor or field sales staff. Now the demand has probably shifted for those professions who have adapted to online sales and relationship management - Zoom, WebEx, Google Meet, Microsoft Team to close international sales and get paid quickly. Home Services Demand for home services like moving, maintenance, electrical, plumbing, pest control, and home cleaning is still strong despite the crisis. While there was some initial slowdown in demand from customers at the start of the movement restrictions, demand for these essential services has now increased 6-8 times - deep cleaning, disinfection, and sanitization services, across homes and offices, have surged in demand. Freelance Support Services Companies are looking for freelancers with specialized skills. Without incurring added costs, their roles work for the benefit of both job seekers and employers. Work From Home at your time and pace depending on how much you want to earn and contribute. We are seeing a world and an employment market that has changed. "Change is Inevitable" and the only thing consistent. We must change to adapt to our workplace and our personal lives. This brings me to a book I once read years ago " Who Moved My Cheese " by Spencer Johnson. I would highly recommend reading it. By learning new skills, furthering our education, rethinking our financial goals, and reconsidering careers and futures is very much needed. Jobs may not be available for everyone, but definitely for those who can adapt to change, remain determined, innovate and recreate, strategize, and not lose hope.

I have been mostly working from home since late early 2017 since our first child was born, very prematurely. Due to the help and support that my wife needed at home and with frequent hospital visits, I decided to convert a small area of our home into a full-fledged executive search office desk not realizing that 3 years later this experience would be much needed. I worked from home for 2 years and so I absolutely understand what it takes to have to work from home. I had to do it out of necessity while now we have to do it because of social distancing and COVID-19 protocols. The outcome of my home-based recruitment work was that Genesis Executive Search grew slowly and steadily gaining clients, building relations, and increasing our revenue streams with the help of a small yet resourceful team. Believe me, there is a way to work from home successfully. Pre Corona Virus many companies had begun to incorporate “ work from home ” for a few employees to keep operational costs lower. So what is the difference now? Well, many companies and institutions have implemented work-from-home infrastructure at speed without much warning or preparation and with the addition of a quarantined situation. As a result, the reality of working is now the norm. I wanted to provide you with some tips to help you succeed whilst working from home; 1) Act As If You Are Going Into The Office Working from home once in a while is a luxury and most people were excited by the prospect, however here we are presented with the reality of working from home being imposed upon us as a full-time obligation. You may not need to break your usual routine. But it is important to get up, get ready for work, and set up a space that you can work from comfortably and hopefully ergonomically. That means, your bed or your sofa is not your work desk. You would need to get a proper work desk, an ergonomic chair, and the necessary infrastructure to get you going. Remember you save at least an hour to two in travel time, the cost in car maintenance and fuel paid parking in the office, etc. You can get a lot more work done or be able to use this as home distraction time if at all. 2) Dress the Part and Plan Your Day Dressing the part, helps you get into the role. I learned that in drama classes. Dress for office (you need not have a tie and blazer or suit but at least a semi-formal or smart casual attire) to get into the responsibilities that you need to be accomplished. You would not want to have a video call with a client dressed in shorts or with a very casual background. Clients will understand but they will be impressed when they see you in a home-based office. Structure your day, You are now your own manager and therefore you have to manage your productivity (and potentially those in your team if you have to manage others). At the end of each day, write your to-do list and goals for the next day so that you have clarity/ focus and you do not have to waste time in the morning. Segment what you will do and when you will do it over the course of the day; provide yourself with breaks so that you are able to keep focused and avoid burnout. Without office-based distractions, you may actually be more productive! 3) Think Like An Entrepreneur As the Corona Virus pandemic affects the global economy and worst our household income, it is on each of us to decide how we add value to our organizations and teams. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. The company will watch how you think out of the box to make things happen while those who take it easy in a comfortable work home base, will risk being “on board the titanic” situation. You and your team will make sure the business survives. Have an entrepreneurial mindset as if it is your own business. What would you do to help, how could you add value - if your job was on the line how would you approach each problem? 4) Stay In Contact Working remotely does not have to mean working in isolation. Team and client meetings can be held on Zoom / Microsoft Team, Google Meet, Webex, etc. You now have more time to get work done from one place. I would have said that changes to your environment are important. Meeting a client at their office, or working from a local coffee shop or hot-desking office but if we are in lockdown that might not be allowed. So, why not keep the team spirit going by scheduling calls and meetings as normal, checking in your colleagues to see if they are coping OK or if they need your assistance. Go on that online course that you have been pushing back but that would make you stronger or add to your value when things are back to normal. You might even find that you are able to increase your productivity at home and have more meetings without office distractions. I am into my second month of digital marketing and yes, I am absolutely enjoying learning SEO, Content Marketing, Link building, etc., and looking at ways I can implement it in my work area. So do visit us on www.genesis-executivesearch.com or like us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 5) Accept Distractions You are at home so there will be a flood of distractions that you are faced with : · The Doorbell / Deliveries · Children · The TV · Social Media · The Spouse Some of these distractions can be prevented while others cannot. Do not allow distractions to gobble up your whole working day. I spent a lot of time with our babies, nights were sleepless and tiring and I still managed an 8-hour workday 6 days a week and I enjoyed the time with my babies. I had a schedule and ensured I got to spend time with them and give my work a break – 3 times a day. At two and three years old I could hear my toddlers say to each other “dada is in the office…sssh” (I work from a bedroom converted part office). While TV time is completely eliminated, I use it as an exclusive spouse time from 09:15 PM to 10:30 PM daily. The final point on this; 6) Get Some Exercise I have always found the best time to pray and exercise is early in the mornings. A quick set of stretching exercises, some sit-ups and push-ups...and fresh air. If you have the opportunity to walk or cycle or even a quick run in the parking area, jogging track, etc., and establish it into your daily routine, it would be great. Even a quick-paced walk around the block will add value. If you are working from home and struggling with the feeling of isolation, remember to reach out to others. I am sure they are feeling the same!

The flexibility of remote working allows most of us to perfectly balance family and work life. While quite a few of us may feel that the environment of working from home with family, may have its own difficulties and shortcomings, one thing is clear: no one can complain that “we do not get family time” Whatever your reason, remote work is a ticket to freedom and exploring our drive and potential. I have had a lot of personal experience working from my home in Dubai, more because I wanted to help my wife with the responsibility of bring up two new born babies, get maximum time to spend with them and work as much as I could (which was still 9 hours a day). I manage Genesis Executive Search, recruitment agency in Dubai and hence sales and marketing, digital marketing and IT were areas that I worked on. We subsequently set up two offices and a small team of recruitment consultants managing our customers and their job vacancies in the Middle East. In the wake of COVID-19, our perspective on what is possible for remote work is expanding on a daily basis. But even as we’ve seen an increase in remote work across a wide range of industries in Dubai, there are still certain jobs and careers that are more suited for remote work than others. 1. Marketing Jobs in the UAE Marketing encompasses anything that drives revenue growth through brand awareness and lead generation. Businesses are now prioritizing online strategy and that means lots of marketing jobs, most of which can be done remotely. Business owners want great marketers who can help them scale their business and grow revenue—even better if they can do that with less overhead cost by working from home. Specialists are people who have expertise in one area of marketing. Social media, paid advertisements, content marketing, SEO, and public relations are just a few examples. Usually, specialists work for bigger companies or agencies that have larger budgets to direct to marketing, or they might operate as consultants or freelancers. The skills you need depend heavily on which specialty you want to work in. A marketing role is ideal for someone who likes to exercise both their creative and analytical brains. Generalists and specialists alike have to be good communicators who can keep up with and adapt to new trends and technology in a rapidly evolving industry. Strong writing and data analysis skills are also important. 2. Sales Jobs in Dubai Though sales are typically seen as client-facing and therefore a role that must be done in person, it’s actually well suited for remote work in many ways. Companies that value face-to-face sales methods often need salespeople in a particular geographic location to be closer to prospects, but don’t want to—or can’t—commit to opening a new office. So remote employees allow companies to expand geographically with less risk. Additionally, a lot of sales can be conducted over the phone or the internet. Meeting are held on Zoom, Webex, Skype, Google Meet, and there are many tools available now to assist with distance selling. If salespeople are good at building relationships and can leverage these tools, then they can do their jobs well from anywhere. This would also be an excellent time to build new relationships and scout for new prospects Our own development in learning sales techniques from behind our desks will take an upstage if we must succeed (you can only imagine how better a salesperson we can be when we sit across our customer’s desk). 3. Writing / Blogging There are so many ways to build a remote career around a love of writing. Writing is needed across all types of companies and industries (and the pay varies widely). Branded content, content marketing, social media, copywriting, and technical writing are just a few avenues you can take to pursue a writing career in addition to traditional editorial or journalistic routes. Though there are many full-time, remote opportunities for writers, you might consider a career as a freelance writer / paid or unattached blogger if you’re seeking even more freedom. To be successful as a remote writer, you obviously need to have excellent writing skills. You should also have solid organizational skills and self-discipline to ensure you can take on multiple projects at once and never miss a deadline. 4. Software Engineering Software engineers get to creatively solve problems by building web applications and software that, ideally, make our lives better. At Remote Year, the most common jobs for participants were always software engineer, developer, and designer—suggesting that companies are comfortable with these roles being remote. Though software engineers work collaboratively with developers and designers, there is a ton of autonomy in this role, which makes it ideal for remote work. In fact, working remotely might be the best setup for software engineers since it allows them to minimize distractions typically found in office settings and find their flow when working on important projects that require focused attention. Additionally, because the demand is so high for effective software engineers, many companies are willing to hire remotely so they can expand their reach for potential candidates. Many employers would rather hire a better software engineer from outside their geographic area than limit themselves to who can come into their office. 5. Design Jobs Designers are needed across a myriad of industries, from tech to finance to media. They design marketing materials for Fortune 500 companies, logos and websites for new business owners, apps for scrappy startups, and even book covers for publishers. As is the case with writers and software engineers, the bulk of a designer’s work is conducted solo, is execution-driven, and increasingly takes place entirely digitally. All these aspects make it ideal for remote work. If you’re looking to become a successful full-time remote designer, you need to be a creative who likes to work independently, but who can still collaborate with a team. You will need to be a great visual storyteller, well-versed in a variety of digital communication mediums and social media platforms. To be effective in your role, you must also be able to bring someone else’s vision to life or contribute to crafting a larger vision if working with a team through the use of virtual collaboration tools. As a remote designer, you will likely be working on multiple projects at once; so excellent organizational and communication skills will support you in getting work done and sharing progress with stakeholders along the way. 6. Customer Support Customer support roles are responsible for responding to customers’ questions and helping them solve problems. Many of these jobs are great for fully remote workers because companies need support available 24/7 (i.e. support reps that span time zones) and most support is conducted via virtual channels like chat, email, and phone. Often companies only hire remote customer support, increasing the number of available roles out there. As a virtual customer support representative, you can take advantage of the fact that companies are looking for employees to operate in different time zones depending on what suits you best. Customer support roles are great remote jobs for people who still want to engage with others throughout their day but don’t want the pressure of sales goals. You will be great at customer support if you have strong interpersonal skills, excellent listening and communication skills, and previous experience helping people solve problems. 7. Online Business in UAE Owning your own online business is a true jack-of-all-trades job, especially when you’re just getting started. It’s great if you like the idea of doing a little of everything: marketing, sales, product development, customer service, and even accounting. However, along with that level of freedom comes a lot of hard work. Starting your own business takes a lot of time, dedication, and a certain set of experience and qualities. You might thrive as an online business owner if you’ve worked remotely before and maybe even work better when outside of the traditional 9-to-5 office routine. It’s also easier to get started if you have some understanding of marketing and sales because no matter what your business is, you will need to sell something to earn revenue, whether that’s your expertise, a service, or a product. You also want to have some specific expertise in the industry you’re starting a business in. This is important for designing a product or service that will be valuable to the market. For example, if you’ve been working in human resources, you could use your expertise to become a career coach, to consult for small businesses, or even to develop digital products such as online courses for human resources employees. The best online businesses come from a combination of your skills, experiences, expertise, and interests so that you are offering something that is based on both what you know and what you love. 8. The Job You Already Have It turns out that the best job for working remotely is probably the one you have now, especially if you’ve been a high performer thus far. If your boss and company already know you and trust your ability to deliver results, they might be open to trying out a new arrangement rather than risk losing you entirely. They can even opt for work-from-home for top performers and reduce office space and hence office rental costs. Consider this perspective: It’s quite expensive to replace an employee. Your company would probably prefer to try to keep you then hire someone completely new (assuming you are a performer). The COVID-19 pandemic has also changed many companies’ perspectives on remote work. The world experienced a massive shift toward remote work all but overnight, and this forced remote work experiment has revealed the real extent to which jobs of all kinds can be done from anywhere. As a result, companies may become more open to the possibilities of remote work long after the pandemic is over.

In the ever-evolving landscape of job searching, one strategy remains steadfastly effective: networking. Regardless of whether you find yourself recently unemployed, fresh to the job market, or continuously seeking opportunities amidst global challenges, leveraging your professional network is not just advisable—it's imperative. However, the approach to networking must adapt to the current environment. Here, we outline key guidelines for effectively tapping into your network during these unprecedented times. The Importance of being Specific in Your Requests When seeking assistance from your network, clarity is paramount. People are generally more inclined to assist when presented with clear and specific requests. Given the prevalent uncertainties and personal challenges, the time and capacity of your network are likely limited. Therefore, it's crucial to tailor your outreach with precise inquiries. For instance, rather than a vague appeal for help, consider framing your request with specifics like: "Could you share insights about working in the [X industry]?" "Would you be able to introduce me to your colleague who is hiring for [Y role]?" By articulating clear needs, you enhance the likelihood of receiving an actionable response and potentially open avenues for additional support. Before engaging your network, take time to clarify your professional aspirations and value proposition. Understanding your unique skills and career objectives enables your contacts to advocate for you more effectively if suitable opportunities arise. Embracing Empathy and Authenticity when Searching for a Job During challenging times, genuine connection is essential. It's crucial to acknowledge that everyone is navigating personal and professional challenges. Begin your communications with sincere inquiries about the well-being of your contacts and acknowledge the broader context of uncertainty and change. Craft personalized and empathetic messages that demonstrate your consideration for their circumstances. Moreover, tailor your approach based on the relationship level you share with each contact. Strive for a conversational tone that resonates with the depth of your connection. Practicing Patience In a period marked by heightened stress and disruptions, exercising patience is essential. Avoid pressuring or bombarding individuals with repeated requests for immediate responses. If you haven't received a reply within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., one to two weeks), a gentle follow-up is appropriate. Respect varying response times and avoid taking delays personally. Prepare yourself for the reality that persistence may be necessary to connect with the right support. It's vital to remain patient and understanding while navigating the complexities of networking during challenging times. Conclusion: Strategic Networking in Current Times In summary, the current climate underscores the importance of thoughtful and strategic networking practices. By articulating specific requests, demonstrating empathy, and exercising patience, you can navigate job networking effectively even during challenging times. Remember, fostering genuine connections and understanding individual circumstances are fundamental to building a supportive network capable of aiding you in your career pursuits. Embrace these best practices to maximize the potential of your networking efforts and navigate the job market with resilience and adaptability.

There’s a lot of uncertainty in a world that’s changing before our eyes... The good news is there are steps you can take to prove your worth, help you keep the job you have, and thrive even during difficult periods. Of course, there are no guarantees and you can’t control if your entire team gets laid off. But by taking these steps you’d also be making yourself a more appealing candidate in case you do need to search for something new. Here are 6things you can do to help you increase your job security during uncertain times. 1. Be Resilient, Adaptable, Flexible, and Thoughtful These are the four skills companies value most, (R) esilience : Bouncing back in tough times ( A) daptability : Adjusting to novel environments ( F) lexibility : Being able and willing to wear different hats ( T) houghtfulness : Being respectful, intentional, and communicative with colleagues Of all of these, "resilience" is the most critical trait at this time. That means doing whatever it takes to stay afloat and handle the unknown, she says. If RAFT is all about keeping the boat moving, resilience is the force that will motivate you to pull on the oars. Beyond maintaining that momentum, you’ll also need to evolve. Specifically, you should be paying attention to what’s happening at your company. Take on the tasks and projects that need to be tackled in this new reality to help your employer succeed right now—whether that’s running virtual meetings or taking on a different role or additional responsibilities within a smaller company. In other words, go with the flow if someone asks you to do something that’s outside of your original job description. Think about where else you could jump in to help. Being open to filling in where needed, identifying opportunities on your own, and developing the discipline to follow through will require time and dedication. But it can be the thing that sets you apart. You’ll become known as someone who can take on anything as well as an excellent colleague no one would want to part with. 2. Demonstrate Inventive Thinking It’s not just about being flexible and adaptable when it comes to your own role; you also want to use your creativity to benefit the entire organization. Bring new ideas to the table to help your company make it through the unforeseen obstacles of the present moment and those still ahead. A sentiment shared by Vivian Chen, CEO of Rising a flexible work platform for women. “ Now more than ever, employers are looking for people who can solve their pain points, ” she says. It’s great if your suggestions can help your company bring in more business or cut expenses—something that can translate to jobs saved, yours included—but even if your ideas don’t directly help increase revenue or bring savings, your creative and resourceful ideas can still make you a valuable employee your company will want to hang on to. 3. Be a Lifelong Learner Even before the global pandemic, there’s always been “ some hot marketing skill, new sales tactic, or the latest tech stack to master . know how to learn and get up to speed quickly ,” she says. “ As the world changes, we have to adopt the mindset that we are students for life .” Reflecting on skills you haven’t yet developed but may need—and then focusing on acquiring them, even for just one hour a week may be very important. For instance, if you’re a social media marketer on a team that’s gotten smaller and scrappier, you might decide to bolster your data skills so that you can better analyze performance and increase engagement by taking an online course and reaching out to fellow marketers in the industry who can share their insights about what’s been helpful for them. Whatever your situation is, the key is to “ start with small, focused, and consistent steps ”. As you go about picking up new skills and knowledge, you’ll start to figure out the ways you like to learn. You’ll notice what format makes it easiest for you to retain new information, what time of day is most productive for you, and where your strengths and weaknesses lie, all of which will also make you a better employee. You’ll gain a reputation as a self-starter who takes the initiative to step up when needed. 4. Get Things Done Having a strategic vision was the most important skill , but now the same feels like creating a “ pretty PowerPoint deck ” without being able to execute it. Employers need team members to be solutions-oriented—and execute. Even better are problem solvers who tackle challenges without being asked. What companies need—while they pivot to adopt new business models and revenue streams and while unemployment skyrockets—are employees who “ can get things done, fast ” . In other words: People who can roll up their sleeves and do the task at hand, no matter how small or “ not-so-glamorous .” Those who will succeed now are “ the hardest workers with the greatest tenacity, ” Telling says. “ Now more than ever, those people who have grit, determination, and dedication will stand out from their peers.” 5. Keep Networking Whether you’re looking for new opportunities or not, networking is a skill that’s valuable to develop, especially in times of uncertainty. We all crave connections. And you never know when this might open doors for you. Looking for webinars to attend, setting up virtual meetings, and reaching out to former colleagues to check-in. It’s OK to be vulnerable and share your experiences—we are all in this together. Now maybe the time you can help others currently affected by job loss and become known as a generous team player. “ People love to help, and you might even make someone’s day by giving them a chance to make a positive impact. ” 6. Bring Empathy to Everything Soft skills such as empathy are in great demand among employers. Not only will the people you work with feel good being around you, but you’re also more likely to keep your job. Those candidates who bring empathy to their people and clients are the ones who we consistently see rising to the top, and who are, in general, just a real joy to work with. People often avoid practicing empathy because of the mental effort involved, suggests research from the American Psychological Association—but when they believe they are good at being empathetic, they are more likely to do it. A great place to start to boost your confidence in your empathy skills—especially at this moment when many within your company are likely struggling—is simply by reaching out to your colleagues and asking how they’re doing. Then actively listen as they share, offer to help in whatever small way you can, and open up in return. With daily life in a state of flux, it’s natural to crave stability and security. While there are no guarantees, these steps will help you strengthen your position within your current company and bolster your skillset in case you need, or decide, to explore new opportunities.

Working from home can be amazing (can you say “zero commutes?”). But when your home is also your office, separating your work life and your personal life can be a challenge. And without that separation, it can be easy for work to start spreading throughout your home and invading the rest of your life, making it hard to disengage and spend time on other things that really matter (like your family, friends, hobbies, and life). I have been working (like most of us in Dubai) from home for almost 2 months, and while I wouldn’t change it for the world, finding the balance between getting work done and devoting a healthy amount of time and energy to my personal life has been tough. In the battle between work and home life, there have been many, many times when work has emerged victorious. But I’ve put in a lot of effort to find a better work-at-home/live-at-home balance, and today I’m happy to report that while separating the two things can still be challenging, it’s certainly not impossible! Why Separating Your Work Life and Home Life Is So Important First things first—before we talk about how to keep your work life from infringing on your personal life when you work from home, let’s talk about why, exactly, that’s so important. It Helps You Avoid Burnout People can’t work 24/7. They need to have other things going on in their life. An always-working attitude can cause a variety of negative outcomes, including sleep issues, relationship problems, and burnout. Taking time away from work can give your mind and body the time you need to rest, recover, and give the other areas of your life (like your sleep) the attention they deserve—and when you get back to work, you’ll have renewed energy to get things done. It Lets You Unwind Your home is supposed to be a place to relax—but for people who work from home, that can be a challenge. We have evolved to pay close attention to the surroundings that we’re in—and that gives us cues about how we’re supposed to act. So if everywhere and everything in your house reminds you of work, you’re going to feel like you need to work all the time and you’re not going to be able to get the rest and relaxation you need to feel your best. For example, working in bed might feel comfortable, but if you start to associate your bed with your work, it will be harder for your brain to relax and go to sleep when it’s time for lights out. Creating a clear sense of separation between work life and home life, both physically and psychologically, can make it easier for you to shut down and relax at the end of the workday. It’s Good for the People in Your Life If you’re unattached or live alone, the person who’s going to be impacted most by your work-life balance is you. If you have a family, things get a little more complicated. You need to be able to shut off and give the people closest to you the time and attention they deserve; otherwise, your work can have a seriously negative impact on your relationships. A lot of people who work from home...are constantly checking their phone [and working]. That is going to make the partner [and family] feel a lot less listened to and a lot less valued. Tips to Keep Your Work From Messing With Your Personal Life Clearly, keeping your work life from infringing on your personal life is a must if you want to feel happy, healthy, and balanced. But how, exactly, do you do that? Here are a few tips from people who’ve made it work. 1. Work Parallel Schedules When you work from home—and do so around the clock—it can feel like you and your family are ships passing in the night. The best way to combat that? Keeping similar schedules. My wife is at the office and I work from home (yes, you heard it right !). That gives me 8 hours to do my thing. I need to be able to stop my work when she gets home so that we can catch up with each other and spend time together with our children. If you live with a partner or children, it’s important to spend some dedicated time with them rather than always splitting your attention between family and work obligations. Scheduling parallel hours (for example, cranking out work while your kids are at school or during the same hours your spouse or significant other is at their job) will allow you to get things done but still have time to connect with your family members when they get home. This kind of alignment shows your spouse [or family members] that you care about them. and are making it a priority to have time together without distractions. Just keep in mind that working parallel schedules only works if you focus on work when it’s work time and is ready and willing to shut down when it’s over. 2. Set a Firm Stopping Point It can be easy to lose track of time when you’re working from home. And when you finally take a breather and look at the clock, somehow hours have passed—and you’ve worked far longer than you intended. It’s so easy to tell yourself “just five more minutes” or “just one more email.” But working crazy hours can throw your body out of whack. Your body is used to operating on a schedule. Kids get up at the same time, they go to school at the same time, and this builds these rhythms and habits—and it’s very easy to know what you’re supposed to be doing and when you’re supposed to be doing it. Even as adults, we need that for a sense of consistency—because otherwise it just takes too long to figure out where we are and what we’re supposed to be doing. Setting a firm stopping point every day—and sticking to it—can help you keep your work in check (and keep it from infringing on the things you want and need to get done after work). Katharine Bolin, owner, and digital marketing director has set a firm stopping point for herself at 5 PM. If she feels tempted to work into the evening hours, she reminds herself that her personal life actually benefits her job in the long run. "I need to have a life outside of work because that’s where inspiration comes from, and that’s what will ultimately keep me doing good work in my work life,” says Katherine 3. Have a Trigger to End the Work Day (and Start Personal Time) Triggers (or cues) can be a powerful way to form new habits. Having a routine that you do every day when you finish work will send a signal to your body and brain that work is officially over—and it’s time to move on and enjoy your personal time. At the end of the day, I make a to-do list for tomorrow before shutting down my computer. For me, it’s the virtual equivalent to the separation that a commute home gives. What you do as a routine to trigger the end of work time and the start of personal time is up to you. My end-of-day routine is to run to my kids. What you do is less important than doing it every day . The routine establishes a habit that ‘after I do this, I’m going to relax.’ And so it creates some separation between your work self and your personal self. And you need this in order to, again, fully relax [and] get your mind on other things. 4. Shut the Office Door Ever heard the saying “out of sight, out of mind?” Well, that also applies to your workspace. [One] of the tricks I use to separate my personal from professional life while I work from home is to shut my office door during weekends “The Office Is Closed!” If you use a dedicated room as your home office, step away at the end of the day and leave all your work gear, like your laptop and work phone, behind. In other words, literally and figuratively shut the door on work so that you can pursue personal projects, family time, or just good, old-fashioned relaxing without feeling the pull of the office. If you don’t have an enclosed workspace, no worries! You can create some physical separation with a screen or a well-placed bookshelf. And if that’s not an option either, just cleaning up your ongoing work can help you avoid the pull of your desk. Many people I know, leave their work out in plain sight, making it harder to disconnect. Clearing off your desk and putting your work out of view (for example, putting your laptop and any loose papers in a desk drawer) can help you create a visual and psychological sense of separation—even if you can’t physically close off your workspace from the rest of your home. 5. Schedule Screen-Free Time One of my biggest challenges in creating separation between my work and home life is the constant screen time. If I’m on (or even near!) my laptop, or phone, I have to fight the urge to check my email—even if I’m supposed to be off duty and enjoying downtime. This bad habit can be particularly annoying for my wife; no one wants to have a one-sided conversation with their partner while they mindlessly scroll through their Gmail app. That’s why we’ve made screen-free time a non-negotiable in my house. Having a set time when phones, laptops, tablets, and TV screens are a no-go allows me to fully disconnect from my work and digital life—and fully engage with my real life. When my wife now gets home from the office, we both make sure to put our phones away and enjoy some screen-free time. When you work from home, it’s so easy to be turned into work 24/7. But remember, your home is your home first—and your office second. And if you want to have the work-life balance you crave (and deserve!), you need to treat it that way.

We’ve all heard that recruiters toss our resumes for something as simple as a typo—which is why it’s always a good idea to have someone proofread it before you hit submit. However, it’s not realistic to get someone to review it after every little tweak. But, it also doesn’t change the reality that it gets really tricky to pick up on your own mistakes, especially after a few edits. So, what can you do? Try to be as careful and thorough as possible, of course. But also be extra mindful of these five areas whenever you’re editing it yourself. 1. Mistakes in Words in All Caps I can’t tell you how many resumes I’ve seen with “United Arab Emirates” misspelled—and I work with a pretty talented lot in Dubai. But, once you put that word in all caps, it’s easy to not catch an errant “s” with the naked eye. Or with spell-check, since it conveniently doesn’t screen words in all caps. Pro Tip: Spell-check is great, but you can’t always rely on it. Go through your resume and manually check all spellings in words that are in all caps. One of the tools I use is Grammarly and you can find more information on www.grammarly.com which has a free option 2. Little Inconsistencies If you want to stand out (in a good way), you’re going to have to pay attention to the details in order to keep the entire document consistent. That means getting into the nitty-gritty details and deciding whether or not you are going to have periods at the end of your bullets or how you’re going to format employment dates. Yes, that means not switching back and forth between dates that feature months, just years, or seasons. Tip: Make up some rules for your resume and stick with them. Consistency will help create one that’s easier on the eyes. 3. Incorrect Contact Information When proofreading, most people skip the name and contact info section and go straight to the content. You would think that’s not a big deal. Well, I have a confession to make. I’ve definitely sent out a few documents with a typo in my email address before. Don’t let this be you! Tip: Mentally make a note to go edge to edge when you proofread your resume. Take nothing for granted. 4. The Wrong Verb Tense It is easiest to make a mistake on the verb tense of your bullets when you’re trying to update an out-of-date version with your most recent accomplishments. It’s common to forget to change older experiences to past tense or switch back and forth between simple present tense and present continuous tense. You might not notice the weird tenses, but a recruiter definitely will. Tip: Do a run-through of your resume where you just check to see if you’re using the right tense for each bullet. Since it’s not a spelling error and not technically a grammar error, you’ll have to catch these discrepancies on your own. 5. Lack of Context Probably the hardest thing about editing your own resume is that you will always know what you mean—even if you write some incredibly vague and incoherent sentences. Your goal, however, is to make sure recruiters and hiring managers who have never met you before or heard anything about your work history will understand what you have written. Tip: Attempt to look at each bullet as a stand-alone entity and see if your bullets make sense without any additional context. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s better than not trying. You may want to read more about designing your resume and cleaning up your social media because hiring managers are checking

During an economic downturn, one of the first things companies do to cut costs is reducing staff. The financial impact can be felt globally across industries as many companies and small businesses are forced to close either temporarily or permanently. If you’ve been laid off, you’re not alone. So in addition to concerns about your job search, you’re most likely experiencing additional financial stress worrying about how to make ends meet after your sudden loss of income. Again, though it’s little comfort, you’ve got plenty of company. After you take a deep breath, consider the following tips to help you navigate your next steps, in the middle of an unprecedented crisis. Do Something About Your Current Expenses While you wait for your benefits to begin, I recommend that those who are out of work, contact all of their service providers, from landlords or mortgage companies to utilities, and let them know they have been either laid off or had their hours reduced. Banks and other service providers will work with you through this time. A few banks could offer assistance to their customers, that they can have monthly service fees waived and won’t be penalized if they need to withdraw from an account before it matures or may even have certain other services for such customers Recognizing that staying connected is crucial. While these may offer a bit of relief, it’s still wise to consider cutting expenses where possible during times of financial uncertainty. If you can cancel non-essential bills, such as subscription boxes or any services that aren’t crucial, that will allow you to save money for other important items, like groceries. Take Care of Yourself “The initial anxiety and panic are natural,” says a certified personal development coach, and organizational development consultant. “Recognize it and give yourself a couple of days to let it process and to collect yourself. There is no need to rush into problem-solving and creating more stress immediately after the life-changing event occurs.” Taking care of yourself and managing the stress that comes from coping with unemployment amid a global health crisis is key. “Now is a great time to get your exercise routine in line,” Johnson says. “Do a few squats while watching Netflix, run on a treadmill if you have one at home, whatever it is, get moving to feel better. Do the things you love to do. Rediscover your passions. Find new hobbies,” he adds. “The more action you take that makes you feel good, the more prone you will be to identifying opportunities.” Consider Your Next Move Once you’ve taken a moment or two to process this event, consider where you are and where you want to be. Sit down and create a list of both what you like/loved about your job, and the things you disliked/hated about it. This will give insight into what your next move could be. You want to find more of those positive experiences in your next career move. Especially in light of world events, some days you might not feel inspired, and that’s OK. Do what you must to get through the hard days. On those days you feel good...carpe diem!” Get Some Help Millions of people are following stay-at-home mandates. Just because they’re not in their office environments, that doesn’t mean they aren’t ready and willing to help or offer career advice to someone in need. Find a mentor. Right now a large portion of the population has downtime. Reach out. You will find that people are much more willing to help than we typically assume. Ask your [former] employer if they have any formal or informal outplacement or job coaching resources available. This could be in the areas of resume development , interviewing , and negotiating an offer. Follow the Demand If you know you could be facing a long stretch before securing a full-time position in your previous industry, you may be considering a temporary job to make ends meet in the meantime. . Other new opportunities such as IT, and virtual operations support, which are expanding quickly may arise. In the medical industry, look for jobs related to health care, emergency services, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and personal protective equipment. Depending on trends, as time goes by, some government agencies could seek an overwhelming amount of new workers. But Also Keep Up Your Search for Your Ideal Role Employers are still hiring—even in the markets that look uncertain right now, such as the finance, hospitality, construction, and retail industries—which is why continuing to apply and network online throughout the coronavirus crisis. Looking for companies that are still actively hiring? Trying to gain employment in your core occupation may be tough, but you should still keep your resume fresh and circulating, and devote a portion of each day to job seeking. Of course, in light of social distancing, the job search process is changing, so be prepared for the hiring process to look a bit different from what you’ve previously experienced. For example, you’re likely to have to do more phone and video interviews so you can also start preparing and practicing to present your best self in those mediums. Boost Your Skills If you find that you have a skill gap or you’d like to move in a different direction, take advantage of this downtime to gain what you need through online learning. There are hundreds of free courses online. You can also take advantage of YouTube. No matter what your short- and long-term plans are, gaining new skills can help. It will make you a stronger candidate if you’re looking for a role in your previous industry. And, if you’re looking to make a switch and have a background in fields related to those that are in higher demand, you can boost your skills through online learning and may be able to find a new position more quickly than you anticipated. Though finding yourself un- or underemployed is never easy, it can feel all the more stressful amid a global health crisis. Once you’ve taken a beat to process your new situation, use these tips to help you file for your benefits, assess your skills, and job search—and look forward to finding your footing in a new position.

I thought there is too much of a time gap between Telling Your Story and Formatting Your Resume, so here goes Formatting 8. Keep it Simple We’ll talk about getting creative in order to stand out in a minute. But the most basic principle of good resume formatting and design? Keep it simple. Use a basic but modern font, like Helvetica, Arial, or Century Gothic. Make your resume easy on hiring managers’ eyes by using a font size between 10 and 12 and leaving a healthy amount of white space on the page. You can use a different font or typeface for your name, your resume headers, and the companies for which you’ve worked, but keep it simple and keep it consistent. Your main focus here should be on readability for the hiring manager. That being said, you should feel free to… 9. Carefully Stand Out Really want your resume to stand out from the sea of Times New Roman? Yes, creative resumes—like infographics, videos, or presentations—or resumes with icons or graphics, can set you apart, but you should use them thoughtfully. If you’re applying through an ATS, keep to the standard formatting without any bells and whistles so the computer can read it effectively. If you’re applying to a more traditional company, don’t get too crazy, but feel free to add some tasteful design elements or a little color to make it pop. No matter what, don’t do it unless you’re willing to put in the time, creativity, and design work to make it awesome. 10. Make Your Contact Info Prominent You don’t need to include your address on your resume anymore (really!), but you do need to make sure to include a phone number and professional email address (not your work address!) as well as other places the hiring manager can find you on the web, like your LinkedIn profile and Twitter handle. (Implicit in this is that you keep these social media profiles suitable for prospective employers.) 11. Design for Skimmability You’ve heard before that hiring managers don’t spend a lot of time on each individual resume. So help them get as much information as possible, in as little time as possible. The below 12 formatting changes will make a huge difference. Don’t Center Any of Your Text Align Your Dates and Locations to the Right Don’t Justify Your Resume Keep Everything the Same Size Font Pick Either Your Roles or Your Companies to Bold Use ALL-CAPS Very Sparingly Maximize the First 5 Words of Your Bullets Keep Bullets Under 2 Lines Use Digits When Writing About Numbers Have a Separate “Skills” Section Keep Your Resume Formatting Consistent Try to Have Some White Space Left Over 12. Get Help From a Professional Know that design skills aren’t your strong suit but want your resume to look stunning? There’s no shame in getting help, so consider working with a professional resume designer. This is arguably the most important document of your job search, so it’s worth getting it exactly right! Next: Work Experience

When you haven’t updated your resume in a while, it can be hard to know where to start. What experiences and accomplishments should you include for the jobs you’ve got your eye on? What new resume rules and trends should you be following? And seriously, one page or two? Well, search no more: We’ve compiled all the resume tips you need into one place. Read on for advice and tricks that’ll make sure you craft a winning resume—and help attract maximum attention I have broken up 43 tips into. Telling Your Story, Formatting, Work Experience, Education, Skills, Awards, and Interests Gaps and Sticky Resume Situations and Finishing Touches. This week we will cover Telling Your Story 1. Don’t Put Everything on There Your resume should not have every work experience you’ve ever had listed on it. Think of your resume not as a comprehensive list of your career history, but as a marketing document selling you as the perfect person for the job. For each resume you send out, you’ll want to highlight only the accomplishments and skills that are most relevant to the job at hand (even if that means you don’t include all of your experience). 2. But Keep a Master List of All Jobs Since you’ll want to be swapping different information in and out depending on the job you’re applying to, keep a resume master list on your computer where you keep any information you’ve ever included on a resume: old positions, bullet points tailored for different applications, special projects that only sometimes make sense to include. Then, when you’re crafting each resume, it’s just a matter of cutting and pasting relevant information together. Think of this as your " brag file" 3. Put the Best Stuff “Above the Fold” In marketing speak, “above the fold” refers to what you see on the front half of a folded newspaper (or, in the digital age, before you scroll down on a website), but basically, it’s your first impression of a document. In resume speak, it means you should make sure your best experiences and accomplishments are visible on the top third of your resume. This top section is what the hiring manager is going to see first—and what will serve as a hook for someone to keep on reading. So focus on putting your best, most relevant experiences first. 4. Ditch the Objective Statement The only occasion when an objective section makes sense is when you’re making a huge career change and need to explain from the get-go why your experience doesn’t match up with the position you’re applying to. In every other case? Consider whether a summary s tatement would be right for you—or just nix it altogether to save space and focus on making the rest of your resume stellar. 5. Keep it (Reverse) Chronological There are lots of different ways to organize the information on your resume, but the good old reverse chronological (where your most recent experience is listed first) is still your best bet. Unless it’s absolutely necessary for your situation, skip the skills-based resume—hiring managers might wonder what you’re hiding. 6. Keep it to a Page The three - (or more!) page resume is a hotly debated, topic but the bottom line is this—you want the information here to be concise, and making yourself keep it to one page is a good way to force yourself to do this. If you truly have enough relevant and important experience, training, and credentials to showcase on more than one page of your resume, then go for it. But if you can tell the same story in less space? Do. 7. Consider an Online Supplement Can’t figure out how to tell your whole story on one page, or want to be able to include some visual examples of your work? Instead of trying to have your resume cover everything, cover the most important details on that document, and then include a link to your personal website, where you can dive more into what makes you the ideal candidate. Next week: Formatting Your Resume

A few years ago, my client interviewed a candidate for an engineering position. The candidate passed all their technical interview questions with flying colors. As a result, he was hired After about a month, it was quite clear that the candidate was not getting with the team. He wanted to work irregular hours, while most of the team worked a pretty standard day. He wanted to go out after work but many team members had families to get home to. Quickly, these little things became actual issues with his work and ability to interact with other members of the team and it was decided that it would be best to discontinue the working relationship. What he was looking for in his ideal work environment is completely fine, but my client was not the right company to provide it. It was partly my fault for not taking the time to properly assess his cultural expectations and relay our own. We both ended up wasting our time. If there isn’t a good match between what your company values are and what’s important to the candidate, then regardless of their experience, neither party is going to be happy in the long run.  The most successful hires will have not only the skills you desire but also fit your culture. Many of these responses focused on cultural fit. QUESTIONS TO ASSESS CULTURAL FIT After spending time and finding out from employers and HR Managers, I have come up with the 7 best cultural fit interview questions from my survey. 1. What environment do you thrive in the most and what drives your passion? This question helps frame the conversation in terms of what the candidate wants rather than what you want. It’s open-ended, so they have to think about their response. The answer to this question may give you insight into how this candidate prefers to work alone uninterrupted or perhaps does best on a team. There’s really no wrong answer. You just need to assess whether your company is an environment they will thrive in. 2. If you were starting a company from scratch, what would you want your company’s culture to be? This is a great opportunity to dig into what they think company culture is. Do they want pizza and beer or do they care most about a good work/life balance? You should be thinking about whether their answer matches your company’s actual culture 3. What does your ideal workday look like? We all have different ideal days. I prefer silence while I work but others like to play music. You need to know whether you are a good match to provide the candidate’s ideal day. 4. What are your personal values and how are they aligned with the company’s values? Here you can make sure the candidate understands what your company’s values are. They also have to justify how their values fit yours. 5. Describe your perfect job, company, and work environment. Whatever factors are most important to you. This is similar to asking about the candidate’s ideal workday, but a little more specific. It should give you some insights into what they value most in a job. It’s great to always follow up and ask for specific examples. 6. In your opinion, what is leadership? I like this question because it can give you insight into what the candidate’s past experiences with being lead are. Since the question is framed in a very general way, you will get a more honest answer than if you ask them directly about their previous boss. 7. What is your leadership style? This is a great follow-up to the previous question. Once they describe their style, you can ask them to provide specific examples from their life where they demonstrated these leadership qualities.

We have finally arrived at the climax of the resume-building documentary. Hopefully, we have learned a lot more about structuring a quality resume that would attract maximum attention from hiring managers and recruiters. Gaps and Other Sticky Resume Situations Short-Term Jobs If you stayed at a (non-temporary) job for only a matter of months, consider eliminating it from your resume. Leaving a particularly short-lived job or two off your work history shouldn’t hurt, as long as you’re honest about your experience if asked in an interview. Gaps in Your Resume If you have gaps of a few months in your work history, don’t list the usual start and end dates for each position. Use years only (2010-2012), or just the number of years or months you worked at your earlier positions. Explaining Job Hopping If you’ve job-hopped frequently, include a reason for leaving next to each position, with a succinct explanation like “company closed,” “layoff due to downsizing,” or “relocated to a new city.” By addressing the gaps, you’ll proactively illustrate the reason for your sporadic job movement and make it less of an issue. Long Breaks in Jobs Re-entering the workforce after a long hiatus? This is the perfect opportunity for a summary statement at the top, outlining your best skills and accomplishments. Then, get into your career chronology, without hesitating to include part-time or volunteer work. Don’t Try to Get Cute Don’t try to creatively fill in gaps on your resume. For example, if you took time out of the workforce to raise kids, don’t list your parenting experience on your resume. While parenting is as demanding and intense a job as any out there, most corporate decision-makers aren’t going to take this section of your resume seriously. Finishing Touches Ditch “References Available Upon Request” If a hiring manager is interested in you, he or she will ask you for references—and will assume that you have them. There’s no need to address the obvious (and doing so might even make you look a little presumptuous!). Proofread It should go without saying, but make sure your resume is free and clear of typos. And don’t rely on spell check and grammar check alone—ask family or friends to take a look at it for you. Save it as a PDF If emailing your resume, make sure to always send a PDF rather than a .doc. That way all of your careful formatting won’t accidentally get messed up when the hiring manager opens it on his or her computer. To make sure it won’t look wonky when you send it off, look at it in both Google Docs and Word, and then attach it to an email and open it as a preview. Name Your File Smartly Ready to save your resume and send it off? Save it as “Jane Smith Resume” instead of “Resume.” It’s one less step the hiring manager has to take. Constantly Refresh It Carve out some time every quarter or so to pull up your resume and make some updates. Have you taken on new responsibilities? Learned new skills? Add them in. When your resume is updated regularly, you’re ready to pounce when an opportunity presents itself. And, even if you’re not job searching, there are plenty of good reasons to keep this document in tip-top shape.