Pros and Cons of Working at a Corporate Vet Clinic

Pros and Cons of Working at a Corporate Vet ClinicPros and Cons of Working at a Corporate Vet ClinicA corporate veterinary clinic is a practice that is owned and operated by a company.This is a different business model than traditional private practice, where a clinic is owned and operated by an individual veterinarian or a small group of veterinarians.The number of corporate practices has increased steadily in recent years, and this type of practice is becoming fairly commonplace in the veterinary industry. In the United States, the most prominent corporate veterinary clinics are Banfield and Veterinary Clinics of America (VCA).Banfield, a pioneering entity in the corporate veterinary field, was founded in 1955.Banfield now boasts a roster of approximately 800 clinics, mainly located in PetSmart stores, and the company employs over 2,000 veterinarians.Veterinary Clinics of America (VCA), another leading player in the industry, has over 600 clinics and more than 1,800 vets working in their corporate locations. There are also a number of regional corporate entities and smaller national chains that compete with the big two. Far from being an exclusively American phenomenon, corporate veterinary clinics are also popping up with increasing frequency in international markets.In the United Kingdom, for example, corporate practices began to appear in 1999 after a regulation that restricted non-veterinary ownership of clinics was relaxed. Lets take a look at the pros and cons of corporate veterinary work vs. traditional private practice Pros of Corporate Veterinary Work Business management is completely handled by the corporate officeVeterinarians in corporate practice do not have to divert their attention from patient treatment to absprache with staffing issues, hiring new technicians, running payroll, and other time-consuming business details.This allows them to focus their time exclusively on providing patient care, and it eliminates a major source of stress.Tra nsferabilityCorporate clinics may have a large number of clinics across a wide geographic area.This can make it easy to transfer to a different region if a vet so desires.It also allows them to step into a familiar clinical environment that is very similar to the one to which they are accustomed. Regular work schedulesCorporate veterinarians tend to work fairly standardized schedules, with less overtime than what is typical for a vet in private practice (especially when compared with the long hours that are often required of a practice owner).Corporate clinics often keep relief veterinarians on standby to fill in when they have an absentee vet, or they are able to pull a vet from another local corporate clinic to provide assistance.Discounted rates on veterinary productsCorporate veterinary clinics have more buying power from being able to make bulk purchase orders on behalf of multiple practices.They may be eligible for a variety of product discounts, and some of these savings may be passed along to customers.Better rates on products at corporate clinics can draw some clients away from traditional private practice. Good spot for new graduatesNew vet school graduates are actively recruited by corporate chains, and corporate clinics can be a great place for them to gain experience while considering their options.Exit strategy for practice ownersEstablished veterinarians can sell their practices to corporate entities as an exit strategy from the business.The corporate clinic will often keep the staff members and allow the practice owner to continue working as an employee as well if they so desire.The former practice owner may also benefit in the long term by retaining ownership of the physical location and leasing the real estate to the corporation. Cons You cant buy into the practice as an ownerVeterinarians working for corporate clinics do not have the option to buy into ownership as in private practice.A corporate vet seeking an ownership stake would hav e to leave the clinic and start (or buy) their own private practice.Limited decision-making abilityCorporate vets must follow a variety of procedures and best practices relating to pricing and treatment options.They have less flexibility than a private practice vet would have on such matters. Lengthy approval processCorporate clinics may require a significant amount of paperwork and an extensive approval process to purchase equipment or make changes to clinic procedures.Potential overemphasis on financial successA common criticism of corporate medicine is that the parent companies focus too much on the bottom line.While making a profit is certainly a goal of any clinic (whether corporate or private practice), corporate vets may feel pressure to up-sell clients to increase profit margins.

8 businesses you can launch for $5,000 or less

8 businesses you can launch for $5,000 or less8 businesses you can launch for $5,000 or lessEvery tax season, Americans (hopefully) enjoy refunds and ponder what to do with the newly acquired stash of cash. Typicaladvice for spending a refundincludes paying down high-interest debt, building an emergency fund or investing in your future. And all of these ideas are definitely worthwhile. However, have you considered taking your tax refund to the next level by using it to fund your own side hustle?Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreIf you want to create a future for yourself that doesnt involve reporting to someone else or living from paycheck to paycheck, taking the entrepreneurial plunge might be the right decision for you. Looking for business ideas you can start for $5,000 or less? Easy peasy Here are eight small business opportunities just waiting to be launched.1. ConsultantIf y ou have an area of expertise you especially love to spend time thinking about, consulting can be a lucrative business choice. Consumers often seek out the help of experts when theyre making changes in home design or organization (think efficiency), building gardens, investing in green living or augmenting home security. Businesses often seek a pro to help them out with accounting and payroll, marketing, public relationsandhuman resource issues.A beneficial aspect of consulting is the fact that you can easily work from home or on the go. To get started, establish a website, invest in some marketing and get networking. Whatever skill you possess, consulting is one area where you can put it to work. Since there is little overhead involved, you can easily get going for under $5,000.2. Virtual AssistantVirtual assistants are a high-in-demand service. According to FlexJobs, this remote workfield is growingby leaps and bounds. Many businesses turn to virtual assistants to manage administra tive tasks that waste time better spent capitalizing on core competencies. If youve got a knack for detail, plusstrong written and verbal communication skills, this might be a good business for you. You need computer and communication equipment, along with any other specialized supplies required by the companies you work for - easily attainable with a tax return of $5,000 or less.3. Freelance ServicesIf youve got writing, editing, photography, video, programming or graphic design skills, you canmarket and sell your talentsto various types of organizations. Many companies need content for their blogs and websites. For instance, you can write articles, edit websites, develop web pages, create stock photo content, design infographics and more. Starting this type of service wont cost you much you need a laptop, a reliable internet connection and dedicated time to put together a portfolio before you start marketing your services.Pro Tip Websites likeFiverrhelp you sell your freelance se rvices and increase your client list.4. Jewelry DesignDo you have an eye for details in fashion and accessories? Are you creative and do you enjoy working with your hands? If so, consider designing your own jewelry. Once you get a few ideas put together, secure the intellectual property rights to your designs before you deutsche post dhl them online to see if your creations generate any interest. All you need is a website (you can even open a shop on Etsy) and invest in some advertising and social media marketing (hello, Pinterest and Instagram). If you need space, you can alwaysrent a storage unitto hold your inventory and bulk supplies. A tax return can generally cover these initial costs.5. Cooking ClassesAre you a master in the kitchen and think you might like to share your skills with others? Consider turning your love for cooking into a business. You can share your culinary talents with kids, adults or both. You just need to secure a space and supplies and then get thenecessar y certificationand insurance - all of whichcan be donewith a budget of $5,000.6. LandscapingIf you love the outdoors, landscaping is the perfect self-startup business opportunity. Initially, you need some small equipment, gardening toolsanda good word-of-mouth network. Buying a truck might be over your $5,000 budget, but you can rent any necessary equipment until your business is profitable enough to afford your own. Just be sure that yourelicensed to operate any heavy equipmentyou rent and/or use.7. BartendingIf you love people and spending time in festive atmospheres, bartending is a good entrepreneurial option. Often times, people throwing parties either dont know how to make drinks themselves or dont have the time. Event planners also often enlist the help of good bartenders to help their events run smoothly. To become credible, you need to take a reputable bartending course,gestalt a legal entityand obtain the necessarypermits and licensing. You also need to build some invento ry and gather supplies, but these costs together should come in under $5,000.8. Cleaning ServicesA cleaning service is one business that will never go out of style, especially with so many two-income households juggling busy kids schedules on a never-ending quest to find enough time to do it all. In that kind of chaos, a clean house is a godsend. To get started, you need cleaning supplies, any required state or local licenses and a good website for marketing your services. To further helpget your cleaning business off the ground, see if you can barter with other small businesses in exchange for startup items you need (like offer to clean a print shop in exchange for flyers).As you ponder your numerous small or home business opportunities, calculate your tax refund to see what kind of startup capital you can work with initially. Once you figure this number out, you can move forward. The good nachrichtensendung For anyone whos always wanted to pursue entrepreneurial ventures, now is a n ideal time to get started. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 provided a number ofbenefits for small businessesin terms of expanded tax deductions and other startup-friendly provisions.If youve ever wanted to be your own boss, your opportunities are endless. Why not take that tax refund and invest in your future?This article first appeared on Swirled.

Lie Detector Tests for Employment

Lie Detector Tests for EmploymentLie Detector Tests for EmploymentWhen can an employer ask an employee or a candidate for employment to take a lie detector test? The Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) from 1988 is a federal law that prohibits fruchtwein private employers from giving lie detector tests to employees, whether the use is forpre-employment screeningor during the course of employment.Employers generally cannot even request that an employee take a lie detector test, let alone require it. The law, however, does not apply to people working in federal, state, and local government agencies. There are other exceptions as well. Read below for more information about EPPA, including exceptions to the law, and what your rights are as an employee if you are asked to take a lie detector test. When Employers Can Require a Lie Detector Test Employers generally may not require or request a job applicant or employee to take a lie detector test, or discharge, discipline, or discr iminate against an employee or job applicant for refusing to take a lie detector test. Employers are also legally unable to request results from a lie detector test. This is the case for most private employers. However, there are exceptions to EPPA. For example, security firms (such as alarm companies) and pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and dispensariesdo not fall under this law. They are allowed to use lie detector tests on employees, although there are restrictions surrounding how they can use the tests. As mentioned above, federal, state, and local government agenciesalso do not have to follow the rules of EPPA. However, again, they face regulations if they give lie detector tests to employees. One other exception is that employers of certain private firms can give polygraph tests to certain employees if they are reasonably suspected of involvement in a workplace incident, such as theft or embezzlement, as long as it resulted in specific economic loss or injury to th e employer. However, this use of a polygraph test is also under certain restrictions. For example, the employer has to fully explain to the employee in writing the activity they are investigating. Rights of the Employee EPPA states that employees are legally entitled to employment at most companies without the expectation of having to take a lie detector test. For those companies that are allowed to do tests, there are strict provisions before, during, and after the test. For example, employees have to be told ahead of time about the test, and certain information has to be recorded. The examiner also has to be licensed if this is required by the state in which the test takes place. If the employee lives in a state or local area that has even stricter rules related to lie detectors, his or her employee has to follow those stricter rules. Employees are also able to reach out if an employer or potential employer is violating any part of the act. They can bring civil action against the employer in federal or state court. However, they have to do this within three years of the violation. Legally Required Notice Before the lie detector test commences, the employee is legally entitled to basic informationsurrounding the reason for the test. If it is because of a supposed offense, the employee must be told about the incident being investigated. This includes what happened, if there was any loss or injury in the situation, what was taken or missing, why the employee is thought to have been involved, etc. The employer is also required to give the employee a writtendescription of how the test will go, and an explicit list of the employees rights. He or she also mustprovide plenty of time for the employee to seek independent counsel before the test. Where to Get More Information If you need more information on lie detector tests for employment, you can read more about EPPA on the United States Department of Labor website. You can also check out this fact sheet on EPPA. If you want specific information about lie detector regulations in your state, look up your local Wage and Hour Division (WHD) office. Other Types of Pre-Employment Tests fruchtwein other pre-employment tests are not restricted in the way that lie detector tests are. These tests range from physical ability tests to drug tests to personality tests. Most of these are legal and not heavily restricted. They are only illegal if the company uses the test to discriminate against applicants on the basis of age, race, color, sex, national origin, religion, or disability. Read here for more information on pre-employment tests other than lie detectors.

13 Jobs That Will Help You Get in Shape

13 Jobs That Will Help You Get in Shape13 Jobs That Will Help You Get in Shape If one of your New Years resolutions was to get in shape and another was to find a new job, why not combine the two? There are plenty of professions that wont leave you stuck behind a desk, but instead will keep you on your feet moving and feeling physically fit. Here are 13 jobs that pay well and pay off when it comes to keeping you in shape. Apply now and get the compensation and the body youve always dreamed ofJob Description Think theres no money in construction? Think again. As a Construction Project Manager, you could pull in six figures as you supervise the teams that build structures like houses, office buildings, bridges and more on site, which will definitely keep you active. And perhaps just as exciting, this job ranked among Glassdoors Best Jobs in America in 2017.Job Description If youre interested in making it big in film or television, working as a Production Assistant (P A) is one of the best ways to launch your career. As a PA, youll be running around all day (or night) doing everything from going on coffee runs to assisting with props - whatever it takes to keep the production going smoothly.Job Description While it will require a degree and licensure, becoming a nurse is a great option for those interested in healthcare, helping others and well-paying jobs. Besides going from room to room to assist patients, youll likely also be doing physical activities like lifting or moving patients and administering medication.Job Description Many of these jobs will keep you fit, but this job might just make you buff. As a Warehouse Worker, you wont just be on your feet - youll be regularly lifting, organizing and handling (sometimes heavy) packages. Job Description Land surveyors prepare sites for construction by making precise measurements to determine property boundaries. It is as much mathematical as it is physical. Surveyors need the ability to cut b rush using chain saw or machete ability to dig with a shovel or digging bars ability to walk and hike through rough terrain, snow, and ice.Job Description Electricians are specialized handymen (and women) who design, install, maintain and troubleshoot electrical wiring systems. As such, electricians must be in good shape to reach high places and the low places in a home or business to install wiring. Job Description High energy and endurance are a must to be an outdoor education instructor. Add to that a love for working with kids, an interest in experiential education, enthusiasm for hard work, and a ton of patience.Job Description Standing on your feet for hours at a turn, holding your arms and hands in very precise positions to meticulously cut, sew, adjust and mend - a surgeon is perhaps one of the most physically and mentally demanding jobs around.Job Description Firefighters fight to minimize loss of life and property in the event of fire. They control and extinguish fire s, and serve as a fully trained member of a firefighting crew and serves as a team member. They must be physically able to operate a variety of machines, tools and equipment which includes a motor vehicle, computer, generator, fire pump, fire hydrant, axe, shovel, hydraulic tools, power tools, hand tools, medical equipment, etc.Job Description In addition to managing tenants and leases, property managers are regularly tasked with walking the property regularly, overseeing maintenance work, inspecting the property and performing light housekeeping as needed. Job Description One of the most overlooked job requirements of being a krpermassage therapist is the physical rigor involved in the profession. Imagine kneading dough for 6 to 8 hours a day? Working on a patient to alleviate muscle tension, pain, stiffness or just to provide relaxation requires you to be healthy and fit, and take care of your own wrists, elbows, shoulders and back.Job Description In addition to loving dogs an d being comfortable with dogs of all shapes and sizes, dog walkers must be able to keep up with the physical demands of being on your feet and walking for much of the day. Plus, walkers need to be able to cope with inclement weather (rain, snow, cold, or heat wave, you can walk through it all).Job Description An important member of treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention plans, they help individuals manage pain and improve movement from injuries caused by accidents, injuries related to work or sports, or from fractures and sprains, arthritis, neurological disorders, and other chronic conditions. Needless to say, youll get a work out as youre working out your patients.Companies Hiring MedCare Pediatric Group, Veterans Administration, Capital Region Medical Center and more

Vital Pieces of Strengths for Resume

Vital Pieces of Strengths for Resume How to Choose Strengths for Resume In the majority of cases, an administrative assistant is the initial point of contact for clients. When you submit an application for work in person, you might be requested to complete a paper application. If you submit yur application online, its also wise to have a chance to attach your resume. Besides job requirements, think about the description of the organization and its culture. Few positions need an employee to perform a single task only. In most instances, the work description for the position youre seeking will be clear in regards to duties. To do that goal, you must effectively convey your key strengths in a manner that convinces the hiring manager that you have the required tools necessary to fill the organizations open position. Sooner or later, an individuals shortcomings that relate to the work become will be found out anyway. The Advantages of Strengths for Resume Becoming able to reco gnize areas of improvement demonstrates that youre a well-rounded candidate. The capacity to recognize an issue and channel it to the correct person for a remedy is vital. A lot of people will have similar strengths, but theyre almost never in the very same purchase. Choose a trait and develop a remedy to overcome your weakness. For instance, you might have a natural affinity for technology that translates well in a wide range of work settings. At work, an ability to work nicely with others is an indicator of succeeding. The capability to coordinate with your co-workers is a vital strength that might help to land work. Be aware the worth of explaining the importance of each quality. What Needs to be Done About Strengths for Resume Before You Miss Your Chance Perhaps your skill set is wholly different. In the majority of cases, your soft skills can boost your hard skills. 3 First, you must pick the best skills for your resume. Dont forget, the majority of the exceptional s kills that you set on your resume needs to be job-related skills taken from the work description and your best transferable skills. Nothing will produce a reader glaze over faster than reading exactly the same lines repeatedly. As an example, say youre applying for the job of dump truck driver. For instance, say youre eager to travel. The Downside Risk of Strengths for Resume Even if youre only a couple of minutes late for work, an important task might not be completed punctually. Writing a resume is not so difficult, but it does take some time and planning. There can be occasions when you will want to work a different shift or within a different department also. 1 specific example was last year once I was accountable for planning our yearly event. The Unusual Secret of Strengths for Resume First of all, to be a truly prosperous nurse, its highly crucial that you possess both communication and people skills. If you presently have experience working as an administrative pr ofessional, you already know that you will need in order to adapt. If youre interviewing for work in social networking, for example, never say that technology or communication is your weakness. The particular tech knowledge you will need is dependent on the job. The Pain of Strengths for Resume Place a checkmark beside the strengths which correspond most highly to the needs of the job which you desire to land. You may look back at the work listing to find a feeling of the job requirements. Employers like to realize that you have work experience of some sort, at least. 1 advantage for employers to internet resumes is the considerable cost saving in contrast to traditional hiring methods.Outside of experience within the field, hiring managers may be searching for bright candidates with at least a high school diploma or even some sort of business degree. Since many job seekers may list skills in another section of their resume, in addition, it is important to weave them into d escriptions under every one of your prior positions. Many jobs have set schedules, but if youre eager to stay past the conclusion of your shift to complete work, you will stick out from other applicants. Whether youre searching for your very first job or your next one, you want a resume that shows employers that youre a skilled professional. Resume creators enable jobseekers to make and download their finished resumes directly from the net to begin applying straight away. This book can help you determine your abilities and strengths. When youre requested to identify your weaknesses, be certain to have an answer ready. Bear in mind that weaknesses arent permanent, and simply because you have a couple weaknesses does not signify that youre doomed. Assessing personal strengths ought to be approached methodically. An individuals strengths and weaknesses are frequently the exact qualities.

The Walking Mentorship, Day 0 What#8217;s In Your Backpack

The Walking Mentorship, Day 0 What8217s In Your Backpack Joo Perre Viana is the mastermind behind the Walking Mentorship program, an innovative one-week experience that helps people face their personal and professional challenges while taking a120-kilometer (74.5-mile) hike alongthe Camino de Santiago.The purpose of this methodology is to help gain perspective on what is important (both personally and professionally), update our reality maps, and create an action plan for the future, Viana says.Vianas next program starts this Sunday, and over the course of the next week, hell be updating us daily about the journey he and his participants are about to embark on.This postwas written as Viana prepares for the upcoming hike.- Ed. Note.Ive lost count of how many times in the last 30 years I have prepared my backpack and hiking gear, a repetitive action at first sight that often leads tounpredictable outcomes. This week was no different.A couple of days awa y from the beginning of abedrngnislageher Walking Mentorship program, it is inevitable I have to find a way to fit all my needs and belongings into a 45-liter rucksack. Its a simple exercise, butdepending on how you go about it, you can learn some valuable lessons from it.There is a rule probably the only rule that you should never forget when youre preparing for a hike Whatever you put in your backpack, you will have tocarry it for the whole walk.This is one of my favorite analogies between walking and life or maybe between life and walking, if I ever find a difference.Experienced hikers and travelers know that youshould not take more than 1/10 of your body weight, but truly speaking, youonly understand what youcan really take when youstart walking. Some days you will notice you can take more, and some days you have to take less.Just like in life.The most important skill youneed to master is the art of creating a perfectly unperfected balance which can only be achieved by learn ing how to select the most important things while getting rid of those superfluous items.If you take only water in your backpack, you sure wontbe thirsty, but you might get cold at night. If you take only clothes, you will never show up in the pictures with the same shirt, but you might become very hungry as the journey progresses.Looking at my backpack, I understand the size and the weight of my universe a needle and thread, a couple of t-shirts, one shirt, two pairs of shorts, a polar fleece, three pairs of socks, a sleeping bag, three pairs of underwear, a poncho, sandals, hat, sunscreen, a towel, earplugs, and a pen.I get a funny feeling when I look around the hundreds of (more or less important) things in my office and I compare them with my list of essentials for hiking. Experience tells me that for the next 120 km of happiness, I will barely need much more.I stop for a moment and think about where the unperfected balance in my life is, that thin red line that reassures me tha t Im not carrying more than I can take.Both life and the route are magnanimous. If your load becomes too heavy, you probably need to drop something. But dont worry just a few kilometers up the road, you will probably understand the reason why.Joo Perre Viana foundedtheWalking Mentorshipprogram.

5 Secrets to Career Success in 2015

5 Secrets to Career Success in 20155 Secrets to Career Success in 2015In a recent surveyof millennials and hiring managerscommissioned byElance-oDeskand Millennial Branding,Jaleh Bisharat, Elance-oDesk senior vice president of marketing, and Dan Schawbel, Millennial Branding managing partner, showcase how professionals can thrive as millennials tip the scales as the largest workforce generation next year. Bisharat and Schawbel offered the following analysis and suggestions for succeeding in the workforce1. Focus on hard skills.A majority of hiring managers (55 percent) revealed they prioritize hard skills over personality (21%) when hiring,Bisharat bedrngnises.With the rapidly changing tech landscape and a persisting skills gap, it is more important than ever for businesses to find people with the specific skills they need to deliver results. Employers will appreciate your efforts. Whether youre a millennial or a more seasoned professional, theres no excuse not to keep up to date o n skills relevant in your field,Schawbel adds.With free and low-cost online learning platforms like Coursera and Lynda boasting courses ranging from Photoshop for beginners to the ins and outs of Bitcoin, a worlds worth of hard skills are at your fingertips.2. Be the change you want to see.Millennials are known for innovation. The survey notes that hiring managers believe millennials are open to change (72 percent), creative (66 percent) and adaptable (65 percent)far outranking their Gen X counterparts for these desirable traits.Many companies still run up against the digital divide and shrink from pushing past the old way of doing things. Thats why, if youre a millennial, you should play up your unique digital native talents (real and perceived) to spur innovation on your kollektivs,Schawbel says.Companies are hungry for new ideas, and while millennials are champions of change, all professionals should strive for adaptability.3. Prove youre a team player.While they appreciate seein g specific hard skills onrsums, more and more employers are considering the work culture they wish to develop and seekingteam players to create it. Although millennials are seen as providing critical advantages thanks to their fresh thinking and entrepreneurialism, findings of our study showed that, when asked which generation was more likely to be team players, only 27 percent of hiring managers chose millennials rather than Gen X,Bisharat explains. This perception, whether reality or not, is a demerit that can slow career growth. If youre a member of this youngest generation of professionals, make sure to develop teamwork skills to prove this impression wrong. If youre a more established professional, be open to working closely with and mentoring millennials.4. Stand out as a loyalist.No doubt, employer loyalty is waningwith good reason. All employees are realizing that they cannot count on a corporate entity to return the favor. Despite this, its helpful to be able to tap into yo ur passion and interest for an organization. Simply showing you are dedicated can help you build trust with your team and organization,Schawbel says.With 58 percentof millennials reporting they expect to be in their job fewer than three years, displays of loyalty will certainly nudge employers to invest in your professional future.5. Consider alternative paths.While its great to be able to articulate and demonstrate your interest in a particular company, facts are facts. The majority of employees will not be able to expect to stay in one job for many years, and being agile and flexible enough to shift even to an entrepreneurial path will be key to success for many workers. Even if you venture out on your own, you will never be successful without involving others.Bisharat explains.Sara Horowitz, founder of Freelancers Union, believes freelancing is all about networking. She says, Freelancing successfully means building a network to line up new gigs, passing assignments to others w hen things are busy and getting referrals from friends when theyre not. You never know when these connections will turn into opportunities down the road.Miriam Salpeter,owner ofKeppie Careers, isoften quoted in major media outlets for herjob searchand social media expertise. Author of three books and a sought-after speaker and coach, she leverages her extensive background and successes to teach job seekers and entrepreneurs how to easily usesocial media marketingto accomplish their career and business goals. Salpeter also provides strategic advice and support regarding interviewing, rsum writing and personal branding.

8 Questions to Ask During Any Reference-Checking Phone Call

8 Questions to Ask During Any Reference-Checking Phone Call 8 Questions to Ask During Any Reference-Checking Phone Call Article by Sorosh TavakoliIt is extremely hard to get an idea of what a person will be like at work through classic interviews alone.The best way I know around this problem is by making reference calls. Done well, they are gold mine.Im not trying to capture everything involved in checkingreferences, but zu siche are some things to consider- Always try tofind some backdoor references.Dont just rely on the applicants provided references.- Anyone taking a reference call will usually have a desire to be helpful to the applicant. Your job is to get through that initial kindness and go deeper.- Dontfocus on validating your own assumptions. Instead, ask open-ended questions and listen. Be quiet and let the reference speak.- One good way to get the reference to open up is to frame the conversation as help me best manage my future recruit. Itll be easier to get information about weaknesses and how to manage them if you do this.The 8 Questions You Should Always Ask When Checking ReferencesHeres the reference-checking script Ive used for the past seven yearsWhat was your relation tothe applicant and for how long?What were the applicants major accomplishments?Key strengths? If I hire her, what are the things this person should totally be doing,the areas where she kills it?Weaknesses or areas for improvement? What things should I not have her do? Where will I get the least out of her?(Explain the role you are hiring for, then ask)Do you think she would be a good fit for this role? Why?Do you have any advice for us if we hire this person? How do I best manage her? What motivates her?Would you hire this person again? (It is important to listen to the references tone here.)Compared to all the people youve worked with, how would you grade this personon a scaleof 1-10?Master the art of checking referencesand remember its one of the best ways to spend your tim e. Bad hires areprobably the most expensive mistakes wemake and many of us make these mistakes often.A version of this article originally appeared on 42Hire.com.Sorosh Tavakoliis the founder of Videoplaza and entrepreneur in residence at Founders Pledge.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. Were SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.

How to Know When Its Time to Quit Your Job

How to Know When Its Time to Quit Your JobHow to Know When Its Time to Quit Your JobIts Complicated When Do You Pull the Plug?Is it time for you to end things ... with your job?No one takes a job assuming it will end in disappointment much like no one abflugs a new relationship with the expectation that it wont work out. When you arrive at the realization that your job has become a source of anxiety, things may look grim, indeed. If your relationship status with your job is complicated, thats just another way of saying that its not working. How do you know when to end it?Many professionals have a strong resistance to leaving a job thats not working out. Quitting is hard because it carries an implication that you gave up, did not try hard enough, or were not good enough to make it work. The reality, as Seth Godin so aptly puts it, is that motivational quotes along the lines of quitters never win and winners never quit are wrong. Winners quit all the time they just quit the right stuf f at the right time. So when is it time to quit your job?That can be surprisingly difficult to figure out. How do you not fall into the trap of valuing time and effort invested more than your future? On the other hand, how do you make koranvers you quit for the right reasons? How do you find a new job while employed? Here are five steps to help you think through your complicated relationship with your job and make the best decision about when to quit.Step 1 Face whats actually there.Before you plan your next career move, your first step should be to honestly look at the current situation and figure out whats happening. Sometimes, the issue has little to do with the job and everything to do with your personal life. Dissatisfaction or missing pieces in one part of your life can certainly spill elsewhere, so check your basics before you give up on a career. Health, nutrition, exercise, human connection figure out where exactly the problem is before you make any dramatic changes at wor k.Step 2 Ask yourself if your discomfort is temporary or permanent.Professional growth does not come pain-free. If the discomfort you are experiencing is a temporary side effect from learning new things or stretching into new challenges, quitting will rob you of an opportunity to grow and advance professionally. On the other hand, if the discomfort is permanent or damaging, staying in that situation will cost you time and not contribute much to your career development. In that case, the answer to the question of when to quit your job may be now.Step 3 Reflect on your personal point of no return.Everyone has a personal platzdeckchen of requirements or decision factors that are firm non-starters. What are yours? An abusive boss, a job that has offered no opportunities for growth and career development in three years, or a commute to the new office that consumes two hours in one direction you decide what would spell an absolute no for you. Those examples may be signs that you should q uit your job.Step 4 Ask yourself what needs to change for you to feel great about staying.This is the reverse of step three Instead of thinking about what would make the decision to quit a no-brainer, you are considering what it would take to stay. Most situations can be salvaged, even if just in theory. Perhaps it might take reporting to a different person, finding a trusted mentor, or a good career development opportunity on an interesting side project.Step 5 Ask yourself whether youve exhausted your options for making it better.This may be the most challenging of the five steps. Instead of asking yourself if its the right time to quit your job and daydreaming about new opportunities, make a genuine effort to improve the situation. This step forces you to face the fact that you played a role in creating the complicated and painful situation you are in. Be brutally honest and ask yourself, Have I done everything I can to make this better? Own your part in the mess so that you can b egin to dig your way out.5 things to avoid doing when work turns sour.What if you have answered the five questions above and concluded that your work situation has moved beyond its complicated into the its awful and I need to be single category? The best strategy is to start actively looking for other options and applying for jobs while still employed. This step is best done as quietly as possible, no matter how tempted you might be to make a scene. Here are five common mistakes that professionals in this situation make to the detriment of their long-term careers.Related 10 Tips to Conducting a Confidential Job Search While EmployedMistake 1 Gossiping and complaining to coworkers.Sure, it may help you blow off some steam and festverzinsliches wertpapier over the shared misery. However, complaining and gossiping adds no constructive value beyond making you feel momentarily better. The relief will pass quickly, but the consequences may last longer than this job. Feeling frustrated and upset is completely normal in your situation. Try to channel those feelings into constructive next steps brush the dust off of that LinkedIn profile, get a professional to review your resume, or re-connect with professionals who can help you find a new opportunity.Mistake 2 Using the possibility of quitting as leverage.Here is the big secret Successful professionals either stay in a job and make the most of it or leave without making a fuss. They dont talk about quitting in hypothetical terms or use it as a threat when negotiating.When you feel underappreciated or under-compensated, its tempting to believe that the threat of leaving will make your boss realize how amazing you are and finally give you what you want. In your imagination, the company will pay you more, grant you the things you have been asking for, reassign you to a different job, and give you more flexibility just to make you stay. Unfortunately, real life does not work that way. Instead of delivering on your reques ts, your boss is much more likely to begin searching for your replacement Your outburst along the lines of, I guess Ill just start looking for other opportunities will lock you out of interesting new projects and make you look unprofessional and childish. Dont do it.Mistake 3 Checking out.Checking out physically or mentally spells the death of good opportunities for professionals. I know that its difficult to remain engaged when your heart isnt in it and youre actively looking for a new job. Im not suggesting you act like the companys biggest cheerleader, but you might think twice before you stop doing your work. Stay focused. References matter, and todays business world is more connected than ever before. Do your best to leave with your performance reviews and professional integrity intact.Mistake 4 Making emotional decisions.Slamming a door in your bosss face will give you a few seconds of satisfaction. So will stomping out of a meeting or screaming at a difficult coworker. In the long andrang, all of those actions are more likely to sabotage your next career move than set you up for success. In some cases, it may take the decision of when to leave a job out of your hands completely, as you could get let go. Keep your eye on the ball, take a deep breath, and do whats best for your career in the long run which, in most cases, involves taking charge of your emotional state.Mistake 5 Quitting with no contingency plan.Walking out of a job has its perks a completely open day tomorrow, for instance. However, it also takes away one of your options without automatically creating others. Looking for a job while unemployed is definitely not an impossible task plenty of professionals do it to great effect. However, searching for a new opportunity from the safety of a stable paycheck gives you the luxury of time. It lowers the pressure to find a position in two weeks or risk missing your rent or mortgage payment. That, in turn, improves the odds of finding a position that is a great fit not just something to tide you over.When things get complicated at work, keep a cool head Just as in romantic relationships, sudden, poorly-considered moves in a complex situation wont serve you well. Even if your situation at work leaves much to be desired, more options are always better. By keeping a cool head, continuing to show up, and taking an honest look at your circumstances, you gain the perspective and the time to make a plan to help you decide right next career move. After all, you deserve nothing lessBefore you call it quits with your job, make sure your resume is up to snuff. Request a free resume review todayRecommended ReadingThis Is the Best Time of Year to Look for a New Job5 Things to Consider Before You Quit Your JobHow to Write a Professional Resignation Letter