Sunday, May 9, 2010
Career
Looking for a new job? Wanting to get involved in a new career? Setting up your own company? If any of these ring true then let Article Alley help you. By looking through this Career section you will come across an array of articles all about moving forward with your Career or changing it completely. It is these articles that could hold the answer you are looking for. We have a database full of articles all based around your Career so why not see what you can find. With thousands of new content uploaded to Article Alley everyday you can be sure that the information featured within the Career section is some of the most up to date on the Internet. Our aim is to provide you with the most helpful and informative articles that we can and when you look through a few of our Career articles I?m sure you will agree that this is defiantly something we achieve.
How Can New Graduates Obtain Patent Agent Jobs?
New college students may be wondering what it takes to qualify for patent agent jobs, as such positions can be quite lucrative. Such agents process and put together the documents needed for a person to receive patent protection for his or her cherished invention. While the goal of becoming such an agent is most definitely a worthy one, it does involve a lot of steps.
To begin, those looking to obtain patent deputy jobs must have a bachelor's degree. The degree must be in a field that is approved by the US Patent and Trademark Office. These fields include physics, biology, computer science, computer engineering, and more. A person who majored in any of these fields (a full listing of approved disciplines can be located on the US Patent and Trademark Office's website) and achieved a bachelor's degree will be considered what is known as a Category A applicant for a job as a patent professional.
It should be noted that those looking for jobs as patent professionals do not necessarily need to have a bachelor's degree in one of the areas approved by the US Patent and Trademark Office. They can apply as Category B or C applicants if they do not possess a bachelor's degree in an approved area. Category B or C applicants will either need to go for more training or be able to prove to the US Patent and Trademark Office that they have the technical skills necessary to be an effective patent agent.
On top of having the right academic background, those wishing to obtain jobs as agents in the field of patents need to be US citizens, foreigners, or alien residents who are in good standing. They also need to be in good moral standing. If an applicant was previously disclosed to have committed a felony, he or she must show proof of being rehabilitated.
After reviewing all of the requirements needed to obtain patent agent jobs, applicants must start studying for the Bar Exam for patent professionals. There are many tools available online which will help students to prepare for this test, and these include old exams. The US Patent and Trademark Service site also has some very useful information which will aid people in preparing for the examination.
The final steps that need to be taken for people who wish to eventually land jobs as agents working on patents are to fill out an application for the Patent Bar Exam and then to actually schedule a date to take the test. Upon passing the examination, a person will become a patent deputy.
Once a person becomes an agent in the patent field, one of the best places to search for jobs is the Internet. Job websites are useful, as are search engines where a person can look up law firms in his or her town that may be in need of patent professionals.
In conclusion, a patent agent processes and prepares the documents needed to offer protection to an individual's patent. Obtaining such a job involves a number of steps, and the Internet is a good source of jobs once an individual ultimately becomes an agent.
To begin, those looking to obtain patent deputy jobs must have a bachelor's degree. The degree must be in a field that is approved by the US Patent and Trademark Office. These fields include physics, biology, computer science, computer engineering, and more. A person who majored in any of these fields (a full listing of approved disciplines can be located on the US Patent and Trademark Office's website) and achieved a bachelor's degree will be considered what is known as a Category A applicant for a job as a patent professional.
It should be noted that those looking for jobs as patent professionals do not necessarily need to have a bachelor's degree in one of the areas approved by the US Patent and Trademark Office. They can apply as Category B or C applicants if they do not possess a bachelor's degree in an approved area. Category B or C applicants will either need to go for more training or be able to prove to the US Patent and Trademark Office that they have the technical skills necessary to be an effective patent agent.
On top of having the right academic background, those wishing to obtain jobs as agents in the field of patents need to be US citizens, foreigners, or alien residents who are in good standing. They also need to be in good moral standing. If an applicant was previously disclosed to have committed a felony, he or she must show proof of being rehabilitated.
After reviewing all of the requirements needed to obtain patent agent jobs, applicants must start studying for the Bar Exam for patent professionals. There are many tools available online which will help students to prepare for this test, and these include old exams. The US Patent and Trademark Service site also has some very useful information which will aid people in preparing for the examination.
The final steps that need to be taken for people who wish to eventually land jobs as agents working on patents are to fill out an application for the Patent Bar Exam and then to actually schedule a date to take the test. Upon passing the examination, a person will become a patent deputy.
Once a person becomes an agent in the patent field, one of the best places to search for jobs is the Internet. Job websites are useful, as are search engines where a person can look up law firms in his or her town that may be in need of patent professionals.
In conclusion, a patent agent processes and prepares the documents needed to offer protection to an individual's patent. Obtaining such a job involves a number of steps, and the Internet is a good source of jobs once an individual ultimately becomes an agent.
Free Lance Writing Jobs – 3 Super Tips You Can Easily Apply to Explode Your Earnings!
Are you looking for free lance writing jobs? If you are, here are 3 super tips you can start applying today to explode your earning potential.
Super Tip 1: Always Overdeliver
Most free lance writers will only do what they are told. If they are asked to write 10 articles, they will write 10.
So, how can you stand out from the crowd? Well, why not write 15 articles. If not, 12 is also great!
This is an easy way to build your reputation as a writer especially if you are just starting out. Who knows, you may get yourself a few long term clients along the way. Instead of constantly looking for new clients, now you have more assignments than you can handle.
Super Tip 2: Network With Other Free Lance Writers
Just because you are working online doesn't mean you should be anti social. Go out. Join writer's forum. Network and make friends in the forum!
You don't need to spend all your time on the forum. Just invest half an hour per day. Be helpful. Answer questions. Give advice. Build your reputation.
Super Tip 3: Build a Team
You only have 24 hours per day. You can only accept a limited amount of assignments. If you are only working alone, your earning will hit the cap very soon.
Why not build a team? That's why it is so important for you to make friends in the forum. You can easily form a team out of the friendship you have cultivated.
Now, you can take on more assignments.
Say you are paid $20 per article, you can easily pay one of your team members $10 to write the article. You will keep the other $10.
Can you see the profit potential once you scale it up?
RealWritingJobs Review
MBA Course With a Difference
People, today, have become very conscious about their career. With the rise in career opportunities, different courses are becoming popular all over. These career courses are offering great careers as well. There is no doubt that among all these career courses, Master in Business Administration (MBA) has been in a leading position because of its great features and attractive career prospects.
Class room courses need a lot of money, which is not always affordable by the common people. Meritorious students who are not financially strong can not avail the benefit of these courses; therefore distance learning courses on MBA are becoming popular each and everyday.
A complete education institute that cares for the career of the students offers excellent distance learning facilities for any course. These institutes are authorized study centre of different universities across the country. They offer world class facilities to the students who wish to join this course on distance learning MBA Delhi. They take every possible care of the students and provides them all support that they need for total grooming. Generally, they never make any compromise in any field of training as far as career course on MBA is concerned.
These institutes allow all graduates and undergraduates eligible for this course. The student can belong to any stream. The study materials that are provided to the students are of high quality. These study materials are provided from the respective universities themselves. The design of the course is very attractive and the students need to take it very seriously, even if it is a distance learning MBA Delhi course. They should be very conscious about preparing the assignments from time-to-time and submit them to the concerning institutes.
However, the students are needed to join the institutes for a few days during each semester where they are imparted with very special sessions of the training procedure. These class room sessions are attended by very professional and successful personnel. They are renowned in their own fields. These classroom sessions are generally held to motivate the students to do better in their course. They also need to appear certain mock tests during these classroom sessions. Some institutes offer classroom sessions in air-conditioned rooms, which is an added features for the institutes and the advantages for the students attending these courses.
It is always observed that the students get practical benefits of this system of training as they students need fewer amounts to undergo this prestigious career course. The track record of placement of the successful students plays a very significant role in the whole scenario. It is good to mention that most of these institutes maintain a very good track record in this field.
Super Tip 1: Always Overdeliver
Most free lance writers will only do what they are told. If they are asked to write 10 articles, they will write 10.
So, how can you stand out from the crowd? Well, why not write 15 articles. If not, 12 is also great!
This is an easy way to build your reputation as a writer especially if you are just starting out. Who knows, you may get yourself a few long term clients along the way. Instead of constantly looking for new clients, now you have more assignments than you can handle.
Super Tip 2: Network With Other Free Lance Writers
Just because you are working online doesn't mean you should be anti social. Go out. Join writer's forum. Network and make friends in the forum!
You don't need to spend all your time on the forum. Just invest half an hour per day. Be helpful. Answer questions. Give advice. Build your reputation.
Super Tip 3: Build a Team
You only have 24 hours per day. You can only accept a limited amount of assignments. If you are only working alone, your earning will hit the cap very soon.
Why not build a team? That's why it is so important for you to make friends in the forum. You can easily form a team out of the friendship you have cultivated.
Now, you can take on more assignments.
Say you are paid $20 per article, you can easily pay one of your team members $10 to write the article. You will keep the other $10.
Can you see the profit potential once you scale it up?
RealWritingJobs Review
MBA Course With a Difference
People, today, have become very conscious about their career. With the rise in career opportunities, different courses are becoming popular all over. These career courses are offering great careers as well. There is no doubt that among all these career courses, Master in Business Administration (MBA) has been in a leading position because of its great features and attractive career prospects.
Class room courses need a lot of money, which is not always affordable by the common people. Meritorious students who are not financially strong can not avail the benefit of these courses; therefore distance learning courses on MBA are becoming popular each and everyday.
A complete education institute that cares for the career of the students offers excellent distance learning facilities for any course. These institutes are authorized study centre of different universities across the country. They offer world class facilities to the students who wish to join this course on distance learning MBA Delhi. They take every possible care of the students and provides them all support that they need for total grooming. Generally, they never make any compromise in any field of training as far as career course on MBA is concerned.
These institutes allow all graduates and undergraduates eligible for this course. The student can belong to any stream. The study materials that are provided to the students are of high quality. These study materials are provided from the respective universities themselves. The design of the course is very attractive and the students need to take it very seriously, even if it is a distance learning MBA Delhi course. They should be very conscious about preparing the assignments from time-to-time and submit them to the concerning institutes.
However, the students are needed to join the institutes for a few days during each semester where they are imparted with very special sessions of the training procedure. These class room sessions are attended by very professional and successful personnel. They are renowned in their own fields. These classroom sessions are generally held to motivate the students to do better in their course. They also need to appear certain mock tests during these classroom sessions. Some institutes offer classroom sessions in air-conditioned rooms, which is an added features for the institutes and the advantages for the students attending these courses.
It is always observed that the students get practical benefits of this system of training as they students need fewer amounts to undergo this prestigious career course. The track record of placement of the successful students plays a very significant role in the whole scenario. It is good to mention that most of these institutes maintain a very good track record in this field.
Freelance Writing: Make Money Online the Old Fashion Way, Earn It
With so many folks out of work or experiencing difficult financial times, many people are searching for a way to make money. The trouble is that there are literally thousands of vultures online seeking to take advantage of this dilemma and have flooded the market with promises of making millions at home using your computer. Needless to say most of these “opportunities” do little more than to get you to spend your money and give it a try. Typically, a person buying into this type of a promise will not make money. The reason for this is simple, most of these programs are set up to just resell to others in a bad position and you make money on a percentage of the sale. The best way to make money is to earn it! Freelance writing is simply the best way to earn money on the internet, from the comfort of your own home.
Freelance writing has become a popular source of earning extra income nowadays. Aside from the fact that you get to do use your OWN writing skills, you do not have to leave the comforts of your own home or office to earn a very comfortable living. Right at your very own home or office, you will learn many ways to help you earn that extra income or make a steady living.
Having the freedom to work at your own pace without being tied to a routine is also an added perk to freelance writing. Freelance writing also gives you the opportunity to hone your skills and broaden your knowledge or even lead you to develop a new interest or hobby. Becoming a freelance writer will most certainly be an interesting and rewarding experience for you.
If you are looking to "get rich quick" then Freelance writing is not for you. Becoming a successful freelance writer takes time and practice, however, the good news is that anyone can be a freelance writer and start making money almost immediately.
A financially secure freelance writing career is possible and offers you a lifestyle that will allow you the freedom to work on projects you really want to work on and not just because you need the money.
As long as there is an internet and people desire to search for information there will always be the need for Freelance writers. Because of this phenomena, the need for new and fresh content, is today and will be tomorrow, the one true recession proof opportunity to make money available to anyone who would like to be paid for services they provide.
With so many freelance writing jobs available, a career as a Freelance Writer holds opportunities for growth and change as new markets with special niches are developed, appealing to readers with special interests. Freelance Writing makes up much of the content of online publications and there are just not enough Freelance writers to satisfy the demand.
If you are searching for a REAL JOB, a NEW CAREER or just another resource to EARN ADDITIONAL INCOME to pay the bills and live life a little better, there are literally thousands of freelance writing jobs posted which is why Freelance Writing is simply one of the best ways to make money online today.
Take a minute and visit my website to learn even more about making money as a freelance writer and the many opportunities available to you
Freelance writing has become a popular source of earning extra income nowadays. Aside from the fact that you get to do use your OWN writing skills, you do not have to leave the comforts of your own home or office to earn a very comfortable living. Right at your very own home or office, you will learn many ways to help you earn that extra income or make a steady living.
Having the freedom to work at your own pace without being tied to a routine is also an added perk to freelance writing. Freelance writing also gives you the opportunity to hone your skills and broaden your knowledge or even lead you to develop a new interest or hobby. Becoming a freelance writer will most certainly be an interesting and rewarding experience for you.
If you are looking to "get rich quick" then Freelance writing is not for you. Becoming a successful freelance writer takes time and practice, however, the good news is that anyone can be a freelance writer and start making money almost immediately.
A financially secure freelance writing career is possible and offers you a lifestyle that will allow you the freedom to work on projects you really want to work on and not just because you need the money.
As long as there is an internet and people desire to search for information there will always be the need for Freelance writers. Because of this phenomena, the need for new and fresh content, is today and will be tomorrow, the one true recession proof opportunity to make money available to anyone who would like to be paid for services they provide.
With so many freelance writing jobs available, a career as a Freelance Writer holds opportunities for growth and change as new markets with special niches are developed, appealing to readers with special interests. Freelance Writing makes up much of the content of online publications and there are just not enough Freelance writers to satisfy the demand.
If you are searching for a REAL JOB, a NEW CAREER or just another resource to EARN ADDITIONAL INCOME to pay the bills and live life a little better, there are literally thousands of freelance writing jobs posted which is why Freelance Writing is simply one of the best ways to make money online today.
Take a minute and visit my website to learn even more about making money as a freelance writer and the many opportunities available to you
Why should we hire you for the Job?
Your resume reads like a text book example. You have several degrees all related to the industry that you are interviewing for. You have excellent communication skills and are highly organized. Your former boss still mourns your loss, and as an added bonus, you look really, really good in a suit. So, does all of that make you the best for the job?
Of course, there countless other factors to consider when you are seeking a job and one of them are simply this: sometimes even the very best candidate for a job does not interview well. Knowing that, as well as a few strategies that will help you to fare better, should put you over the top in the interview arena.
You should certainly make sure that your resume is current and free from any errors. Pay attention to modifying your resume and preparing well in advance for the interview. If you have had a very bad experience with a previous employer and you would rather not have to rehash it, then take that reference out. An exception to this would be if that is the only reference relevant to the position you are seeking, or the only reference that you have at all. Keep the employer's information in and then explain that things did not work out there as planned, but that you would not feel comfortable discussing it at this time. This shows that you are not eager to badmouth a previous employer and that you were not trying to hide anything. Be confident in yourself, but be wary of overselling.
I sat in an interview where the young man sounded like he was too good to be true. My gut instinct said that he had over embellished and overstated much of what he had said, but the company overruled my instincts and hired him anyway. One month later my supervisor was pulling her hair out and lamenting that she should have listened to me in the first place. This fellow had not only oversold himself, he had flat out lied about nearly everything on his resume. Be truthful- a little PR is fine, as long as you can actually bring the goods. Know your own strengths and weaknesses.
The interviewer does not know you- that is why they ask you so many questions. You know what you are really good at, and what you are a little flat with: make sure that you talk up the strong suits, and explain how you compensate for the weaker portions of your skills set. Again, honesty is the best policy here. Make everyone see that you are the best for the job by knowing what you are talking about and being able to convey that with confidence and candor. Show yourself to be courteous, conscientious, and organized. Leave them talking about your interview and make sure that they not only remember your name, but other key facts about yourself as well. A well-written resume is a good start, but if you have other relevant information, leave that as well.
Of course, there countless other factors to consider when you are seeking a job and one of them are simply this: sometimes even the very best candidate for a job does not interview well. Knowing that, as well as a few strategies that will help you to fare better, should put you over the top in the interview arena.
You should certainly make sure that your resume is current and free from any errors. Pay attention to modifying your resume and preparing well in advance for the interview. If you have had a very bad experience with a previous employer and you would rather not have to rehash it, then take that reference out. An exception to this would be if that is the only reference relevant to the position you are seeking, or the only reference that you have at all. Keep the employer's information in and then explain that things did not work out there as planned, but that you would not feel comfortable discussing it at this time. This shows that you are not eager to badmouth a previous employer and that you were not trying to hide anything. Be confident in yourself, but be wary of overselling.
I sat in an interview where the young man sounded like he was too good to be true. My gut instinct said that he had over embellished and overstated much of what he had said, but the company overruled my instincts and hired him anyway. One month later my supervisor was pulling her hair out and lamenting that she should have listened to me in the first place. This fellow had not only oversold himself, he had flat out lied about nearly everything on his resume. Be truthful- a little PR is fine, as long as you can actually bring the goods. Know your own strengths and weaknesses.
The interviewer does not know you- that is why they ask you so many questions. You know what you are really good at, and what you are a little flat with: make sure that you talk up the strong suits, and explain how you compensate for the weaker portions of your skills set. Again, honesty is the best policy here. Make everyone see that you are the best for the job by knowing what you are talking about and being able to convey that with confidence and candor. Show yourself to be courteous, conscientious, and organized. Leave them talking about your interview and make sure that they not only remember your name, but other key facts about yourself as well. A well-written resume is a good start, but if you have other relevant information, leave that as well.
Choose a Better Pathway by Applying For LPN Jobs
Many people may choose to enter the medical field as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), which may also be deemed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). This particular profession will yield tons of advantages to both the licensed practical nurse and the patients to whom they provide health care services. This is a relatively easy profession to get involved in, as an individual can get started after just a year's training. So, there is a relatively short training period after which you will begin to earn. Moreover, there are more jobs available due to the increases in demand for LPNs inside and outside of hospitals.
To become a LPN and get lucrative LPN jobs, an individual will take care of the injured, sick or disabled. They must be equipped with their caring, nurturing and sympathetic tools to provide effective heath care service as they will work under the supervision of physicians. They will also need to provide health care services for patients in a wide variety of ways, such as gathering personal data from patients, prepare and administer injections, collect all the laboratory samples and perform regular lab test, teach patients and others about healthy living concepts, and they will supervise nursing assistants.
These jobs yield high income, as a recent statistics report revealed that the average annual salary for LPNs in May 2006 was between $31,080 and $46,640. However, the wages for LPN jobs may vary depending on the industry. In hospitals, a survey showed that people employed in LPN jobs were earning about $35,000 annually, while at a doctor's desk, they were actually making about $32,710 annually. This is a reasonable salary as opposed to some medical jobs.
An LPN career seems to be a booming business, as in the year 2006 the number of individuals in LPN jobs ranged from 700,000 to 750,000. There have been predictions from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that this number will continue to grow over the next ten years by 14 percent to a whopping figure of 854,000 in the year 2016. This increase is estimated due to the fact that hospital health care demands remain strong, but it is also predicted that majority of the increase in the number of LPN jobs will come from the home and nursing health care facilities.
Another reason for the predicted rise in LPN jobs is the increasingly high demand by the aging generation of baby boomers. In addition to this there has been an increase in the regular demand for health care services, which continues to boost LPN jobs. Moreover, another contributing factor is the drastic advances in medical technology, which have resulted in patients now going to their physician's office or a nearby clinic facility to complete some procedures that were formerly done in hospitals. Licensed practical nurses continue to play a critical role in nurturing and caring for patients, who may be in dire need of health care services. Additionally, LPN jobs will also be offered in the patient's home, as many elderly are unable to visiting hospitals.
To become a LPN and get lucrative LPN jobs, an individual will take care of the injured, sick or disabled. They must be equipped with their caring, nurturing and sympathetic tools to provide effective heath care service as they will work under the supervision of physicians. They will also need to provide health care services for patients in a wide variety of ways, such as gathering personal data from patients, prepare and administer injections, collect all the laboratory samples and perform regular lab test, teach patients and others about healthy living concepts, and they will supervise nursing assistants.
These jobs yield high income, as a recent statistics report revealed that the average annual salary for LPNs in May 2006 was between $31,080 and $46,640. However, the wages for LPN jobs may vary depending on the industry. In hospitals, a survey showed that people employed in LPN jobs were earning about $35,000 annually, while at a doctor's desk, they were actually making about $32,710 annually. This is a reasonable salary as opposed to some medical jobs.
An LPN career seems to be a booming business, as in the year 2006 the number of individuals in LPN jobs ranged from 700,000 to 750,000. There have been predictions from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that this number will continue to grow over the next ten years by 14 percent to a whopping figure of 854,000 in the year 2016. This increase is estimated due to the fact that hospital health care demands remain strong, but it is also predicted that majority of the increase in the number of LPN jobs will come from the home and nursing health care facilities.
Another reason for the predicted rise in LPN jobs is the increasingly high demand by the aging generation of baby boomers. In addition to this there has been an increase in the regular demand for health care services, which continues to boost LPN jobs. Moreover, another contributing factor is the drastic advances in medical technology, which have resulted in patients now going to their physician's office or a nearby clinic facility to complete some procedures that were formerly done in hospitals. Licensed practical nurses continue to play a critical role in nurturing and caring for patients, who may be in dire need of health care services. Additionally, LPN jobs will also be offered in the patient's home, as many elderly are unable to visiting hospitals.
Flexible Work Arrangements: Benefits for You and Your Boss
Forced furloughs. Unpaid vacation days. Shortened workweeks. These were some of the nasty aftereffects we saw and lived through (or are still living through) as a result of the recession. But these lemons may end up making some very sweet lemonade, as employees and employers alike are seeing the benefits of alternative work schedules, more commonly know as flexible work arrangements (FWA).
Although shorter weeks often meant smaller paychecks in recent months, the flexible scheduling tactics that kept many companies afloat during the recession may soon find a permanent spot in the workplace (without the sting of that reduced paycheck). That’s because flexible work arrangements, which include flex time, telecommuting, and job sharing, allow employees to manage their own schedules, work from home, and have a better work/life balance. That means happier employees, which in turn means higher productivity (and happier bosses). And offering FWAs are an attractive alternative to companies who want to increase employee benefits, but are still feeling cash-strapped and can’t offer the huge bonuses of yesteryear.
“If there’s a silver lining to the recession, it’s that smart companies are beginning to turn time into a tool to attract, retain and engage high-performing talent of both sexes,” Sylvia Ann Hewlett wrote in her New York Times article “Making Flex Time a Win-Win.”
If you’ve been stuck in a 1950s, 9-to-5 schedule, now’s the perfect time to rethink your work week. During your next job search, consider a flexible work schedule as part of your compensation package. Or if you’re happy in your current position, but would like to work more flexibly, ask your boss for a flexible work arrangement. Not sure how to get started? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Read on for the ins and outs of FWAs.
Flexible Work Arrangements: The Basics
So you want a flexible work schedule, but you don’t know what the options are (or what to ask for)? Here’s a rundown of the basic offerings you can expect to find in a flexible work environment:
Compressed work weeks: You log in your 40 hours each week, but you do it in fewer days. That may mean a few 10- or 12-hour work days, but the bonus is an extra day off at the beginning or end of the week. (Hello, 3-day ski weekend!)
Flextime: You choose what time you start work and go home. Early birds can come in at 7:00 a.m. and leave at 3:00 p.m.; night owls can sleep in and work later. Usually there’s a mandatory “core” time in the middle of the day, say from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., during which employees are expected to be in the office.
Flexplace (aka telecommuting): In this scenario, you can choose to work in an office that’s closer to home, or in some cases, you can even work from home (aka in your pajamas).
Part-time Work or Job Sharing: You work less than 40 hours per week, or you share a position with a co-worker, splitting the responsibility (so the company essentially has a full-time employee, but you both work part-time).
Hot desking: is related to flexplace and telecommuting. You might work from home some days, and on the days you come into the office, you work at whatever desk/work station is available. Rather than have a dedicated desk or cubicle, you’ll share space with your fellow employees. This concept hinges on the fact that most employees have their own laptop, blackberry, and other technological devices to get the job done.
Benefits for you
There are the obvious benefits to flexible work arrangements, like having longer weekends or working from home. But if you look a little deeper, you’ll see that the benefits are endless. Working from home, for example, means less time spent commuting, which means less miles on your car, less money spent on gas, less money spent on daycare, less money spent on lunch at the Subway across from your office, less time spent in gridlock, and so on. FWAs a great for working parents, working students, workers with dogs, workers with hobbies, or anyone else who wants to work hard, work smart, save money, and have a life outside of the office.
Benefits for your employer
Ok, so you’re ready to pitch the idea of a flexible schedule for your boss, but you’re not sure how she’s going to react. Let her know that in the Society for Human Resource Management’s June 2009 study“Workplace Flexibility in the 21st Century: Meeting the Needs of the Changing Workforce” reported that companies with formal FWAs saw an increase in employee morale and job satisfaction paired with increased employee retention, increased productivity and a decrease in absenteeism. Having a flexible work environment will also give your employer an edge in recruiting top talent, can actually increase office coverage, and reduce office space and overhead expenses. And heaven forbid your office or building falls prey to a natural disaster, the company’s workforce will already be trained to operate outside of the workplace.
The recession may have changed the way we do business, but it doesn’t all have to be negative. FWAs offer benefits for employees, employers, companies and stockholders alike—what could be better than that?
Although shorter weeks often meant smaller paychecks in recent months, the flexible scheduling tactics that kept many companies afloat during the recession may soon find a permanent spot in the workplace (without the sting of that reduced paycheck). That’s because flexible work arrangements, which include flex time, telecommuting, and job sharing, allow employees to manage their own schedules, work from home, and have a better work/life balance. That means happier employees, which in turn means higher productivity (and happier bosses). And offering FWAs are an attractive alternative to companies who want to increase employee benefits, but are still feeling cash-strapped and can’t offer the huge bonuses of yesteryear.
“If there’s a silver lining to the recession, it’s that smart companies are beginning to turn time into a tool to attract, retain and engage high-performing talent of both sexes,” Sylvia Ann Hewlett wrote in her New York Times article “Making Flex Time a Win-Win.”
If you’ve been stuck in a 1950s, 9-to-5 schedule, now’s the perfect time to rethink your work week. During your next job search, consider a flexible work schedule as part of your compensation package. Or if you’re happy in your current position, but would like to work more flexibly, ask your boss for a flexible work arrangement. Not sure how to get started? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Read on for the ins and outs of FWAs.
Flexible Work Arrangements: The Basics
So you want a flexible work schedule, but you don’t know what the options are (or what to ask for)? Here’s a rundown of the basic offerings you can expect to find in a flexible work environment:
Compressed work weeks: You log in your 40 hours each week, but you do it in fewer days. That may mean a few 10- or 12-hour work days, but the bonus is an extra day off at the beginning or end of the week. (Hello, 3-day ski weekend!)
Flextime: You choose what time you start work and go home. Early birds can come in at 7:00 a.m. and leave at 3:00 p.m.; night owls can sleep in and work later. Usually there’s a mandatory “core” time in the middle of the day, say from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., during which employees are expected to be in the office.
Flexplace (aka telecommuting): In this scenario, you can choose to work in an office that’s closer to home, or in some cases, you can even work from home (aka in your pajamas).
Part-time Work or Job Sharing: You work less than 40 hours per week, or you share a position with a co-worker, splitting the responsibility (so the company essentially has a full-time employee, but you both work part-time).
Hot desking: is related to flexplace and telecommuting. You might work from home some days, and on the days you come into the office, you work at whatever desk/work station is available. Rather than have a dedicated desk or cubicle, you’ll share space with your fellow employees. This concept hinges on the fact that most employees have their own laptop, blackberry, and other technological devices to get the job done.
Benefits for you
There are the obvious benefits to flexible work arrangements, like having longer weekends or working from home. But if you look a little deeper, you’ll see that the benefits are endless. Working from home, for example, means less time spent commuting, which means less miles on your car, less money spent on gas, less money spent on daycare, less money spent on lunch at the Subway across from your office, less time spent in gridlock, and so on. FWAs a great for working parents, working students, workers with dogs, workers with hobbies, or anyone else who wants to work hard, work smart, save money, and have a life outside of the office.
Benefits for your employer
Ok, so you’re ready to pitch the idea of a flexible schedule for your boss, but you’re not sure how she’s going to react. Let her know that in the Society for Human Resource Management’s June 2009 study“Workplace Flexibility in the 21st Century: Meeting the Needs of the Changing Workforce” reported that companies with formal FWAs saw an increase in employee morale and job satisfaction paired with increased employee retention, increased productivity and a decrease in absenteeism. Having a flexible work environment will also give your employer an edge in recruiting top talent, can actually increase office coverage, and reduce office space and overhead expenses. And heaven forbid your office or building falls prey to a natural disaster, the company’s workforce will already be trained to operate outside of the workplace.
The recession may have changed the way we do business, but it doesn’t all have to be negative. FWAs offer benefits for employees, employers, companies and stockholders alike—what could be better than that?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
