This study explains why so many of your emails go unanswered

This study explains why so many of your emails go unansweredThis study explains why so many of your emails go unansweredA new workplace study by Bahareh Sarrafzadeh of the University of Waterloo, Canada, and Ahmed Hassan Awadallah, Christopher H. Lin, Chia-Jung Lee, Milad Shokouhi, and Susan T. Dumais of Microsoft, reveals some interesting data regarding the psychology of email deferrals.To conduct the study the team interviewed workers from various positions on the professional food chain, including product managers, researchers, software developers, and interns-all employed by Microsoft.From being too wordy topassive unclear language to following up too frequently, Ladders unpacks the recent workplace study to determine the headspace of the professionals that chose to put our emails on the pay no mind list.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreWhy do so many emails go unanswered?Acc ording to the survey, people delay responding to 37% of emails that require an answer. The process of going through unhandled email and deciding what to do with it, is what the researchers define as email triage. Email triage often promotes response procrastination.When we receive an email, a series of questions immediately occupy our brain. If we do bedrngnis have a sufficient amount of time to address these inquiries we are likely not to respond at all. Some of these questions includeDo I know the answer?Does this email require a task to be done?What is the complexity level involved?Does it require context shifting?Can I handle it independently?The study adds by saying that emails that require careful reading often go unresponded to as well, a point observed in an independent study recently reported on by Ladders. In that particular analysis, the author determined that emails that are brief, to the point and additionally intimate a quasi-familiar rapport garner better response rat es.In general, professional emails should avoid dense language and overly technical jargon. However, this new study suggests that adding a clear deadline to the body ofyour email can motion the right kind of urgency.Email recipients that put off responding to emails due to anxiety will probably be annoyed by too many follow up emails, so try and make your first shot as concise as possible. Occasionally employers ignore emails simply because they assume someone else will get to them. I dont imaginemuch can be done in these instances.Understanding email deferral could have implications on understanding how people interact with their email and designing email clients and intelligent agents to help people with managing and organizing their messages, conclude the authors of the study.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Career Advice I Wish I Got as a New Grad

Career Advice I Wish I Got as a New GradCareer Advice I Wish I Got as a New GradTo the roughly 1.6 millionsoon to be graduates in the United States congratulations and good luck to you. The real world can be scary I know the fear all too well. In fact, this June marks my second year of entering the workforce. I graduated with elend much of plan just to get a reputable job and make a living. I took risks, made mistakes, and learned from them ultimately, I ended up with a job I truly enjoy. However, these last two years also taught me a thing or two about setting the foundations of a career. You probably have heard the basics make a good impression at work, leverage your network, etc. but, there are a still a number of things I learned in the last two years that I found to extremely valuable as a newly graduated member of the workforce. Here are some of those insightsBe decisiveThe most important decision I made right out of college is which industry to pursue. I was a Bioinformatic s major deciding between pursuing biology or technology. I began to realize that I needed to spend time in one field to gain valuable skills in that field. What that means is the longer you spend in one industry, the more industry-specific skills you gain. This comes at the opportunity cost of spending time gaining skills in abedrngnisher industry. As such, changing industries demands a switching cost, which is directly proportional to how much time you have invested in the industry.That said, it is true that as a new graduate, you can change industries relatively easily. So feel free to experiment with internships and volunteer activities. However, manage your career changes carefully. Every time you change, you start over in specialized experience and skills. So, choose an industry that engages you, that you can envision a lasting career in and that you are comfortable committing to.Make a 5-year planHaving a 5-year plan helps inform your local decisions, and gets you thinking in terms of your career as opposed to your job. I was fortunate enough to have the coveted problem of evaluating multiple job offers. My decision was made easy because I knew what my career goals were and I chose the opportunity that was most in line with those.Even if youve not yet started your job search, do yourself a favor and think through your plan. Be honest with yourself assess your strengths, weaknesses, passions and qualifications. Think about your life plans and income goals. Given your needs, brainstorm on paths to achieve your goals, leveraging your talents and qualifications. Be as specific as possible- what are your six-month, one-year, two-year, three-year and year milestones? Its a good idea to have a plan or direction in mind for your career.Take action on your planUltimately, you can plan all you want, but actions help you discover what you want to do. If your 5-year goal is to become the a researcher at a renowned lab, then intern for a few months at a research lab, make connections and learn as much as you can. Do not pass up opportunities just because they dont pay as much as you would like. Evaluate opportunities as they come- do they align with the goals you have listed in your plan? Take opportunities that offer a chance to get your foot in the door, learn as much as you can, network as much as possible and increase your value in connections and knowledge.Take measured risksYou have probably heard the saying, Big Risks = Big Rewards. To a certain degree, this saying also applies to career growth. Do not dismiss a career path because of perceived risk. More often than not, the path isnt as hard as people think it is. Its up to you to analyze the reward and risk to decide if it is a risk worth taking. Think about what the worst-case scenario would be to pursue the path. If this scenario has temporary consequences such as getting fired, losing a small amount of money or experiencing discomfort it is a risk you should be comfortable with. If the scenario involves long-term consequences such as permanently damaging your reputation, losing of all your money or ruining your career, it is not worth the risk.Be niceNever underestimate people skills. Other people control resources, information and opportunities. You could be an extremely adept junior consultant, but you will get passed over for that coveted promotion if people dont like working with you. Its just as important to be friendly, kind and agreeable as it is to be smart and capable. To build a successful career, take it a step further and be helpful. Dont be afraid to explicitly ask a coworker what you can do for them. They will remember your help, they will genuinely like you and they will be ready to help you when you need it.

Your sleep type and the perfect bedtime for you

Your sleep type and the perfect bedtime for youYour sleep type and the perfect bedtime for youWe all understand on some level, that our biological clocks inform the quality and depth of our sleep, but it might be worthwhile to explore the gears a little bit.Our biological clock is actually a collection of nerves called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN.) The SCN resides in the hypothalamus, and every morning when rays of the sun make contact with our eyes, our SCN awakens and begins its reign over a plethora of other biological operations, namely, cortisol and adrenaline production, body temperature, melatonin, and the regulation of our blood pressure. The variations in the rhythms and functions of the SCN are ultimately beholden to genetics, with the differences being neatly (and recently) defined as chronotypes.The circadian secretChronotypes are the biologically driven, behavioral manifestations of our circadian clocks. For years, weve limited the intricate classification via two b road terms night owls and early birds. New research has delayered the nature of these varying sleep patterns, all of which are dictated by the length of our PER3 genes. Understanding our chronotypes allows us to maximize our performance and the effects of different sleep and dietary functions based on our hormones.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreClinical psychologist and sleep specialist, Michael Breus, posits that there are four chronotypes Lions, Dolphins, Wolves, and Bears. Our biological rhythms regulate how well we respond to everything from sleep, copulation and even a cup of coffee. Breuer writes,Have you ever noticed that there are certain times when you prefer to do certain things- and that those preferences dont necessarily align with others around you? You like to hit the ground running first thing in the morning, while your partner takes his time to shake off sleep. You eat your three square meals every day, while your co-worker snacks and grazes. You feel a boost of productivity and energy in the evening, while your roommate just wants to relax quietly and watch TV after dinner. You sleep soundly, straight through the night, while your best friend is constantly complaining about restless sleep.Research on route to be published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences furthers data on the four variations of sleep cycles. Beginning with a survey of 1,305 participants, the team of researchers came across similar discrepancies between the biomedical systems cited above. Afternooners, evidenced energy dips in the mornings and evenings while morning larks were most productive between 9 am and 11 am and then fully tuckered out by the time the sun fell down. This is important because many people misinterpret the meaning of quality sleep.Consistency carries a lot more weight when it comes to sleep health than the specific time that you f all asleep does. Theres nothing inherently unhealthy about being a night owl, as long as your behaviors, diet and sleep schedule are accommodating your personal window of activity. The studys lead author Arcady Putilov, explains,Such tools for unidimensional assessment of morning-evening preference do not account for those who are sleepy all day round and who are alert all day round. While woodcocks are tired pretty much all the time, swifts feel energized from the moment they wake up until their head hits the pillow at night,Whats your chronotype and how much sleep you should be getting?The system to determine the optimal bedtimes that correspond to each chronotype is a fairly simple one- devised by the Sandman himself, Dr. Breues.Breues takes the number of sleep cycles based on typical chronotypes and then subtracts it from appropriate chronotype wake up times. Lions and bears typically get around five cycles and Dolphins and wolves receive around four. Before you take a look at t he chronobiology metrics below, be sure to take the Breuses 45-second diagnostic survey designed to identify your unique biological rhythm.The Lion (medium sleep drive) The CEOs of the world. Fifteen to 20% of the population are the practical optimists that fall beneath the Lion moniker. Lions are driven and focused early risers that rarely nap and are most alert at noon.Up at 600am 470 min = 1010 pmThe Dolphin (low sleep drive) Ten percent of the population is the neurotic, intelligent dolphin chronotype. Dr. Breus defines these as problem sleepers, with no specific time of day associated with optimal function. The majority of dolphins are insomniacs, as they more often than not wake up feeling unrested.Up at 630am 400 min = 1150 pmThe Bear (high sleep drive) Members of this classification account for 50% of the population. They are typically extroverts that optimally perform around mid-morning to early afternoon.Up 700am 470 min = 1110 pmThe Wolf (medium sleep drive) Wolves acc ount for the remaining 15-20% of the population. Theyre impulsive, creative, moody night owls, that dont require a lot of sleep to function.Up at 700am 400 min = 1200 am

Study Women CEOs are more likely to face termination than men

Study Women CEOs are more likely to face termination than menStudy Women CEOs are more likely to face termination than menWomen CEOs are still subject to discrimination irrespective of the success of their company, according to a new study, published in Journal Management, which observed 641 CEO dismissals between 2000 and 2014.The study defined dismissal as the termination of an employee younger than sixty that wasnt informed by health issues or the acceptance of another position. The data concluded that women CEOs were 45% more likely to be dismissed than male CEOs.Both were found to be as likely to be fired if the company was performing poorly but when the firm was performing well more women CEOs were consistently dismissed.Business Insider suspects implicit bias to be a eignung factor with the inclusion of a link to apiece written by reporter Rachel Gillet. Only eight out of the 100 most loved CEOs are women. Additionally, women that negotiate for promotions were found to receive feedback that branded them as intimidating, too aggressive or bossy.Its not all grim business, howeverLast Friday NBC News revealed that 2018 saw 175 women replace male CEOs and about 52% of open chief executive slots were filled by women. It must be said that these numbers give considerably less cause for optimism when observed against the big picture fewer than 5% of Fortune 500 companies are lead by women (these companies experienced a 25% drop in female CEOs as recently as last year).2018 saw the number of women CEOS increase dramatically a record 264 women replacement CEOS were appointed out of the 1,183 studied which accounts for roughly 22% an admirable improvement from 2017s 18%.On the subject, Challenger, Gray Vice President Andrew Challenger had this to sayThe rate of women CEO replacements has risen steadily since 2014. Its the highest rate of women CEO replacements since we began tracking gender data in 2013. As companies grapple with increased awareness surrounding gen der equality issues, such as pay parity and eliminating sexual harassment and gender discrimination, they appear to be hiring and promoting women candidates into the top role. This is crucial to creating an environment where bullying and harassment based on gender is eliminated.A promising omen for the start of 2019.

26% of employees say theyve gained over 10 pounds at their job

26% of employees say theyve gained over 10 pounds at their job26% of employees say theyve gained over 10 pounds at their jobNew data from CareerBuilder shows that 26% of employees say they have put on more than 10 pounds in their current position.The Harris Poll surveyed more than 1,000 American, adult, full-time workers - who dont work for the government or themselves - for CareerBuilders research.The nature of chowing down in the officeSeventy-two percent of people said that they eat snacks at work, 23% eat lunch outside of work a minimum of three times weekly, and 63% eat lunch at their workspace. Overall, 45% of people surveyed think theyve gotten heavier in their current role and 57% consider themselves overweight.But while eating at your desk is a very real thing, theres still hope when it comes to staying active CareerBuilder reports that consistency is key 26% of U.S. workers who regularly work out four or more days a week say they lost weight at their present job, compare d to 12% of those who regularly work out three or fewer days a week.Michael Erwin, senior career advisor at CareerBuilder, commented on the research in a statement.Employers understand that healthy employees lead to a more productive workforce and are taking steps to promote healthier lifestyles both in and out of the workplace 10% of employees are not sure if their employer offers wellness benefits. Focusing on the education of these types of benefits goes a long way to not only improve the overall health of the workforce, but can help with retention of talent, he said.Just 30% of people surveyed report that they have access to gym passes, workout facilities or wellness benefits through their employers, although 19% of people within this swimmingpool say that they dont use these amenities.What people think leads to putting on weight at workHeres the breakdown, according to people who say theyve put on pounds at workSitting at a desk fruchtwein of the day 53%Too tired from work to exercise 49%Eating because of stress 41%No time to exercise before or after work 34%The temptation of the office candy jar 21%Eating out regularly 21%Workplace celebrations 13%Having to skip meals because of time constraints 12%Happy hours 6%Pressure to eat food co-workers bring in 6%Of the 42% of employees who say hitting the gym is not something they do regularly, or ever, for that matter, 48% of them report putting on weight in their role.Eleven percent of people surveyed say theyve put on more than 20 pounds in this same setting.The West is the American region with the most people who say they work out on a regular basis, at 63%. But taking a step back, 58% surveyed overall say they do so with this frequency, even though more than a third of workers have gotten heavier because they either dont have time or are too tired to hit the gym.

Details of Chemist Resume

Details of Chemist Resume As the very first thing hiring managers see, its vital to ensure that your document appears good and is full of only the most crucial information. Your very first task is to pick a resume format. You wouldnt want all your hard work to wind up in flames. When youre asking for a job which relies on the strengths of the person, you want a resume template which you can inject a little more personality into to make it pop. Rather than taking the danger of designing CV format yourself, it is preferable to download for sample CV collection. For example, you could attempt to send out a specific number of resumes weekly. Then youve got to download some sample resumes and resume templates according to the aim of the resume. Using our chemist resume sample can help you shape your resume in the document that employers will see and try to remember, helping you receive the job that you want. Chemist Resume - the Story The Chronological works as it shows your exi sting amount of skill and experience. If youve got such experiences and abilities, its always important to include them in your resume format. When you are getting ready to compose a Chemist resume, always maintain a list of your skills handy, as they can help you in lots of areas within the resume. Depending on what kind of chemist youre, skills and duties may differ. If youd like a higher degree of job independence in the chemistry field and youre prepared to undergo a longer postsecondary program, think about turning into a chemist. Youll offer information to help physicians follow the plan of therapy to make sure the patients recovery. At Lonza, chemists have the option to put in a lot of value by using their work, and a good understanding of chemistry is appreciated by everyone. A clinical chemist is somebody who uses chemistry to appraise patient health. Chemist Resume the Ultimate Convenience Chemists use the application of a wide selection of methods to learn more ab out the chemical nature of substances. They are needed in many industries. They are one of the key personalities of any industry. Your Chemist resume should have the ideal ingredients. As a formulation chemist, youre want to give them ideas on how they may resolve the batch. New products arent always required. For example, medicinal chemists often are convinced that their target demands a specific pharmacophore which cant be modified. When there are quite a few cosmetic chemist jobs, the formulation chemist is easily the most interesting if you would like to be an inventor and make products. Work sites might include manufacturing plants and refineries together with laboratories and offices. Our Chemist resume sample will allow it to be simpler for you to compose a good application. There are lots of organic chemists who write procedures and make technical literature meant for lab usage. As the very first thing hiring managers see, its vital for your resume to offer a thoro ugh yet succinct overview of what youre capable of accomplishing as an employee. You must also communicate the explanations for why you ought to be considered for a sttte in a new field. In them, youll locate a number of work in the chemistry industry which can help you tailor your own resume according to a particular position youre seeking. If youre searching for jobs as a chemist, you are going to want to put to use a particular set of job seeking skills. Consider the most crucial portions of your qualificationsthe things which you would want to have an employer to know right off the bat. The hiring company might want to continue to keep their identity confidential unless they are genuinely interested in meeting with you. You might feel discouraged for finding yourself temporarily out of work, but dont forget that finding your new job is only going to be an issue of time. As soon as it is interesting, its also one of the most difficult parts of the job. Perhaps its your ex isting position, or perhaps its some specialized certifications or the freelance work that you do on the side. Since many bachelors-level chemists work independently and are promoted and paid based on their experience, you generally have to make a graduate-level level, especially if you want to obtain more responsibility. As stated by the BLS, most chemistry jobs require at the very least a bachelors degree in the area. To improve your lab skills, think about completing an internship or other practical training program when earning your degree, so which you can enter the work market with experience.

Will that get me fired The 10 tests every employee needs to take

Will that get me fired The 10 tests every employee needs to take Will That Get Me Fired? The 10 Tests Every Employee Needs To TakePosted March 3, 2014, by Marni Williams Like me, you might have heard of more than a few colourful unfair dismissal cases an employee fired from freight company Linfox for discriminatory comments he made on Facebook outside of work hours the employee who was fired for calling his boss a wanker the case of the government employee who used an anonymous Twitter account as a platform from which to criticise department policy the 25-year-long employee with a medical problem who urinated in a drain outside their factory the worker who was terminated after drinking two beers on his lunch break the senior manager who archived pornographic material at work... You get the picture the list goes on and on and on. Of course not all dismissals are quite so intriguing, but many are eventually found to be unfair. So how do you know if youve crossed the line? We can learn a lot from what has happened so far. Some may be stranger than fiction, but these cases actually set precedents The two recent cases involving Linfox employees highlight just how tricky it can be to define what makes a sackable offence. In one Linfox case, an employee who persistently used his mobile phone at work was found to be fairly dismissed because it was in breach of company policy. However, another Linfox employee, who was sacked for making what were seen as macho and racially vilifying comments against his managers on Facebook, was reinstated due to his long service and his companys lack of social media policy at the time. While we might be tempted to read these cases as great drama, we shouldnt forget that they actually relate back to our own livelihoods. The ritterlich Work Commission (FWC) is the place with the power to influence this its Australias national workplace relations tribunal and it decides whether a dismissal is fair. In the 20122013 financial year alone they published 11,673 decisions, many of which are now serving as benchmarks for future cases. You have to have your own back The FWC used to spend a lot of their time mediating between employers and unions on industrial action and approving collective enterprise agreements, but with more employees on individual agreements these days, they are spending 17 per cent more time with single cases. Not only do individuals need to lodge their claims for unfair dismissal themselves, most of those people represent themselves at hearings. In todays workplace you need to take responsibility for your own rights. How does the Fair Work Commission use its powers? The FWC judges all unfair dismissal claims by asking whether the dismissal was harsh, unjust or unreasonable, and was not consistent with the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code (in the case of employees of a small business), and was not a case of genuine redundancy. Ill soon unpack this further with 10 tests you can take to see whether your dismissal (real, or potential) could be considered fair. The fact is, though, that even the FWC is refining their definition of fair on a daily basis. The FWC has the power to order the employer to reinstate the employee (if bridges havent been horribly burnt already), and/or for the employer to pay compensation to the employee. They assessed 36,616 applications last financial year alone with 18,991 resolved at hearings and conferences. Thats a lot of judgements for us to learn from What is a valid reason for dismissal? In order for the FWC to rule a valid reason for dismissal it must be sound, defensible or well founded. Sounds logical, right? This is opposed to capricious, fanciful, spiteful or prejudiced decisions those few words are probably reminding you of some questionable firings youve witnessed along the way. Thats why its important to pin down that elusive line. In an attempt to do so Ive reviewed the FWCs recently published Benchbook of cases and have come up with these 10 tests. And its not just a checklist to review once the worst has already happened. If you take note now you will not only be less likely to overstep the mark, you will also know what your rights are if youre ever accused of having done so. So take note, its your livelihood after all. Would your dismissal be considered harsh? Would your dismissal be considered unjust? Would your dismissal be considered unreasonable? Would stealing that stapler be serious misconduct? Can you actually do your job? Have you been able to defend yourself? Is your boss likely to be inconsistent? Is what you get up to after work going to affect your job? Are you consistently failing? Are you eligible to take your unfair dismissal case to the FWC? Still have doubts? Heres what the Fair Work Ombudsman told me When it comes to termination, employees should ask themselves whether their behaviour could come into conflict with their employers expectations of how they should behave, or damag e the reputation, profitability or viability of their employers business. If the answer is yes, or even unclear, employees would be wise to avoid carrying out that behaviour, or seek advice about it first, particularly if it could risk damaging their employment prospects. Fair Work Ombudsman spokesperson, 28 February 2014 As well as unfair dismissal, there are different kinds of protections available, such as anti-discrimination, so make koranvers you get some advice from the Commission before you lodge your claim. If youre not sure of your rights, you can always contact the Fair Work Ombudsman directly to see where you stand. They get about 25,000 complaints a year, so youre not alone Oh and for the record, the guy who called his boss a wanker in an all-company email was found to be fitting in with existing company culture, judged on their

3 Questions You Should Ask Yourself if Youre in a Career Rut - The Muse

3 Questions You Should Ask Yourself if Youre in a Career Rut - The Muse3 Questions You Should Ask Yourself if Youre in a Career RutFrom the outside, it looks like everythings going great. Youre getting your work done, youre reaching your goals, and youre staying on your managers good side. But underneath that neatly checked off to-do list, you might be feeling entirely differently. In fact, what looks like hard work to your co-workers may in fact be you on autopilot, just going through the motions of your job. And sometimes, thats just fine. But if you have big career goals youd like to reach, its important to check in with yourself periodically and make sure that your current job is helping you reach them, and that youre notlage getting stuck in a career rut. How do you know the difference? Start by asking yourself these three questions- you might surprise yourself with the answers. 1. Is There Room for Advancement?Advancement can mean a lot of things, from salary increases and titl e promotions to increased responsibility and exciting new projects or clients. And when you work for a company that gives you the ability to showcase your talents and abilities and reap some of those benefits, you dont just get a few more shiny bullets for your resume, you also feel much more fulfilled and energized. Likewise, when those opportunities arent there, you eventually stop caring- no matter how much you might like your current position. The less you care, the less you work to improve yourself. The less you work to improve yourself, the faster your skills will atrophy. Maybe youre at a company where promotions are hard to come by, or maybe you just have a boss whos playing favorites and giving other people the opportunity. Regardless of your situation, a lack of opportunity can lead to a big time rut. 2. Do You Seek Out New Challenges?So, there are opportunities for growth at your company. But do you ever find yourself saying, Nah, not feeling it when they come up? The fol low-up question to this one is Why dont you feel like challenging yourself? Do you have a lot going on in your personal life and need to coast for a little bit? Are you uninspired by the company mission and no longer motivated to do more to support it? Do you even want to be doing the job youre doing anymore? Only you know the answers to these questions. But if the thought of taking on additional responsibilities, or even adjusting your current ones so that you feel challenged, makes you grimace, then youre probably not feeling the job as much as you once did.3. Does Time Fly By?While Im certainly not recommending you should be working round the clock, we all know how great it is when were excited about what were doing You come into the office, lose track of time, and feel immersed in your work. Sure, there are times when you have to do tasks you dont love, but getting to the end of the workday doesnt feel like an eternity when you love your job and the company youre working for. On the other hand, regularly planning out your day so that you can leave at 5 PM on the dot is a red flag that youre not as engaged in your work as you once were. If you answered all these questions with a Yes- thats awesome Youre working hard in a role and company thats well-suited to your passions and goals. However, if you found yourself saying, no, no, and no, then its probably time to start thinking about your next step. Its OK to be in a rut, and its OK to no longer like where you work (for various reasons). As long as you recognize it and work to fix it, youre on the right path. Photo of woman thinking courtesy of Shutterstock.

GF Education Group Calls for Employer Feedback

GF Education Group Calls for Employer Feedback GF Education Group Calls for Employer Feedback Employers can receive top scoring candidate profiles for free (note Recruiter.com is one of the distribution partners of the CBL Exam). For recruiters, its a way to receive entry-level college graduate resumes for free, while being able to more easily judge their core skills and strengths. For candidates, the test is a way to solve the familiar catch-22 of job seeking you need skills to get a job, but to develop the skills, you need a job. Additionally, test takers that score well on the exam will receive a mentoring session with leading employers in their chosen field of interest.To make the test more precisely useful for recruiters and employers, the GF Education Group has issued a survey for assessment of candidates. The simple survey asks the topproficienciesand skills that you look for when interviewing and assessing a candidate as a potential hire. By surveying major employers and ex perienced recruiters, the GF Education Group will be able to ensure the CBL Exam offers the best assessment available to assist in hiring decisions. They encourage both corporate and agency recruiters to take a few minutes to complete the survey. They also cite an iPad giveaway for people who complete the survey.

Deploying to Guantanamo Bay

Deploying to Guantanamo BayDeploying to Guantanamo BayNAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba This is not your typical deployment location in the war on terror. Troops here get to scuba dive in their off time and have an assortment of restaurants and bars to unwind in at the end of long days spent guarding enemy combatants. The troops who manage the detention facility here belong to Joint Task Force Guantanamo. Theyre deployed for varying tour lengths from all services, both active and reserve components. They come here on deployment, and theyre actually coming to a place that is not as bad as (many) deployments, said Navy Capt. Leslie J. McCoy, commander of the naval base. JTF Guantanamo is a tenant organization on the base. The 2,200 JTF personnel live alongside the roughly 9,000 permanent-party sailors, family members, U.S. government civilians and contractors, and third-country nationals who reside and work here. Sailors assigned to the base typically come for three-year tours and ca n bring their families. Deployment length for troops assigned to JTF Guantanamo depends on their service. Soldiers typically deploy for one year, Marines and sailors for six months, and airmen for four-month stints. Living conditions vary considerably within the JTF. Enlisted servicemembers generally live in prefabricated individual buildings, which they call houses with a touch of cynicism. The shipping-container-like quarters each house four to six servicemembers. The troops typically divide the space as evenly as possible and then partition rooms by hanging blankets and shower curtains. Each building contains a bathroom with a toilet and a sink. And mens and womens community latrines, with showers, sinks and toilet stalls, are located within each group of quarters. Senior enlisted members and officers generally live in converted Navy family housing left over from when the base housed a larger population of permanent- party personnel. For instance, one two-bedroom apartment might be assigned to four junior officers. Troops live and work together here depending on what their jobs are, but irrespective of their service. I think its an important part of how they form as a team to that they can do their mission here in the JTF, said Army Brig. Gen. Jay Hood, commander of JTF Guantanamo. We have members assigned to the JTF that have come from assignments around the world, and so its important that we allow them to live and work together and know each other and build as a team. Living conditions for the servicemembers have improved considerably since the military began sending prisoners here more than three years ago. If you go back and look at early pictures of the JTF, our troopers were all living in tents, eating out of temporary dining facilities, Hood said. And officials continue to seek ways to improve living conditions. Ideally what wed like to do is have them all housed in barracks, so were now looking at plans to do that, McCoy said. Were trying to take a s best care of (the JTF troops) as we can to ensure their quality of life is good. And part of that is to ensure they live in good rooms, good barracks or houses wherever they are. Gitmo also is loaded with morale, welfare and recreation facilities and opportunities. Servicemembers can rent boats and fishing equipment, become certified in scuba diving, or spend their time off snorkeling and watching the vast array of aquatic wildlife that fills the crystal-clear waters of the bay and surrounding Caribbean Sea. Aside from water sports, the base features a golf course troops generally play with hot-pink balls because white balls are too easy to lose in the gray desert landscape a brand-new miniature golf course, several gyms and outdoor sports fields, and two outdoor movie theaters. Considering the year-round warm weather and scant rainfall it rains only about three to five times a year here movies rarely are canceled. They come to a small community. We provide a sense of normalcy for those who are (deployed) here, McCoy said. They can come to our churches they can take part in our college programs (and) the MWR facilities. In turn, the captain explained, the base gets a lot from the JTF members deployed here. Since nearly 70 percent of Joint Task Force Guantanamo is made up of reserve-component members, they bring a lot of civilian-acquired skills with them. We get people here who are teachers, people who have different functions in their towns that they bring to Guantanamo Bay, McCoy said. So actually the synergy that we have with the joint task force works out very well. We help support one another.