6 Apps That Will Improve Your Productivity at Work

6 Apps That Will Improve Your Productivity at Work It seems that theres an app for just about everything these days and those for boosting  productivity at work are no  exception! Its only human for us to struggle to  stay motivated at work from time to time, so a tool  that gives  us a much needed boost when productivity is running low makes the perfect gadget for the  office. All you need is a compatible device  and an internet connection and youre all set to go! Luckily for us, there are a number of apps available which can  help with everything from reminding you about important deadlines and taking notes, to  communicating and collaborating with your team; so whatever it is that you need to get done, these apps can help you to get it done faster and more efficiently! 1) Evernote Evernote is essentially a digital notebook, where you are able to record and store an online collection of notes, reminders, photos, web pages, etc., all on the go. These are then accessible to you from any smartphone or computer and you can also add tags to each entry so that they are easy to  search for among your files. This app is  great if you need a helping hand keeping your work organised! Some useful ways to make use of the app include  keeping track of your To Do list, taking notes in meetings and storing research for later reference; meaning you can take your work everywhere you go and keep track of your tasks. 2) Workflow Workflow is an app that is designed to make everyday tasks at work run more smoothly, by syncing the other apps that you have downloaded on your device and creating combinations for them to perform actions together. The app has over 100 functions,  connecting your existing apps and actions together to automate things you do on your device.  A few examples of things you can do using Workflow are:  make  PDFs from Safari; get directions to  your desired destination; download  all of the images on a web page, update your social media accounts and many more. Think of it as your very own office assistant. 3) Dropbox Dropbox is one of the most popular cloud-storage apps  available, making it possible for you to access your files from any device.  The app  automatically backs up,    synchronises and shares photos and files that you save on the app, meaning you can access your documents from any location or device. Although an internet connection is required to sync all of your files initially, they are then accessible to you offline. Some of the greatest advantages of using Dropbox  are that its a great app for  storing large files without using up the storage on your device and its also a quick and easy way to share documents with other people, even if they do not have a Dropbox account of their own. In addition to these, you can  create and edit Microsoft Office files from your device and automatically back up your photos and videos. 4) GoToMeeting Got a busy schedule full of phone calls and meetings?  GoToMeeting  could be just what you need! GoToMeeting  video conferencing app that allows you to host virtual meetings with up to 25 people from any device, making it perfect for managing business meetings. The app  makes scheduling a call quick and simple and it even boasts  a  speaker identification feature that lets you know who is talking in a joint phone call, saving you from any awkward moments! It also facilitates  screen sharing for remote presentations, so whatever the host  shows on their screen, the meeting attendees can also see, such as  slideshows, spreadsheets, etc. Got a conference call booked while out of the office? No problem! 5)  Sunrise Sunrise is a free calendar app that syncs all of your other apps and accounts, so that you can keep track of all of your upcoming events in one place. The app is compatible with Google Calendar, iCloud and Exchange, as well as allowing you to connect it with apps such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Evernote, Foursquare, Trello and more. By syncing it with your social media accounts, Sunrise will connect  your events to attendees  accounts so that you can see the photograph and profile of those you are meeting with. The app  also comes with Meet, which is a keyboard that you can use in any messenger app and enables you to schedule a meeting without having the leave the app you are currently in. Like most of the other apps mentioned, Sunrise automatically syncs between your phone, tablet and computer, so you can access your calendar from anywhere. No excuses for not staying on top of your schedule now! 6)  RescueTime Are you guilty of procrastinating at work or find yourself easily distracted?  If you work in a job that involves spending a lot of time at your computer, its easy to get side-tracked  by the infinite temptations that the internet homes and this can have a detrimental effect on your work performance. Well RescueTime may be your saviour! This great app helps you to  maintain your focus on your work, by  tracking and managing how you use the internet, in order to discourage unproductive use of your time. You can block websites that you are aware are a distraction, such as social media sites; as well as track what websites you  visit to observe where you spend the most of your time. Within the app, you are able to  set goals to help improve your productivity and it will  produce reports of your internet use that show how much time you spent in different categories, how productive you were, and whether you achieved your goals. Wave goodbye to those days wasted on Facebook!  Image Credit: Shutterstock

Reinvent Yourself with These Techniques Â

Reinvent Yourself with These Techniques   Sometimes you just get bored of the way you look. Maybe youve been dressing, doing your makeup or styling your hair in the same way for years. Perhaps its time that you changed your style to say something different about you. You might want to project an image of being a professional businesswoman or show that youre fun and cool. Whatever you wish to do with your look, its not difficult to reinvent yourself. You could spend just a day or even a few hours changing your style. People might not be able to recognize you once youre finished. Heres how you can get started. Dye Your Hair Its not uncommon to dye your hair when you want a new look. A change of color can refresh your style and make you feel alive again. Some women regularly change their hair color to keep things interesting. You dont have to do anything drastic, though. While some women might like to use outrageous colors, you dont have to go that far if you dont want to. You could have some highlights put in if you want. Maybe you could select a natural color that differs from your own. Of course, if you wish to try something brighter, you could do that too. Wear Colored Contacts Your hair isnt the only thing that can change color. You can also use colored contact lenses to give yourself a new eye color too. Even people who need to wear prescription lenses can wear them and get them at a low price. As with your hair, you have a choice of natural or more shocking colors. You could change to blue, brown or green, or you could try something that looks a little more supernatural. For example, some people wear purple contact lenses to make them look more interesting. Get a New Wardrobe If you love shopping for new clothes, getting a new wardrobe is an excellent way to get a new look. It doesnt take long to build a capsule wardrobe of key pieces. You only need a few different items that you can mix and match. You might be drawn to a particular style, or maybe you want to project a certain image. Buying a whole new wardrobe can be expensive, though. If you wish to keep the costs down, try going shopping when there are lots of sales. You should be able to grab some bargains if you find discounts and special offers. Wear New Makeup If youre changing your wardrobe, you might want to adjust your makeup to fit it. There are lots of different styles you can use, whether you wish to wear a lot or a little makeup. Experiment with looks by learning from tutorials and trying things out on your own. You could find some new makeup techniques that you love, both for going out and for your daily routine. It doesnt take long to reinvent yourself entirely. You could look like a completely new person within a few hours. Image Source; Image Source; Image Source

Career Choices Popular Fields of Law

Career Choices Popular Fields of Law Law school allows you to learn all different fields of law, but you only know which one you will practice later on. The tedious training that law school gives its students does not just give them sleepless nights and stressful days it also shows them their strengths and helps them realize what they would excel in. It also helps that you are already driven by something you are passionate about.  If you are looking into going into law school, read up on the following popular fields of law and see which one works for you! Corporate law Deal with corporations and manage their disputes both internally and with clients. It can also involve you making sure that the company complies with state and federal laws and regulations, and Corporate law involves the formation, dissolution, and all other legal aspects of the administration of corporations. Civil rights If you want to be a lawyer of the people, then civil rights is for you. They deal with cases of discrimination and practices that affect a persons civil liberties. Criminal law This is the category of law that deals with  clients who are victims or accused of criminal activity. Here you will represent people on the basis of basic human rights and individual liberties, and regulates social liberties. Environmental law As the name states, this category of law deals disputes between individuals and organizations involving natural resource management and land use based on state federal, or transnational law. Handle land dispites and cases of proper land use. Family law Focus on legal relations concerning familly.  There is a vast range of cases that you may  handle such as  domestic violence, adoption, division of estate, and many more. You can  visit family lawyers in Sydney site  to see areas of work youd be involved in. Intellectual Property law Protect the rights of creators to their work. You will be working with artist, investors, authors, and businesses to their inventions, symbols, and designs. You can cover everything from the artistic to the technical with the central theme of ownership. Labor law Concerned with disputes concerning the workplace and employment. It focuses on the relationship of employers to their employees and unions. Most cases deal with the right to tenure and proper compensation. Whatever category of law you decide on taking on, the road to practicing the legal profession is a long and challenging one. However, if you tough it out, you get the reward and pride of having a noble, gratifying, and fruitful career. So keep at it, and keep going! If you already have your heart set on a law career, do share your experience with us! Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @mscareergirl!

10 Ways To Discover What Youre Meant To Do - Classy Career Girl

10 Ways To Discover What Youre Meant To Do I remember just a few years ago when I had so much stress and anxiety going to work that my stomach would hurt driving in. I would just sit in the car until the last possible minute. I couldn’t relax or enjoy the weekends because I dreaded Monday morning. Sunday blues literally hit as soon as I woke up on Sunday and then the whole day I was just so stressed. I was stuck, unhealthy, overweight and depressed. My husband and I  were underwater on our mortgage and $80,000 in debt and our relationship was not the happiest as I was very moody after work every day. It wasnt easy but I had to dig myself out and find what I was meant to be doing. This didnt happen overnight. Six years now of baby steps, figuring things out, late nights, early mornings, tears, screams of excitement and then of course, resignation letters until I finally figured out what I am meant to do. Today, its write this post. Enjoy! ?? 10 Things To Do Today To Find What Youre Meant To Do 1. Dont Worry About Other People. I knew I had to start making the right choices for ME, not my boss or my clients. I finally did what made me happy and let what other people wanted me to do go. A week after my rock bottom of a very devastating personal experience after multiple pregnancy losses and being stuck for years in a job I hated, I hired a coach and got into a community of ambitious women who were rockin’ it in their careers and doing amazing things that I wanted to do someday too. 2. Find Go-Getters To Hang With That was my life changing decision.   Not to dwell in negativity and impossibility any longer but to make a change and surround myself with positive go-getters who believed that ANYTHING was possible. And that is exactly why I have created this community of ambitious women who are on fire to live their dreams too.   I saw how much potential millions of women have around the world that was unused because they just needed that extra support and positive environment. So many women just like you need someone telling them that THEY CAN DO IT and cheering them on saying that they can and WILL be a success and to believe in them that they really can launch their dream careers and businesses just like I have. 3. Healthy Means Happy Fast forward to today, I am happier, healthier and less stressed. I want to work hard because I lose track of time when I am working. Work doesn’t feel like work. I jump out of bed sometimes at 4am to do my work. I am a happier wife and mother. My miracle baby came into this world naturally and healthy when I started taking care of myself and making decisions that made me happy and fulfilled like going towards my dream career. She finally had a place to thrive because I was healthy and happy. 4. Be Your Best Self   My life has purpose and meaning and I am making an impact. I am excited to explain my job to others and I have found work I love which transfers into all other areas of my life as well.   Nothing can compare to the happiness and excitement of walking out the doors for maternity leave knowing that I was about to bring a baby girl into this world and live my dream life of focusing on my business 100% full time. 5. Make a Big, Scary Leap Just 3 months after my daughter was born, I launched my new program, Love Your Career Formula, which set the stage for my business and allowed my husband to follow me just a few months after to quit his job as well.   We have the freedom and flexibility that we both desired to travel the world with family work trips to Australia and Brazil last year where I got to speak to 800 women. Once you go in the direction of your dreams, so many opportunities and doors will start opening for you. You just have to start taking baby steps and imperfect action. 6. Make a Commitment For me, I landed a book deal, multiple speaking events and awards such as one of Forbes 35 most influential career sites and even invites to regularly be on news media and magazines, just from living my passion. Last year, we packed up our car to leave San Diego and traveled around the US to visit friends and family. We can live our dreams because we decided and made a commitment to making our dream career, dream business and dream life happen. 7. Get Back Up Girl So if I can make this happen in the midst of so many negative experiences trying to take me down, there is no reason you can’t do it too. Just this past week, I had my third miscarriage. Yes, third little one in heaven. It could knock me down. I could stay in bed for days. But, because I know my life has a purpose and there is some meaning for me to get out of bed in one of the most painful times of my life.I justkeepgoing. I am determined to host our challenge for you all next week even though my personal life is in shambles. Why? Because helping you helps me move forward with my life and loss. Yes, you help me as much as I help you. So thank you, for reading this. ?? 8. Find People Who Believe In You I 100% believe in you and am here to support you all the way.   Our mission at CCG is to empower women from around the world to find careers they love so that they can be happier, more successful and make a big impact with their talents and gifts to make this world a better place. You are making that possible by joining us in our community.   Why is it so hard to find good people that believe in you.  I just dont know. We need to make this easier. Thats why I started the Classy Career Girl Network. You better be in there if you havent yet. ROCKSTARS! 9. Let Yourself Dream Bottom line: If you can dream it, it’s possible. I want you very soon to be waking up excited to go to work! If you want your dream life and you want to make an impact in the world, you are in the right place.   Sound exciting?   Let’s get started. Your first step is to take the same life-changing step that I did, get into a supportive community of other women.   10. Challenge Yourself   That’s why I created  the Fall in Love With Your Work and Life Challenge. You can join by going to our challenge sign-up page. We start next week on September 6th!      I can’t wait to see what impact you will make in the world once you launch your dream career! Let’s do this!

Interview Series - Career Experts - Mac Prichard from Macs List CareerMetis.com

Interview Series - Career Experts - Mac Prichard from Mac's List In this interview series, we caught up with Mac PrichardfromMac’s List who shares his expertise and insights about job search, career change,etc.in today’s marketplace.Tell us a little bit about your company evalMac’s Listis a Pacific Northwest job board driven by a simple idea: the hiring process should be more human. When we break down the barriers between employers and job seekers, everybody wins.As the top career resource for passionate professionals in Oregon, and Washington, we focus on sharing high quality job listings and actionable resources that help people find and land the jobs they deserve.evalOur job board features hundreds of real, local, professional-level jobs in the Pacific Northwest.Our job search advice and resources help job seekers learn how to build professional networks and improve their job search strategies.Our hiring services help employers improve their processes and connect with the best candidates in the region.As a certified B Corp, we’re part o f a global movement to use business as a force for social good. Our mission: to make the hiring process more human, for both job seekers and employers. Whether you’re looking for the right job, direction in your career, or your next new hire, the Mac’s List team is here to help.How did youget started? The Mac’s List website today attracts more than 50,000 unique visitors every month.But we began in 2001, when I started forwarding job postings to a few dozen colleagues because I wanted to stay in touch and serve the community.How did you get started in this path? Is this something you decided early on in your career? I didn’t plan to work in this world. My career has been in communications, politics, and government. And I continue to run a public relations company today in addition to Mac’s List.evalBut as I shared job postings over the years, people came to me for advice about job hunting. And employers asked me to send them great people.My team and I have built Mac’s Li st to serve those needs and the community.What is the most exciting part of working in thisindustry? Hands down it’s the gratification I feel when a reader or employer tells me the career advice or a job listing on the Mac’s List site helped them find a dream job or great employee.evalWhat is the best Career Advice you’ve ever received?Early in my career, I thought the only way to find a job was to apply for advertised positions. However, many jobs, some estimates say between 40 percent and 80 percent, never get posted. Instead, these positions are filled by word of mouth in what’s called the hidden job market. After being out of work for seven months, I talked with career counselor in Boston where I lived at the time. She taught me how to do informational interviews to find and get these kinds of positions. Thanks to her advice, I found a terrific job â€" and one that was never posted â€" in less than two months.Today, I run Mac’s List, a job board in the Pacific Northwes t. I’m proud of the value this service offers our employers and readers. However, our website also offers free articles, podcasts, and courses that teach our readers to learn how to do informational interviews and other job hunting skills. We do this so our readers can apply both for the advertised jobs like the ones on our site as as well as the positions that get filled by word of mouth.How do to stay abreast of the industry as an expert? Every week on my podcast, “Find Your Dream Job,” I get to talk to a different career or HR expert about the nuts-and-bolts of job hunting and hiring.evalTo get ready for those conversations, I read the websites, LinkedIn articles, and social media posts of my guests.That preparation â€" along with the more than 200 conversations I’ve had so far â€" give me a good understanding of what’s happening in the career development industry.What are some of the things that you see job seekers struggle with the most?I think the biggest challenge j ob seekers face is learning job hunting skills.To have a great career â€" and work you can love â€" you need to know your goals and how to network, and get really good at writing applications, interviewing, and negotiating salary benefits.Here’s the good news: With practice and effort, everybody can master these skills. There’s never been more good Unemployment is at the lowest levels, why do you think that is? I think the economic growth we have enjoyed the last decade has created great demand for new services and more workers.What is the biggest trendYes, you need to know what the position is, but then figure out the two or three positions that it will take to get it and go down that path first.What is one advice you would give someone who is switching careers?Talk to people who have made that career switch.Ask them what obstacles they faced and how they overcame them. And also ask what concerns and employer might have about your candidacy and their best advice about how to ad dress those concerns.How should job seekers get the most out of LinkedIn?First, recognize that LinkedIn is not an online resume.Yes, as with a resume, you need to describe your accomplishments, not your responsibilities. But on LinkedIn readers expect a different approach. You should write in the first person and keep your language simple and friendly. Doing so shows you put care and thought into creating your LinkedIn page.Second, create a complete profile. That means you need to include a photo, a good summary, and list all your past jobs, volunteer roles, and education. You also should ask for one or two recommendations for each position and take the time to connect via a personal invitation with all your former coworkers, bosses, and classmates. An incomplete LInkedIn profile (no photo, only one job listed, and a few connections), is almost as bad as having no account at all.Finally, use LinkedIn as a publishing platform to show your industry expertise and engage with others. Sh are blog posts, presentations, or other material you created for your job. Or post relevant news articles weekly and occasionally comment on the posts of others. When you do this you will increase visibility and people will think of you when jobs open up.What is the biggest trend(s) you see that hiring managers will face in the next 2-3 years?Hiring managers need to modernize their methods.If they want to attract the best applicants, especially as unemployment rates remain low, companies need to write better job postings, include salary ranges, and communicate with applicants.Employers should also pay attention to what applicants told us in an recent Mac’s List survey matters even more than money: An organization’s mission and culture.Mac, what are you currently working on?We recently expanded the Mac’s List job boardto Seattle and the surrounding Puget Sound area, so we now serve employers and job seekers throughout the Pacific Northwest.What are the best resources you recomm end to job seekers? We offer many free resources at Mac’s List.What is the best way for our audience to reach you? EmailConnect with or Follow Mac Prichard on Social Media:LinkedInTwitterFacebook PageYouTube PageMac Prichard and Mac’s Listhave also been featured in our recent compilation of the most resourceful career experts and career blogs â€"Top Career Advice Websites.

Key Words, SEO and Your Job Search

Key Words, SEO and Your Job Search This is an overview to help you understand how keywords and SEO impact your job search. SEO = Search Engine Optimization The internet is one big database. We use it every day to search for information. Do you ever wonder why some search results come up first? It has to do with the credibility and relevance of the source. When someone searches for a candidate to fill a jobthe same thing happens! This means that SEO and job search are closely connected. Key Words and ATS When you submit your resume and information into an ATS (applicant tracking system) what do you think happens? It becomes part of a database the employer can search.   There are many ways the employer can look for candidates: date, job, keywords! Show me all the people who applied for project manager job [job title] Show me all the people who submitted information on January 2, 2017 [date] Show me all the people with C# [technology] There are thousands of unique ways recruiters can cut through the junk to hopefully find what they are looking for in the sea of applicants. Bottom line You want to be found!    Read more about ATS here. Searching Social Media Sourcers, third-party recruiters and savvy HR professionals are looking for an  exact talent match inside and outside of their networks. They are using LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and the internet to search for the perfect match. Can they or will they find you?   It depends. What key words have you used in your LinkedIn profile? Are you active in groups? Do you have a digital footprint? Get Your Social Profiles In Order There are many ways to build and fine-tune your footprint. Robust LinkedIn profile Personal website or blog Pinterest, SnapChat Instagram Twitter Facebook Learn More About Personal SEO, Social Media and Online Visibility Personal SEO  includes this  free  download has expert advice and tips to help you improve your personal SEO. It is about having a plan and working it! You may feel like this is a big waste of time.   Ill argue that point all day long.   If you are game, try carving out just one hour a day to build your message and network!

Building a Writing Resume

Building a Writing ResumeBuilding a writing resume is essential if you wish to impress your potential employer, but you need to be careful not to go overboard. Here are some tips to help you create a well-written resume that will really impress your reader.There are some skills and traits that are easy to recognize when writing a resume. When the skills and traits are well developed, they are easier to see on a resume. The resume also needs to show some knowledge of how the job will be done. So, keep your writing simple and concise. If possible, let the person know in writing why they would be interested in the position you are applying for.The other key to building a writing resume is having a good tone. You do not want to sound too cold or too blunt. You want to sound as though you have some appreciation for the person you are speaking with and for their skills and experience. Speak to them as if you are an old friend who has known them a long time.The resume should demonstrate som e aptitude in that particular skill or profession. As long as you have some real qualifications in that area of expertise, then you will have more of a chance of getting the interview than if you appear to be unsure.When you write a resume, always pay attention to grammar and spelling. If you are new to the job, then it is important to read the job posting that you are applying for. It is also important to read over the instructions before you begin, even if you can afford to just get by the information.When you are writing a resume, try to be as professional as possible. You may be taking an important job that is important to you, so make sure you conduct yourself in a professional manner. Do not make comments or jokes that could be interpreted as demeaning. You may also want to avoid using certain phrases and punctuation marks that could be considered too formal.When you are writing a resume, you also want to remember that your own knowledge of the job you are applying for will pl ay a role in whether or not you get the interview. When you are new to the job, it is best to leave the answers for the skills section to the experts. This way, the company knows that you are not on a hunt for their best person to fill the position, but that you know the particular skill required.Writing a resume is not difficult, but it does take some time and effort. Make sure you build a resume that will make you stand out above the rest of the applicants!