Using AI to Manage the Grid

Using AI to Manage the Grid Using AI to Manage the Grid Using AI to Manage the GridBig Data is coming to the nations electric gridfinally.More municipal officials and utilities are already using it to promote smart city development. Now the Department of Energy is moving on a plan to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to develop an autonomous grid. One of the first steps is a project to create algorithms and tools to gather and digest data from satellite imagery, utility operations, and other sources to build a body of knowledge on how electrical distribution systems work, identify places where the grid is vulnerable, reinforce those spots and recover quickly if a failure occurs.SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is a research center for astrophysics, photon science, accelerator and particle physics. Image Stanford UniversityThe idea is to identify anomalies, find trends and then alert system operators, says Sila Kiliccote, director of DOEs SLAC National Accelerator L aboratory at Stanford University. SLAC is the lead agency for the project, which also includes Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and other federal labs, as well as utility partners including the National Electric Rural Cooperative. The project will be the first of its kind to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve the resilience of the grid.The Grid Resilience and Intelligence Project, or GRIP, is a $6-million DOE effort and one of seven projects addressing grid resiliency and security. It is not starting from scratch, Kiliccote says, and will draw from work done by Stanfords GisMo Lab, especially its VADER project.VADER, or Visualization and Analytics for Distributed Energy Resources, is an effort to develop and model a set of tools to monitor and oversee control of new electric distribution systems, verify them using data from industry partners, and validate them in a pilot project. Kiliccote points to the changes happening in the distribution system becau se of the increasing number of renewable energy projects feeding power to the grid. The existing system was designed to handle passive loads traveling one way, from the generation source to the user. Increasingly, loads can now travel in both directions and with a high degree of variability. On the user side, electric vehicles, demand response, and smart loads compound the problem.Theres a paradigm shift in the way assets are being run, she says. Present models dont recognize new types of inverters, for instance.Solar inverters automatically convert variable direct current from photovoltaic systems to AC current that flows into the grid. Berkeley Lab has developed control systems for the new inverters, and will build on that for GRIP.Berkeley Lab has pioneered the development of algorithms that can optimally manage distributed energy resources like wind, solar, and batteries, and are completely plug and play, said Dan Arnold, the research scientist leading the Berkeley project. For GRIP, those controls will be deployed and tested on an existing utility network. We hope to be able to create an electric grid that can use distributed energy resources to automatically reconfigure itself to maximize reliability.Kiliccote is excited about using the tools with partner utilities. She says a large California utility already is on board but is not yet identified because details of proprietary issues are not yet worked out. However, its partnership with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association should open up new tools and technologies to small utilities that currently dont have easy access to them.NRCA represents 834 distribution cooperatives that provide power to some 42 million customers in 47 states. Vermont Electric Cooperative already is working with a vendor that develops software and systems to adjust power consumption of home thermostat-controlled devices when the grid is overloaded or the power supply fluctuates. Kiliccote says they want to demonstrat e tools on how to absorb grid events by reducing loads and moving them around.In California, the utility will be one of the first places to test the data analytics platform. It will be populated with specific information about what aspects of the grid look like, such as where solar or wind power sources are located, where batteries are located and how distribution lines are laid out. That will allow managers to look for anomalies and identify problem areas and propose appropriate solutions.Something as common as satellite imagery can play an important role. Although the system is not being designed to handle physical security, it could be used to identify problem areas, such as encroaching stands of trees, and anticipate when they would grow over and threaten power lines.GRIP will build on VADERs work to integrate data and provide real-time intelligence through a unified data analytics platform. This is certainly evolutionary, says Kiliccote. Were not creating new approaches or meth odology. It is just that artificial intelligence has not been applied here, on the electric grid. This industry has been dominated by power system engineers, not computer scientists.Kiliccote expects to receive the $6-million grant for the three-year program soon. The award is part of DOEs Grid Modernization Initiative. Other projects receiving funding are distribution system improvements in Alaska using automation network analysis, control and energy storage increasing distribution resiliency using flexible distributed generations sources and microgrids and research and validation of open-source home-energy management systems to support distribution resiliency. For Further DiscussionThe project will be the first of its kind to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve the resilience of the grid. Sila Kiliccote, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

What it Means to Be Yourself in a Job Interview - The Muse

What it Means to Be Yourself in a Job Interview - The MuseWhat it Means to Be Yourself in a Job Interview Just be yourself. Its an extremely common piece of advice for many different types of situations, including job interviews. The intention is to encourage you to relax and not try to be someone else simply because you think thats what the hiring manager is looking for. Rex Huppke, a columnist at The Chicago Tribune, believes that when you try to fit into the perfect candidate mold, you ansturm the risk of masking what should be your strongest selling point you. Yet, Adam Grant, author of Give and Take Why Helping Others Drives Our Success and professor of psychology and management at the University of Pennsylvania, thinks being yourself is an absolutely horrible recommendation, though. As he says, Nobody wants to see your true self.- ouch- We all have thoughts and feelings that we believe are fundamental to our lives, but that are better left unspoken. What I believe hes trying to say, is that who you are is defined by what you think. And if youre true to who you are, that means youll go hog wild and voice every single thing that crosses your mind ( la Kanye West). As you can imagine, this could be a pretty chancy move when youre trying to get a new job (or, um, maintain any type of relationship). If youve taught yourself how to write code, for example, and the interviewer mentions that a coding training program is available to all employees, you probably shouldnt say something like, Oh, thats cool, but I learned that on my own in, like, a day. So thats not very useful for me. Humans have thousands of thoughts each day, and, furthermore, not all of them are legitimate. James McCrae, author of Sht Your selbst Says Strategies to Overthrow Your Ego and Become the Hero of Your Story, poses that you shouldnt give weight to every word that passes through your brain. When we examine our long patterns of brain activity, says McCrae. its clear that thoughts can be unstable and often arbitrary, shifting depending on context and contradicting our better instincts. Its what you do with all thoughts that comprises your partality and builds your character. You need to consciously decide what you should (and shouldnt) say, as well as the appropriate time for it. Its great that youre a self-taught individual, and you definitely want to showcase that. But you can save that fun tidbit for when youre asked what your biggest strengths are, and you can share it in a much less condescending manner. One of my biggest strengths is that Im really driven and always want to expand upon my skillset. Last month, I spent a weekend teaching myself how to code, and Id love to continue learning more about it.As Grant says (and this part I do agree with), No one wants to hear everything thats in your head. They just want you to live up to what comes out of your mouth. So, yes. You should be yourself. The person vetting you for the job does want to get to know the rea l you. The trick is making sure youre showing him your best self.

NASAs Alien Tire

NASAs Alien Tire NASAs Alien Tire NASAs Alien TireNASA is dedicated to futuristic vehicles and missions, but the agency is also setting out to reinvent the wheel. The new superelastic tire developed at NASAs Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is built to thrive on inhospitable planets such as Mars, where the rocky terrain is hard to maneuver and temperatures can reach -130 C.But the real advantage of the new tire is its ability to carry heavy loads without suffering permanent damage. For lunar and planetary rovers that are intended to explore for months or years with no hope of getting spare parts, that is a real benefit.Tire damage became a concern for NASA engineers in 2013 after they noticed significant wheel degradation on Curiosity, the car-sized rover that explored Gale Crater on Mars. We wanted to ensure any wheels sent to Mars never got damaged again, says Santo Padula, a materials research engineer at Glenn.Engineers test their new airless tire in loose sand at the Glenn Res earch Center. Image NASAA team lumineszenzdiode by Colin Creager, a mechanical engineer at NASA, had been developing tire prototypes based on a steel spring design. These springs could carry heavy loads but faced limits on the force and deformation they could handle. Too much, and the wheels would fracture due to excessive stretching of bonds between atomic structures.Also for You Need to 3D print something on Mars? Heres what you need to know.Instead of steel, Padula recommended fashioning a wheel from a nickeltitanium shape-memory alloy, which had a unique deformation mechanism that could snap a tire back into its original shape in case of deformities. The alloy is able to reshape itself due to a unique deformation method. Rather than expanding the bonds of a crystal lattice, it rearranges the atomic structure to another crystal lattice form. That means that if the solid element needs to bend or deform when hurdling over an obstacle like a rock, it would come back to its original shape instead of separating or fracturing.Shape-memory alloy tires may someday be used in automobiles, heavy equipment, and military vehicles.After several years of trials, the team believes it has hit on the right formula for the alloy. The nickel-titanium alloy can take a 10 percent to 12 percent strain, while the earlier materials had only a 0.3 percent strain. The engineers have tested the new tires with a load of 140 poundsup to hundreds of times the weight of the tiresand believe they could support even more.Though the tires were designed with space it mind, the NASA engineers have perhaps a loftier goal in sight. We want to see this used on earth, Creager says.Shape-memory alloy tires may someday be used in automobiles, heavy equipment, and military vehicles. The airless design could give vehicles better traction on sand and dirt, and might ultimately reduce the amount of rubber used in tires. Readmoreabout new advances in manufacturing and design on ASME.org

Entry Level Waiters and Servers Resume Template 2018s Top Format

Entry Level Waiters and Servers Resume Template 2018s Top FormatEntry Level Waiters and Servers Resume Template - 2018s Top FormatEveryone loves to eat out, and waiters and servers are a key part of that experience. With more than 2.6 million jobs throughout the country, theres still a demand for these workers. zentralwert pay works out a hair over $10 per hour, although tips can make this far higher depending on the establishment. While fast-food restaurants often hire based on applications, a professional-looking resume helps you get your foot in the door at higher-end establishments.This job doesnt require any formal qualifications, but it does need good customer tafelgeschirr skills. Highlight previous work with customers or the public, and include successful experiences as part of teams. Stand out from the pack by including specific experiences serving others, including managing concession stands or volunteering.Start with our entry-level waiters and servers resume template fo r ideas on how to best write your own. Create ResumeJo Palmer100 Main Street, Cityplace, CA, 91019 C (555) 322-7337example-emailexample.comSummaryOutgoing server with great customer service and food handling skills. Good dedication and a very quick learner. Works well in busy atmospheres and under stress. Experience in handling money.HighlightsWorks well under pressureReliable, punctual and committed to customer serviceHighly responsible and reliableUpbeat, outgoing and positiveStrong customer relationship builderAbility to handle fast-paced environmentWilling to work under pressureProven leadership skillsAccomplishmentsRecognized by peers and management for going above and beyond normal job functions. Was working on being moved up into management positions. Trained new crew how to do the skills needed for four years.ExperienceCrew Trainer May 2008 to Aug 2013 McDonalds Wisconsin Rapids, WisconsinUp-sold additional menu items, beverages and desserts to increase restaurant profits.T ook necessary steps to meet customer needs and effectively resolve food or service issues.Recorded customer orders and repeated them back in a clear, understandable manner.Promptly reported complaints to a member of the management team.Correctly received orders, processed payments and responded appropriately to guest concerns.Served fresh, hot food with a smile in a timely manner.Resolved guest complaints promptly and professionally. Trained new crew on the skills needed to succeed at work.EducationEMT-B certification, EMT-B Midstate Technical College Wisconsin Rapids , Wisconsin, USACustomize ResumeMore Food and Beverage Resume TemplatesWaiters and Servers Resume TemplatesExperienced Waiters and Servers Resume Templates

The Foolproof Free Creative Resume Templates Microsoft Word Strategy

The Foolproof Free Creative Resume Templates Microsoft Word Strategy There are a lot of free creative resume vorlages you are able to use, enabling you to focus your energy on everything else you have to do. There are lots of beautiful resume templates out there, but nevertheless, it can be simple to feel as a lot of the greatest cost a ridiculous quantity of money, require special design programs in order to edit, or both. Maybe people start looking for resume templates as a result of a deficiency of confidence. There are lots of free resume templates readily available online but sometimes it can be quite challenging to choose the best one that is fruchtwein suited to you. You will discover a variety of completely free sample resume templates online today. You may introduce dot points under each work title too in case you prefer. If you would like more choices for resume designs and ideas, the articles below are a good method to keep learning. The Dos and Donts of Free Creat ive Resume Templates Microsoft Word Fortunately, there are many publishers around whove created incredible resume templates for fast editing and formatting in Word. It is extremely easy to create a great looking resume in Word and one can even utilize templates to assist them. In some cases what you will need isnt a resume template whatsoever. Although originally created for Excel, these templates are now able to be downloaded as Word documents also. The template can be found in Photoshop and Word file formats and you can also select from dark and light color themes to make an attractive resume also. It is available in PSD format. If it looks different than the example it may be because you dont have the correct font. It is free for personal and commercial use. The Good, the Bad and Free Creative Resume Templates Microsoft Word Resume is quite critical for s one who is searching for work. If youre having trouble getting attention, make sure you take a look at our tips to re ceive your resume noticed. Whats important is to make sure everything on your resume is vital. A basic resume is also less difficult to read. You dont even need to sign up for a spam list. A modern resume needs to be simple to read and attractively designed. A good resume would aid with that. A History of Free Creative Resume Templates Microsoft Word Refuted An MS Student Resume template guides a student to produce an appealing resume that might improve their likelihood of becoming very good employment. Instead you might want to incorporate an expert summary that states what you need to offer you the employer for a candidate, instead of what youre searching for. All you need to do is point and click. Getting your resume done properly is extremely important to drawing the interest of any prospective employer. The whole assortment of resume templates is composed of an assortment of creative resume designs. While the template is the fruchtwein acceptable for designers, othe r professionals can use it also. Each template offers structure, examples and tips so you dont need to start from scratch when creating your resume. Each one of our creative style templates provide a perfectly balanced mixture of personality, professionalism and a little style. Youre now able to earn a terrific first impact with professional styling and personalized appearance. A creative free resume template created for all kinds of professionals. An absolutely free minimalistic resume template that have clean design, simple to use and customise. Submit the same resume for every single job. As an issue of fact, your resume is really a tool to advertise yourself among employers. The Chronological Resume indicates the precise timeline of somebodys job history and illustrates their abilities and experience. The Chronicles of Free Creative Resume Templates Microsoft Word Using templates can help you make a document by simply filling in the info thats asked for. Employing a t emplate can lessen the quantity of time you need to spend formatting your document, which makes it possible for you to concentrate on adding content and polishing your resume. You can also select job-based resume templates in accordance with your target business or company. Utilizing a resume template has turned into an acceptable and smart practice for several explanations.Bear in mind, when youve finished personalizing your resume, youre not prepared to fill out an application yet. Its a clean creative resume for individual use. Its simple to use and absolutely yours for free for your private use The usage of free creative resume templates are able to help you dress up the document in a manner thatll be appreciated by potential employers.

What E-commerce Website Design Resume Writing Is - and What it Is Not

What E-commerce Website Design Resume Writing Is - and What it Is Not The E-commerce Website Design Resume Writing Stories As mentioned there are lots of programs youll be able to utilize to produce websites. There are several kinds of sites and there are various tools you may utilize to develop them. If you have opted to elect for a specific web-based CRM solution for yur Drupal site, let us guide you through the implementation procedure that will observe the CRM software ready to go in almost no time. Business websites and company apps has a crucial role available transformation, so if youre looking for the best internet konzept and development team in UAE, you have to locate the very best level firms to learn a lot superior solution for you business. Employing web konzeption templates or custom web design can be two valid alternatives to create an internet site, the method you opt to use will be dependent on your targets and your financial plan. The site may also be though t to be the face of a company. The site design ought to be a collaborative work. Why a custom made website design may be best If youre an artist and youre considering in obtaining a website you may want to think about custom website design instead of using a business that provides pre-made templates. Not only does the site look excellent, but giving our customers an improved web experience has increased sales and is helping set a good brand presence for BRAVE in a very competitive fashion enterprise. Many people believe website design is something usable only by businesses and might not consider the way that it can help a person who is involved in the arts or other creative industries. Many elektronischer geschftsverkehr sites make an endeavor to showcase items which are likely to be of interest to visitors, obviously with the intent of helping visitors to seek out something which they will buy. If youre building an e-commerce website, think about exactly how youre able to liv en up the experience with the addition of something a little more interactive than your average on-line store. Key Pieces of E-commerce Website Design Resume Writing The focus of an e-commerce site ought to be on the products which are offered for purchase. Even if your site is not an e-commerce site, its important that it be engaging and simple for visitors to use. When many people are searching for a company of Web design that may create a site for your organization, few understand that the internet site design involves a lot more than aesthetics. Furthermore, a professional site design company may also help you to get your site noticed through using search engine optimization and could be able to assist you raise site traffic considerably more than should you try and build and promote your site yourself. The Ultimate E-commerce Website Design Resume Writing Trick Design firms charge quite a few various ways. Deciding on a web site design firm can be a make or break deal in regards to a brand-new enterprise. Developing a site is similar to any other small business venture, an internet design company should offer a timetable and stick. Designing ecommerce website wants an expert designer with complete technical wisdom and artistic creative strategy.

How smart people handle difficult people in the office

How smart people handle difficult people in the officeHow smart people handle difficult people in the officeDifficult people defy logic. Some are blissfully unaware of the negative impact that they have on those around them, and others seem to derive satisfaction from creating chaos and pushing other peoples buttons. Either way, they create unnecessary complexity, strife, and worst of all stress.Studies have long shown that stress can have a lasting, negative impact on the brain. Exposure to even a few days of stress compromises the effectiveness of neurons in the hippocampus - an important brain area responsible for reasoning and memory. Weeks of stress cause reversible damage to neuronal dendrites (the small arms that brain cells use to communicate with each other), and months of stress can permanently destroy neurons. Stress is a formidable threat to your success - when stress gets out of control, your brain and your performance suffer.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders m agazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraMost sources of stress at work are easy to identify. If your non-profit is working to land a grant that your organization needs to function, youre bound to feel stress and likely know how to manage it. Its the unexpected sources of stress that take you by surprise and harm you the most.Recent research from the Department of Biological and Clinical Psychology at Friedrich Schiller University in Germany found that exposure to stimuli that cause strong negative emotions - the saatkorn kind of exposure you get when abspracheing with difficult people - caused subjects brains to have a massive stress response. Whether its negativity, cruelty, the victim syndrome, or just plain craziness, difficult people drive your brain into a stressed-out state that should be avoided at all costs.The ability to manage your emotions and remain calm under pressure has a direct link to your performance. Talent Smart has conducted research with mora than a million people, and weve found that 90% of top performers are skilled at managing their emotions in times of stress in order to remain calm and in control. One of their greatest gifts is the ability to neutralize difficult people. Top performers have well-honed coping strategies that they employ to keep difficult people at bay.While Ive run across numerous effective strategies that smart people employ when dealing with difficult people, what follows are some of the best. To deal with difficult people effectively, you need an approach that enables you, across the board, to control what you can and eliminate what you cant. The important thing to remember is that you are in control of far more than you realize.They set limitsComplainers and negative people are bad news because they wallow in their problems and fail to focus on solutions. They want people to join their pity party so that they can feel better about themselves. People often fe el pressure to listen to complainers because they dont want to be seen as callous or rude, but theres a fine line between lending a sympathetic ear and getting sucked into their negative emotional spiral.You can avoid this only by setting limits and distancing yourself when necessary. Think of it this way if the complainer were smoking, would you sit there all afternoon inhaling the second-hand smoke? Youd distance yourself, and you should do the same with complainers. A great way to set limits is to ask complainers how they intend to fix the problem. They will either quiet down or redirect the conversation in a productive direction.They rise aboveDifficult people drive you crazy because their behavior is so irrational. Make no mistake about it their behavior truly goes against reason. So why do you allow yourself to respond to them emotionally and get sucked into the mix? The more irrational and off-base someone is, the easier it should be for you to remove yourself from their trap s. Quit trying to beat them at their own game. Distance yourself from them emotionally and approach your interactions like theyre a science project (or youre their shrink, if you prefer the analogy). You dont need to respond to the emotional chaos - only the facts.They stay aware of their emotionsMaintaining an emotional distance requires awareness. You cant stop someone from pushing your buttons if you dont recognize when its happening. Sometimes youll find yourself in situations where youll need to regroup and choose the best way forward. This is fine and you shouldnt be afraid to buy yourself some time to do so.Think of it this way - if a mentally unstable person approaches you on the street and tells you hes John F. Kennedy, youre unlikely to set him straight. When you find yourself with a coworker who is engaged in similarly derailed thinking, sometimes its best to just smile and nod. If youre going to have to straighten them out, its better to give yourself some time to plan the best way to go about it.They establish boundariesThis is the area where most people tend to sell themselves short. They feel like because they work or live with someone, they have no way to control the chaos. This couldnt be further from the truth. Once youve found your way to Rise Above a person, youll begin to find their behavior more predictable and easier to understand. This will equip you to think rationally about when and where you have to put up with them and when you dont. For example, even if you work with someone closely on a project team, that doesnt mean that you need to have the same level of one-on-one interaction with them that you have with other team members.You can establish a boundary, but youll have to do so consciously and proactively. If you let things happen naturally, you are bound to find yourself constantly embroiled in difficult conversations. If you set boundaries and decide when and where youll engage a difficult person, you can control much of the chaos. The only trick is to stick to your guns and keep boundaries in place when the person tries to encroach upon them, which they will.They dont die in the fightSmart people know how important it is to live to fight another day, especially when your foe is a toxic individual. In conflict, unchecked emotion makes you dig your heels in and fight the kind of battle that can leave you severely damaged. When you read and respond to your emotions, youre able to choose your battles wisely and only stand your ground when the time is right.They dont focus on problems - only solutionsWhere you focus your attention determines your emotional state. When you fixate on the problems youre facing, you create and prolong negative emotions and stress. When you focus on actions to better yourself and your circumstances, you create a sense of personal efficacy that produces positive emotions and reduces stress.When it comes to toxic people, fixating on how crazy and difficult they are gives them pow er over you. Quit thinking about how troubling your difficult person is, and focus instead on how youre going to go about handling them. This makes you more effective by putting you in control, and it will reduce the amount of stress you experience when interacting with them.They dont forgetEmotionally intelligent people are quick to forgive, but that doesnt mean that they forget. Forgiveness requires letting go of whats happened so that you can move on. It doesnt mean youll give a wrongdoer another chance. Smart people are unwilling to be bogged down unnecessarily by others mistakes, so they let them go quickly and are assertive in protecting themselves from future harm.They squash negative self-talkSometimes you absorb the negativity of other people. Theres nothing wrong with feeling bad about how someone is treating you, but your self-talk (the thoughts you have about your feelings) can either intensify the negativity or help you move past it. Negative self-talk is unrealistic, u nnecessary, and self-defeating. It sends you into a downward emotional spiral that is difficult to pull out of. You should avoid negative self-talk at all costs.They get some sleepIve beaten this one to death over the years and cant say enough about the importance of sleep to increasing your emotional intelligence and managing your stress levels. When you sleep, your brain literally recharges, so that you wake up alert and clear-headed. Your self-control, attention, and memory are all reduced when you dont get enough - or the right kind - of sleep. Sleep deprivation raises stress hormone levels on its own, even without a stressor present. A good nights sleep makes you more positive, creative, and proactive in your approach to toxic people, giving you the perspective you need to deal effectively with them.They use their support systemIts tempting, yet entirely ineffective, to attempt tackling everything by yourself. To deal with toxic people, you need to recognize the weaknesses in your approach to them. This means tapping into your support system to gain perspective on a challenging person. Everyone has someone at work and/or outside work who is on their team, rooting for them, and ready to help them get the best from a difficult situation. Identify these individuals in your life and make an effort to seek their insight and assistance when you need it. Something as simple as explaining the situation can lead to a new perspective. Most of the time, other people can see a solution that you cant because they are not as emotionally invested in the situation.Bringing it all togetherBefore you get this system to work brilliantly, youre going to have to reisepass some tests. Most of the time, you will find yourself tested by touchy interactions with problem people. Thankfully, the plasticity of the brain allows it to mold and change as you practice new behaviors, even when you fail. Implementing these healthy, stress-relieving techniques for dealing with difficult people will train your brain to handle stress more effectively and decrease the likelihood of ill effects.Travis Bradberry is the co-author ofEmotional Intelligence 2.0and the co-founder ofTalentSmart.This column first appeared on LinkedIn.

What Not to Say When Negotiating Salary

What Not to Say When Negotiating SalaryWhat Not to Say When Negotiating SalaryWhen it comes to negotiating salary, what you dont say can be as important as what you do say. If youre a poker enthusiast, youre already familiar with the phenomenon The person who blinks or sweats or otherwise loses her composure is going to lose the hand. The same could be said for a in a salary negotiation. To maintain your poker face and get the salary you deserve, you need to practice the art of being quiet unless you have something important to say. Your goal is to speak up only when its time to build your case- and not a second before. This is true whether youre negotiating a new job offer, trying to get a pay raise at your current job, or making a counter offer. Make a plan, and practice your pitch so that youll be comfortable when it comes time to sit down with the person holding the purse strings. There are also a few statements that you should avoid making. We summarize them here and then expand on them below. Dont SayI need more money.I cant afford my expenses.Heres what I made at my last job.Do SayThe salary range for my position in this market is $X$Y.Im able to solve X problems, and people who can do that are worth $Y in the market.No, thank you to an offer thats too low. I Need More Money. Salary negotiations arent about whether you need more money, or even whether you deserve more money. Theyre about whether you can get more money. This means understanding the market and your place in it, and that leveraging that information to your advantage. PayScales Salary Survey generates a free salary report based on your skills, education, job title, and location. Get the data, and you can make a case for why youre worth a raise. (Short version youre able to solve X problems, and people who can do that are worth $Y in the market.) I Cant Afford My Expenses. Your expenses, like the rest of your personal life, are your business and no one elses - least of all, your boss s or the hiring managers. Oversharing not only wont get you more money, but it might also cost you your colleagues respect, and that has a much heftier price tag down the line than any missed opportunity for a pay raise. Bringing personal details into a negotiation tells the other person a few things about you, and none of them good. For example, you might expose yourself as someone who cant manage their personal budget, which will make a manager think twice about putting you in charge of the companys money. Even if your personal situation is no fault of your own, trading in TMI during a salary negotiation shows that you dont have a good sense of professional boundaries, which might make the boss feel uncomfortable working with you. Heres What I Made at My Last Job. This is a tough one because employers love to try to get prospective hires to share their salary history. (At least, where its legal. Several cities and states, including Philadelphia and Massachusetts, have enacted or are considering legislation that would make it illegal to ask candidates about their previous salary.) Your salary history is irrelevant. The employer should be schauplatz compensation for the role based on the duties that are involved in the job, as well as the qualifications needed to do the work. They might also consider factors like market competition, pay-for-performance, and other things that would give them the most bang for their compensation dollar. But your previous employers compensation plan (or lack thereof) shouldnt come into it. Further, if youre female or just starting out your career or both, you have very good reasons not to share your salary history. Its very possible that you were underpaid by previous employers, and felt compelled to take lowball offers because you didnt feel comfortable negotiating. If a hiring manager tries to get you to give your salary history, you can turn the question on its head by asking for the budget for the role. Failing that, you can stall by saying that you need to learn more about the job and its duties before youd have a good idea about whats appropriate. But whatever you do, avoid naming your price. One Final Note About Negotiation Body language speaks louder than words when it comes to professional interactions, so in addition to making sure youre saying the right things, you want to convey the right glaubenszeugnis with your posture, expressions, and gestures. You might consider asking a friend to help you do a practice interview- and filming it, so you can see how youll come across to hiring managers during the interview and negotiation phases. Avoid poor (or too persistent) eye contact, hunched postures, fidgety gestures like picking at your clothes or hair or tapping your feet, or anything that makes it look like youre nervous. Remember that you have a right to be paid appropriately for your work and that its in your bosss and employers best interests to do so. If you can go into the interview r egarding the other person as a negotiating partner, instead of an adversary, it will be a lot easier to relax, smile, and make your case.

5 Steps for Successfully Re-Entering the Workplace

5 Steps for Successfully Re-Entering the Workplace5 Steps for Successfully Re-Entering the Workplace5 Steps for Successfully Re-Entering the WorkplaceNervous about re-entering the workforce? There are things you can do to set yourself up for success. TWEETFor many women, having a family means taking a break from working outside the house. According to a study done by Pew Research Center, 29% of all mothers did not work outside the home in 2012 an increase over 23% in 1997. There are many reasons that explain the trend slow economy and the rising cost of childcare are just two of the factors.As children grow and some moms begin to contemplate returning to the professional workforce, they face unique challenges in their job search. How do you demonstrate you are relevant after being out of the job market for two (or 10) years? Will your career gemeinsame agrarpolitik discourage prospective employers from considering you? Is being a mom a resume killer in todays competitive job market? Far from it. There are things you can do to set yourself up for a successful career re-launch. The key to success is understanding what your prospective employers concerns might be, and structuring your resume and interview responses in a strategic way that will put those concerns to rest.I do not believe that there is a conspiracy to keep moms from returning to the workplace. Hiring managers just want their job openings filled with the best candidates. They might have legitimate hesitations when it comes to considering a candidate who has been out of the workforce for a number of years. Here is a short list of their concerns as they look at your application and notice your eu-agrarpolitik in work historyYou may not be up-to-date on your skills,You may not have kept up on the relevant trends and issues in the industry,You may have difficulty balancing responsibilities at home and outside work.From a hiring managers perspective, the costs of hiring and training a new employee are hig h. He or she doesnt want to make an expensive mistake, and may be inclined to choose a less risky candidate (one with no employment gaps and recent work history).In my experience, it serves you best to address the issue proactively. Here are some steps you might consider.1. Camouflage that career gapConsider using a skills-based resume layout as opposed to a chronological one. It can highlight your transferable skills that line up with the job requirements, and take attention away from the employment gap.I do not recommend putting housekeeping or parenting skills on your resume (or discussing them in an interview) not because I dont believe they are valuable, but because in most cases they are not directly related to the job you are pursuing.Instead, focus on highlighting any relevant experience you may have gained. Did you run a library fundraiser for your childs school? That took business development, people management, and budget skills. It can also show that you have the abilit y to focus and the discipline to see a demanding project through to completion.Consider freelancing, contract work, or volunteering in a related field. Those entries in your career history will confirm that you are serious about returning to work, and have a history of successfully balancing the additional responsibilities with being a parent.2. Stay current on industry trendsThe pace of change around us is staggering. That statement is as true about technology as it is about industry trends. In order to stay relevant and up-to-date, consider joining professional association groups, and make a habit of reviewing industry publications. The time invested into nurturing these connections to the working world can be as little as 3-5 hours per month, and it pays off. Professional groups offer great opportunities for networking, and can give you a weg to practice your pitch and interview skills before you hit the recruiting circuit. 3. Keep your professional skills sharpTechnology changes quickly, and professional muscles go stiff without practice. Look at the skills prospective employers are requiring as a baseline for the openings you would be interested in, and be strategic about highlighting what you have, and acquiring what you are missing. You have many options, from taking a class for a specific skill-set or technology platform to volunteering.4. Be strategic about where your lookIf we take judgment and our opinion of the way the world should be out of the picture, some employers simply want to hire and retain mothers more than others. Strategically, your time is better spent targeting companies where you will be viewed as a valuable addition - not those where you will have to apologize for the time spent raising kids.5. Dig deep and tap into your confidenceEven though this point comes last, it is critically important. Being out of the workforce for several years can make you feel that you are not as qualified as the next candidate. Hiring managers will read that lack of confidence in your cover letter, handshake, or your tone. The best way to combat that is personal clarity on why you are returning to work, and on the value that you will add. This is not about you, but about how you can be of service to your prospective employer.In closing, remember that you do not have to do this alone. There are great resources, online and offline, for moms re-entering the workforce who are concerned about a gap in work history. Here is a short list to get you started. Some of these have a membership fee, while others are free.Womenwork is a company dedicated to keeping women at work through all ages and stages. This website has a curated list of resources for working women, and offers additional benefits for a membership fee. iRelaunch is an online resource with advice for those returning to work.Corpsteam and Mom Corps is a national staffing and search company focusing exclusively on the placement of experienced professionals in fractional, flexibl e and virtual positions.The Glass Hammer is a professional career resource for women.Ellevate network offers online resources for professional women for a membership fee, and can work particularly well if there is a local chapter near you.Consider reconnecting with old mentors, co-workers, or bosses. They can be a valuable source of insight and advice.Let TopResume help you write the next chapter of your career. Heres how.