Friday, December 27, 2019

Giving a Robot a Hand

Giving a Robot a Hand Giving a Robot a Hand Giving a Robot a HandDecades ago, kids were thrilled to get a robot of any kind. Watching it move and maybe talk made it feel like a new friend. Now, a new robot promises to let the user have more input into design and even choose its parts parts that dont necessarily come from the kit. A child is empowered to take ownership of their toy in more ways than one.One of the things that can be great about a toy is when it lets children have greater control in what it will be, says Karthik Ramani, a prof of mechanical engineering at Purdue University. That was part of what was behind the Ziro kit, which, in addition to allowing users to choose parts, also allows a persons greifhand movements to decide the movement of the robot.Around 1995 I was starting to teach a toy design class, says Ramani. My research hit areas like manufacturing, fabrication, then design, and then I even worked on human computer interaction. Here, when it came to research w ith the students, there was the thought of developing a new kind of toy platform that can be good for STEM learning. We were testing with children and they were enjoying robots. Some just had such a need to make that toy work in a way that mixed with their creativity.A new modular design enables free-form robotics construction. Image ZeroUIRamanis gruppe saw this kit as a strong opportunity partly because its free form. Kids can even repurpose material from their homes for the robot. We just give them the muscles and the brains, he adds. They bring so much of themselves to it.Using sensors, a person using the kit can actually, with a wave of their hand, move the robot as they would like. Phones have brought the hand and fingers into play so much, he says. Were using natural user interface here, where its very intuitive. We do it for the kit with wearables a gesture-controlled platform that uses a glove. On the glove there are chips and we have sensors on the fingers. The glove is th e brain of the robot. It understands what the hand is doing as its doing it and then sends messages to modules, which have microcontrollers and wireless communications, and it coordinates the modules based on what youre choosing to do with your hands.There are multiple materials that can be used to connect objects to the robots, including velcro. And what Ramani has enjoyed is how some of the youth involved in testing stuck to their tasks with such focus. I remember one who wanted to make his like a drummer, he says. He was adding some materials for hitting and he just wasnt going to stop until he got closer to his vision. You love to see that passion. They the testers wouldnt quit.A Robot Grows UpThe idea is also that the robot they have can grow with the child. They dont have to buy a new robot for every new task or theme, but it can start as, for instance, a robot with wheels when theyre young and then get more sophisticated as they choose different parts to add over time, such a s in the drumming example, he says.This works well somewhat because you dont have to look at your hand as its moving. Your mind knows, Ramani offers. You dont need to learn sophisticated mapping. When youre talking about building with mechatronics, it can take so long to program the electronics and build the robot. Its better when they can build parts but not necessarily need that knowledge. Its important to have fun and grow.Eric Butterman is an independent writer. For Further DiscussionThe glove is the brain of the robot. It understands what the hand is doing as its doing it and then sends messages to modules.Prof. Karthik Ramani, Purdue University

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Liberal arts major Heres how to get hired

Liberal arts major Heres how to get hiredLiberal arts major Heres how to get hiredThe results are in. CEOs in the hottest industries want to hire liberal arts majors. Its not just that CEOs themselves often have liberal arts backgrounds, but that so many companies are desperate for employees who can both think for themselves and collaborate with a team, while ably navigating the infinite possibilities of the Information Age. Who has these abilities? People with the creative and critical thinking skills that liberal arts educations foster. Even though everyone knows that they need the liberal arts advantage in their firm, however, potential employers may need your help to see how your pathway through college prepares you for the job. You need to make good choices in school in order to prepare your liberal arts degree for life after graduation, then learn how to talk about your undergraduate studies to prospective employers. Its way past time to replace STEM with STEAM (Science, Techno logy, Engineering, Arts and Math). You can have it all A degree you love and a good job. Here are five tips to get you started.Major in what you loveYoull get better grades and generally just be a happier person if you spend your time studying the things you want to spend your time on. This may sound trite, but over the last 15 years of talking to undergraduates about their studies, Ive watched so many students blossom by switching from a job-oriented major to one that they feel passionate about. Youre likely to swap jobs and even careers many times in your life, so dont get caught up in training for something hyper specific. Dont waste college by spending all your time being unhappy with your major.Take some practical classesMost liberal arts majors are not packed with an overwhelming number of required courses, so put that flexibility to your advantage. Revel in your subjectmaybe its medieval history, South Asian novels or ceramics. Then be savvy about electives. Take some courses that the least creative hiring manager in corporate America will recognize as useful. Maybe choose a statistics or economics class, learn a little computer programming, or even minor in chemistry. Because that hiring manager is right, these classes are useful. Use your whole transcript to show the world who you are.Talk Skills, bedrngnis CoursesIf you want to jump from your major into a field that isnt clearly linked to its content, learn to describe your coursework for its skills, not what you covered. Practice your answer for when an interviewer asks you about college. Few interviewers care about the expertise that you developed about the Roman empire, as cool as that is. Instead, say that your liberal arts degree offered numerous opportunities to engage in research, answer complicated questions, assemble evidence quickly and often in groups, and then write persuasively. There are a lot of jobs in which the one page memo and the persuasive 20 minute PowerPoint presentation make a ll the difference between profit and loss. Liberal Arts majors have these critical skills. Look For High Impact ExperiencesCollege is filled with cool opportunities. You can live abroad for months or years, often for no more money than it would cost you to stay in the dorms. Colleges will put you in groups and teach you to build roads, housing, or teach in underprivileged communities. I never get over seeing the wonder on students faces when they find out their college will pay them a pretty good wage to do research Take advantage of these chances.Then, when facing a job interview, pull these out to talk about creativity, teamwork, dedication, work ethic, and overcoming challenges. When you sit in a chair opposite an interviewer and they ask you about your proudest accomplishment, it cant be your sophomore year beer pong title.WorkYou love your major. Youve diversified your transcript. You know how to talk about your skills. Youve done something amazing. Now, if you havent, go to wo rk. Get a job. Shoot for that amazing paid internship. Collaborate with a professor as a research assistant. Become a peer counselor, advisor, tutor, or coach. Even if youre stuckverzierung in a gig you hate because you need to pay the bills, own it, and make it part of the story youre going to take when you when you graduate. As a liberal arts major, youre the well-rounded, creative, analytical, total package. You know a lot, but best of all, you know how to learn. Tell the right story about yourself and watch as the doors open wide.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

What to Know Before Searching for a Mining Job

What to Know Before Searching for a Mining JobWhat to Know Before Searching for a Mining JobDo you want a big change in your career? Do you want to make big money? Do you want to get the life of your dreams? These hopes may be your queue to look for a mining job. Metal and mineral resources prices are booming. But before you start searching for a mining job, here are ten things to consider. Mining Jobs Are Only Found Where There Is Mining This sounds pretty obvious, but if you are not currently living in a mining area of a mining country, you will have to move there and get yourself used to a very different environment. Mining areas are usually located in remote regions. There you might face high altitudes, icy and snowy climates, deep tropical forests, or even expansive deserts. Should you get a job in an underground mine, your working conditions may include heat, noise, darkness, and humidity. Despite the huge progress made to grant miners fair living conditions, mining camps o r mining cities are not always fun. There are some exceptions though. You can start your career at the corporate office of a mining group in London. This really depends on your profile and the kind of job you would like to find. If you are an engineer, be prepared to go on the site. The Mining Industry Works Around the Clock The mining industry is always on. The miners usually work long shifts of 10 to 14 consecutive days, with some days off between shifts. The remote location of the mining operations requires some miners to remain in the mining camp for months before going back home. A typical 12-hour shift might also be hard to stand especially underground. Good health, psychological strength, and stamina are essential. Most Mining Jobs Are Qualified to Highly Qualified Jobs The young guy starting as a helper to experienced miners and learning skills on the job tends to be an image of the past. The increasing complexity of the mining process and involved technology nowaday s requires a much higher level of skills, including computer literacy. As a result, most of the mining groups will more likely hire recently graduated students from high school programs in mining or technical school programs in mine technology. Such schools and program are usually located in mining areas, which also give future workers the opportunity to get used to a mining environment and benefit from professional training opportunities. The Industry Is More Dangerous and Unhealthy Than Others As stated by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in the 2010-2011 Career Guide to Industries Working conditions in mines, quarries, and well sites can be unusual and sometimes dangerous. () Workers in surface mines, quarries, and wells are subject to rugged outdoor work in all kinds of weather and climates, though some surface mines and quarries shut down in the winter because snow and ice covering the mine site makes work too dangerous. Surface mining, however, usually is less hazardous t han underground mining. () Underground mines are damp and dark, and some can be very hot and noisy. At times, several inches of water may cover tunnel floors. Although underground mines have electric lights along main pathways, many tunnels are illuminated only by the lights on miners hats. Workers in mines with very low roofs may have to work on their hands and knees, backs, or stomachs, in confined spaces. In underground mining operations, unique dangers include the possibility of a cave-in, mine fire, explosion, or exposure to harmful gasses. In addition, dust generated by exerzierening in mines still places miners at risk of developing either of two serious lung diseases pneumoconiosis, also called black lung disease, from coal dust, or silicosis from rock dust. These days, dust levels in mines are closely monitored and occurrences of lung diseases are rare if proper procedures are followed. Underground miners have the option to have their lungs x-rayed on a periodic basis to mo nitor for the development of the disease. Higher prevalence of HIV infection also impacts miners, especially those who work in Africa. Not considering illegal mining, dramatic accidents regularly reported by the news remind us that mining industry (open-pit or underground) is relatively more dangerous and unhealthy than other industries. binnensee for example Gleision Colliery mining accident First Aftermath From HSEDeath Toll in Pakistan Coal Mine Accident Rises to 4352 Miners Trapped After a Coal Mine Accident in Pakistan33 miners stuck underground from August to October 2010 in a Chilean mine near the city of CopiapoThe Upper Big Branch Mine explosion, April 5, 2010 Mining suppliers may also be affected. On-site or off-site explosives manufacturing is a typical example of a high-risk job. Restrictive legislation and safety rules (some being unfortunately issued in ?reaction to an accident, as occurred after the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster), compulsory personal protective equ ipment (PPE), together with a lot of educational efforts have been done to prevent such accident and mitigate the risks. In order to tackle identified aggravating factors, most mining sites have a zero tolerance policy on alcohol consumption and perform regular random drug tests. Mining Jobs Are Not Only for Men Mining is a historically male-dominated industry (even worst women were believed to bring terrible luck in underground mines) but things are changing. Associations like Women in Mining promote the professional development of women working in the sector - worldwide - by offering a website with relevant content to enhance womens knowledge and possibilities. (source WiM website) In Australia, women represent 20% of the mining workforce. In Canada, their participation has increased steadily from just over 10 percent in 1996 to 14 percent in 2006. A gender pay gap still exists but is not that specific to mining. All Kind of Jobs Are Available All kind of jobs are availabl e from secretarial work to driving and from IT to a financial clerk. Obviously, engineers and technicians are the most common jobs available. Technical Jobs in Mining Are Specialized Either for Underground or Open Pit Open pit mine is not underground mine and vice versa. People are specialized. The culture is also different as well as many aspects of the job and of the safety surrounding the job. New kinds of jobs are coming up with undersea mining development. Here again, a specialty will develop from standard mining fundamentals. High-level jobs for sure, but rewarding ones. Miners Are Well Paid Coopers Consulting and PWC released in September 2011 the latest Mining Industry Salary Survey. The survey reports that a recently graduated Canadian mining engineer starts his career at 70 000 $. His salary will reach 75 000 $ after one or two years of experience. Australia is also short in engineering workforce, especially in the drill and blast area, and offers attractive packag es. You Should Better Have an Interest or Passion for Mining Working for the Mining industry is quite a challenging choice and requires stamina and passion to be successful. But A Mining Job Is More Than a Job A mining job is a non-return choice. Once started, it will be in your blood. Forever.

Friday, December 13, 2019

Temporary Help Can Solve Workplace Challenges

Temporary Help Can Solve Workdistributionspolitik ChallengesTemporary Help Can Solve Workplace ChallengesBringing in temporary help is becoming a common staffing solution for many accounting and finance departments, especially in larger organizations, and the numbers are increasing for all company sizes.According to the latest Benchmarking the Accounting Finance Function, a joint study released by Robert Half and Financial Executives Research Foundation, 86 percent of firms with $5 billion or mora in annual revenue regularly use temporary help, as do 48 percent of firms with $500 million to $999 million in annual revenue and 26 percent of companies with less than $25 million.The study also shows that businesses across North America typically need the most interim support in accounts payable (24 percent), accounts receivable (15 percent) and general accounting (13 percent). Some businesses also tap temporary help to assist with payroll (6 percent) and tax (5 percent).Learn more about how leaders are engaging talent to meet business challenges GET THE BENCHMARKING REPORTIts a misconception that firms use temporary help just for peak periods. Here are four other ways employers rely on temps in accounting and finance1. To try out a potential new hireExecutives interviewed for the Benchmarking report said they like to bring in potential hires on a temporary basis for what becomes, in essence, a tryout period. If the person is a good fit for the job and the organization, they extend a full-time offer at the end of the contract. Certainly, these types of arrangements can be hiring strategies to help companies avoid a bad hire. But one executive also reported discovering valuable skills and qualities in interim staff that made them even more attractive as potential new hires.2. To determine their workloadWith the global economy improving, many companies are growing and adding jobs. Companies surveyed for the report said they use temporary-to-hire arrangements to asses s whether the workload can sustain a full-time hire. They bring in a project professional, and if the person stays busy for an extended period of time, they transition the job into a permanent one.3. To fill in for an employee on long-term leaveFirms surveyed for the report stated that they often use temporary professionals to fill in while employees are on leave. When an employee takes extended time off - whether to take care of a newborn baby or aging parent or because of an illness - the remaining staff that has to take on the persons workload can quickly get overwhelmed. The help of project staff can alleviate the burden and lower the chance of burnout. Canadian companies have taken particular advantage of this strategy for employees on maternity/paternity leave, as Canada allows parents to take 18 months off following the birth of a child.4. To provide expertise for a projectSome executives interviewed for the Benchmarking report also said they used temporary help for specifi c projects that required certain expertise. One reported that a consultant was leading the firms enterprise resource planning system upgrade, and another had hired an interim accountant to help with the financial aspects of a large-scale project. Another executive experienced this on the flip side He was brought in on an interim basis to help a public company complete either a sale of the business or a transition into a private company.Are you ready for expert temporary help?Do you need someone who can propel you forward during peak workload periods and make sure you meet your goals throughout the year? We can help Check out the temporary roles we place now

Sunday, December 8, 2019

The Never Before Told Story About Formats Resume You Really Need to Read

The Never Before Told Story About Formats Resume You Really Need to Read Resume writing for the place of a fresher and resume writing for the place of a seasoned person varies a good deal. Furthermore, in your resume, you may also list your professional abilities and awards, which will boost your probability of getting the job. If youre looking to get yourself a great job then you have to possess all the skills necessary. Hence, in a nutshell, after the international financial meltdown, the work market is heating up. Many professional resume writers are there and tons of sample resumes are on the internet. Various formats and styles are utilised to illustrate the several suggestions and suggestions found in the handout. Additionally, it consists of a sample resume which you may use as a reference. It is possible to refer behauptung sample resumes and you will discover many things like chronological order of information, putting the info in a precise fashion, length of a resu me etc. matter a great deal. The Argument About Formats Resume The seminars and training programs which you have attended can also be added to your resume especially if theyre regarding the work functions of the work position that youre applying for. Well, youve made the right choice by seeking our expert services. While all resumes should offer information on your work and education experience, in addition to your abilities and accomplishments, there are various ways to present this info. Youre able to seek the advice of CV Writing services to produce the effective resume. To begin with, the majority of these resume templates arent any goodthe layout becomes messed up once you get started making your edits. Utilizing a template can lessen the quantity of time you must spend formatting your document, which permits you to concentrate on adding content and polishing your resume. Employing a resume template is extremely useful in making your professional profile. It has becom e an acceptable and smart practice for a number of reasons. The Number One Question You Must Ask for Formats Resume The upcoming free resume template is made in the shape of a brochure. Creating a resume with the assistance of a template can help you become mindful of the resume areas that you should fill. To raise your chances of working within this area, you require professional childcare versorger resume templates. Take a look at our assortment of contemporary templates and get started creating an effective resume straight away. The Tried and True Method for Formats Resume in Step by Step Detail The peak of your resume should includecritical key terms and a fast snapshot of your core strengths, Leavy-Detrick states. You have to be talented, adaptable, versatile, etc. even if youve got all these abilities and its hard for you to make it through the very first round then its your resume which is lacking the skill. Do not sit back because of the disadvantage of your resume, you only need a few very good suggestions about how to create a good resume. You may impress your interviewer with your good abilities and qualifications with the aid of keywords. Have a peek at some of our favourite formats below or browse our whole collection of free resume format layouts. To assist you choose whats appropriate for you, lets look at the advantages and disadvantages of each resume format. Professional Resume writing services will allow you to find the ideal format and the method. Someone with lots of technical expertise, utilizing this resume format is the ideal bet. Keep it simple Always use the easiest format to make the professional resume. As an issue of fact, on an average, the majority of the recruiters do not search for over 6 seconds at a resume. Your contact information is fundamentally the very first thing your prospective employer will see because its in the topmost aspect of your resume. Dont make the error of answering each job posting with th e exact same generic resume. Theres no doubt that a resume which is both cohesive and professional will have a much better prospect of standing from the crowd even supposing its made utilizing a template. There are a lot of methods to compose a resume. The reasons might be absolutely different. Tap into social media to create connections. The Basics of Formats Resume Our resume builder isnt going to bother you with any kind of annoying watermarks. However much or what schriftart of work experience youve got, theres a resume format that is likely to make your qualifications shine. The style of resume you will use greatly is dependent on your professional work background and qualifications. Seek the assistance of experts in this region for the best one.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Right Management Offers Websites to Transitioning Candidates through Workfolio

Right Management Offers Websites to Transitioning Candidates through Workfolio Talent and career management firm Right Management, a division of ManpowerGroup, and personal branding company Workfolio have announced a partnership to provide personal websites to transitional candidates. The Workfolio technology is part of Right Managements Career Transition and Outplacement services. Right Managements Outplacement and Career Transition solutions, combined with Workfolios personal website technology platform, are unmatched and offer innovative value to employers faced with headcount reductions, said Bram Lowsky, Right Managements group executive vice president and global head of Career Management. Employers can be assured their transitioning employees have access to the latest technology to help them break through the clutter and competition to land that next job quickly. Whats more, Right Management s career coaches help candidates reach their full potential and create a brand presence that celebrates that potential on personal websites and throughout the entire interviewing and selection process.Cyber-vetting is a growing trend among hiring managers with 56 percent citing personal websites as the most impressive tool candidates can use in their job search (according to a Workfolio survey of 300 hiring managers). A survey of 1,200 individual candidates found that only 5 percent of job candidates have a personal website.The self-service web app allows candidates to quickly create websites while incorporated custom colors, backgrounds, and font styles. Each template features personal domains, email addresses, file and media hosting, traffic analytics, promotional tools, and magazine-quality blog. Users can also access LinkedIn profiles to transfer career details between the sites.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has an extreme diet and it reflects society

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has an extreme diet and it reflects societyTwitter CEO Jack Dorsey has an extreme diet and it reflects societyLets talk about Twitter CEO Jack Dorseys eating habits. The 42-year-old tech mogul tweets about them at length, details them in interviews, and waxes enthusiastically over their effects on his productivity and focus.But as he pulls back more and more of the curtain onto the wellness routine that appears to structure much of his day-to-day life, Dorseys emergence as something of a health and fitness influencer has made people nervous and, frankly, confused. Can someone evenbean influencer when theyre already one of the fruchtwein powerful tech moguls in the world? What does it mean, in a society that values healthandgetting stuff done, to hear out the dietary advice of a person who is not a medical professional butispossibly among the handful of people on earth best qualified to discover, once and for all, the ultimate productivity hack?Follow Ladders o n FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreSo, heres what Jack Dorsey eats. On Sunday through Thursday of each week, Dorsey consumes a single meal between 630 and 900pm that consists of chicken, fish, or steak, and a salad, spinach, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts. Hell have berries or dark chocolate for dessert, and maybe some red wine. On Friday and Saturday, as of recently, he eats nothing at all.The first time I did it, like day three, I felt like I was hallucinating, Dorseytold CNBCin an April 8 interview that turned its fair share of heads. It was a weird state to be in. But as I did it the next two times, it just became so apparent to me how much of ur days are centered around meals and how - the experience I had was when I was fasting for much longer, how time really slowed down.In addition to fasting so hard that its made him basically hallucinate, Dorsey says that he walks five miles to work ev ery day except Tuesdays and Thursdays, when he works from home. On those days, or whenever he cant squeeze in his walk, he does short HIIT workouts from home.Because Twitter is the platform where people tend to voice their opinions on random things like the dietary choices of tech billionaires, it was there that Dorseys extreme lifestyle became a hot topic. A majority of responses to his CNBC interview were not exactly positive, and some even likened his extreme diet to the restrictive behaviors associated with eating disorders. Butplenty of others disagreed with that take. The responses to Jack Dorseys biohacking are remarkable,remarkeda Twitter user with the handle robwynge. So I guess everyone else thinks were crazy?Were not going to get into labels where it comes to Dorseys biohacking routine, though anew storyfrom Medium suggests theres some science to back up the clarity-enhancing benefits of at leastpartsof Dorseys approach. (Weve talked about ways to tryintermittent fasting safely, too.) But when a hugely influential CEO proclaims a right way to eat, insofar as peak productivity can be attained, it reinforces a stubborn storyline in our cultures already-fraught relationship between achievement and food.While many of us try to eat well and exercise for the sake of feeling good, strong, and healthy, it isnt hard to fall into the trap of viewing physical wellness as a rating system for our own discipline and control - virtues that were taught are valuable, and that will help us reach our goals. Think of how many times youve joked to a coworker about how youre being naughty as you go in for a second slice of cake at the company party, or complimented a friend for being good about sticking to their workouts.We use diet and exercise as tools to keep ourselves in top working order, but we also use them as measures of accomplishment and self-worth. Yet, for many of us, linking the basic necessities of life to a sense of work ethic can quickly become a losing game. There are only so many hours in a day, and only so much energy to devote to the project of success. Its no wonder that for so many people, food and fitness are tied to feelings of shame, guilt, and even failure.Theres little question that Dorseys diet details have the potential to be immensely triggering for people recovering from eating disorders - that criticism is valid and fair. But they also threaten to diminish the real joy that can be had from being active and eating well, which transcends metrics of achievement.We dont just eat to stay alive and be productive we eat to experience pleasure, to celebrate culture, and to nurture connections with family and friends. We also dont just make food and fitness choices based on their effects on our waistlines or our output, but because they improve our quality of life as a whole. Eating well and being active sustains our physical and mental wellbeing, such that were able to meet each new day with the energy to uncover its possi bility.When the basic tools of sustenance become targets to either get right or wrong, they can feel likechores of adulting- as if we didnt already have enough of those, in the first place. For some of us, the trade-off between peak productivity and everyday enjoyments will never feel worth it, and thats totally okay. The best things in life arent always the ones that are easiest to measure.This article originally appeared on Brit and Co.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

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Barbara Corcoran on how to get hired in 5 or 6 seconds

Barbara Corcoran on how to get hired in 5 or 6 secondsBarbara Corcoran on how to get hired in 5 or 6 secondsReal estate mogul and Shark Tank judge Barbara Corcoran knows something about first impressions. After all, her business depends on it. Think of readying yourself for an interview as staging a house for a viewing. Potential homebuyers make their decision within eight seconds of walking through the door, she writes on her blog.Actually, Corcoran has made hiring decisions in less time than that think five or six seconds when a candidates presentation and panache have been flawless.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreOne example back when Corcoran had a very small amtsstube bustling with people, a man walked in for his interview early and said, Im here for an appointment with Mrs. Corcoran. Would you rather I wait outside? He was clearly aware that he might be getting in the way .Outside? It was raining outside But heres this guy who walked into my intimate office, realized he may be interrupting us, and acted on it immediately so that we would not be inconvenienced even though he already had the appointment.I hired this man. All it took was about five or six seconds for me to make my decision.Corcoran has four key pieces of advice to making a good impressionGood posture. Stand up It makes you look and feel more confident. If you dont, others may get the wrong impression. When I see someone walk onto the Shark Tank set and they are hunched over, I interpret that, rightly or wrongly, as a lack of confidence, write Corcoran.Make eye contact. Dont scan the room at everything but the part in front of you looking somebody straight in the eye creates trust. If someone is not looking you straight in the eye, believe me, you are not trusting them.Look the part. Dress for the job you want. If you say youre a baker, look like a baker. You have to look the part it buys credibility. A little extra shine and polish go a long way.Clear communication. Make sure you know how to get across your passion and idea to the other person in a clear and concise way. Rehearse it if you need to. If you cant do this, its going to lead to 50,000 questions, youre going to come up empty.There are no warm-up periods, Corcoran writes, just a few simple ways to come off as polished and professional as you can.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 ersatzdarsteller your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Costanza opposite strategy to win friends, influence people

The Costanza opposite strategy to win friends, influence peopleThe Costanza opposite strategy to win friends, influence peopleDuring one of the most famous episodes (The Opposite) of the TV show Seinfeld, loveless and unemployable character, George Costanza decides to stop following his instincts and do the opposite of what hes always done.George My life is the complete opposite of everything I want it to be. Every instinct I have in every aspect of life, be it something to wear, something to eat Its often wrong.Jerry If every instinct you have is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right.Seinfeld, The Opposite (1994)This light switch moment meant that Costanza would be honest, confront his fears and go after what he wants in life.Heres a clip of George Costanza doing the opposite of what he would do.George Costanza The Opposite from SeinfeldClearly, this is a sitcom and not real life, but, there are valuable life lessons we can learn from Costanzas opposite strategy.A few year s ago, I did the exact saatkorn thing in a different context and it completely changed my life.Heres how How doing the opposite could help you win friends and influence peopleIt welches a typical afternoon lunch break. Id leave my desk at 1 p.m. and walk across the road from my geschftszimmer to the local food cafe.2 minutes later Id handpick a sandwich - typically a chicken and lettuce baguette - a packet of crisps and green smoothie.Then, Id join the queue waiting for the cashier to take my payment. When my turn to pay came around, I would hand over the food items to the cashier, whip out my card to pay and walk back to the office with my lunch.I didnt think. I didnt talk. I wasnt aware of my surroundings, the names of the cashiers and so on.It was a daily mindless routine that repeated itself for several months.One day, whilst mindlessly standing on the queue to pay for my lunch, one of the customers got into an argument with one of the cashiers.From what I could see, the cashi er had charged the customer the wrong amount of money by mistake.But, the customer wasnt in the mode for forgiveness.The customer shouted at the cashier, threatened to call his manager and told him that shed never come back to the cafe again.Towards the end of this fiasco, the customer stormed outside the cafe and the cashier stood frozen, with a look as if he was about to burst into tears.For the first time in many months of visiting this cafe on a daily basis, I finally snapped out of my zombie state.In my mind at the time, I had two options to pick from.Option 1 Do what I usually do. Give the cashier my food, pay for food and exit fast. No time for chit-chat or friendly eye contact.Option 2 Do the opposite. Instead of rushing away with my food, I could speak to the cashier to cheer him up, check up on him and give him a tip.In case youre wondering, I went with Option 2.I spoke to the cashier- lets call him Jose- and talked briefly about what had happened, where he was from and so on.Nothing too special in my eyes, just showing genuine interest and getting to know him as a person.Before I knew it, the other cashiers started to join the conversation, laugh and smile again.It seemed like my decision to do the opposite of what I usually did, helped to bring back a positive mood in the cafe.After saying my goodbyes to the staff at the cafe, the senior manager of the cashiers turned around and said to me something along these linesI always see you around here, but you never said hi until now. But, thats normal I guess in this city. Everyones always in a rush and they never take the time to get to know the people who serve them. Youre the first customer whos shown a genuine interest in getting to know the team in a while. Thank you, have a nice day and please come back soon.I thanked the manager and walked outside the cafe with a beaming smile. It had been a while since I felt so happy about my life.For the rest of the week, I would speak to, laugh with and get to know the workers who I never noticed but served me on a daily basis.These were the bus drivers, the cleaners, cashiers, receptionists, security guards and so on, I lived the opposite all the way through.By the end of the first week, I knew their names by heart. I knew their dreams and passions, the names of their children, their hobbies and plans for the future.I was no longer a stranger to them, I became their friend.After a couple of weeks, these friends would show up for me in times of need or crisis.Remember Jose, the cashier who got shouted at? Jose became the senior manager of the local cafe that I visited on a daily basis.Coincidentally, I already started to develop a friendship with Jose from the very first day I tried to do the opposite.On the days I forgot to bring cash to pay for food, Jose would insist on paying for me.On more than a handful of occasions, hed even prepare a free lunch for me and let me skip the queue on very busy days.And thats only Jose.Ive had some of my friends who are bus drivers and security guards, let me on the bus for a free ride whenever I lost my bus pass or skip the queue for free entry into special events.Over time I built this habit of doing the opposite and being friendly with the staff of any venue I go to, and it paid off.I would get free invites to exclusive events, opportunities for business partnerships, discounts at restaurants and so on.I never asked for anything in return, but they all insisted on giving me something in return for showing a genuine interest in them.Some people call this the law of reciprocity, and others may say I learned these secrets from Dale Carnegies book, How to Win Friends and Influence People (Audiobook).But, I believe that the reason is simple I treated them in a different way than everyone else they had encountered on a daily basis.In other words, I did the opposite, just like George Costanza in the Seinfeld episode The Opposite, and you can do the same thing too.Your life in opposi tesThe definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.Albert EinsteinWhat would your life look like if you did the opposite of what you would normally do, or what everyone else seems to be doing?Instead of letting fear of failure or rejection hold you back from progress, what if you took a chance to build that dream relationship, ask your boss for a pay rise, travel to another country, start a blog, start a company and so on?If your life hasnt been working out the way you want it to, it wont cost you much to try the opposite as an experiment for a couple of weeks.You wouldnt be reading this right now, if I hadnt taken a chance to do the opposite and launch this platform.My preference would have been to remain anonymous and keep my ideas in my private journal. But, I chose the opposite and you can do the same today.When in doubt, just remember the words of Jerry from the Seinfeld episode If every instinct you have is wrong, then th e opposite would have to be right.Mayo Oshin writes atMayoOshin.com, where he shares practical self-improvement ideas and proven science for better health, productivity and creativity.To get practical ideas on how to stop procrastinating and build healthy habits, you can join his free weekly newsletterhere.A version of thisarticleoriginally appeared atmayooshin.comas The Costanza Opposite Strategy to Win Friends and Influence People.