A Biofabrication Degree is Born

A Biofabrication Degree is Born A Biofabrication Degree is Born A Biofabrication Degree Is Born3D printing is revolutionizing everything that we know, says Pedro Costa, a biomedical engineer atUtrechtUniversity. It will become the basis of the new industrial revolution. And biofabrication will do the same for the biomedical field. Which is to say, the revolutionized world to come had better have some experts. And whats an expert without a degree?Higher education is about to see the birth of the worlds first biofabrication masters program. A consortium of four universities is offering the degree together Utrechts University Medical Center in the Netherlands the University of Werzburg in Germany the Queensland University of Technology and the University of Wollongong, both in Australia.During the first half of the two-year program, students will take a host of specialized courses in biofabrication tools and methods. Theyll also be required to take tangential courses in biomechanics and biofluidics. After completing exams and written assignments theyll be ready for a six-month internship where they get their hands dirty with 3D printing and additive technologies and begin to develop research ideas.During the final year, they will tackle the research projects they develop during the internship, but at a second university. The European students will go to Australia and the Australian ones will come to Europe, says Costa, who is Utrechts new coordinator for the biofabrication program.Utrecht Universitys new biofabrication facility. Image Utrecht UniversityExactly what kinds of projects the students will develop remains to be seen, as the program wont departure until September. We are very flexible about the projects the students will develop, says Costa. Both the professors and the technology are ready for student ingenuity. The printers were purchased for their versatility, so that they can be adapted to whatever research project a student might have in mind. We do have highly sophisticated 3D printers in our facilities. They wont really need to develop new printers or tools. But, of course, if, for example, we have this genius in automation or robotics, that would be a possibilitynothing is excluded.For this first year, the program has limited the number of students to about twenty. Here at Utrecht we will have six students, very good ones, extraordinary students, says Costa. We get applications from all kinds of people, from people in the biomedical field, to people in biotechnology, as well as people in engineering, mechatronics, automation, and electronics. We also have medical students who are interested in these technologiesa very diverse array of students, interesting students. Many have amazing backgrounds. Being as young as they are, its even more amazing.The university the students choose depends on their interests and research plans. Utrecht has an emphasis on the biological, including biotechnology, cell cultures, and cell manipula tion. Wuerzburg specializes in materials chemistry, with a focus on electrospinning. The Queensland University of Technologywhere Costa earned his PhDis multidisciplinary with an emphasis on the technical, including tissue engineering. At the University of Wollongong they focus on materials and engineering and additive manufacturing. Of course we will try to guide them in the best way possible to match their skills and what they want to do, says Costa.However trailblazing the degree program, Costa says it grew organically. We saw a group of different people specialized in this field, and we also saw the need for this kind of solution. So it was natural for it to happen.Michael Abrams is an independent writer.Learn about the latest trends in bioengineering at ASMEs Global Congress onNanoEngineering for Medicine and Biology.They wont really need to develop new printers or tools. But, of course, if, for example, we have this genius in automation or robotics, that would be a possibility - nothing is excluded.Prof. Pedro Costa, Utrecht University

Independent Booksellers and Unique Local Benefits

Independent Booksellers and Unique Local BenefitsIndependent Booksellers and Unique Local BenefitsAnindependent bookstore(also known as an indie bookseller or independent bookseller) is a bookstore that is not controlled by a larger bookseller chain (such asBarnes and NobleorBooks A Million). Quality independent booksellers are often fixtures in the communities that they serve,andbring many benefits to thosecommunities, as well as to authors, and readers. Indie Bookseller Benefits Mitch Kaplan, owner of Books Books and one of the founders of the Miami Book Fair International says, Small, independent businesses are what gives a city its uniqueness and a community with healthy small business is a community that is richer than most. And independent booksellers have always played an activist role when it comes to providing vital cultural and social services to the community it serves. Its not easy these days, but were seeing a renaissance in small, indie stores opening around the c ountry as consumers want more things personal and sustainable. Heres a roll-up of how independent booksellers benefit the authors, the local economy, readers and beyond Indie Bookseller Benefits for Authors Well-regarded authors (like Sherman Alexie and Neil Gaiman) have spearheaded and maintained the call for support of independent booksellers with programs such as Indies First on Small Business Saturday. This often due to the great early experiences (whether as a reader or a writer) and support that indie stores have given them. New and even self-published authors often get their start at supportive local independent booksellers. For example, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi hosted an unknown John Grishams first book signing event. (If you are a new or self-published author, read these tips on how to best work with a local independent bookstore.) Independent Bookstores Boost the Local Economy More specifically, according to a recent newsletter from Roxanne Coady of R. J . Julia, an independent bookstore in Madison, CT, For every $100 you spend in a locally owned store, $73 stays in the local economy, whereas $100 spent in national chains returns $43 to the local economy. Unsurprisingly $100 spent online to an out-of-state retailer returns zero dollars to our communities. Local businesses create higher-paying jobs for the local community and it means that tax monies are reinvested within communities. Shopping at an Indie Booksellers is Kinder On the Environment Shopping locally instead of online means less packaging and less waste. And where there is no shipping to the consumer, there is also less trucking or other transportation, further reducing the carbon footprint of the transaction. And though chain stores are local, they often warehouse centrally, which does mean a less direct transaction involving shipping. Shopping at Independent Bookstores Creates A Closer Community According to the American Booksellers Association, local businesses donate to charities at more than twice the rate of national chains. From sponsoring literacy programs to boosting local team sports, its likely the non-profits that benefit from your indie booksellers dollars, are centered in your own community, so the money stays there. Bricks and mortar booksellers like indie also help connect authors with readers in person and vice versa - something that online retailers cant do. How to Open An Independent Bookstore And if youre an independent-minded book lover who thinks about being a bookseller, learn more about Opening a bookstoreBookstore marketing merchandisingIndies First, Independent Bookstore Day Canadian Authors for Indies Daydays for readers, authors and publishers to promote and celebrate independent booksellers. Each Indie Bookstore Is Unique Just like their customers, every indie has its own personality - as diverse and quirky as their owners and the customers they serve. Some Examples of Unique and VariedIndependent B ooksellers Around the U.S. Bienville Books - Mobile, ALBienville Books has ranked among the top attractions in Mobile, Alabama on travel sites. Described by its patrons as a treasure, welcoming, wonderful, eclectic, and a find, Bienville Books has found many fans among avid readers, students, book collectors, locals, and tourists. More than one visiting Mobile souvenir hunter has been quoted as greatly admiring the I read dead people tee shirts that are hanging in the window. Learn moreabout Bienville Books Books Books Southern Florida points beyondOwner Mitchell Kaplan opted out of a potential law career to open the first Books Books store in Coral Gables, Florida in 1982. Now, for the South Florida literary community, Books Books is yourindependent, locally-owned bookstore... a community of writers and readers, hosting 60author eventsa month and featuring a carefully curated selection. Learn moreabout Books Books City Lights Bookstore San Francisco, CACity Lights Bookstore is an independent bookstore located in the North Beach section of San Francisco. Founded in 1953 as an all paperback bookstore by Peter D. Martin and the poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, City Lights retains a legacy of anti-authoritarian politics and insurgent thinking from its early association with Beat poets. Learn moreabout City Lights Bookstore Island Bound Bookstore Block Island, RIBookstores in beach towns and ski areas and other season-dependent vacation hotspots face unique bookselling challenges. Along with this profile of Island Bound Bookstore, an award-winning independent bookseller onBlock Island, Rhode Island,its owner Cindy Lasser shares some of her insights into running a store that is subject to the ebb and flow of seasonal traffic. Learn moreabout Island Bound Bookstore Octavia Books - New Orleans, LABook publishing professionals consider Octavia Books a must-stop on a Southern literary tour or a book lovers tour of New Orleans. Among its unique attributes, the store sponsors the National Public Radio show,The Reading Life,hosted by author ofThe Booklovers Guide to New Orleans, Susan Larson. Learn moreabout Octavia Books R. J. Julia Independent Booksellers Madison, CTAs one of the largestindependent booksellersin the Northeast, the mission R. J. Julia is to be a place where words matter, where writer meets reader, where the ambiance and selection and merchandising of books creates an atmosphere that is welcoming and presents the opportunity for discovery. Learn moreabout R. J. Julia The Mysterious Bookshop New York, NYOne of the oldest mystery specialist bookstores in America, the Mysterious Bookshop is currently located in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan. The store stocks new mystery hardcovers, paperbacks and periodicals, as well as signed modern first editions, rare/collectible hardcovers and Sherlockiana, works about that most famous sleuth of all. Learn moreabout the Mysterious Bookshop Square Books - Oxford, MSSquare Books, named the 2013 Bookstore of the Year byPublishers Weekly,is a hub of Southern literary culture and is a must-visit for bibliophiles, authors, and lovers of the Southern history and literature. There are three locations around the Oxford, Mississippi town square. Learn moreabout Square Books Turnrow Book Co. - Greenwood, MS?Turnrow Book Co. is anindependent booksellerlocated in Greenwood in the Mississippi Delta, between the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers. A Southern Independent Bookseller Alliance (SIBA) member Turnrow serves an area known as the birthplace of the Blues, the home of the Viking Range Company, and the location for the filming of, and is an important part of the cultural landscape. Learn moreabout Turnrow Book Co.

How to Handle a Case Job Interview

How to Handle a Case Job InterviewHow to Handle a Case Job InterviewJob candidates seeking positions in management consulting firms or investment banking companies are increasingly facing what is known as the case vorstellungsgesprch. In these special job vorstellungsgesprchs, job seekers are asked to apply their skills to provide possible solutions to a real business challenge.If you have such an interview coming up or have done them in the past, here are some great ways to handle it.What the case interview will be testingIn a case interview, you will be expected to prove your abilities to analyze and solve problems while showing your ability to apply logic and strategy.At the same time, the case interview is used when companies are looking to assess your creative thinking, listening skills, level of common sense, and overall comfort with having your ideas openly interpreted or discussed with a professional demeanor.Finally, from time to time, you will be asked to present a case tha t assists with a past, present, or future issue the company will need you to work on.Before the case interviewBefore even thinking of how to present your case, you must first understand the companys mission, product, services, and ideally, prior case studies that may appear online or in public media. The Internet and social media have made it fairly convenient to research a companys financial strength, leadership, and previous success stories with problems the company solved.Get to know how it all works now, and worked in the past. When you have all this down, and you have created the case which companies may give you before the interview, be koranvers to practice, practice, and practice some more.Research online articles about other cases and interviews. Make yourself an expert on the topic, if not sick talking about it. You want to be that person in a case interview who is calm and cool under pressure.The day of the interviewMake sure you are well-rested. No caffeine, coffee, stim ulants, or anti-stimulants that alter your emotions and ability to think clearly. Practice one more time and make sure all is in order. Remember some case interviews have been as short as 15 minutes and as long as 4 hours. You will need your strength.During the case interviewThe company is going to judge you on your answers. Therefore, you must project clear thoughts, a practical judgment of the case itself, and do so professionally. A great way to approach the case interview when it startsAsk questions to clarify the issues at hand, if you are unsurePoint out your underlying thoughts and assumptions on the issueDo not ramble. Summarize specific findings.Provide recommendationsOutline your steps with expected resultsMost importantly, job seekers in a case interview are expected to have an enjoyable and effective discussion. Obviously, you do not work for the company, yet, so you cannot have the perfect answer. However, you must display your logic and thought processes for the case i nterview is supposed to be a test of a real case dialogue.More to do during the interviewListening skills takes more than just not talking and putting on your best listening face. Take notes, write questions down, develop a hypothesis, and compose your thoughts. You want to structure an analysis into a logical story and walk the interviewer through your assumptions and thinking.Engage the interviewers in conversation. Never panic if you do not like their responses (thats why no caffeine beforehand). You want to show your ability to think outside the box and prioritize issues or objectives.The case interview questionsDuring the case interview, you will hear questions focused on the followingMarket numbers caseProblem caseBusiness operations caseBusiness strategy caseResume case based on your own business experienceLogic case to test your IQNever be afraid to give a wrong answerWhen you are done presentingDo not panic if the interviewers sit in silence, or if you take a moment to coll ect your thoughts before hearing more questions. You want to show you are calm and take the time to think before speaking. Do not avoid talking for several minutes, as it will make the silence awkward.And never forget the classic interview tipsYou have to display confidence in your case interview. Show enthusiasm, keep eye contact, and project confidence. These are just the classic interview tips you hear all the time and they still apply in a case interview.

7 Ways to Get Taken More Seriously at WorkNo Matter What Your Job Title Is

7 Ways to Get Taken More Seriously at WorkNo Matter What Your Job Title Is7 Ways to Get Taken More Seriously at Work- No Matter What Your Job Title IsRespect isnt especially difficult to earn, but it must be earned- that is to say, it cant be won, stumbled upon, or started with. When you first enter the workforce, most people (aside from those with a habit of casting immediate judgment) will view you neutrally, and the habits you exhibit will gradually move them toward one opinion or another depending on your actions, you could set yourself up to be taken as a serious and professional member of the team, or a slacker unworthy of respect.Obviously, you want the former. To be successful in almost any field demands that you are taken seriously, and engaging in these habits is the best way to get there1. Arrive EarlyTheres no need to show up to a meeting an hour early, but give yourself a few extra minutes to get in and get settled- or at least protect yourself against the eventuality of getting sidetracked or detoured. This goes for mora than just meetings, of course- it also goes for interviews, lunches, company functions, and daily work in general. Even if your company has a pretty lenient policy when it comes to punctuality, others in your sekretariat will notice if you occasionally show up late. Dont let a simple mistake like lateness compromise your reputation.2. Be ConfidentWhile some people may be naturally confident, most of us have to work at it. The exhibition of confidence is going to be your greatest asset in your quest to be taken seriously because it shows that you take yourself seriously- and if you take yourself seriously, then others probably will as well. Practice confidence by being mora assertive in daily situations, practicing good posture (see point four here, too), and refusing to be intimidated by the normal stresses of work. If youre not a naturally confident person, this can take some time to develop, but dont worry- practice will make pe rfect. For help with this, see 7 Ways to Appear Confident (When Youre Really Not) and 7 Conversational Tricks to Appear More Confident.3. Stay Quiet Until You Have Something Good to SayIf you slip up and say something foolish or inappropriate, its easy for people around you to take you less seriously. Try to keep yourself silent in most situations unless you have something truly valuable to add. Even when you do have something valuable to add, think carefully to structure your phrases well and state your thoughts as concisely as possible. This will make virtually every word coming out of your mouth seem valuable, which in turn will make people take you more seriously.4. Pay Attention to Your Body LanguageBody language is important for more than just exhibiting confidence- it makes you seem more thoughtful, more put together, and more experienced in the professional world. There are dozens of things to watch for here, but some of the most important include sitting (or standing) strai ght, with your shoulders back, making eye contact when speaking to people, and shaking hands firmly (but not too tight). Its also important to keep your hands on the table and avoid fidgeting during meetings, and to allow your face to express your emotions during the course of conversation.5. Prepare More Than You Think You Need toWhether its for a job interview or for a simple morning team meeting, always prepare just a little more than you think youll need. Do just a little bit more research. Practice your speech just a few more times. Come up with just a few more contingency plans. Chances are, youll never tap into these preparatory materials to their fullest potential, but when you do get the chance to show off, youll really impress people. Plus, if you make it a habit, youll never show up to a meeting unprepared or underprepared- and thats going to make people take you far more seriously.6. Read the NewsThis is a simple habit, but its an important one. Try to keep up with major national and international news, as well as news within your own industry. You wont get a chance to bring up this information every day, but if the topic is ever mentioned by a boss, co-worker, or client, youll be glad you had a cursory knowledge of the matter beforehand. Eventually, youll develop a reputation for being well-read, and people will naturally assume youre a diligent, focused, hard worker because of it.7. Remain HumbleI saved this habit for last, because it should be held in balance with all the other habits. Throughout your process of developing a better, more serious reputation, its important to remain humble. Be confident- but never cross into arrogance territory. Show how much youve prepared- but never brag about it, or do so obnoxiously. Stay quiet- but dont avoid small talk and conversations with your co-workers. At times, this can be a hard balance to strike, but humility is an important trait in the workplace when it comes to establishing mutual respect.Be sure to practice these habits on a regular basis. You might not earn everyones respect overnight, but these habits will make an impression on people (even if they dont immediately realize it). Patience and consistency are your greatest tools when it comes to being taken seriously, so take your time and try not to slip up.More From Inc.25 Simple Things to Give Up if You Want to Succeed7 Ways Successful People Make the Most of Their Vacation DaysThe Ugly Career Game Thats Hurting Your HappinessPhoto of serious woman courtesy of Shutterstock.

What Does the Ideal Cover Letter Look Like in 2019

What Does the Ideal Cover Letter Look Like in 2019 What Does the Ideal Cover Letter Look Like in 2019 Cover letters arent exactly fun towrite, so its tempting to look for reasons not to write them at all. The process of applying online often gives us the very excuse were searching for. By not explicitly requesting titelblatt letters, digital application portalsleave the impression this once-critical document is no longer necessary.People have been speculating foryears thattitelblatt letters are dead, but is this really the case? If, despite the naysayers, cover letters are mucksmuschenstill relevant, what should they look like in 2019?Cover Letters Still Matter in 2019Many applicants base the decision not to write a cover letter on the assumption that nobody reads them.Its true that a fair number ofrecruiters dont bother with cover letters, but some definitely do - 26 percent of them, according to the 2017 Job Seeker Nation Study.That fact alone means cover letters are still impor tant. As long as certain members of the recruiting community consider this document relevant, you should make it a priority. After all, you never know whose hands your application will fall into.If you fail to write a cover letter and the hiring manager or recruiters wants to landsee one, your application may go straight to the wastebasket. Moreover, by not writing a cover letter, you rob yourself of the opportunity to express all the things you cant capture in your resume who you are as a person, why you want this pspeciesicular job, what you most respect about the company, why youre leaving your current position, etc.These are the sort of details that could make or break your shot at the job, especially if youre being weighed against people with very similar credentials.Plus, writing a cover letter is a good way to refine your thoughts, pick out the most pertinent details of your career, and prepare for an interview.Do Certain Industries Value Cover Letters More Than Others?As a g eneral rule, it doesnt matter what field youre in. You should never skip the cover letter.That said, forgoing a cover letter might be slightly less risky in certain industries. If you work in a sector that requires highly specific hard skills and youre confident your unique proficiencies - familiarity with complex software, for example - speak for themselves, a cover letter might not matter as much. However, if you work in any field that values communication skills - like writing, marketing, sales, or content creation- a cover letter is anecessary opportunity to demonstrate your abilities.Regardless of your profession, any cover letter you writemust be customized for your industry. Think about the culture and expectations of your sector, and adjust your letters tone and formataccordingly. If youre in a a playful, innovative field, you might try experimenting with outside-the-box cover letter styles. If youre in a more formal corporate field, you may want to stick to traditional cover letter guidelines.What Should Your Cover Letter Include?In an article for Inc., WorkItDaaily.com Founder and CEO J.T. ODonnell notes the importance of disruption in cover letters today. Recruiters and hiring managers are used to seeing the saatkorn things from cover letters over and over again. If you want to get noticed, you have to shake things up and surprise your readers. That means staying away from stock-standard formats and done-to-death opening lines in favor of taking your own original approach.Your first paragraphin particular needs to dazzle readers. A good way to grab attention is to start by telling a personal story that conveys how and why the companys mission and values resonate with you. The more specific you can be, the better. The bestadvertising campaigns instantly pull viewers in with emotive narratives. Your cover letter is an ad for yourself, so it should do the same.You could also consider opening your cover letter with something other thana standard par agraph. For example, a creative bulleted list or quote from a former employer could make your document immediately stand out.In a separate article for Inc., ODonnell makes the point that a cover letter should focus on the employer. Rather than harping on about how wonderful the opportunity would be for you, express how wonderful you could be for the company. Show your appreciation of the businesss vision and operational model.Demonstrate that you have a deep understanding of whats important to the company - and show that the same things are important to you. Do these things, and your cover letter could win you the job (or at least an interview).How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?As recruiters are seriously pressed for time, it is more important than ever tokeep your cover letter lean and succinct. Concision is the only way youll get a talent professional to read to the end.Some argue you should reduce your letter to a single paragraph, but keep in mind you dont want it to be so shor t it says nothing at all. To find a good balance between brevity and detail, make sure every sentence adds huge value. That means deleting anything that doesnt make an impact, like boring introductions, clich descriptors, empty bragging, or repeated details from your resume.In short, the best cover letter for 2019 is one that communicates a lot, with originality, in as few words as possible. LiveCareer has tools that help job seekers build targeted resumes and cover letters, including a free resume builder and extensive collection of cover letter examples.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. Were SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career. Like this art icle? We also offer tons of free eBooks on career and recruiting topics - check out Get a Better Job the Right Way and Why It Matters Who Does Your Recruiting. document.write(Read more ) in Cover Letter

The Biggest Myth About Cover Letter for Resume Sample Exposed

The Biggest Myth About Cover Letter for Resume Sample Exposed The Lost Secret of Cover Letter for Resume Sample A sample is able to help you decide what things to have in your letter, and the way to format the letter. Both ways it is useful. If you want, I can supply you with current samples of my work. All our samples are totally free to download, so its possible to customize them based on your requirements. My employer has also employed some of my suggestions and designs. Job seekers deserve to locate decent content quickly. Its very beneficial to establish a stable career for the applicant. Strong resumes dont need to be lengthy. The Importance of Cover Letter for Resume Sample Some employers also view relocation for a risk for everybody involved. As much as experience is vital, it isnt the sole thing hiring managers want to find. Often recruiters dont have the opportunity to experience a whole resume when they receive piles of resumes for a specific job. As you star t your search for work or an internship, you are going to want an effective resume and online presence to present yourself to prospective employers. Review the work description and attempt to decide on which qualifications appear to bring the most value to the location. When it may also list employment experience, experience really isnt the focus. Finding an adequate job can be exceedingly difficult no matter your profession with incredibly qualified applicants being your strongest competitors in the industry. Landing a job with no experience may be an even larger challenge. The form of resume you select will rely on the position youre applying for, the sum of relevant experience that you have, and the employers preference. There are lots of normal types of information that employers will try to find in your resume. To begin with, you need to specify the work title with a valid reason behind applying together with the focus and strengths in an arranged format to ensure it is co mpact. So however much experience youve got, our examples will let you get started. Once you have proofread the letter, after that you can let another person take a look simply to keep on the safe side. Reading through our sample student and internship titelblatt letters will provide you with a clearer idea of the way to compose your own. The letter continues in the second paragraph to spell out the kinds of students she has taught, along with her most significant strengths as an exceptional education teacher. Your letter should explain what you can do to help your customer, not what it is that youre selling, she explained. Keep in mind that the resignation letter isnt a love letter. Resignation is how you decide to leave the work you dont wish to do that anymore. Whether youre just starting your career for a librarian or are searching for a senior position, weve got a sample that can help you tailor your own cover letter. If youve got the experience they are searching for, yo u should invariably use the exact same language in your cover letter. While you might want to get a master copy on hand, its important to customize your resume and cover letter every time you submit an application for a job. Whether you would like to receive a job in nursing, dentistry, or pharmaceuticals, weve got a sample that is relevant to your career path. In the exact same way that you could reference resume samples, the subsequent Project Manager cover letter example will enable you to compose a cover letter that most highlights your experience and qualifications. After you build your LinkedIn Profile, think about listing your private URL below your name. Winning Cover Letters The example above illustrates just how to customize each cover letter for the particular business and position you want to know more about. Its also essential to find out the name of the individual youre contacting so that you can properly address them.

The Brilliance of Boring Branding Filling and Protecting Jobs with Dull Brand Icons

The Brilliance of Boring Branding Filling and Protecting Jobs with Dull Brand Icons Every national government is an employer. Like every other big enterprises, nations are in the business of staying in business and in a big way. This requires the recruitment and retention of government employees and successful enterprise promotion and performance to protect both the jobs and the organization, including absatzwirtschaft of the national brand, through iconic branding as well as through various maneuverings, a successful product and service line, e.g., citizenship,and a stable revenue or borrowing stream.Designed by Kids with Crayons?So, the question that occurred to me as I gazed at the flags mounted on the window shown in the photo I recently took during my stay at the Guest House Asahikawa, Hokkaido was why are the majority of national flags so boring that they look like they were designed by seve n-year-olds equipped with only a set of crayons, a ruler and the imaginations of seven-year-olds?Taking that question very seriously may provide insights into a branding concept that, although counter-intuitive, is apparently very successful when applied by nations boring branding.Contrary to the conventional expectation that a brand should be visually distinctive and engaging, the worlds flag designers and approvers seem to be fixated on the least imaginative designs since Neopolitan 3-flavor ice cream blocks.The easiest part of the analysis is demonstrating just how boring most national flags are For example, there are way too many, barely distinguishable variations on the pure tri-color bar theme, i.e., three horizontal or vertical bars and three colors.These include Armenia, Yemen, France, Ireland, Italy, France, Russia, Estonia, Holland, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, Belgium, Romania, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Chad, Mali, Colombia and Gambia (sort of, against a white background).What ever happened to product differentiation, ease of recall, prevention of brand confusion and the delightful element of creative surprise?But dont get me started (although I already have) Then there are the stars, the moons (mostly crescent), the birds, the suns, the crosses, the triangles, the bars and stripes, and, of course, combinations of these.Without bias, and being as objective as anyone can be, I have to credit the Canadian flag with two distinctions the maple-leaf design is not only unique in being the only obvious single leaf (although Somalias flag has clusters of them), but also in being an approximate, albeit fuzzy fractalwith its basic smaller 3-prongs within a bigger 3-prong design fuzzily replicating the bigger cores details.Anyway, you get the idea, dramatically illustrated by the vapid array of tricolor flags that are about as interesting as any of Piet Mondrians simplest colored grids, themselves candidate flags for some as yet unfounded nation.Maybe Deliberately BoringBut before considering applying the boring branding approach to other large-scale enterprises, e.g., Coke, or examining them to see whether they are already utilizing it, it behooves me to consider why on Earth boring branding of flags or anything else would seem like a good idea, especially given the risks of confusion and flagging interest (yes, that was a pun).When I mentioned the concept to the hostel manager, Yukari, she agreed that they indeed could be drawn by a child. That triggered the idea that ease of imprinting and replicating the brand is a big plus in flag design and other branding, especially when patriotism is stronger the earlier it is implanted as an emotion and commitment.This may also partially explain the appeal and durability of religious symbols as faith brands, e.g., the simple Christian cross, the crescent of Islam and the somewhat mora complex Star of David. (Notice, however, that one key principle of boring branding has not been adhered to in the cas e of religious branding indistinguishability from rival brands.)More strictly adhered to, the principles of boring branding would result in at least sect and denominational differences being somewhat obscured by very similar variations on the basic design, e.g., the simple cross vs. a Coptic cross.Among possible rationalizations of boring branding, several immediately come to mindConfident understatement Its widely understood that the wealthiest among the wealthy are the least ostentatious, being far less inclined to flaunt their riches than the nouveau and less-riche. Likewise, a boring brand can communicate a quiet, indeed utterly mute(d) confidence in a nations or organizations identity and mission.This bland, unprepossessing, nondescript image may be especially appealing to faceless bureaucrats and civil servants, who, in general, will be very inclined to maintain a low profilein part because they dont want to attract attention to their incredible perks and salaries, because the y want to be hard to find when you are frustrated or angered by them, because they want to appear to be utterly innocuous and non-threatening, and because bland near-invisibility is of particular value in spy and other governmental snoop services.That pretty much explains the basic two-piece suit, white shirt and tie of FBI agents, while inviting reflection on why the U.S. Air Force has opted for the Grim Reaper as part of its drone-force logo.Ease of redesign Consider the case of the American flag. A grid of stars lends itself to easy redesign. Just add or subtract stars as required by the vicissitudes of statehood. A national flag or corporate logo that serves as a visual map of territories or organizational elements is obvious and adaptable.Indeed, when Alaska and Hawaii joined the United States, the change in the flag was barely noticeable.On the other hand, look at what happened to the Soviet Union the bold and distinctive, asymmetrical hammer and sickle apparently couldnt be s alvaged (from at least the ideological perspective) and some serious distancing seemed obligatory.Now, the current Russian confederation simple tricolor, in its bland simplicity, blends in nicely with the neighborhood and, in virtue of not being at all startling, can be tweaked, like the U.S. Stars and Stripes as necessary with barely a ripplemake that barely a flutter.Subliminal advertising, promotion and propaganda The more boring the icon, the more likely it is to be confused with something else, especially a very ordinary, commonplace something else. You are eating your breakfast and staring at your fork-ready fried egg, sunny-side up.Unconsciously you associate the pleasures of it with Japan and experience a blip of subtle pro-Japanese sentiment. That may sound like a joke, which it was, but consider the Nike check-mark logo, which is about as boring as an icon can ever be. When checking off items from your shopping list, dont be surprised if you are seized by the urge to add a pair of running shoes to the list.Ease of recall and replication Mentioned above, this is a huge consideration. Standardizing consciousness of and identification with a nation or organization is a key management task. The less challenging recalling and replicating the iconic representation of the identifier, the more assured the desired result of broadideally universalidentification of and with the symbol.Hence, if a seven-year-old can create it, everyone else can easily recognize and disseminate it.What About the Money?Curiously, this rationale seems not to apply to currenciesanother national symbol, which, in general, are designed to be extremely difficult to replicate (and therefore to accurately recognize), despite whatever other boring elements they embody.Viewed as a form of boring branding, currencies tend to be somewhat less so, despite their predictable insistence on displaying august dull personages along with various unexciting wildlife, such as birds.One exception, of c ourse, is the U.S. dollar, which, if even half of the dark allegations about it are correct, embodies enough complex, esoteric Illuminati and Free Mason occult symbolism to make cracking the WW II German Enigma code look like an easy breeze through a middle-school crossword puzzle.Anyway, when it comes to whats boringly, if not brilliantly simple as a brand, Ill put my moneycoded or noton the average world flag.

Construction Veteran Breaks Resume Rules

Construction Veteran Breaks Resume RulesConstruction Veteran Breaks Resume RulesTo do justice to Tom Emils construction career, resume writer Dan Dorotik had to commit a few resume crimes.Rules are meant to be broken. Dan Dorotik, a certified professional resume writer who works with Ladders, has broken a few in his day, including the rule that said a resume should not exceed three pages.But not without great care, he said.Consider the case of Tom Emil, a 59-year-old construction project superintendent who recently turned to Dorotik for help with his resume.Dorotik wound up doing whats generally considered heretical He wrote a four-page resume. After going back and forth with Emil, whose original resume was six pages long, Dorotik checked with professionals in the construction industry, who confirmed Emils assertion that long resumes are industry-appropriate.Several told me they wouldnt have a problem with a resume that extended to several pages, Dorotik said. For a project superinte ndent, they need a lot of information about the specific projects he worked on, and they dont care if you go beyond the brde 10 years.Different industry, different rulesEmils experience and training spans mora than 25 years and includes the supervision of large, complex projects with budgets that range up to $70 million. He has proven experience managing government regulations, including Storm Water Pollution Prevention and dust control and state/local inspections procedures.He was trained in business-administration studies, attended a carpenter apprentice program, received OSHA training and more hes been in charge of the construction of a 21-acre, multi-use business office park complex received FBI clearance to supervise the construction of new airport buildings and supervised the laying of groundwork to build a new shopping center, complete with supermarket, a bank, two restaurants and multiple shops.Emils resume also included accomplishments and testimonials from successful clien t engagements.All that was hard to say without stretching resume conventions, Dorotik said.Dorotik knows the risks involved in breaking the three-page-resume rule. Some recruiters and hiring managers will simply refuse to read beyond P age T hree or will disregard the document all together.Thats why he and Emil decided to create two versions one for construction jobs and one for jobs in other industries.He fit Emils professional experience, credentials and skills onto the standard three pages. And used a fourth page to capture the accomplishments and testimonials. The four-page resume is now Emils regular resume, and the three-page resume, his alternate, shorter version for hiring companies outside his primary industry.Too many words, not enough contentDorotiks mission to shrink Emils resume ironically began by adding more to it. In spite of the six-page length, the content was lacking. It was too process-oriented, Dorotik said, delineating responsibilities without saying anything a bout whether Emil had done a decent job. He had to beef up the job descriptions without adding extra pages.Emils issues were common to senior executives who assume the reader knows more about their job than they do, Dorotik said.A lot of these things, I take it for granted that its covered in my job title, Emil said. All the work Ive done, Ive already assumed that Im a construction superintendent - thats my job description. Of course the job came in on time, under budget. If I didnt do it, Id be fired.In the new resume, Dorotik explained not just the elements of every project but detailed the accomplishments and budgets involved. Dorotik reminds all job seekers A resume isnt the place to assume anybody knows anything.

Logistics Support (LS) in the Navy

Logistics Support (LS) in the NavyLogistics Support (LS) in the NavyThe Logistics Support (LS) rating (which is what the Navy calls its jobs) was created in 2009 when the Navy merged the Storekeeper (SK) and the Postal Clerk (PC) ratings. This rating compasses most of the duties of the discontinued positions Logistics Support sailors keep track of supplies and partes for all ship, squadron, and shore-based activities. If a unit needs a part for repairs, the LS helps them get it, which is especially key if the item needed is highly specialized. This Navy job is equivalent to the Armys military occupational specialty (MOS) 92, Automated Logistical Specialist. Duties of Navy Logistics Support Sailors These sailors usefinancial accounting and database systems to perform inventory and financial management functions. In addition to sorting all official and personal mail, logistics support sailors manage money order and stamp inventories, and maintain financial and inventory reports. Th ey order, stock and issue clothing and general supplies, keep databases and correspondence files and manage Navy post arbeitszimmers. This includes sorting and distributing post and packages and routing and directing the transportation of mail. These sailors often perform counter operations similar to those atUnited States Postal Service offices, such as selling stamps, handling money orders, preparing claims, tracers, and inquiries and preparing and maintaining postal records and reports. The list of duties for logistics support sailors at the Navy postal office is lengthy, and includes requisitioning, controlling, and maintaining postal supplies and equipment and maintaining security for registered, certified and other special classes of mail. Working Environment for Navy LS LS sailors work in offices, shore-based warehouses, air cargo terminals at naval air stations and in storerooms aboard ships. While they work closely with other people, their tasks usually require independ ent decisions. Although its primarily an office job, LS sailors may be stationed in combat zones or on Navy ships and bases anywhere in the world, including Afghanistan and Iraq. The skills youll learn if you enlist in this rating will train you for a variety of civilian careers. You should be able to seek work in financial management, warehouse management, inventory management, and procurement across many different sectors. Training for Navy Logistics Support After the requisite boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois, sailors who enlist in this job will spend 40 days in A-School at Naval Air Station Meridian in Mississippi. To qualify for this rating, you need a combined score of 108 on the verbal expression (VE) and arithmetic reasoning (AR) segments of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tests. Theres no Department of Defense security clearance required for this job. Sea/Shore Rotation for Navy Logistics Support First Sea Tour 48 monthsFirst Shore Tour 36 monthsSecond Sea Tour 48 monthsSecond Shore Tour 36 monthsThird Sea Tour 42 monthsThird Shore Tour 36 monthsFourth Sea Tour 36 monthsForth Shore Tour 36 months

4 Examples of Outdated, Counterproductive or Bad Career Advice

4 Examples of Outdated, Counterproductive or Bad Career Advice4 Examples of Outdated, Counterproductive or Bad Career Advice4 Examples of Outdated, Counterproductive or Bad Career AdviceNot all career advice is created equal.Since weve been old enough to make our own decisions, our closest relations have offered advice on nearly every topic. It seems like there is no end to the constant opinions offered to us. People may feel the need to advise us. This doesnt mean we have to take it to heart.Career advice is no different. Our colleagues, family and friends will inundate us with more recommendations than a Presidential Advisory Committee. While family and friends have good intentions, you may be better served opting to follow expert career blogs and information columns online. Theyll have more relevant information than Aunt Mary or Uncle Fred. However, be discerning in the advice you follow no matter what.Here are four prime examples of outdated, useless and simply bad career advice. TWEET1. Summer and holidays are terrible times to look for a job.Follow this bad career advice and youll be out of a job. There isnt a time for abandoning your job search. Whether youre comfortably employed or actively searching for work, treat every moment and opportunity the same. Dont turn a blind eye to any job listing or company. Besides, summer and holidays are just as good a time as any to look for careers.Fact Summer jobs and holiday hiring freezes may slow down the industry, depending on your sector and position, but there are no periods when it stops altogether. Hiring managers take this time to fill positions they may lose with the coming New Year. Plus, large holidays reap big temporary hiring opportunities. Many retailers, manufacturers and delivery companies hire seasonal labor to fill their increased demands. CoolWorks lists seasonal and summer jobs. Bonus many of their locations are top-level vacation spots.2. Your resume can only be one page.Okay, obviously, shorte r resumes are better. Or are they? Resumes rarely go over two pages. And the more information you cram into your document, the less likely anyone will read it. On the other hand, shorter resumes send the message you have no skills, experience or achievements. In other words, both long and short resumes kill your chances. Candidates with less than ten years of experience should do everything in their power to keep their resume at one page. The only reason to go over two pages is for executive positions requiring more than traditional experience and professional development.Fact Most hiring managers discard resumes they cant understand within six seconds. Without reading the career summary and job descriptions, hiring managers want to scan the titles, headers, bullet lists and job positions. They are looking to understand the candidates basic qualifications, without reading the entire resume. TopResume offers free resume critiques to see if your resume passes the 6-second test.3. Your cover letter cant be imaginative.Innovative thinkers and creative minds need to show hiring managers they can bring something to the team. A cover letter doesnt have to be a dry, conservative correspondence. Save second person, professional and conservative descriptions for the resume. The cover letter is a distributionspolitik to display your personality and inner strengths. Keep in mind, youre not writing a fictional story. Its okay to be imaginative and creative. Just dont forget to be professional. This is a job application. Not movie night with your best friends.Fact Hiring managers see enough dry, boring cover letters. They want an introduction, not another regurgitated, condensed resume or summary. Use content that makes the hiring manager smile.4. Hide your weaknesses, or disguise them as strengths.Hiding your weaknesses is one thing. Changing them into strengths, well, thats called lying. Remember to err is human. Hiring managers realize we all have some weaknesses. After all, no one can be perfect at everything. And, no, were not telling you to advertise your weaknesses. But dont cover them up by calling them something theyre not. On a resume and cover letter, remove your weaknesses and replace them with actual proven strengths. In an bewerberinterview, explain how you overcome weaknesses.Fact Avoid embarrassing moments in the interview by having to reveal your worst weaknesses. Volunteer some small weaknesses and provide examples of how you overcame them. This goes a long way in showing the hiring manager you take ownership of faults and think fast on your feet.Recovering from mistakes.It happens to the best of us. We strive to improve our careers, look for ways to move up the ladder and, boom, bad advice knocks us down a few pegs. Making a mistake is easy. Recovering from the blow, well, it takes practice. The first, and possibly most important step, is to take ownership of whatever you did wrong.Failing to take responsibility is a red flag. Emplo yers will respect a team member who admits their wrongs, takes immediate steps to fix the problem and leaves the situation with a new lesson and set of skills. Liars, on the other hand, are shown the nearest exit. Also resist the urge to place blame on others, even of it truly was their fault.Want to see how your resume stacks up? Try out our free critique todayRelated Articles