What is Included in a Reference Check for Employment

What is Included in a Reference Check for EmploymentWhat is Included in a Reference Check for EmploymentMany employers check references as part of thehiring process. A reference check is when an employer contacts a job applicants previous employers, schools, colleges, and other sources to learn more about his or heremployment history, educational background, and qualifications for a job. What Is Included in a Reference Check? A reference check can include several steps. The employer could simply verify dates of employment and job titles and dates of attendance at college and the degree attained. An in-depth reference check will involvetalking to referencesto gain insight into an applicants skills, qualifications, and abilities to do the job. In the case of an in-depth check, your references can expectquestions similar to those asked of job applicants during an interview. For example, they might be asked about the applicantsstrengths and weaknesses, best qualities, ability to cope with stress, etc. The employer wants to confirm that you have the employment history and qualifications you have stated on your resume or job application. The company also wants to know if you have theright skills for the joband if you will fit in well with the organization. Permission for Reference Checks An employer will need your permission toconduct a credit checkor use a third party to check you out. Your permission also may be required for your school transcripts or other educational information to be released. Employer best practices include asking for permission prior to talking to anyone about you. Most companies notify candidates that they can expect to have references checked, and you may be asked to sign a form that gives consent for a reference check. Some states havelaws regulating consent requirementsand what an employer can ask about former employees. Some of these laws provide employer protections and immunity from liability for disclosing employee information. However, many states dont require companies to get your permission except when you have asked them not to contact your current employer. In addition, the organization can check with people other than those on thelist of referencesyou may have provided them. Its permissible to talk to anyone who may be able to share information on your job qualifications. What Is Back-Door Reference Checking? Back-door reference checking is when an employer checks with people you dont list as a reference. Those people could be former colleagues or managers or other sources the company finds who can speak to your qualifications. The same laws and protections, for both applicants and employers, apply. Tips for Easier Reference Checks Line up references before beginning the interview process.Some hiring managers will want to speak to your references before considering you for a job interview. Based on the results of the reference check, you may or may not be invited to interview, so it makes se nse to line up yours before you contact employers. Follow instructions.Some employers will ask for references to besubmitted with a job application. In that case, its obviously best to include them. However, if the employer doesnt specifically ask for references as part of the job application, dont include them until requested. When appropriate, submit your references as a separate list with contact information. Itsnot necessaryto include a line on your resume stating that references are available upon request. Ask before listing someone as a reference.Most of the time, people will be happy to give you a reference provided that they have good things to say. Be sure to ask befhigung references whether theyd be willing to speak on your behalf before giving their names to the hiring manager. This will help you avoid potential embarrassment in the hopefully rare event that a former colleague, professor, etc., would provide a less than glowing report and it also helps ensure that the reference will be available when the employer reaches out to conduct a check. Choose references who have a positive impression of your work and recent experience working with you.Naturally, you want to avoid choosing anyone who would say something negative about your job performance or fitness for the role. In addition, its a good idea to choose potential references who worked with you recently. A former coworker from 10 years ago might have a cloudy memory of your performance and projects. Plus, the hiring manager would likely wonder why you dont have more recent references to share. Give your reference the information they need.Tell about the job youre applying for so that the reference is prepared to discuss why you would be a good prospect for the job. Consider giving them a copy of the job listing and your resume, or just emphasizing the skills the employer is most interested in. This might feel awkward if youre not used to asking for endorsement, but remember that youre not d ictating what you want your reference to say merely offering insight on what the hiring manager wants to know about you.

Empathy is not a weakness but a superpower

Empathy is not a weakness but a superpowerEmpathy is not a weakness but a superpowerBefore embarking on this life-changing experiment, psychiatrist Helen Riess was a little bit hesitant. One of zu sichbei students wanted to find out whether when there is empathy between two people, their heart rates are in sync?- ?or not.A doctor-patient relationship seemed like the perfect scenario. Dr. Riess finally agreed to be videotaped and hooked up to some cables. A confident young patient would join her on this experience.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreLater, when she looked at the results, the psychiatrist was blown away. Both her patients tracings and hers were in sync. But for the wrong reason. She would soon find out that, as a psychiatrist, she wasnt as empathetic as she thought.This experiment turned out to be a career-defining one for Dr. Riess?- ?it helped her see what most of u s miss.Empathy in the age ofangerWe usually refer to empathy as walking in someone elses shoes. The assumption is that, before judging someone, we must understand their experiences, feelings, and challenges.I like to think that empathy is being in sync with someone else.We cant necessarily experience what other people are going through?- ?everyone we know is fighting their own battles. However, we can try to connect to their struggles?- ?we can sync.As the world grows more interconnected, people feel more disconnected and isolated?- ?synchronicity has gone missing.The complex societal and technological transformations are having a profound impact on our lives. For many, the world is becoming increasingly anxious, unhappy and lonely, according to theGlobal Risks Report 2019.Mental health problems now affect 700 million people across the world, according to the report published by the World Economic Forum. We are stressed out?- ?uncertainty and volatilitymake us feel we lack control.W e feel anxious, unhappy, and lonely?- ?anger is increasing empathy seems missing in action.Astudyfound that 58% of Americans and 50% of British believe that technology is the major reason for loneliness and social isolation.Emotionally, people are quite lonely. Were seeing in many societies a kind of breakdown of family, or connection with family, Zurich Insurances John Scott explains.We are living in an era of anger?- ?empathy is missing when we need it the most.Todays college students are 40 percent less empathetic than those of the 80s and 90s astudysays. Meanwhile, the level of narcissismhas increasedby 58 percent.As Dr. Michele Borba, author ofUnSelfie, said,Its very hard to be empathetic and feel for another human being if you cant read another persons emotions. You dont learn emotional literacy facing a screen. You dont learn emotional literacy with emojis.We cant connect when we cant look at each other in the eye?- ?we are continually adding new friends but losing real conne ctions. 22% of British people feel lonely (up from 17 percent in 2014). Similarly, Americans number of close friends has declined?- ?from 2.9 to 2.1.The tools that are supposed to make us sync are tearing us apart. Or is itus?Are you wired forempathy?We are experiencing anempathy deficit. We can blame it on technology or do something about it.Empathy is a superpower?- ?it should be practiced regularly, not on rare occasions.Empathsare highly sensitive people that are spiritually open and good listeners?- ?they are highly attuned to other peoples moods, good and bad. But, dont write yourself off. We all have this superpower. We need to cultivate it.Emotional Empathyhelps us see other peoples pain.Neuroscientists discoveredthat specific brain cells become active when someone is suffering. These mirror neurons reflect what others feel?- ?they make their pain visible.Cognitive Empathy, on the other hand, is about understanding people?- ?it doesnt require to suffer as they do. Psychologi sts also called it perspective taking?- ?its the effort to understand how other people behave, think, or feel.A world without empathy is inconceivable, MarkDavis.For some experts, empathy is hard-wired. But, a Stanford University study shows thatweare actually in charge. Those who believe empathy is not a fixed trait, spend more time listening to others?- ?they show a greater willingness to help.Our nature is tocollaboratewith other humans?- ?we reflect their feelings. Professor Mark Davis says he cant imagine people without the capacity to feel for others. Babies are born with that unique superpower?- ?no one has taught them to be empathetic.Empathy might be declining, but its on us to reverse the trend. This social glue skill can be developed with practice and discipline. It requires recognizing and understanding our emotions so we can see other peoples feelings.As Borba said, Kids are so used to looking down, instead of looking up. You dont learn empathy and face-to-face connecti on if youre looking down and textingBecoming more empathetic requiresinteractingwith people.Empathy is seeing thepainWhen Dr. Helen Riess reviewed the results of her experiment, she realized her patient and her were in sync?- ?but for different reasons.Though both tracings were synchronized, her patients were moving up and down very quickly while Riess were slower. The psychiatrist was blown away how her calm, self-confident appearing woman was actually experiencing massive anxiety.The Dr. felt they were in sync. She didnt realize what wasreally going on inside her patient. However, the young woman wasnt surprised by the results at all?- ?she lived with anxiety every day, but no one has seen her pain before.Moved by this revelation, Dr. Riess reviewed all the videos and departureed seeing whatseemed silentbefore. She discovered how the highest peaks of her patients tracings coincided with unnoticed gestures?- ?flicking her hair or subtly changing her tone voice.As Riess explains on thisTEDx talk, the experiment became a turning point for both?- ?their work went to a deeper level. The patient was able to lose weight. She finally let go of a huge emotional burden. Both women startedseeing each other clearly.No one ever has seen my painbeforeEmpathy is not feeling what other people feel but to see their pain.The word empathy was inspired by the German aesthetic termEinfhlung, meaning feeling into. When we see, we can witness other peoples emotions. We cannot feel them as they do, but we can be present.When we are anxious or frustrated, we stop seeing other people.Unleash your superpowerBeing empathetic is looking at others through their lens, not ours. We say hello to others so they can be fully present. We welcome their emotions, perspectives, and uniqueness.AtLiberationist, empathy plays a key role in everything we do. It helps us liberate the best version of leaders and their teams. When they startseeingeach other, collaboration and trust skyrocket.Empathy is more than a skill its an invitation.In the Zulu tribe, the word for hello is Sawubona, which meansI see youand the response, Ngikhona means I am here.Empathy is not an emotion but being in sync?- ?it requires effort.To see other peoples pain. To understand their emotions. To appreciate their uniqueness.Empathy is not about feeling pity for others, but to accept their feelings as valid. Its not trying to feel like them either?- ?but understanding what they are experiencing. We listen to their stories within the proper emotional context.We dont need to read someone elses mind to be empathetic. It requires understanding the depth of their feelings.Empathy is being in sync with someone elses emotions?- ?its a superpower that makes people visible.Gustavo Razzettiis a change instigator who helpspeople and organizations create positive change. He advises, writes, and speaks on team development and culture transformation. Follow Gustavo onLinkedIn,Twitter, orreceive his weekly insights.This article first appeared on Medium.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

The Student#8217;s Guide to Resume Writing

The Student8217s Guide to Resume Writing The Students Guide to Resume Writing Here are some words of wisdom to help you rise aboveyur competition in the job and internship marketThe BasicsLengthOne page. (No, seriously).FontCAPS,Bold,Italics, or UnderlinePick two.Font size must be 10-point or higher.HeaderYour header must include your name, phone number, and email address. We also recommend including your LinkedIn profile URL and your physical address. Your website, design portfolio, and/or Github account are required for developer and design candidates.SectionsList your education as the first major section in your resume. When listing your school(s), write your date of anticipated graduation (e.g., UC Berkeley Class of 2016), not your length of time at school (e.g., UC Berkeley 2012 Present). After the education section, list your experience, projects (if relevant), and skills/interests, in this order.The Important Stuff1. Focus on the Bigger PictureThe purpose of a resume is t o help recruiters and hiring managers understand your story in one minute or less. We dont need every detail about your professional life to figure out who you are and what youre capable of. In fact, excessive detail distracts us from the bigger picture. We can dig deep during the interview. For now, show us the forest, not the trees.2. Context Is KingRecruiters and hiring managers dont care about what you did. They care about why your work is important and how you made an impact. So, when you list a job or internship, kick off the section with a one-line sentence encapsulating your work.For instance, if youre a product manager at a tech company, you could say, Created new end-to-end product for a profitable SaaS company. From there, write a couple bullet points about how you made that happen and the concrete result(s) of your work.3. Blank Space Is Your FriendIts okay if your resume doesnt fill up the whole page. Its okayif you dont have tons of experience. Dont include every detai l of your life for the sake of filling upan entire page. Leave a blank space. Well write your name.4. Get a Little Help From Your FriendsWriting a resume is daunting. We recommend that you talk to your bosses, colleagues, and peers about what your real impact was at work. Itll help you write a more thoughtful resume and give you more to talk about during an interview.A Final WordResumes are never fully finished. They require dozens of revisions, changes, and perspectives before they feel right. So if your first, second, or third drafts arent home runs, dont worry. Thats normal. Keep editing and asking for feedback until youre confident the resume tells your true story.This post originally appeared on ClickTimes blog.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 wa nt to further their career. Like this article? 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 Resume Writing