What Ive Learned About Stuttering and Succeeding at Work - The Muse

What Ive Learned About Stuttering and Succeeding at Work - The MuseWhat Ive Learned About Stuttering and Succeeding at Work Did you forget your name? someone asked me at a networking event for marketing professionals a few years ago after it took me almost a minute to say it.No, I stutter, I politely replied. Oh my gosh. Im so sorry, he said I had no idea. I wasnt upset. Hes right He didnt know. Theres so much mystery surrounding stuttering- a communication disorder that involves the involuntary repetition of words along with pauses and other disfluencies. But its actually quite common. According to The Stuttering Foundation of America, 1% of people worldwide stutter. Thats 70 million people in total and three million in the United States alone.Ive had a speech impediment since I was three years old. In my case, stuttering usually manifests itself in terms of repetitions or prolongations My name is S-S-S-S-Samuel or Hhhhhello, hhhhow are you?Instead of being unhappy about the encount er at the networking event, I felt proud that Id brought up my stuttering. I wasnt always so forthcoming about my speech impediment When I was growing up and into my adolescence, I hardly spoke. Whether it was at school or at work, I avoided most social situations out of embarrassment and fear of being ridiculed. But in my early 20s, I was seeing a speech therapist who pushed me to be mora open. In 2011, I attended the National Stuttering Association conference, the largest gathering of stutterers worldwide, and it marked a turning point. It was the first time Id met so many other professionals who stutter- lawyers, doctors, actors, and more- all in one place. It felt surreal, like some alternate reality where stuttering was the norm. To my surprise, everyone spoke without fear or embarrassment. They didnt care. In fact, they were proud. Stuttering was celebrated. Thats when I first realized that stuttering isnt something to be ashamed of- its just something I happen to do, and that s okay.The transition didnt happen overnight, but over the last eight years, Ive departureed to bring up my stuttering more. Ive talked to friends, family, and colleagues. Ive mentioned it in every job interview and been open about it at every organization Ive worked for. Heres what Ive learned first-hand about succeeding with a speech impediment.I Learned the Power of Owning My StutterIts so easy to give in to the fear and avoid speaking up, especially when people react negatively. Because it does happen. One of my first jobs was a summer internship at a nonprofit organization. One week, I had to cover the front desk and answer the phone, which terrified me to my very core. When I picked up a call from a woman asking about donations, I started to stutter and I could tell she was getting impatient.Can you just transfer me to someone else? she asked.Okay, I replied. Who would you like me to transfer you to?Anyone but you, she said. I immediately went to the bathroom and broke down in to tears. I didnt regret being put on the phones, but I wished I had said something to her about my stuttering. At the time, I hadnt yet opened up about it and this faceless woman on the phone confirmed my worst fears about how people would perceive me. But it turned out that she was an anomaly.Three years later, I was interviewing for a PR role at another nonprofit organization and I told the executive director that I stutter. This was the first time that I disclosed my stuttering in an interview, and he surprised me by saying, Oh, thats cool. He proceeded to ask me questions When did I start stuttering? Do I stutter more on certain words? Does it get worse in specific situations? We talked for nearly 40 minutes. Later that afternoon, he emailed me. I got the job.Im not sure whether he hired me because he respected my honesty, because he enjoyed our conversation or- could it be?- because he was impressed with my qualifications. But I learned an important truth Most people dont care about my stuttering, certainly not in the negative way Id thought they would. They look beyond it and actually listen.I realized how much Id been limiting myself due to the fear of what others may think. In the past, Id avoided contributing in meetings, even when I had something to say, and I didnt get to know my colleagues as much as I wanted to.But after that interview, I started stuttering openly and mentioning my stuttering more at work. I was no longer afraid of picking up the phone. I was speaking up in meetings and socializing with colleagues. I was owning my stuttering and no longer giving in to the fear. It felt like Id removed a weight off my shoulders, which allowed me to focus on my work and let my talents speak for themselves. My confidence was growing and, finally, I felt like myself.I Learned There Are Lots of Ways to Talk About My StutteringSince I started to open up about my stuttering in interviews and on the job, Ive explored several different ways of bringing it up. Ive tried the straightforward reveal of saying, I stutter, so it may take me slightly longer to say what I have to say. Other times, Ive alluded to it by mentioning my involvement in the stuttering community. Theres also the humorous approach that Ive taken in stand-up comedy and sometimes also use to break the ice with colleagues I stutter, so if you have plans tomorrow, you should probably cancel them. Over time, Ive evolved to the wear-my-stutter-on-my-sleeve approach. Well, more like a keep-my-stutter-on-my-desk approach. I now have a coffee mug with the words Keep calm and stutter on scrawled across the side.No matter how I bring up my stuttering, it helps my colleagues and bosses understand me and work with me better and it increases peoples understanding of stuttering and other communication disorders in general. Because there are so many misconceptions. About three years ago, I disclosed my stuttering in a job interview, to which the employer replied, Oh, I just thought you were talking that way because you were nervous. I was nervous, but its the other way around I dont stutter because Im nervous, Im nervous because I stutter.According to the National Stuttering Association, this idea that people stutter because theyre nervous is one of a long list of myths that also includes false notions attributing stuttering to shyness, lower intelligence, bad parenting, emotional trauma, and more. Just like with any disability, employers may overlook people who stutter due to these stereotypes.By being open about my stuttering, Im dispelling these myths, letting employers know that Im not ashamed about how I talk, and, most importantly, reinforcing that my stuttering doesnt impede my job performance. And if they learn as much about me, they might also be more inclusive of others who stutter in the future. I Learned to Embrace the Benefits of My Speech ImpedimentI would argue that having a stutter enhances my job performance. Yes, you read that right. Stutter ing actually has benefits in the workplace. Its taught me compassion, as Ive become sympathetic to other peoples needs. Its taught me perseverance, as Ive learned to cope and manage my stuttering. Its even allowed me to get to know my colleagues better. Eight years after the dreadful call with the woman during my internship, I was working for another nonprofit organization. I was in the kitchen when a colleague entered and glanced at the Keep calm and stutter on mug I was filling up.You know, she said, one of my former professors stutters, too. He was my favorite professor. He was engaging and hilarious.Back at my desk, I couldnt help but smile. My stuttering was out in the open and my colleagues didnt care. They accepted it. The interaction reinforced something I learned back in 2011 at the conference Despite and sometimes because of the fact that I speak differently, I can mucksmuschenstill make an impact and succeed at work.While my stuttering doesnt define me, its still a part o f my life. And when I share it with others, it encourages them to open up, too. My stuttering has allowed me to connect with my co-workers and develop not only stronger personal ties with them, but also more productive working relationships.Dont get me wrong, its still frustrating when it takes me a minute to say my name or when I know exactly what I want to say, but I just cant seem to get the words out. But today I own up to my stuttering and I dont let it hold me back. Instead, I let it propel me forward and help me thrive at work and outside of it.

How to Handle Gaps in Your Employment History on a Resume

How to Handle Gaps in Your Employment History on a ResumeHow to Handle Gaps in Your Employment History on a ResumeHow to Handle Gaps in Your Employment HistorySmooth out a bumpy employment history with these tried-and-true resume tips.Not everyone is blessed with a picture-perfect employment history that matches their career goals. With a less-than-stellar economy over the past decade, many professionals find themselves with substantial employment gaps or a string of short-term or unrelated gigs dominating their resumes. Still, others are battling the same gaps because they took time off to raise their families, care for an ailing relative, or overcome a health condition of their own.If any of these situations apply to you, keep reading. Below are some ways you can pump up your professional resume and supplement your work experience to make a better case for your candidacy.Highlight unpaid employment historyIf you volunteered for a role or took on an unpaid internship that allowed yo u to build relevant skills or gain industry experience, then these positions deserve a distributions-mix on your resume employment history. Treat each opportunity as you would a paid job by describing your role and highlighting your major contributions and accomplishments on your resume.If you stayed at home to raise your children, dont discount the valuable experience you gained while managing the household and caring for your family. Take a look at this piece I wrote for Ladders that explains how you can highlight the core competencies you developed as a stay-at-home parent.If youre looking for opportunities to help fill your current employment gap, check out resources like Catchafire and Hands On Network for volunteer work and FlexJobs for flexible and telecommuting internships.Group freelance work togetherIf you freelanced for a number of different clients over a period of time, consider grouping these experiences together under one position and then combining the dates. When br eaking down the position, use the role description section to describe your expertise (i.e. the services you offered). Then, focus each bullet to highlight the work you did for a particular client and the results you achieved. This will give your resume a cleaner look and make you appear less like a job hopper and more like a committed consultant.If you held a series of temp jobs that were similar in nature, you can apply this same technique to make your resume look less cluttered.Remove a positionIn some instances, it may be best to omit full-time gigs with incredibly short tenures from your resume altogether. The general rule of thumb is to remove full-time jobs from your resume employment history if they lasted less than three months. If youre concerned about deleting the work experience entirely, you have the option to briefly mention this position in a CAREER NOTE at the end of your work history section. Click on the following link to learn more about using career notes on your professional resume.Invest in professional developmentIf your recent work experience has little to do with your current job goals, look for opportunities to bolster the skill sets your target employers care about. If youre unsure which of your skills need an extra boost, search your network for individuals who work in the field youre pursuing and ask them. Its amazing how many insights and resume tips you can gain over a lunch or coffee date.There are many free and low-cost training opportunities available ansprechbar and in person. Take a look at SkillShare, edX, Coursera, Lynda.com, and CourseHorse, to name a few. Also, use sites like 10times.com to find conferences related to your target field. In addition to being networking goldmines, these types of events often offer certification programs onsite. If youre considering a major career change, you may need to go back to school for more extensive training.RelatedThe Top Skills Employers Are Looking ForConsider using a different r esume formatIf its impossible for you to make your skills and experience shine with the standard resume format, you do have the option to use a functional resume. A functional resume is a different approach to a resume which focuses more on skills than professional experience, which can be helpful for someone who has gaps in their career history.Proceed with caution though This type of resume should only be used as a last resort. Recruiters and hiring managers generally dislike the functional resume because of the way it strays from the traditional layout. It can also give the impression that you are attempting to hide something. Perhaps most importantly, applicant tracking systems (ATS) cannot read this type of resume properly, taking you out of the running for many jobs before youve even had your chance. Though a functional resume may seem like a good option, you should only use a one when youve already circumvented the anfangsbuchstabe gatekeepers at a company.Keep your employmen t history consistentA word to the wise However you decide to modify your resume, dont forget to edit your LinkedIn profile to match. 93 percent of employers will review your social media profiles before contacting you for a job interview. Make sure the person they see online matches the one they read about on your resume.Click on the following link for more resume advice.How are you handling employment gaps on your resume? Get a free resume critique to find out.Recommended ReadingAsk Amanda How Do I List Self-Employment on a Resume?Make a Great Resume With No Work ExperienceResume Tips for Freelancers

Infographic 8 Tips From Your Dog On Starting A Career

Infographic 8 Tips From Your Dog On Starting A CareerInfographic 8 Tips From Your Dog On Starting A CareerNow that youve got your university degree, its time to start the quest for world dominion, and whats a better way to do that than by finding a top-notch job? I am not talking about a classic career coaching service that you might have been considering. I am talking actually about your dog and the most significant 8 advice it can give you about being successful on starting a career. See them in this entertaining infographic below and jump with confidence into the job-seeking game. If you are planning to apply for ajob or you are just starting a career, make sure to check outand craft the best resume recruiters have ever seen. Or in case you are planning to walk your dog out any minute, theDoglarapp can help you find friends to enjoy that time together.

This surprising toy can help you problem solve at work

This surprising toy can help you problem solve at workThis surprising toy can help you problem solve at workSome days, it seems like personal challenges and work obstacles just keep piling up, leaving even themost motivated personfeeling uninspired or stuck. Are you in need of a new tactic to ease your frustrations or find a solution to a tough problem? Author and professorDr. Loretta Breuning, PhD, tells us that she swears by something that may sound a little strange at first Keeping a rubber ducky on her desk, and talking to it when she feels annoyed, afraid, or unsure what to do.Telling stuff to a plastic toy might not make sense at first, but according to Dr. Bruening, the verbal brain - or the words you think, say, and use - is part of your overall thought process. The world floods your senses with detail, and you make sense of it by fitting it into the neural pathways you have, she explains. You arent born with neural pathways they build from experience. Were all unique Even mora, you dont consciously fit reality into your old pathways the electricity in your brain flows like water in a storm, finding the paths of least resistance. This is why your conscious mind can make it hard to untangle your thoughts.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreEven more, Dr. Bruening suggests that talking to a rubber ducky aloud can help you uncover new solutions when you feel stuck. Unlike when talking with a real person, you dont have to worry about overexplaining, losing your thoughts to interruptions, or rationalizing your problem. I learned this method from software engineers, who use it for tough debugging problems. It works because when you talk to the rubber ducky on your desk, you have to connect words to your thought patterns. This forces different regions in your brain to work together, and youll be able to come up with new templates instead of relying on your old ones.Once you master the rubber ducky exercise and learn how to think and take action in ways you havent before, youll be in great shape to power past problems that tripped you up before (and maybe eventually not even need the duck itself). Here are three scenarios to try it out.1. Tackle a technical problem.Dr. Bruening admits that technical problems stress her out, sharing that she feels like shes about to explode when she cant complete simple, routine tasks that are usually easy to check off her list. I cant stand it when Ive tried everything and wasted a lot of time. My husband usually hears my groans and tries to help, but he knows nothing about the tools I use, and I end up feeling desperate as I try to explain. Ive learned that, seemingly miraculously, as soon as I tell him the problem, I see my mistake and know how to fix it. I couldnt understand how this happens until I heard about the rubber ducky debugging method. Now that Ive learned it and understand, I ask my husba nd to act like my rubber ducky. Sometimes I serve as his rubber ducky too.2. Work out your feelings.Did you recently suffer a breakup? Or maybe youre having a tough time with a friend, or feeling frustrated after a meeting that didnt go as you hoped. We all know how painful some situations can be, Dr. Bruening acknowledges. In these instances, you might feel tempted to call friends and tell them the story. But this can go wrong, because your friends might either agree with you to seem supportive or see the problem incorrectly through the lens of their own life experiences. When this happens, you might feel more stressed and have an even more complex problem to deal with. Talking to your rubber ducky instead, Dr. Bruening promises, can help you see the right solution on your own. You wont feel obligated to honor anyones opinion that youve asked for if you disagree or to manage frustrating feelings if someone doesnt understand. Instead, you can zero in on what brings you peace.3. Make an important decision.Imagine that you have to make a difficult decision at work or at home - you feel stuck, so you ask a few people for opinions, offers Dr. Bruening. But what can you do if their opinions seem off-base or misguided to you? I used to end up with a let-down feeling, until I realized that I was disappointed with other insights because I already believed in my own insights. The reality is that other people never know the problem as well as you do because they dont have all the facts. Nowadays, Dr. Bruening tells us she talks to her rubber ducky instead, because it helps her establish new neural pathways. Old pathways motivate us to seek support from others, but we dont always like their eingabe when we get it. Use yours to hear your own voice loud and clear - its often the best one to help you make a decision anyway.This article originally appeared on Brit and Co.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your soci al 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 Lost Secret of Parts of a Resume

The Lost Secret of Parts of a Resume Usually, a profile is utilised to present yur distinctive selling proposition (USP). Only as soon as you have a connection to the organization youre interested in does your resume become important. Nontraditional resumes are perfect for men and women in creative fields, who would like to demonstrate their capacity to create visually engaging designs or to make web pages. The Secret to Parts of a Resume Dates of attendance or superior school information isnt needed. Within a resume, its possible to also utilize taglines to spell out your position or a set of promotions or introduce a succession of achievements. You are able to see our post to find out more and examples to help you compose a resume with very little or no work experience. Only relevant and necessary information has to be available in the application, as stated by the needs of the job. The Good, the Bad and Parts of a Resume Please dont hesitate to contact me at any moment at the numbers listed on my CV if you want to explore any facets of my application. If you are going to be considered for a specific position, we might also collect references from your nominated referees. There are various sorts of resumes, so students must use the proper type based on a specific situation. There are usually two kinds of resumes. The Pain of Parts of a Resume Most folks create a resume at the start of their career and just update it from then on. The present job environment sometimes requires people hold many positions during a shorter length of time. Fantastic people skills are a vital portion of what makes you such a standout employee whod be an asset to any company that provides you with an opportunity to shine. Some who create functional resumes decide not to include work history in the slightest. Firstly it shows the manager what youve learned due to your experiences. If youre on the lookout for a job for a sommelier, list your understanding of wine fundamentals and food pairing, and your experience with inventory administration. Possessing an internet presence in most instances will make it simpler for you to secure work in a far shorter time. How far back one can go is dependent upon the person, but an excellent guideline is to stay away from exceeding 10 decades. Because nearly all job openings arent advertised. Maybe you worked part time for a proofreader to aid with college expenses. You should collect all of the information which you should fill in the resume template. The procedure for drafting and editing your resume can be a hard undertaking. If it comes to best resume format, know that reverse chronological is almost always a good bet, due to how its among the most common and well-known resume formats. When ranking the best sort of format, the combination format sits at the peak of the ladder. More frequently, candidates having the essential work experience and the most suitable kind of qualifications dont qualify for the interview simply because their resumes do not incorporate the necessary information, or the resume isnt properly drafted. At the peak of the resume is a list of someones skills and qualifications. By highlighting skills instead of work history, an individual can emphasize he or shes qualified for the job. If your work asks for certain certifications, degrees or education, think about the combination resume. The Downside Risk of Parts of a Resume If you arent replying to an advertised position, its more appropriate to compose a speculative letter to a company that you want to work for. Since your resume serves as your very first introduction to the employer, it has to have the ability to make a great impression. A top-notch cover letter is equally as essential as your resume. A cover letter tailored to the particular job for which youre applying is crucial. The Pain of Parts of a Resume If you fulfill the requirements required to find the job, the resume can help you raise the odds of getting a superb job. Your cover letter has to be written in a means thats unique to the job that youre seeking. The peak of your resume should stick out and summarize you. Dont forget, your resume is only going to receive a few seconds attention, at best No matter which type of job youre looking for, it is essential you have a replica of your resume online. Finally you will produce a tool which will be of enormous value to you in your job search. If you want to be supplied a great job, you demand a good resume. Developing a good resume is among the most essential measures in your job hunt.

What to do When a Client Isnt Calling You Back - Spark Hire

What to do When a Client Isnt Calling You Back - Spark HireHaving a client drop off the face of the earth isnt an unheard of situation in recruiting. However, if this is happening to you on a frequent basis, then there is something you need to change in your process when it comes to the recruiter-client relationship.When reassessing your relationship building process with your clients, consider 4 key reasons why your client may have stopped communicating with you. 1. You Didnt Set the Right ExpectationsIts important early on in the process that you and the client establish clear expectations of how your partnership will work. Setting up weekly phone calls to follow up on submitted candidates or any changes in the job requirements is an integral part of your professional relationship with your clients.Make sure that there is a clear understanding between you and your client on how the process will work and how often you will communicate (as well as HOW you will communicate).2. The Ope ning isnt RealIf this is a new client or a client that you have leid had such a great experience with in the past, dont be surprised if they just told you they had an opening in order to simply end the conversation with you.Sometimes a hiring manager will give you a bogus job order just so you will stop calling himYou can avoid these situations by vetting out each job order you receive before you begin spending time on it. Ask the right questions when you have the hiring managers ear. Make sure that he understands that you will not just simply take a written job description from him and recruit without a qualifying conversation about the schrift of candidate he is looking for.3. You Talked to the Wrong PersonPerhaps the person you spoke with about the job order wasnt the actual decision maker. This is not unheard of and actually happens more often than you would think. When this does happen, a lot of times the person you spoke with is too embarrassed to call you back and tell you th at he was the wrong person.However, as a skilled recruiter, its important that you know who you are taking a job order from and understand what their role is in the hiring decision.Once again, make sure you are asking the right questions from the get go and never settle for talking to anyone other than the key decision maker when it comes to hiring for the position.4. Youre doing a Bad JobSometimes it just comes down to the simple fact that youre not doing a good job. If youre not following up with your clients early in the process with updates on the candidate search, they have likely moved on and are spending time with a recruiter who keeps the line of communication open throughout the entire process.If you are simply forwarding resumes of candidates with no actual presentations or reviews based on your assessment of the candidates, then the client has lost respect for you.Maybe the candidates you have submitted just arent anywhere close to hitting the mark. Its up to you to ask t he right questions early in the process so that you can be sure to hit the target with your candidates.Being a recruiter is not easy. Your clients have entrusted you with their job openings because you have the expertise and knowledge when it comes to hunting down the right talent. When you slack off and dont meet their expectations, there is little chance that your calls and emails will be returned.What are some other reasons why your client isnt calling you back?

What to Do if You Get Flustered During a Job Interview

What to Do if You Get Flustered During a Job InterviewWhat to Do if You Get Flustered During a Job InterviewSo youre nervous about an upcoming job vorstellungsgesprch? Dont worry, as it turns out, you happen to be in great company. Some of the best and brightest, from musicians to actors to entrepreneurs, are prone to freeze when they encounter the spotlight. Its said that Laurence Olivier himself once succumbed to the paralyzing condition. Now that weve established nervousness can and does happen in the context of the job interview, the next step is in learning how to both conquer the event and harness the otherwise unproductive energy it creates. On that note, here weve compiled our top six suggestions for overcoming a case of the nerves while interviewing for the job of your dreams.Make Small TalkOne of the sure-fire ways to break through a case of the nerves during a job interview is to engage in a little bit of conversational small talk. Discussing anything from the weather to y our travel into the interview site can open up common avenues of communication. Its never a bad idea to treat the first few minutes of any interview discussion mora as a get to know you session. This can help eliminate the feeling that youre engaged in an interrogation of your job skills and more in the mood to express your individual qualifications for the job at hand.Ask a Few QuestionsEngaging in a bit of QA is another effective method for busting through a case of employment stage fright. Asking your interviewer a relevant question or two about the position puts the ball back in their court and allows you a moment to catch your breath. This technique scores bonus points in that it also takes the onus off of your interviewer to drive your engagement. After all, employers can get stage fright too.Relax AlreadyAccording to those in the physical and mental stress and nervousness know, focusing on relaxing physically can impact your confidence and anxiety levels during high performan ce situations, such as an interview. Try rolling your shoulders, stretching or performing similar repetitive physical motions to help calm your body and mind before an interview. Exercise a few hours before can also help produce feel-good hormones that help boost energy and confidence levels. As a bonus, a relaxed physical state also projects more confidence to potential employers, acting as a double whammy for job seeking success.Dont Forget You Are AwesomeOne of the most important techniques for nailing an interview is remembering the qualities and characteristics that got you in the door in the first place. Think of this approach as the mental psych up. There was obviously attractive traits as far as experience, skills and communication abilities that brought your resume to the top of the pile. Focus on these positive qualities for a nerve-busting dose of confidence prior to opening that interview room door.Embrace the NervousnessWhile its certainly a useful trait for conquering a case of interview-induced jitters, we have to admit that acknowledging the elephant in the room is one of the harder solutions for overcoming nervousness. Admitting to a bout of the nerves with friends or family can go a long ways towards helping you overcome the monster that is doubt on the day of. During your interview, acknowledge to yourself that youre feeling jittery and use that energy as fuel in your discussion, body language and more. They say that embracing your greatest weakness is an essential key to success and that certainly proves to be the case during your prospective job interview.Prepare Away NervesAnother oft-repeated saying is that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This certainly holds true when it comes to ridding yourself of doubt during your job interview. Psych yourself up for the big day by covering all your bases. Perform research on the company youll be interviewing with, re-read the job description and go over a few potential answers to qu estions you may be asked. Lay out your interview outfit the night before to avoid last minute scrambling and waltz your way into a confident persona. Have a tip or trick we missed? Drop us a comment and maybe your suggestion will provide helpful advice for another job-seeker

Army Enlisted Job Descriptions Military Intelligence

Army Enlisted Job Descriptions Military IntelligenceArmy Enlisted Job Descriptions - Military IntelligenceAll noncombat jobs in the military offer some form of support to the combat units. Military Intelligence (MI) is an important job that requires athorough understanding of foreign cultures and languages, as well as analytical skills to assess the military capabilities of other countries. Intelligence Analysts and Officers use the information to determine changes in enemy capabilities, vulnerabilities, and probable courses of action. The Intelligence Analyst is primarily responsible for supervising, coordinating and participating in the analysis, processing, and distribution of strategic and tactical intelligence. Qualifying for Army MOS 35 Intelligence analysts take 10 weeks of basic combat training and 16 weeks of advanced individual training with on the job instruction. In order to qualify, candidates need a score of 101 on the Skilled Technical segment of the Armed Servic es Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. Duties of Army Military Intelligence Analysts Members of the intelligence community interpret and prepare intelligence to support combat commanders. While it sounds like this job would involve a lot of spy-movie stuff, a lot of the work is very complex and time-consuming. Intelligence support staff assist in establishing and maintaining systematic, cross-referenced intelligence records and files, receive and process incoming reports and messages, and assist in determining the significance and reliability of incoming information. Here are the Army MOSs(military occupational specialties) that fall into the Military Intelligence Field 35F - Intelligence AnalystPrepares sensitive information and assists in establishing and maintaining systematic, cross-referenced intelligence records and files.35G - Geospatial Intelligence Imagery AnalystUses photography and electronic, mechanical, and optical devices to obtain information from imagery. O btains intelligence by studying and analyzing pictures and videos.35L - Counter Intelligence AgentThe Counterintelligence (CI) Agent conducts investigations to detect and counter terrorist threats. The agent identifies and counters activities of any foreign adversary that poses a threat to Army forces. The agent also provides counterintelligence reports, estimates, threat assessments, and vulnerability. 35M - Human Intelligence (HUMINT) CollectorConducts source operations, interrogations and debriefings to collect time-sensitive information about enemy forces.35N - Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) AnalystPerforms analysis and reporting of foreign communications and non-communications and relays that information by producing combat, strategic and tactical intelligence reports.35P - Cryptologic sprachwissenschaftlerPrimarily responsible for identifying foreign communications using signals equipment. This role is crucial as thenations defense depends largely on information that comes from foreign languages. 35Q - Cryptologic Network Warfare SpecialistPerforms cryptologic digital analysis to establish target identification and operational patterns and identifies, reports, and maintains intelligence information.35S - Signals Collector/AnalystExploits non-voice communications and other electronic signals and provides intelligence reports and primarily responsible for performing the detection, acquisition, location, and identification of foreign electronic intelligence.35T - Military Intelligence Systems Maintainer/IntegratorPrimarily responsible for maintaining and integrating intelligence gathering systems, computers, and networks used by military intelligence (MI) soldiers. 35X - Intelligence Senior Sergeant/Chief Intelligence SergeantSupervises intelligence surveillance, collection, analysis, processing, and distribution activities at the group, division, corps, Army, and comparable or higher echelons.35Y - Counter-Intelligence/Human Intelligence Senior SergeantSupe rvises the collection, processing, development, and dissemination of counterintelligence, counter-signals intelligence, and human intelligence information.

Good Time to Be a New Accounting Graduate

Good Time to Be a New Accounting GraduateGood Time to Be a New Accounting GraduateEvery soon-to-be accounting graduate who is preparing to switch mortarboard tassels from the right to the left this spring is likely more relaxed about the job market than graduates of a few years ago.In todays market, job seekers in accounting and finance have the advantage, according to Robert Halfs special report, The Demand for Skilled Talent. And employers surveyed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) are in agreement they plan to hire 11 percent more fresh college graduates from the class of 2016 than they did from the class of 2015.We asked Syed Hussain, vice president of Robert Half Finance Accounting, North America, for his take on the job prospects for this years crop of accounting graduates. Heres his valuable career advice.Q Why is now a great time to be a finance or accounting graduate?A Supply and demand. If you look at the job market, youll see theres a shortage o f accounting and finance candidates. Anyone graduating from college today with an accounting degree will be almost guaranteed a job.We see people graduating and getting a handful of offers in a matter of three to five weeks. Accounting is a great skill set to have, and companies need talented finance and accounting individuals.Read about the dizzying array of options for entry-level accounting jobs.Q Have many of this years graduates already been recruited?A Yes, campus recruiting is part of the strategy of many of the bigger organizations. Many accounting graduates are getting job offers before they even graduate.Q Is it safe to say new grads can look forward to job security?A Absolutely. Accounting and finance is one of the most secure degrees you can get.Think about it from this perspective Every firm needs accurate numbers just to operate. Even if an organization is going through bankruptcy or tough times, it will totenstill need an accounting individual to get everything in s hape. The company might let go of sales staff but still will need an accountant to pull all the data together and present it to the bankruptcy authorities.Q What about sign-on bonuses?A I have not seen sign-on bonuses for new accounting graduates, as of yet. Instead, many of the bigger companies are pitching that theyre going to give them a great experience and will put them in a management trainee program, for example.Q What are some of the changes youve seen in the accounting profession?A The accounting and finance profession has morphed. Accountants are no longer sitting in a corner, trying to understand the debits and credits of a business.Instead, its become a business-partnering role. So as more and more organizations embark on that, its important to have that kind of skill set.Q What is it about new accounting grads that appeals most to employers?A Its twofold. While the fundamentals of accounting education have not changed, most colleges and universities now adopt have chang ed their emphasis to more of a business perspective, producing more attractive graduates.More importantly, baby boomers are retiring. Some companies will promote from within, which will create a vacuum with entry-level jobs. As retirements grow, theres more of a need for people with degrees to come in and be part of the organization.Q Are there any challenges for todays accounting grads?A The main challenge I see is communication. This is a generation that grew up on text messages and Facebook. Youve got to be able to communicate well to be where you want to be in years to come.Read Millennials Starting Out 9 Tips for Finance and Accounting Careers.Q Are there specific industries youd recommend to recent graduates?A Health care is a booming industry and will continue to grow. The technology or high-tech sector is another fantastic place to be, in Silicon Valley or anywhere else. There are also great manufacturing opportunities, depending on geography.Q How about specific positions? What do you advise?A When it comes to entry level, you start off, perhaps, as a staff accountant and work your way up. New graduates who get hired by one of the Big 4 accounting and auditing firms will be able to slingshot their career very quickly. These firms are focused on campus recruiting and hiring staff auditors, or auditor level 1, which is a great opportunity for any individual in finance and accounting.Whenever I see a client or hiring manager looking for a chief financial officer (CFO) or a controller, theyre always seeking someone with at least three or four years of Big 4 experience. It sets you up well for the future if you can get that experience at the start of your career.Looking for more career advice? SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER Syed Hussain Syed Hussain i s vice president of Robert Half Finance Accounting, North America. He joined Robert Half in 2007 and is an expert on trends affecting the finance and accounting market, including the use of social media in recruitment and managing a multi-generational workforce. He is based in the San Francisco westindischer lorbeer Area.