These 7 Student Resume Samples Can Help You Get a Better Summer Job

These 7 Student Resume Samples Can Help You Get a Better Summer JobThese 7 Student Resume Samples Can Help You Get a Better Summer JobLanding a good job right after college can often turn into a real struggle.Youve got zero skills and no relevant experience to talk about. But thats exactly what the summers - besides lots of other things - are good for. To snatch yourself a cool summer job, earn a little pocket money and get some solid hands-on experience. Naturally, the first step you need to do is write a convincing resume and cover letter and send in your application as soon as possible. Here are 7 great samples from our Resume Examples Library that will help you get started right away.1. Philips absatzwirtschaft Management Intern Resume ExampleFresh graduates may lack skills but have a chance to make up for it by showing determination and true passion.If you want to write a good internship resume, use a variety of adjectives to describe yourself as a motivated and enthusiastic i ndividual.Build your resume on your strengths, bedrngnis weaknesses. Focus on your soft skills, education and include the list of certifications and awards that youve earned so far.2. Google Software Engineer Intern Resume ExampleWhen talking about interns without any previous work experience, top companies like Google hire exceptionally gifted young professionals that know their value and know how to sell it to them.So if you dont want your summer job hunt come to naught, focus on your professional portfolio. Describe your academic and personal projects - they illuminate the real accomplishments and the real work that youve done so far.3. Refugee Volunteer Resume ExampleVoluntary jobs belong to your resume. They indicate that building healthy relationships with your community and environment is your priority. Whether its service for the poor in your neighborhood or humanitarian work for an NGO, these activities will show youve developed a much broader vision of your life and work. If youd like to learn more about the person with such a spectacular life, read the story behind the resume. Its totally worth it.4. Volvo Mechanical Engineer Resume SampleThis one takes a bit more relaxed approach to the descriptions in individual sections of the resume. Its a perfect example of how to create brief stories on a short amount of space to engage the reader.Unarguably, it works here much better than bullet points and provides better insight into situations the job seeker was facing. Just trace the verbs to see how quickly the story unfoldsOur team got challenged by NASA to design a solution for the Jet Set Mars Challenge a mobility solution for first operations on Mars. We designed an exoskeleton with a jetpack and HUD for mobility, and proposed a method for obtaining fuel on-site. We reached Top 25 Global Prize and Top 5 in Best Use of Hardware among 1,287 projects.All in all, dont think you need to keep your resume dry and impersonal just because its a common practice . If you have a story to tell that youre able to fit in your resume, do so to add a bit of personal touch to your resume.5. Marketing Intern Resume SampleIf youre lacking vocabulary that would suit your resume, just take a sneak peek at our databases of action verbs and powerful adjectives.Its the very best tool to talk about your job responsibilities and accomplishments without sounding overly repetitive or way too boring. Heres what the following resume offers in the Work experience section conducted, worked, participated, supported and grew. Profile summary doesnt fall short of varied vocabulary, either. Adjectives like creative, motivated, extensive, strong, extraordinary, forward-moving describe the personality of the job seeker in bright colors.6. Pharmacy Intern Resume SampleNot much to say on your resume? One column layout will do. Too much information to include? Opt for two columns. The will result in less white space on the right side of the page and much better readabili ty. After all, the appearance of your resume matters, too - the more youll reflect peoples reading patterns in the layout, the better it will perform.Also, try to fit everything on one page. Multi-page resumes are rare and should only be used by seasoned professionals applying for senior positions that require many years of experience in the given field.7. Psychology Intern Resume ExampleDont undermine the potential of your Skills section, it can do wonders when written properly. Both interpersonal and professional skills are necessary for the recruiters to gauge your personality traits and level of expertise. spielblttchen a handful of the most relevant skills for the job youre applying for and try to assess them. Stick to reality and be true to yourself. Nonetheless, remember not to use less than four stars out of five. Realising theres space for improvement is cool, but uncovering your weaknesses is not sexy - unless youre using them to describe the path that led you to success .Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments

3 Ways to Be a Better LGBTQ Ally at Work - The Muse

3 Ways to Be a Better LGBTQ Ally at Work - The Muse 3 Ways to Be a Better LGBTQ Ally at Work Whether you’re actively involved in activism in your free time or just attend annual pride parades, you totally support the LGBTQ community and everyone you know in it. But how can you show that support in the office? Try to change HR policies? Keep a rainbow flag at your desk? Start a breakroom conversation with, “Hey, I know you’re gay and I totally support that!” (Please don’t do the last one.) Here’s the deal. I’ve seen a lot in my seven years of being out at work, and I’ve found that one of the biggest ways people can help is to actively create more inclusive spaces for their colleagues. In other words? Make sure that every conversation, team, and workplace relationship you’re part of allows us LGBTQ-identifying folks to come to work and feel as though we’re not going to feel awkward or be left out for simply being ourselves. Here are a few ways you, as an already amazing ally, can make that happen. 1. Be Affirming This doesn’t mean you need to go around every day patting your LGBTQ co-workers on the back and saying, “You’re great just the way you are!” (In fact, I’m advising against that.) Instead, start with the simplest way to affirm someone’s identity: listening. When someone is confiding in you, listen! When someone vents to you about challenges they have as an LGBTQ person, listen! When someone is questioning their sexuality or gender identity, listen! You may be tempted to ask them to dissect the situation or share an opinion- but don’t. This is not the right time or place. Someone is trusting you with a serious and important part of their identity. For example, when I told a friend of mine that I was transgender, he responded, “I think sex-changes are strange,”- which made me completely shut down. This would have been the perfect instance for him to just be there for me, or even use it as an educational moment. (I would have much preferred, “Wow, I can’t imagine what it would be like to identify as transgender.”) And what about your colleagues who you aren’t close with? Another simple way to be affirming is to contribute to conversations just like you would with your straight, cisgender counterparts. Maybe when you ask your gay co-worker about his weekend, he replies, “I surprised my husband for his birthday!” Instead of ignoring it or feeling awkward, just say, “Awesome! What did you do? Was he surprised?” The opposite reactions have happened to me a few times. My straight counterparts all look at each other when I bring up going to a drag show over the weekend or going on a date with a woman. There’s a weird silence when no one knows how to address what I just said. Some easy responses that would’ve felt affirming: “How was the show?” or “Did you like her? Was she nice?” It’s so simple, and yet can really make all the difference in how comfortable LGBTQ people feel in your work environment. 2. Stand Up for Us It’s doubtful that you’ll always have at least one LGBTQ-identified person around to keep you and your colleagues accountable, and even if you do, it can feel hard for them to stand up for themselves in situations where they’re outnumbered. That’s why we need you, our esteemed colleague and friend, to help keep the space inclusive for us- whether we’re in the room or not. You’d be surprised how much impact a straight or cisgender person can have in creating a better environment. For a simple example, let’s say you’re hanging out with co-workers at a happy hour and one of them says, “Dude, don’t be so gay.” This is your opportunity to say something like, “Actually, how I act or what I say doesn’t define my sexual orientation and, most importantly, being gay isn’t an insult,” or “Hey, that’s not cool. Don’t use gay in a negative way.” Or maybe you have a colleague who uses gender-neutral pronouns (i.e., using ze/zie/hir or they/them/theirs instead of he/him/his or she/her/hers). If you overhear someone using the incorrect pronoun, use the opportunity to gently correct them. It can be as simple as reiterating the sentence; if your teammate says, “She sent me the PDF last Monday,” you can simply state, “Oh, they sent you the PDF last Monday?” It’ll help make the workplace better for your LGBTQ colleague going forward and provide a good example for others to follow next time you slip up or someone else does (because no one’s perfect!). 3. Be Empathetic and Accountable Finally, support your LGBTQ colleagues simply by being your authentic self, even if that authentic self isn’t perfect. We don’t expect you to have majored in LGBTQ Studies or know what LGBTQQIAAP means, but we do expect you to be respectful (after all, we are still at work) and show us that while you might not be an expert, you still care. With a topic this sensitive, assumptions can be really toxic- on both ends! A statement like, “Wow, I don’t get trans people,” might have me assume that you don’t know or care to learn, when you really meant that you genuinely don’t know about transgender people and what they might go through in their day-to-day. Instead of getting into a scenario where you might accidently say something offensive, own up to the fact that there’s room for improvement. It might be confusing for you in this moment, but remember that this is our every moment, so try to be understanding to your colleagues in whatever they might be going through. Better yet, admit and understand where you might lack some information, and then educate yourself. You’d be surprised how many free educational resources and supportive blogs there are to check out. There are more ways to be a better ally than attending pride parades and waving rainbow flags (but hey, don’t stop that either). With these three steps, you can make your LGBTQ peers feel more welcome at work.

5 must do moves for choosing a wealth management firm

5 must do moves for choosing a wealth management firm 5 must do moves for choosing a wealth management firm If your portfolio is too large for you to handle on your own, it may be time to call in a professional. Wealth managers work with their clients to identify financial goals and map out a plan for achieving them that’s built around choosing solid  investments that’ll grow over time. If you’re ready to build serious wealth, here are some tips to help you choose the right wealth management firm.1. Get a Feel for Their Ideal ClientIn general, wealth management firms cater to investors who have a sizable asset base but they don’t all take the same approach. Some  wealth managers  may prefer to work with clients who have between $50,000 and $500,000 in assets while others might exclusively target millionaires.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!Asking a wealth manager about the kinds of clients the company works with can give you a sense of where their expertise lies and wheth er that coincides with what you’re looking for.2. Compare What They’re SellingIf you’re on the hunt for a wealth manager, you may already have a clear idea of what you need them to help you with. If that’s not the case, it’s important to consider what kinds of products and services different firms offer. Does your wealth manager only offer investment advice or does the firm also assist with things like taxes or estate planning? Some firms may specialize in certain types of investments or strategies.  For instance,  LaSalle Investment Management  focuses exclusively on real estate investments.It’s also a good idea to pay close attention to the firm’s overall investment strategy to make sure it aligns with your goals. If you’re  considering several different firms and they’re all offering the same cookie-cutter portfolio options, that’s a sign that you  may need to look elsewhere.3. Check out the PricingWealth managers can help you increase your wealth but they don ’t work for free. There are two basic ways that wealth managers get paid: by charging commissions on the products they sell or assigning fees to specific services. If you’re not interested in being bombarded by a sales pitch every time you meet with your wealth manager, a fee-only advisor may be your best bet.When it comes to cost, the most important thing to consider is the amount of value you’ll get for what you pay. If you’re spending a large percentage of your earnings on fees, it’s a good idea to be sure that your portfolio’s performance is worth the added expense.4. Ask About Their AvailabilityWhile you probably don’t need to speak to your wealth manager on a daily basis, you might need to be in touch with them regularly. Asking how often they meet with their clients and how they prefer to communicate is important to ensure that you’re both on the same page. If you have concerns about a particular investment or a question about a fee, you don’t want to be lef t in the dark.5. Take a Look at Their Track RecordWealth management firms can have millions or even billions of dollars in assets under management, but that alone isn’t an indicator of how well they serve their clients. If you’ve zeroed in on a handful of firms, consider their past history. For instance, has the firm received any special recognition or awards? Can you  find positive reviews through the Better Business Bureau or another consumer site?Digging into a firm’s background may take a little time but it can be worth the time and extra effort if you’re on a mission to  build wealth in your 20s  and 30s or before you reach retirement age.The Bottom LineWorking with a wealth manager is all about forming a relationship with someone who has a  fiduciary duty  to you and cares about your money as much as you do. Choosing the wrong person for the job has the potential to be disastrous, not only for you but for the next generation if you’re planning to pass wealth on to yo ur heirs. Using our tips as a framework can make it easier to find a firm that’ll have your best interests in mind.Our  matching tool  can help you find a seasoned expert to manage your wealth. It’s easy to use and only takes a few minutes. All you have to do is  answer a few questions  about your financial portfolio and the tool sorts through thousands of advisors to find up to three that match your goals. Then you can check out their profiles, interview them on the phone or in person and choose who to trust with your assets.This article first appeared on Smart Asset.  You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people

The apps these 15 entrepreneurs cant live without

The apps these 15 entrepreneurs can't live without The apps these 15 entrepreneurs can't live without Though an entrepreneur may prefer wearing one hat over another, founding your own company and becoming not only your own boss but perhaps, the manager of many - requires most successful business owners to work major overtime. While before they went solo they had a siloed role, the title of ‘CEO’ often throws many more demands into their wheelhouse, some of which, perhaps they aren’t as skilled to execute. And all of those stakes and deadlines raise their expected output … quickly. Blame it on competition, pressure from investors, those big ideas that miraculously come at the witching hour, but to ensure every facet of their hectic life is run as smoothly as possible, many rely on their smartphone to organize it all.And while, sure some of these apps directly impact their bottom line, sales goals or deliverables, others become their moment of zen, fitness or social connection, helping them to alleviate some of the stress of their 24/7-lives. Every trailblazer takes the digita l concept of productivity differently, but all have certain apps they’d never go a morning or evening without clicking on. And no, sorry, for most, it isn’t scrolling through Instagram day-in and day-out.If you’re considering starting your own gig, going freelance full-time or merely need an extra push to complete the last quarter of the year, test the effectiveness of these entrepreneur-recommended apps:New York Times Crossword“I’m a crossword fanatic so I’m addicted to the NY Times Crossword app. The puzzles come out online the night before so I always have to finish it before bed. I love keeping track of my streaks and seeing how fast I can complete the puzzles.” - Lara Crystal, co-founder of Minibar Delivery.WhatsApp“Having friends and family scattered throughout the world, and traveling a lot for AUrate, WhatsApp allows me to stay connected and never feel far away. Thanks to our various Whatsapp groups we all know what’s going on, can share videos and voice m essages easily and just feel like a tight community, regardless of where in the world we all may be.” - Bouchra Ezzahraoui, co-founder of AUrate.Google Keep“This has quietly become the best note-taking app out there with great collaboration, tagging, and customization capabilities. The fact that you can add anything you highlight in Chrome to a note in one click has saved me tons of time. It allows me to seamless sync between browser and mobile makes it easy to catch up on task lists even when offline on the subway or in-flight.” - Mike Lackman, CEO of Trade.Spotify“I love having the soundtrack of life with me at all times- on planes, cars, at home, while out for a run, cranking in the office. Music is life. I create playlists to help manage work and creativity. My ‘Glenn Gould’ helps me get completely lost in new ideas- for products, for team activities, for potential partnerships, you name it. My ‘Memories of Youth’ playlist reminds me how much time has passed, a nd what I’ve learned along the way. It also reminds me of how quickly time really moves, and that tends to light a fire under my butt to get things done and to not settle. My ‘Rowing Tunes’ list is high-energy, and it keeps my heart racing just enough to keep up with my head. Music soothes the beast of complacency for me- it drives me, inspires me, focuses me all the time.” - Craig Dubitsky, founder of Hello Products.Capito“Truly, it’s the Google Calendar app because I manage work, personal, co-parenting, and school schedules there. But a close second is Captio. This app takes your notes and immediately sends them to your inbox. Since I use my email as a running task list, I’ll use Captio to jot down notes in meetings and then keep them as unread emails until I’ve completed all follow-up.” - Nicole Centeno, founder CEO of Splendid Spoon.Cardiogram“Working in such a fast-paced environment means it’s not always easy for me to prioritize health and fitness when there are so many other things going on. Cardiogram now does that for me. It’s interesting to see what’s going on with my body, and to understand how much my heart rate can tell me about my overall health.” - Darin Rubell, owner of Drexler’s, Boulton Watt and Forrest Point.Insightly“This app helps me manage all of my connections: meaning current clients, referral partners and leads. I can include notes for conversations that I’ve had, status of the connection and next steps, which then connects back to my task manager in Insightly so I don’t miss that next step. I use this to track certain client successes, my outreach to past clients and leads, how many referrals my referral partners have given me, and more, so I’m managing all of my connections efficiently and effectively. I could go on and on! You can incorporate process templates into the task manager, you can export reports to help you manage your business better. Huge benefits and efficiencies.” - Lisa Re hurek, founder CEO of The RFP Success Company.Asana“This is an essential tool when you work in the gig economy with multiple team members all over the world. It does the job of one assistant or project manager because it allows you to set up jobs with main tasks and subtasks, which means that your team members can work independently without you having to check on them every step of the way. You as the boss, can monitor what the status of each project is, and easily identify where it’s stalling and who’s doing what, and if it is on time.” - Beate Chelette, CEO of Chelette Enterprises and The Growth Architect.And.Co“This free invoicing software helps me to easily handle all payments for my company. As a new business owner, it allows me to send my clients a user-friendly, efficient invoice, keep track of who has and hasn’t paid me and more, all with one app. They also have great, free resources for general freelance contracts that you can send to your clients to make sure you are fully covered on all sides. This is the one app that not only helps me pay my bills, but boosts my confidence in myself and my business, every time I use it.” - Jess Tatham, founder of DevelopHer Designs.Zoom“In a mobile world, we need to coordinate seamlessly with co-workers and partners. Meetings are important and Zoom allows for that capability, whether it’s video conferencing or teleconferencing. There are multiple options to join a call and it doesn’t matter where you are in the world at the time of a call â€" you always have a way to access the call.” - Emrah Gultekin, CEO of Chooch.Headspace“I start each day with meditation to clear my mind, and always utilize the Headspace app. This- coupled with fresh air and movement - helps me to daydream, take in my surroundings and think of new creative ideas. Working in the jewelry industry, creativity is at the core of our business, making this app a vital part of my day.”- Beth Gerstein, CEO and co-founder of Brilliant Earth.Evernote“Between balancing family life and two businesses, it can be super challenging to stay on top of all the little details in life. This app really gives you the freedom to take notes in the form of audio notes, sketches, video, web clippings etc. Evernote has a feature that lets you use your camera and scan business cards, paper documents, handwritten notes and more, so you never have to worry about losing that piece of paper. I can sync my devices so that if I start a note on my laptop but have to rush out of the house, I can finish right back where I was on my phone. All notes and lists are searchable to find what you’re looking for quickly and the app can be locked with a passcode. You also have the capability to share notes with others and if you use Google Docs, you can embed them to your notes!” - Lorena Garcia, founder of Bloguettes and MAJKA.Voice Memos“Whenever I have a meeting with one or more clients or prospects, I ask permission to reco rd the audio of our meeting, and I explain why. I tell them that not only would I rather focus my attention on what they are telling me- so I don’t need to write it down- but it also helps me better understand what they are saying. When I’m listening, I’m also thinking about how to respond, and how to move the discussion in the right direction.” - Marty Schultz, technology innovator.Moment“Moment helps you monitor how much time you are spending on your devices and can force you to put down your phone or iPad once you’ve hit your predetermined limit for the day. I have to be honest, I’ve created a fitness brand centered around taking a break from tech and even I struggle with being on my phone more than I’d like. It’s amazing how quickly that time adds up! Also, one of my favorite features of Moment is that you can link your family’s devices and track their device use from the app. As a mom of two, this is so helpful for me. I’m a big believer in empowering my girls to learn to make the right decisions for themselves, but having the ability to help them know when it’s time to put the iPad down has been super valuable for my family. You can even set blackout times where your kids can’t access their device; say ‘hello’ to more tech-free dinners!” - Dionne Del Carlo, co-founder of StarCycle.Soundcloud“I’m a musician and a DJ in my spare time so finding unique versions of songs is like a hobby for me. Soundcloud gives me that capability to discover new artists and music. Also, when I’m working out, I like to listen to DJ sets as the continuous beat gives me a more constant pace, and Soundcloud has a unique DJ community where all of the stars post their sets from all around the world. It is also a great app because I’m not being interrupted with commercials every few songs like other apps.” - Manuela Seve, CEO of Alpha’a.

Happiness hack One ritual that made me much happier

Happiness hack One ritual that made me much happier Happiness hack One ritual that made me much happier When my wife and I moved to New York City in 2001, recently graduated from college and newly wed, we were eager to find friends. We knew nearly no one but were sure we’d soon find a fun-loving group like the 20- and 30-something New Yorkers who spontaneously dropped in on one another on TV shows like  Seinfeld  and  Friends.We hatched a plan. After moving into our Midtown Manhattan apartment, we invited all the neighbors over for drinks by placing Kinko’s-printed quarter-sheets into everyone’s mailboxes. Then, we waited for our versions of Chandler, Kramer, and Elaine to show up. But they didn’t. In fact, no one did. As the ice in the cooler melted and the guacamole browned, not a single person among 100 apartments stopped by. Not. One. Person.Recalling that episode now, we sound embarrassingly naïve. We didn’t realize friendships in the real world worked nothing like the ones we had forged in our dormitories, let alone those we saw on television. Yet as it turns out, our desire to belong to a tight community was far from foolish.Recent studies have shown a dearth of social interaction with people you care about and who care about you not only leads to loneliness, but is also linked to a range of harmful physical effects. In other words: A lack of close friendships may be hazardous to your health.Dying for friendsA 2010  meta-analysis  reviewed 148 studies involving over 300,000 participants and concluded that having weak social ties was as harmful to health as being an alcoholic and twice as harmful as obesity. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, co-author of the analysis, told Reuters, “A lack of social relationships was equivalent to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.”A more recent study, published in the  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found a biological response to loneliness that triggers disease. According to the researchers, social isolation sets off a cellular chain reaction that increases inflammation and suppresses the body’s im mune response.Perhaps the most compelling evidence that friendships affect longevity comes from the ongoing  Harvard Study of Adult Development. Since 1938, researchers have been following 724 men, tracking their physical health as well as social habits. Robert Waldinger, the study’s current director, said in his recent  TED Talk, “The clearest message that we get from this 75-year study is this: Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period.” Socially disconnected people are, according to Waldinger, “less happy, their health declines earlier in midlife, their brain functioning declines sooner, and they live shorter lives than people who are not lonely.”Lest we think having 500 Facebook friends might offer some protection, Waldinger warns, “It’s not just the number of friends you have … it’s the quality of your close relationships that matters.”So what makes for a quality friendship? William Rawlins, a professor of interpersonal communications at Ohio University who studies the way people interact over the course of their lives,  told The Atlantic  that satisfying friendships need three things: “Somebody to talk to, someone to depend on, and someone to enjoy.”Finding someone to talk to, depend on, and enjoy comes naturally when we’re young. In college, for example, we build strong bonds when nearly everyone around us is also searching for connection. But as we grow into adulthood, the model for how to maintain our friendships isn’t clear. We graduate and go our separate ways, pursuing careers and starting lives miles apart from our best friends.Suddenly work obligations and ambitions trump buddies and brewskis. It becomes impossible to be spontaneous without planning for weeks, if not months, in advance. Once children enter the picture, exhilarating nights on the town become exhausted nights on the couch.Friendships starve to deathUnfortunately, the less time we invest in people, the easier it is to make do without them, until one day it becomes too awkward to reconnect. “Since we haven’t spoken for so long,” we think, “where would we even begin? If we were still close friends wouldn’t we have spoken more by now?”This is how friendships die - they starve to death. But as the research reveals, by allowing those friendships to starve, we’re also malnourishing our bodies.Case in point: Several months ago, I found myself in a funk. I now live in San Francisco and whenever someone asked, “How are you?” my reply was the standard Silicon Valley yuppie salute: “Good! Super busy!” Yet this wasn’t exactly true. I wasn’t good.To put things in perspective, I wasn’t bad, either. Things were fine. By all measures, more than fine - I had a healthy family, a growing business, and interesting clients to work with. I’d recently published  a book  that became a Wall Street Journal best seller, and if my social media stats were to be believed, I had plenty of friends and followers.And ye t, the funk. I soon identified the problem: The more professional opportunities came my way, the more time I spent away from my real-life friends - the people I truly cared about. Maintaining friendships with people to talk to, depend on, and enjoy takes time.As an undergraduate, I first heard the term “residual benefactor” in an economics class. A residual benefactor is the chump who gets whatever is left over when a company is liquidated - typically, not much. When we’re not careful, the people we care about often become residual benefactors: We leave them for last, giving them whatever bits of time are left over after we’ve attended to everything else.The Solution, the kibbutzIf the food of friendship is time together, how do we make the time to ensure we’re all fed? My friends and I have recently come across a way to keep each other close. It fits into our lifestyles despite busy schedules and a surfeit of children. We call it the “kibbutz.”In Hebrew, the word me ans “gathering,” and for our gathering, four couples meet every two weeks to talk about one question - sort of like an interactive TED Talk over a picnic lunch. The question might range from a deep inquiry, like “What’s one thing your parents taught you that you want to pass on to your children?” to a lighter, more practical question, like “How do you disconnect from your iPhone on weekends?”Having a topic helps in two ways. For one, it gets us past the small talk of sports and weather, and helps us open up about stuff that actually matters. Second, it prevents the gender split that happens when couples convene in groups - men in one corner, women in another. The question of the day gets us all talking together.Consistency and stiff-arming the kidsEvery other week, rain or shine, the kibbutz is on our calendars - consistency is key. There’s no back-and-forth emailing to find a time. We always meet at the same place, and each couple brings their own food so there†™s no prep or cleanup. If one couple can’t make it, no biggie, the others carry on the conversation.What about the kids? In our group, kids are welcome, but they don’t run the show. Typically they play on their own, but if they interject, they’re given a stern response that sounds something like: “I’m having a conversation with my friends because my friends are important to me. You’re welcome to listen or join the conversation, but please don’t interrupt unless it’s an emergency.”For our children’s sake, we want them to know that adult friendships matter. We don’t want them to have to rely on TV to figure out how adults interact. By watching us, our children see that being a good friend means listening when others have something to share, and not being distracted by anything else - including our cellphones, the football game, or even our own children (unless someone is bleeding).The entire affair lasts about two hours, and I always leave the kibbutz with new i deas and insights. Most important, I feel closer to my friends. No, our group isn’t as funny or spontaneous as the pseudo-New Yorkers I grew up watching on TV. But it turns out that fun wasn’t what I was missing - it was authentic, caring friendships. Making time to invest in my most important relationships finally snapped me out of my funk and provided the psychological nourishment I didn’t know I was missing.Not only that, it turns out the time I spend with my friends is also an investment in my future health. Forget diets and the latest workout routines. The best medicine may be to gather your favorite people around a table and make a toast: “To friendship, and your health.”Here’s the gist: Studies show adult friendships have a significant impact on our happiness and well-being. Committing to my “kibbutz” has had the biggest impact on my happiness over the past year.  Here’s how our group works, but the lessons can apply to any adult friendship: Book the time â€" Reserve time on your calendar for the foreseeable future so there’s no guesswork or scheduling headaches about when you’ll see each other again. Our group meets every two weeks. Go deep â€" Talking about a meaningful topic strengthens your bonds. Get past the shallow small talk. In our group, a different member brings the question of the day to each meeting. Don’t let kids derail you â€" Children benefit from seeing you model a healthy adult friendship. Tell the kids they can listen or participate, but they can’t interrupt unless it’s an emergency. Nir Eyal is the author of  Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products  and blogs about the psychology of products at NirAndFar.com. For more insights on using psychology to change behavior,  join my free newsletter.  This article first appeared at Nir and Far.

Top 28 destinations for 2019 (Part 1) Newsworthy destinations

Top 28 destinations for 2019 (Part 1) Newsworthy destinations Top 28 destinations for 2019 (Part 1) Newsworthy destinations We just announced our picks for the most intriguing destinations for 2019. This year, we dove a little deeper and looked at unique destinations with intriguing sites and experiences. The list is divided into four segments including domestic and international destinations and offers something for every travel style. You’ll find the complete list  here.First, our focus is on seven newsworthy destinations: The Caribbean, Egypt, Saskatoon, Germany, Southwest England, Atlanta and Vis, Croatia. Here’s why they’re our top picks for 2019.The CaribbeanAfter a year of devastating hurricanes in 2017, the Caribbean islands are back in business and ready to welcome travelers. The Caribbean encompasses one million square miles, so many of the islands like St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Aruba, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman escaped the wrath of the storms. But for those that didn’t, the welcome mats are out, and your tourism dollars will help as they continue to rebuild.Hurricane Maria delivere d a big punch to Puerto Rico, but in San Juan, there’s very little sign of Maria’s damage. Resorts are open, the bars of Old San Juan are serving up spirits to the late-night crowds and the sunsets never left. Also, the team from the New York City restaurant, Serafina, has opened the 96-room Serafina Beach Hotel.If you want to contribute beyond the dollars you spend on rum cocktails, consider voluntourism. Para La Naturaleza will connect you with unique experiences that let you see the country while helping with recovery efforts. Join the PLN guides on a nighttime hike to the island’s northernmost region to document the population of the native endangered crested toad. Or embrace your inner archeologist with a field dig excavating pre-Taíno artifacts in partnership with the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture.EgyptWith its unparalleled cultural and archaeological heritage, Egypt has been attracting visitors for millennia and now it’s back on the map as a safe destination. Fro m Giza’s monumental pyramids to Luxor’s colossal Valley of the Kings and the incomparable river Nile, this country is generous with its riches. The party continues after dark with non-stop nightlife in Cairo.For an excellent overview of Egypt’s treasures, join one of the many river cruise expeditions along the Nile. Journey from Cairo to Giza to gaze upon the ancient Pyramids and the iconic Sphinx. It’s an enchanting land with wonders old and new and filled with marvels and myths.Saskatoon, CanadaWhen it comes to arts and culture, Saskatoon is happening. The city recently celebrated the opening of Canada’s newest contemporary art museum. The Remai Modern houses works by renowned Canadian and international artists as well as the largest collection of Picasso linocuts, and it aspires to be a world-class attraction that draws tourists to this urban center of Saskatchewan.Winding through the city center, the majestic South Saskatchewan River forms the Meewasin Valley. Along th e riverbank, the Meewasin Trail is dotted with leafy trees as it extends more than 37 miles from downtown paths to forests and, further north, to Mendel Island where you’ll find an abundance of wildlife. You could easily spend a day walking, cycling and picnicking along the trails.GermanyFrom the bucolic Black Forest with its many traditions to the traditionally different state of Bavaria where castles rise against the backdrop of soaring mountains and pristine lakes- there’s much to see in Germany. In 2019, there’s even more happening and much to celebrate. Numerous cultural and art events are planned throughout the year and November is the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall marking the reunification of Germany. For a more active remembrance, join 100 Miles of Berlin for a run along the Wall Trail- the former patrol path of the GDR border troops in a large circle around western Berlin.Next year is also the 100th anniversary of Bauhaus with centenary programs plan ned throughout the country. The Bauhaus Opening Festival kicks off the nationwide celebration in Berlin with concerts, installations, puppet and street theatre, dance and film, workshops and lecture demonstrations, games and festivities.Southwest EnglandEngland’s Southwest Peninsula consists of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset, each county unique in character. The region includes two stunning coastlines with 650 miles of coastal paths to explore, four world heritage sites, and numerous areas of outstanding natural beauty.Rich in folklore, including the legend of King Arthur and Glastonbury Tor, and many other traditions and customs, Southwest England is an off the beaten path place of discoveries. Along the spectacular Jurassic Coast, rocks record 185 million years of the Earth’s history. Stretching from west to east along the coast, iconic towns and stunning natural sites share the story of this spectacular and unique World Heritage Site.Atlanta, GeorgiaRecently, Atlanta wa s ranked as one of the top cities in the USA for recreation. The designation is partially due to the Georgia Aquarium- the largest in the Western Hemisphere. There are also 300 green spaces, the Fox Theatre, Coca-Cola World and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.Hollywood has taken notice of Georgia’s capital city too. Box office blockbusters like Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War and Ant-Man and the Wasp were all filmed in Atlanta. And where the movies go, new restaurants and hotels follow.Vis, CroatiaThe Greek island of Skopelos played the fictional island of Kalokairi in the original Mamma Mia, but this time around for Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, the tiny yet stunningly beautiful island of Vis in Croatia took the stage. Having been a Yugoslavian military base until 1989, Vis was relatively isolated until recently. A 2 ½ hour ferry ride from the mainland, this 35-square-mile island is dotted with 17th-century Venetian architecture and rocky beaches and is surro unded by the bluest of waters.Explore the foodie scene in Vis like a local with a meal in a local household. Located in the Vis interior, family households scattered throughout the rich fertile fields and partially settled villages open their doors to guests for a home-cooked meal.Traditionally prepared meats, fish, vegetables, goulash, and grilled sardines are a few of the culinary gems offered. Wash it all down with homemade brandy or wine while getting to know your hosts.More to come …Next, we’ll share more about the destinations we’ve chosen for the Diving Deeper category so keep a lookout.This article first appeared on TravelSquire.com.

Why Employers Offer Variable Pay to Retain Employees

Why Employers Offer Variable Pay to Retain Employees Why Employers Offer Variable Pay to Retain Employees Variable pay is employee compensation that changes as compared to the employee salary which is paid in equal, and expected, proportions throughout the year. Variable pay is used generally to recognize and reward employee contribution toward company productivity, profitability, teamwork, safety, quality, or some other metric deemed important by senior leaders. The employee who is awarded variable compensation has gone above and beyond his or her job description to contribute to the organizations success. Variable pay is awarded in a variety of formats including profit sharing, bonuses, holiday bonus, deferred compensation, cash, and goods and services such as a company-paid trip or a Thanksgiving turkey. Why Employers Must Offer Employees Variable Pay and Benefits Variable pay is an expected employee benefit if you are going to excite and retain employees. They want the opportunity to earn  variable compensation to bolster their basic salary. And, todays employees are also looking for more than just a basic salary and benefits package when they decide to come on board and work for an employer. It is no longer enough for a company- even a global company- to offer the same generic benefits to every person they hire. Employees now expect comprehensive benefits packages that are tailored to their own personal needs- not just to broadly defined demographic needs. However, personalizing benefits packages starts with employers truly understanding what their employees  most value and need. In other words, benefits are only as valuable as each employee views them. As such, the greater the flexibility and  variety of the benefits program, the more likely all of your employees are to feel appreciated. Employer Costs in Pay and Variable Pay According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation (ECEC), a product of the National Compensation Survey, measures employer costs for wages, salaries, and employee benefits for nonfarm private and state and local government workers. Supplemental pay benefit costs for private sector employees in December 2016 averaged $1.15 per hour worked or 3.5 percent of total compensation. Supplemental pay includes employer costs for employee overtime and premium pay, shift differentials, and nonproduction bonuses. In December 2016, the largest component of supplemental pay costs for private industry employers were nonproduction bonuses, averaging 83 cents per hour worked or 2.5 percent of total compensation. Nonproduction bonuses are given at the discretion of the employer and are not tied to a production formula. Common nonproduction bonuses include end-of-year and holiday bonuses, referral bonuses, and cash profit sharing.   A Critical Step Is Explaining Employee Variable Benefits Employers must present both the intrinsic and extrinsic value of the benefits they offer in an easy-to-read and understandable format to employees. Conveying benefits packages in layman’s terms is not an easy task. Efficiently relaying this information is a time-consuming- but critical- task. From health insurance to retirement plans to variable compensation, one company may offer many types of benefits for employees. Some of these benefits can confuse employees. (Most everyone has wondered how much to contribute to a 401(k) or what is a reasonable deductible.) Make sure your system gives employees access to a resource to ask questions in real-time about which plan makes the most sense for them or their families. Employers should also offer an explanation as to why they offer certain benefits upfront. For example, a younger employee may not see the point in life insurance and view it as a wasted benefit. But if the employer provides information on how many employees are near retirement and place great value on having life insurance, those younger employees will likely be more receptive. All employees see the benefit of variable compensation, but employers need to be very clear about how an employee can earn it, how much they are paying, and who is eligible to receive it. If the employer communicates particular goals, levels of productivity required, or quality standards to achieve, for example, it is critical that every employee who achieves the goal receive the rewards. In the same vein, it makes sense for employers to openly share information about the cost of benefits. Benefits are costly, especially if a company provides a wide range of unique benefits, but most employees don’t realize this. Your average employee has no idea about the percentage his compensation is increased by the value of his benefits. If an employer is clear about how much the company is investing to make its employees happier and healthier, those employees will have more appreciation for the benefits offered. Ask Questions, Make Changes One of the most difficult challenges for HR departments- especially as they start to add new and unique benefits- is having an open line of communication with employees. Explaining benefits well is only half the battle. Companies should also consistently survey their employees  (quarterly is recommended)    to understand their benefits satisfaction. If a company realizes that a particular benefit isn’t working or isn’t valuable to employees, they should announce the benefits changes they will make to address the dissatisfaction. Employees will see that the company cares about their feedback. Bottom Line: Flexibility Engagement A Happier Work Environment It is impossible to develop one single benefits solution that will take care of every employee, especially if you consider the diversity of locations, family, health, financial, and travel needs. Employees do, however, need to understand the value of the personalized benefit program that you offer to them to value you as an employer. A modern, cutting-edge rewards experience can help position your employer’s brand as an industry leader. It will allow your employees to understand and enjoy their benefits package and variable pay opportunities to their fullest degree- and you will reap the reward of satisfied employees.