Plant Life to Essential Skills for Plant Engineers

Plant Life to Essential Skills for Plant Engineers Plant Life to Essential Skills for Plant Engineers Being a plant engineer can require people skills, problem solving, and the willingness to sometimes get over theless glamorous aspects of engineering. For Mike Cramer, lead plant engineer at FuelCell Energy, Danbury, CT, it comes down to efficiency. Working much more on the operations side, he focuses heavily on final assembly and conditioning. He finds an apt comparison is looking at fuel cells like batteries. If short one battery, the whole series of batteries wont work, he says.My role is first maintaining production and keeping it to the schedule. First, quality and above that, safety, he says. The main goal is to come up with ways to make production easier so that it can aid safety ergonomics, cost reduction, and cycle time.Problem solving is one of many skills that make a good plant engineer. Image FuelCell EnergyAnd the problem solving? Try having to move 110,000 pounds. In th is case, it comes down to utilizing air pallets, a type of load-moving equipmentthat usescompressed air in order to make it possible. Only needing four people for the move is the target here. This, he reminds, also has a clear effect on cost reduction. It could be in saving the time of everyone leaving their job for five to ten minutes for movement, he says.They also have to drive the air pallet onto the stacking fixture. Its about five feet square, thousands of pounds and needs to be placed within 15,000th of an inch. It could take 20 minutes or even four hours when you consider the tiny room for error in backing up the trailer.Analytical AbilityThe challenge, regardless of the goal, is to live up to their joke of how the workers want the task to seemnice and boring. And often they achieve this, allowing the team to focus on supplier questions or track quality issues. Its about understanding better what to spend time on and what is waste.While Cramer finds the analytical ability co mes naturally to some, for others, I see engineers believing they find a problem and they will come up with a solution right away without understanding the root cause. In other words, he says good luck with that.When he started, it was one stack accomplished a year. Cramer believes his patience has helped him be a part of what is now 200, annually. But there are other improvements to come as he thinks LEED manufacturing programs will grow, lowering cycle time for materials entering and leaving the plant as finished goods, along with finding the balance between high quality and efficiency.Path to PlantThe best path to plant engineer? Have strong experience with how machines work and how to design them to get a nice mix of the theoretical and the practical, he says. Students should also look for projects in school where they have to learn how to work with different people in cross functional teamsand not just engineers. since it wont be that way once they enter the profession, he says .Beyond technical skill, have a willingness to find out how the business runs, dont just have tunnel vision towards your job.And maybe, just maybe, be prepared to move some massive weight.Eric Butterman is an independent writer. Have strong experience with how machines work and how to design them to get a nice mix of the theoretical and the practical.Mike Cramer, FuelCell Energy

How to Answer Strange Interview Questions and Land the Job

How to Answer Strange Interview Questions and Land the JobHow to Answer Strange Interview Questions and Land the JobAs if interview questions werent already stressful enough, it binnenseems hiring managers have collectively decided to kick it up a notch. What are we talking about? Strange interview questionsIf you were an animal, which one would you be?Tell me about the most awkward moment in your life.Would you rather fight 1 horse-sized duck, or 100 duck-sized horses? (Actual Whole Foods Market interview question)How many basketballs would fit in this room?So, when a job interviewer asks about your most creative Halloween costume, how do you answer without giving them the whole deer-in-headlights look?Give them a smile (but not a creepy one)A calm smile can buy you some time as long as you dont let it linger so long that it turns into a panicked smile. The whole point to these questions is to create an opportunity for the hiring manager to observe how you handle the unexpected and see how well you can think on your feet. Hopefully your reaction will show how unfazed you are by the question. At least, thats the ideal response.For a lot of companies, questions like this are a way to see if you have the right cultural fit for the company. If you take yourself too seriously, you might risk coming across as a poor fit. So, smile it allows your interviewer some insight that you are ready and willing to take on any unusual challenges.Buy a little timeJust because youre ready and willing doesnt mean you can actually come up with a decent response off the top of your head. Buy a little time if you need to. Questions like this warrant time-buying comments like theseHuh, and I thought Id be ready for anything. Lets seeWow. Ive never been asked that before Youll have to give me a second.Thats a great question Let me think about that.Be enthusiasticKeep in mind that these questions almost never have a right answer. The key to your response is answering coherently and ent husiastically, and not what the content of your answer might be. If youre a funny person and it comes naturally to you, it could be the perfect outlet to use some SFW humor. If humor doesnt come naturally to you, its probably not a good time to start working on it. Itd be a shame to dismantle the great impression youve been giving during the rest of the interview.Take a moment to absorb the question and dont get too wrapped up trying to think of something particularly clever. Focus more on being genuine than being hilarious. Smile, respond carefully and enthusiastically, and move on.Follow up with your own questionA great way to wrap up your response is to ask your interviewer how they would have answered the question or what some of the best responses were from other interviewers. Its an entertaining way to demonstrate your interest in the company culture.The next time youre in a job interview and they ask something unexpected like, Tell me your favorite joke, dont think of it as a time to panic but rather an excellent opportunity to show off your quick wit and your ability to have a little fun.

This is why groups struggle with making decisions often

This is why groups struggle with making decisions oftenThis is why groups struggle with making decisions oftenI recently got back from a motorcycle rally across the Sahara.There were 26 teams in the rally, and each one had a different plan. They ranged from extraordinarily detailed (my, admittedly older, group) to Head west and hope for the best (the younger folks).I found it interesting that while everyone welches competing in the same race, there were multiple realities being used to plan the event. For example, there was one spot on the trip where we found urselves facing a river that was overflowing onto the road and the connected bridge. We had to cross this bridge to continue, but the river made it tricky.To some, this was a sign of worse things to come and a reason to turn back. To others, it was just another obstacle to cross. No big deal. Even within our own group, we had divisions between the more adventurous and more conservative planners.Ive been thinking about this since I got back- and have come to a conclusion about planning and making decisions in high-stakes situationsEven when everyone has the same goal, the focus and plans can be quite differentBy the second day of the rally, we were already a little behind schedule due to the fact that we simply werent traveling as fast as wed planned.Everyone had different ideas about why we were going slower than anticipated and what could be done about it. That evening, half of our group decided to push on- to reach the next town before nightfall- while the other half decided to stay at the town we were in.The group who went ahead was focused on the plan. They were thinking about how to get back on track and meet the deadlines wed set earlier.The group that stayed behind (my group) was focused on trying to understand the situation and how to react to it. Yet even within that unit, there was controversy. People had different assumptions about what was happening. Some were thinking about quitting, others we re considering pushing on with the other group.Later that night, my group got a call from the people who had moved on. One of our friends had fallen and hit his head, and it was possible that he was badly hurt. Later, we learned that he was okay, but his motorcycle was broken- which meant that group ended up even farther behind waiting to get it fixed.The same situation, two very different outcomes. So, if youre trying to achieve the best possible end result, how can you decide between the many different perspectives within a group?When youre trying to make a decision, theres no way to be completely objectiveWe all love being right.Right?The truth is, our decisions are filled with distortions and biases. Its a difficult concept to internalize, but theres no reason to believe your decisions are less biased than anyone elses.However, dont automatically assume that just because something is biased that its wrong. Bias is a distortion- often a lens that you use to make sense of the worl d.Take the investment world, for instance. Warren Buffett and George Soros are two of the best-known investors, but they have very different ways of looking at the world. Buffett is very focused on the margin of safety. He looks at how much downside protection he has, how many real assets are there, and things of that nature.Soros is very focused on the macroeconomic situation and gross economic assumptions. Hes not nearly as concerned with the balance sheet and hard assets in the way Buffett is.Neither one is wrong. Theyre both very good at what they do, but they have their own conclusions. Its the same world and same reality- but a different perspective.To understand how to make a decision, you have to triangulate the different viewsYou can use a change in perspective to your advantage. When youre looking at a situation, it pays to think of how someone whos different from you would assess the issue.It could be a friend you know well but who isnt there at the time. It could be a co worker or a sibling. It could even be a historical figure whose biography youve just read. No matter who you consult, all these examples are a form of reference class forecasting.There is quite a bit of research on this topic. Evan Polman, an assistant professor of medicine at Wisconsin School of Business, has published extensively on the topic, including his research published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Information Distortion in self-other decision making. One of the techniques he describes for improved decision making is to visualize your decision as someone elses. This allows you to gain some perspective- to see the forest for the trees, in a sense.A different perspective can help balance your decision-making and allow you to see the situation through multiple lenses. The challenge then is to triangulate on the perspectives, understand the underlying reality, and change what you believe based on whats happening, rather than what you want to happen.The diffi cult part, obviously, is not over-weighing your own perspective on the situation. Its tough to treat every viewpoint as equally valid as your own, but it can be done. And if you can accomplish that feat, you can be confident that your high-stakes decision is at least a well-considered one.This article was originally published on Quora.

Essential Skills for Todays Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants

Essential Skills for Todays Nurse Practitioners and Physician AssistantsEssential Skills for Todays Nurse Practitioners and Physician AssistantsEssential Skills for Todays Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants BlackHealthcare facilities constantly recruit new nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) for their ongoing healthcare hiring needs. These healthcare practitioners fill an important role in healthcare, often giving facilities the capacity to spend more time with patients without having to hire additional physicians.NPs and PAs receive a lot of medical training focused on clinical information and skills, with an emphasis on making patients better. Yet even great clinical skills are often leid enough to be a successful healthcare provider today.New models of team-based medicine and patient care scores require your PAs and NPs to collaborate and clearly communicate. If your providers struggle in these areas, reimbursements may be impacted as well your onlin e reputation when patients share negative feedback online.When its time to hire, what skills should you look for in a nurse practitioner or physician assistant? The following traits can help you get startedClinical skills While clinical skills may be just one of many abilities needed in todays healthcare world, they are still extremely important. Make sure your eignung hires have the skills you need or the ability to learn them. Even better, consider whether they have skills and knowledge to pass on to your current staff.Communication skills Verbal and written communication skills are the most important skills an NP or PA should possess. Whether working with staff or patients, these skills are vital to conveying the message with consistency, clarity and compassion. Make sure you ask about and determine potential candidates communication philosophies and skills.Flexibility This skill is key to working in the healthcare field. Being able to provide backup is often required to propel t he hospital toward future success. In addition, its more than just working the hours, it also applies to working with people of differing ages, backgrounds and personalities. Make sure candidates are aware of whats expected on the flexibility front so there are no surprises after they start working.Life balance A good work life balance creates a better employee, makes your facility more productive and helps prevent burnout. An NP or PA who comes across as a workaholic may be good for your facility in the short-term but likely will lead to long-term burnout. Look for people who do more than just medicine. They will be happier and are likely to relate better to patients as well.Collaborative skills Along with being flexible, it is important to adapt to changes in the healthcare market. Hospitals rely on their NPs and PAs to work well with others, and this includes both hospital staff and patients. Good candidates will have examples of past collaboration and a willingness to work toget her as a team.Listening skills One of the most basic ways to connect with another person is to listen. NPs and PAs often find themselves in the role of patient advocate and likely will have more time with patients than physicians. They can also be strong advocates for your facility and your mission. They will be able to build positive relationships with both with patients and within the organization with their listening skills. Time management skills Being able to schedule your time effectively is imperative in any career but of utmost importance for NPs and PAs. These providers are often called upon to fill in gaps and see patients quickly and seamlessly. Time management is an extremely important skill to have, so make sure your applicants have it. Poor time management leads to even bigger problems down the road and creates more stress for all staff.Organizational skills Going hand-in-hand with time management is organizational skills. Knowing how to effectively chart EMRs and fill out paperwork is extremely valuable in new NPs and PAs.Culturalfit This characteristic may be the most important on this list. Does the candidate understand your mission and vision? Will he or she fit in with the company culture and people already on staff? If not, you may find they just dont fit in, which can create an environment where none of your staff is happy.Tyler Black is the vice president of allied staffing at CompHealth. He places PAs, NPs, therapists, pharmacists and other allied health professionals in permanent, locum tenens and travelling positions around the country. For more information visit CompHealth online.

Why Almost Everything Youve Learned About Resume Cover Letter Samples Is Wrong and What You Should Know

Why Almost Everything Youve Learned About Resume Cover Letter Samples Is Wrong and What You Should Know The Truth About Resume Cover Letter Samples Not to mention, it may bedrngnis always tickle your employers fancy should they know you need to jet. There is going to be recessions where it is not possible to find work. Look for the resume you want. Referrals and letters often apply your letter to a large illustration of it needs to incorporate a separate. Have a look at our price calculator to determine what your perfect price for the paper is Get in touch with the business and find out who the titelbild letter needs to be addressed to. Your cover page must concentrate on the capabilities which can assist you throughout. There are hundreds and hundreds of positions. Resumes cover letters and whats the letter. AusAppPathways Free app that will help you explore careers that may begin through an apprenticeship or traineeship. Furthermore, youre able to learn about maintenanc e careers and search for mechanic jobs on Monster. A Startling Fact about Resume Cover Letter Samples Uncovered Theres no correct or wrong method to create a cover letter, but should you abide by the guidelines below you may be assured your letter will cover all the important info. When youre writing cover letters to apply for jobs, it is a fantastic concept to reassess examples of cover letters that are related to the job that you are applying for. Therefore, the ideas that are employed in your cover document has to be well-formatted and hold the potential to provide you outstanding job offers. Ensure it is sure you have not prepared a lengthy cover page for your goal. By way of example, perhaps you were a manager of a bakery in earlier times but need to submit an application for a writing position. Thus, its not a letter for an answer to a specific job post. Your boss might offer you a superior advice and assist you further. If you are able to get your cover letter into the hands of a hiring manager, youll have far better success. If you employ the name of someone who the hiring manager doesnt trust or respect, you can damage your odds of being contacted for an interview. Never assume that you didnt get the job until youre provided a definitive answer. Make certain that you have not wasted the period of employer in praising yourself and mentioning the information thats not linked with the post that is applied by you. You might not need a level to do the job however, youll definitely need it to find the job. Resumes and use as youve got experience. No one wants to hire somebody whos just desperate for work, any job. If youre searching for jobs as a Field Technician, youre want to be sure youre utilizing the best job seeking skills. Things You Wont Like About Resume Cover Letter Samples and Things You Will Even in the modern society of angeschlossen applications, its still important to get a well-written cover letter. Just as youve got to disci pline yourself to rewriting your application materials, you must decide on the number of positions youre asking for a day. A guide sections deliver visual examples to just repeat of cover. More than two pages can decrease the interest of the particular person whos interpreting your letter. Read my essay writing service reviews and my guide to selecting the very best service for everything you want to understand about how to pick the best writing businesses. Before you choose to compose your cover letter, you have to assess yourself first if youre up for the duties a social media managing position entails. Its vital that the service you decide on knows for sure theyre only selecting the ideal essay writers. In a nutshell, the service exists, so should you wish to use it in order to find a top essay, thats reason enough.

2014 the Most Popular Jobs of the Year and What You Need to Land Them

2014 the Most Popular Jobs of the Year and What You Need to Land Them The job market continues to be highly competitive and low on jobs, but 2014 has been good year formany industries. This list shares the most popular jobs across industries and details what you need in order to land these sought-after positions. This way, you can find availablejobs that both match your skills andpay well. Dental HygienistsThis career requires less study time than most medical careers, and the pay is quite good compared to most entry-level medical jobs.Required Qualifications Accreditation from the American Dental Association.Salary $68,886Veterinary TechniciansWith advancesin veterinary health care, vet techs are receiving better pay to do their jobs, which includes performing tests, making diagnoses, and treatinganimal health conditions.Required Qualifications Pass the National Veterinary Technician Exam.Salary $28,080Fitness TrainersMany new fitness programs cropup each year, and the fitness industry continues to grow at a healthy pace. That means there are more and better paying jobs to go aroundRequired Qualifications Certification of Professional Trainer.Salary $43,572Database AdministratorsIn this digital world,data must be consistently and immediately available. As a database administrator, you will create and work with software to store and retrieve that data, organize databases, and ensure database security is up to par.Required Qualifications At least an Associates Degree in Computer Science.Salary $64,591Medical AssistantsMedical assistants perform administrative tasks and aid in clinical tasks. These assistants are hired by private physicians, chiropractors, ophthalmologists, podiatrists, and other doctors. This career provides medical students with a way to gain work experience and earn a living while studying.Required Qualifications Certification from the American Associatio n of Medical Assistants.Salary $32,519Software EngineersWhether you create apps for mobile devices, software for companies, or large computer systems, the demand for software engineers is always increasing, thanks to the popularity of digital technology.Required Qualifications Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering.Salary $61,035Medical Record and Health Information TechniciansHospitals and clinics always need technicians to organize and store their records, enablingdoctors and nurses to focus on treatingpatients. Its like working as a filing clerk in a hospital.Required Qualifications Register with American Health Information Management Association.Salary $31,554Physicians AssistantPhysicians assistants provide healthcare services overseen by a certified doctor, offering preventative, therapeutic, and diagnostic services in the fields of pediatrics and family medicine.Required Qualifications Accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.Salary $93,741Physical Therapist AidesPhysical therapist aides assist in the rehabilitation and training of those with physical disabilities, offering services in hospitals,clinics, and private residences.Required Qualifications High School Diploma.Salary $49,663Network Systems AnalystsNetwork systems analysts are tasked with ensuring that company and corporate networks continue running smoothly, and they are the problem-solving IT specialists that every company needs.Required Qualifications Network Analyst Certificate, Bachelors Degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Information Science, or Systems Engineering.Salary $56,280

Army Administrative Specialist Job Description

Army Administrative Specialist Job DescriptionArmy Administrative Specialist Job Description(Note The Army eliminated this Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) in July 2006. The information below is maintained for historical purposes only.) Major Duties of 42L The soldier assigned to Army Enlisted Job 42L-Administrative Specialist supervises or performs administrative, clerical, and typing duties. Duties for MOS 42L at each level of skill are (1) Skill Level 1. Types military and nonmilitary correspondence in draft and final copy. Employs basic principles of English composition and grammar in preparing correspondence. Proofreads typed documents against source documents. Assembles final product for review, authentication, or other disposition. Prepares registered or certified mail for dispatch. Opens, sorts, routes, and delivers incoming correspondence and messages. Prepares suspense control documents and maintain suspense files. Signs receipt for, and picks up registered and certi fied mail. Dates and dispatches outgoing correspondence and messages. Prepares and maintains functional files per MARKS. Receives publications, establishes and maintains publications library. Requisitions and stocks blank forms.(2) Skill Level 2. Performs typing and clerical duties shown at preceding level of skill and provides technical guidance on administrative matters to typists and clerical personnel. Proofreads correspondence for format, content, and use of authorized abbreviations. Answers inquiries from staff and advises personnel on administrative and clerical matters. Sets up and maintain logs, rosters, status boards, charts, graphs, and viewgraphs. Composes routine correspondence.(3) Skill Level 3. Supervises performance of administrative functions. Reviews and edits correspondence prior to release, submission for signature, or other disposition. Conducts periodic review of files to ensure proper filing of correspondence. Controls use of reproduction facilities and review s item to be reproduced. Plans and organizes office operations to include publications and forms administration and office administrative procedures. Writes office SOP, job descriptions, and directives, Determines requirements for office equipment, supplies, and space. Plans layout of office. Requisitions, receives, inventories, and signs pranke receipts for office equipment. Coordinates administrative activities with other organizational elements and staff sections. Establishes mail delivery routes and schemes and arranges for pickup of distribution by messengers. Serves as custodian of classified documents. Signs receipts for logs, inventories, and files, and secures classified documents. Prepares documents for destruction or other disposition. Ensures proper accountability of documents based upon degree of classification.(4) Skill Level 4. Supervises administrative functions and performs duties at preceding level of skill at division, comparable, or higher level headquarters. Pro vides technical training and instructions to subordinates and supported units.(5)Skill Level 5. Supervises performance of administrative functions in administrative or similar element at division, comparable, or higher level headquarters. Inspects subordinates units and makes recommendations for elimination of deficiencies or improvement of administrative operations. Physical Requirements for 42L Administrative specialists must possess the following qualifications (1) A physical demands rating of medium.(2) A physical profile of 323222.(3) A minimum score of 95 in aptitude area CL.(4) The ability to type at a minimum speed of 25 net words per minute.(5) Formal training (completion of a course of instruction for MOS 42L course conducted at or under the auspices of the U.S. Army Adjutant General School) mandatory. c. Additional skill identifiers (1) E3Executive Administrative Assistant (SPC through SSG).(2) E4Attache Administrative Support.(3) F4Postal Supervisor.(4) F5Postal Ope rations.(5) P5 Master Fitness Trainer,(6) 2SBattle Staff Operations (skill level 3 and above).(7) 4AReclassification Training. (Information derived from Army Pamphlet 611-21.)

5 Tips for Creating a Project Manager Resume

5 Tips for Creating a Project Manager Resume 5 Tips for Creating a Project Manager Resume Being a project manager is a demanding and skill-driven job. It requires an individual that has two entirely different skill sets that fit between administration, team management, and project development.Hiring managers are looking for individuals that can wear multiple hats on a given day, and will determine who they call in for an interview based in large part on how well the applicants resumes match up to these needs. One essential to a project manager title is the ability to shift focus and essentially demonstrate that in an interview.Experience is one of the biggest advantages applicants have for this position. Certification and education is also important, and should be highlighted alongside your professional experience and achievements.With this in mind, there is a whole host of specific hard and soft skills that hiring managers are specifically looking for.In this article, well go over f ive resume tips for project managers.Project Manager Resume FormatThe format of your resume matters, as does the order in which items are presented. Since project management is a skill and experience heavy position, you want to choose a resume format that emphasizes these qualifications.While a functional resume might seem to be the obvious choice, a hybrid of chronological format is more likely to be well received by a hiring manager in todays market.Functional resumes emphasize experience and skills, however they do so in a way that leaves hiring managers wary of the actual qualifications of the applicant as it is commonly used to hide employment gaps and cover up lack of direct experience in the position.A chronological resume is the go-to standard and has been for some time. It allows you to list the positions youve had over the past 5-10 years in reverse chronological order, listing your responsibilities, qualifications, and achievements in each position.A hybrid resume format gives you a great way to display specific qualifications and skills while still giving that important chronological work history hiring managers expect.Emphasize Project Manager Hard SkillsHard skills are vital a project manager. You use them every day, and a good project manager will continue to grow their list of hard skills throughout their career. behauptung skills range from practical and general to task-oriented.Whether youre a project manager that specializes in construction, IT, or other industries, having hard skills that align with the position you are applying for is key to your success.You can get a really good idea of the hard skills a hiring manager is looking for by reading the job posting carefully. Highlight proper nouns such as specific software applications or propriatary systems. If any of these apply to you, find a way to work them in your project manager resume.Either list them along with examples of your achievements in your work history or bring them in your qualifications summary if you are going with a hybrid resume format.Certifications are a great way to prove hard skills outside of education and direct experience. Well get into certifications in more detail later on.List Soft SkillsSoft skills are the bread and butter of a project manager. These include skills that are difficult to train, such as personality traits like patience and quick thinking. For project managers in particular, skills such as organization and accountability.Find a way to include soft skills in your project manager resume as directly as possible. Generally, these are implied, however modern resume tracking software depends on keywords to filter out candidates.Consider listing soft skills and following them with an example from your work experience. For example, here is a bullet point from a job in a resume work history.Accountability Created a simple and straightforward metrics system for tracking and developing project participants resulting in a 25% increase in team efficiency.Soft skills are sought after by employers for a number of reasons. They are difficult to train, unlike hard skills, and hiring a candidate that is able to demonstrate their ability to meet this criteria is a good thing for the company.Keep it SimpleIt helps to list projects youve worked on within your work history, but going too far into detail can make the hiring managers eyes glaze over. Think about the stories you can tell in the interview List the most important and relevant projects in your work history. Focus on one or two bullet points (at most) for each of them, or even just a brief description of a single sentence. Keywords are more important that details. Remember that resume software has filters that narrow down candidates before the hiring manager even gets a perspektive to look at your resume. Your challenge is to pack as many job-specific keywords as possible into your resume without making it long-winded or off topic.Here are the only questions tha t you should feel compelled to answer regarding a project in your resumeWhat was your role in the project?What made the project a success?What was the size of your team?Resumes should be one or two pages at most. You really only have up to 30 seconds to earn an interview spot here, and your resume should be able to convey the important details in less than that time.Bring on the CertificationsCertifications, education, and other knowledge-based qualifications are a great thing to have, and should be included in your resume. Unless you are working with a high school diploma and work experience alone, a certifications and/or education section on your resume is a great thing to have. IT project managers, for example, often have to have at least a working knowledge of the systems theyre overseeing development for. Having a certification in those systems is a big plus in the eyes of many companies. If you dont have certifications, think about obtaining some. If you have a job already tha t provides free or incentivised classes and/or certification tests, these could prove useful in future job searches.Any additional training is a plus, especially when dealing with large companies that hire based on firm qualifications. ansprechbar classes through respected providers, any personal-time projects that relate to the job youre wanting, and more could be worth mentioning in either the resume or the cover letter to increase your chances.

This pregnancy tracking app lets your employer monitor your pregnancy

This pregnancy tracking app lets your employer monitor your pregnancyThis pregnancy tracking app lets your employer monitor your pregnancyTo keep the costs of pregnancy and childbirth down at companies and insurers, the femtech market or what critics are calling menstrual surveillance is the thing. The Washington Post wrote about the fertility, childbirth, and parenting app Ovia, which is given to many prospective mothers by their employers but watched over by them too.While women are asked to enter intimate and personal information about their sex lives, bodily fluids, and moods as theyre trying to get pregnant and while theyre expecting, that information is also all being recorded and sold back to their employer by Ovia, which has 10 million users.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreEmployers dont have access to your individual information but human resources can get aggregat e data from all the women in your company that has been de-identified. They can look up answers to questions like how many workers using Ovia had high-risk pregnancies and gave birth prematurely. They can peruse the most common medical questions employees had researched using the app, and try to solve the big question of How soon the new moms planned to return to work.While many women find the app helpful and use it willingly, Ovia also has become a powerful monitoring tool for employers and health insurers, which under the banner of corporate wellness have aggressively pushed to gather more data about their workers lives than ever before, wrote the Post.On the surface, the app pretends to care about women as they go through fertility and childcare but at the bottom line, it is a maximization machine, tuned to the pitch of the profit the companies the women work for. The app suggests good times for women to try to conceive, for example, because this might help her avoid infertility treatments. And thats important not exactly for benevolent health reasons but for corporate productivity. An average of 33 hours of productivity are lost for every round of treatment, as Ovia puts it in a marketing document.Companies dont always like babies they are surprising and high-cost for them plus they can also lower productivity. From a purely capitalistic standpoint, it makes sense for them to introduce apps like Ovia. As the Post points out, it was AOLs chief executive Tim Armstrong who in 2014 actually explained the companys cuts to retirement benefits as a direct result of the high medical costs run up from two employees who gave birth to distressed babies.As long as women continue to sign their information away to Ovia, however, their data will be used however the insurers and the company wants to use it.Allure recently called the femtech market the intersection of female health care and technology the new pink tax for its upscaling of basic health items for women.It s not just Ovia that lives in the femtech marketplace, there are also its competitors, Clue, an ovulation tracker, and similar apps Glow and Flow. Theres Cora, which lets you order organic menstrual products via subscription service at luxury prices, smart breast pumps, and so many others.Research firm Pitchbook estimates that last year about $400 million was invested in companies that qualified as femtech, according to Allure.Trish Costello, the CEO and founder of invest fund fund Portfolia and the Portfolia FemTech Fund, asked the million-dollar question How useful are these innovations, really? In some cases, is this just another way for women to pay premium for being women?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 CEOs1 0 habits of mentally strong people