What Ive Learned About Coming Out as Transgender to My Boss - The Muse

What Ive Learned About Coming Out as Transgender to My Boss - The MuseWhat Ive Learned About Coming Out as Transgender to My Boss The first time it happened, it welches pretty benign. You have beautiful eyes, my boss told me one morning over coffee as we got ready to open up. You have beautiful eyes and eyelashes, she said again once Id put my green ceramic mug down, like she thought I hadnt heard herbei. I swallowed the coffee hard, dragged up a smile from a cracked place somewhere in my gut. Ha Thanks I said, hoping that would end the conversation.The sun welches hitting every surface of the doggy day-care facility, which Id scrubbed free of dog excrement just the night before. In about 15 minutes clients would arrive to drop off their dogs before heading to work and I would take them outside one by one and wait as each dog did their first poop of the day. It wasnt glamorous, but I was making over minimum wage in my first post-college job and I got to play with dogs all day, so I c alled it a win. As a transgender person with no documents in my new name, I was happy to even have a job at all, dog shit notwithstanding.Thats what gives you away you know, said my boss, Sally (not her real name). Boys dont have pretty eyes like that. The MisfireI thought nothing of it in the moment. Sally was a middle-aged ex-punk from Alabama with a glass eye and a lot of bad tattoos. Kooky is my middle name shed said with a twang when I told her apologetically that I was transgender during a very informal job interview. I smiled when she said it but wasnt sure exactly what she meant. Still, I couldnt afford to be picky. When she asked me if I could start right away, I said yes without thinking.That was my first real mistake, the way I came out to Sally. Like it changed things. Like it would impact my work performance. Like I was something she needed to make room for. And of course, I did it that way because at the time thats what I felt like being transgender was a mistake, a bu rden, something to be endured. I had been living out of the closet for three years and just had top surgery. Life after top surgery was euphoric for a little while. I was feeling alive for the first time really- ever. But it was also terrifying, finally having something I cared about losing. I felt sure that if I lived too loudly in my new self that the universe might turn again and stop me somehow. So I tried to be quiet about my transness. I took the job and picked up dog shit and let Sally say whatever kooky crap came into her head.Sally didnt stop with my eyes though. She made comments about other parts of my body on an almost daily basis, passing them off as good humored even though I always felt the edge in her voice. In the space of a few short months all my co-workers quit that facility. Sally was disorganized and could be volatile. After a particularly bad double shift I also called it quits when she told me that hiring queers like you is ruining my business.The Job SearchI decided it was time to level up the job hunt. I applied to anything and everything my humanities degree qualified me for. Sales positions, marketing assistants, bro managers- anything that didnt involve poop, I joked when friends asked me what I was looking for. I bought a suit and cleaned up my beard and went to every interview I was offered.I researched companies I was meeting with to binnensee if they were LGBTQ-friendly and read online testimonials of former workers trying to judge from afar if things might be a good fit. I ended up feeling more lost than found. Legally, I was mucksmuschenstill considered a woman even though outwardly I seemed like any other guy. I sat in job interviews with HR managers and tried to decide when the perfect moment might be to come out. But it never seemed to arrive. Interviews, even good ones, are awkward affairs. Im transgender, I finally blurted out in a second interview for an entry-level marketing position. The hiring manager raised an eyebr ow but continued asking the same rote questions. Two days later they emailed me to say thank you for the interest, but it wasnt quite the right fit. After two months of searching, I hit a wall. Why did being trans have anything to do with anything? I was a good worker and my genitals didnt matter. Why did I feel like I was such a burden? Who had told me this and why in the hell did I believe them? I decided that going forward I would be in dienstgrad of when and how I told people. I spoke to a lawyer who told me where I stood legally. I covered all my bases. I bought a new tie. I sent out email after email. And finally, something came through.The Time I Got It RightAlex (also not his real name) seemed like a nice enough guy the first time I met him. Only a year older than me and a comic book nerd, we got on well from the start. I dressed down a little for my interview with him but still wore a blazer just in case. When I started to sweat because the room was so hot, he tugged at a l apel of my coat and joked, You can take that thing off now, youve already impressed me.It took three weeks to get things finalized, but I know I got that job in that first interview. Alex was setting up a new office for a content startup and I was the first official hire. I spoke with a VP and an HR rep and didnt come out to them either. It was my business and didnt have anything to do with my capabilities as an employee.But then it came time to sign my onboarding paperwork, and I knew Id have to say something. I left it a day, and then another. We were busy building desks and putting up pictures, figuring out where the good lunch spots were in our new office in East Nashville, so Alex didnt notice until the end of our first week. On our first Friday he shot me a quick email reminding me to sign everything and get it to him ASAPLate that afternoon I wrote my old name down on a piece of paper and walked over to Alex, who was sitting at his desk. My stomach twisted in apprehension and I felt a lick of sweat move across my brow, but I refused to give in to the urge to run. I deserved this job. I deserved to be working and happy and live a life I liked. I deserved to feel safe and confident in my workplace.I thought about Sally, the way Id told her like I was sharing a bad secret in an apologetic tone, with my shoulders hunched. Id felt so scared that I couldnt make eye contact and then I let her walk all over me. Not this time. I stood up straight, let my upper body relax, and took two deep breaths. Hey man, so I cant sign this paperwork as is. Its in the wrong name. My legal name is different. Ive written it down for you to send to HR so they can reissue the contracts and then Ill sign them, I said as nonchalantly as possible, making as much eye contact as I could muster. Alex glanced at the name Id written down, my legal female name. Oh- uh, okay he said, making a note on a Post-it. Im transgender. I hope thats not a problem, I added, wanting to make sure we un derstood each other. I didnt say it loudly or angrily, just firmly, factually. My words hung in the air between us for a split second as Alex stood up to go home for the day.Nope. Not a problem over here. Though it does seem like a complicated undertaking, he said. It was a bad attempt at a joke, but I laughed with genuine relief.Lessons LearnedIt took me a long time to understand that most people dont really care all that much about other peoples business and that I actually had a lot more power in a coming out situation than Id thought. If I didnt make it a big deal, it probably wouldnt be a big deal. Id told Sally with my body language and my apologetic tone that she was doing me a favor hiring me, and thats exactly how she acted. Of course some of that is on Sally- I gave her the opportunity to behave badly, but she took me up on the offer. On some level she believed that she was doing me a favor, that on some level I actually was a burden. Because I choked that very first time I came out to a boss I learned that I still wasnt comfortable with my identity myself, and that I needed to address that if I was ever going to be comfortable living in the world at all. I had to understand and acknowledge to myself that my gender identity wasnt a burden and it wouldnt impair me as a worker in any way- I was still a worthy hire, and a worthy human. Its been a few years since that day and Ive since changed my name legally. Now in any professional setting I truly have the option to come out or not. Mostly I choose to come out every time. I do it because I want to be honest, not only for the people I work with but also for me. And I want my co-workers to see me for who I am a trans person whos damn good at his job.It never gets less awkward. Im always a little worried and always a little scared, but Im also calm and confident and kind. I give a boss or co-worker the chance to ask questions in the moment. And then we move forward.I figure Im not coming out for me, not a nymore. Im doing it so the next trans person trying to get a job there isnt the first anymore. Im doing it so whoever comes after me doesnt have to answer any questions at all. Maybe thats a nave thought, but it gives me hope. Hope that in a not-too-distant future no one will have to come out at all.

5 hazardous habits all creatives need to be wary of

5 hazardous habits all creatives need to be wary of5 hazardous habits all creatives need to be wary ofOne of my favorite quotes comes from Mozart The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.Too often, we try to cram creativity into a box the same way we would a deliverable.In our project plans and our timelines and spreadsheets, we have given it its own box - Here is when youll be creative.But we all know thats not really how creativity works. After all, the truly creative would never do any of the following1. Say something is doneA deadline implies the project is done. Complete. Finished.Stored away and never touched again.If you have a creative bone in your body, you know deep down a project is never done.A project or a piece of work is an extension of you, and is constantly a work in progress - just like you, as an individual, are constantly a work in progress.Now, this isnt to say that there arent checkpoints or milestones along the way where you may declare a pro ject as complete for now, but being creative means always looking for ways to improve your craft.Whether that means starting something new or going back and revising something old, its all about leaving the door open for adjustment.Thats where the magic happens.2. Think youre originalNas said it best - No Ideas Original.Being creative is all about pulling from people who came before you, learning from their strides (and stumbles), and then evolving.Too often, people try to be creative and make something in a vacuum - a dark room with zero inspiration and no outside influences.While that can be an effective exercise from time to time, whats much more effective is to study and pull from others work. Chances are, someone has already tried what youre creating, and you can save yourself a lot of unnecessary time by studying their process as you continue to explore your own.As the clich goesGood bewegungsknstlers copy. Great artists steal.3. Stay comfortableDoing meaningful, creative wo rk, is not easy.In fact, most people would rather say, Oh, Im not very creative, because they know creativity is hard.Why?The majority of the time, creativity is the result of leaping and exploring what hides outside your comfort zone.Whether you are a starving artist or a (true) Creative Director in the corner office, the mindset is the same push the boundaries, go where others arent willing, and embrace the unknown.Quoting a mentor of mine and Creative Director himself, Ron Gibori always said, Great ideas dont happen behind a desk. They happen out in the world.Get out of your comfort zone.4. Accept the word noDo you know why most people dont try to be creative?Because that would mean waking up every single morning and standing in the face of No.When you do go outside your comfort zone and begin to embrace the unknown, the rest of the world, those nuzzled safely in their comfort zones will hold their hands up in the air and tell you not to go that way.Youre wrong You dont know what s out thereIts as if they are shouting at a friend on the outskirts of a black forest, just before he or she decides to turn and enter.To be creative, you have to be willing to give yourself permission before anyone else does.You have to move forward despite the rest of the world telling you No.You have to not be afraid.5. Compromise yourselfAh, the hardest one of them all.At some point along the journey, someone will try to tell you how its done. He or she might offer you nice rewards for your cooperation, may even plump up your ego and tell you how amazing you could be - if only you changed your vision to be more in line with theirs.And it will tempt you.But in the end, you have to decide what is most important to you.The truly creative are willing to risk it all.Reputation. Money. Ego.These come second to the vision, and thats the difference.Brilliance doesnt come from a calculated business plan.Brilliance doesnt appear in the form of a perfectly formulated excel spreadsheet, or wake in the morning to a stadium of applause from stakeholders.Brilliance has to break down wall after wall after wall before anyone takes notice, and what feeds that brilliance in a creative mind is heart.Compromise yourself and you compromise your heart.And if you compromise your heart, you have nothing that will truly make a difference.This article originally appeared on Inc Magazine.

Earthquake-Proof Infrastructure Put to the Test

Earthquake-Proof Infrastructure Put to the Test Earthquake-Proof Infrastructure Put to the Test What happens during an earthquake? Thanks to advances in earthquake engineering, buildings in seismic areas are being designed and retrofitted so that life safety is assured. This means when an earthquake strikes, people will survive even if the buildings around them are damaged.Today, however, thanks to research at Lehigh Universitys Advanced Technology for Large Structural Systems (ATLSS) Center, Bethlehem, PA, a new vision of sustainable infrastructure is emerging that would assure not only the safety of people in quake-affected areas, but also continued rechengang of the buildings and transportation they live in and depend upon.Researchers are developing an infrastructure system that uses steel or reinforced-concrete that will be more resilient in extreme conditions. Image ATLSSTo make that vision a reality, Richard Sause, professor of structural engineering and director of ATLSS, a re search facility devoted to making infrastructure more resilient to extreme events and deterioration, is deploying his technical skills and powers of persuasion to get people to expect more of the buildings around them. The design life of most of our buildings and transportation systems is about 50 years, which isnt long, he says. At the same time we expect the large social and economic networks they are part of to continue indefinitely. Is that sustainable?Self-Centering SystemsBelieving its not, Sause, along with Lehigh structural engineering professors James Ricles and Stephen Pessiki, have been developing self-centering building systems, which extensive testing at Lehigh, in Japan, and elsewhere has shown can withstand severe quake conditions without damage. Sause says the technology is a steel or reinforced-concrete system that rocks during the design basis earthquake (DBE) because specific structural joints are designed to open when earthquake forces are applied. Running across those joints is unbonded post-tensioning steel that deforms elastically during an earthquake then like a rubber band, it pulls the joints back together.The E-Defense shake table.The success of this system, which Sause and his colleagues have been refining over the past 10 years, was borne out in December 2010, when a four-story structure built with this technology was subjected to repeated forces on a mammoth shake table at the Hyogo Earthquake Engineering Research Center in Japan, also known as the E-defense shake table. The tests, which were designed, planned, and executed under the leadership of E-defenses Takuya Nagae with input from the Lehigh team and others, spanned one week. During that week, the quake-resistant structure and another built according to conventional Japanese and U.S. practices were exposed side-by-side on the shake table to tremors of increasing intensity, as researchers collected data on their relative performance. The testing peaked with ground motion from the 1995 Kobe earthquake, which killed more than 5,500 people and caused damage of approximately $200 tausend milliarden.Detail of the shake table which simulates the ground motions of an earthquake.Data from the tests, part of a collaboration between Japans National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention and the U.S. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES), which was developed and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is totenstill being analyzed. But Sause says the self-centering structures resilience under repeated earthquakes over the week speaks for itself. The structures performance under a ground motion more intense than the DBE for southern California, even after withstanding a series of smaller ground motions, was incredible, he says.Continued ValidationThese positive preliminary findings, as well as results of testing at Lehigh, suggest that major advances in sustainable infrastructure are within reach. To do their part, Sause and Lehigh engineers are refining methods by which practicing engineers can incorporate the self-centering technology into their designs. An essential component of that work is the continued validation of those methods via laboratory testing, which is advancing along with the technology its meant to validate.That is another core competency at Lehigh, which operates the real-time multi-directional (RTMD) earthquake simulation facility, a NEES facility supported by the National Science Foundation, where Ricles has pioneered state-of-the art tools for testing buildings too large to fit on a shake table. One of these is real-time hybrid simulation, a method by which critical parts of a structure are built and tested in the lab and everything else is modeled and simulated on a computer. Researchers from Lehigh, Purdue University, the University of Illinois, and CUNY, The City University of New York have used hybrid simulation to evaluate the effectiveness at minimizing seismic damage of both magneto-rheological (MR) dampers and passive dampers, which dissipate earthquake energy like a shock absorber might.In one series of tests, hybrid simulations showed how MR dampers, which control a structures quake response by changing their own resisting force and energy dissipation properties, would have altered how one nine-story building performed during a ground motion from the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Although the building without the MR dampers would have been condemned after the California quake, which took 33 lives and caused $20 billion in damage, the simulated version equipped with MR dampers would have remained operable.That result is but one more piece of evidence Sause hopes will spur city planners and public policy makers to rethink our demands on infrastructureand those who design it. As long as current practice remains to design for life safety only, probably neither damping systems nor self-centering structures will see widespread use, concedes Sause. Stil l hes hopeful that, one day, designing buildings and transport systems to remain operational under the DBE will be standard practice. And when it is, he predicts these systems will be the technology of choice because we know from our testing that they perform.Marion Hart is an independent writer.Positive preliminary findings as well as results of testing at Lehigh suggest that major advances in sustainable infrastructure are within reach.

Customize this Good Resume

Customize this Good ResumeCustomize this Good ResumeCreate this Resume Jeffrey Moralez4374 Russell StreetCambridge, MA 2141(555)-627-2757j.moralezsampleresume.netObjective To build a career as Admin Assistant and contribute to the growth of the company by providing support to various phases of administrative tasks.Profile Summary Ability to multitask Skilled in administrative procedures Solid knowledge in computer and numerous software application Skilled in coordinating daily office functions Knowledgeable in interpreting technical and medical terminologies Excellent communication and interpersonal skillsSoftware SkillsWordPerfect 5.1Wang Working Knowledge dBase III+CRT IMS System, Microsoft Word 4Microsoft OfficeDisplay WriteComputersLotus 1-2-3Microsoft Word 4.0Word Perfect 5.1dBase IIITechnical SkillsDOSIBM MainframeMicrosoft WordPASCALProfessional ExperienceAdministration AssistantWestern University, Elmsford, NYTasks Handled clients complaints and problem such as long queues and inefficient record filing. Recorded received checks and vouchers. Performed clerical functions such as maintenance and update of files, logging and attending to all calls. Reviewed contracts and ensured that there all entries are properly filled out. Performed computation on claims processing. Coordinated with Area Instructors in facilitating conferences. Dispatch Assistant/Med Tech AssistantValue Care Clinic Ultrasound Tasks Established file-coding and indexing system. Arranged schedules and shifts for 10 drivers. Monitored the in and out of supply inventories. Attended to patients inquiries and complaints. Ensured proper installation and set-up of medical equipments.Claims Development Clerk Records Division, DOH, Elmsford, NYTasks Attended to all incoming calls. Monitored and tracked all long distance calls for documentation purposes. Prepared office reports. Kept track of all executive appointments and meetings. Verified and arranged appointments as the case may be.Leadershi p Skills Representative to the conference in Health Management sponsored by Department of Health Facilitated seminars and workshops Trained new clerks Education Bachelor of Science Major Business Management/Human Services, 2004Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PATraining and Certification NGAS Personnel Management Human Resource Certification Certification in Meeting ManagementCustomize ResumeMore Popular Sample ResumesEducation ResumeExample ResumeExecutive ResumeIT ResumeManagement Resume

The Good, the Bad and Technical Writer Cover Letter

The Good, the Bad and Technical Writer Cover Letter Technical Writer Cover Letter - Dead or Alive? Technical writing is quite a lucrative career. Technical writers are in excellent demand. In fact, the discipline of technical communication is vital in a broad variety of fields and occupations. No matter your major is, youre developing an expertiseyou are turning into a specialist in a specific technical area. Together with technical proficiency, a manager should have strong interpersonal skills to inspire teamwork and high-quality outcomes, in addition to to create a beneficial and effective work environment for all workers. It benefits every employee to contemplate how theyre marketing themselves. My latest experience of working as the teaching assistant in different companies helped me understand more regarding the part of teachers and the function of teaching assistant. I have a strong company and strategic focus and excellent people management and resource management abi lities. The Unexposed Secret of Technical Writer Cover Letter Do take the opportunity to check in the organization and the department so that you may offer ways that you can fit in and help them meet their targets, such as telephone support and documentation. Ensure youve done your research and know a very good chunk of information regarding the organization youre applying to. Include evidence youve done research on the business. Ask family and friends to like and share your articleon their social networking accounts. The Foolproof Technical Writer Cover Letter Strategy The phrases utilized in the work description is able to help you comprehend the schools top priorities. After you have submitted a work application, it is all up to management to determine whether youre a superior candidate for the position. In the era of digital media, its simple for recruiters to get rid of befhigung job candidates due to an embarrassing social networking presence or a generic resume with errors. Dont use their first names. Employers dont have enough time to read a quick story. When job seekers deal with the work ad instead of send a generic letter, theyre more inclined to be interviewed. On-line job banks are a sort of resource you should utilize. Possessing a presence on social media may be your ticket to getting contacted by means of a work recruiter. An excellent way to begin writing is with the right greeting phrase. Adhering to these pointers can relieve strain and make it simpler to find work. With our customized essay offer, you can be certain to find any kind of essay help you are searching for. Dont use a formal tone. Instead, it is a lot of dodgy writing and misdirected hopes. Even though some businesses may frown upon the notion of going through extra paperwork to employ someone, so far as I know there isnt much bureaucracy on the employers side so that its quite encouraging if you meet the requirements. Theres an official way for it called Hoch-Deutsch which you will be quite likely to discover in educated circles. Theres lot of competition for Technical Writer and so its important to be ready from your side prior to going for an interview. When it has to do with picking a font to utilize in your cover letter, your best choice is to keep it easy and professional. You would like your words and message to be noticed, not your font choice. Follow these suggestions to compose a winning letter. Taking only a few minutes to look at a printed version of your letter could make all of the difference. You dont even have to say references available upon request. You dont even have to say Areferences available upon request.

Resume Writing for Work Tips

Resume Writing for Work Tips Want to Know More About Resume Writing for Work? Making a career change is a challenging decision for the majority of people, especially if youre already mid-way or more into a career in another area. You dont necessarily need to be certified to find work or obtain tons of clients as a freelance resume writer. Your work is to locate your niche within the industry then see the way you can tunnel your way in. Its also important to think about the type of work you really wish to be hired to do. If you believe you need help with your resume, you want to locate the best resume writing service not to compromise your opportunity to bag the position that you dream about. Taking the opportunity to work on your resume is essential. There are a few routes you may take with resume writing. The Appeal of Resume Writing for Work Chronological resumes are fruchtwein popular, giving a job-by-job listing of all your work experience. Writing resumes for one mo re company might help you hone your writing skills while additionally providing a (hopefully) stable supply of income during the early days of your small business venture. Resumes may be used for a number of reasons, but most often theyre utilised to secure new employment. They may be organized in different ways. They dont have to be difficult, long-winded or entirely inclusive to catch a potential employers attention. A great resume format is simple to scan. The info in your resume should paint an image of the kind of employee you are and show employers what youre capable of accomplishing. While the functional resume format may be an attractive choice for job seekers with minimal experience, most employers would rather have a chronological or hybrid resume format. Each resume format can be helpful, based on your own personal circumstances. Its also advisable to tailor your resume to demonstrate the way your work experience specifically meets the requirements of the job wh ich youre applying for. Keeping yourself busy when on the lookout for a job can unquestionably be a job within itself. Too frequently, individuals list any and every job theyve ever held when a more focused resume is more inclined to catch a prospective employers interest.

6 Things A Hiring Manager Wont Tell You

6 Things A Hiring Manager Wont Tell You6 Things A Hiring Manager Wont Tell You No matter how many questions you ask to evaluate whether a role is for you, there are a few things that hiring managers just will not reveal. Even though youve prepared for the interview and asked all the must-ask questions, hiring managers are savvy and they will almost always avoid certain topics .However, instead of being frustrated or pegging a company as cagey, you may need to accept that some information will not be forked over. But dont worry. Glassdoor is all about the transparency, so well tell you what hiring managers cannot.Here are six details that hiring manager wont (and probably cant) tell you1. The biggest issues with the gruppe.As much as an interview is about assessing your ability to be a culture fit, it is also about gathering as much information and insight into the company culture . While you may ask a hiring manager about the biggest challenges or how the team solve s problems, dont be surprised if a manager doesnt reveal the overarching issues that a team is facing. From communication challenges to micromanaging, a hiring manager wont get specific. Its your job as an interviewee to listen and read between the lines. Listen for red flags in how the hiring manager describes their work style, the team activities, and communication.Even if you are bold enough to ask, What is the turnover rate here at XYZ company? its unlikely that you will get the data during an interview. For one, a hiring manager may not knowthe answer. And secondly, depending on the industry - retail, sales, etc.- the turnover rate may be high not because of the company culture, but simply because of the industry.Hopefully, if a company is actively staffing up then they have no plans for layoffs, but occasionally these two things happen at the same time in large, multi-national companies. No need to get frustrated if a hiring manager wont dish on bigger business troubles.4. Whether you are not their first pick for the role.On occasion, a hiring manager or recruiter will inform you that another candidate dropped out thus making you the runner-up candidate, but its not the norm. Instead of pressing the matter, consider simply asking, How many other candidates are youinterviewing for the role? This will let you know the swimming-pool of candidates. Another question you may ask is, Is there anything that I havent shown or told you that would make me a stand-out candidate? This question gives you the opportunity to r eveal other skills and attributes to make yourself more competitive as a candidate.While many candidates hope to join a company before it goes public, a hiring manager wont reveal the potentially lucrative plans. Sorry6. How much theyll spend in salary to lock you in.For the most part, hiring managers wont reveal the true salary range for the role or how high the company will go in terms of compensation. The exception to this rule is for in-demand jobs. Software engineers, registered nurses, EMTs, warehouse associates and data scientists , youre in luck Your roles are in demand and you have some wiggle room when it comes to asking hiring manager how much theyll spend to lock in top talent. Just remember, before you ask, you should use Know Your Worth

How being fired can be great and why you should experience it

How being fired can be great and why you should experience itHow being fired can be great and why you should experience itMaybe youve been there you get called into your anfhrers office and are asked to sit down because theres something theyd like to discuss.Likely theres someone from HR or the C-suite also in the room. However, its once your boss starts talking that you realize with what feels like a punch to the gut that youre being fired.Perhaps you knew this was coming because youd seen the writing on the walls. Or perhaps this came out of nowhere and youre left feeling shocked, angry, and sad.No matter the reason for your firing, whether its because of performance problems, management issues, a company acquisition, or more, youre likely still reeling and trying to understand what just happened.So let me be the first to say - CongratulationsNow, before you think Im some sadist glorying in someone elses pain, let me explain why I think being fired is one of the best things that c an happen to you and why everyone should be fired at least once in their lives.It reminds you to stay humbleIn a world where the loudest, and sometimes crassest, voices are constantly shouting to be heard, being reminded of your fallibility keeps you grounded. It doesnt matter if the fault for getting fired rests on your own shoulders or not - its proof that youre not invincible.Getting let go is a reminder that life doesnt always go as planned, and that thats okay. It gives you the chance to appreciate what you still have and the people who will be by your side through thick and thin.It takes you outside your comfort zoneTheres truly nothing like being booted to get you outside your comfort zone. Whether you were reluctantly trudging along or whether you truly loved your work, no longer having that role sets you outside where youd been.While this may sound terrifying, and it honestly can be in the moment, its also a fantastic way to get a clearer picture of who you are and what yo u want.It pushes you to take actionIts easy to put off trying to find a better job or taking your side hustle full time because youve become comfortable and complacent. I know this because Ive been there too. Its hard to turn down killer benefits, healthcare, and a steady paycheck for the potential uncertainty of going for it on your own.Getting fired is the push (or really, the shove) to really start evaluating what it is you want and where you want to go.Theres no greater motivator than not having that safety net. Its often a crutch and gives you the perfect excuse when youre feeling lazy or dont feel like putting in the effort towards finding a better job.Personally, it took me being let go earlier this year for me to fully finalize my plan and get my act together to turn my side hustle into my full-time gig.It teaches you what you do and dont wantIn your personal life, a breakup allows you to sit back and reflect on what went wrong and what worked so that you know what you want to look for or avoid for next time.Being fired does the exact same thing. It might be that you hated having to write press releases and reach out to media contacts, but you loved planning the overall communications strategy. It could also be that you obsessed over getting to be creative and design marketing materials, but would rather someone else handle the strategy side.Whatever it may be, understanding more clearly what it is you loved about your previous roles, and what you loathed, will allow you to find a job thats a much better fit for you than your previous one.It gives you resilienceKnowing how you respond when things get tough (and, perhaps, how your significant other responds) can be crucial to weathering the ups and downs of your life.Being able to dust yourself off and keep kicking butt after being fired proves to yourself that you can take what may come your way. Building up your resiliency gives you the strength for the next time things dont work out.While I cant guar antee much with 100% certainty, I can promise that life is going to throw challenges your way. When that happens, youll have the knowledge that you weathered this storm and made it out stronger on the other side.It becomes the best thing thats ever happened to youRecently, I posted an anonymous survey in several professional groups that Im a part of on Facebook asking people whod been fired their feelings about the situation. A solid 82% said that at the time of their firing they were extremely upset.Yet 91% of that same group said that they are now happy that it happened. When asked to explain why, almost everyone had some variation on the theme that being fired gave them the opportunity to find something better or pursue something greater and they were ultimately glad to have been let go.The strength, knowledge, and clarity you will gain when you get fired will help propel you further than you ever thought possible and into areas you might never have imagined. So if youre ever in the situation where you realize that its finally happening to you - take comfort in the fact that youll look back someday and realize it was the best thing that ever happened to you.This article first appeared on The EveryGirl.

11 concrete ways to use Twitter for networking

11 concrete ways to use Twitter for networking 11 concrete ways to use Twitter for networking I dont know how many job seekers are strategically using Twitter to network and advance their job search, but I do know that its a very small percentage.If you already use Twitter, you can easily switch to the mora strategic focus I am going to teach you. But if you have never used Twitter before, dont worry. It is easy to get started. Its completely free. And once you understand the potential, I know youll be eager to get going.An overviewTwitter is often called a micro-blogging site. Basically, it allows users to broadcast messages to the world as long as those messages are 140 characters or shorter. Your messages, known as tweets, are publicly available to anyone. But with millions of people tweeting, the real benefit comes from the fact that you can choose whom to listen to. In effect, you tune in to another persons Twitter feed and, in doing so, you see everything they write. In turn, w hen someone is interested in what you have to say, they click the follow button and from that point on they see everything you post.This might not sound like an obvious networking tool, but bear with me.The reason its so effective is that it gives you an amazing ability to reach out and connect with anyone else who uses the site, no matter how successful, famous, or hard-to-reach they are in other walks of life.Here are 11 ways to make the most of TwitterFollow headhunters, internal recruiters, and hiring managersFirst and foremost, Twitter is a social networking site. Like LinkedIn or Facebook, it allows you to make connections with others. However, unlike those two sites, there is no requirement to know the people with whom you connect. This is because on Twitter you dont ask someone to accept you as a connection, you simply hit the follow button and from that point on you see everything they write.Conversation is the lifeblood of Twitter, so you are free to reply to anything you read. This gives you endless opportunities to connect with recruiters and hiring managers in your target industry. It also allows you to listen and learn from the very people whose attention you want to attract.To get started making connections, I recommend using Twellow.com to find people you would like to follow.Twellow allows you to search by keyword, category, or both. This means you can run searches such as recruiters or choose a company name and look for people who work there.Once you are following recruiters, headhunters, and hiring managers/employees from your target companies, you can pay careful attention to their tweets and conversations and reply if you have something interesting to say. Even a thank you for this informative link message is welcome. We all like to know that other people are listening to our words of wisdom.And once people come to know you, they are much more likely to respond to questions or requests.Use Search tools to listen for opportunitiesTwitter Se arch allows you to follow conversations that include keywords you choose. This is an excellent opportunity to passively surf for vacancies, as many hiring managers will tweet about their openings.Simply go to Twitter Search and type in the key words (for example, web design jobs or PR internships), then check your chosen keywords every day. Any time these words arise in conversation, youll see the tweet and you can instantly respond.Follow other people in your fieldAs with recruiters, everyone wants to feel someone is listening. If you follow other people who work in your field and comment on their tweets (or even retweet them to your followers), many of those same people will follow you back. And this is vital before you try my next tip, which is Use Twitter to tell people that you need a jobA few years ago, regular Twitter user Alexa Scordato lost her job. Instead of calling or emailing her contacts, she sent out a tweet to all her followers.Her brief message was, Hey there Lookin g for a Social Media job up in Boston. Are you guys doing any entry level hires?Within one week, Alexa had an interview, and a week later she was hired. Her story was such an eye opener for a lot of people that it was written up in major media publications.But it wasnt actually all that unusual. Every day, people are leveraging their Twitter connections to secure interviews and new positions, and you can do the same. Of course, you need a good network of followers for that to happen, which is why steps two and three are so important.For example, if youre seeking a position as a marketing manager for a technology company and have followed recruiters who specialize in that industry and hiring managers or employees who currently work at some of your target companies, theres every chance that when you say, Im looking for a marketing job in a tech company, someone will know of such a vacancy.This is why targeting people to follow is so important. Dont just add people as fast as you can s o that your own number of followers increases. Instead, focus on finding people who can help with your search.NOTE If you are currently employed and dont want anyone to know that you are looking for another job, dont broadcast the news on Twitter. This may seem like obvious advice, but this is a mistake that has cost more than one person their job.Retweet strategicallyOn Twitter, the biggest compliment you can pay someone is to retweet something they sent out. In doing so, you are telling everyone you know that the tweet has value. Because being retweeted is such a compliment, most of the people you retweet will notice. They may or may not respond, but if you do this a few times, they will come to know you, and probably pay more attention to the things you have to say.Add valueThe best way to get attention from people who might be able to help is to add professional value on Twitter. Share interesting articles, books, or other information. Demonstrate your knowledge of your field. A nswer questions from those looking for help. By doing so you are adding value, and this attracts more followers. The more followers you have, the more likely it is that one of them knows about the perfect opportunity for you.Adding value is increasingly important as Twitter grows. Most people follow more people than they can ever keep up with. As their list grows, they start to make it easier by creating lists of people they want to pay special attention to, or by just skimming quickly and only seeing whatever catches their eye at that moment.In buchen to get attention, you need to prove yourself to be someone worth listening to, and the only way to do this is to add value.Attract attention from influencers by including them on a listTwitter allows you to build lists of people you think are especially worth paying attention to. With this feature, you can then quickly read the tweets from a specific list. Other people can also follow your list if they are also interested in the same subject. I recommend creating a list for movers and shakers in your industry and then letting each person know that you added him or her to the list. So a designer might create a web design experts list, add names of people he admires, and then send each one a tweet notifying them of their inclusion.Mention your search casually from time to timeIf your search is not a secret, mention it every once in a while. Dont become tiresome, talking about nothing but how you need a job - thats a surefire way to lose followers But do feel free to mention interviews or their job search activities in your updates from time to time.Some of your followers will have missed your original tweets about needing work, and you will be gaining new followers all the time, so this is a great way to make sure that everyone hears about your search without being repetitive.You can just say things like getting ready for an interview. Wish me luck or Rewriting my titelseite letter for a great position. Hope I get an interview.Ask about jobs directlyThere is nothing wrong with asking a hiring manager or recruiter if they have any suitable opportunities, as long as you dont become a nuisance. If you have been using Twitter properly, your page will be professional and interesting, so if one of these people checks you out, they will get a good impression.Write a strong bioTwitter allows you to write a short bio about yourself. Use this space wisely. Look at lots of other bios to get a sense of what works well - everyone who checks your page will look for this and evaluate you based upon what they find. The best Twitter bios combine personal information and professional details and have a confident tone. Twitter bios also allow you to link to a web page. I recommend linking to your LinkedIn or Google profile, as these will be the most informative to someone checking you out for the first time. (Heres more on how to write a killer Twitter bio).Keep your tweeting professionalNow that youre using T witter for your search, be aware that recruiters and potential employers may read anything you write. This doesnt mean you cant insert a little bit of your personality into your tweets but it does mean that you shouldnt say anything that would reflect badly on you. Before you type, imagine your new boss reading the tweet. If he wouldnt like it, dont hit the submit buttonIn summaryTwitter is an incredibly valuable job search tool and very few people capitalize on it. Why spend hours searching Internet job boards for the same vacancies everyone else is seeing, when you could be making valuable connections on sites like Twitter?