NEWS Welcome Dave Alba to the JibberJobber team!

NEWS Welcome Dave Alba to the JibberJobber team! Five years and five months ago I got laid off.  I wasnt too worried about my pending job search because I had done all the right things.  I knew I was hot stuff (with my MBA, Spanish almost-fluency, IT systems background, etc.), and knew companies would be falling all over themselves to hire ME. In a call to my dad (Dave Alba) he said Ill expect you to be out of work for at least six months, as he was thinking about how to help me through this ordeal. SIX MONTHS?  NO WAY, NOT ME, I thought. He was right I wasnt hot stuff, and no one was anxious to bring me on board, much less return phone calls or emails. My dad was my first investor in JibberJobber.  I remember a conversation where he said okay, I dont understand what JibberJobber is, or how it works.  Just tell me, how much money do you want, and where do you want it sent?  (NOTE: Hes not wealthy, and how much didnt mean how many millions.  I realize how blessed I was to have a dad who could say that Im not bragging but I want to show his faith in me, and my vision, from the beginning.) Fast forward five years later today my dad joins the JibberJobber team! Hell focus on a few things: Sales of a new product we launched last summer, Account management with this product Some other stuff (how come I dont tell all here?  Because my competition reads my blog and shortly after I announce stuff I see them emulating what Im doing so I have to keep some things under wraps) Heres a little about my dad: Dave Alba had an amazing, successful career with the FBI.  After rising to senior executive management at the FBI, he retired and worked for a security guard company for the last ten years.  He has very strong work ethic that was instilled in him as a young boy growing up on a farm in Pecos, Texas (thank you abuela and abuelo for NOT naming him Bill!  Otherwise, my dad would have been Pecos Bill :s). If you would have asked me ten, even five, years ago if my dad could work with me, the answer would have been NO WAY.  He was, as far as I understood, a government worker.  There is a different mindset in private industry, especially in a small startup. But the last 10 years have proved to be a rich opportunity for him to learn all-things PL.  He was responsible for a  sizable  region spanning Houston to Corpus Christi, and became intimately familiar with sales, account management, operations, managing budgets, etc. Hes been trained to work for me. Im more excited, though, about his work ethic and all the things the stereotypical baby boomer would bring to the table.  Ive watched him deal with his prior employers with a high level of integrity.  He is the quintessential company-man he gives an honest effort to do his job right, and strives to take care of his company and those he works with. He told me he was getting ready for his successor in his next company.  He said something like Ive been in situations where I was the new guy and given a big mess to sort out Im working in getting everything ready for the new guy so he doesnt have a big mess to deal with.  I loved that he didnt have to, but he worked very, very hard for someone else. Thats my dad. Aside from all that stuff above, Im most excited because this is, for me, a fairy tale.  The chance to work with my own dad? I never could have that before (you cant take your son to work like his dad took him to work on the farm :p). Now, though, our professional worlds meet in a cool, fun place. Hes joining me on my journey to change the world, one mind, and one career, at a time. Please welcome with me, Dave Alba, newest member of the JibberJobber team! NEWS Welcome Dave Alba to the JibberJobber team! Five years and five months ago I got laid off.  I wasnt too worried about my pending job search because I had done all the right things.  I knew I was hot stuff (with my MBA, Spanish almost-fluency, IT systems background, etc.), and knew companies would be falling all over themselves to hire ME. In a call to my dad (Dave Alba) he said Ill expect you to be out of work for at least six months, as he was thinking about how to help me through this ordeal. SIX MONTHS?  NO WAY, NOT ME, I thought. He was right I wasnt hot stuff, and no one was anxious to bring me on board, much less return phone calls or emails. My dad was my first investor in JibberJobber.  I remember a conversation where he said okay, I dont understand what JibberJobber is, or how it works.  Just tell me, how much money do you want, and where do you want it sent?  (NOTE: Hes not wealthy, and how much didnt mean how many millions.  I realize how blessed I was to have a dad who could say that Im not bragging but I want to show his faith in me, and my vision, from the beginning.) Fast forward five years later today my dad joins the JibberJobber team! Hell focus on a few things: Sales of a new product we launched last summer, Account management with this product Some other stuff (how come I dont tell all here?  Because my competition reads my blog and shortly after I announce stuff I see them emulating what Im doing so I have to keep some things under wraps) Heres a little about my dad: Dave Alba had an amazing, successful career with the FBI.  After rising to senior executive management at the FBI, he retired and worked for a security guard company for the last ten years.  He has very strong work ethic that was instilled in him as a young boy growing up on a farm in Pecos, Texas (thank you abuela and abuelo for NOT naming him Bill!  Otherwise, my dad would have been Pecos Bill :s). If you would have asked me ten, even five, years ago if my dad could work with me, the answer would have been NO WAY.  He was, as far as I understood, a government worker.  There is a different mindset in private industry, especially in a small startup. But the last 10 years have proved to be a rich opportunity for him to learn all-things PL.  He was responsible for a  sizable  region spanning Houston to Corpus Christi, and became intimately familiar with sales, account management, operations, managing budgets, etc. Hes been trained to work for me. Im more excited, though, about his work ethic and all the things the stereotypical baby boomer would bring to the table.  Ive watched him deal with his prior employers with a high level of integrity.  He is the quintessential company-man he gives an honest effort to do his job right, and strives to take care of his company and those he works with. He told me he was getting ready for his successor in his next company.  He said something like Ive been in situations where I was the new guy and given a big mess to sort out Im working in getting everything ready for the new guy so he doesnt have a big mess to deal with.  I loved that he didnt have to, but he worked very, very hard for someone else. Thats my dad. Aside from all that stuff above, Im most excited because this is, for me, a fairy tale.  The chance to work with my own dad? I never could have that before (you cant take your son to work like his dad took him to work on the farm :p). Now, though, our professional worlds meet in a cool, fun place. Hes joining me on my journey to change the world, one mind, and one career, at a time. Please welcome with me, Dave Alba, newest member of the JibberJobber team!

Candidates LinkedIn or Lucked-In

Candidates LinkedIn or Lucked-In When youve got a dozen viable candidates, but only four interview slots available, its time for a cull. Unfortunately, selecting the best four from what is already a shortlist by comparing CVs and applications to each other is hopelessly inadequate to judge likely in-post performance. By way of example, consider the anonymised case of Francis. He laid claim to a network of several hundred or so key industry contacts. What he neglected to mention was that at least 50% of them hated his guts and would give their first-born for ten minutes alone in a cage with him. Thats not the sort of guy you want anywhere inside your organisation, let alone in a senior customer-facing role. Sadly, someone had already employed him. They were swayed by his apparent track record, big-company background and a couple of pet references. Almost overnight, his presence transformed a respected and happy medium-sized company into a political hotbed of bile-spitting, back-stabbing and bloodletting, from which there was no way back. In each of his previous positions, within a variety of well-known brands and globally operating companies, he appeared to have been highly successful. Each product line or division hed been involved with or managed had an excellent track record of growth, market share and profitability. Once youve convinced yourself that you want such a guy, re-reading his CV is only going to reinforce your view. It will never provide you with an objective assessment of his likely worth to your organisation, in your environment. Clearly, the interview process should do that, but even then there are problems. Firstly, in Francis case, the achievements with previous employers were a matter of visible public record and beyond dispute, and therefore quite seductive. Secondly, a candidate already perceived as a stellar catch will leave you looking for reasons to put them through, rather than to reject them. Shortening your shortlist You need some basis for a more objective assessment to at least keep you sharp and get you asking the right questions during the interview. Its time to reach for LinkedIn. Used in the right way, it’s extremely useful for developing a deeper insight. These are the things to consider, in rising order of importance: Recommendations and endorsements. Put them aside. Youll never read an even vaguely critical recommendation, so there is zero objectivity to be had from them. If you consider them, youre again in danger of simply using them to reinforce the mental leanings youve already got. Connections. Forget the number, it has no relevance whatsoever. Instead, look at the level of seniority of connections and their range of roles. Does it seem that the candidate is appropriately connected, for their career and industry, or are they just a serial-collector of random people and trying to look impressive? One-liner commentaries. Thats fine for older roles, and it makes for concise summaries and fast reading. On more recent roles, such commentary isnt giving you what you need and that may be because a LinkedIn profile is publicly available and roles, responsibilities, and achievements can be exposed if theyre exaggerated, or even complete fantasy. Contributions. Consider whether the candidate is actively engaged with their role, company and industry. What are their postings and thoughts (or lack, thereof) telling you about their view of the future? If their contributions havent continued to develop in recent times, it may be that their career peaked a while ago. Journey. Step back and look at the candidates story to see how their career-journey has led them to be applying for this next role. A few bumps on the road are okay, but a career thats bounced around like a pinball may not make for an ideal candidate if theres no rational narrative running through their trek to your door. Motivation. From the candidates progressive history of achievement, you want to see that this next position would be a stretching and motivating, but rational and achievable, step up for them. Have-a-go heroes dont make for predictable results. Initiative. This is a fundamentally crucial property of any candidate, at any level. If they have basic skills, any idiot can achieve an objective theyve been given by someone else, at least to some degree of success. Within the scope of a role, what you want is someone who can identify objectives for themselves, gather support for them, marshal resources and then make things happen so that the result is delivered. Chutzpah. Look for evidence of someone audacious, cheeky even, who is not afraid to challenge and push in unexpected directions. Out of such people can come fresh ideas and valuable disruption. However, if you get a sense that arrogance or ego is the candidates main driving force behind this, consider introducing them to your competitors. Francis would have crashed and burned at stage 7, if the interviewer had thoroughly examined his achievements in the context of the environments within which hed worked. The bus was already traveling whenever he’d jumped aboard. Francis was not an ideas man, and certainly not a leader. He was politically astute and an adept sycophant, but ultimately a grunt. An enforcer, if you will. Surf’s up … People who inherently show initiative, in whatever roles theyve held, are inevitably successful and are your leaders of tomorrow. The rest is a dead weight, clinging on to the coat-tails of your organisation, looking cool and surfing the wave that someone else has created. They have their uses in the right situation, but is that the sort of person youre looking for? About the author:  Jon Gregory  an experienced management consultant, re-organisation specialist and recruitment professional. He currently works with both organisations and individuals, helping to get the right people working effectively in the right jobs.. He’s also the editor of  www.win-that- job.com.

How to give your home office a seasonal makeover this Christmas

How to give your home office a seasonal makeover this Christmas For many of us, the Christmas holidays don’t always mean an extended time off work, and more often than not, we work extra hard in the weeks leading up to the big day to allow ourselves those two all-important days of “so-called” rest. For those of us who are still working right up until midnight on Christmas Eve, or for anyone working from home and feeling left out of the festive fun, here are some top tips for giving your home office a seasonal makeover this Christmas. The weather is obviously taking a turn for the worst, and every now and then, we can all get a little chilly while we’re working, especially if there’s the occasional draft in your home office. It’s always a smart idea to have a blanket or throw on hand to wrap up warm and drape over chilly legs while you work, plus it’ll make the space more comfortable and inviting and less of a work-only space. Arlo Jacob have a beautiful range of blankets throws available in cashmere, mohair and chunky knit. The cashmere Ambleside check throw, shown here, is a particular favourite. How about investing in some beautiful, personalised stationery to send thank you notes for all those thoughtful Christmas gifts? It’s a lovely touch and will really make your gift-givers feel special. These gorgeous and stylish personalised ‘Merci’ thank you cards from Papier are very sweet and will look stunning sitting on your desk before being handwritten and sent to the lucky recipients. You’ll probably already have a tree up in your living room, but if you’re spending lots of time working from home over the holidays, why not treat your home office to a mini Christmas tree of its own? This realistic fir tree from The White Company is ideal for windowsills or desks and comes pre-lit with battery operated fairy lights for a little twinkle. We all know caffeine is the key to productivity on these dark and dreary mornings. Treat yourself to a stylish new festive mug for the holidays to ply yourself with caffeinated warm drinks while you work in the run-up to Christmas. These alphabet mugs from Emma Bridgewater are stylish and fun â€" plus they’d make the perfect gift or stocking filler for all those hard-to-buy-for people on your list. A festive, warm rug is ideal for updating your home office this winter. If you have floorboards, it will create a cosy environment, plus it will banish any cold drafts that may be present. This fluffy, high pile rug from Ikea would make an excellent choice and will be super soft underfoot. Remember, don’t work too hard in the run-up to Christmas and be sure to put your feet up, relax and enjoy some well-earned rest over the holidays.

9 Surprisingly Healthy Foods for a Healthy Life - Classy Career Girl

9 Surprisingly Healthy Foods for a Healthy Life Unless you have been stuck in a cave or have lived in a well for the past few years, you have been exposed to the constant obsession over healthy foods. This global phenomenon is showing no signs of letting up anytime soon. While the importance of a healthy diet cannot be disputed, most of the food options available tend to be off-putting. Many of us prescribe by the “live to eat” philosophy and would not compromise when it comes to the taste of food. This is why most delicacies around the world are not known for their nutritional value. Nonetheless, if you are trying to adopt a healthy diet, you would have read countless of articles that advocate the importance of achieving a balanced variation of food. To dispel the notion that variety in healthy foods is limited, we explore some of the most surprising, yet, healthy food choices below. 9 Surprisingly Healthy Foods For a Healthy Life 1.Dark Chocolate If you are a chocolate lover, rejoice at the fact that your favorite food managed to sneak into the list. However, do not get carried away with the enthusiasm as an accompanying condition applies. Only dark chocolate with more than 70% of the cocoa content can be considered healthy. A study conducted in 2004 showed that flavonoid content in dark chocolates helps to improve blood vessel structures and also contains antioxidant properties. A separate study in 2005 also found that dark chocolates are capable of reducing blood pressure and also enhance the insulin sensitivity in each. 2. Beef Common opinion suggests  eating meat may have  harmful effects to our body. But with the right knowledge, you should be able to differentiate between the different types  of beef and choose only the healthiest parts. Beef tenderloin satisfies this criterion as it is rich in protein and relatively low in fat and calorie content. It also provides a healthy dose of selenium, zinc and iron. 3. Pork Pork offers more variation when it comes to the right cuts than beef. You have the privilege of choosing from the tenderloin, center-cut bacon, boneless or loin chop. Similar to beef, pork is an excellent source of protein and also offers other vital nutrients such as vitamin B, thiamine, and riboflavin. 4. Coffee If you religiously start the day off with a hot cup of coffee, you might be delighted to know that not only does it help to give you a mental boost, it also provides your body with some advantages. While some health experts might discourage regular consumption, studies have shown that coffee contains high levels of antioxidants that are greatly beneficial towards maintaining a healthy body system. It also offers benefits such as lowered risk of Parkinson’s disease and improved metabolism. Nonetheless, the key with healthy coffee consumption is to drink in moderation. 5. Tea Any variation of tea that is extracted from the Camellia Sinensis plant contains a varying degree of benefits to the body. Other than reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, regular tea consumption can also aid in cancer prevention. However, health experts warn of the dangers of adding full-cream milk or excessive sugar to your tea as it can potentially overwrite the health benefits and have you drinking a very  high-calorie drink instead. 6. Eggs Eggs have been considered unhealthy  for a good part of the century. After initial reports had surfaced to highlight its high cholesterol content, many people have avoided eggs in their diet as if their lives depended on it. Fortunately, the change in poultry feeding means that the cholesterol content in eggs is no longer as harmful as before. However, it is still packed with nutrients such as protein. It also contains a healthy dose of lutein and zeaxanthin that can help to improve eye health. 7. Potatoes Potatoes can be an ideal ingredient in any high fiber diet as long as they are prepared at home. Other than offering lots of fiber, it is also high in potassium content. The most attractive characteristic of potatoes lies in its versatility. It can be easily incorporated into any dish, providing a much-needed variation for your  meal while maintaining the same nutrient level. 8. Mushrooms This food item might surprise some of you, but mushrooms have been an essential ingredient in many Chinese recipes. Many of us are suffering from slight vitamin D deficiency, and mushrooms are a good source of this nutrient. In addition to its health benefits, mushrooms are also categorized as nootropics which can help to boost your mental capacity. 9. Pistachios When compared to other variations of nuts, pistachios are lower in calorie and fat content. Ironically, it makes up for the lack of calorie and fat by offering an extensive range of nutrients that include phosphorous, copper, vitamin B6 and fiber. Have these handy so that the next time you crave a snack  look  no further than the packet of pistachios sitting on your kitchen table. If you are resisting the change towards healthier diets due to the lack of variety, these nine food items listed above will give you no excuses to start today. If you are already faithfully eating healthy foods, the options above are bound to expand your dietary choices and make your meals more interesting. Regardless of which category you fall under, keeping the list of foods above handy would serve you well the next time you feel hungry. What are your favorite healthy foods?

Executive Resume Writing Services Needed to Create Resume

Executive Resume Writing Services Needed to Create ResumeExecutive resume writing services are necessary to create the desired resume for your career. Many of the people in your field are using the same resume and need a fresh look for a new career. The right resume for an executive position is one that tells the employer what you have accomplished and how you were able to build a career. It's a good idea to hire an experienced writer to write your resume for you.With so many resume writing services available, who would you choose? What is the difference between a resume and an executive resume? Knowing what these two resume formats are can help you choose which one is right for you.An executive resume is a concise yet informative document that tells the employer what you have accomplished over the past two or three years. It's not a two-page document that tells the employer about your accomplishments and experience. Your resume reflects on you personally, as a person who has achieve d success and continues to do so.A professional resume service will provide you with tips and tricks on how to write a good resume. Most resumes are quite similar, but you can add your special touch to it. You may want to request feedback from different writers on how to write a good resume and choose the one that's best for you.An executive resume is very important. Many businesses hire executive candidates for their executive positions, and they need to know how to groom them. You may want to get a few letters of recommendation from people in your organization.Some of the most popular resume services include Human Resource Consulting, Executive Resume Writing Services, and Expansive Success. Each of these services offers different types of executive resume writing services. Hiring these services will give you a good starting point when looking for a resume writer.You don't want to waste time finding a writer to write your resume. An executive resume is the first step in your caree r development and you want it to be written correctly. If it's not done correctly, then it won't make an impact on the employer and you'll never find a job in that industry.Looking for a resume writing service? For best results, use the Internet to compare services and find the best one. You can find a good resume service by asking friends, family members, or local employers, and search online for a good freelance resume writer.

Thoughts on Open Source Software - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Thoughts on Open Source Software - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Businesses can learn much from Open Source thinking, both when it comes to increasing corporate efficiency and to making people happy at work. A while back I even wrote about an Open Source project that was optimized for fun (-O fun). So if you want to learn a little about the principles behind Open Source Software, here are three good places to look: Why Software Should Be Free by Richard Stallman Those who benefit from the current system where programs are property offer two arguments in support of their claims to own programs: the emotional argument and the economic argument. The emotional argument goes like this: I put my sweat, my heart, my soul into this program. It comes from me, its mine! The economic argument goes like this: I want to get rich (usually described inaccurately as `making a living), and if you dont allow me to get rich by programming, then I wont program. Everyone else is like me, so nobody will ever program. And then youll be stuck with no programs at all! This threat is usually veiled as friendly advice from the wise. This is the standard text behind free software and Stallman is the original guru. Also remember to read up on the difference between free beer and free speech. Early Perspectives On Open Source by Dennis Forbes At the time, I was a fervent admirer of Microsoft and their Ways a position that lead to endless accusations that I was a paid astroturfer for the so-called Evil Empire not to mention that I was, and remain, a true believer in the capacity for financial incentive to encourage innovation and product excellence. My opponent, in contrast, was a GPL-embracing, Linux-advocating, Microsoft-hating, Stallmanesque sort. Hed finger through his unkempt beard (where one would expect to find stray noodles from a prior meal), and after trying to convince anyone listening that recompiling ones kernel with drivers specific for the target environment was an ideal arrangement, hed tear into the evils of closed source commercial software, passionately arguing that closed source, along with intellectual property hoarding, was a moral sin. A very nuanced look from a developer who came from the closed side and moved towards the open source approach. Open Source As Much About The People As The Code The code without the people is worth nothing, according to Phillipe Cases, partner at VC firm Partech International. A million lines of code is like a million problems that you have to solve. So the risk on any open source investment project is that the 2-3 guys that created it and maintain it could leave. The commitment of the developers is often the IP not the code itself. Isnt it always about the people? Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Five Reasons Why Online Learning Can Be More Effective - CareerAlley

Five Reasons Why Online Learning Can Be More Effective - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Online learning is becoming more widely available from many respectable universities, offering education options for those with other commitments, like raising a family or working a job, or offering options for those looking to retrain for a change in career. Online learning is also becoming popular in the workplace to deliver vocational courses or training to employees. Some people, however, have concerns about learning online. You might be worried about whether its as effective as traditional classroom learning. Heres why it can actually be just as, if not more, effective. Students Learn More Online Online courses give students full control over their learning, which means they can work at their own speed and at a time that suits them. This means that many students can go faster than they would in a classroom environment, but those that need it also have time to properly absorb the information theyre trying to take in. It also gives the freedom to speed up for areas of study that youre confident in and slow down when you need it in other areas. If youre working at a faster pace, you can progress into other areas of study, getting to learn even more from an online source like Bradley University. Flexible study makes it easier for students to retain information and learn in a way that they find the most effective, which is much harder to achieve in a classroom setting. Online learning is becoming more widely available from many respectable universities, offering education options for those with other commitments, like raising a family or working a job Tweet This Retention Rates Are Higher Offline courses can struggle to retain students over the length of the course, whereas online courses have much more success at keeping their students. This could be due to the student already needing to be a committed person dedicated to their studies to choose this route in the first place, but some education experts also think that online course making use of engaging multimedia content, student control overtaking in material and the more flexible schedules are also a contributing factor. Online courses are making use of multimedia materials in the learning materials, delivering content in an engaging way that helps students remember it. The options for controlling your own studies and fitting your learning into your schedule are obviously a great bonus, making it easier to keep studying even when life gets busier. The rigid schedule of traditional education doesnt suit everyone, which can drive up the drop-out rate of offline courses. Image free for commercial use Online Learning Needs Less Of A Time Investment Some would-be students are put off committing to a return to education or progressing to further education by the time investment required. A traditional education set-up requires not only the time spent in class, but travel to and from, and often has dead time periods of waiting between classes. Online learning doesnt require the travel time and isnt delayed by late tutors or other students. Online learning offers students the opportunity to split their time in a way that suits them. You can adjust your learning schedule around a job or your family. This is especially useful for education in the workplace, allowing staff training to be conducted online much faster than in a classroom. Going back to school for an online degree becomes easier with each passing year. With that ease, it can be tempting to go in the wrong direction when deciding what classes, certifications, or degrees one might need to further his or her career. Knowing what your goal is before going back to school online will help you make the most of your time and money. Tips for Choosing an Online Education Degree Frequent Assessments Can Reduce Distractions Online courses have the advantage of assessments being able to be made as an ongoing process, rather than at set points in the course. This works well for students, as short tests can be interspersed among the learning materials, which can boost student engagement. Regular testing also means students can identify where they may have knowledge gaps and would benefit from going over material again. Regular assessments also allow tutors to easily track the progress of students not in their classroom. This means they can step in much sooner if further assistance is required. Online Learning Is A Greener Option Online learning is not only effective for students, but it is also much better for the environment. Online courses use less energy and produce fewer CO2 emissions per student than in-person courses, thanks to the lack of travel involved and the energy to run a classroom. Online learning and multimedia content are very effective methods of learning. Engaging in learning in this way is useful for both the individual student and can be useful for corporations using online resources for staff training. Online learning is a great tool for personal development, increased knowledge and open doors to new opportunities in your career. Whether youre looking for workplace training or a degree in something new, consider learning online for an effective way to study. What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search