My Engineers Notebook Rhea Naidoo

My Engineers Notebook Rhea Naidoo My Engineers Notebook Rhea Naidoo Rhea Naidoo Rhea Naidoo is a mechanical engineer from South Africa who graduated from the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 2010. She currently works for the mining company Xstrata Alloys as a project engineer in its capital projects division. In 2010, after leading an Engineers Without Borders project at her university, she became an ASME volunteer. She now chairs an ASME Affinity Group, Early Career Connect, which links a global network of early career engineers with opportunities and resources to help them take advantage of all ASME has to offer. ECC identifies talented young engineers and deploys them as correspondents and champions to further ASMEs strategic goals locally in their Districts. Rhea is also a part-time blogger. Her blog, EngineerChic, follows her experiences as a young, female engineer finding her footing in the world of engineering. Through her blog, she hopes to inspire other young women to pursue careers in engineering. Whats inside your engineers notebook? In projects, every day presents a new challenge which is the thing I love the fruchtwein about my job. My notebook is where I keep track of all the tasks I need to follow up on. Also, as an engineer, I communicate through drawings so when I walk around the construction site, I always have my little black Moleskin notebook with me. Its full of sketches and drawings Ive made helping others work out problems to help them complete a job. The drawings are little more than scribbles, but they do the trick I also have a white board in my office which is always covered with lists and sketches. Co-workers walk in, grab a marker and start drawing its a wonderful collaborative tool. Whose notebook would you most like to peek into? Why? The head of my division, Mark Henrico, is a brilliant project manager with decades of industry and project experience. I would love to peek into his notebooks for previous pro jects as they would contain priceless lessons learned. Mark has a memory like an elephant and is able to recall an unbelievable amount of detail on large and highly complex projects. I would love to see how he structures his notes and memory joggers.How and when did you know you wanted to become an engineer? I come from a family of medical professionals. In high school, when I said I wanted to be an engineer, my parents and friends were seriously against the idea, saying it welches a very manly and unattractive profession. This didnt deter me at all as I had a passion for physics and math and was always fascinated by how things worked. I song to my parents that my medicine application had been rejected the truth is I didnt write the entrance exam on purpose. I think it was partly their fault though for giving my sisters and me Legos to play with as kids instead of dolls. My youngest sister has just started mechanical engineering at UCT and my dad now boasts about me be ing an engineer Rhea Naidoo Whats the most exciting project youve ever worked on? The project I am on right now involves the engineering, procurement and construction of a chrome ore beneficiation plant. It has been an incredible experience for me since I was involved in every aspect of the project right from early planning. I have worked closely with the design team and quantity surveyors and have gained valuable experience with cost and schedule management. I was very fortunate to travel to India and China to inspect equipment we were importing. It was really interesting to see how engineers and factories in other countries do things. Now were in the construction phase of the project, and with commissioning around the corner, I cant wait to flip the switch and see the plant up and running after so much hard work Although really challenging at times, this project has pushed me to step up and become better and I appreciate all the lessons I have learned along the wa y. What do you think youd be doing if you hadnt become an engineer? I probably would have done something in business. Economics fascinates me and I want to own my own company one day. Inspector Gadget Whats your favorite activity when youre not working? I love being outdoors. I enjoy rock climbing and hiking. Luckily I live in the province of Mpumalanga - a beautiful part of South Africa with so many gorgeous waterfalls to explore. I also love travelling and eating good food - I am completely addicted to both. Was there a book or a movie that piqued your interest in science or inspired you to become an engineer? My sisters and I loved watching Bill Nye the Science Guy and Inspector Gadget when we were kids. Maybe this had something to do with it. I hope there is an equivalent for kids these days. Emilie du ChateletWho are your heroes, either within the engineering profession or in the rest of your life? I am in awe of women in history who have ma de contributions to science and engineering. Living decades or even centuries ago, it was much harder for a woman to become educated, so I have a lot of respect for the incredibly strong and independent ones who did. milie du Chtelet is my favorite, who published the first French translation and commentary of Isaac Newtons Principia Mathematica in 1759. In my life however, my dad and my godfather are my heroes - my dad for being the most caring and compassionate doctor I have ever known, and my godfather for his anti-Apartheid activist work in the 1980s as well as his inspirational career in development since. Whats the most meaningful or rewarding aspect of being connected to engineering? The most meaningful and rewarding part about being an engineer is knowing the impact that is made to society through engineering. Through my work with Engineers Without Borders, I had first-hand experience on how someones life can be improved through innovation. Even the plant I am building is helping society by providing jobs and investing in growth to uplift my countrys economy. What does ASME mean to you? Through volunteering for ASME I meet, connect and learn from engineers of all ages, from different parts of the world. For me, its a network - made up of human beings, each with a wealth of knowledge and experiences and who are all making contributions to society every day. Connecting these engineers - especially early career engineers - to all that ASME offers is an opportunity for me to help them make those contributions more effectively. Personally though, I have made some good friends through ASME from all over the world.

6 Reasons to Change Jobs in Your Late 20s

6 Reasons to Change Jobs in Your Late 20s 6 Reasons to Change Jobs in Your Late 20s When youre in your late 20s, you finally have perspective on your life. You know where you want to go more clearly. At this age, you know if the job or the career you picked right out of college is satisfying.If your career is unfulfilling, however, your late 20s are actually an ideal time to change jobs. In fact, 20-somethings (or even 30-somethings) early in their career, benefit from assessing their desired career path and often change jobs if they find their ambitions dont match their present reality. This age is the perfect time to find the right fit not just to stick to what you know.1. Your first job out of college doesnt always stickMost people dont stay in the same job their whole lives. In fact, younger Baby Boomers held 11.7 jobs from the ages of 18 to 48, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Take it from your parents, and recognize that interests can and do change. Perhaps you m ade a career choice at 18 that doesnt suit you anymore. Or maybe youre feeling like you arent challenged in your first job after college. Thats okay. Many people can and do change jobs at this stage of the game.2. You have plenty of time to do your researchIf youre unhappy in your career but youre not sure whether or not you want to change jobs, you dont have to quit your job today. Research careers that let you focus on your passions. As long as youre still committed to your current job (showing up on time and staying motivated), you can and should research other positions. Develop a search strategy in which you consider the factors you want in a position (location, flexibility, responsibility), research companies that interest you, and read trade journals and professional resource sides about your potential new field.3. You can take baby stepsIf your dream career is a completely different pathway than the one youre on now, your late 20s are the perfect timeto set mini-goals towa rds your larger ambition. You can get back in contact with helpful professionals whose careeryoure considering, set up informational interviews, and, if possible, even volunteer in a related field. If suddenlyswitching gears makes you feel like youvecompletely lost control, then setting- and meeting- your micro-goals will go a long way in keeping you motivated and feeling accomplished.4. You recognize the job market has changed considerablyThe job market has changed considerably since you finished college and began looking for work in 2009, 2010, or 2011. There are more opportunities for freelancing, working from home, or being employed at companies like Google with freer corporate cultures. If any of these changes appeal to you, consider if you might have to relocate, go back to school, or change fields entirely to create the kind of work-life balance youve always wanted.5. Youll only gain more responsibilityYour late 20s are a great time for a job change because you dont have the financial responsibilities you might have later in life. In a few years, you might have a mortgage, a partner, and even kids, but many people in their late 20s havent made those commitments yet. Plus, youll likely have some savings from your first career, so you can spend more time searching for your dream career andyour dream city without having to leap too fast. Now that you know what you dont want, its better to start your job search sooner, rather than one day live with regrets.6. Your current experience could fit with your dream jobDont let your quarter life crisis get you down. If youre not satisfied in your current career, get motivated to change jobs and do what youre most passionate about. Jobscan has all of the tools youll need to take the next step in your new job search. Take a look at our resume templates andresume writing guide to make sure youre hitting all of the most up-to-date features employers expect.Your job skills and accomplishments could be very persuasive to a new employer. Once youve created a resume with your accomplishments, run the job posting and your resume through Jobscan. Jobscan compares the keywords on your resume to those on the job posting. If you find that your job accomplishments dont match those desired by the job posting, you can replace words on your resume with similar ones suggested by Jobscan.

The Top 20 Jobs With the Highest Satisfaction

The Top 20 Jobs With the Highest SatisfactionThe Top 20 Jobs With the Highest Satisfaction Many times, when evaluating a new job opportunity, people tend to focus on factors such as salary and benefits . However, just as important (if not more so) is how satisfied youll be in the position. But which jobs tend to lead to the greatest satisfaction? Using Glassdoor data, we were able to identify the top 20.The good news for job seekers is that jobs with high levels of satisfaction can be found in a wide variety of industries and seniority levels. As a result, these roles are well-suited for many different types of people, said Economic Research Analyst Amanda Stansell.Even more good news? Weve found that job satisfaction doesnt have to come at a financial cost - the majority of these positions pay well above the U.S. median base pay, Stansell added.If youre ready to kick start a rewarding, meaningful career, check out the results belowMethodology Glassdoors Jobs Wit h the Highest Satisfaction in the U.S. report identifies jobs with the highest overall job satisfaction rating, leveraging data from Glassdoors Best Jobs in America for 2019 report. For a job title to be considered, it must receive at least 100 salary reports and at least 100 job satisfaction ratings shared by U.S.-based employees from 1/2/18-1/1/19. This report takes into account job title normalization that groups similar job titles. C-suite and intern level jobs were excluded from this report.

Salary Negotiation Tips Going for the Max

Salary Negotiation Tips Going for the MaxSalary Negotiation Tips Going for the MaxThis weeks question - Will stretching an employers offer to the maximum hurt me in the long run?Editors note Salary expert Jack Chapman and Ladders want to help you negotiate the best deal you can. You can e-mail us your salary negotiation questions or situations or use salaryQ to submit them via Twitter. Due to the volume of inquiries, we may not be able to respond to all questions submitted.Q If I know the employer is stretching themselves to the maximum to offer a ritterlich salary and compensation package (in line with my past, proven value), should I be concerned that they will work me to death or resent me once Im hired?A Once salary negotiations are done, people dont pay a lot of ongoing attention to what youre earning. Once you get in there, thats all pretty much put in the past and youre judged on your merit. A company that works people to death will do so whether they pay people a lot or a li ttle. The same goes for an easy-going company, typically.Sometimes it works the other way a low offer gets increased. I had a client who wanted $5k more for a job than was offered. It was the best the company could do, but they told my client that they take care of people who work hard because they dont want to lose good talent, so he could look forward to possibly getting that money in the future.We both thought, Right, thats what they all say. Then, in his first three months in the position, he tischset up automatic teller machines that were a source of income, set up new software and also brought in new accounts.The employer no doubt was thinking, This person is really performing. He wanted $5k, and I didnt give it to him. Hes not going to stay. So the employer called him up and gave him a raise - my client got what hed originally negotiated for. If the opportunity is right otherwise, it is still valid to negotiate for what you want, even if you have to wait to get it.Next weeks question How can I juggle an offer while waiting to interview with my dream company?You can find more salary negotiation articles from Jack Chapman here on Ladders, or by visiting him on the Web at www.SalaryNegotiations.com.

Where The Federal Jobs Are - Department of Justice

Wherbeie The Federal Jobs Are - Department of JusticeWhere The Federal Jobs Are - Department of JusticeWhere The Federal Jobs Are Department of JusticeWHERE THE FEDERAL JOBS AREFEDERAL AGENCY SERIES PART 4 WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ)Website justice.gov/Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch (2015 present).DID YOU KNOW The Heads of each of the other 14 Cabinet-level Departments are known as Secretary. As chief law enforcement officer of the Federal Government, the head of DOJ is known as the U.S. Attorney General rather than Secretary.Headquarters DOJ Headquarters, known as Main Justice, renamed in honor of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, is located in Washington, D.C. The Department and its components have many other locations throughout Washington, D.C., the U.S., and foreign countries. For example, the U.S. Attorneys and their staffs operate in 94 federal districts throughout the country. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has over 200 domestic offices in 21 teilens throughout the U.S., as well as in 67 foreign countries. The current Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters is in Washington, D.C., but some functions and over 10,000 headquarters staff have moved to other locations. It also maintains over 400 offices across the nationalstaat and an international presence in U.S. embassies. A new FBI Headquarters within the National Capital Region is currently under consideration.Mission To enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling rime to seek just punishment or those guilty of unlawful behavior and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.Strategic Goals DOJs Goals and Objectives for Fiscal Years 2014-2018 are toPrevent Terrorism and Promote the Nations Security Consistent with the Rule of LawPrevent Crime, Protect the Rig hts of the American People, and Enforce Federal LawEnsure and Support the Fair, Impartial, Efficient, and Transparent Administration of Justice at the Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and International Levels.Number of Civilian Employees Approximately 112,000 federal civilian employees.TIP 1 DOJ is the worlds largest law office. Whether you are a law student, about to graduate from law school, or an experienced attorney, see ur guidance below (Civilian Career Fields) regarding career opportunities.TIP 2 Partnership for Public Services Best Places to Work in the Federal Government. DOJ was rated the 3 agency among the 19 large federal agencies in 2015. In addition to its high score as a parent agency, While its score as a parent agency, several DOJ sub-components also received high scores. For example among 320 agency sub-components, 3 teilens had particularly high scores. The Environment and Natural Resources Division ranked 4, the Tax Division ranked 27, and the Civil Division ranked 31. All told, 11 of the DOJ sub-components were ranked in the top 1/3 of the 320 agency sub-components.The DOJ Organization Structure DOJ has 60 Administrations, Bureaus, Divisions, Commissions, Services, Institutes, Programs, amtsstubes and Initiatives listed below (in alphabetical order) with brief mission statements. For some of the larger entities, we provide additional information regarding the number of staff and types of career opportunities.Antitrust Division. Promotes competition in the U.S. economy through enforcement of, improvements to, and education about antitrust laws and principles.Asplatzset Forfeiture Program. Employs asset forfeiture powers to enhance public safety and security. Seizes and forfeits assets that represent the proceeds of, or were used to facilitate federal crimes.Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives and Firearms. ATF conducts criminal investigations, regulates the firearms and explosives industries, and assists other law enforcement agencies. The Bureau has approximately 5,000 employees including special agents and investigators.TIP 3 ATF often posts open continuous announcements for Investigative Analysts to perform research and analysis in its many field division offices throughout the country. To qualify at the GS-7 entry level, candidates must have either 1 year of specialized experience related to criminal investigations, OR a full year of relevant graduate education OR a Bachelors degree in a relevant field with superior academic achievement. The vacancies are graded at the GS-7/9 levels with entry possible at either grade and opportunity for promotion to the GS-9 level. Announcements are posted on www.USAJOBS.gov.Bureau of Justice Assistance. Supports law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment, victim services, technology, and prevention initiatives that strengthen the nations criminal justice system.Bureau of Justice Statistics. Collects, analyzes, publishes, and disseminates information on crime, criminal offe nders, victims of crime, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government.Civil Division. Represents the U.S., its departments and agencies, Members of Congress, Cabinet Officers, and other federal employees in civil or criminal matters within its scope of responsibility. Includes the Commercial Litigation Branch, Consumer Protection Branch, Federal Programs Branch, Office of Immigration Litigation, Office of Management Programs, and Torts Branch.Civil Rights Division. Enforces the Civil Rights Acts the Americans with Disabilities Act civil provisions of federal laws protecting voting rights, credit and housing laws and other civil rights provisions contained in other laws and regulations. The Division also prosecutes criminal cases involving the violent interference with Constitutional or federal liberties and rights such as hate crimes and human trafficking.Community Oriented Policing Services. Awards competitive, discretionary grants directly to U.S. and territori al law enforcement agencies.Community Relations Service. Helps local communities address community conflicts and tensions arising from differences of race, color, and national origin.Criminal Division. Enforces criminal statutes and exercises general supervision over the enforcement of all federal criminal law. Includes, among others, the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, the Capital Case Section, the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, and the Organize Crime and Gang Section.Defending Childhood Initiative. Addresses the national crisis of exposure of children to violence as victims and as witnesses.Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Enforces the controlled substances laws and regulations of the U.S. Brings to the criminal and civil justice systems those organizations, and principal members of organizations, involved in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the U.S. Recommends and supports non-enforcement programs aimed at reducing the availability of and demand for illicit controlled substances on the domestic and international markets. Employs more than 10,000 people including special agents, investigators, intelligence specialists and chemists.Diversion Control Program (part of DEA). Prevents, detects, and investigates the diversion of controlled pharmaceuticals and listed chemicals from legitimate sources while ensuring an adequate and uninterrupted supply for legitimate medical, commercial, and scientific needs.Elder Justice Initiative. Coordinates and supports DOJs law enforcement and policy activities on elder justice issues.Environment and Natural Resources Division. Handles environmental and natural resources litigation, arising under approximately 150 federal statutes, on behalf of the U.S. Responsible for the acquisition of real property by eminent dom ain for the federal government, and brings and defends cases under the wildlife protection laws. Litigates cases concerning Indian rights and claims.Executive Office for Immigration Review. Adjudicates immigration cases by interpreting and administering the nations immigration laws.Executive Office for Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces. Reduces the supply of illegal drugs in the U.S. and diminishes the violence and other criminal activity associated with the drug trade.Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys. Provides general executive assistance to the 94 Offices of the U.S. Attorneys and coordinates the relationship between the U.S. Attorneys, organizational components of the Department of Justice and other federal agencies. (See U.S. Attorneys, below)Executive Office for U.S. Trustees. Protects and preserves the integrity of the bankruptcy system of the U.S. by regulating the conduct of parties ensures compliance with applicable laws and procedures brings civil actions to address instances of abuse secures resolution of bankruptcy cases and identifies, evaluates, refers, and supports the prosecution of criminal bankruptcy violations.Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI protects and defends the U.S. against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats upholds and enforces the criminal laws of the U.S. and provides leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies and partners. Employs close to 35,000 employees, including special agents, intelligence analysts, language specialists, scientists, IT specialists, and support personnel. In addition to the D.C. headquarters, employees work in 56 field offices in major cities and 360 nicht auslagerbar agencies in smaller cities across the U.S. The Bureau also has more than 60 international offices in U.S. Embassies around the world.TIP 4 The FBI Special Agent position has very strict entry requirements, including age, citizenship, education and experienc e. Eligibility includes qualifying for at least 1 of 5 entry programs, possessing certain critical skills, and 2 phrases of testing if one is selected on the basis of their qualifying application. For specifics, see https//www.fbijobs.gov/.Federal Bureau of Prisons. Confines offenders in prisons and community-based facilities that provide work and other self-improvement opportunities to assist offenders in becoming law-abiding citizens. Employs approximately 38,000 people including correctional officers, psychologists, teachers, medical professionals, contract specialists, IT specialists and mechanics,Foreign Claims Settlement Commission. Adjudicates claims against foreign governments for losses and injuries sustained by U.S. nationals, pursuant to programs authorized by statute or under international agreements.INTERPOLWashington. Facilitates international law enforcement cooperation as the U.S. representative to INTERPOL on behalf of the Attorney General. INTERPOL is the worlds la rgest international polizze organization with over 190 member countries.Justice Management Division. Provides advice to senior management officials relating to basic DOJ policy for budget and financial management, personnel management and training, procurement, equal employment opportunity, information processing, telecommunications, security, and matters pertaining to organization, management, and administration.National Commission on Forensic Science. Enhances the practice and improve the reliability of forensic science in partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the Department of Commerce.National Institute of Corrections. Center of learning, innovation and leadership shaping and advancing effective correctional practice and public policy.National Security Division. Carries out DOJs highest priority to combat terrorism and other threats to national security.Office for Access to Justice. Addresses access-to-justice in the criminal and civil justice s ystem, ensures fair, just and efficient outcomes. Advances indigent defense and civil legal aid at the state and federal levels.Office for Victims of Crime. Provides leadership and funding on behalf of crime victims. Administers the Crime Victims Fund, raises awareness about victims issues, and promotes compliance with victims rights laws. Supports over 4,000 victim assistance programs throughout the U.S. and territories through the Victims of Crime Act.Office of Attorney Recruitment Management. Recruits, appoints and determines suitability for he employment, separation and general administration of Department attorneys and law students in grades GS-15 and below. It is also DOJs adjudicative office in FBA Whistleblower cases.Office of the Associate Attorney General. Advises and assists the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General in formulating and implementing Departmental policies and programs pertaining to a broad range of civil justice, federal and local law enforcement , and public safety matters. Oversees the following DOJ components Antitrust Division, Civil Division, Civil Rights Division, Environment and Natural Resources Division, Tax Division, Office of Justice Programs, Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), Community Relations Service, Office of Dispute Resolution, Office on Violence Against Women, Office of Information Policy, Executive Office for U.S. Trustees, and the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission.Office of the Attorney General. Supervises and directs the administration and operation of the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Bureau of Prisons, Office of Justice Programs, and the U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals Service, which are all within the Department of Justice.Office of the Deputy Attorney General. Advises and assists the Attorney General in formulating and implementing Department policies and progr ams and in providing overall supervision and direction to all organizational units of the Department.Office of Information Policy. Responsible for DOJ compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Develops and issues policy guidelines for all agencies on proper implementation of FOIA oversees agency compliance. Manages DOJs obligations under FOIA including adjudicating administrative appeals from denials of access.Office of the Inspector General. Reviews the programs and personnel of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Attorneys, and all other organizations in the Department. Employs about 440 staff in positions such as auditors, investigators, program analysts, and attorneys in Washington, D.C. headquarters as well as Audit and Investigations Division field offices in 16 cities across the country.Office of Justice Programs. Increases public safety and improves the fair administration of justice across America through innovative leadership and programs. Employs about 600 staff. The following sub-components are part of this OfficeNational Criminal Justice Reference Service. Offers justice and substance abuse information to support research, policy, and program development worldwide.National Institute of Justice. Advances scientific research, development, and evaluation to enhance the administration of justice and public safety.Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Provides national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimizationOffice of Legal Counsel. Assists the Attorney General in carrying out his/her statutory responsibility of furnishing legal advice to the President and the heads of the executive and military departments, provides legal advice and assistance to other components of the Department of Justice upon req uest. The Offices 20+ attorneys handle particularly complex and significant legal issues confronting the Executive Branch.Office of Legal Policy. Develops and implements DOJs significant policy initiatives handles special projects that implicate the interests of multiple Department components coordinates with other interested Department components and other Executive Branch agencies and serves as the primary policy advisor to the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General. Reviews and coordinates all regulations promulgated by the Department and all of its components, assists the Attorney General with responsibilities in recommending candidates for federal judgeships, and coordinates the judicial nomination and confirmation process with the White House and the Senate.Office of Legislative Affairs. Advises appropriate components of the Department on the development of the Departments official policies through legislation initiated by the Department, by other parts of the execut ive branch, or by Members of Congress. Explains and advocates the Departments policies to the Congress. Serves as the Attorney Generals focal point for dealing with Department nominees, congressional oversight, congressional correspondence, and congressional requests for documents and access to Department employees.Office of the Pardon Attorney. Assists the President in the exercise of constitutional pardoning power in cases in which applicants seek executive clemency. The Office reviews, investigates, and prepares the DOJ recommendation for the President for executive clemency for federal criminal offenses.Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties. Protects the privacy and civil liberties of the American people by reviewing and overseeing the Departments privacy operations and ensuring its privacy compliance. Develops Departmental privacy policy and refines Department policies relating to the protection of civil liberties of individuals.Office of Professional Responsibility. Investigat es allegations of misconduct by Department of Justice attorneys and law enforcement personnel that relate to the exercise of their authority to investigate, litigate, or provide legal advice.Office of Public Affairs. Coordinates the relations of the Department of Justice with the news media serves as the center for information about all organizational units of the Department.Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Supports national implementation of comprehensive sex offender registration and notification system administers grant programs relating to sex offender registration and notification and provides technical assistance for protection of children and others from sexual abuse or exploitation.Office of the Solicitor General. Represents the interests of the U.S. before the U.S. Supreme Court and oversees appellate and certain other litigation on behalf of the U.S. in the lower federal and state courts. The Office has four Deputies 1 6 Attorneys, 4 Fellows appointed for 1-year, and support staff.Office of Special Counsel. The Attorney General has the authority to appoint Special Counsels to conduct criminal investigations and possible prosecutions.Office of Tribal Justice. Serves as primary point of contact for the Department of Justice with federally recognized Native American tribes, and advises the Department on legal and policy matters pertaining to Native Americans.Office on Violence Against Women. Coordinates with other departments, agencies, and offices regarding all activities authorized or undertaken under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and the Violence Against Women Act of 2000.Professional Responsibility Advisory Office. Ensures prompt, consistent advice to Department attorneys and Assistant U.S. Attorneys with respect to professional responsibility and choice-of-law issues.Project Safe Childhood. A unified, comprehensive strategy to combat child exploitation by combining law enforcement effor ts, community action, and public awareness. Components are building partnerships, coordinating law enforcement, training partners, public awareness, and accountability.Tax Division. Enforces the nations tax laws, through both criminal and civil litigation, to promote voluntary compliance and sound development of tax law. Maintains public confidence in the integrity of the tax system, and promote the sound development of the law. The Division employs more than 350 attorneys in 14 civil, criminal and appellate sections based in D.C., except for the Civil Trial Section located in Dallas, TX.Tribal Justice and Safety. Increases engagement, coordination and action on public safety in tribal communities. Launched in 2009 with a series of regional summits with input from tribal representatives, the initiative set an agenda to establish a dialog on issues such as law enforcement, civil rights, grants, federal litigation and prosecution involving Indian tribes, tribal court development, dome stic violence, drug courts and substance abuse, and detention facilities.U.S. Attorneys. The 94 U.S. Attorneys and their staff conduct most of the trial work in which the U.S. is a party. U.S, Statutory responsibilitiesareto prosecute criminal cases brought by the Federal government to prosecute and defend civil cases in which the U.S. is a party and to collect debts owed the Federal Government that are administratively uncollectible. Each U.S. Attorney employs Assistant U.S. Attorneys (as many as 350 in the larger offices) and support personnel.U.S. Marshals Service. Enforces federal laws and supports the federal justice system by providing for the security of federal court facilities and the safety of judges and other court personnel apprehends criminals exercises custody of federal prisoners and provides for their security and transportation to correctional facilities executes federal court orders seizes assets gained by illegal means and provides for the custody, management, and disposal of forfeited assets assures the safety of endangered government witnesses and their families and collects and disburses funds. The Marshals Service is the nations oldest federal law enforcement agency with close to 4,000 Deputy Marshals and Criminal Investigators. U.S. Marshals direct the activities of 94 districts, one for each federal judicial district.TIP 5 CAREER OPPORTUNITY In February 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service began hiring for entry-level Deputy U.S. Marshals positions. In the summer of 2016, they will begin hiring Deputy U.S. Marshals positions through the USMS Recent Graduate Pathways Program.U.S. Parole Commission. Promotes public safety, justice and fairness in the exercise of authority to release and supervise offenders.U.S. Trustee Program. Promotes integrity and efficiency in the nations bankruptcy systems by enforcing bankruptcy laws, providing oversight of private trustees, and maintaining operational excellence. Also monitors the conduct of bankruptc y parties and private estate trustees, oversees related administrative functions, and acts to ensure compliance with applicable laws and procedures. Identifies and helps investigate bankruptcy fraud and abuse in coordination with U.S. Attorneys, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.Civilian Career Fields DOJ has vacancies for candidates with education and experience in a number of fields, includingAttorneys (Job Series 0905)TIP 6 DOJ is the Nations largest legal employer with over 11,000 attorneys. For example, the Civil Division alone employs over 1,000 attorneys within its six (6) branches the FBI employs over 200 attorneys.Entry-level attorneys may apply for The Attorney Generals Honors Program, the only way for new attorneys to enter DOJ in an attorney position. See justice.gov/legal-careers.Experienced attorneys (those with at least 1 year post-JD experience) are eligible to apply for attorney vacancies throughout the Department posted on USAJOBS.GOV. Vacancies often exis t in the Civil, Civil Rights and Criminal Divisions Antitrust, Environment and National Resources, and Tax Divisions Office of the Solicitor General, Office Legal Counsel the 94 Offices of U.S. Attorneys across the country the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys Office of Legislative Affairs Drug Enforcement Administration Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Office of Tribal Justice National Security Division and smaller DOJ offices.TIP 7 DOJ also selects over 1,500 volunteer legal interns and recruits compensated summer legal internships each year. View the DOJs Top 3 Tips to Secure a Legal Internship at the U.S. Department of Justice at justice.gov/legal-careers/video/top-3-tips-secure-legal-internship-us-department-justice.Other Career Opportunities includeFederal Law Enforcement Officers (Job Series 0083)Auditors (Job Series 0511)Intelligence Analysts (Job Series 0132)Investigators (Job Series 1811, 1854)Investigative Analyst s (Job Series 1805)Contract Specialists (Job Series 1102)Economists (Job Series 0110)HR Specialist (Job Series 0201)IT Specialists (Job Series 2210)TIP 8 See justice.gov/careers for a list of current DOJ jobs and links to specifics opportunities.TIP 9 Veterans DOJs Veterans Employment Program Office maintains a website with veteran-specific information, including military specific job fairs and hiring events. See justice.gov/careers/veteran-recruitment.Current Vacancies There are currently over 100 DOJ General Schedule (GS) vacancies for civilian positions posted in www.USAJOBS.gov for U.S. Citizens. Many are between the GS-7 and GS-15 levels. Occupations with the most vacancies includeAttorneys (Job Series 0905) and Paralegal Specialists (Job Series 0950)Medical positions (Job Series 0600)Management and Administrative (Job Series 0300)Accounting/Budget/Finance (Job Series 0500)Investigators (Job Series 1800)Security Specialists (Job Series 0080)IT Specialists (Job Series 2210)The N EXT BLOG IN THE FEDERAL AGENCY SERIES WILL FOCUS ON The Department of The Treasury.Need Help with your Federal Resume for a Career with the DOJ?Complete our Request Quote for Federal Resume to ask for a QUOTE for professional writing services for your federal resume. All New and Available Now The Federal Resume Guidebook, 6th EditionStrategies for Writing a Winning Federal ResumeThe Number One Book on Federal Resume Writing 6th Editionis completelyredesigned as a practical workbook, making the complex process of writing a federal resume easy to understand.This book is not just about federal resumes. This book set the standard for federal resumes Kathryn Troutman, AuthorLIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW One of the Books most borrowed in U.S. Libraries, Career Book List, April 1st, 2009

Introducing District Manager Resume

Introducing District Manager Resume The Honest to Goodness Truth on District Manager Resume Your purpose should be to make sure your complete job-seeking presentation enables them to obtain that insight. If you drop the capacity to organize, or your organization isnt as strong as it ought to be, youll quickly shed an eye on everything thats happening around you. Additionally, project teams receive a particular project team profile which helps them better understand their strengths and possible weaknesses and allow them to grow the potency of their team work. Task The interviewer may want to understand what goal you were attempting to achieve to overcome that challenge. Top District Manager Resume Choices For instance, some district managers could possibly be assigned to oversee all McDonalds hamburger store operations in the region of Oakland, California. Everyone should come in with questions unique to the business of Starbucks. Bear in mind your bio is equally as essential as a business card, and actually it does many of the very same things a great small business card should do. Ensuring that each and every customer has a superb experience each and each time they come into your store goes quite a ways toward the accomplishment of where you are. The Most Popular District Manager Resume You are going to be treated accordingly. Should you need training, then state that you require training. Its crucial to be engaging in a telephone interview also. When you summarize to close, you merely recap briefly the essential points from the discussion to be certain everyone is on the identical page. Body language is extremely important if interviewing in person. Languages you might need to consider including a section titled Languages should you speak multiple. To conserve space, you may even combine the initial two sections. My experience for a newspaper boy set up the remainder of my life. Being he taught me to think about what could go wrong and how to protect myself. Actually a woman can do just as superior as a guy and a lot of times better. She can be successful in the web business. But What About District Manager Resume? Having sales experience is essential for a retail manager since it means that you could identify with your employees. A managers job isnt just to instill confidence, but also to boost the manner salespeople look at themselves. The work market can be extremely competitive. It is crucial to care for the on-line business for a business, put in the time and effort to make it function. Interview Insider is weekly series offering strategies for getting work at a number of of your favourite businesses. Number four is likewise very important. Quality number three is essential. Experience List your latest jobs. The Honest to Goodness Truth on District Manager Resume If you cannot find your community distcrict number, the codeJEBYwill work in any USA Avon district and youll be put in the district i n which you live automatically and be in a position to attend the absolutely free local Avon meeting and training sessions as you would like. Your manager resume clearly needs to concentrate on your particular experience and should not be overly generic. An effective district manager has to have a strong background understanding of the organization and previous knowledge in the shop management field. A thriving district manager is a very good leader. The Good, the Bad and District Manager Resume A great sample manager resume will comprise keywords a couple of times throughout the document. In case you have any particular questions on formatting or content, dont hesitate to ask below A distinctive skills summary part of your store manager resume permits you to go into detail about the particular attributes you bring to the job which youre applying for. The info above should demonstrate how sample manager resumes are best structured, to find an interview and find that job. Ou r objective is to help you succeed. When you join, you will be quite surprised to learn they dont ask for any money. You will have to be confident in using math skills to earn certain you know where your institutions money is going. Theres no out-of-pocket cost to the member. Some prospective employers prefer or even ask you to hold a postgraduate level, like an MBA. Often employees are promoted since they are the best at what they do i.e. rewarded for their abilities and knowledge, and possibly even since they work really hard. As you get experience, youre very likely to discover the long-term career opportunities which are most appealing to you. If you dont have a business background, its still important to include your qualifications. The last and most important part of an excellent bio is professionalism. Being a great manager is similar to putting a jigsaw puzzle together. You would like your bio to shine you in the very best light possible and supply an accurate po rtrayal of your abilities and experience. A bio should do the exact same thing.

How#8217;s Your Elevator Pitch

How8217s Your Elevator Pitch Everything in life is for sale. Including you. Whether youre looking for a job or a promotion or just meeting someone at a restaurant, youre selling yourself all the time.So hows your elevator pitch?They say the most effective listening takes place within the first 30 60 seconds of a conversation. Thats pretty quick. After that, your listener may have already you tuned out. Even before that, experts suggest that as soon as someone lays eyes on you theyve already made an opinion about you.Oh well. So much for unbiased opinions Its up to you to make a great first impression quickly.This natural phenomenon has startling implications for the job seeker unprepared for an interview, the new co-worker making introductions, or the employee late for work and rattling off excuses to upper-management.But heres where the basic tenets of the elevator pitch can help.The tradition al elevator pitch is a carefully-crafted (and concise) sales technique used to sell a product or service. The theory behind it can be used just as well to sell yourself during an interview or casual conversation. With elements of the elevator pitch thrown in, anyone can answer the simple yet complicated question Tell me about yourself.Some basic elevator pitch rules to follow1) Be Clear Dont mumble, speak up, measure the tone and flow of your sentences.2) Be Brief Simplify. Less is more.3) Be Evocative Bold words Transform your homilie with powerful statements.4) Be Targeted Know your audience. Dont say anything inappropriate. Think about who youre talking to and their status position relative to yours.5) Be positive It should go without saying. No one wants hear your depressing drivel.It should be noted that this list also functions as a complementary set of rules that can be used throughout ones career, or even life. If life is sales, then sales is one elevator pitch after another . Start selling.

Marijuana and Employment Drug Testing

Marijuana and Employment Drug TestingMarijuana and Employment Drug TestingMarijuana is legal for medical and recreational use in some U.S. states. However, testing positive for it when an employer drug tests you can be an issue, whether you are a job applicant or an employee. The legal use of marijuana medically or recreationally varies from state to state. However, it is still considered illegal under federal law. In twenty-nine states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico, it is legal for those dealing with constant pain or certain illnesses to legally use marijuana for medical reasons, as long as they carry a card showing they are a certified patient. To become a legal medical marijuana user, you need a recommendation or prescription from a doctor who is legally appointed by the state to prescribe medical marijuana.In nine of those states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington) including the Dis trict of Columbia, cannabis can also be used recreationally. These evolving laws regarding marijuana use create challenges for lawmakers and employers who test applicants and employees for drug use. Federal and State Drug Testing Laws Under federal law, cannabis use is illegal, and employers in industries that are heavily regulated by the federal government screen their employees randomly and include drug testing as part of theirhiring process. For non-federally regulated employers, federal law doesnt require drug testing. However, there are state and local governments that enforce laws regulating drug testing. Employers have the legal right to maintain a drug- and alcohol-free work environment, and are allowed to testapplicants and employeesas long as the employer clearly informs those applicants and employees of the companysdrug testing policies,includingpre-employment screeningand random drug testing. In some cases, anoffer of employment may be conditionalpending the results of a drug test. These policies may be stated in the job description, but fruchtwein often will be stated in a clearly written agreement within the application or employee handbook, which applicants and employees are required to agree to and sign in order to be hired or maintain employment. Some employers have a company policy thatdirectly addresses marijuana use, while others do bedrngnis. Marijuana Drug Screening Issues Drug screening for marijuana has become a debated topic in states where medical and/or recreational use is legal. The biggest difference between alcohol and cannabis is how they are detected through testing. Alcohol does not linger in the bloodstream like marijuana does. Someone can fail a marijuana drug test weeks after using marijuana because the active ingredient, THC, takes a long time to leave the bloodstream. A positive test does not mean the person is impaired at that moment. Instead, it just shows that they used marijuana within the last few weeks or so. On the other hand, there areon-the-spot tests like the breathalyzer to determine the alcohol leveland subsequent impairment of an individual at that moment. This enables lawmakers to create laws regarding the consequences of having more than the legal limit of alcohol in your system. The technology to test marijuana levels with such accuracy has yet to be created.Without the ability to do accurate on-the-spot testing, it is challenging to determine what a legal level (the lowest level that does not cause impairment) of THC would be. Therefore, any trace can be considered exceeding the legal limit. Workplace Discrimination and Marijuana When someone holding a medical marijuana card is fired from his or her job because of a positive drug test, he or she could be considered avictim of workplace discrimination. Without the ability to test for actual levels of THC at the specific time the test is being performed, a person who tests positive for THC may not be actively high. Laws to reduce this type of workplace discrimination are being created to protect those using medical marijuana under the states medical marijuana program. Some employers are required to test employees under federal law or highly regulated safety laws for jobs like truck drivers or pilots where there is a legitimate basis for firing an employee who fails a random drug test. If an employer does not have to adhere to federal laws or safety regulations, the employer must carefully determine and provide reasons for firing a medical marijuana user who fails a drug test. Some states like Nevada and New York consider those who use cannabis for medical reasons as beinglegally disabled and have created laws taking this type of disability into consideration. These laws require employers to reasonably accommodate the medical needs of an employee who is a certified patient holding a legal medical marijuana card. Also in Nevada, starting in 2020, employers cannot refuse to hire a job applicant (with so me exceptions) for failing a marijuana screening test, making it the first state to pass such a law. In states where medical marijuana users are considered disabled, medical marijuana users cannot be legally fired because of a positive drug test. However, this only applies if the marijuana use does not keep the employee from doing his or her job, and does not affect the safety of the employee, other employees, the public, or anyone else in the workplace. If you are a medical marijuana card holder or someone who enjoys legalized recreational marijuana, research your state, your employers, or your future employers drug testing policy. You shouldnt assume that, because you are exercising your legal right to use cannabis outside of the workplace, you are immune to the repercussions your employer may impose on you as the result of a drug test that comes back positive for THC. The information contained in this article is not legal advice and is not a substitute for such advice. State and federal laws change frequently, and the information in this article may not reflect your own states laws or the most recent changes to the law.

What Debt Collectors Cannot Do to Collect Money

What Debt Collectors Canelend Do to Collect MoneyWhat Debt Collectors Canelend Do to Collect MoneyThe Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requires debt collectors to follow certain laws about how they treat you, and how the attempt to collect debts. But, this does not release you from your obligation to repay your debt. If you owe someone money, you should work on repaying your debt unless you plan to file for bankruptcy.Ignoring your obligations to others is likely to only increase your financial stress and could end up costing you more in the long run if you are sued by a collection agency.? All Debt Collectors are notlage Nasty Debt collectors often have a reputation for being nasty and for hounding people some buy up your debt from another creditor and then simply sue without even giving you a chance to work things out.But not all debt collectors are difficult to deal with, and if you try to work with them to resolve a debt, some can be very reasonable. For those who dont play by the rules and become unfairly tenacious in pursuing you, there are laws that protect you against unfair harassment, and there are also legal remedies and steps you can take to get creditors off your back.Just remember that with each action there is a consequence phone calls are recorded, letters are filed away so it is always in your best interest to be polite, fair, and professional because your words can come back to haunt you if you do end up in court. Debt Collectors are Doing Their Job Debt collectors are employees, and their job is to get money from people.How they go about it varies considerably, but their only purpose for contacting you is to resolve a debt.If you dont talk to them at least once to explain your situation (i.e., you are refuting the amount owed, or will pay it over time) they will keep calling you.If you dont take their calls, they may call family, friends, or just jump right into suing you for the amount you owe but they dont just magically go away and let you be. Sometimes, explaining your situation and offering a good faith payment is enough to turn a difficult debt collector into a reasonable one.Ultimately, debt collection companies just want to get money from you and if you do not have it right away, will usually accept payment plans over time.What they will not accept is someone simply refusing to pay or who slams down the phone (or does not take calls from creditors), and firing back angrily at a debt collector never gets you in their good graces. Refusing to acknowledge your responsibilities could result in your case being escalated, and you could end up in court.If you lose, you not only have to pay the debt, but you may also have to pay your legal fees and sometimes, even legal fees of the party who sued you. Restrictions on How Debt Collectors Can Contact You A debt collector may not contact you At inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless you agreeAt work, unless your employer approves, and you agree andIf you have an attorney, the debt collector must contact your attorney. A collector may contact third parties (including family, friends, etc.) to try and locate you, but they can only ask for your phone number and where you work. They cannot tell others that you owe money, and in most cases, can only contact a third party one time. A Debt Collector May Not Harass You The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act states that a debt collector may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. This means a collector cannot publish your name (except to a credit bureau), repeatedly call you, use obscene or profane language, or threaten you with acts of violence or another form of harm. It is important to remember that a threat to sue you is not necessarily abusive the law allows that anyone you owe money to can sue you if they choose to.If a debt collector is threatening to sue, knowing that at some point they might.It is always better to try to avoid going to court unless you do not owe the money and can prove it. Debt Collectors Must Tell the Truth Debt collectors may not lie or use any false or misleading statements when collecting a debt. Examples of what they cannot lie or mislead you about include who they are, work for, or their position misrepresent in any way, forms or letters sent to you how much you owe or that you have broken the law. Debt Collectors Cannot Make False or Empty Threats Debt collectors cannot make threats or use intimidation tactics to get you to pay a debt. This area gets a little tricky because it can be hard to know if a threat of further action or litigation is a tactic or something the debt collector intends to do. The best thing to do if you are threatened is to tell the collector that you understand the law prohibits them from making threats, and write down everything that was said to you, including the date, time, and person who called. A collector may not tell you that the y will have you arrested if you do not pay your debt. They also cannot threaten to take certain actions against, such as to taking your property, garnishing your wages, or filing a lawsuit. The key words are threaten to because a collector may be able to do these things if it is legal in your state. They just cannot be deceitful about their intentions. Debt Collectors May Not Use Unfair Practices The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act also restricts collectors from asking for amounts you do not owe this includes adding extra fees unless your state law permits them to do so. And, they cannot make you accept collect calls, or pay for telegrams or mailings in an attempt to contact you or collect debts. Unfair Practices also restricts debt collects from using a postcard to contact you. They must enclose all correspondence in an envelope so that no one else can read your mail.

What employees love and hate about the holidays

What employees love and hate about the holidays What employees love and hate about the holidays There are many factors to how holidays are handled in the workplace. Work schedules and demands, time off, decorations, and holiday parties all factor into how the season is incorporated into an office space and received by the employees who work there.Last year, we polled our readers to find out what they loved and hated about holidays in the workplace. We received nearly 3,000 responses! We explored both the good AND the bad because, well, that’s life! While we attempt to focus on the positive and provide hope for improving workplaces, we are also committed to being realitys include: gift exchanges among colleagues holiday meals together listening to Christmas and holiday music at work attending work-related holiday celebrations after work. The conclusion from these seemingly conflicting results?   Reading the stories people shared shed some light on the issue.   First,  people are different  (surprise!).   Some like certain activities, while others dislike them.   Secondly, and possibly more importantly,  how the activity was done  seems to have a big impact on people’s responses.   Was generosity involved (or did employees have to pay or do the work themselves)?   Were the interactions respectful or rude and hurtful?The worst of the badWe asked people to write and tell us examples of their  worst  holiday experience related to work. You can read samples of the  â€œmy worst holiday work experience”  stories submitted by over 900 readers. I’m sure you’ll have similar reactions as I did to some (“You’ve got to be kidding me!”).There were several, common, repetitive themes from the example stories shared. Each of the following topics had numerous examples given. having to work on the holidays or having to use PTO for the holiday; a lack of focus on the holidays, not being able to celebrate ‘Christmas’ (as opposed to a ‘winter celebration’, but also examples of being from a different religious background and feeling forced to celebrate Christmas); negative behaviors and poor judgment resulting from excessive consumption of alcohol; embarrassing experiences during White Elephant/Secret Santa gift giving. How to turn ‘what I hate’ into ‘what I love’If we only report the results without giving some practical suggestions, this exercise is a waste of time. So here are some  practical tips for employers and managers  that can be gleaned from the results: Leave ample time  for employees to work on the extra year end tasks and reports. Be aware that people feel a “time crunch” both in their personal lives as well as at work. Whenever possible, don’t create artificial deadlines for work to be completed.  If possible, let some of the tasks and reports be done in January. Don’t force  your employees to participate in gift giving exchanges (explicitly or implicitly). In fact, see how many people really want to participate; consider  not  doing a gift exchange activityâ€"the irritation created may not be worth the effort and keeping to prior tradition. Be sensitive  to scheduling issues and time requirements during the holidays, especially with regards to after work hours events. If you are going to have a meal to celebrate,  provide the food  (or at least the main course) and account for those who don’t eat meat. The best of the goodWhen asked what aspects of the holiday season they enjoy the most, time off work came in at the top. It was closely followed, though, by things that fall into the category of ‘the spirit of the season’: Christmas lights, listening to Christmas and holiday music, extra time with family and friends, the spiritual meaning of the holidays, and family traditions.When asked what they enjoy about things that happen  at their workplace  during the holidays, time off work was the clear winner. The other top responses involved sharing holiday meals with co-workers, enjoying Christmas cookies and holiday snacks, receiving a bonus, and having a special holiday party.When people sent us responses about their  favorite  work-related holiday stories, we were touched by the stories that were  both fun and heart-warming.SuggestionsAs I have stated previously to leaders and HR professionals, you can’t please everyone, so be ready for some negative responses, criticisms, and s uggestions for what to do differently next year.   These types of comments will almost certainly happen, so be ready, and don’t let them discourage you.Just as people differ, so do groups.   If at all possible, get input from the group (or representatives) ahead of time.   Listen to what they don’t want to do, and avoid those activities.   And try to incorporate at least  some  of what they suggest into the plan for next year’s celebrations.Finally, adopt a positive attitude:Smile,laugh,enjoy the food and your friends.Consider the desires and preferences of others.Determine to have a good time  regardless of other people’s reactions.Chances are good that you will!This article was originally published on AppreciationAtWork.