Jobs tips

“It's a simple task, yet many professionals neglect this critical step in the networking process,” states Augustine. As soon as possible after meeting someone new (either online or in person) send a LinkedIn connection request and include a personalized message asking to stay in touch. Then be sure to reach out every so often with comments about posts, to share valuable career information, or simply to see how they are. Networking is one of the most important job-search techniques you should have in your toolbox, with a wide variety of methods to fit every personality and situation. The only two hard requirements are a willingness to stretch beyond your comfort zone and the intention to pay it forward by helping others when you can. Your skills will get you started, but the connections you make through networking can help ensure a long and thriving career in whatever profession you pursue. Click on the following link for more networking advice. Your resume should be just as strong as your networking skills. Is yours? Submit for a free resume critique and we'll tell you.

Blitz pricing occurs when the demand for deliveries is high. Delivery drivers earn more per delivery during Blitz hours. It works exactly like surge pricing, only it refers to specific deliveries. It is on an order-by-order basis, so there is no guarantee that all your deliveries in a particular hour will have a Blitz price. Just a hint: Blitz pricing is more common during lunch- and dinnertime, so when most people order food. Since you will deliver all types of goods with Postmates, Blitz pricing may take place in the late evening on a national holiday, for example. (Don’t forget that you can only deliver alcohol if you’re at least 21.)

Today's variety of social media platforms have something to offer every type of job seeker. Here are some ways to effectively network on two of the best social sites, LinkedIn and Twitter.

• LinkedIn: “LinkedIn should always be your starting point, no matter what part of the job search you're wrapped up in,” says Anthony Gaenzle, another writer for TopResume. You can search by various factors including company or job title, and then reach out to professionals at those companies to connect with them. “Don't send a resume until you're asked,” states Gaenzle, but do keep digging to learn whether the company and job are a good fit. Often, the conversation can lead to an interview.
• Twitter: “Research your target companies on Twitter,” suggests Gaenzle, “and follow any handles they have that are dedicated to recruiting so you can see when jobs are posted.” Connect with recruiters or relevant hiring managers by liking, retweeting, or engaging with what they post. After two or three interactions, reach out directly to compliment their posts and then start to build a rapport about working with them. When appropriate, send them back to your LinkedIn profile for more details. Related: Social Networking: How to Connect With Potential Employers Online

Recently, a TopResume contributor shared the two sacred rules everyone must follow when networking:

• Never openly ask for an interview. Instead, ask questions to find whether the company, its culture, and its employees are a fit for you. Let people know you want to learn from their experience in your field.
• Never ask for a job. As you talk with both old and new connections, simply let them know you're in the market for a certain role and would appreciate if they let you know about any potential opportunities.

This networking tip is first because it truly is the key to success. “There is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to networking,” says TopResume's career advice expert, Amanda Augustine. “Different people are successful using different networking tactics.” Introverts do not connect with people the same way extroverts do, so they shouldn't try to match an extrovert's networking style. It's important to be comfortable and confident in how you reach out to others so you always put that best foot forward. This short quiz from TopResume can reveal what networking style best fits your personality, which could make the difference in your overall success.

I have skipped my break on night shift more than a few times because the unit was absolutely horrible. But I can tell you, I was no good to anybody. You are not a “hero” because you skipped your break and worked harder. I know you want to be a team player when the chips are down, but the reality is you need to rest, eat, drink and use the bathroom – even for a couple of minutes to reboot your energy stores. This reduces errors, minimizes fatigue and stops you from becoming sick from overworking yourself.

Plus, your boss is taking out your break time from your pay anyway!

Coordinate your break with your fellow colleagues and get away from your desk or the direct working environment. Enjoy your home-cooked food surrounded by your workmates in a separate space such as the tea room or separate “hang out space” if available. This is a great time to catch up and also importantly allows your brain to rest and reset. We are not invincible to fatigue as much we want to fight it. We recently wrote an article titled, Shift Work Burnout: Causes, Red Flags and How to Beat It​ which I think is very timely right about now.

Nursing has really taught me the benefits of having a “nana nap” at pretty much any opportunity I can.

• Before driving home from a night shift – Read: How to Stop Falling Asleep While Driving after Night Shift​
• After a 1st/early shift
• Before starting a night shift
• Recovering on days off.. etc And whilst naps are wonderful, they can be a curse too. I recently wrote a post titled, Should You Nap During Night Shift? which opened my eyes to what a nap should really look like. Click on the image to take a look. The bottom line with taking a nap on night shift is that it should be between 10-20 minutes long OR 90 minutes… nothing in between. While the world won’t cave in and smother you if you have a nap of say 50 minutes, you might feel groggy and disoriented for up to an hour. This is called sleep inertia and is basically caused by disrupting a cycle of sleep mid-way through. Avoid this horrible feeling by keeping it short, or making it long (if you have the time and luxury). Use an alarm clock on your mobile phone or one of the specialized night shift alarm clocks we reviewed here to make sure you don’t oversleep. Have you heard of a coffee nap? I know it sounds odd, but using coffee to enhance your sleep/nap is possible and can actually be really effective when feeling tired. Find out more here.