skilltestic

[skilltestic]

Yet is yet! Follow/Like this page/post to be surrounded with good people!... Oh! you can #share it as well. http://bit.ly/2B8lrYZ #employment #employeeengagement #jobseekers #unemployed #canadajobs #usajobs #employability #paging #canada #usa http://bit.ly/2UP6QJl

[skilltestic]

Be the World.. Follow/Like this page/post to be surrounded with good people!... Oh! you can #share it as well. #employment #employeeengagement #jobseekers #unemployed #canadajobs #usajobs #employability #paging #canada #usa http://bit.ly/2DfzJYi

[skilltestic]

Show your Power💪🏻 Follow/Like this page/post to be surrounded with good people!... Oh! you can #share it as well. https://lnkd.in/gjtDEJW #employment #employeeengagement #jobseekers #unemployed #canadajobs #usajobs #employability #paging #canada #usa http://bit.ly/2TzqGby

[skilltestic]

Work as BIG as your Dream!... Follow/Like this page/post to be surrounded with good people!... Oh! you can #share it as well. http://bit.ly/2B8lrYZ #employment #employeeengagement #jobseekers #unemployed #canadajobs #usajobs #employability #paging #canada #usa http://bit.ly/2UFA0Le

[skilltestic]

The more you FAIL, the more you SUCCEED! ...True? Follow/Like this page/post to be surrounded with good people!... Oh! you can hashtag#share it as well. http://bit.ly/2B8lrYZ #employment #employeeengagement #jobseekers #unemployed #canadajobs #usajobs #employability #paging #canada #usa http://bit.ly/2FUp3SH

[skilltestic]

Don’t you think YOU 👇🏻 should do something #incredible ! Follow/Like this page/post to be surrounded with good people!... Oh! you can #share it as well. http://bit.ly/2LV5No1 #employment #employeeengagement #jobseekers #unemployed #canadajobs #usajobs #employability #paging #canada #usa http://bit.ly/2FXbp05

[skilltestic]

How often do you #imagine ? Follow/Like this page/post to be surrounded with good people!... Oh! you can #share it as well. http://bit.ly/2LV5No1 #employment #employeeengagement #jobseekers #unemployed #canadajobs #usajobs #employability #paging http://bit.ly/2sw0rXt

[skilltestic]

Keep #Moving! Follow/Like this page/post to be surrounded with good people!... Oh! you can #share it as well. http://bit.ly/2LV5No1 #employment #employeeengagement #jobseekers #unemployed #canadajobs #usajobs #employability #paging http://bit.ly/2H6JwVL

[skilltestic]

Nothing Is Impossible! Follow/Like this page/post to be surrounded with good people!... Oh! you can #share it as well. http://bit.ly/2LV5No1 #employment #employeeengagement #jobseekers #unemployed #canadajobs #usajobs #employability #paging http://bit.ly/2shvYfz

[skilltestic]

Sometimes failure is healthy! Follow/Like this page/post to be surrounded with good people!... Oh! you can #share it as well. http://bit.ly/2LV5No1 #employment #employeeengagement #jobseekers #unemployed #canadajobs #usajobs #employability #paging http://bit.ly/2C3HPCM

[skilltestic]

Join US! @ the 2018 Job Fair, June 19, it would be great to see you there! #canada #usa #job #jobs #ilovemyjob #lovemyjob #jobseeker #jobfair#bestjobever #jobopportunity #jobhunting #jobhunt #joburg #jobseekers#bestjobever #instajob #joburg #jobsearch #employees #employee#employer #employed #employe #calgary #toronto #vancouver #newyork

[skilltestic]

Join me at the 50th Anniversary Global Petroleum Show 2018 from June 12 - 14 in Calgary, Canada, it would be great to see you there!

[skilltestic]

Stealing pencils, paper and other office stuff from work

New Post has been published on https://skilltestic.com/blog/stealing-pencils-paper-office-stuff-work/

Stealing pencils, paper and other office stuff from work

First of all let me say that I firmly believe you should not steal and that breaking the sacred trust placed upon you by your employer is inexcusable. Also, the United States is the best country in the world and the 1% are job creators and powerhouses of economic progress and therefore should not pay taxes.

Stealing is wrong. Unless you are really, really good at it. Then it’s called venture capitalism.

But let’s assume for a moment that in the real world people do not deal in absolutes and that stealing may, in some cases, be justifiable. Now surely we can all agree that stealing food to survive, although not technically right, is definitely understandable. What about stealing from your employer?

And I don’t mean playing fast and loose with the cash, I am talking about petty theft such as mooching the A4 paper or “accidentally” printing your dog’s birthday photos on that cool laser printer on the 6th floor. Now, this is a controversial subject so I would request that you hear me out before lighting the torches and raising the pitchforks.

Stealing is not an exact science. By definition it is the removal of a valuable thing without paying the appropriate price. Under this definition, there’s a lot of room for interpretation. For example, if your boss is paying you less than they are supposed to according to the value of your work, isn’t that stealing part of the value of your work?

What about when you agree to humiliating terms of work because, although they are a turn off, they sure beat starving to death? Could that not be considered compliance under threat of death, much like if you were being mugged on the street?

You see there is no easy answer. Many times the law is not a direct representation of justice and it is the rare person who has not been screwed over at one point or the other by tailored legal loopholes or just pure workplace terrorism. Is it okay to try to even the scales by yourself, should you end up staring down the wrong end of a crappy deal? Not a question to be answered lightly, lest one endorses vigilante justice, even if it’s just on the petty office theft level.

The point is that theft, like many other concepts, is arbitrary and sometimes falls into a morally gray area. Generally speaking, the repercussions of getting caught stealing staplers and pens is just not worth it. Stationery is not worth the humiliation, even if moral qualms are satisfied. You are of course going to Hell, but at least you’re signing with a Mont Blanc when you get there.

At the end it boils down to clear, honest and just arrangements. A good deal will go a long way towards preventing office larceny. As long as you treat your employees with respect, pay them for their work fairly and on time, and avoid screwing them out of what they are due both legally and as human beings, you’ll be all right as well as your office equipment.

And even if Dave the Intern just cannot resist pocketing that wicked red stapler, at least you can sleep easy after sending him packing, knowing that from your side you kept your part of the bargain. Aris Pitas

[skilltestic]

[skilltestic]

Find an Interesting Second Freelance Job and Make Ends Meet

New Post has been published on https://skilltestic.com/blog/find-interesting-second-freelance-job-make-ends-meet/

Find an Interesting Second Freelance Job and Make Ends Meet

How many times in our lives, have we all looked at our bank accounts with a feeling of dread, and said, “Auggh! I need more money. I can’t pay my bills, save for my child’s education, afford a nicer place to live, buy organic sun-dried tomatoes and will never be able to vacation in Hawaii”. Whatever your reasons may be to earn more money and make ends meet, you are not alone.

With a volatile world economy, a decrease in stable full-time paying jobs, rising education costs thus creating high student loans and cost of living increase – more than ever, the middle class feel a pinch in their wallets. Don’t worry. One positive aspect to this is that, there are more opportunities now to find fun freelance jobs to supplement your income. I will present a few ideas in this article, so you can think about some interesting ways to earn extra money.

Freelance Sites on the Internet

The upside of the digital age we live in, is that there are a large array of freelance sites to choose from for different industries. Whether your profession is a musician, artist, writer, graphic designer or software coder, there is a freelance site for you. Upwork, College Recruiter, Freelance Writing Gigs and BantaMu are some examples. Some freelance sites are specialized for new college graduates, writers or musicians.

Others are more comprehensive, and host a large range of industries such as Skilltestic. Initially, it may take some time to become established on a site and develop good ratings but long-term, the pay-off can be profitable. Working on a freelance site also gives you the opportunity to: work on a global platform, gain new skills and work with a flexible schedule of your choosing. If you have a computer and the Internet available, start signing up!

Tutoring

For those of you that prefer to be around 3-dimensional people, tutoring part-time can be a rewarding and fun second job. With education cutbacks, a more competitive economy and busy dual-income parents, tutoring has become more popular, and in demand. You can earn up to $30 – $50 an hour depending on your skill set. There are tutoring freelance sites and companies that specialize in the field, however they may take a large percentage of your hourly rate.

I would suggest initially starting on your own, or joining the sites to develop experience and a clientele. Long-term, the best way to increase your rates is work independently and market yourself on your own. If you are lucky enough to be gifted in university level math skills, such as statistics and calculus, hit the college campuses with flyers and post on student websites. College students are always looking for more help with math courses, and you can charge higher rates. Overall, tutoring is a great option to earn extra money.

Become an UBER Driver

If you have a car, like driving and live in a city with UBER, consider becoming a driver. UBER drivers can make up to $20 an hour depending on the season. The best feature about being an UBER driver, is the flexibility in schedule. You can work when and where you want. The UBER drivers I have spoken to – have full-time jobs, may be in between jobs, are seasonal workers or are retired and would like extra income. Either way, it’s a great option to consider, since you can talk to new people on the job and have freedom in terms of your schedule.

The message I really want to convey in this article, is that you should start thinking about creative solutions in order to find an enjoyable second freelance job. I have only hit the tip of the iceberg with my examples. The fact is, there are people who make extra money performing as clowns on the weekend, or DJ at clubs. Believe it or not, the average hourly wage for these professions is $32 per hour. These two side jobs can be extremely profitable and fun! Instead of focusing on the pressure to earn more income, think about which skills you have, and what you would enjoy doing. This way, you will earn more because you are motivated to perform!

Rekha Morbia

[skilltestic]

We are all unique snowflakes

New Post has been published on https://skilltestic.com/blog/skilltestic-new-way-assessing-hiring/

We are all unique snowflakes

Nothing becomes better with unemployment. Mental problems are no exception. If anything, they become worse with idleness. Keeping people out of the productive processes of society, due to their mental disabilities, may well be the perfect way to mess them up for life. In this day and age of countless professional niches, there is bound to be at least one field of work suitable for any person.

In the exceptional Italian movie “Si puo fare”, a whole psychiatric ward of patients is transformed from a batch of human driftwood to a fully functional floor laying company, under the guidance of a visionary teacher. Each patient is given a task according to his strengths and the whole thing works like clockwork. Give a guy with OCD a truck-full of wood chips and tell them to lay a floor with them. See what happens.

Unfortunately, neoliberal capitalism is hostile to any sort of venture even remotely risky to financial gain; at least when it comes to helping people. It is the rare company that would take the initiative to voluntarily include mentally challenged people in its operations. And that’s understandable. Even a tiny wavering of the company’s performance could spell its doom in today’s toxic economic environment. That’s where regulations come in.

Incentives works best, perhaps, when it comes to motivating people to do stuff, however companies are not people. For them to do anything of actual value to a community, they must be forced by law. So the first step to include mentally challenged people in the job circuit is to establish a legal minimum of workers for each company derived from this specific group. At least until the whole thing builds momentum. Mind you, people facing mental problems are far from few. We are talking about a considerable chunk of the general population.

So let’s say that companies have (grudgingly) accepted mentally challenged dudes into their workforce and sufficient time has passed so they are somewhat convinced of this policy’s value. How do you best integrate these people in a modern company’s workflow? There are a few things you could try. And what’s great about them is that they work magnificently with all employees as well.

1. Be positive

There’s a lot to be said about the power of friendliness and nowhere is this more evident than the workplace. Being kind and actually expecting the person to succeed can (and does) work wonders. Apart from basic human decency, it gives the employee the (true) impression that you think highly of their ability and you expect great things from them. And you know what? Most people will deliver.

2. Be clear

Again this tip is pretty much universal. Say that you mean and mean what you say. The value of clarity and cohesion when it comes to giving instructions cannot be stressed enough. People should have no doubts about what you expect from them and you absolutely must be perfectly clear in your instructions. Break down complex tasks to simpler components and explain what you want to be done at each stage. It will save you a lot of grief in the long run.

3. Be consistent

Surprises are only nice when they are accompanied by a present or a big wad of cash, so try to keep them out of your work relationships. Especially when dealing with employees with special conditions, make it your number one objective to be solid as a rock in your expectations and your behavior. Your word should be good enough to take to the bank. People must not wonder what to expect from you; they should know it. Also, when you say you’ll do something, do it.

4. Be caring

One of the most important concerns when it comes to working with mentally challenged people is rewarding good performance and correcting it when it is poor. Doing so in a constructive manner is an art form. Make sure you provide positive feedback when people are doing well and establish their already conquered level of performance as a launching pad for even better results in the future. When you need to criticize, do so in private and always try to end your “disciplinary” talks with a positive affirmation about the employee’s abilities.

5. Be present

Finally, be preemptive in your approach to managing employees. Meet them privately and meet them often. Ask them what they are concerned with and what they are unhappy about. Try to stop the proverbial shit before it meets the proverbial fan. The only way to do that is by being present in the everyday dealings among your workers and being attentive to what they think and feel. Prevention is worth its weight in gold.

Aris Pitas

[skilltestic]

Digitalization: A Blessing and a Curse

New Post has been published on https://skilltestic.com/blog/digitalization-blessing-curse/

Digitalization: A Blessing and a Curse

The era of digitalization has brought with it a lot of blessings. Distance no longer seems daunting when you can Skype and chat with loved ones from far away. Research is just a press of a few keys, poring over thousands of books is no longer needed. Shopping, for those who hate it, used to be a time-consuming errand.

Now, a click of a button and merchandise is sent on your way. Travelling to new places is more fun since you likely won’t get lost with all the GPS enabled devices and applications. But along with the blessing, it is a curse; the curse of improperly using this new technology which brings the risk of fraud, identity theft, cyber bullying and even suicide.

Internet and Anonymity

When you use the computer and the Internet, there is a sense of anonymity. Like you can do what you want and not worry about consequences because no one knows you out there in the big World Wide Web. Bashing others for their beliefs, criticizing people for the pictures they have uploaded, stealing information just because it’s out there.

These are all happening and people don’t care because no one knows them anyway. Cyber bullying has become a serious issue and it is causing problems with those not prepared for what the web brings. It used to be that bullying just happens in person but technology has allowed it that you can be bullied even with oceans separating you.

The Need to Belong

What has not changed with the development of the digital world is the need to belong or fit in. That is why the development of social media platforms has been well-accepted among the people. This is just another way to show people who is the popular one in a crowd and who is not. Just look at the difference between the number of friends one has on social media and in real life. People would think more friends and more likes mean they are popular when in real life they don’t know half of the people on their friends’ list.

Social Media and Suicide

Most social media accounts belong to teenagers. They are the ones who show the most need of fitting in. Unfortunately, this is also the age where they are most impressionable, when every comment is taken to heart. No wonder most social media related suicides also belong in this age group. Children can be mean and still get away with it because they can hide behind the cloak of obscurity. Calling someone fat or ugly on the Internet is more dangerous than calling someone the same things in person. When they tell you bad things in person, you can deck them to ease the pain.

The same can’t be said about the Internet. Mostly, you suffer the bullying alone with no one to comfort and protect you, which might lead to depression that sometimes ends with more serious repercussions like suicide.

The age of digitalization is upon us and unlike the stone age or the dark ages, there is no moving past it. The bullying will continue and cyber crimes can become more rampant unless a dedicated intervention is done. Being involved in the children’s lives is necessary if we don’t want them to end up as the next victim of social media related suicide.

Corazon Sepulchre