Why Buffers Company Culture is a Cut Above the Rest

Why Buffers Company Culture is a Cut Above the Rest Carrying on with our company culture series, this week, we take a look at  Buffers approach to its company culture and HR. What makes them special and how are they attracting all the best talent? Weve previously taken a look at Adobe and Netflix,  and now its time to take a closer look at what its like to work for the brand behind the social media management tool that the world has gone crazy for. Similarly to Netflix, they use SlideShare to outline the 10 values that Buffer care about instilling in their employees. Check out the SlideDeck below to see what its all about: Transparency: As you can probably tell from their SlideShare deck, Buffer pride themselves on being a truly transparent brand. Something that really set me aback when I read it was this article about Buffers decline in referral traffic. They used the article to explain that theyve had a dramatic decline in traffic  and the reasons they think it happened. They then even go on  to explain  what they are going to do to try and beat the decline which shows what a truly honest brand they are. Theres nothing better than truly trusting a brand and there being an open and honest relationship between both employees and management, and the customers they cater for. Theyve even published all their employees salaries on their site. You cant get anymore transparent than that! Self improvement is a big deal: Something that Buffer hold at high importance is self improvement. They believe that the best employees are the ones that are continually learning and throwing themselves in the deep end. Not only does this keep employees engaged and involved in the brand, it also means they are growing alongside the company. They also noted in their culture deck that this keep employees minds and body healthy and happy. Showing gratitude: Something that Buffer make explicitly clear in their values is that they alway show gratitude. The words that stuck out to me particularly were humility and privilege. Taking a step back and being thankful for your circumstances can be the basis of a truly happy and honest workforce. Buffer encourage this wholeheartedly. Listening: Buffer know how important it is to listen. They outline in their culture slide deck how important it is to understand rather than to be understood when in work situations, it can be so easy to not properly listen to colleagues and customers. But Buffer do it differently. They put a large emphasis on their employees listening to each other and to customers. The focus is on listening rather than responding and learning rather than preaching. Do you work for an awesome company? Are you proud of the company culture that youve built up? Let us know in the comments below!

FDJs LOVE Denim Makes Shopping for Jeans Fun Again

FDJs LOVE Denim Makes Shopping for Jeans Fun Again Jeans Shopping? I won’t lie to you, I hate shopping for jeans. Hate it. I will wear a pair of jeans until they fall off of my body in threads before I buy a new pair. I am absolutely convinced that most jean manufacturers have never actually seen a human pair of legs. I would say that I’m just awkwardly shaped but, let’s be honest, do you know of anyone who wears jeans easily? It can’t be that all of us are shaped wrong, guys. It didnt help that in high school, I had the same dimensions as a twelve year old boy. (Your pants came with pre-ripped knee holes and bedazzled back pockets, mine came with cargo pockets and a wallet chain. High school was a rough time to be me.) Ah, Thats Better That’s why I was so happy with my new pair of jeans from FDJ French Dressings new Love Premium Denim line this weekend. Let’s get something out of the way right now. I WILL avoid wearing a pair of pants if I know it will take me more than three seconds to get them on my body. I am a lazy person at the best of times, and I am a slug creature in the morning. That being said, these are made with this stretch canvas denim and goes on like butter. None of that crazy-person hopping  dance in front of the mirror. That was a weird image, but it’s my job to bring you guys the details. Ah, but what about the curse of all females while shopping for jeans, trying to shimmy and scooch and hop their way into stiff denim leg sheaths that don’t seem to have been designed for humans? I am happy to report that not only does the Kylie Slim Leg style wear like it was designed for a person, and it looks really  nice on my almost non-existent butt. Its got that great tight-but-comfy fit, and can really help you get your strut on. At the end of the day, thats what every girl is looking for in a pair of jeans, isnt it? Sounds Great, Now Where Do I Get Them? You can buy the Love Premium Denim jeans online or at 300 independent boutiques and retailers throughout North America. This post was made possible thanks to FDJ French Dressing, who provided a pair   from the Love Premium Denim line.   All opinions expressed are our own. For more information, see Ms. Career Girls disclosure policy.

Twitter Poll Tell us about a First! #Firsts #PriusC

Twitter Poll Tell us about a First! #Firsts #PriusC I had a great time test driving the Toyota Prius c a few weeks ago.  It was the first time I had ever driven a Prius or a Toyota of any kind. As I mentioned earlier this week, the word Prius means to come before, or first which explains why Toyota probably named the first mainstream hybrid car a  Prius. Most of us have plenty of firsts (Priuses??) in our own lives especially in our twenties.  Some of those firsts shape our careers and lives more than we realize. This year has been full of firsts for me and I wanted to hear from you guys!  I  polled some of our Twitter followers to find out about a recent first they experienced! Tell us about a first in your life!  @daniellemercer @MsCareerGirl  today is my 1st day working for myself  ?#freedom??  #exciting?  times @laurenklop @MsCareerGirl  This year I moved for the first time to start my first real, full-time job!  @MeganCassidy @MsCareerGirl  First time traveling for work, first time being in a wedding, first time taking a vacation on my own.  @AuNaturaleFood @MsCareerGirl  first grad biz school course; also, first class Ive taken for credit in 12 yrs! Has inspired me to go back for a full degree  @WiattJones @MsCareerGirl  love my Prius. A couple at restaurant saw us drive up and asked about it! Dashboard is futuristic-hubby loves details.  ?@MsCareerGirl This weekend is my first (and last!) bachelorette party! Im so excited!  #firsts  @carlosever YES!!! Friday morning without a hangover!!!!!  #firsts  @WhoNeedsMinions @MsCareerGirl  Tomorrow 6/7 I celebrate my 1st month on a trip overseas. I currently teach ESL in South Korea Im loving every minute. ??  @textileranch Tenting in the rain  #firsts  @MarticusMark Made my first latte and I must say, it turned out pretty delicious.#firsts Tell us about a #first in your life by leaving a comment below or on Twitter @MsCareerGirl! Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Toyota Youth Network.

Job Search Survival 3 Tips for Maintaining Motivation

Job Search Survival 3 Tips for Maintaining Motivation There has been a lot of coverage recently of the high youth unemployment rates in the UK and around the world.   The national unemployment rate is 7.8% while the youth unemployment rate is 20.5%.   If these statistics have not scared you enough, what about the billions in lost wages that UK youth will experience over the next few years? I read, hear, and watch these media reports and understand exactly why students are flooding into my office looking horrified about their future prospects.   I see why the anxiety, stress, and depression levels are high in this population. Not only do we live with the constant threat of impending doom from terrorists and swine flu but, to top it all off, the current generation are going to spend thousands of pounds on an education and will end up unemployed, underemployed and broke. If we send young people out into the world of work with expectations of disaster that is exactly what they will get. I prefer a less defeatist approach. After all, people are more likely to hire recent grads is they are full of energy and optimism. So let’s turn it around. Great News, 80% of youth are going to be employed soon after they graduate!   That seems like a not so bad number and the chances of ending up in that category are likely pretty high if you are taking the time to read this post.   It means that you are dedicated to doing something about your future, taking action, and getting results.   In fact, it appears that things are at least beginning to turn around.   The unemployment rates are down 82,000 and the number of youth claiming Jobseekers Allowance was down by 61,300 from the same time last year. The truth of the matter is that there are people without jobs and almost as many jobs without people.   What we need to do is educate youth on emerging markets and required and desired employability skills.   So rather than sit back and wallow in self-pity, blaming the baby boom generation for not retiring already, do your research.   Take a look at where the jobs are.   What are the growth industries? What personal and technical skills do you need to succeed? And then start planning. Be strategic, focused and dedicated. Take a couple technical courses, volunteer with an organization to gain practical skills, attend networking events and, most of all, stay positive.   You are more likely to be motivated by working towards a positive outcome than by trying to avoid a negative one. When you are on the job market, faced with putting yourself out there and facing rejection time and again, you will need to stay focussed on what matters to you, set smaller attainable goals, and find internal motivators that are sustainable.   If you are going to have the ability to pick yourself up, you will need to manage the 40% of your propensity for happiness and resilience that is within your control. To do this, focus on 3 main strategies that will help build the stamina you need to keep going: Set Modest Goals:   Rather than striving for a potentially unattainable dream job, set your sights on something that is within your grasp and see it as a stepping stone rather than a final destination.   Also set goals that relate directly to the search and not just the final outcome.   This way, even if you don’t get a particular job you can still feel a sense of accomplishment in making it to the interview stage, or making a new contact, for example.   You need to give yourself some credit for the effort if you have any hope of sustaining yourself throughout the process.   Set the goal of making 5 new contacts this week, or conducting 3 informational interviews.   Developing those relationships will help to build your confidence and broaden your network. Focus on Intrinsic Rather than Extrinsic Motivators:   Think about what makes you feel satisfied, interested and rewarded (intrinsic factors) and set your sites on those jobs.   Because those sorts of goals are based on your values and things that you care about you are going to find that it is easier to motivate yourself to work towards them.   If you are looking for a job that is going to impress others or make you the most money (extrinsic factors) then you are less likely to be genuinely motivated to achieve those goals and may burn out sooner. Frame Your Goals Positively: Rather than striving to avoid something negative like unemployment or being dissatisfied at work, (“avoidance goals”) think of yourself as moving toward something positive such as finding a fulfilling job (“approach goals”).  As Biswas-Diener and Dean explain in their book Positive Psychology Coaching, “There is a preponderance of research evidence linking avoidance goals to increased distress and anxiety, decreased levels of happiness, lower levels of social satisfaction, and poorer perceptions of health.”(66)   By focussing on moving toward something positive rather than avoiding something negative you will find that you have more energy to focus on action and you’re using less energy on worrying. And when you have just been turned down for a job and are starting to feel defeated, take the advice of Napoleon Hill that “most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure.” Author: Clare Tattersall is a Global Career Development Facilitator working at Huron University College in Canada. She has over 10 years of experience in the communications sector and postsecondary administration and is a frequent presenter on career development, not-for profit management and effective leadership. Follow her on twitter @Careers4Grads.

5 of the best places to live while working a graduate job in Scotland

5 of the best places to live while working a graduate job in Scotland You might know it as the land of haggis, bagpipes and those hairy ginger cows, but there is so much more to Scotland. It has a diverse and thriving economy, some big employers and a whole host of graduate jobs ripe for the taking. Add to this its stunning scenery and cheaper living costs, its about time you started considering a graduate job in Scotland. If your knowledge of Scotlands geography extends little beyond the walls of Edinburgh castle, keep reading. There are plenty of different options available for living and working beyond the border.  Whether your priority is big name employers, culture or transport links, weve put together a handy guide for Scottish living. Edinburgh The Obvious Choice Think of Scotland and the cobbled streets of Edinburgh will probably spring to mind. Its the countrys capital, home to the Scottish parliament and the largest financial centre outside of London. Its also on the doorstep of some of Scotlands most stunning natural scenery and hosts the world renowned Fringe Festival every summer. If you enjoy being at the centre of things, but are worried about Londons sky high prices, Edinburgh is an attractive alternative. It has the highest concentration of professionals in the UK, with 43% holding a degree or equivalent. It also has huge job markets in finance, scientific research and the public sector. But its not all about work. Edinburghs residents are some of the happiest in the world, with the city ranking second in a global quality of life survey in 2017. There may be some steep hills and the odd spot of rain, but for quality graduate living, it ticks all the boxes. See our available graduate jobs in Edinburgh. Perth The Not So Obvious Choice No, not the one down under. Scotlands Perth may not boast the same amount of sun, sea and sand as Australias, but it still has a lot to offer. Slap bang in the centre of the country, you can easily reach Scotlands major cities by road and rail. The Gateway to the Highlands, Perth is also the perfect base for those who enjoy exploring the rural, with Cairngorms National Park close at hand. Interestingly it is both Scotlands newest and oldest city. Steeped in heritage, it was the ancient capital of Scotland for over five centuries, but only regained its city status in 2012. Its fast attracting the attention of major companies, with many setting up their headquarters there, and a rapidly expanding energy sector. Old meets new, and rural meets urban in this unique city. Dundee The Up and Coming Choice One of Scotlands most modern and quirky cities, Dundee is bidding to become European Capital of Culture in 2023, and with good reason. Its home to the only full-time theatre company in Scotland, the Dundee Jazz Festival and a thriving digital arts sector. A world leader in video game development, its also the first UNESCO City of Design, recognising its creative contributions across a variety of sectors. For any music lovers out there, youll be right on the doorstep of T in the Park (when it returns from its hiatus), and within easy travelling distance of Edinburgh and Glasgow. Its universities lead the way in medical science, producing a world renowned biotechnology industry in their wake. If you want a modern and cutting edge city at the forefront of digital development, then Dundee is the one for you. Glasgow The Cosmopolitan Choice The diverse and sprawling city of Glasgow is home to a whopping 600,000 people. If you like being at the heart of the action, then this is the place to be. The city has a huge financial and business service sector, so there are plenty of opportunities for career advancement. Theres also a buzzing nightlife and music scene, and Glaswegians are big on sport. They have the Commonwealth arena and the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, as well as Celtic Park football stadium. Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland and the third biggest city in the UK, but still has a friendly and welcoming vibe. With two international airports, and hundreds of flights taking off every day, youll be in a perfect position to travel. Theres plenty of jobs, plenty of leisure activities, and plenty of moody architecture to Instagram. See our available graduate jobs in Glasgow. Inverness The Scenic Choice Were very much beyond the wall here, folks. The most Northern city in the UK, you may not spot any White Walkers roaming the streets of Inverness, but you may catch a glimpse of the famous Loch Ness monster on your travels. Located firmly in the Highlands and its stunning landscapes, tourism is one of the citys biggest industries. But more traditional job sectors such as agriculture and fishing are being replaced by renewable energy and technology, making it a one-to-watch for graduate jobs. Plus, when you need to escape your desk, the breathtaking mountains of the Highlands are right there waiting for you. So if youre hunting around for that dream graduate job or internship, dont rule out Scotland from your search. Its vibrant cities and booming economy make it a great choice for graduate living, without forking out the same rent prices as London. Connect with Debut on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more careers insights.

How To Manage Your Boss When Your Boss Keeps Changing

How To Manage Your Boss When Your Boss Keeps Changing Managing your boss, and “managing up” in general, is an important skill to master if you want to get the respect you deserve, position yourself for promotion, protect your team, or simply get the job done in the most effective way. It’s all part of that crucial area that I call “working with people”. But what if you’re in an organization where you find you have to break in a different boss every year (or less), and change is a constant? And what if you end up reporting to more than one person, including someone you’re not working with closely? While these are challenging situations indeed, here are a few strategies to consider. Put it in writing When your boss doesn't see everything you do, and there’s a lack of continuity due to high turnover in supervisors, it might be a good idea to start doing a written update for your boss. Keep it succinct and write it from the perspective of what's important to them while also getting across all the contributions you and your team are making. Think about whether you need the same thing for other senior stakeholders who have reasons to care about, or are affected by, what you do. Putting things in writing makes it easier to remind everyone (including yourself) of what’s been achieved and what people have committed to. It also makes it easier to brief yet another new person in your reporting line. Keep in touch See if you can find a way to develop a closer working relationship with your boss (or bosses). The update should help as it can be a weekly or monthly touch point. Some other ways to keep in touch and on their radar could be to request a regular catch up, take him or her for a coffee, or make it your business to stop by their office on the way to another meeting. If you’re in different locations, see if you can do the virtual version of a catch up using Skype, Zoom, or some other video conferencing tool. If you have a visual or document to share and feel ambitious, you can figure out how to do a screen share and run through your update that way. And when you do that, it's useful to come up with your idea(s) on how to improve the business results as well as asking about your boss' priorities and the overall strategic direction they have for the group. Whatever route you choose to take, keep it concise and to-the-point. You’re usually better off having shorter but more frequent sessions that delivers value to your boss, rather than a lengthy marathon session once a year. And keep in mind how your boss likes to receive information â€" do they love PowerPoint slide decks, a casual conversation, or something in between? Invite your boss to visit your group or join your team meeting Especially when your boss is new, this would give your boss insight into what your group does. It would also give your team visibility with your boss, elevate your position with your team, and improve your relationship with your boss. While it's reasonable to think that your seniors would reach out to you, in most organizations this does not happen. People are busy, they're worried about their own career position, and maybe they're just not that good at leading and managing others. That's why it is up to each of us to do the reaching out and role model the behavior for our teams. And, by the way, our teams are counting on us to do just that. Build your personal brand Your personal brand is what you stand for â€" the package of character traits and capabilities that make you who you are, expressed in a way that others can understand right away. The beauty of developing your personal brand is that it is completely portable. It belongs to you, and travels with you no matter how many changes there may be in your chain of command. Especially when there is a great deal of uncertainty and change in your workplace or industry sector, it makes sense to get clear on that brand â€" the one that is your own, and not that of the organization. It can provide a beacon to orient you when everything around you is shifting. It helps you to stay true to yourself when there are distractions and pressures that threaten to knock you off of your game. Can you articulate who you are, the unique strengths you bring, your vision for what your part of the organization could be? Are your actions and behaviors consistent with the way you want to be seen and the reputation you’d like to earn? How would you articulate your value proposition to the team, the unit, and frankly to any organization that’s lucky enough to have you working for them? Those are just some of the questions to consider as you identify the elements of your own personal brand. And having a strong personal brand can provide a platform for you to stand on in an environment of change and uncertainty. And speaking of your personal brand, you won’t want to miss my upcoming live interview with personal branding expert, Leonard Kim. Leonard will be sharing specific steps you can take to develop your most powerful personal brand so you can be recognized and rewarded for the value you bring… no matter who your bosses are. Find out more and sign up for my free webinar here. Conclusion So when you find yourself in a shifting environment, needing to manage a boss or set of bosses, these four strategies can put you in a stronger position. Above all, don’t get discouraged. Just do your best. And who knows, you may find there’s opportunity in the midst of the changes. Now, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below on the challenges you’ve faced in managing up when there’s a “revolving door” at the levels above you.

Tips For Creating A Fashion Stylist Resume

Tips For Creating A Fashion Stylist ResumeFashion stylists are a growing market for employers. Nowadays, they are usually associated with designing, mixing and matching clothes for the world's top models. If you wish to specialize in this field, your fashion stylist resume should mention a few of your best qualities.Your fashion stylist resume should emphasize your knowledge and experience in fashion design. You will need to make sure that you have a portfolio that demonstrates this. A good way to demonstrate this is to add a couple of projects you've worked on as a freelance fashion stylist. You can list these in chronological order, beginning with the most recent.Another important thing that your fashion stylist resume should highlight is your professionalism. As a freelance designer, your talents should be noted and show your work experience and knowledge in this specific field. You should also point out any awards you might have won for service. The truth is, the fashion industry is very competitive, and the more credits you have, the better your chances of getting hired for any position.Your fashion stylist resume should also include a profile of yourself. This will clearly state what you are capable of and how you might fit into the job. It is your first and only opportunity to explain what it is that you bring to the table. You should also mention what previous employers might expect from you.Dressmakers can make a fashion statement as well. If you have the talent and know-how to create your own designs, this could be a big selling point. Also, it is very important to give an insight into the type of clothes you can create. Give examples of your previous work. When you can create clothes that are unique and fit your style, you will have the advantage over other candidates.Experience is very important in this profession. Your fashion stylist resume should detail any events that you attended or participated in. Even if you were responsible for overseeing t he entire design process, you might not be able to prove that you were responsible for the final products. Therefore, include the work you did in the past on your resume, even if you have little or no experience.Relevant experience is an important consideration. It can prove to be quite valuable when applying for a position. Fashion stylists are involved in many of the design processes in the fashion industry. Including relevant experiences could help to increase your overall resume.When you start creating your fashion stylist resume, remember to include the basics. Include a description of your strengths and hobbies. However, you must put in the time and effort to make your final resume shine.