Saturday, December 28, 2019

6 Signs of Online Job Scams

6 Signs of Online Job Scams6 Signs of Online Job Scamssigns of online job scams can help you have a safer job search and steer clear of scammers.Here are six signs you may be dealing with an online job scam1. The job pays way too much. Of course, everyone wants a job that pays well. But if a position is paying far more than it really should, that should raise a red flag. It doesnt mean its definitely a scam, but it does mean you should err on the side of caution.If youre unsure of what the job youre applying to should be paying, you can always do a comparison on sites such as PayScale and Salary.com. Then you can get an idea of what the average compensation would be for this job type. Anything that is way beyond that figure could be a sign of an online job scam.2. The name of the company is questionable. Many online job scammers know that job seekers are aware of their tricks. Thats why they sometimes do a copycat scam where they mimic an actual companys name, but with a slight modif ication. For example, instead of saying the hiring manager is from Microsoft, they might say theyre from Microsoft Computer Inc. binnensee the variation? Sometimes these can be easy to miss, especially if its a minor change, or if they switch up the spelling on a companys name. Make sure that the company youre applying to actually exists- a quick check online or via the Better Business Bureau can confirm if youre dealing with a legit business or not.3. Youre offered the job much too soon. No matter what type of position youre applying to, youre most likely still going to have to go through at least a round or two of job interviews before getting offered the job. If an employer offers you the job solely based on your job application, be cautious. Although it might be a big ego boost to think that youre that qualified for the job, it would be reckless for an employer to offer a job solely based on an application.4. Youre asked for personal information.This sign of an online job scam i s a tricky one. After all, when youre offered the job, you are going to have to submit your personal information (such as your address, date of birth, bank account information for direct deposits, etc.) as part of the hiring process. When it becomes questionable is the zeiteinteilung of it. If youre asked for this type of information too early in the job interviewing or application process, it could be a scam.5. There are grammatical and spelling errors. Luckily for job seekers searching for flexible and telecommuting jobs, job scammers can be a sloppy bunch. More often than not, their job descriptions have typos and other grammatical mistakes. Sometimes you might be able to tell that the wording is awkward or doesnt make sense. While a spelling error here or there could be chalked up to a super busy hiring manager, that mistake combined with others grammatical goofs- and other signs of a scam- should make you wonder if youre reading a real job posting or a phony one.6. The contact information is not professional.Any contact that comes from a company (whether its a recruiter, a hiring manager, or your prospective boss) should be professional. It should include the persons name and the companys name. Any emails that come from a personal account are a bit suspect.Also be wary if you see that the email address is similar to a professional one- but isnt. For example, if the persons email address is rsmithsonymuzic.com, or rsmith.sonygmail.com, it should make you question if youre dealing with a real employeror if youre in the middle of a job scam.BROWSE LEGITIMATE ONLINE JOBS HERE

Monday, December 23, 2019

The Shockingly Simple Secret to Attracting More Freelance Clients

The Shockingly Simple Secret to Attracting More Freelance ClientsThe Shockingly Simple Secret to Attracting More Freelance ClientsWhat can a couple of dopey electricians lacking good customer service skills teach you about being a more successful creative freelancer? A lot, actually.Like many freelance professionals, I sometimes feel self-conscious when meeting with prospective clients for the first time. I recently got to see what the ausverkauf process looks like from the other side of the table, and it welches quite illuminating.After my wife and I bought a hot tub requiring a special electrical box, I welches tasked with hiring an electrician. I did my research and asked three different vendors for quotes.The first candidate I interviewed came recommended by the company that sold us the hot tub. Ill call him Adam Attitude. Adam showed up and immediately started criticizing some of the choices our homebuilder had made. I never do it that way, he said.The rest of Adams visit went m uch the saatkorn way. He acted as if he was reluctantly doing me a big favor just by thinking about letting me pay him. He complained about how much time the job would take. He complained about how unusual the job was. He complained, and complained, and complained.When I called Adam later in the week to get the follow-up answer he had promised to provide by the day before, he blamed the supplier (they didnt get back to me) and the job he was currently working on (which he also groused about) for the delay. I was able to quickly rule out Adam based on the sheer volume of negative comments, but even one complaint would have given me pause.Our second option was Speedy Sparky, who a friend recommended. He had several potential clients to see that day. After changing our appointment time for his convenience, he showed up 30 minutes early. Sparky was unclear about what he would - and wouldnt - do for us and rushed through the interview so fast that afterward I wasnt sure hed been there at all. He was clearly trying to drum up as much business as possible, as quickly as possible.The third person - lets call him Peter Professional - was recommended by a neighbor. Peter didnt offer the cheapest quote, but he practically had the job before he told us what hed charge. Heres whyPeter had a relaxed attitude of confidence and expertise, but not arrogance. He took his time and asked smart questions, actively listening to make sure he knew precisely what we wanted. Unlike Adam and Sparky, he didnt talk in vague terms. He spoke in detail about wire types and amp connections, but was careful not to use any confusing insider jargon. And he told me exactly what the materials were going to cost, even offering to provide a receipt. Simply put, he knew how to sell himself. His quote arrived in my inbox just a few hours after our meeting with the message I hope to earn your business.He did.Each of these three people had the same advantage - a referral from a trusted source - an d offered the same service for about the same price. But it was immediately clear that Peter would provide the best value, and his good customer service skills made all the difference.GOING FREELANCE? WE CAN HELPThis experience reminded me that clients have anxieties of their own, most notably whether theyre choosing the right creative freelancer for the job and getting a good return on their investment. With that in mind, I think every freelancer can benefit by cultivating the same approaches that helped Peter win the jobGo in with a professional attitude.Treat your prospects with great respect.Be transparent about your processes and costs.Listen more than you talk.Be positive. Never badmouth a current or former client.Consider your prospects business a privilege to be earned.Follow up promptly and directly ask for the business.I knew I had made the right decision by hiring Peter, but he kept proving it to me even after he won the job. When the hot tub was delivered, Peter actually helped the installers move it. They asked for his business card.Tom N. Tumbusch writes copy that creates action for creative professionals and green businesses.

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Study 77% of adults are on the Internet every day! Heres how to keep it from controlling your life

Study 77% of adults are on the Internet every day Heres how to keep it from controlling your lifeStudy 77% of adults are on the Internet every day Heres how to keep it from controlling your lifeIt happens in arbeitszimmer hallways and beyond people always seem to be looking down at their phones.But this is no surprise, given recently-released data from Pew Research Center, which found that 77% of Americans go on the Internet every day, although 11% reported using it less frequently, and 11% report not using it at all.We spend a lot of time on the Internet, but its possible to escape its grasp.A quarter of Americans surf the web almost constantlyBreaking the numbers down further, Pew Research found that 26% of Americans are almost constantly on the web in 2018, compared to 21% in 2015.Within this group of people who reported being tethered to the internet the most this year (26%), 13% are ages 18-29, 36% are ages 30-49, 17% are ages 50-64 and 8% are age 65 and older.Those who have a y early household income starting at $75,000, they are on it almost constantly the most, at 35%. But people in the $30,000-$49,999 income bracket are the second most popular group at 27%.Overall, 43% of respondents say they use it several times on a day and 8% use it about once a day. Just 11% use it less than daily, with 6% going on several times weekly and 5% doing so less often.It seems like no matter where you go, the web will only be a few clicks away. Here are a few things to do insteadRead a bookThink about it when was the last time you slowed down enough to actually crack open a really good read that once held your attention?Have any old favorites lying around? Better yet, is there anyone you look up to whos coming out with a great story? If so, you should consider picking it up as soon as it comes out and making a habit of reading things that make you smile, laugh, and expand your worldview.Be productive and do some planning - with Microsoft WordIf you must use a screen, the re are totenstill ways to get work done.Yohana Desta, a reporter and current Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com, previously wrote in Mashable about how to use your computer when you dont have wifi.One of her tips is to go old school, meaning to make productivity lists.Open up aMicrosoft Worddocument and become the master of lists. Make to-do lists for the rest of your week, or a bucket list for the rest of your life. Writing out all the tasks you have yet to accomplish will remind you of all the stuff you reallycando in this life without a Wi-Fi connection, Desta writes.Head outside for some exerciseWhether its at the gym or in your own backyard, getting some exercise is definitely better for your mind and body than wasting away online all day long.Just like we need to take breaks from work, giving your eyes a rest and doing some physical activity instead is also crucial for your health.Out of workout ideas? Take a page out of a billionaires book.

Saturday, December 14, 2019

5 ways to increase your employees productivity

5 ways to increase your employees productivity5 ways to increase your employees productivityEmployee productivity is vital to your geschftliches miteinanders success. Increasing employee productivity requires small business owners to motivate and engage their workers. If youre a small business owner looking to ramp up productivity, you may face significant resource limitations.Driving productivity gains isnt necessarily simple. Consider these five key tactics1. Provide employees with the right technologyWorkers find few things more frustrating than not having the right tools for the job. Only 44% of employees believe that their company provides them with the technology needed to effectively perform in their role.For a long time, small business owners fell behind larger organizations because they couldnt afford to purchase advanced technologies and equipment. wolke computing and mobile devices are helping address this problem. The cloud eliminates capital costs and lets you pay for th e resources you use instead of purchasing software licenses in bulk. A smartphone can give users access to apps and keep them connected at a relatively low cost.Working capital can provide you with the funds needed to invest in software technology and purchase new equipment. Providing your employees with the tools they need to succeed is a great first step in increasing employee productivity2. Cross-training and developmentSmall businesses have a reputation for employees wearing many hats. Increasing employee productivity is easier when employees are cross-trained to perform within a variety of positions. Equipping employees with a diverse set of skills strengthens their engagement and can decrease the chances of employee turnover. Cross-training your workers prepares employees for different job types. As a result, your workers arent constantly trying to keep up with new challenges.Cross-training and developing your employees skills is also beneficial for your business. Having emplo yees who can quickly step into different roles can help you avoid productivity gaps in the event that an employee leaves the company. Effective development strategies ensure that you always have somebody with the expertise and ability to train new hires and fill in vacant positions.3. Improve company cultureYour companys culture is made up of a variety of elements, including work environment, company vision, ethics, and goals. Research published in the IOSR Journal of Business and Management found that cultures that emphasize relationship building and rewarding gruppework contribute to employee productivity. While companies that focus on hierarchies and individual success derail productivity.Increasing employee productivity through improving company culture begins by adjusting your hiring practices. Its essential to hire employees who are a good cultural fit. Hiring an employee who will work well with the rest of the team will help to energize and motivate your current employees.4. Communicate effectivelyOrganizations that lack open communication between managers and employees can run into productivity problems. Managers who are accessible to their employees and effectively communicate expectations and responsibilities can more easily create a shared business.This approach helps with increasing employee productivity, as employees feel directly connected to the organizations mission and goals. Ultimately, better communication can foster efficiency and increase job satisfaction.5. Set goals and analyze performanceEmployees will be more productive if they have an achievable goal to aim for. Goal setting helps employees self-motivate and build confidence in their ability to succeed. Once you have set goals in place, establish a measurement system where employees can keep track of their own individual performance.Setting meaningful goals for your business and employees can drive better performance and higher productivity. It can also encourage employees to collabor ate and work as a team. Have regular check-ins with your employees about goals and their personal progress and offer rewards for a job well done. According to a recent study by Glassdoor, nearly four in five employees would prefer new or additional benefits to a pay increase. Consider providing them with medical insurance, a 401k plan, or a gym membership.Ben Gold is president of QuickBridge, a privately-held financial services firm providing small business loansquot and short-term working capital funding solutions for small-to-medium-sized businesses nationwide. Based on its growth, QuickBridge has ranked two consecutive years on the Inc. 500 Fastest Growing American Companies list. Ben is a thought leader in the financial tech. industry and a contributing member of the Forbes Finance Council.

Monday, December 9, 2019

Things You Should Know About Undergraduate Research Assistant Resume Sample

Things You Should Know About Undergraduate Research Assistant Resume Sample Also, ensure theres a professional-sounding email address. Writing the ideal research assistant resume objective or summary can be hard. You understand how important details are. Make sure to supply all your contact information information, including your email address, in addition to your major at university. Project Management Skills clearly, creating a company is an undertaking. Experience is crucial. It is also a very important qualification. Be ready to reveal your experience or training. You may not have much work experience to include, so concentrate on personal and professional skills along with your educational background. People skills are important, and you have to be a fantastic listener and can communicate effectively. Show recruiting professors your abilities and experiences are awarded and appreciated by other people. Several abilities and abilities are required to work as a resea rch assistant. What You Need to Do About Undergraduate Research Assistant Resume Sample Now, take a look at a not-so-great resume objective example to understand what you ought to avoid. Therefore, cover letters are from time to time too dense. You ought to have a mixture of administrative abilities, a sense of an organization, an eye for detail and impeccable awareness of customer services. Even if youre employing a resume template, there are particular things that should be avoided so as to remain effective in the view of the recruiter. Bsr is a group of thousands of distinct resumes for assorted job profiles. If youre overwhelmed by every the choices, you could also just apply one of several terrific templates. The folks who screen applications will usually be searching for key skills. A site with huge selection of best sample resumes which youll be able to use while putting in an application for work. Writing a professional resume an employer will discover irresistib le will improve your odds of landing your dream clinical research assistance job. You might have to put in some work to stick out from the crowd. If you would like a career in the Travel and Tourism industry, you should have the ideal personality attributes as you will be constantly dealing with people. On account of the technical nature of the job, it is necessary that you highlight skills and experience. Research assistants review print and internet resources to collect information. The primary advantage of operating as a Graduate Research Assistant is that you are able to pay attention to your studies while adding to your earnings and improving future employment chances. It is an important function for every business regardless of industry. As a graduate research assistant, you will be accountable for acquiring and documenting research on an assortment of topics. Throughout any industry research study, its vital proper documentation occurs. Examine the research job descr iption and search for skills-related key phrases. If you wish to develop into a research assistant in science, business, social science or some other area, you should first decide whether that career path is a great fit for you. Background If youre aiming to create a career for a researcher or you would want to further your education, then a research assistant internship could supply you with the true hands-on experience you want to come up with a better scope and knowledge of your preferred field. Writing a resume to submit an application for an undergraduate research assistant position could be challenging in the feeling that one wants to convince a hiring manager which he or she is well worth the money, time, and resources that are going to be necessary for training and induction. Consider applying for your very first research assistant position. You are able to also highlight qualities and experiences that you have which are related to the plan of study youre applying for. Scroll down one fold and you will observe an ideal research assistant resume sample. As an issue of fact, studies show they just scan it for 6 to ten seconds. Hands-on skills cant be learned online, and based on which state you are living in, only the theoretical portion of your education can be done online or none in any respect.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

The Hidden Truth on Model Resume Writing

The Hidden Truth on Model Resume Writing Model Resume Writing at a Glance By way of example, being an employee who can identify problems being faced by means of a company is a superb move, but having the ability to supply solutions to the challenge is whats going to offer you an upper hand in a workplace. However polished your writing skills are, at times its much better to employ a professional who can frame your experiences in a manner that lets you command the eye of the greatest companies in your industry. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously offer you an advantage. Writing a strong application is a challenging procedure and we would like to make it simpler. The SES application procedure is full of potential pitfalls. Utilizing a student resume template can help save you time and effort and offer you ideas on which sections to include and the way to complete them so as to draw the proper employers. The Pain of Model Resume Writing You may use the fash ion model template to compose a compelling resume. To aid you in getting started, weve compiled a streak of model resume samples that demonstrate best practices for a number of job titles within the business. A model resume is simple to write. An expert model resume is a written copy of any former model work you may have done. Model Resume Writing Explained The resume sample has a strong ability to keep up a readers interest over the span of the full document. Dont let yourself be deterred if you dont meet all the qualifications. Frequently, the application instructions for a specific position will state if its the CV or resume is requested. However much or what kind of work experience youve got, theres a resume format that is likely to make your qualifications shine. In reality, the objective of a resume is not to secure you a job, yet to aid a prospective employer decide if you meet the requirements for an interview. You construct and keep the technical ways to attain a ll company targets. An excellent employee will take action to resist that issue. A wonderful employee can discuss the wonderful results they achieved with their actions. Model Resume Writing Ideas Sales is much like customer service as salespeople can be effective in a wide selection of industries. Resumes for models will need to stick out from the mob. Learn about the three kinds of skills it is possible to highlight and the way you are able to incorporate them into your resume. You dont wish to overstate your abilities or results because it will mislead the employer. Job seekers deserve to discover decent content quickly. There are a number of solo writers who dont like marketing their own organization, but theyre excellent executive resume writers. Lets start with a fast overview of resumes, because they are more familiar to the majority of American writers than CVs. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. In a couple of minutes, you a re going to understand how to earn a model resume that drops jaws. Should you need an example to examine, make sure that you take a look at the sample teacher resume at the close of the guide You must also chat about past experience. For instance, its wise to list the true classroom experience you got as a student teacher when working on your degree together with the certificates you have gotten to teach in your individual jurisdiction.

Friday, November 29, 2019

For career success, just admit you dont know the answer

For career success, just admit you dont know the answerFor career success, just admit you dont know the answerLet me run something by you, said my friend, Nick. For the first time in my career, I allowed myself to tell a client that I didnt know the answer to her question. She said that she was impressed, because Im the first lawyer who hasnt BSd her.But he was worried She thinks Im incompetent, right?Now, heres something you need to know this was a dog custody case, in family curt, that Nick took on as a favor to one of his colleagues. Nick is a top-flight commercial litigator with Ivy League degrees and almost 20 years of experience.But he was mucksmuschenstill worried that he was being judged for not knowing everything. What he didnt weigh enough because this was his first family law case, of course there were things he didnt know.We want to be omniscientNicks fretting stayed with me long after our conversation, and long after he figured everything out and won the case. It encompa ssed what I know to be the experience of many lawyers, especially in the top firms. We are conditioned to think that making a mistake is a calamity not knowing something is a fatal flaw.This is natural for high-achieving people. Even though most errors are fixable - and admitting and fixing them is a great way to impress a boss - sometimes they carry with them heavy consequences.Some examples There are uncomfortable conversations with superiors theres the implicit threat of losing out on big projects in the future theres the high potential of being labeled unreliable.What you can learn from the scientific methodI came to the law from the lab. In basic science, we constantly lived in the twin states of I dont know and oops, I made a mistake. But we were expected to grow our knowledge, partly by analyzing our missteps and learning from them.It was jarring, therefore, to enter the world of law, where mistakes are not tolerated - and stating the wrong answer with confidence may still be better for your career than honestly acknowledging that you need to look something up.Most attorneys I know want to do an excellent job. They research their answers meticulously.They strive to provide the best advice to their clients, and produce error-free documents. It is detailed, thorough, immaculate work.They do not revel in being reckless or getting away with doing poor work. When they make a mistake, it bothers them. A lot.Hiding mistakes at work can turn into a toxic brew of lies and crisisA punitive attitude towards mistakes does not create a more perfect lawyer, but rather the opposite. It is not productive, neither for the individual nor for the organization.On the individual level, we never make more mistakes than when we work for someone of whom we are afraid.When half of our brain is devoted to the useless thought loop of dont make a mistake Im sure Im doing everything wrong Im going to get fired, its almost impossible to concentrate sufficiently on the complex work before us to do it well.On the organizational level, a punitive culture prompts people to hide their errors with two detrimental outcomes.First, when people do not report their mistakes, there is no opportunity to institute corrective procedures nor an opportunity for the wider team to learn and become better.Second, rather than fixing it in time, it is likely that a mistake will fester until it turns into a crisis.An organization with a punitive culture also stifles innovation, which is necessarily risky, messy, and requires making mistakes.This kills creativity. If an innovator is beset by constant criticism, it is more likely that he or she will quit than persevere.Perfectionism destroys workplacesWorkplaces where perfectionismflourishesis not unique to law.Ive heard similar stories about engineering firms, financial institutions, governmental offices and others. Newspapers hide factual corrections days later, in tiny boxes that few people see.There is one profession thats start ing to get it. The medical profession now recognizes the negative impact of a punitive environment, and is moving toward a non-punitive accountability model.The Joint Commission, which accredits and certifies over 21,000 healthcare facilities, encourages treating mistakes just like data something we can analyze to get better.Critical to establishing a safety culture is a non-punitive reporting culture. The aim of a safety culture is not a blame free culture, but one that balances learning with accountability, assesses errors and patterns in a uniform manner, and eliminates unprofessional (intimidating) behaviors . . . The trust, report, and improve cycle allows proactive and reactive risk reduction because staff report errors, close calls, and unsafe situations.When the medical profession, where mistakes may literally be a matter of life and death, recognizes that to err is human, shouldnt we all follow suit?

Monday, November 25, 2019

Researching the job market will make your job search more effective.

Researching the job market will make your job search more effective.Researching the job market will make your job search more effective.Researching the job market will make your job search more effective. Find out which jobs are in demand, have the largest employment, or are declining. Fastest-Growing Careers Find out which occupations are growing the fastest. Includes details about employment, wages, and education. Careers with the fruchtwein Openings Create a list of occupations with the most openings by state or nationwide. Includes details about employment, number of estimated openings, wages, and education. Careers with the Largest Employment Find national and state occupations with the largest employment. Includes details about employment, earnings, and education. Careers with Declining Employment Create a list of occupations with the largest declines in employment by state or nationwide. Includes details about employment, earnings, and educat ion.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

How to Understand Your Current Organization Culture

How to Understand Your Current Organization CultureHow to Understand Your Current Organization CultureAre you ready to take a look at the culture that exists in your organization? Your assessment of your culture may make you happy your culture assessment may make you sad. Whatever your culture assessment teaches you about your culture, though, your culture is what it is. To change your culture, to enhance your culture, to benefit from your culture, you need to see and understand your existing culture. For best or for worst, your existing culture supports you in the accomplishment of your organizations mission and goals- or your culture does not. But, you dont know the answer to this question until you take the time to do an assessment of your existing culture. Go ahead and take the first step. Challenge of Internal Culture Assessment It is difficult for people to assess and understand their own culture. When people are at work on a daily basis, many of the manifestations of cultu re become almost invisible. Assessing your organizational culture is a lot like trying to tell someone how to tie their shoes. Once youve been tying your own shoes every day for years and years, it is hard to describe the process to another person. Thus, your complete familiarity with your surroundings, the interactions of your coworkers, the conduction of meetings, the interactions of team members, and the artifacts in offices and cubicles will require you to step back and view your workplace environment with new eyes. How to Observe Your Current Culture You can obtain a picture of your current culture in several ways. To participate in the assessment of your culture, you must Try to become an impartial observer of your culture in action. Look at the employees and their interaction in your organization with the eye of an outsider. Pretend you are an anthropologist observing a group that you have never seen before.Ask yourself questions such as How do people interact with each o ther? How are conflicts resolved (and are there conflicts)? How do senior leaders interact with middle managers and employees? How do middle managers interact with reporting employees?Watch for emotions. Emotions are indications of values. People do not get excited or upset about things that are unimportant to them. Examine conflicts closely, for the same reason. Do people seem engaged, interactive, excited, happy, friendly, morose, or withdrawn? Do they smile and interact with you as you walk by their desks? Look at the objects and artifacts that sit on desks and hang on walls. Observe common areas and furniture arrangements. Are they interactive or are they sterile? In one memorable company, to several consultants who were walking through the cubicleville, the sterileness of the environment was striking- no family photos, plants, knick-knacks, desk accessories, or toys. The company president informed the visiting consultants, privately and under strict confidentiality, that he was closing the company at the first of the month- and he didnt want the employees to know. The consultants informed him that the employees already knew. Their empty workstations were a testimony to this knowledge. When you observe and interact with employees, watch for things that are not there. If nobody mentions something that you think is important (like the customers or expected sales growth), that is interesting information. It will help you understand your organizations culture. Assess Your Organizational Culture You can assess your current company culture in several ways. This culture assessment can involve walking around, conducting interviews with employees, or using a culture assessment instrument. Participate in a Culture Walk One way to observe the culture in your organization is to take a walk around the building and look at some of the physical signs of culture. How is the space allocated? Where are the offices located?How much space is given to whom? Where are peopl e located?What is posted on bulletin boards or displayed on walls?What is displayed on desks or in other areas of the building? In the work groups? On lockers or closets?How are common areas utilized?What do people write to one another? What is said in memos or email? What is the tone of the messages (formal or informal, pleasant or hostile, etc.)? How often do people communicate with one another? Is all communication written, or do people communicate verbally? What interaction between employees do you see? How much emotion is expressed during the interaction? These are just a few of the questions to answer when you observe and assess your organizational culture. Take a culture walk frequently to observe organizational culture in action. You will reach the point where you can assess and feel subtle differences over time. Culture Interviews Another way to understand the culture of your organization is to interview your employees in small groups. It is just as important, during these interviews, to observe the behaviors and interaction patterns of the people as it is to hear what they say about the culture. Since it is usually difficult for people to put into words what the culture is like, you will gain the most information by asking indirect questions. The following are examples of indirect questions you can ask during a culture interview. What would you tell a friend about your organization if he or she was about to start working here?What is the one thing you would most like to change about this organization?Who is a hero around here? Why?What is your favorite characteristic that is present in your company?What kinds of people fail in your organization?What is your favorite question to ask a candidate for a job in your company? Culture Surveys Written surveys taken by people in the organization can also provide information about the organizational culture. It is important to create or select the survey using the information collected during the culture walk and the culture interviews. You can either purchase or custom design a survey. An off-the-shelf survey may have interesting questions on it it may also have questions that are not relevant to your organization. It has been used in a number of other organizations, though, so the questions may be reliable and validated. These are ways in which you can observe and understand your organizational culture. The results of your assessment of your organizational culture will tell you what to do more of, less of, stop or start. The results from your organizational culture assessment will either confirm the efficacy of the culture you have or provide the encouragement you need to change your organizational culture. More About Organizational Culture and Culture Change How Stories Strengthen Your Work Culture- or NotYou Can Consciously Choose Your Corporate CultureHow to Make Values Live in Your Organization