Boost Your Job Search with a Personal Website

Boost Your Job Search with a Personal WebsiteBoost Your Job Search with a Personal Website0Youve taken the time to write an award-winning resume and cover letter. Your social media profiles are looking snazzy and up to date Youve even prepped your home office (i.e., cleared away all the clutter) should you have a Skype interview with a potential employer from a remote company. In short, you feel you pretty much have this job search thing down pat. But what about a personal website? This is an often forgotten element that could boost your job search success.In todays competitive job market, job seekers need to do anything and everything in order to set themselves apart from the competition, and having a personal website is one of the best ways to do just that. Thing is, having a personal website isnt industry-specific anyone from any career field can (and should) have a site that helps give potential employers a better glimpse into who they are as potential job candidates- and why the y are the ones who should be hired.Here are just a few reasons why you should boost your job search with a personal website1. It helps control the information thats out there about you. Although youve made every effort to ensure that your online presence is squeaky clean, theres always that one party photo thats lurking in every job seekers background that you dont want to come to light. Although there are some things you can do to get rid of black smudges online (i.e., contact the person or company with the bad information/photo/etc.), sometimes theres not much you can do about it. That is, unless you have a personal website. While a website wont wipe your online history clean, it will come up much higher in the search results, providing a potential employer with positive, professional information about you- and hopefully bury any bad info thats lurking about you online.2. It gives an employer an idea of who you really are. Yes, your resume and CV cover all the major aspects of you r career, but theres only so much space on those precious pages to get across who you really are. A personal website gives you all the space you need (and then some) to wax on about your professional accomplishments without worrying about going over the one-page maximum for both a cover letter and resume You can provide more details about your accomplishments and also give each award and accolade the spotlight they deserve. Plus, it also gives you the opportunity to show off some of your personality, too, which can be a hard thing to achieve on a job application.3. It shows that you take you care about your career. A lot. Yes, anybody can click and apply for a position, but not many are going to take the time to whip up a website that looks both professional and polished. By having a personal website, the image you are projecting to hiring managers is that you are a hard worker who is taking the time to invest money and effort into his career- and that dedication can be enticing to a potential employer.4. How to Make it HappenSo lets say youre interested in crafting a personal website, but your background is in banking, not hypertext markup language coding. There are a variety of ways you can get your info online that wont take a ton of time- and wont break the bank, either. You can use sites like WordPress, which will allow you to create a cool website quickly, or use a hosting company (like GoDaddy), which offers customizable templates that can allow you to make your site. Squarespace is another service that allows you to build a website with drag-and-drop pieces. You can also find website building companies to do the work for you.But no matter which route you take to get your personal website off the ground, it should have the following informationA professional headline that welcomes the user.Contact information.An About Me page.Your resume.Samples of your work.Videos and photos of your work.Testimonials.A blog.Being able to boost your job search with a pe rsonal website is a very smart investment in not only your job search, but your career. So take the time to make a website that represents you (both professionally and personally) and keep it up to date, and youll be one step ahead of other job seekers.Want tips straight to your inbox? Sign up for the E-Newsletter You can unsubscribe at any time.Readers, do you have a personal website to boost your job search? What is yours like? Let us know in the comments below

The 25 best cities to move to if you want to be happy

The 25 best cities to move to if you want to be happyThe 25 best cities to move to if you want to be happyWould you be happier if you lived somewhere else?According to a new survey of a half-million people across the nation, those who call Boulder, Colorado home reported being the happiest in the country - based on 15 different categories ranging from physical activity and healthy eating to vacation time and financial stability.The list of the 25 Happiest Places in the United States, produced by National Geographic in connection with author Dan Buettner - whose book Blue Zones of Happinessshares advice from happy people around the globe - and national polling organization Gallup, lays out the top places where you can be surrounded by chipper, cheerful people.Here are the 25 happiest places in the countryBoulder, ColoradoPhoto leistungspunkt Rex Brown via FlickrBolstered by a sense of community, access to nature, sustainable urban development and preservation policies, and perhaps even that clean mountain air, Boulderites overwhelmingly feel active and productive every day, National Geographic concluded. Per capita, more people walk to work in Boulder than in any other city in the U.S. Low rates of smoking and obesity, and high rates of exercise, contribute to the satisfaction locals feel.Looking for an inspiring way to start your day? Sign up forMorning MotivationIts our friendly Facebook ? that will send you a quick note every weekday morning to help you start strong. Sign up here by clicking Get StartedSanta Cruz-WatsonvillePhoto credit Dale Cruse via Flickr.With the nations oldest amusement park and extensive coastal access, Santa Cruz is a paradise for surfers and beach-goers. Its also a short distance from the areas breathtaking redwood forests.Charlottesville, VirginiaCarter Mountain Orchard, Piedmont Monticello, VA. Photo Credit Eli Christman via Flickr.Recent controversial protests notwithstanding, Charlottesville ranked high on the National Geograph ic/Gallup poll in terms of overall happiness - both for its educational outposts of the University of Virginia as well as its access to the picturesque and hike-friendly Blue Ridge Mountains.Fort Collins, ColoradoPhoto credit Ed Ogle via Flickr.Fort Collins has a wealth of natural beauty, including Arapaho national forest, the Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, with waterfalls, and abundant hiking, biking and water sport activities. In addition, according to National Geographic, Fort Collins Old Town storefronts inspired the creators of Disneylands Main Street, U.S.A.San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaIrish Hills Reserve. Photo credit Thor Liland Larsen via Flickr.With endless hiking trails, artists studios and outdoor markets - as well as a famous Bubblegum Alley where the walls are covered with, you guessed it, chewed bubblegum - San Luis Obispo is a hub of happiness.San Jose, CaliforniaAlum Rock Park. Photo credit Melissa McMasters via Flickr.The epicenter of Silicon Valley, San Jose fea tures a host of outdoor recreational facilities as well as the legendary Winchester mystery house, wildlife habitats and museums.Provo, UtahAmerican Fork Canyon. Photo credit Don LaVange via Flickr.Provo boasts access to picturesque mountains, waterfalls and ample hiking, as well as museums and dining options.Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, ConnecticutPhoto credit Paul Sableman via Flickr.This metro area is just 40 miles from NYC, has plentiful public transportation, and features the highest concentration of corporations in the nation, according to National Geographic.Barnstable Town, MassachusettsPhoto credit Kevin Rutherford via Flickr.Located on Cape Cod, Barnstable Town is a recreational paradise where residents and visitors can whale watch, boat, golf, check out wildlife sanctuaries and visit museums and historical sites.Anchorage, AlaskaSand Lake, Anchorage, Alaska. Photo credit Paxson Woelber via Flickr.In addition to being one of the happiest cities, Anchorage also was recently named one of the fruchtwein hard working cities in the nation.Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FloridaPhoto credit Roman Boed via Flickr.This coastal town is known as much for its high-end real estate as for its pristine beaches, not to mention its upscale shopping. It also features botanical gardens, zoos and state parks.Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CaliforniaPhoto credit SachinDaluja via FlickrThe coastal town is flanked by the Santa Ynez mountains, features architecture dating back to its former Spanish inhabitants and has a stretch of beaches and quick proximity to a host of California wine tours.Salinas, CaliforniaPhoto credit Alcides Sorto via Flickr.Located just south of the Bay area, Salinas was home to author John Steinbeck and boasts a museum in his honor, along with a number of parks, zoos and gardens.North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FloridaCa dZan, the mansion owned by the Ringling family, in Sarasota, Fla. Photo Credit Walter via Flickr.Honolulu, HawaiiPhoto credit Wilson Hu i via Flickr.Honolulus reputation as a paradise is borne out by its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, as well as by abundant natural treasures including volcanoes, parks and hiking.Ann Arbor, MichiganPhoto credit Sharon VanderKaay via FlickrAnn Arbor is home to the University of Michigan and a collection of museums, botanical gardens and arboretums.San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CaliforniaSan Francisco, CA. Photo credit Mrs Airwolfhound via Flickr.The picturesque west coast city - which has been the set of countless movies and TV shows - offers abundant recreational options for those who love the outdoors as well as rich culinary and cultural offerings.Colorado Springs, ColoradoGarden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO. Photo credit Rennett Stowe via Flickr.The stunning natural beauty of Colorado comes through again in Colorado Springs, located at the base of the Rockies and near the glacier-carved Pikes Peak. The town also boasts the Garden of the Gods, a park with red sandstone rock formations.Manchester-Nashua, New HampshireManchester, N.H. Photo credit Pinfante via Flickr.The riverfront town is home to The Currier Museum of Art, which lays claim to original Picasso and Georgia OKeefe works,a Frank Lloyd Wrightdesigned building, and historic sites tracing the towns history as a manufacturing and textile hub.Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CaliforniaCentury Movie Theater in Ventura, CA. Photo credit Joe Wolf via Flickr.This coastal town has beaches for sunning, surfing and windsurfing and an historic main street with churches that dates back to 1809. You can also take an easy day trip to Channel Islands National Park, where wildlife including seals, foxes and birds await along with caves to explore.Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, District of Columbia/VirginiaThe White House. Photo credit John Haslam via Flickr.While its role as the seat of government gets all the attention, the greater Washington D.C.-Virginia area is a walkable city with many hik ing, biking and walking trails and access to nightlife and dining. Locals are surrounded by museums, historical sites and public transportation.Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota/WisconsinWalker Art Center sculpture garden. Photo credit Paul VanDerWerf via Flickr.Home to the Mall of America, the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington area also includes a sea life aquarium, football, hockey and cultural hotspots including the Walker Art Center sculpture garden.San Diego-Carlsbad, CaliforniaCarlsbad flower fields. Photo credit Jason Rosenberg via FlickrThe coastal city is home to a collection of surfing beaches,gorgeous flower fields with acres of seasonal wildflowers, and a Legoland California theme park.Portland, MaineCredit Lucy Orloski/FlickrThe port city is a hub of culture, history and natural treasures, from a host of parks and water activities including kayaking and boating to easy access to skiing and beaches.Austin, TexasKatzs caddy. Photo credit Gino via Flickr.R ounding out the list is Austin, where the annual South by Southwest festival has catapulted the southern town into the forefront of music, art, film, food and tech. Homegrown artist and Boyhood writer/director Richard Linklaterhas set up his production shop Detour Filmproduction in town and University of Texas-Austin keeps a steady flow of young students cycling through the city.

The next step for US Womens National Team is equal pay

The next step for US Womens National Team is equal payThe next step for US Womens National Team is equal payThe US Womens National Team got past the small test in winning the World Cup. Now comes the hard parte getting equal pay.Equal pay has been a talking point thats surrounded the womens team for years and continued to circulate throughout the tournament. The US, which won the title Sunday after a 2-0 win against the Netherlands, was serenaded with a loud and powerful equal pay chant shortly after winning their fourth World Cup title, the most in the sport.I think everyone is ready for this conversation to move to the next step, US captain Megan Rapinoe said after Sundays win, according to The Guardian. I think were done with Are we worth it, should we have equal pay, is the market the same? Yada yada.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreEveryones done with that fans are done with that, players are done with that. In a lot of ways, I think sponsors are done with that. Lets get to the next point. Whats next? How do we beistand womens federations and womens programs around the world? What can Fifa do to do that? What can we do to support the leagues around the world? she said, having rocked into the press conference late, exclaiming I just killed doping Before the tournament, the members of the US womens team sued the US Soccer Federation for gender discrimination. They cited wages and working conditions that were not equal to the mens national team, which has won zero World Cups and comes off missing the World Cup in 2018 and a Gold Cup finals loss against Mexico Sunday.At this moment of tremendous pride for America, the sad equation remains all too clear, and Americans wont stand for it anymore. These athletes generate more revenue and garner higher TV ratings but get paid less simply because they are women, Molly Levinson, a spokeswoman for the USWNT player s in their equal pay lawsuit, told CNN. It is time for the Federation to correct this disparity once and for all.On a global scale, there are immeasurable differences between the mens and womens game that expands to different countries. While some like Norway have made strides for equality, the prize money between mens and womens World Cups vary drastically. The mens prize money topped at $400 million in 2018, but for the womens installment this month in France, the players pot was significantly smaller at just $30 million this year.FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was booed by fans during Sundays final, said last week that FIFA was looking at doubling the womens tournament prize money for 2023.It certainly is not fair, said Rapinoe before the final. We should double it now and use that number to double it or quadruple it for the next time. Thats what I mean when we talk about, Do we feel respected?Rapinoe, who won the Golden Boot award as the tournaments leading scoring, questi oned whether FIFA actually cared enough.If you really care, are you letting the gap grow? Are you scheduling three finals on the same day? No, youre not, Rapinoe said, referring to the Concacaf Gold Cup and Copa America final, all held on Sunday. Are you letting federations have their teams play two games in the four years between each tournament? No, youre not, Rapinoe said. Thats what I mean about the level of care, you need attention and detail and the best minds that we have in the womens game, helping it grow every single day.