Monday, December 30, 2019

Engineers Break Down Borders, Part 1

Engineers Break Down Borders, Part 1 Engineers Break Down Borders, Part 1 Engineers Break Down Borders, Part 1By this time next year, Jenna OBrien should already have several months under zu sich belt as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer, acting as a water sanitation and hygiene education instructor in Panama. But shes already an old kralle at certain parts of the volunteer experience. The Virginia Tech engineering major has nearly four years of experience with another humanitarian organization, Engineers Without Borders.The organization is comprised of nearly 150 student chapters and another 150 or so professional chapters that organize engineering projects. Until early 2018, nongovernmental organizations that work in developing and disaster-stricken countries requested EWBs help with projects. Earlier this year, EWB-USA, which oversees the organizations structure, announced a change in the way it supports projects. The organization will now work on projects only within 35 specific count ries to avoid displacing work for engineers in countries with a sufficient number of in-country engineers.When youre in engineering, you can get caught up on an assignment. But EWB encourages you to think of the people, to keep things in perspective. Jenna OBrien, Virginia Tech The Virginia Tech EWB Uganda project team installs solar panels on top of St. Josephs Secondary School. Image Virginia TechOBrien joined EWB nearly the moment she arrived at Virginia Tech as a freshman. In fact, one of the main reasons she chose her majorsbiological systems engineering and Spanish, with a minor in green engineeringwas because she one day wanted to hold a sustainable engineering job. She also wanted to investigate how sustainable engineering groups function behind the scenes. OBrien, for the 2017-2018 school year, serves as president of the Virginia Tech EWB chapter, made up of between 30 and 60 students, depending on how many are active at a given timeFind out more about techno logy and society from ASME.org.As with all EWB chapters, student members are responsible for researching and planning their projects, consulting with professional engineers and NGOs, and raising funds and writing grants to cover project materials and travel costs. Student members serve as co-leaders, presidents, treasurers, directors of fundraisers, and in other traditional roles.Earlier in her EWB involvement, OBrien traveled to a community outside Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic to help with a water distribution project. But the small community of service workers catering to the tourists who stay in nearby hotels was a largely migratory bunchtraveling to their homes in Haiti or to other cities within the Dominican Republic for weekends or quitting their jobs altogether after a number of weeks or months to return home. For that reason, the project failed to get the community support needed, OBrien says.Virginia Tech now hosts three projects in Uganda, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. The latter aims to improve the sustainable wastewater management system of CEFONMA, a boarding school located in the Xix, El Quiche region. The school now disposes of waste by pouring it into pits dug around campus and capped with concrete when full. That method limits the schools usable land and could contaminate nearby water sources, says Helen Chen, a senior Virginia Tech civil engineering major and head of public relations for the schools EWB chapter.Until the problem is fixed, the school cant expand, a pressing issue because Guatemala doesnt offer schooling past the sixth grade. The boarding school offers many students their only opportunity for continuing education, with many students walking eight to 12 hours to get to the campus, she adds.OBrien hasnt traveled again after her trip to the Dominican Republic, but her time in EWB taught her many career and life skills.When youre in engineering, you can get caught up on an assignment. But EWB encourages you to think of the peop le, to keep things in perspective, she says. I feel engineers have the responsibility to help people improve the quality of their lives.Read Part 2 to learn about the real-life experiences EWB members gained through the program.Jean Thilmany is an independent writer.

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Why Recruiting Is the Perfect Post-College Gig

Why Recruiting Is the Perfect Post-College Gig Why Recruiting Is the Perfect Post-College Gig Todays college grads face a professional world that isnt always hospitable. Unemployment rates tend to be higher among young graduates than the rest of the workforce. For example, a 2016 report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) lists the unemployment rate for young college graduates at 5.6 percent, compared to a general unemployment rate of 5 percent at the time of the reports publication. And many college graduates who do land jobs right out of school end up underemployed The EPI report lists the underemployment rate of young graduates at 12.6 percent.But there are opportunities out there. You just need to know where to look. Recruiting, for example, isnt high on many grads lists of career options - but it should be. This lucrative, rewarding role has a low bar to entry and high potential.Interested in becoming a recruiter? Check out the Recruiter.com Certification Program, a self -paced program designed to introduce people with no previous recruiting experience to the recruiting industry.Recruiting A Thriving Sector That Needs New TalentThe recruiting industry is thriving, seeing year over year revenue growth since 2008. In 2016 alone, the recruiting and staffing industry brought in $150 billion in sales.To maintain this pace, the recruiting industry is in constant need of new talent - which is why this field presents such an opportunity to young graduates. You dont have to worry about unemployment in the recruiting sector. Companies will always need help finding new talent.Nor do grads have to worry about underemployment as recruiters. A recruiters job is to connect employers in need with candidates who can provide value. Recruiters have to make full use of creative problem-solving skills to land new clients, advertise jobs, find candidates, and make matches. Theres never a dull moment.And recruiting comes with a load of other benefits, too1. Unlimited Earn ing PotentialAs a recruiter, you are paid for your results. That means the sky is the limit as far as your earning potential is concerned. The more work you put in, the more value you deliver, the higher your paycheck. When you have student loans to pay off - and who doesnt? - that level of income can be a real blessing.2. Independent Work OptionsRecruiters are in a unique position Because they are paid based on performance, they have more control over their work arrangements. As a recruiter, you can work when you want, as little or as much as you want.Are you looking for a part-time gig as you explore your future career options? Recruiting can be that gig - and a particularly lucrative one at that. Plus, the skills you learn as a recruiter are transferable skills that can be applied to almost any other profession communication skills, problem-solving, negotiation, client relations, customer service, sales skills, marketing skills, and more.Or you can make recruiting your full-ti me job - which many people do. And why not? It gives you freedom, flexibility, and lots of earning power.3. Choose the Style of Recruiting That Is Right for YouAs a recruiter, you have options even beyond your schedule.Would you prefer to get on the phone to wheel and deal with clients all day? Then you can become a business development recruiter.Would you rather spend your time surfen social media, networking with people, and searching databases to find the perfect candidates for open roles? Then you can be a sourcing recruiter.Would you like to do a little of both? Become a full-desk recruiter.You can specialize even further by adopting a specific industry niche. Would you rather work with techies? Then recruit for clients in the tech industry. Is healthcare more interesting to you? Recruit for clients in the healthcare industry.As a recruiter, you can build a customized profession. Work on your time, in the industries youd like, for the people youd like.4. Short Ramp-Up TimeYou dont have to jump through many hoops to become a recruiter. You dont need to graduate with a particular degree. After picking up just a few basic concepts and skills, you can get in the door and start earning.This is exactly what the Recruiter.com Certification Program (RCP) is here for. Designed for people with no recruiting experience, the RCP teaches you everything you need to know about recruiting, from sourcing candidates to landing clients to filling roles. As an RCP graduate, youll be a more productive recruiter in less time - which can translate easily to higher earnings, too.If you want freedom, flexibility, high earning potential, and some very marketable skills, a career in recruiting is the right move for you. Check out the Recruiter.com Certification Program to get started today https//www.recruiter.com/recruiter-training.html.

Saturday, December 21, 2019

What to Wear for a Walmart Job Interview

What to Wear for a Walmart Job InterviewWhat to Wear for a Walmart Job InterviewHave youappliedfor a job at Walmart,Target, or another major retailerand now have an interview coming up?Congratulations, and good luck preparing for the interview. If you are not sure what to wear to your interview, weve got advice. Our first tip Dont show up looking sloppy. While the dress code for both the interview andwork shiftsatbig box retailers are less formalthan at a corporate office, its still important to make a good impression. Thehuman resources departmentcares about your appearance and professionalism, no matter where youre working. When you interview,making the best possible impressionwill require dressing neatly and appropriately to convey confidence and reliability. Interview Attire for Hourly and Management Jobs If youve applied for an hourly job, you can choosea business casual outfit. That means neat, clean, and well-fitting attire. Men should pair a button-down shirt or a shirt a nd vest with khakis or slacks. Women should wear neat, coordinated separates a skirt or slacks and sweater or blouse. If youre interviewing for a higher-level lokalitt in management or a leadership role, theproper attire is typically a suit. (Walmart even suggests this onits career page.) Options for Men Thoughmen have fewer options, there are still some rules you must follow to achieve a neat, conservative, and professional appearance. Always wear your shirt tucked in shirttails are unattractive and may give off the impression that youre too casual or sloppy. (Since youre tucking in your shirt, its also a good idea to wear a belt.) Choose a shirtcolor or patternthat is not too loud. Khaki, gray, black, or blue slacks are good options. Even if you dont wear a suit jacket, a tie is always a nice touch and helps convey the message that youre serious about the impression you give prospective employers. Options for Women Womenhave the option of wearing slacks, a skirt, or a dr ess, provided you keep the hemline and neckline conservative. Check the length of your skirt or dress while sitting to make sure its not too short. For women, a blouse or sweater is appropriate. Keep the color and pattern conservative, and avoid overly casual tops, such as graphic T-shirts, crop tops, and tank tops. Piercings and Tattoos Withthree in ten Americanshaving tattoos, retail giants including Walmart, Target, and Staples embrace a progressive stance on self-expression. While facial piercings are not allowed on the job at Walmart, employees may display non-offensive tattoos. But not so fast, because a Salary.compoll revealed that 76% of respondents think tattooshurt an applicants chancesof getting hired. Though our cultural norms have changed, hiring managers may still have an unconscious bias concerning body art. So conceal your tattoos andavoid wearing flashy jewelryto the interview. After youre hired, you can embrace Walmarts policies. What to Bring to the Intervi ew Its agood idea to bring extra copies of your resume(if you need one), a fewquestions to ask the interviewer, a list of threereferences, a pad of paper,and a working pen to write down important details, such as the interviewers name and title, or the date and time of your second interview. Aresume isnt requiredfor hourly positions. Before the interview, write down things you want to remember to tell the interviewer, like your available hours or any particular experiences you feel will help you get the job. You might jot down, Talk about experience working in the womens apparel department at JC Penney. Review your notes while you wait in the lobby. Beyond the Attire Though dressing for success is imperative, ultimately winning the job comes down to your personality, preparedness, and interaction with the interviewer. Follow these tips to knock the interview out of the park Research the company.Before the interview, learn about Walmartsworkplace cultureand policies by reviewing thecompanys LinkedIn pageand website. Take it a step further andvisit a storeto talk with associates and get the lay of the land. By researching the company and even visiting a store, youll better understand how the company and even the specific ausverkauf floor functions, which will impress the hiring manager. Walmart conductsbehavioral interviewsso that the hiring team can get a good sense of your thought process and how you would mesh with existing employees. Arrive ten minutes early.Arriving late is high on the list ofinterview mistakes to avoid. Doing so suggests poortime managementand a lack of respect for the company, the position, and your interviewer. Not to mention, the stress youll feel will damage your confidence and inhibit your ability to think clearly. So be sure to give yourself an extra ten minutes to reach your destination. That way youll still be on time even if theres some light traffic. Stay relaxed and present.To effectively calm your nerves before the inter view, take three deep breaths. For each breath, inhale for three seconds, hold for three seconds, and exhale for three seconds. Remember thatyour body languageconveys so much about you. Its important to look and feel confident. Therefore, avoid slumping back in your chair and instead lean slightly forward.Showing your hands a sign of honesty is also proven to significantly improve your odds of getting hired. So, place them on the table, as opposed to on your thighs or (even worse) in your pockets. Finally, ask questions,listen, and hold eye contact Todays the day.You are freshly showered, light on the perfume or cologne, have fresh breath (throw out your gum or mint), are appropriately dressed, and ten minutes early. Meeting all of these imperatives will add to your overall presentation and allow you to go in with a clear head and quiet confidence. Good luck

Monday, December 16, 2019

Casting a Wide Net

Casting a Wide Net Casting a Wide Net Casting a Wide NetWe have heard our share of buzz words in the last few years. But drone is near the top.And to be honest, they can be a great deal of fun. Taking wondrous picturesque nature shots that might require being an expert mountain climber otherwise. Or just cutting through the air as one more toy for aeronautic appreciation.But while it may be a hobby for some, in the wrong hands, a drone has the potential to do harm, says Mo Rastgaar, associate prof of mechanical engineering at Michigan Technological University. I was watching the World Cup and there was mention of snipers, he says. I thought, What if someone meaning harm has a drone come into a stadium to hurt people and bullets wouldnt help? Through brainstorming, the thought of shooting nets from other drones to catch potential rogue drones seemed like a good way to go.A purchase was made of an off-the-shelf helicopter (a drone), and it was modified with a net gun. The guns are used for catching birds and my team geared up a control ordnungsprinzip where you could shoot them using a remote control, he explains.A drone catcher speeds toward its target drone. Image Michigan TechThis drone catcher has a vision system as well and, when its felt to be the right moment, you shoot and the net is launched. The net itself has bullets attached, so when the bullets are shot, it carries the nets with them. But it doesnt require anything close to a perfect shot, Rastgaar adds. Even just catching one of the four propellers with the net should be enough to do the job, he says.The launcher itself is powered by pressurized CO2.When the net catches the target drone, it stays in possession of it and can carry it where you want, he says. We dont want to just force it to land somewhere if its carrying explosives. If you put it on the ground, just think of the chances of it exploding anyway. So you want to carry it to somewhere you can neutralize it.The control system has a visual feedback setup. A controller system gets information from a detection system and moves the drone catcher to the neighborhood of the target drone, he says. We are working on the control system now and we will have visual servo to aim the net launcher and engage.The vision system is a stereo camera and sends feedback to the controller, he says, adding that, at present, the launchers optimal target distance for capture is about 20 feet.The thought is it could one day maybe be used by law enforcement agencies and private security companies, he says. Its not for the civil population when you consider FAA laws. But you want the public to be safe and hopefully this can be a way to help.Eric Butterman is an independent writer. For Further Discussion The thought is it could one day maybe be used by law enforcement agencies and private security companies.Prof. Mo Rastgaar, Michigan Technological University

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Fraternization Policy Sample for the Workplace

Fraternization Policy Sample for the WorkplaceFraternization Policy Sample for the WorkplaceThe dating or fraternization policy adopted by an organization reflects the culture of the organization. Employee-oriented, forward-thinking workplaces recognize that one of the places that employees meet their eventual spouse or partner is at work. These relationships make sense because of the commonalities that co-workers share such as proximity to work, the actual work, the amount of time one spends at work, and the interests underlying onescareer chose. Friendships and romances can alsoaffect the workplace positively adding to the sense of teamwork and camaraderie. But, relationships can also go awry and result in friction and conflict at work. It can affect the team, the department, and even the mood of the organization when stress permeates the air. Minimizing Impact The key to a fraternization policy is to minimize the impact of the things that can go wrong in the workplace while ma ximizing the powerfully positive aspects of employee relationships. You also want to identify the relationships that are forbidden because of their kompetenzprofil impact at work. As with any policy, you should develop the policy for the good of the working relationships in a whole group of employees. Dont put a policy in place to control the behavior of a few employees whose behavior is out of line. Its worth noting that the consequence of a too-restrictive policy is that fraternization policies that prohibit even friendships and associations outside of work cause employees to deceive and cover-up. They also encourage gossip, job dissatisfaction, and low morale. Contents of Fraternization Policies A fraternization policy needs to have the following components It must prohibit romantic relationships between a manager and a reporting staff member.It should prohibit dating relationships between employees who are separated by two levels in the chain of commandregardless of the repo rting relationship or department.It must define the romantic and friendship behavior that is acceptable and what is not acceptable.The policy must state the potential consequences of breaking the policy.It must provide courses of action that leave an employee with opportunities to understand and follow the policy. SampleDating or Fraternization Policy The following is a sample of a dating or fraternizing policy that you can use as is or alter to fit your needs Company employees may date and develop friendships and relationships with other employees- both inside and outside of the workplace- as long as the relationships dont have anegative impact on their work or the work of others.Any relationship that interferes with the company culture of teamwork, the harmonious work environment or the productivity of employees, will be addressed by applying the progressive discipline policyup to and including employment termination.Adverse workplace behavior- or behavior that affects the wo rkplace that arises because of personal relationships- will not be tolerated. Anyone employed in a managerial or supervisory role needs to heed the fact that personal relationships with employees who report them may be perceived as favoritism, misuse of authority, or potentially, sexual harassment.Additionally, for the same reason above no employee may date another employee who is separated by more than one level in the chain of command. This includes an employee who reports to their bosses counterpart in another department.Additionally, any fraternization with any employee who reports to the manager or whose terms and conditions of employment such aspay raises, promotions, and advancement are potentially affected by the manager, is prohibited. The fraternization that is prohibited by this policy includes dating, romantic involvement, and sexual relations close friendships are discouraged in any reporting relationship.Employees who disregard this policy willreceive disciplinary acti onsup to and includingemployment termination. Consequences of Dating and Extra-marital Affairs A manager or supervisor who dates or becomes romantically involved with an employee creates a serious problem for the company. Dating an employee, and extramarital affairs, even when the employee is not in a reporting relationship, creates serious consequences for the company. It can affect the careers of both employees with regard to advancement opportunities, choices of jobs, and assignments. Clearly, these relationships can result in charges of sexual harassment, years or decades after the fact. If a manager decides to pursue a close relationship with an employee, he or she needs to inform their manager and menschenfreundlich Resources immediately. The company will then decide what, if any, actions are necessary to take in regard to assignments and jobs. Employees have different definitions and understandingsof what constitutes a close relationship, a friendship, or romantic involve ment. Consequently, if you have questions or need further clarification, talk with the head of the Human Resources department. Their goal of implementing policies consistently and fairly will help inform your choices.

Friday, December 6, 2019

Up in Arms About Strong Synonym Resume?

Up in Arms About Strong Synonym Resume? Nursing Student Letter Of Recommendation is extremely competitive field with respect to health well-being. By listing a few pursuits or volunteer organizations with which youre involved outside of work, you can demonstrate leid only that youre an interesting and well-rounded individual, but in addition that youre ready to juggle a wide-range of activities in your everyday life, even outside the workplace. When creating an effective resume, you will need to understand how to compose a skills section as it is but one of the very first things a prospective employer will start looking for to find a fundamental comprehension of what you, as a possible employee, can bring to their company. If youre lacking a good deal of specialist experience then it is even more critical you compose a flawless education section. The Honest to Goodness Truth on Strong Synonym Resume There is an assortment of approaches to determine whether the solution impleme nted is effective. For bringing about solutions its mandatory to collect information concerning the issue. Analytical skills are the ability to collect information, visualize and solve complex together with simple difficulties with the information available. Its notlage sufficient to say that you developed strong communication skills, you must be in a position to back this up. The skills section is regarded as the clincher. You may look on the internet for a list of soft abilities or hard skills to offer you a few ideas. Its also important to concentrate on skills which you will use if you have the job that youre applying for. Perhaps your skill set is wholly different. As an example, say youre applying for the job of dump truck driver. The direction you organize the info on your resume is nearly as critical as the resume itself. Long resumes convey the image that youve got difficulty articulating your point. If youre interested in an infographic format, here are a few i nfographic samples to check out. Most Noticeable Strong Synonym Resume Hiring managers want to scan your resume and locate the information that they need in record time so that they are able to move on to the next resume. Employers arent permitted to ask for that sort of information, and you need tont offer. Resumes should demonstrate what you could do and not what you cannot do, states Harrison. Objective statements are supposed to be relatively brief, and in addition, they will need to encompass your aims and your skills, which means that your reference to multitasking will need to be straight to the point. Communication and computer handling skills are also rather important in regards to cashier resume. If you do, you will prove that indeed youre a superb communicator. There are lots of unique kinds of personal letters and they are generally categorized by the objective of the letter. Nowadays you overlook t should be concerned about needing to compose your personal co rrespondence in English or perhaps worry about what exactly is the proper personal letter arrangement. The resume wording ought to be employer-oriented so he knows what you could do for him. The correspondence is truly a semi-formal letter and the correspondence should be written at a crystal clear manner so that its very simple to comprehend the view of the person. By way of example, stating that you are trying to find a challenging career is an open ended statement which will not influence the reader favorably. In reality, if you prefer to occupy in work in the health care field, you will need to use different action words than a particular person who is aims at work in the sales sector. The solution is certainly a huge YES You always wish to set yourself aside from the remainder of the applicants as long as its for the proper reasons. Bubbly As a new job applicant, you can be keen to showcase your effervescent personality at work, where everything is apparently new and exc iting, but you should be cautious not to make yourself sound as if you are ditzy or giddy. Employing the most suitable candidate for a position, as an example, shows critical thinking. You wish to land a great job which pays well. The job, the business, and the institution proved not the appropriate fit for me. How to Choose Strong Synonym Resume Finding solution isnt a single man show. Deciding on the most suitable words to describe job performance is very important. Maybe youve employed your listening skills to fully grasp how youre able to employ your understanding and experience to enhance the operation of others on your team still attempting to learn the ropes. Remember that critical thinking a part of good analytical skills. Irrespective of where you include your skills section on your resume, you can be confident that the hiring manager is likely to find it and definitely likely to ask about doing it. Folks rely on one anothers help to find work done. So youve got t o immediately search out other alternative approaches to acquire the job done. Committed Show that youre devoted to your work, begin to finish. Choosing Good Strong Synonym Resume Resume Wording Keyword Tips Resume keywords can be immensely important and are a crucial part of expert quality resume wording. Importance of Resume wording Resume wording is a significant aspect to think about when constructing a resume. Resume action verbs may have a constructive and memorable effect on the readers memory. Utilizing action verbs in your resume is an easy approach to dramatically enhance the potency of your resume. Creative While its important to get a professional resume, sometimes just a little creativity and innovation is suitable. When you are having the undertaking of producing a solution, attempt to utilize your sense of creativity. For example, you can use diligent to demonstrate your love of a work well done, dedicated to demonstrate your passion, motivation and willingn ess, and confident to demonstrate your understanding of yourself and your ability to accomplish any task without hesitating or being afraid. Incorporating trendy jargon isnt exclusively with the aim of cosmetics, however in addition, it showcases advanced written communication skills essential to the success at just about any role or title.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Stay-at-Home Moms Heres How to Ease Back Into Your Career

Stay-at-Home Moms Heres How to Ease Back Into Your Career Taking some time off from your career to raise your family can be extremely rewarding. Many stay-at-home moms and dads say they wouldnt have it any other way.Still, coming back to your career after several years away maybe as your child goes off to school can be challenging if youre unprepared. Wherever you are in the parenting journey, it is important to think about how you can make your eventual transition to working parent aspainless as possible.Here are some of the challenges you might experience, along with some tips for overcoming them1. You May Feel DisconnectedWhile youre home, stay in touch with your business network so you can keep abreast ofhow your industry is evolving.Do some research on workforce trends. Have candid conversations with other working moms to see how theyve succeeded in reentering the workforce. Staying informed and connected will boost your confidence and ensure y oure ready to jump back in when the time is right.2. You Might Have Second Thoughts About Your CareerHow happy were you doing the type of work you were doing before you took your extended leave? Do you want to go back to the same career, or are you seeking something different?Dont feel as though you need to go back to the same old grind if the grass is looking greener in a different field. The time you spend at home with your family is actually a good time for self-reflection. Want to change things up in your career? Think about your strengths, passions, and past jobs you really enjoyed. If youre going to be interviewing for a new position, it should be one youre excited about3. Work/Life Balance Might SeemImpossibleParents who return to work after focusing for so long on their children often struggle with the reality that they might not be able to attend every school function anymore, or that dinners might be late, or that they simply wont have as much family time as before. Dont w orry You can take steps to mitigate these challenges.First, look for a job that offers flexibility a job where you have the opportunity to thrive professionally while also being able to work around important events with your children.Is you schedule flexible?Is there the potential to work from home a day or two every week? Are there other working parents on staff who have set managements expectations that staying home with a sick child is occasionally necessary? A job that requires overtime or excessive travel is probably not your best choice at this time.Frank conversations with your potential employer and other members of theteam may ease your mind. There are plenty of parent-friendly companies out therethat understand happy parents are often among the fruchtwein productive and valuable employees. Most importantly, remember thats its the quality of the time you spend with your family not the quantity that matters most. Dont beat yourself up if you miss out on something now and then. Harboring unwarranted anxiety and guilt doesnt help you at work or at home.4. Underestimating Your Capabilities Can Cost You Your Ideal PositionBefore you go out looking for a job, take stock of your knowledge, expertise, and skill set so that you can present yourself accurately to hiring managers. Dust off and update your resume, as much to remind yourself of all that you can do as to inform potential employers of what you can contribute to their companies. Remember that you still have all of the capabilities you had before plus new skills acquired in your parenting experiences.Mommy skills are highly transferable to the workplace. For example, you are now more of a multitasker than ever before, and you can negotiate like nobodys business. If youve done volunteer work (which I highly recommend to fill your resume gap) or some side work during your stay at home, be sure to tout the skills you used to complete those projects.Remember Confidence is a huge component in a success ful return to your career after an extended leave. Strive to stay current, consider all your career options, resolve to find a parent-friendly employer, and never underestimate your skills. You can be a wonderful asset to the right company and make this working-parentthing really workAriel Schur, LCSW, is CEO and founder ofABS Staffing Solutions.