9 Cliches to Cut From Your Cover Letter Right Now

9 Cliches to Cut From Your titel Letter Right Now9 Cliches to Cut From Your Cover Letter Right Now9 Cliches to Cut From Your Cover Letter Right NowWhen writing your titelseite letter, be creative - not cliche.A word to the wise Actions speak louder than words, and no, you cant judge a book by its titelblatt. But at the end of the day, when applying for a job, its still better to be safe than sorry, bite the bullet, and submit a titel letter.Wait.Before you think were actually being serious with that monster sentence chock-full of cliches were not. Were making a point its time to cut cliches from your cover letter.Cliches are overused expressions that were once original but now fall flat. Since these phrases are worn out, they lack the punchiness and personality required to tischset your cover letter apart from other candidates.Then why are cover letters a breeding ground for cliches? For whatever reason, when were not quite sure what to write, we use cliches as crutches. Theyre com fortable, and hey, maybe theyll make us sound more qualified or maybe hit all the vague points the hiring manager is looking for. Yet by relying on cliches, were not showcasing our full potential or our unique experiences effectively.For this reason, heres a list of nine common cliches that tend to make appearances in cover letters and should never appear again.1. To whom it may concernWere jumping right in with this one. Before you even start writing your cover letter, take a look at to whom youre addressing it.Whenever possible, personalize your cover letter salutation. Even if you cant find the hiring managers name immediately, put in the work and do some digging. Need some extra help? TopResumes career advice expert Amanda Augustine shared her tips on how to address a cover letter.2. My name isIf youre formatting your cover letter correctly, chances are your full name already appears at the top of the page in bold letters. Plus, you probably emailed your cover letter or filled out an application, so your name is all over the place. Theres no need to waste time (and space) by restating it with a bland Hello, my name is greeting.Instead, launch into something thatll capture the readers attention. Get creative and describe yourself in another way. Maybe youre an email-marketing specialist or maybe you have a Ph.D. in poetry. Whatever it is, set yourself apart with details and specific identifying characteristics.3. Im writing to applyIts a bit obvious youre writing to apply for a job, right?Instead of starting with Im writing to apply, shake things up. Maybe you can mention where you saw the job listing. Better yet, if someone within the company suggested you apply or is passing along a recommendation, drop his or her name.4. Ever since I was a little girl or boyYoure not diving into a childrens bedtime story youre applying to a job. Although its great to weave a story into your cover letter, you dont need to set it up in this manner.Instead, exercise some creativity and craft a scene. What did you do as a little girl or boy? Maybe when you were seven, your mom caught you mesmerized in front of the TV watching the 5 oclock news. She couldnt get you to come into the kitchen for dinner or for a bowl of ice cream. Thats when you knew you wanted to become a news anchor.Describe that scene instead of making a one-dimensional statement.5. As you can see on my resumeDont resort to regurgitating your resume and especially dont point out that youre regurgitating your resume.Instead, note specific projects youve worked on or challenges youve been able to overcome within the workplace. Your cover letter is a great space to reveal those colorful details that didnt fit into your resume.RelatedHow to Write a Catchy Cover Letter6. *Insert company motto here*Imagine applying for a job at Nike and writing something like, Im ready to Just do it. Maybe youre applying for a job with Allstate, so you write, I know Ill be in good hands with a job at Alls tate.These are examples are a bit extreme, but they help exemplify this point Dont cough up surface-level details about the company. Thats information anyone could have pulled from its homepage.Instead, research the company youre applying to work with. Check to see if its been in the news but stick with the positive headlines. Check to see if the company has won an award or has completed a huge project and note that.Showing youve done your research which requires more than just glancing over a homepage means a lot to hiring managers.7. Im the perfect fitAnyone can throw out claims like this. Also, what makes you the perfect fit out of everyone else whos saying the same thing?Rather than describing yourself with vague superlatives, show why you think youd be the perfect fit. If you already have 10 years of experience in the given field, mention that. Perhaps you just completed a certification course thatll help you bring new industry information to the department. Explain more.Div ing into why youre the perfect fit without declaring it will help beef up your cover letter.8. I have excellent written and oral communication skillsOther related cover letter cliches Im a hard worker. Im a problem-solver. Im a team player. I think outside the box.Why do we fall back on these cover letter catchphrases? Its probably because the job listing uses them.Again, its important to show and not tell when it comes to cover letters. By showing specific examples of how you work and what you can accomplish, youll be able to dodge these coined terms everyone else is using.9. This job would be a dream come trueNot only is this a tired, tired phrase, but its also not true in the literal sense. For many of us, we pray our insane stress-induced dreams dont come true, right?Theres no need to dive into dream interpretations right now, but instead of ending your cover letter on such a generalized note, explain exactly what itd mean for you to join the company or to hold such a job titl e.Remember though that you dont want to beg or become overly sentimental that can just get awkward.The bottom line is this Be specific, do your research, write outside your resume, and remember to show not tell.Click on the following link for more resume and cover letter advice.Before you can write a cover letter, you need a job-winning resume. Request a free resume critique to see how yours stacks upRecommended ReadingAsk Amanda How Do I Write a Great Cover Letter?Elevate Your Cover Letter With 3 Simple Tests5 Things to Say in Your Cover Letter If You Want to Get the Job

How people in happy relationships talk about money

How people in happy relationships talk about moneyHow people in happy relationships talk about moneyHonesty and intimacy are well understood as bedrocks of ahealthy relationship. But without complete transparency aroundfinances, they may not be possible. Thats because beneath the surface of everyfinancial conversationa couple has are the major factors underpinning any relationship power, intimacy, and trust.I say that money is one of the best communication tools that there is, actually, says Jacquette Timmons, a financial coach and the author ofFinancial Intimacy How to Create a Healthy Relationship with Your Money and Your Mate.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreTimmons regularly helps married couples arrive on the same financial page. Too often, she says, couples get far down the road before they ever discuss their finances. An example One couple Timmons worked with dated for fou r years before they got married, and it welches only then that they discovered that the husband expected the couples finances to remain separate, while the wife expected everything to be split evenly. Kind of a big deal.Such situations are not uncommon, Timmons says, and often occur because both partners assume theyll just do what their parents did. In this couples case, the wifes father was an entrepreneur, the mother stayed at home, and all resources were shared the husbands parents were divorced, and his parents accordingly handled their finances separately.I think a lot of it is centered around what you saw modeled for you, and then the expectations that you have around that, that you bring into your relationship.Thats not to say Timmons recommends one one approach over another Whether couples merge and share their finances, keep them completely separate, or maintainseparate accountsbut also establish shared accounts should be based on what works best for their situations, she s ays.However, the one thing Timmons does insist on is transparency. If partners agree to keep some or all finances separate, they must also offer complete visibility into each others accounts, including unfettered access to account statements.So, its not like My names not on it, and Im blind. You just dont want to be financially blind, she says.The cost of not having such transparency is nothing less than the health of the entire relationship.I think certainly it erodes thetrust. And what comes along with eroding the trust is the willingness to be vulnerable, Timmons says. Because otherwise I think you leave the window open for a lot of distrust to seep in, and thats never good for any relationship, whether its triggered by finances or anything else.There are financial ramifications, too, as plans are made separately, according to different goals - which ties again back to the maintenance of the relationship itself, since ideally couples are saving and investing with common goals an d developing a camaraderie in the process.If you were having more candid, open conversations about moneyyoud actually choose to behave differently with your money, and you would probably set different goals and figure out how do you partner in making those goals happen, Timmons says. So, you miss out on the opportunity to actually collaborate and behave as two people being on the team of one.Thats why couples should embrace the opportunity to talk aboutfinances, carrying a sense of curiosity and optimism into those conversations and viewing them as opportunities to plan and and obtain things that they both want.Then you kind of make it more of a fun experience and exercise that youre doing, instead of that dreaded thing, Timmons says.Those conversations need to occur regularly, both for tactical planning and for larger-scale assessments of goals and respective contributions from each partner.Its never a one-and-done negotiation, Timmons says. As circumstances in your respective live s, and in your life as a couple, change you have to navigate and negotiate different realities. So what may have worked for you last year may not work for you this year, and so youve got to adjust.Of course,vulnerabilitycan be hard to achieve, including with finances. Thats why Timmons says its important to go into that first financial conversation willing to be open and prepared to work together.Very few people are looking for someone to come to the table perfect, and that includes with regards to their money, she says. I think whats most important is that, if your stuff is not together, people want to know that youve got a plan. And I think thats what people might want to pay more attention to Does someone have a plan? Or can you create a plan together?This article originally appeared on Fatherly.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Frank lins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

The best lunch to eat, based on how youre feeling

The best lunch to eat, based on how youre feelingThe best lunch to eat, based on how youre feelingThough most Americans will chomp on whatever is closest - or from whoever delivers - at their desk for lunch, its not the best strategy for busy professionals. You know how the saying goes, but allow us to reiterate You are what you eat.And though greasy, carb-rich food is comforting when youre stressed, hungover - or um, both - it isnt the best solution if you want to ignite your productivity and jumpstart your creativity. Instead, nutritionists say you should choose what you eat based on how youre feeling.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThis way, your lunch can keep your happy mojo going, or cure any workday woes youre suffering from.Here, no matter if youre creative, exhausted or uninspired, are the right mid-day grub to pickYoure on a roll Protein-packed finger foods.Perhaps it seems simplistic, but registered dietician and associate clinical professor Keith-Thomas Ayoob says if you are blasting through your to-do list like a boss, you should probably keep doing whatever youre doing. How come? Well, its working And if you want to continue the energy, he suggests keeping lunch light but packed with protein.An ounce or two of cheese, fresh fruit like pears and a handful of almonds will fit the bill, he continues. Its good to have finger food so you dont get sidetracked with lots of containers and dishes and such, and enough high-quality protein and healthy fat to keep you from getting distracted.Youre feeling anxious Chopped salad or noodle soup.Maybe you just sent your baby to preschool. Or, your partner is going through a stressful season at work. Maybe your parent isnt feeling so hot, and you have more questions lingering than answered. Whatever is making you feel overwhelmed or anxious, its hard to leave those all-consuming feelings at the door when you arrive at the office.Here, distraction is actually your friend, according to registered dietician and nutritionist Bridget Swinney. Her suggestion is to choose something thats healthy but takes time and concentration to eat. This might be a chopped salad, a bowl of Vietnamese noodle soup, or perhaps sushi if you struggle with chopsticks. As she puts it, sometimes just slowing down can help you feel calmer.Youre feeling creative An omelet. Ayoob says if your brain feels scrambled with inspiration, have some scrambled eggs Because theyre loaded with the important brain nutrient of choline, itll help you keep those juices flowing toward your work. And if you add in mushrooms? Its brownie points for your mood.Ayoob says that because mushrooms have vitamin B6, youll continue to feel happier and jazzed. Follow this lunch with some strawberries - and all their antioxidants set you up for a creative afternoon, without feeling heavy, he adds.Youre feeling exhausted Comfort food. Youre tired, you dont have the energy to do, well, anything, but you still have to report to your gig. Swinney says while comfort food can indeed be the answer, its not permission to go deep-fried and unhealthy since thatll make you feel even more sluggish.Try to find a home-style meal like meatloaf or pot roast, with potatoes, carrots and green beans. Perhaps a grilled cheese sandwich or breakfast? Or have a hearty, creamy soup like clam chowder, she suggests.These will soothe your soulmusik and hopefully give you enough energy to make it through closing time.Youre so not inspired Fish. Especially if youre in a field that demands your superstar ideas, feeling like you lack any type of inspiration or brilliance can threaten your confidence. To the rescue is fish, which Ayoob explains is packed with omega-3 fats that prevent you from getting too down-in-the-dumps as it stabilizes your mood.You can keep it simple just by trading that individual can of tuna for a can of salmon, or go all the way and spring for 1/4 pound of smoked salmon. Herring and sardines also work, and you can stuff them into a whole-grain pita or eat with whole grain crackers, he continues.Once youve had your lunch, snack on walnuts and grapes in the afternoon to keep the vibes moving.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Tips to Get Your IT Resume to the Right Person

Tips to Get Your IT Resume to the Right PersonTips to Get Your IT Resume to the Right PersonWhether youre a web developer, help desk manager or other technology pro, using the right keywords in your IT resume helps ensure it gets past automated gatekeepers and into a hiring managers hands.A good friend of mine once asked me to take a look at her resume. She was ready to embark on a new job search and looking for some objective input from someone in the IT staffing industry. I was glad she did with a strong technology background spanning several years.I expected an IT resume peppered with strategic technology keywords that I knew hiring managers would be searching for. Instead, the document was somewhat vague well written without question but not as targeted as it needed to be. Fortunately, my friend was open to some constructive feedback and took my advice on resume keywords.The importance of IT resume keywordsHow essential are keywords in an IT resume? The short answer is very im portant. Quite simply, using the correct keywords helps the right hiring managers find your resume, so its critical for technology job seekers to include them. With so many companies using applicant tracking software to scan resumes, these IT resume keywords will help you clear the first hurdle and get past the automated gatekeeper.Check out these four software engineer resume mistakes to avoid.Focus on key competencies in your IT resumeThe first step is to think about the kind of job you are targeting. If you have an actual job description for a specific opportunity web developer, for example read it carefully and highlight the words that you see in the job description.If you dont have a job description, try pulling up some current IT job postings with similar job titles online and see what words are being used in those IT job descriptions.Using web developer as an example, you will likely find terms such as mobile applications, user interface, .NET and HTML come up multiple time s. These are the words you should include in your resume, assuming you have that experience. Software and technology competencies are particularly important and worth repeating in different sections of your IT resume.Think like an IT hiring managerAlso keep in mind that hiring managers typically use nouns when running searches. For example, they might use management experience rather than experience managing.Of course, when it comes to IT resume keywords, its everything in moderation. You dont want to get carried away by over-using them especially if the keywords youre including are misleading or are unrepresentative of your experience and qualifications.While using the right keywords might get you past the tracking software, a hiring manager will not be impressed by an IT resume thats been overstuffed to the point that it no longer reads clearly, logically or honestly.Keep your IT resume focused on your qualifications, specialized skills and accomplishments, using keywords strateg ically throughout the document. These easy guidelines will help land your resume at the top of the pile and get your foot in the door for the all-important interview.This post has been updated to reflect more current information.

Want to Know More About List References on Resume?

Want to Know More About List References on Resume? Though some employers might ask you to submit resume references as a piece of the application procedure, others might ask after a telephone screening, face-to-face bewerberinterview or before the last step in the hiring process. Of course, when youre still in the exact same company working under the identical individual, then listing them is okay. Even if it resembles a solitary endeavor, the work search is a give-and-take process which relies on lots of individuals. When you first consider somebody to use as a reference for a work program, you must ask their permission not just to use and give out their contact info but directly if theyd be in a position to supply a reference as some individuals may prefer not to. Up in Arms About List References on Resume? Its important you keep in contact with your references periodically, as you want current contact info, and you want to guarantee your reference remembers who you are. Re peat until all references are added. Job references shouldnt be included on a resume. Second, your references may not wish to openly share private information. List References on Resume Try out sticking with professional references whenever you are able to except in the event that youre writing a resume with no prior job experience. For a lot of job applications you wont need to incorporate any references with your resume. When youre asked for references, you may strategically select the best people to represent what you would like highlighted for the opportunity, she states. Its acceptable to use difference references for various positions. The New Fuss About List References on Resume Another reason why its not a great notion to put references in your resume is you can be identified as an older candidate. Venne stresses the significance of informing your references they may be contacted. Your references could make or break your odds of landing work, so remember to pick t he best people to talk for your benefit. Ultimately, adding references poses a danger of the applicant. Life After List References on Resume Because you might be sending your reference sheet with your resume, its recommended to use the exact same font on both documents. When choosing your references, think about the message youre attempting to convey. If youve written a resume, write your work reference list employing the very same style and font, so that all the documents you submit match. Bear in mind your references ought to be on a single parcel of paper. Naturally, you should be sure everyone in your list may give a positive recommendation but if youre being honest, Im certain you can pick which one of your references is probably to provide you an impressive recommendation. Make sure that you let your employer know you have references available upon request. When you must provide references to a possible employer, the ideal way to do it is to create a reference page its possible to share with them. Or on another page at the conclusion of your resume. The Dos and Donts of List References on Resume The range of references you list depends upon your career level. Because they are not always a part of the interview process, you are taking up limited resume space to provide what may end up being irrelevant to employers in this phase. To put it simply, a reference is an individual, possibly a preceding employer, teacher or just a co-worker or friend that is prepared to vouch for all the wonderful abilities and achievements you laid out so beautifully on your resume. Obviously, you can provide an extra reference if you think that it would make a difference or offer another insight. Obviously, only choose references you know will provide you with a glowing commendation. Personal references are usually not suggested. It indicates you could not find enough professional references. Additional select your references wisely. Besides that particular instance, leave them off and generate a reference page by itself. After all, whenever an employer requests professional or character references, you ought to be ready for them to get in touch with each reference. If you are requested to send references, develop a distinct document rather than placing them directly on your resume. It wouldnt be efficient to contact references during this phase. Availability of references might accelerate your job offer. Following your interview, your references could be an important component on whether you get a job offer from a business. Choosing references ought to be a careful procedure. References lists are a basic part of the work application procedure, together with cover letters, resumes, and interview follow-up letters. They can boost your job application in a big way. When used by employers, they can be a crucial part of the interview process. If youre looking for work, then youll need references. The ideal time to search for a j ob is when youve got work, but it doesnt signify that its simple to look for work as youre employed. Now that youre schooled on the best way to list reference on a resume, know your resumeand your referencesmay have to be altered slightly as you make an application for different jobs. The only time that it is acceptable to include references with the resume in a work application is when theyre requested directly in the work vacancy description.

The Bad Side of Latest Resume Writing Tips

The Bad Side of Latest Resume Writing Tips Conveying your special teaching qualities and accomplishments to a possible high school is indispensable to landing a work interview. Making your resume is critical. Teachers who are notlage able to manage the classroom are challenged to create positive learning outcomes. Best of 2018 clean and professional resume templates are ideal for practically any opportunity and enable you to acquire your fantasy job. An informative resume is an excellent thing, but theres such a thing as too many particulars. Employing a custom resume instead of a generic one is going to greatly increase your odds of an interview, as youll be a better match in the view of the reader. To keep the resume short and easy, currently there is not any need to mention personal and private information. Looking for a work isnt easy but getting the appropriate tools can make things a whole lot simpler. The Benefits of Latest Resume Writing Tips Now you have the scho ol hiring managers attention you dont need to lose it. You might want to change the skills you list based on the responsibilities of the job. Never incorporate the main reason why you left your prior jobs. There are lots of basic forms of resumes used to make an application for job openings. For example, if you have an important employment gap since your final position, you might want to use a functional resume rather than a chronological one. Download absolutely free cv templates to help you compose the ideal cv to secure your perfect job. Most technical positions will require some sort of degree, which means youll have to include your education on the resume. Although your resume ought to be kept short and easy, you should however take advantage of words and phrases which suggest the degree of job which you are applying to and which represents your qualifications and experiences. In cover letters specifically, employers are binnenseeking to see why you would earn a fanta stic fit in their business and they need to realize that you have set in the effort to comprehend what they are about. Potential companies be scrutinizing the resume and could explain to the kind of person you may be by what. In the world today, recruiters wish to find out what value you bring to the table. When it regards the manner that recruiters read resumes, they dont devote an excellent deal of time reading big blocks of text. Life, Death and Latest Resume Writing Tips Cite the grade level and subject youre interested in teaching. Instead, concentrate on the exceptional skills you bring to the classroom to advertise the academic and personal development of adolescent students. When youre asking for work in the tech business, it is necessary that your resume to accurately reflects your abilities and experience within the field. Writing a resume 2016 isnt a science. How to Get Started with Latest Resume Writing Tips? Learn about the three kinds of skills you may highli ght and the way it is possible to incorporate them into your resume. With a little bit of preparation and a deep comprehension of the local job market, it is possible to easily simplify your work search. There are a few things that dont belong on a resume for work. Provide evidence you could handle more than your job and coordinate resources to lead to efficiency. Design and Format Different employers have various needs so there is not any 1 sample administrative assistant resume. After you have written and organized your information according to the kind of resume youve chosen, make sure to format it according to typical professional standards. However much or what kind of work experience youve got, theres a resume format that is likely to make your qualifications shine. Therefore, writing a good resume ought to be deemed as writing a bit of marketing paper with the aim of selling yourself to the employer.

5 Tips to Help You Descend the Corporate Ladder Gracefully

5 Tips to Help You Descend the Corporate Ladder Gracefully 5 Tips to Help You Descend the Corporate Ladder Gracefully However, the problem with the current corporate career ladder is that it only goes one way. Sure, you can come down, but you cant just neatly climb your way back to the bottom. You either have to jump off without a parachute fall off, or be pushed off. In any case, you generally hit the ground with a nasty thud.Itdoesnt have to be this way, and thankfully, things arestarting to change.Cathy Benko, vice chairman and managing principal at Deloitte, has recently pioneered the termcareer lattices, which are posedas modern replacements for the one-way career ladder. In a career lattice, employees donthave to jump off the career ladder when they find they dont like their role. Instead, they can move left or right, up or down. In a carrer lattice, when individuals reach apoint of incompetence, burnout, or disinterest, they can gracefully move back down to a mora suitable role.Suchcareer flexibility is great, but we dont all work for Deloitte, and fruchtwein employers havent fully embraced or even heard of this concept just yet. This means that, if you are looking to descend the corporate ladder gracefully, youll most likely be the first to do so at your particular company. With that in mind,Id like to offer some tips on how you can climb down the ladder without falling to your doom.1. Be BraveTheres no hiding from it youll need to show some courage to abdicate yourlofty position. But, as soon as you have made your plan for change, youll gaina sense of direction. As you start ticking off some milestones, youll feel that you are progressing toward your goals. Youll be focused and galvanized, and the feelings of uncertainty will start to ebb away.2. Use Positive VisualizationResearch such as the book Creative Visualization byAlan Richardsonand this article by Catherine Chadwickshows that positive visualization the process of rehearsing, acting out, s eeing, and visualizing success in your mind can better prepare you to achieve goals. It can certainly help you achieve an especially difficult goal, such as climbing down a career ladder. Engage in positive visualization by visualizing what success might look like in 2-3 years and what youll do to achieve ultimate success next week, next month, next quarter, and so on. If you need help in engaging in positive visualization, just search the Internet. Youll find plenty of step-by-step guides.3. Speak to Your ManagerYour request to step down may take your manager by surprise, so its a good idea to arrange a meeting with themto explain your reasoning. You should alsoexplain what might happen if you dont make the change and why you think climbing down the corporate ladderwill benefit you, your manager, and your organization. The most attractive benefit, of course, is that you will be more engaged and effective.4.Try to Negotiate a Step-DownYou may want to speak to peers and coworkers an d explain your plans. You may find that you are able to negotiate a step-down in role within the organization. If your manager is on your side, they may be able to help you with this.5. Apply to the Open MarketIf the previous negotiation step fails, youll simply have to apply for suitable, more junior-level jobs within your companysinternal job market or the external job market overall.If you are going external, youll needto make acompelling case for your decision to seek a lower-level positionto potential new employers. In a situation like this,Ithink that using a recruiter can be especially beneficial.If you can convince the recruiter of your authenticity and the soundness of your decision, they can act as a powerful ally and fight for youwith skeptical corporate hiring teams.

Experts Convene for Shale Development and Hydraulic Fracturing Conference

Experts Convene for Shale Development and Hydraulic Fracturing Conference Experts Convene for Shale Development and Hydraulic Fracturing Conference Experts Convene for Shale Development and Hydraulic Fracturing ConferenceThe three-day ASMEs Shale Development and Hydraulic Fracturing conference program explored the critical challenges and opportunities associated with shale exploration, development and production. ASMEs inaugural conference on Shale Development and Hydraulic Fracturing brought industry and academic thought leaders from around the world together in San Diego in March.In opening the three-day conference, Tim Graves, operations director for ASMEs International Petroleum Technology Institute, explained that ASME was well qualified to host the event, saying from fluid and fracturing dynamics to piping and pumping technology, mechanical engineers stand at the center of the hydraulic fracturing revolution. Several speakers pointed out that the industrys success in rec overing unconventional shale gas in the U.S. has come despite low efficiency. With prices now very low, they said efficiency must improve, and they outlined a broad range of technologies and practices to help accomplish that. So today, in the Marcellus, which is the best gas play in North America, economically, more than 50 percent of the wells are not making money at todays pricing, said Jeff Meisenhelder, vice president, Unconventional Resurces, at Schlumberger, citing data from a 2014 study conducted by the consulting firm PCF Energy. I hope that is a little shocking to you guys. It was certainly a little shocking to me. Jeff Meisenhelder Meisenhelder presented data showing the same story for the Bakken Field. So, why is that? Well, Im going to argue that the reason for that is half the wells are either drilled in the wrong place laterally, landed in the wrong place vertically, or were completed inefficiently. Solutions, Meisenhelder said, lie in speeding drilling and recovery through good project and supply-side management, an integrated approach to appraisal, data-driven decision making, and technological advances made possible from material science, computer engineering and computer modeling. One example he cited is the use of computers to design drills, eliminating the need for test rigs. Other themes that emerged during the conference are the need to use interdisciplinary approaches to better understand the geology of drill sites, and the importance of better use of technology across all stages of the process. When you talk about maximizing unconventional asset value, the fruchtwein critical thing is to have a complete understanding of the reservoir, said Ruston Mody, vice president of Technology, Completions and Production at Baker Hughes. And you have to be smart and be effective in terms of using modern technology. Rustom Mody Mody cited several examples of new technology drill bits that combine different types of cutting e lements a rotary, steerable drilling system that permits better navigation and placement of the well bore while delivering smoother surfaces plugs using nano-materials that dissolve after use imaging technology to better plan stage spacing and sensors and fiber-optic systems that permit real-time, micro-seismic measurements. Meisenhelder described how new technology can drive better processes Five years ago we couldnt in a practical, software system that runs on a laptop, model the interaction between a hydraulic fracture and a plane of weakness in the rock or a natural fracture. Now we have tools so that we can take the DFM, the Discrete Fracture Network, from our geologists and plug it directly into our fracture simulator and we can actually run that whole process in two or three hours. Environmental concerns and efforts to lower costs and improve performance merged in several presentations on methods to reduce or eliminate the use of fresh water in hydraulic fracturing. Saty a Gupta, global business development director, Production Enhancement Technology, for Baker Hughes, reviewed systems that use filtration, reclamation, sea water, production water with additives, fluids that can be recycled, energized treatments and foams, alcohol, hydrocarbons and liquid CO2. Not all of discussion centered on proven techniques. Jeremy Dockter, co-founder and managing director at Expansion Energy, described a pre-commercial process using liquefied natural gas as a fracking fluid. Mark Zoback Mark Zoback, professor of geophysics at Stanford University, spoke of the importance of decreasing the risk of earthquakes by avoiding the injection of waste water near known faults. This is a schwierigkeit we understand and we know what to do about it, Zoback said, calling on the industry to be pro-active. Several speakers addressed global opportunities for hydraulic fracturing. Melissa kampfstark, managing director of Accentures Energy Industry Group, described facto rs that influence shale development in nine countries. She said that Argentina is moving fastest. But she said that development trends in Argentina, as well as Poland, Russia and Saudi Arabia, will be very dependent on the energy and fiscal policies of their governments. In China, Stark said there needs to be significant investment in technology, to drill in rock that is very different from shale in the U.S. In the U.K., as in much of Western Europe, a big factor impeding development, Stark pointed out, is the opposition of many non-governmental organizations. In both Australia and Mexico, she said there is significant competition from conventional oil, making shale development a lower priority. Melissa Stark Stark described other factors impacting shale development overseas availability of data, land access, infrastructure, and the skill level of local workforces. In terms of overall timing, this is still a very long play, closer to 10 years probably than five years, fo r this to really get going outside the U.S., Stark said. People have to be patient. There are going to be failures. And a lot of things need to be in place in all the markets. The Shale Development and Hydraulic Fracturing conference was part of the ASME Energy Forum, a multi-media series that explores technical aspects of a broad range of energy sources and related technologies. Plans for a follow-up conference in Texas in March 2015 are underway. Roger Torda, ASME Public Information

6 Ways to Pay the Bills When Pursuing Your Passion

6 Ways to Pay the Bills When Pursuing Your Passion6 Ways to Pay the Bills When Pursuing Your Passion As a child, you usually have big dreams of what youre going to be when you grow up a famous actor, a professional athlete, a beloved author. In certain cases, ansicht childhood dreams lead to well-paying, in-demand jobs - just ask doctors or police officers. But unfortunately, more often than not, you learn that if you want to pursue one of those shoot-for-the-moon dreams, itll take years of work before you can make a living off of it. Now, thats not to say that you should give up on any dream that wont make you instantly rich - but it does mean that you should figure out some ways to supplement your income so that you can support yourself.Thinking about taking the career path less traveled, but still want to bring in some cash? Consider these opportunities.Companies Hiring Uber , Lyft , Instacart & moreRidesharing apps havent just changed how we get around - theyve changed how we work. It used to be that there was a stigma - a shame, of sorts - in gigging on the side. However, with the rise of Uber and its countless part-time drivers, having a side hustle is seen as relatively commonplace nowadays, says Olga Mizrahi , instructor at UC Irvine and author of The Gig Is Up Thrive in the Gig Economy, Where Old Jobs are Obsolete and Freelancing is the Future .With a low barrier to entry, the ability to manage your own schedule and potential to earn bonuses, many people looking to supplement their income turn to ridesharing as a flexible, easy way to bring in cash - oftenbetween $14 and $16 an hour.Companies Hiring VIPKID , 51Talk , Kaplan & moreWant to work on your own time from the comfort of your own home? Consider becoming an online tutor Youll need to be a master in whatever subject youre teaching as well as have a lot of patience and excellent communication skills, but its easy to set your own schedule as long as you meet the re quired hours per week. The rest of the time you can spend pursuing your craft, whether that means going to auditions, writing or pitching investors. As a bonus, this is also one of the higher-paying side gigs available - online tutors report earning $17 $18 per hour or more.Companies Hiring Generation 180 , WebpageFX , Zicasso & moreIf you already have some experience under your belt, there is plenty of freelancework available in fields like copywriting, web design, graphic design and more, making it an especially good option for those hoping to become writers or artists. You can work for a company in-house on a part-time or full-time basis, or even start your own business. TakeGarrett Calcaterra,an emergingscience fiction and fantasy author.I make money as a freelance writer, mostly writing and editing marketing material for clients. It can be lucrative, but like any freelance business, you need to build up your portfolio to land good clients, Calcaterra advises. Freelance writing can pay in the $20 $50/hour range, if youre efficient and youre only taking on reasonable projects.His advice for building your own business? Know your craft, present yourself professionally and build a strong portfolio.Companies Hiring Wag , Barkly Pets , NYC Pooch & moreWant to hang out with animals, get fit and most importantly, get paid? Then look no further. Becoming a dog walker and/or pet sitter has never been easier thanks to on-demand apps like Wag and Rover. If you pass their screening and interview processes, all it takes is a internetfhiges mobiltelefon to find opportunities to walk dogs on demand for around $16 to $20 per hour. You can also sign up toboard animals at your own home or sit for them at somebody elses. And of course, there are plenty of offline dog walking, grooming and pet sitting companies to choose from as well.Companies Hiring Taskrabbit , Fiverr , Thumbtack & moreIf youre a multitalented individual up for any sort of adventure, try looking for available gigs on platforms like Taskrabbit, Fiverr and Thumbtack where you could be asked to do anything from help somebody move out of their current place to revamp their online dating profile. To get a job like this, list as many specific skills and abilities as you can Also, if you have your own tools, supplies, laptop, etc., be sure to say so, Mizrahi says. The faster you respond, the better On some platforms, youre required to reply within 30 minutes or risk losing the gig. So, keep your phone handy and be ready to reply right away.Companies Hiring Starbucks , REI , In-N-Out & moreTheres a reason why roles like barista, sales associate and server are commonly associated with people pursuing their passion - they offer incredibly flexible schedules, often part-time, freeing up plenty of time to work on your side hustle. Some part-time roles even offer benefits, so you could get perks like health insurance, tuition reimbursement and paid time off without working 40 hours a week. Theres a wide range of jobs out there, so just keep your eyes peeled for roles that look right for you