Best Jobs If You Want A Flexible Schedule

Best Jobs If You Want A Flexible ScheduleBest Jobs If You Want A Flexible ScheduleAccepting a contract position can be the perfect solution when you need flexibility or immediate income. Working on a contract basis can also be a helpful option when you are not sure which route you want to take professionally and you want to try a couple options to see what suits you. Contract jobs frequently offer competitive pay rates, but unless you are in the medical field you will find that few offer benefits. Contract or consulting work is a great way to take on side or seasonal jobs, to ease your way into a new locality or to create a more flexible schedule to juggle the needs of child or family care. Telecommuting has made contract work an even more available and attractive option because for some jobs, contractors dont even need to be in the same regions as their organizations.Contractors need to be aware of their tax position because there are a variety of ways that contract workers get paid . You need to know whether your employer is deducting funds to cover what you owe for state and federal taxes (through a W-2 form) or whether the onus is on you to do that bookkeeping and pay your taxes at the end of the year (on a 1099 form). Whatever setup your employer uses, know your responsibility going into it so that you dont get blindsided by an unexpected bill at the end of the year. The IRS offers guidelines to clarify your obligations.Registered NursesOne core benefit of a nursing degree is that nurses are in demand across the country. Its no surprise that there is also a widespread need for contract nurses. Traveling nursing are contractors who visit patients in a wide range of settings. They may spend some of their time at a particular hospital and also pick up some hours at patients homes or perhaps at a facility such as a nursing home or even a prison. There are also contract nurses who may take on assignments such as a three-month stint as a hospital or a nine-month gig as a school nurse. Unlike other contract jobs, contract nursing positions frequently come with attractive medical benefits packages, 401K plans, and they may even include housing benefits, and signing bonuses. Number of Jobs 337,000 Average Salary $66,000Registered Nurse jobsSoftware Developer, Applications There are an array of opportunities for professionals with the experience and credentials to work as software developers. Professionals open to filling these roles on a contract basis get the chance to enjoy a flosses-on position in a thriving industry without being tied down to a particular company or location. There are scores of opportunities for those interested in working remotely, as well as on-site positions. Most have very competitive salaries, but few offer medical or other benefits. Many postings indicate that the length of the contract is likely to be expanded and some notenzeichen the possibility that the contract position may lead to a permanent job. Number of J obs 106,000Average Salary $93,000Software developer jobsBusiness Intelligence AnalystUse your analytical skills and business acumen to help companies create and advance their systems. There are plenty of opportunities to join teams that are doing exciting work in a variety of different fields around the U.S. There are a wide range of contract positions available, including stints as brief as three months and positions that are available for five years or longer. Although few positions have benefits, many have opportunities for eventual long-term positions. Number of Jobs 61,000Average Salary $85,000Business intelligence analyst jobsInformation Technology Project ManagerUse your IT management skills to refine and finalize organizations technological infrastructure. Your efforts will have a tremendous impact, and the experience will refine your expertise in this vital field. In addition to consulting positions, there are also contract-to-hire opportunities that may include benefits. N umber of Jobs 57,000Average Salary $81,000IT jobsMedical and Health Services ManagerThere are a wide range of responsibilities that come with this role, and all require a seasoned leader who knows the industry and who can quickly engender the trust and support of his or her team. This is one of the few contract positions that is likely to include medical benefits and may also include lodging and bonus pay. Number of Jobs 33,000Average Salary $91,000Healthcare jobsContract work can be liberating and resume-building. It offers consultants an insiders perspective on various companies and builds an interpersonal and professional savvy that is valuable and easily transferable. If you are ready to try your hand as a contractor, there are plenty of opportunities waiting for you.

Keeping Up With Technology in the Workplace

Keeping Up With Technology in the WorkplaceKeeping Up With Technology in the WorkplaceAlong with advancements in computer technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and even autonomous automobiles, the technology in our workplace is changing at a rapid pace. From yesterdays monolithic, big software systems that ran your entire business to todays cloud-based small applications driven by real-time interactions and accessible on our tablets and smartphones, everything seems to be changing overnight. Now, in addition to maintaining your technical know-how, managers and professionals must make certain to remain current with the latest technologies for managing their businesses. This article offers nine tips for managers to keep pace with the new technologies in the marketplace. Its All About the Data The volume of data we are able to collect in our organizations is remarkable. In most firms, we capture customer interactions at every possible touch point, including sales, customer service, technical service, and marketing via the web and in response to social media or other promotions activities. Savvy managers understand the importance of mining and using this data to improve decision-making in support of customers and for beating competitors. These managers invest in cultivating the following skills Learning to use the latest data analytic software products in their firms to look for trends and spot opportunities.Part and parcel of leveraging data and data analytics tools is the ability to use the growing body of visualization software to make it presentable and easily consumable by users.Leveraging the real-time monitoring capabilities of many marketing automation software products for assessing and adjusting promotions activities.How to take advantage of dashboards and other automated scorecards that measure and report on critical key wertzuwachs indicators in real time. Many managers are challenged to define their own scorecards and leverage their firms software packages to create what is called a dashboard - a visual readout of the situation, often using the red, yellow, green convention of a traffic signal. How to assess the meaning of the data in different systems. For example, todays sales manager is critically dependent upon the quality and timeliness of the data input by her sales representatives into their sales software system. By learning to monitor and interpret this data, the manager can strengthen forecasting and spot trends as they are emerging. Managers can strengthen their data and related technology skills by exploring the capabilities of their software or regularly exploring industry or professional publications. Additionally, there are a number of organizations dedicated to sharing the latest technology trends as they relate to data for interested professionals. Its All About Communication Thanks to advancement in our devices and software platforms, there are many new ways to communicate with kollektiv member s and colleagues, as long as everyone has an internet connection. Many software applications and operating systems have built-in chat functions that enable individuals to see whos online and available to connect. These tools provide instantaneous messaging and many offer the ability to share screens and collaborate.Managers interested in meeting visually with remote team members and colleagues can take advantage of todays many low-cost and even free video conferencing capabilities. Our smartphones, tablets, and computers all offer some form of this technology. There are remote collaboration tools and document sharing repositories that simplify the sharing and joint development of ideas. In all circumstances before using new technology, managers and employees are encouraged to check with their I.T. departements to discuss any potential security concerns with the applications they are considering using with team members. How to Identify and Monitor the Big Technology Trends Remain ing current with major advancements in technology is an increasingly important part of a managers role today. The best managers are on the lookout for new capabilities that will enable them to serve their customers more effectively and efficiently or improve internal efficiencies and reduce costs. There are a variety of tactics a manager can take to strengthen his/her knowledge. Read publications that focus on how innovative firms are applying new technologies to serve customers, communicate with far-flung employees and innovate. Mainstream business newspapers and periodicals all invest time and space in covering advances in technology.Expand your view. Monitor how leading firms outside your industry are applying new technologies to compete and win. Some of the best ideas for using technology tools in new ways will take place outside the boundaries of your industry.Expand your view some more. Attend industry events outside of your own industry and attend working sessions and visit b ooths where firms are displaying new technologies. Curate your own content on technology via social media platforms that allow you to choose your interests. The best of these tools constantly stream new content to you via your smartphone, tablet, or computer, offering quick snapshots of articles that you can click on and expand for more detailed consumption.Follow technology and business experts, including experts at The Balance, who are exploring and reporting on the latest trends in their vertical and vocational markets.Ask your customers and business partners what new technologies they are exploring or using in their firms. Visit your counterparts in engineering or research and development and ask them what advances in technology they are monitoring.Take advantage of the training opportunities offered by your firms software and technology vendors on their latest releases.Take advantage of every training opportunity offered by your firm on the different technology tools available for employee use. Why Keeping Current With Technology Is Critical for Your Firm It is easy to lose track of the external world when we are safely tucked behind the walls of our organizations. Many managers develop an insular view, relying on only their colleagues and customers to share insights and ideas. Effective managers recognize the danger of developing a small, narrow view of what is a big, ever-changing world. They take the initiative to pursue many or all of the steps outlined above and they strive to translate their insights and observations into, What this means for our firm is, type analyses. The recent history of business is littered with examples of firms who ignored major changes unfolding in front of them, only to see their business and even entire industries disappear in front of them. It is imperative that you remain current on the latest and greatest new developments in technology and that you work with your team to explore, experiment, and adopt new technologi es when they can benefit your business. Why Keeping Current With Technology Is Critical for Your Career At some point, everyone changes jobs, whether inside their saatkorn firm or outside with a new employer. Employers expect you to be current with technology and capable of quickly leveraging the tools in the new role. Gone are the days when managers could rely on their team members to provide all of the technical skills while they managed. Instead, every person on a team, including you as the manager, must be conversant with and capable of leveraging the latest and greatest tools. The Expected Shelf-Life of Your Current Workplace Technology Skills If you remain unconvinced of the importance of keeping current, know that experts estimate that every 24 months, the technology tools we use in the workplace evolve to the next generation. This means that the training you took just a couple of short years ago is already old news. If you choose to ignore the advances and new capabi lities, expect your skills to become obsolete in a relatively short period of time. The Bottom Line We live and work in a remarkable period of ever-advancing technology. While these tools are powerful assistants in our drive to manage, lead and compete, the pace with which they change creates stress and more work for everyone. Strive to remain current and not let your skills and knowhow grow old. Your regular diligence in this area, much like regularly attending the gym will pay dividends for you as a manager, your firm and for you in your career.

Exercise can help you feel less depressed according to a study

Exercise can help you feel less depressed according to a studyExercise can help you feel less depressed according to a studyWorking out has been proven to be very beneficial to those of us with anxiety and work stress. But now a new study finds that certain kinds of exercise can also help with depression.In ameta-analysisfromJAMA Psychiatry that used 33 clinical trials of about 1,900 subjects, they found that resistance training AKA weight lifting can help with reducing depression symptoms. Even more importantly, the persons age, gender or the frequency of the weight training didnt matter.To give you some context the NIMH estimates that 16 mioadults in the U.S. (nearly 7% of the population) had at least one major depressive episode in 2012 and according to the World Health Organization (WHO),350 millionpeople worldwide suffer from depression.Age, gender, and frequency doesnt matterAs The New York Times reportedthe benefits were still there whether people went to the gym twice a week or five times a week. It also didnt matter how much the participants were lifting or benching. The most important thing was that they showed up and did the workout and that helped produce the results.The explanation?Brett Gordon, a graduate student at the University of Limerick in Ireland, who led the study told The Times weight training could be changing the levels of the different neurochemicals in the brain which can impact a persons mood. It could also be the simple act that people expect the workout to make them feel good and so they go in with a positive mindset which makes them feel better initially.However, Gordon notes thatthe results of the study do not mean that resistance training should be used instead of medication, therapy or even other forms of exercise to treat depression.

Customize this Outstanding Senior Financial Analyst Resume Sample

Customize this Outstanding Senior Financial Analyst Resume SampleCustomize this Outstanding Senior Financial Analyst Resume SampleCreate Resume Mary Hanses100 Broadway LaneNew Parkland, CA, 91010Cell (555) 987-1234emailexample.comProfessional SummarySkilled Senior Financial Analyst who can conduct accurate and efficient market trend research and statistical analysis. Proficient at assessing financial status and identifying areas for improvement, reconciling transactions and reviewing accounts, and completing risk management duties. Specializes at automating processes and maximizing efficiency.Core Qualifications Trend analysis Market research Procedural assessment Account reviews Document processing Organized ReliableExperienceSenior Financial Analyst, May 2009 to PresentHarthouse Financial New Cityland, CA -Maintained and monitored the status of internal financial database -Enhanced operational efficiency by conducting internal workflow assessments -Developed actions and suggesti ons based on financial market researchSenior Financial Analyst, February 2004 to April 2009Central California Banking New Cityland, CA -Completed cost analysis of financial transactions and processes, managed institutional budgets and produced annual budget reports -Developed and implemented financial plans based on reliable statistical analysis and trend research -Organized and processed financial documentation, reviewed documentationSenior Financial Analyst, March 2000 to January 2004Cityland Financial New Cityland, CA -Conducted research and analysis of market trends, financial statistics and records to determine areas of best investment -Processed and reconciled transactions, completed account reviews and audits -Interpreted financial data, organized data into databases and retrieved/stored information when necessaryEducation2000 Bachelor of Science, AccountingUniversity of Southern California Los Angeles, CACustomize Resume

Buying Formatting a Resume

Buying Formatting a Resume Formatting a Resume - the Story No matter what style you opt to use, dont forget to customize your resume to fit your unique needs. You ought to go with a completely free printable resume schablone that satisfies the requirements of your resume and offers the maximum quantity of features and flexibility. Once you have decided on your perfect resume template from our selection, follow our completely free expert guidance about ways to craft the ideal vermodern resume. Some superior templates are available for free, but the best ones will ask that you pay a little fee so as to obtain access to them. Show employers that youre updated and produce a terrific first impression by selecting the correct template. When you establish an on-line account, it is going to stay active. For those reasons listed above, you are going to want to begin with a resume template. Look at each word which you put into your free resume template like you were the individual who was doing the hiring. On the flip side, if youre asking for a design position, you need to use the plan of your resume to demonstrate the skills that it is possible to provide for the organization. When youre asking for a job which relies on the strengths of the person, you require a resume template which you can inject a little more personality into to make it pop. It is crucial to choose an easy, well-designed layout so as to organize your professional, education and individual accomplishments. A complete alternative for candidates with lots of experience who want to have a really good one-page resume template. Below, you will discover a list of resume examples that could aid you with your work search. Zetys resume templates are made with the aid of recruiters and stick to the best practices in HR. Submit the same resume for each and every job. Simply because youve got zero experience or its your very first job. Career profiles supply an overview of your region of speciali zation and useful skills giving employers a general idea about what you can actually do. Resumes dont have to take so much of your time but totenstill shouldnt be neglected. A great resume format is simple to scan. You should understand, that resume format is crucial, as it can boost your odds to get invited for an interview. Resumes are simply lists of words. Formatting Your resume is not where to acquire creative. The formating is exactly the same. Utilizing a template can lower the quantity of time you must spend formatting your document, which makes it possible for you to concentrate on adding content and polishing your resume. Have a peek at these examples to choose which format is right for you. Formatting for a human reader isnt your principal concern. You also receive a feeling of what information you dont have to include. If you dont have accessibility to e-mail and need to set up an account, there are lots of free e-mail services which can be found on the Inter net. Education information should appear at the peak of the page prior to your work history. The info in your resume should paint a photo of the sort of employee you are and show employers what youre capable of accomplishing. Formatting a Resume Secrets That No One Else Knows About Hiring managers are busy people and should they scan your resume and cant locate some information or skills fast you arent the one, whod secure a call today You may want to skip the chronological format if youve worked in relatively similar positions for your whole career or held the identical job for quite a long duration of time. When youre organizing your work info, be certain to include your employment dates after the work title and business name. As an example, each of the information about a job youve held needs to be grouped together with no extra blank lines breaking up the entry. Youre able to change almost every facet of your preferred template. A resume template is just a template th at you could fill in with your very own personal details thatll be a resume you can send to companies you wish to work for. It is possible to also alter the font if you wish (and the exact same goes for each and every template in our list). The resume template is regarded as a guide to fill in pertinent info in your resume. Its high-quality PSD file is completely customizable. Its probably not required to pay for a template. Take a look at templates on the internet that you can use for your resume. Many templates are available for free, and several are offered for purchase.

6 Recruitment Process Horror Stories To Keep You Up At Night

6 Recruitment Process Horror Stories To Keep You Up At NightHalloween is upon us once again. Theres no better tradition than sitting around telling the spookiest stories the creepy-crawly kind which makes your hair stand on end, sending chills down your back.We wanted to participate in the fun storytelling tradition. First, though, we needed to decide what scares you the most. After careful consideration, we ruled out ghosts, goblins, witches, and warlocks. No, recruiters like you need tales even mora haunting. The stories of candidates gone mad or even disappearing throughout the recruitment process are whats really terrifying.We spoke to Bryan Zawikowski, vice president and general manager for Lucas Group, about his terrifying real-life encounters. After 25 years in the recruitment business, he has some pretty haunting recruitment stories to share.Gather around, turn out the lights, and get ready for six scary recruitment tales1. The unmasked perfect candidateWeeding through count less candidates is one of the scariest aspects of the recruitment process. You never know who will jump out of your talent pipeline or what revelations will be made. Even more horrifying is finding the perfect candidate, like Zawikowski did for a management location and them then turning it down for a recreational league referee role.The candidate was an Army Officer who led over 50 people, Zawikowski shared.Unfortunately, according to the Officers email, the referee position in Austin sounded like a more exciting opportunity.Beware the perfect candidate who unmasks their real career priorities. recruitmentClick To Tweet2. The case of the missing howlerLast minute interview reschedules shred your recruitment process schedule into tiny, jumbled pieces. Of course, last minute emergencies do occur. Its those unexpected and sometimes unbelievable reschedule requests, though, that really send you for a loop.Like when Zawikowski received a call 15 minutes before an interview from a candid ate stating their dog jumped over the fence and ran away. The good news is, the dog was found. The schwimmbad news, the candidate didnt get the job.3. The viral picture outbreakAs a recruiter, there are various viral outbreaks you simply dont want to deal with. Unfortunately, even after you place a candidate, theres no time for a sigh of relief.One candidate fell asleep in a tin bath at work and an employee took a picture of him, Zawikowski shared. The employee shared it with co-workers and word quickly got out.This was just weeks after the candidate accepted the job. Clear proof of the fact candidates have the power to haunt you forever even post-placement.Candidates have the power to haunt recruiters, even after theyve been placed.Click To Tweet4. The drunken hit-and-runSome recruitment process horror stories cant be forgotten, keeping you awake at night. For Zawikowski, the never-forget-tale is about a candidate who was caught sleeping under his desk at work, suspected of being drunk.The same candidate later got into a hit-and-run accident in his own employers parking lot. His unsafe encounters were scary enough to get him removed for Zawikowskis candidate pool and have his record flagged, indefinitely.5. The heatwave shakedownWeve heard about the tactics criminal interrogators use to shake down criminals. One is heating up the room, making them feel nervous and uncomfortable until they crack. This type of intimidation tactic is never what recruiters have in mind, but sometimes the unexpected occurs.Zawikowski detailed a time when an early heat wave broke in Chicago. The hotel where interviews were being held wasnt prepared and the HVAC system couldnt cool the building.They had to bring us fans to make the rooms bearable for interviewing, he said.Already nervous candidates became even more uncomfortable in this nightmare scenario. With a few improvisations, lots of bottled water, and dedicated recruiters, though, the interviewing process proceeded.6. The d imly lit hallway interviewThe butler, in the dimly lit hallway, with the resume binder it really does sound like a scene from Clue. Take away the butler and the implication of a crime, and you have a Dallas conference Zawikowski attended.The power went off in the middle of the day. Companies had to move interviews into the hallways because the rooms were too dark, Zawikowski told us.You can only imagine the distractions in a low-privacy setting with no air conditioners in Texas. Theres little more terrifying than being cooped up in a small hallway with sweating candidates.Youre bound to face a few crazy or creepy experiences when sourcing and screening top talent. The key to keeping your recruiting process moving forward is facing your fears, finding the humor in the most trying moments, and thinking fast on your feet.

10 Step Job Interview Preparation Checklist

10 Step Job Interview Preparation Checklist10 Step Job Interview Preparation ChecklistFor most people, job interviews are inherently nerve-wracking situations. Even if youre a raving extrovert who loves meeting new people, theres something about interviews that ratchets up the tension and stress.The best way to counter the pressure? Be prepared. Knowing what to expect and being ready to make a good first impression will ease your nerves and boost your confidence. Check off the steps on our pre-interview checklist and show the hiring manager that youre the best candidate for the job. 01Get Your Interview Outfit ReadyJaniceRichard/E/Getty ImagesTaking the time to say thank you after a job interview not only is good interview etiquette, it reinforces your interest in the position. Your thank-you letter is also an opportunity to address any issues or concerns that came up during the interview. It may even serve as a second chance to emphasize your qualifications.

Jobs for a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice

Jobs for a Bachelors Degree in Criminal JusticeJobs for a Bachelors Degree in Criminal JusticeOne of the most important factors involved withchoosing a college major is the potential for employment in a satisfying career when you finish school. If youre interested in learningabout crime and punishment, you might wonder what you cando with a degree in criminal justice. More than 3 1000000 people in the U.S. have already made the choice to enter this field. The Difference Between Criminology and Criminal Justice First, its important to understandthat criminologyand criminal justice degree programs are not the same thing. The two fields are related and they do overlap in someimportant ways, but theyreseparate concepts. Yourcareer goals shoulddetermine which you choose as your field of study. Criminology is the study of crime and its causes, costs, and consequences.Criminal justice is theordnungsprinzip in which crime is detected and dealt with. In other words, criminology is the the ory and criminal justice is the practical application. A number ofjob optionsand career paths existfor those who seeka degree in criminal justice. Most arefoundin the public sector, either in law enforcement, the court system,or the corrections system. Law Enforcement CareerOptions A criminal justice degree is a great way to lay the foundation for a successful careerinlaw enforcement. Thisdegree can prepare graduates for work as assekuranzbrief officers, detectives, investigators, or police dispatchers. Not all law enforcement careers requireacollege degree, but it can still be very beneficial to earnone before you begina career. Someemployers additionallyrequire knowledge or experience in the natural sciences, such as biology and physics, at least in some positions. Aminor in science and a major in criminal justice or vice versa might be the ticket in these cases. Criminal justice majors who are interested in other law enforcement work can look forward tocareers incrime scene i nvestigation and forensic science. This can include jobs as a forensic science technician, a bloodstain pattern analyst, or a forensic ballistics expert. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for police officers and detectives welches $61,600 in 2016, the last year for which comprehensive statistics are available. Median means that half of those working in this field earned more than $61,600 and half earned less. More than 53,000 law enforcement jobs are expected to be added by 2026. Careers in the Court System The court system is where the innocence or guilt of an individual is decided and where punishment is determined. Itoffers a diverse field of jobs within criminal justice, all of which serve very important roles in ensuring the fairness andsafety of the legal system. Some careers in the courtsystem include BailiffProsecutorDefense attorneyVictims advocateParalegalLegal secretaryJury consultantCourt clerk The roles ofprosecutor, defense attorney, or ju ry consultant all require advanced schooling, either a graduate degree or a law school and can require further certification like passing the bar. But other careers such asbailiff or paralegalrequire only some additional training and certification or a two-year associates degree. Pay varies considerably in the court system depending on the job and the education required. The median pay for a lawyer welches $118,160 in 2016, while paralegals earned median compensation of $49,500, according to the BLS. Careers in Corrections The corrections system carries out the punishments that have been determined by the courts. Penalties and sentences can include fines, restitution, incarceration,probation, orparole. Some corrections careers available to criminal justice majors include positions as correctional officers, probation and community control officers, or forensic psychologists. Some jobs in corrections dont require any college at all whileothers,such as those inforensic psychology, require graduate-level schooling. In eithercase, earning a criminal justice degreecan help those interested in working in corrections iftheywant to move up in their careers. This is another area where pay can vary widely. Jobs that require a graduate degree tend to pay at least twice what others do. The median pay for a psychologist was $75,230 in 2016, according to the BLS. The Job Outlook for Criminal Justice Careers The job outlook for most jobs in criminology and criminal justicehas historically been promising even in tough economic times. Communities recognize the need for well-trained law enforcement and corrections professionals, so many cities, counties, and municipalitiesmake it a point to keep officers on the streets and guarding the prisons even when theyre facing budgeting constraints. Law enforcement is always a priority. The courts alsoreceive a great deal of support from their communities, counties, and states,ensuring that jobs are available more often than not. The Rewards of Working in Criminal Justice Jobs Careers in criminal justice offer a measure of stability not found in allsectors. They typically offer competitive salaries andgenerous retirement benefits. These, of course, are just a few of the many benefits of earning a degree in criminal justice. And, of course, if working in the public sector is not for you, numerous private sector careers are available as well for those with degrees in criminal justice, from security and private investigation to teaching. Beyond the job security and the potential for a comfortable life after retirement, careers in criminal justice provide the intangible satisfaction of knowing that youre working to make a difference in the world. If these career options dont get you excited, learn more about other great jobs in criminology and criminal justice.

Why We Hate Performance Reviews and How to Improve Them

Why We Hate Performance Reviews and How to Improve ThemWhy We Hate Performance Reviews and How to Improve ThemLets face it no one likes the annual performance review.No one. Reviewers (managers) hate doing them, employees hate getting them, and human resources hate administering them. Each year there is at least one book and countless articles about why they should be banned or fixed. This has been going as long as we can remember, and it seems little improvement has been made. What is it about this annual corporate bung that seems to cause such consternation and pain? And mora importantly, can it be fixed? We hate to be a pessimist, but after studying the topic of performance reviews for more than 25 years, numerous attempts to reinvent or fix broken systems, being on the receiving end and giving end of hundreds of reviews andmaking every mistake that can be made, weve come to the conclusion that performance reviewswill alwaysbe a less than enjoyable experience for all involved. Why ? First, lets put the inevitable reasons employees, managers, and HR hate them on the table that just cant be fixed and accept them as givens. Then, lets talk about how we can, at last, make the processless painful.Why we hate performance reviews givens that we just need to suck it up and accept Human Nature People hate having their flaws pointed out and managers hate giving negative feedback. But wait, dont all of the studies say people want and love feedback? Sure they do, as long as itspositivefeedback. When we receive feedback that challenges our assumptions about ourselves, we automatically go into a protective fight or flight survival mode. We deny, get angry, get defensive, or withdraw. No artist likes getting a negative critical review, no restaurant owner likes getting a critical TripAdvisor review, and no employee likes hearingtheir flaws pointed out by their manager. And unless the manager is a sadist and enjoys inflicting pain, fruchtwein managers really dont enjoy d elivering bad news to their employees. In fact, most people, in general, dont enjoy giving negative feedback. Thats whyanonymous 360 assessment reviewsare so popular because they give people an opportunity to say what they really feel without having to be confronted or questioned. The Formality and Bureaucracy Typical performance reviews involve a prescribed process, forms, and a formal discussion. Its often not the actual discussion that employees (and managers) find painful, its the stiffness and feeling like you are being forced to comply with something that youd rather not have to do. Its Extra Work Everyone is terminally busy unterstellung days, in fact, we always have been. We work hard and hope to see positive results. The annual review comes along and it feels like extra work that gets in the way of our real work. Managers, especially managers with a lot of direct reports, spend endless hours filling out forms, writing comments, reviewing records, conducting discussi ons (sometimes in multiple meetings), and submitting paperwork. Employees are often asked to do self-assessments and to be prepared to defend themselves, and HR ends up with an impossible mountain of paperwork that needs to be in compliance with all kinds of state and federal regulations. Okay, so if we can just accept that performance reviews can involve negative feedback, are a required part of working life, and will involve some extra work that isnt particularly fulfilling, do we have to hate them, or are there some ways we can make them less painful than a root canal? Absolutely Here are three simple ways to make performance reviews less painful Eliminate Surprises People hate negative feedback most the first time they hear it, or when its about something they were clueless about (blind spots). The way to minimize the pain of hearing about weaknesses for the first time during the annual performance review is to get into the habit of giving and asking for feedback on a regula r basis. When feedback is given and received early, often, specifically, and in a balanced way, employees have time to process it and do something about it. Managers can create an environment that encourages the two-way exchange of informal feedback in a way thatbuilds trustand eliminates surprises. Better yet, create systems where employees can measure and monitor their own performance. For example, no manager has to point out to a sales rep that they are having a bad month. They already are painfully aware that they are not meeting their sales goals, and are scrambling to finds ways to improve. Thats when a sales manager can providevaluable coachingin order to help the sales rep get back on track. Get Better at Giving and Receiving Feedback The more skilled we are, the more comfortable we will get with it. See How to Get Candid Feedback and How to Give Feedback. Simplify the Process Why are performance reviews so darn complicated? Ive seen versions that include 14-page for ms and a series of three meetings. Its usually because they are designed by well-intended HR departments (or consultants, or lawyers) that attempt to address every aspect of performance management in a single form and process. The solution? Its not fancy software systems that only automate (and sometimes further complicate) a bad process. I would recommenda singlepage or no more than two pages - for a performance review form. Ive seen this implemented and its been received very well by managers, employees, and HR. Implement these three relatively simple fixes and your annual performance review may still feel like a trip to the dentist, but more like teeth cleaning, instead of an excruciating root canal.