United States Military Travel Rates

United States Military Travel RatesUnited States Military Travel RatesMilitary members who travel on official duty (either temporary duty travel or permanent change of station), can request mileage reimbursement for their travel by personally owned conveyance (POC), instead of a government purchased an airline ticket. This offers flexibility in scheduling but the reimbursement process can be a bit convoluted and vary depending on whether your travel is for temporary duty (TDY) or a permanent change of station (PCS). Its best to verify what the tarifs are before you travel to ensure that the cost and potential wait time for reimbursement are worth it. Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel For both uniformed personnel as well as DoD civilian personnel, there are some rules dealing with POC use if travel by POC is not in the Governments interest (namely limits on payment). The best rule of thumb is that the method of travel needs to be specifically mentioned in your orders if you wish to be a ssured of reimbursement. Uniformed personnel may request (or commands may provide) actual expense reimbursement instead of the mileage for TDY travel. Under federal law, TDY mileage rates are based on cost data collected by the General Services Administration (GSA), and even then, the TDY mileage rate can never be higher than the rate allowed by the Internal Revenue Service. In addition to the mileage rates, military personnel members receive a per diem for each day of travel. The per diem amount is separate from the travel reimbursement and is paid separately. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Travel Rates for PCS travel, known as MALT (Monetary Allowance instead of Transportation), are different (lower) than TDY travel. It is because TDY travel rates are specifically designed to reimburse the military the member for traveling on official duty. The MALT/PCS mileage rates do not reflect the price of gasoline. TDY mileage rates, on the other hand, are based on the costs to operat e a vehicle (gasoline, insurance, etc.) and are intended to reimburse the expense of using a POC for the official government travel. Remember, the reimbursement rate is based on a per car calculation, not per person. In addition to the mileage rates, military personnel and their dependents receive a per diem for each day of travel. Generally, 1 day of travel time is allowed for every 350 miles of official distance of ordered travel. If the excess is 51 miles or more after dividing the total number of miles by 350, one additional day of travel time is allowed. When the total official distance is 400 miles or less, 1 days travel time is allowed. When traveling via commercial airline (or other means of travel such as bus or train), theper diem for the member is computed under lodgings plus at the rate for the new permanent duty station, or the rate for the delay point if the member stops overnight. Per diem for the dependents is 3/4 of the members applicable rate for each dependent 12 years old or older and 1/2 of the members rate for each dependent under 12 years.

6 Ways to Keep Your Customers Loyal

6 Ways to Keep Your Customers Loyal6 Ways to Keep Your Customers LoyalIf your competitors are trying to grow new business, its almost inevitable that some of them will start sniffing around your customers, trying to lure them away. Unless you take a few precautions, you could find yourself losing your customer base before you even know whats happened. 01Stay in TouchJose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Getty ImagesHow often do you zupflmmel up the phone and call your existing customers? Almost certainly not as often as you should. Yes, it takes time away from other sales activities,but think of the five minutes you spend talking to your best customer as customer insurance.As a rule, the more important your customer is, the more frequent your check-ins should be, but dont neglect any of your customers. Youre also not just limited to using the phone email and even snail mail can be great ways to maintain contact.02Add ValueWhen you call up those customers, dont just say hi. Always try to find a way to offer something of value. It could be a fact youve uncovered thats relevant to your customers business. It could be a news article thats appeared recently that somehow relates to your customer or a suggestion youve come up with on how to maximize the return theyd get using the product theyve already bought from you.If a customer starts thinking of you as a valuable resource over and above what your product does, theyre far less likely to drop you for a competitor.03Build IntelligenceAsk your customers to let you know after theyve been approached by a competitor. If you have a good relationship with the customer, you can just request it as a favor.For new or very major customers, consider offeringsome kind of bonus, like a discount on their next purchase or a freemium of some kind.Once your customers are in the habit of telling you about any poaching attempts, not only will you have a much better chance to salvage the relationship, but youll have an excellent opportunit y to spy on your competitors strategies.04Become a ResourceThe more you know about your product and the related industry or industries, the more valuable you can be for your customers. Encourage them to ask you questions, and if you dont know the answer, find out.This will make your relationship with them much stickierbecause even if theyre tempted to ditch your product, theyll hesitate to lose you as a source of information.Build up your knowledge base by reading industry-related books and magazines and by mining information from coworkers in customer tafelgeschirr departments.05CounterattackIf a particular competitor has been approaching or stealing your customers, its time to turn the tables. Go after that competitors customers, and youre likely to distract him from poaching and turn them instead to guarding their own accounts.Once youve built an intelligence network with your own customers, youll be able to launch attacks on competitors at the first sign of poaching so you canst op them before they really get started.06Prepare for Price WarsWhen a competitor gets serious about building new business, theyll often start by dropping prices to ridiculously low levels. Be ready to respond to such undercutting as quickly as you can.Providing extra value will help you to lay the groundwork and at least get your customers to think twice before they jump ship.When the inevitable happens and a customer calls to say that Company X is offering them a super price, you need to have a list of reasons on hand why your product is ?still a better deal.

4 Ways to Spot Someone Who Will NEVER Help Your Job Search

4 Ways to Spot Someone Who Will NEVER Help Your Job Search4 Ways to Spot Someone Who Will NEVER Help Your Job SearchAll networkers are not created the same.The fact is some people will never help you.Be careful of people who wear the masks of master networkers. Dont be fooled by important job titles, 500+ LinkedIn connections, thousands of Twitter followers and frequent appearances at networking events. None of these traits necessarily indicates that a person will be helpful to you.I tend to give networkers the benefit the doubt, but over time Ive identified four traits of people who are least likely to be a useful connection. When you encounter any one of these traits, its time to move on to someone else in your networkMore interested in taking than giving Even novice networkers know that the Offer comes before the Ask. When someone leads with an Ask, dont expect anything in return.Never follows up If the promises are big and the connection is loose, dont be surprised when the int roductions never materialize. The bigger people talk, often the less substance they have to offer. Dont be fooled by flash instead look for subtle and quiet. The best networkers are those who know and understand the art of following up.In job search-mode themselves This is counterintuitive to me. If you meet someone from the same industry or profession who is also looking for a job, two heads should be better than one. Who wouldnt want someone to pass along leads and lend moral support? This is also an excellent long-term strategy for solidifying relations. In theory, it sounds like a smart move, but I have not seen it work in real life. Self-absorbed job hunters are not going to look out for your needs during your search.Wants others to pay their dues Professionals who are mora concerned with hierarchy than results sometimes ascribe to the belief that everyone should claw their own way up the career ladder. You might hear them say, Thats how I achieved my goals. Anyone who is del usional enough to believe their success is entirely their own doing is not someone who will lend a hand.There are plenty of generous networkers who will graciously open doors for you. Focus your efforts on like-minded people who understand the currency and language of influence.Want more tips on becoming the best networker in the room? Download a free copy of The Foolproof Guide to Jumpstarting Your Transformation into a Person of Influence.

8 Career Books You Can Read Free on Amazon Prime - The Muse

8 Career Books You Can Read Free on Amazon Prime - The Muse8 Career Books You Can Read Free on Amazon PrimeOn October 5, Amazon released Prime Reading, a collection of over a thousand books that Amazon Prime members can access and read for free- on your phone, tablet, or Kindle. Here are eight career-boosting selections to add to your reading list now. The best part? Each one focuses on a different skill, lifestyle, or area that you can work on improving. Whether at work or in your personal life, youll be able to find motivation and inspiration to help you make the most of your professional career- all without spending a dime. 1. Do Less A Minimalist Guide to a Simplified, Organized, and Happy Life by Rachel JonatIf you want to take the stress out of your life, then this is a great place to start doing so. This book is your crash course to a more minimalist lifestyle. That means that whether youre de-cluttering your work desk or your home office, practicing minimalism will help you s ave time, money, and space in all spheres of life. Simplify your needs with this book, and itll be smooth sailing with happiness and gratitude in tow.2. Become an Idea Machine Because Ideas Are the Currency of the 21st Century by Claudia Azula AltucherAiming for a huge, life-changing idea to get you revved up? I probably wont be the first to tell you that the next big thing wont hit you overnight, but there are definitely ways to speed up the process. Enter this book a collection of 150-plus prompts to help you become an idea generator. Even creativity is a muscle you can strengthen, so check out the new philosophy introduced in this book to get practicing. 3. Habit Stacking 97 Small Life Changes That Take Five Minutes or Less by S.J. ScottIf youve ever wanted to improve your life (and who hasnt?) then this should be on your list. According to author S.J. Scott, habit stacking is the concept of building a series of tiny changes toward a cohesively better daily routine. For people st ruggling to make huge changes, this book will help you cultivate the lifestyle you want most- starting with baby steps.4. Choose Yourself by James AltucherEveryone needs a little motivation sometimes, and thats where James Altucher comes in with Choose Yourself A piece about self-improvement and personal determination in a discouragingly competitive professional world, the book offers the perfect mix of practical and idealistic advice thatll help you on your decidedly less hopeful days.5. Will It Fly? How to Test Your Next Business Idea So You Dont Waste Your Time and Money by Pat FlynnLets face it Half-baked ideas arent going to make you the worlds next millionaire company founder. And as a result, you need to be able to tell a genius business concept from a total waste of time. Written by an expert in angeschlossen entrepreneurship and digital marketing, this book is what youll want by your side if youre gearing up for a successful entrepreneurial journey. 6. Anthony Robbins 50 Li fe and Business Lessons by George IlianIf youve heard anything about Tony Robbins, then you know that hes a highly successful businessman, author, and philanthropist. The book catalogues, with research from Robbins books, interviews, blog posts, and more, how to think through good business decisions. Even more, it discusses smarter strategies to apply those crucial lessons to life in general. 7. Assertiveness How to Stand Up for Yourself and Still Win the Respect of Others by Judy MurphyConfidence is an unarguably important trait, both professionally and personally. How you exhibit it matters, and thats where Judy Murphys latest comes in. One of the most important factors that can determine how you approach and fulfill your needs,- whether thats with a new job, a promotion, or even a romantic relationship- assertiveness is essential to getting ahead. Learning how to gain the respect of others will allow you to exert agency over your career and, in fact, your whole life.8. Spellbindi ng Sentences A Writers Guide to Achieving Excellence and Captivating Readers by Barbara BaigWhen was the last time you worked on a cover letter and bemoaned your mediocre writing skills? Relating to your reader through written words is a skill that will be helpful to you no matter what industry you work in, and no matter what point youre at in your career, and Baigs book will help you improve upon this essential skill. If youre already a paying Amazon Prime member, then youve got your reading work cut out for you. Find any titles that I missed? Tweet me your favorite finds at caroqliuPhoto of person reading courtesy of Tom Merton/Getty Images.

Tips to Jumpstart Your Legal Career

Tips to Jumpstart Your Legal CareerTips to Jumpstart Your Legal CareerEvery July, tens of thousands of recent law school graduates sit for the bar exam. Now what? If you havent secured a legal job yet, you dont have to just sit around and wait for your bar results (which, in some cases, might not arrive for four months). Moving Your Legal Career Forward Keep applying for jobs. It goes without saying that you should keep applying for legal jobs while awaiting your results. Many employers will wait to see if you passed before making a permanent hire, but you might be able to find part-time or temporary work (or, if youre very lucky, you might come across an employer whos willing to take a chance on you). Temporary work can lead to permanent employment, or to valuable connections and experience. Even if it seems demoralizing, keep putting your application out there. You only need one hit to make it worthwhile Use this time for informational interviews. Summer is a slower time for ma ny attorneys, so theyre more likely to accept your invitation to coffee or lunch. Informational interviews with lawyers are a great way to make connections, find out more about practice areas you might be interested in and practice your networking skills. Set a goal to have at least one informational interview a week while awaiting bar results. Before you know it, youll have tons of new professional contacts (all of whom you can email when you get positive bar results). Get involved in your local bar association. Your local bar association would love to welcome you into the fold, so take advantage of that. Many offer reduced-cost membership for new graduates, and some even have programs specifically designed to ease the transition to practice. Youll find networking opportunities, chances for CLE, pro bono training, and more. New grads often underutilize the bar association, and this is a great time to get involved before youre too busy workingTake on a pro bono or another volunteer project. If you find yourself stressing out about not having a job, or whether youre going to pass the bar exam, thats a sign that you need to get out in the world and help other people. As an almost-lawyer, youve got lots of opportunities to give back. Find a pro bono project of interest (your local bar association is a great place to look) and youll receive practical training and (potentially) be able to meet useful mentors. And, of course, youll have the satisfaction of helping someone who really needs your assistance, which is a great way to distract yourself from thoughts of failing the bar exam Similarly, if youre burned out on legal work for the moment, look at other volunteer opportunities. From packing food at a food bank to playing with puppies at the SPCA, there are always organizations looking for reliable, enthusiastic volunteers like you Perfect your application materials and verbunden presence. Even if youre not applying for jobs right now, you will be soon. Make sure all of your job hunting application materials are in order resume, cover letter, writing sample, and so on. Also, review your online presence (start by Googling yourself.) Is your LinkedIn profile fully up to date? Could you get endorsements or testimonials from any of your prior employers (including any unpaid work you did during law school)? This is also a great time to learn the basics of Wordpress and set up a blog for yourself. You have to be careful not to hold yourself out as an attorney until youre admitted, of course, but its easy to start building your online presence and reputation. Who knows where it might lead? Visit your law school career office. Your law school wants you to find a job if only to improve their job placement statistics. Use this to your advantage Make an appointment with the career office (or alumni career office), and get suggestions on your job search strategy and application materials. Thats what theyre there for, after all.Do some outside reading. Youve got time on your hands, so put it to good use. There are plenty of great articles on job hunting for recent law grads, and youll find tons of interesting books if you look around. Best of luck And fingers crossed that you pass the bar.

What Everybody Is Saying About Resume Vs Curriculum Vitae Is Wrong and Why

What Everybody Is Saying About Resume Vs Curriculum Vitae Is Wrong and Why Candidate 2, obviously, since the recruiter can observe the precise work, together with demand and acceptance of the job on the market. Make sure that you are dressed for the job youre seeking to apply for. To begin with, you can examine the job posting that the business creating to determine just what is required for the position. Saves Time whenever youre looking for a superior job, its always fantastic to have a separate resume for each job. Ideally you desire the recruiter so stunned they havent any choice except to call you. For making positive effect on the recruiter, its important to get a unique resume portraying your job certain details. If its not pertinent to the job which you want to know more about, skip it. You might rather not find work thats basically the very saatkorn as your final position, especially if you disliked it. Employers dont want to understand about what it is you are in terested in. Career objectives are incredibly important since they can let employers know within seconds what you must offer you. Skills resume are perfect for candidates without a lot of education or experience in their preferred field. The Tried and True Method for Resume Vs Curriculum Vitae in Step by Step Detail CVs are the norm in the majority of European staats and can differ from the conventional American CV. Resumes come in various forms and formats. All resumes arent created equal. On your CV you wish to communicate how good youre as fast as you can. It is very important to plan your CV before you begin writing it. Generally, a CV might be a minimum of 2 to 4 pages or more, based on the individuals information in totality. Because your CV demands specific and thorough career info, it ought to be frequently updated. Building a resume with EasyJob is similar to having the finest professional writers helping you, 24 hours every day, 7 days per week, 12 months annu ally. Research is starting to reveal that a growing number of recruiters and hiring managers are turning to social media to either find the perfect candidate or find out more about the candidate they are contemplating. Customer service is 1 qualification which can be put on a resume for a variety of jobs, even reception, as youre going to be meeting and greeting people all of the time. A well written resume with the assistance of professional resume templates can grab the interest of the employer and earn good impression. The plan of the resume is quite essential as a good resume layout will make sure that it will become easy for an employer to experience your resume. Use the name based on the nation in which youre submitting the application. So in the event the typeface employed in your resume sample is inappropriate it may have a negative visual effect on the reader. The Unexpected Truth About Resume Vs Curriculum Vitae Instead, you would like to use the info that youve researched to demonstrate your abilities and accomplishments are already so closely matched to what the business needs that they truly would be foolish to employ somebody else. You have to highlight certain abilities and experiences while putting in an application for a specific job. Also, in case you have 10 or more decades of experience, concentrate on highlighting the latest relevant experience. While the dearth of experience can be a drawback, it does not have to be an insurmountable hurdle. Whats Really Going on with Resume Vs Curriculum Vitae No matter your goal might be, its important to define it and use it in order to lead you through the remainder of the resume. Resume objective is easily the most important aspect in the resume to impress the employer because it is the very first note that captures the interest of the recruiter. The objective should establish your career program and earn mention of meeting the requirements of the organization youre applying at. Yo ud probably search for certain key phrases or phrases that show a knowledge of your industry and company, especially if you were busy or when you had lots of applicants to think about. You simply have to know how to produce effective use of resume templates. Contents of a Great Resume What you decide to include in your resume will be decided by just what the provider asks for and what you feel is best to be able to find the job. Utilize Resume Templates One of the greatest ways which you can begin putting together a resume thats going to enable you to land the job that you would like, is to make sure your resume is properly laid out.

If You Want Diversity

If You Want Diversity Last week we brought together some of the most brilliant female software engineers to Dow Jones to discuss their latest product release and how gender diversity drives the company. Panelists, Anna Sedgley, COO and CFO at Dow Jones Patricia Walsh, Technology Program Manager at Dow Jones Katharine Bailey, Head of Product at the Wall Street Journal and Latha Maripuri, Deputy CTO of News Corp, along with moderator Katharine Zaleski, Cofounder and President of PowerToFly, produced lively discussions around both personal obstacles and ways to overcome the biases we face in the workplace. We kicked off the event with a brief message from Dow Jones CTO, Ramin Beheshti. Ramin, who was actually on paternity leave in London, welcomed everyone and talked about how important it is to Dow Jones that they build a truly diverse team. The event then flowed into a product review. Recently, Dow Jones runderneuerunged their WSJ app and Rajiv Pant, CTO and Chief Product Officer of T he Wall Street Journal, Katharine Bailey, Head of Product at the Wall Street Journal and Roben Kleene iOS Developer Consultant at Dow Jones, presented on the apps updated features and streamlined user experience. The relaunch produced a redesigned navigation and guests learned how code supports nearly 2000 updates daily. Katharine Zaleski then moderated a panel featuring Anna Sedgley, Patricia Walsh, Katharine Bailey, and Latha Maripuri. In both the panel and QA portion, panelists and guests alike contributed to the conversation about what diversity and inclusion truly looks like at Dow Jones. For Anna, part of ensuring equality means hiring a third party to analyze salaries across the organization. Because Dow Jones is so diligent about making sure everyone is paid and treated fairly, Anna says they retain their top talent. Patricia Walsh, Dow Jones newer addition, who also has been blind since age 14, discussed how shes overcome her disability to be a Technology Program Manager. P atricia talked about the intrusive questions she has been asked on interviews and how years of practice have prepared her to deal with them.Between the product review, a personal welcome from their CTO, and the productive panel, Dow Jones knows how to marry the intimacy of a close-knit community with the infrastructure and organization of a global company. Dow Jones is currently hiring Check out their openings and join a company who works to create a diverse and inclusive environment for their team members CTO Ramin Beheshti talking about the importance of diversity and inclusion at Dow Jones. Rajiv Pant, Katharine Bailey, and Roben Kleene present on the recently updated WSJ app. Our panel, from left to right, Anna Sedgely, Patricia Walsh, Katharine Zaleski, Katharine Bailey, and Latha Maripuri PowerToFly Cofounder and President, Katharine Zaleski. Katharine Bailey and Latha Maripuri discussing gender diversity. One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot mora to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spe nding projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing b eats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.

Spending too much time on your phone Science has an app for that

Spending too much time on your phone Science has an app for thatSpending too much time on your phone Science has an app for thatWere squandering increasing amounts of time distracted by our phones. And thats taking a serious toll on our mental and physical wells include a Brooklyns include Beeminder which takes US$5 from your credit card for every goal you dont meet and Forest which provides you with the chance to grow a beautiful animated tree (or to watch it slowly wither and die) depending on whether or not you meet your technology goals.Persistence paysPersistence is one of the hardest parts of accomplishing any new goal, from losing weight to learning how to cook.Research suggests that capitalizing on social motivations like the need to fit in can encourage persistent behavioral change. Apps like Ransomly that involve your friends and family members are fruchtwein likely to encourage persistent behavioral change.Constant connection to technology undermines happiness, rela tionships and productivity. Applications that take advantage of the latest insights from behavioral science can help us disconnect and get on with living our lives.Ashley Whillans, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business SchoolThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Lessons learned from my life as an entrepreneur

Lessons learned from my life as an entrepreneurLessons learned from my life as an entrepreneurFor the first two and a half years of my career after I graduated, I worked as a fund manager for one of the UKs largest investment companies. It welches a great place to learn about geschftliches miteinander, and I was surrounded by some incredibly smart people.I was on the fast track, and I just had to keep doing what I was doing and I would have been very successful.But something was missing. I was restless.I used to look at my watch at almost exactly the same time (1.15pm) every day, inwardly groaning that there were still another five or so hours to go.In the years since, Ive worked out what it was that was missing from my life and my career passion. If youre not utterly passionate about what youre doing, time passes much mora slowly.From all the conversations Ive had with people over the last 20 years, I believe that theres only one way to really inject (and retain) this passion.By be coming an entrepreneur and working for yourself.There are so many great things about being an entrepreneur. You feel alive all the time, you control your own destiny and you get to see first-hand the tangible difference youre making to the people and to the world around you.I feel unbelievably fortunate to be an entrepreneur and I encourage anyone who will listen to make the leap.Being an entrepreneur is not, however, without its downsides.The numbers dont lie 90% of start-ups will fail within 12 months, with obvious financial implications for the individual and their family.But its not the downside of failure that I want to highlight. Its some of the more personal challenges that come with the territory, particularly for those entrepreneurs who are lucky enough to go on to grow medium to large sized companies.I think there are three personal challenges faced by almost all entrepreneurs.First up, its surprisingly lonely. Part of this is understandable. Entrepreneurs invariably spend the first few years of their business struggling and being surrounded by people who tell them that what theyre trying to achieve isnt possible.Faced with this, entrepreneurs quickly learn to rely on themselves, and their instincts. It becomes them against the world, and thats ultimately a lonely place to be.And when the entrepreneur works out that they need to seek advice or counsel, there arent many places to go. Talking to colleagues isnt the solution, because as the founder of an organization, you have a different status to anyone else within your company.You cant share your true concerns without being conflicted.Sharing your issues with your other half works to some extent but unless theyre living and breathing it with you, theyll never fully understand. And there may well be an embedded frustration at your likely obsession with your business.Even among fellow entrepreneurs, theres no one who will understand, or care about, your business as much as you do.Secondly, youll lose a piece of you. Part of the role of any founder especially in a business scaling quickly is to manage the mood. Any display of emotion (irritation, anger, frustration) has a disproportionate impact on those around you.For an entrepreneur who typically cares more, and probably has higher standards, than almost everyone else, this can be an incredibly difficult thing to suppress.Achieving it requires you to cut off one end of your emotional spectrum. You learn to control (and to internalize) these emotions for the good of the team.After almost 20 years of doing this, Im not sure theres any issue, tangle or mess that would cause me to react emotionally.The problem with this skill, however, is that you simultaneously cut off the other end of your emotional spectrum. You naturally lose a bit of your warmth, fun and happiness because youre always in control.Its why entrepreneurs regularly need to be reminded to celebrate the successes of their business rather than just moving on to the n ext thing.The final thing you risk losing is your vulnerability. And this, to me, is the scariest bit. In my case, it took me until I was about 35 a decade into the entrepreneurial journey to realize that I no longer needed to carry a protective shield around with me.Just because youre a founder doesnt mean youre not human. You dont have to pretend to be invincible either to yourself or to your colleagues.Feeling isolated is a natural price you pay as an entrepreneur. The sooner you recognize this and do something about it, the more fulfilling the role will be.Being more open, more vulnerable and more comfortable in your own skin (warts and all) not only makes you more human, it makes you a better leader.Simon Rogerson is an entrepreneur and founder of octopusgroup.com.This article first appeared on Thrive Global.

Why the Job Hunting Process is Broken

Why the Job Hunting Process is BrokenWhy the Job Hunting Process is BrokenSure, you can try to convince yourself that trying to find a job wont be so bad Its like a treasure hunt. Or, Its the only game in which you swing and miss 49 out of 50 times and still win.But the fact is, most job hunters hate the hunt, which too often turns out to be a jagdbeute goose chase or grueling marathon. Even if youre a strong candidate who is often asked to interview, you may have to endure three or more rounds, often with a star chamber of interrogators. The employer may even make you pay to fly to your inquisitions or expect you to be charismatic on webcam. So what if youre cameras leading a few-minute meeting and conducting a difficult employee evaluation.To increase the chance of obtaining a valid reference, employers should phone the general number of the candidates past employer and ask to speak with the persons boss by name. Then say something like, This is an important hire. Im really trying to find someone great. Would you strongly recommend (insert name of applicant)? Even if the boss says that policy allows only saying whether the employee worked there and left voluntarily, listen carefully to his or her tone. It can speak volumes.Do a background check. Reference checking firms can inexpensively verify that, in fact, the candidate did graduate from Harvard, got three promotions in three years and wasnt a mass murderer.Offer only a trial day or week of employment. You might explain that as in romance, you dont want to move in with someone until youve at least gone away together for the weekend.Fact is, even though employers often pay a massive price for a bad hire, many employers dont care enough to hire right. They get what they deserve.And the poor job seeker is deckenfries with a long, painful, demeaning and often invalid hiring process.Job hunting? Bah humbugEditors Note Next in Marty Nemkos Bah, Humbug series Employers, Bah HumbugThe San Francisco Bay Guardian ca lled Dr. Nemko The Bay Areas Best Career Coach. His latest books are How to Do Life What They Didnt Teach You in School and Whats the Big Idea? 39 Disruptive Proposals for a Better America. He writes weekly for AOL.com as well as for USNews.com. More than 1,000 of his published writings are free on www.martynemko.com.