3 Useful Tools for Freelance Programmers to Solve Their Organizational Issues CareerMetis.com

3 Useful Tools for Freelance Programmers to Solve Their Organizational Issues Whether you prefer to work alone or in a team of freelance programmers, organizational issues that crop up from time to time can severely dampen your productivity, morale, and end-product quality.According to Finances Online, 86% of modern employees or professionals prefer working alone to reach peak performance, while multitasking can reduce your overall productivity by up to 40% due to a split in attention and resources.evalA different study done by Forbessuggests that 61% of professionals are burned out from their jobs, with 31% reporting high levels of stress due to workflow mismanagement.While working as an independent freelancerand programmer have its perks compared to traditional employment, a large part of your professional development and performance will rest on your own ability to manage time and projects through self-discipline. Even though you operate independently, your work will still have to be used, managed and modified by others such as your client or other freelanc e collaborators.To rectify any organizational issues which may crop up, as a result, numerous useful tools exist to make your work easier. With that said, let’s dive into what makes third-party organizational tools useful for programmers, some of the KPIs you should use, as well as several of the tools themselves to ensure that your work is easier to manage going forward.The Benefits of Using Organizational ToolsLet’s talk about why organizational tools are a useful extension of your programming arsenal before we jump into the tools themselves. Individuals that dedicate their professional and freelance careers to programming will often spend weeks and months looking over code, numeric values and letters on a blank screen with no GUI or visuals to keep them focused.As such, freelance programmers might come across organizational issues from time to time as a result of poor motivation, low productivity or short deadlines just to name a few.Organizational issues in programming can c ause stress and anxiety, burnout, health-related issues as well as a drop in overall work quality if they are not rectified on time.evalWorst of all, failed projects breached deadlines and poor-quality code can cost you your reputation and future project prospects in the long run.Luckily, using tools that can help you manage work and organize it into digestible chunks can help significantly. Coupled with writing tools such as Subjecto, they will ensure that you never breach a deadline or leave out an important part of your project due to overwhelming workload or time-management issues going forward.Some of the benefits of using organizational tools in your freelance programming career include but are not limited to:Streamlined file management.Better goal-based productivity.More free personal time.Higher end-product quality.Easier workflow tracking.Lowered risk of stress and burnout.Organizational Tools for Freelance Programmers1) TrelloevalevalTime management is one of the freelance r programmer’s worst enemies bar none. As such, relying on a professional, well-designed time management platform is essential for continued success.rello is a project and time management platform with a comprehensive and versatile UI capable of streamlining your workflow. Its basic functionality will allow you to split work-related tasks into three categories: to do, doing and done respectively.In addition, Trello features extensive collaboration functionality which will allow you to invite other programmers or your clients to review your performance, offer feedback and participate in the project via comments and contributions.The tool is highly reliant on its GUI and visual elements which will ensure that you always have a clear idea of where your project needs to go next in order to be finished successfully.Trello has its own mobile app which enables freelance programmers to always stay in touch with their projects and receive notifications of any new comments or developments f rom invited collaborators. When it comes to its business model, Trello comes in a variety of packages depending on the scale of your operation.However, freelance programmers that work independently can utilize its free model to its fullest and receive access to a wide range of capabilities without the need to invest resources into professional subscriptions.Whether you are an established programmer or a novice dipping their feet into freelancing for the first time, Trello is a wonderful organizational tool that will facilitate your career quite elegantly.2) JiraProgramming projects often fall into the agile category â€" that is, with collaborators and contributors coming and going all the time. This can make it difficult to keep track of progress, bugs and new versions of your code no matter how well-organized you may be personalized.evalJira is an organizational tool with one goal in mind â€" performance and progress tracking.This makes it perfect for programming-related projects g iven its specialty in bug and defect tracking. It provides a plethora of collaboration and project lifecycle management options which will ensure that no part of your project gets forgotten, sidelined or remains defective by the time you ship the end-product.In addition, Jira collects historic data from the moment you create a work environment, allowing you to go back in time and analyze any part of your project for insight, bug hunting and statistical investigation depending on your current focus.It is a rich and versatile organizational tool for developers of different profiles and specializations, allowing for data migration and code export into a multitude of formats.evalJira features a free trial and is quite affordable for independent freelance programmers with its flat monthly rate. While it may be daunting for newcomers and those who are still learning about programming, experienced developers will find a lot to love about Jira and its organizational capabilities going forwa rd in their freelance career.3) ClockifyTime tracking and organizational management is difficult even with reliable techniques such as Pomodoro available to you. Luckily, tools designed with tracking and analytics such as Clockify exist to amend for their shortcomings. Clockify is a completely free organizational management tool with specialized developer-centric features.Its primary focus lies in tracking and analyzing your everyday productivity based on overall performance, individual milestones or custom KPIs.Once you start the tool up, you can focus on your work and Clockify will add any coding and programming activities you’ve done to the list of time entries. This will allow you to create a timesheet of your activities and performance for later analysis to see where you spent most of your time, why and what you can do about it.Clockify features gamification features which will help increase your productivity by creating an achievement-based work environment for your convenie nce. The tool also features desktop and smartphone apps for your convenience and allows you to sync data between them seamlessly.With its extensive visualization features and the ability to export tracking data into sheets, Clockify is a great tool for both novices and experts in the freelance programming sphere. Simply sign on to its platform and start using its plethora of organizational management capabilities today.Useful KPIs to ConsiderWhile using the right organizational tools for your freelance programming projects is important, the right Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are also essential. Due to the specific nature of programming, setting your own KPIs shouldn’t be an issue depending on the project you currently work on.Goal-setting methods such as SMARTwill allow you to narrow down on the most important, impactful KPIs for your project and track them quite efficiently via the organizational tools themselves.Let’s take a look at several pivotal programming KPIs which may help you get the upper hand in your career going forward.Setting these KPIs up before approaching any project will assist you in getting it done faster and with higher quality as a result of tracking.Planned delivery time â€" Number of hours you anticipate to work on a project.Delivery time â€" Total number of hours you worked on a project.Code Testing â€" Number of code tests you’ve performed.Bugs discovered â€" Total number of bugs discovered.Bugs fixed â€" Total number of bugs fixed.Response time â€" The seconds it takes for the code to respond to commands.Planned delivery size â€" Planned number of lines of code in your product.Delivery size â€" Total number of lines of code in your final product.In SummaryEven experienced programmers and developers who focus solely on a single project at a time might come across organizational hurdles in their careers. Don’t approach programming projects without any form of tracking or organizational tool at your disposal. Losing focus and forgetting important development elements can quickly become a common occurrence that will drastically hinder your performance.Whether your focus lies in software, web or mobile development, using organizational tools and KPIs to your advantage will have a transformative effect for your freelance career.The quality of your work will increase and you will have far more free time available for yourself as opposed to working ad hoc like before. In turn, this will make you a better choice for future clients and freelance programming opportunities going forward.

How To Use Social Networks to...Network

How To Use Social Networks to...Network Maybe its time you tried changing your approach to networking- heres how to use social networks to network (build new mutually beneficial, long term relationships!). You may have noticed more companies becoming active on social networks such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Social networks are multifaceted tools being used to create awareness, promote and build relationships! What if you tried using social networks to create awareness of your personal brand and to build new relationships? Social networks may not be the only solution to your job search woes but it just might help. Networking Isn’t a Once-and-Done Task People who are serious about managing their careers understand how important it is to have a pool of people to interact and share ideas with. This doesn’t just happen overnight. Pick up some of the habits of power networkers: Build and nurture connections for the future Embrace a pay-it-forward mindset Show interest in what others are doing and saying Smart job seekers focus on the needs, wants and desires of others and obsess less over the need to find a job. Successful networkers know that when they show generosity toward others, it can and usually does come back to help them in the future. LinkedIn Connections Can Power Your Success LinkedIn can help you stay connected with people you’ve worked with and people you know. It also allows you to meet new people who work in companies you are interested in or in roles you aspire to be in. Savvy networkers realize you cant just meet someone one time and expect results. The relationship needs to be nurtured. This can be done by monitoring LinkedIn in several ways: Congratulate a connection on a new job Share a connection’s status update, always giving him or her attribution Compliment or give a shout-out to a connection by mentioning his or her name in your status update Monitor a group’s discussion feed and look for opportunities to add to the conversation. You may have a different viewpoint, a success story to share or be able to offer help. Need more help using LinkedIn? Learn how to update your status on LinkedIn with this how-to article. And get more ideas on different types of activities you can use on LinkedIn to stay connected. Facebook Friends Can Help According to the Jobvite Job Seeker Nation Study, 76% of social job seekers found their current position through Facebook. These social job seekers are mostly ages 30 to 39, college educated, with annual incomes greater than $100,000. Social job seekers report using Facebook to: Find contacts sharing job opportunities Tap contacts who could provide an employee perspective on a company Share a job opportunity with a contact Need more help using Facebook? Get help preparing your Facebook profile for job search! Here are a couple of Facebook secrets you should know about. Engage on Twitter When you use an open network like Twitter, you can follow anyone you wish. And you can even send anyone a public message by tagging them (using the @[handle]). Strategically follow people who work in companies you would like to work for. (You can use Twitter’s Advanced Search function to find people using the company name.) Once you start following these company insiders, you can and should: Re-share appropriate tweets Add your two-cents to the tweet if there is room Reply to the person who shared a helpful tweet and explain why you liked it If you do this with some regularity, the person will usually respond. Continue to look for things you have in common, such as shared interests outside of work, colleges, cities of residence, etc. You can leverage any of these common interests to take the relationship to the next level. Most people who hang out on Twitter want to interact and build meaningful, worthwhile relationships. Need more help using Twitter? How To Use Twitter (for your job search) 11 Beginner Twitter Tips Pinterest Is Your Portfolio Pinterest is known for sharing visual content (pictures, infographics, etc), but you can use it to showcase links to your work or even your LinkedIn profile. Need more inspiration on Pinterest? What Pinterest Says About You Instagram Shows Personality Dont dismiss the potential to convey your personality and interests through Instagram. If it is where you are active and sharing photos of your life (outside of work), then why not use it for your job search too? How To Use Instagram for Job Search However, if it isnt something you want recruiters or hiring manager to find, be sure to use a profile name that will not easily identify you. In other words, do not use your name. And dont use the same email address you use for your job search. Take Pro-Active Steps to Manage Your Online Reputation Use these steps to clean up your digital dirt:  12 Easy Digital Housekeeping Steps Adapted from original post on US News World Report On Careers

The Best Way to Prepare a Prezi Resume

The Best Way to Prepare a Prezi ResumePrezi resume writing is one of the most important steps you can take to find a job or get your foot in the door of the new company. It is a fact that companies keep a record of each employee's accomplishments and therefore, a resume needs to stand out from the rest if it hopes to be noticed.If you are going to attempt to write a resume, it is a must that you have some idea as to what makes a resume impressive. You need to have a good idea of what will catch the eye of a hiring manager and how you can make a better one to be more enticing to a potential employer.Some people may think that they could not possibly write a resume because it is too difficult, but it is not necessarily so. You can do it yourself, but the only way to really become proficient at it is by taking the time to learn all you can about it.First of all, you should contact a professional resume writer. Not only is this your best chance of writing a good resume, but it also will help you become a better writer and learn the ins and outs of the whole process. Plus, when you become a certified resume writer, you will be able to give your resume that professional look and feel.Now you know what you need to do and what you can do yourself, the next step is finding a way to help you with the compilation of your resume. There are many places you can go for advice and suggestions, but first you should know which one is the best for you. There are many resume writing companies available for hire so make sure you select the one that will fit your needs.Another way you can start learning what a resume is, is by taking a few classes offered by the Professional Resume Writing Service Association (PRSA). They offer courses on various aspects of this field of work, including resume design and editing. Many times, these courses are offered as part of a package deal that is charged at a set price, so it is best to find one that offers both a course and the actual writing a nd editing services.You can get the tips and techniques you need to create your own press resume writing so what kind of materials you use is up to you. Do not feel limited to using standard templates as they have proven to be less than effective and perhaps even misleading.Your resume will need to be focused and clear, whether you are outsourcing your resume writing or having someone else do it for you. Being clear about what you want and explaining what exactly is needed is what separates the people who make it to the top of the pile from those who failed.

How to Write Your Own Resume and Move Ahead in Life

How to Write Your Own Resume and Move Ahead in LifeJob search and resume writing can be tricky. Most people think that they need to have a degree in English and History, or the proper grammar skills, or knowledge of the legal system in order to succeed in a job search. While these are absolutely necessary, these types of things are important, but not necessarily needed.Resume writing is a skill that can be learned by anyone. By focusing on one skill at a time, you will find it easier to use them each day. What follows are a few of the more common resume and job search tips that will get you on your way to getting your dream job. Continue reading and you'll find out how.In the beginning, you will want to put some effort into developing your personal branding. Creating an excellent first impression is a critical part of getting noticed, and putting your best foot forward is key to doing so.This is true of resume writing as well, and in this area you want to concentrate on your personal brand. Use your hobbies, interests, and accomplishments in different ways to create a signature that the employer will notice. People remember who they've worked with, and in this case that means you.One of the biggest mistakes that people make when applying for jobs is using their resume to include all of their personal information. This includes their hobbies, interests, and even their education. This is a bad idea, because it makes the employer wonder if there are any other important facts that could work against you and could hurt your chances of getting the job. Don't include any personal information in your resume unless it is relevant.Career counseling is also an important part of this process. These programs are meant to help you develop a solid plan for your future that you can build upon. If you are unsure about which direction you want to go in, get a career counselor. They will show you what options are available and how to take advantage of them.Getting a job in your f ield and finding a dream job can seem overwhelming. But this is a process that can be broken down into smaller steps, making it easier to follow. Get started today, and start living your dream today.

Word Processing Applications for Writing a Resume - a Short Introduction

Word Processing Applications for Writing a Resume - a Short Introduction The Word Processing Applications for Writing a Resume Game If you've got a working knowledge of popular software, you might be able to more easily learn to use new programs. Do not overstate your skills, as you might be requested to demonstrate them. You probably have the proper computer abilities. Accounting computer software skills are important if you're applying for positions in the finance or company sectors. PDF documents look the exact same on every computer, and that means you won't have to be concerned about any formatting inconsistencies. If you're thinking about submitting a non-traditional resume format, it is a fantastic idea to also incorporate a more conventional format too. You also need to take care when creating a PDF format resume. If you're developing a Word format resume, clearly Word is an excellent option. The War Against Word Processing Applications for Writing a Resume A bas ic resume is also less difficult to read. Frequently, the application instructions for a specific position will state if a CV or resume is requested. You may deem it a thoroughly written document due to the time and effort which you have put into it, but in the event the data in it isn't relevant, you have to redo the entire bit. In all instances, be sure the most relevant information appears on the very first page. Some folks call it an expert summary. What's more, the majority of people don't bother writing an expert summary. What you will need is word processing'' and that's among the things which computers are extremely very good at doing. When it has to do with computer programs, a word processor is just one of the most used programs on a computer due to its versatility in developing a document. There are plenty of programs you may utilize to create presentations, including PowerPoint, that's the most frequently used software across industries. The Good, the Bad and Word Processing Applications for Writing a Resume Below, you will discover more info about the sort of computer skills employers commonly search for in job applicants. Writing skills are also crucial for many unique jobs. You don't have the fundamental computer skills you will need to receive the job that you desire. There are a number of other computer skills, however, that are usually used across all industries which are important for most job applicants to know. Word Processing Applications for Writing a Resume for Dummies Resume writing has some unspoken rules you are able to use to your benefit. It's also important to consider which software is used by the folks you normally collaborate with. Many internet word processing positions involve writing descriptions of goods or solutions. There are a lot of different word processing applications. The Most Popular Word Processing Applications for Writing a Resume Begin with a well-formatted document and be sure it has been proofread. You may want to consider more than 1 format of resume if you're applying for numerous jobs. Your resume does not have to be professionally printed, but nevertheless, it ought to be performed on an excellent printer. Some PDF format resumes are made by employing a document scanner to make an image of a paper resume. A superb word processor is just one of the few parts of software you simply can't live without. You'd need to do the formatting work yourself. Most applications will produce an extremely standard and basic looking template. A document layout package offers you a selection of many layouts for your document where the document components could possibly be formatted differently. What the In-Crowd Won't Tell You About Word Processing Applications for Writing a Resume Committed Show that you're devoted to your work, begin to finish. Creating your resume is the very first step to getting work. Taking the opportunity to work on your resume is vital. A te mplate may also help save you hours of design time in case you don't have well-developed design abilities.

How To Answer Competency Based Interview Questions - Work It Daily

How To Answer Competency Based Interview Questions - Work It Daily Competency based interview questions (also known as situational interview questions) are one of the most commonly used interviews questions you will come across regardless of your industry sector. These are the types of interview questions where the interviewer will ask you to discuss a specific example off where you have demonstrated some type of behavior in your previous experience. Related: How To Answer 7 Of The Most Common Interview Questions Competency based interview questions are also a favorite of government organizations across the world as they are meant to be homogeneous in nature and can therefore be scored using standardized systems. Whilst, on the face of it, these questions appear to be relatively straight forward, there are some important points to remember when considering your answer. These are: 1. Structure your answer properly. The best way to structure your answer is by using what is commonly referred to as the STAR method / format. STAR stands for: S - Situation - What was the situation you / your employer faced? T - Task - What tasks were involved in that situation? A - Action - What actions did you take? R - Result - What were the results of those actions? Using the STAR method when answering competency based interview questions achieves two very important things. Namely, keeping your answers succinct and making it as easy as possible for the interviewer to score you highly by being able to pick out key information easily. It also allows particularly strong candidates to discuss their achievements in a very specific and detailed way. Using the STAR method for answering interview questions is definitely something that gets easier with practice over time. Very few people, in my opinion, are able to nail the answers first time so don’t worry if it takes you a while to get the hang of it! As with most things in life, the more you practice the better you will become. 2. Keep it brief. Another important point to remember when answering competency based interview questions is to keep your answer succinct. There is a tendency when you find yourself under some pressure in the interview (especially if you are being interviewed by a panel) to go way off on a tangent and you start rambling on at length about something you think is connected to the answer. Bad idea! Try to remain calm and remember that the interviewer is looking for a detailed, brief answer. I always try to visualize what my answer would look like if I were to write it down. Your answer should be a maximum of a couple of sentences (if possible) for each of the points in the STAR method. 3. Think selfishly. What I mean by that is that you should always remember to contextualize your answer giving your own personal experience and what effect you had as an individual. Stay well clear of using the dreaded ‘we’ in your answers. This is most definitely a pet peeve of most interviewers. You should always be thinking of how you can shine a light on your own strengths and work in some of the best stories of your career to your answers. Related Posts How To Customize Your Resume 3 Tips For Flaunting Your Value On Your Resume How To Make Dates On A Resume Work For You About the author Chris Morrow is a Job Search Coach who runs his own online education business called ‘ChrisMorrow.Careers.’ Chris coaches job seekers from all over the world on how to become successful in the job market. Chris also hosts a successful YouTube vlog series called ‘Job Search TV.’ Visit Chris’ Facebook page or check out his website here. Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here. Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

Resume writing tips for 2018

Resume writing tips for 2018Are you looking to take your job hunt to the next level this year? If so, then every aspect of your game needs to be razor sharpespecially your resume. Why is this so important? Along with your cover letter, your resume will serve as your first impression to prospective employers, hiring managers, and HR personnel, and were all aware of the lasting power of first impressions. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Ask any seasoned professional whos responsible for reviewing the resumes of potential hires and theyd most likely be able to share a laundry list of hilariousand tragicresume missteps and mistakes that sunk the mglichkeits of their creators before they ever had the chance to show what theyre capable of. Forbes even published an article about some of the more outlandish resume tricks that theyve come across. These includeOne candidate who sent his resume in the form of an oversized Rubiks Cube, where you had to push the tiles around to align the resume.A job seeker who applied for a food and beverage management location sent a resume in the form of a fine-dining menu.An applicant created a marketing brochure promoting herself as the best candidate.Another job applicant crafted his resume to look like Google search results for the perfect candidate.Outlandish moves like these are always a big risk when sending out your resumethe truth is, sometimes they can serve to make you stand out from a crowd in a good way, but other times theyll only serve to have your resume laughed all the way to the garbage can or trash folder. Are you willing to accept such a risk?The Forbes article also mentioned that one-in-five HR managers reported that they spend less than 30 seconds reviewing applications and around 40% spend less than one minute, so your window of opportunity for making a good impression is likely slim, to say the least. When creating a resume, theres little room for error and a misstep can be costly.Your best bet here is to apply the principles of effective resume writing that have proven themselves to work time and time again. Great Resumes Fast recently published an article on the best resume writing tips for 2018these sound principles hold true regardless of whether youre trying to land your very first job or youre a seasoned professional looking to reach the pinnacle of your career ladder.Consider using the following resume dos and donts when youre crafting your next resume, and youll be setting yourself up to make a great impression on your next job hunt.Resume DosDefine your goals What is your primary goal for your next big job hunt? Sure, its a big question, but its one worth asking yourself and answering before you start working on your resume. Why? Your primary goal will be your guiding compass as you craft your resumeeverything from your objective to the keywords you use should be targeted towards the industry and ort youre hoping to nail down. Without a primary goal, your resume may come off as unfocused or ambiguous, two qualities that wont score you any points with hiring managers. Great Resumes Fast suggests asking yourself the following questions when trying to define your purpose and goalsWhat vision do you have for your career over the next 1, 3, 5, or 10 years?Which values are driving your goals?Whats your purpose?What are you passionate about?Why do you dowhatyou do?Target your audience Once you define your goals, you should be able to articulate a clear vision of your resumes intended audiencethese are the companies, industries, and insiders that youve targeted to help you achieve your goals. Great Resumes Fast suggests asking yourself the following questions when trying to define your audienceAre their specific companies Im interested in?Am I aiming to secure a position in a specific industry?What advantage or benefit does this position bring to their business?What will the company be lacking or missing if theres no one in this position?Consider some of the struggles and obstacles facing the employer and the industry. Make a list of the most critical ones, and reflect on times in the past when youve confronted similar challenges.Define your value aussage Once youve targeted your audience, you can use your resume (and subsequent interviews) to identify their issues and needs and demonstrate how you can help address themyour unique value proposition. Ask yourself the following questions when trying to define your value propositionWhat benefit or contribution do you add?What key accomplishments or successes have you delivered time and time again?What would you say is unique about yourself and how you do what you do?What are your greatest strengths?Reach out to friends, family, and your network and ask them which words they would use to describe you.What do others see as the value you add?Read through your LinkedIn recommendations and past performance evaluations and look for themes. When you put simil ar words and phrases together what picture do you get?What do others say are your greatest strengths?How do others describe you?What do your boss, team, and direct reports come to you for on a regular basis?Define what makes you stand out The truth is, for every position you decide to go after youll be going up against a slew of qualified and capable individuals. Therefore, your mission is to convince those who come across your resume that you possess certain attributes that make you stand out positively from the job-hunting pack. Ask yourself the following questions when trying to communicate on your resume what makes you stand outHow have you positively influenced others?What would others say is fascinating, compelling, or interesting about you?What benefit would an employer or company get from choosing you over another candidate?What benefit or value did you bring to your previous employers?Resume DontsAvoid the red flags If you want to be taken seriously by hiring personnel and prospective employers, there are just some things that should not be a part of any resumefor any positionperiod. This includes weird email addresses, nicknames, any dubious distinctions (no one cares that you were a beer drinking champion in college), or creepy or disturbing work experiences or accomplishments. Remember, you want the first impression that you give off to be that youre a polished and capable professional who could potentially add real valuable to your target companies teams.Dont get too cute Sure, weve said before that you want to try to stand out from the rest of the job-hunting pack, but doing so by using wacky and colorful fonts or paper or utilizing a too-cute but ultimately confusing resume format will only detract from your perception as a competent and mature professional. Unless its standard practice in your industry, or youre asked specifically to take a creative approach to applying for a particular job, stick to the traditional format and let the content o f your resume serve to make you stand out from the crowd.Dont let mistakes take you out The people wholl read your resume are likely seasoned professionals with plenty of experience, and you better believe that theyll be able to laser focus on any typo, error, or mistake you leave behindand when theyre uncovered, the chances of your being seriously considered for the job will likely plummet. Do yourself a huge favor and check and double-check your resume for errors before you send it out. Better yet, have someone you trust check your work a second fresh set of eyes is always a good idea.There you have ituse these tips when youre writing your next resume, and youll be in great shape to make 2018 your year for earning your next big career opportunity.