5 Job Seeker Tax Tips

5 Job Seeker Tax Tips5 Job Seeker Tax TipsSearching for a job can be a costly venture. After all, you have to pay for (and dry clean) your interview suit, pay for resumes to be printed on quality paper, and you may even need to hire a resume coach to write it for you. Add on top of that travel costs to get to and from the interview (if youre not lucky enough to have a Skype job interview, that is), and you can end up paying a pretty penny to find your next job.What many job seekers dont realize is that they can deduct some of their expenses from their tax returns. While not everything is deductible, many items are- depending on certain circumstances.Here are five job seeker tax tips from IRS.gov.How Much Can You Claim?Since the IRS defines job search expenses as miscellaneous expenses, they cannot exceed more than 2 percent of the taxpayers adjusted gross income (AGI) before they are deductible. All items must be itemized.Can You Claim for All Job Searches?If you have been working as an accountant, but are now seeking employment as a graphic artist, you unfortunately wont be able to claim your job search costs on your taxes. The law states that taxpayers may only deduct the costs associated with their job search if they are looking for a job in their current career field.What Can You Claim? Luckily, you can claim almost all of your job search expenses- as long as they dont exceed that 2 percent margin. From printing your resume to expenses incurred creating a portfolio for job interviews, or even child care, almost all expenses can be included. You can even claim costs associated with commuting to an interview or hiring a career counselor.Do You Have to Be Unemployed?While you can only claim a job search on your taxes that relates to your current industry, you dont necessarily have to be unemployed in order to do so. You can be employed and still claim job hunting expenses on your tax return.Is There a Time Limit?Unfortunately, there is. If there is a substanti al break between your last job and the time you begin searching for a new one, you wont be able to deduct job search expenses.While job hunting can be expensive, the government does allow you to claim some of the expenses. To be sure of what you can claim- and more importantly, what might raise a red flag- you should visit irs.gov. That way, you can recoup some of your expenses and stay in the IRS good graces- and avoid an auditReaders, what job search expenses do you claim on your taxes? Share your job seeker tax tips in the commentsDisclaimerThis article provides only general information abouttaxesand does not constitute legal ortaxadvice. You should not act or refrain from acting based on this article, or any related information on, without first consulting with a legal ortaxprofessional.

12 Body Language Mistakes to Ditch For Your Interview

12 Body Language Mistakes to Ditch For Your Interview 12 Body Language Mistakes to Ditch For Your Interview Want to speak volumes to a hiring manager without saying a word? Be self aware and avoid making common body language mistakes that can send the wrong message. Your body language is always communicating something during an interview, and it may not be positive.There are so many ways body language can either make you sink or soar during an interview, said Kathryn M. Partan, principal at Partan Communications LLC. The main idea here is to release your energy, instead of keeping it trapped inside.When released, youll look and feel confident.When trapped,anxiety and nerves aboundBrie Reynolds, senior career specialist and career coach added this Your body language is one piece of your overall interview performance, and sometimes it can have an out-sized impact. As humans, were naturally conditioned to pay attention to visuals. If you make the most of your body language during your j ob interview, it can help you leave a great impression with a potential employer.Below were going over 12 body language mistakes you should ditch if you want to put your best foot forward during the job interview.12 Body Language Mistakes to Avoid During Interviews1. SlumpingDont give the impression that youd like to curl up into a tanzveranstaltung and be anywhere else Instead, sit as if theres a string tied from the top of your head to the ceiling. (This trick also helps if you have a tendency to lean back in the chair, which could be viewed as not taking the conversation seriously.)Similarly,watch your posturewhen standing. Push your shoulders back, keep your chin up, and stand with your feet slightly apart. Studies show taking on this Superman pose actually changes the hormones in your brain after only two minutes, leaving you feeling stronger and less stressed.2. Wandering EyesDo your eyes dart around the room while listening and speaking? Are you guilty of looking at the ceili ng or floor rather than at people? Such actions make you appear apprehensive and distracted.Make direct eye contact with your interviewer, both while listening and speaking, Partan said. Every word you say should land on your interviewers eyes. You develop immediate rapport by making direct eye contact. The interviewer will see you as a confident and competent candidate. Practice this by sharing a story with a friend, without breaking eye contact.3. Fiddling with ObjectsAn interviewer who witnesses you playing with your jewelry, picking at your fingernails, or twirling your hair may assume youre bored or impatient. Luckily, this is a body language mistake with an easy remedy. Simply eliminate the source, whether that means leaving bracelets at home or pulling back hair. Another trick is to press the fingertips of your hands together to form a church steeple. Youll display confidencewhile keeping your nervous digits under control.4. ClenchingHang tight to a chairs arm rest or glue yo ur hands to the desks edge and run the risk of looking like a rollercoaster rider having second thoughts. Such white-knuckle grips also can lead your pent up energy to come out in other undesirable forms, such as toe tapping or chair swiveling.A better choice is to use your hands to gesture while you speak to make answers more engaging (although see point number seven to not overdo it). As Partan noted, This makes you look open and interested and allows you to use your energy in a positive way.5. Failing to SmileA simple but often overlooked body language mistake is simply not looking happy to be there. Interviewers may assume you arent. Instantly up your approachability and trustworthiness by smiling. People are naturally drawn to a happy face, and the feel-good chemicals smiling releases into the body will help you stay calm and upbeat.Smiling tells an employer so many things about you, but when were nervous, we naturally stop smiling. Practice answering interview questions while reminding yourself to smile. If you dont smile sometimes during a job interview, it may wrongfully tell them youre not a positive person or youre just not excited about the role or the company, said Reynolds.6. deckung or Aggressive Body PostureCrossing your arms across your chest. Leaning forward a bit too assertively. Invading the interviewers personal space (aside from a handshake, no touching during an in-person interview). What characteristics do these postures share? They all risk coming off as being too, shall we say, in your face.Probably the last thing you want in an interview is to indicate that youre one to constantly question or challenge everything, at every turn. Turn off the aggressivebody language cues and, instead,rest your hands in your lap, on the arms of the chair, or anywhere that conveys a sense of calmness and an even-tempered dislocation.7. Wild Hand or Arm MovementsYou may be super-excited about the prospective job, but wild gesticulations with your hands or arms can seem, well, just a wee bit whacky. Even though youre enthusiastic, this can still be seen as a body language mistake. Settle down and study up on when and how to employ your hands during an interview. Used sparingly and with precision, hand gestures can be a powerful way to make a point, or even engage your interviewer in a moment of shared humor, frustration, or camaraderie related specifically to the discussion.The last thing you want to do is distract an employer away from your answers, but using big gestures or talking a lot with your hands will do just that. Some movements and gestures are great and can add to your overall interview performance. But try not to go overboard or the employer may stop listening to your words because theyre too distracted by your movements, said Reynolds.8. ShruggingShrugging isnt a good look for any job seeker, since it means that you might be indifferent or unhappy with what your interviewer is saying. But shrugging just one shoulder can also indicate that youre lying, so be careful not to shrug- at all.9. StiffnessOf course youre nervousits a job interview Many people tend to get a little stiff when nerves are getting the best of them. Of all the possible body language mistakes, this one is the least offensive, since being stiff automatically equates with nervousness, which is something that hiring managers expect.But being too stiff can make you appear uncomfortable or unfriendly, so try to loosen up a little before your interview. Smiling as youre talking is a great way to feel more relaxed10. Leaning BackwardsYou might be thinking of an answer to a question, or you might be trying to make some extra space between you and your interviewer. But leaning backwards is an indicator of someone who is not engaged in the current conversation. So try to lean forward a bit to show your enthusiasm without encroaching on the other persons space.11. Sitting Directly in Front of Your InterviewerIf youre doing a phone or video interview, you dont have to worry about where to sit. But when you enter an office for an in-person interview- and there are three chairs to choose from- you might not always know where to sit. A rule of thumb is to sit in the chair thats on a 45-degree angle from your interviewers chair. Being on an angle is more collegial- and less combative- and can help make you both feel more comfortable.12. Touching Your FaceSure, your nose might be itchy or you might feel an eyelash in your eye, but you should try to avoid touching your face, since that can make you look like youre hiding something.Body language mistakes can break a job interview. So make sure you study up on these tips so you can ace your next in-person interview with positive body language that shows youre the right candidate for the position Or, if youre interviewing online, there are still many body language cues to consider for video interviews.Looking for other career advice? offers online career coaching with our expe rienced team of in-house career experts. Schedule an appointment today and get actionable, personalized feedback for your job search.BOOK YOUR PERSONALIZED CAREER COACHING APPOINTMENT TODAY

Customer Service for Your Colleagues

Customer Service for Your ColleaguesCustomer Service for Your ColleaguesYou dont have to be on a support or service team to provide excellent customer service. In fact, rising stars in most organizations treat coworkers, managers, clients and vendors as if they were valued customers.If you want to move ahead in your accounting and finance career, think about whether your colleagues consider you a problem solver or a problem creator, a collaborator or a divider.How can you get a handle on your customer service? abflug by asking yourself these five questions1. Do you treat your colleagues as unique individuals?For many people working in a demanding accounting role, it can be easy at times to focus only on the numbers. You may forget that people with the information you need are extremely busy professionals just like you. To give excellent customer service, be courteous and friendly in your interactions with colleagues. Make the effort to get to know people on an individual basis and de velop friendships at work so you can more effectively build rapport and tailor your approach.2. Do you ask them for feedback?Some people dont want to hear about what they could be doing better. But you cant improve if you dont know where your efforts are missing the mark. And if you dont cultivate an openness to listening to others opinions, youre less likely to hear kudos when youve earned them. Simply put, proactively inquiring about other peoples experiences working with you shows you care about your job and your workplace relationships.3. When you receive constructive criticism, do you actually listen??Asking for feedback is a great start. Take care to listen to whats being said and, if the comments are on point, address them. If you arent sure, talk to your manager about the content of the feedback to help you figure out if you or your team needs to make changes to provide better customer service.4. Do you lend a hand when your coworker is in a jam?Weve all been there A back-bu rner project suddenly becomes the chief financial officers top priority. Or maybe its just taking longer than expected this month to get the data needed to close out the books. If you want to be regarded as a professional who gives excellent customer service to your team, volunteer to help others who are in a bind whenever your workload allows. This approach will likely come in handy down the road when you find yourself in need of assistance.5. Do you offer potential solutions?Few workplaces reward those who always have something negative to say. The best way to become a positive contributor is to think up or find a solution to present when giving constructive criticism.Regardless of your role or level of experience, you cant go wrong by adopting a more service-oriented approach.Odds are youll advance more easily and find new job opportunities when you establish a reputation as a team player who always provides excellent customer service.

Tips for Exploring a Career and Getting Hired at Amazon

Tips for Exploring a Career and Getting Hired at AmazonTips for Exploring a Career and Getting Hired at AmazonAre you interested in working at Amazon? With over 600,000 employees worldwide, there is no shortage of jobs available at the company. There are job opportunities at locations from Aachen, Germany to Zurich, Switzerland, Africa, Asia, and across the Americas as well as remote positions. Various Amazon Departments and Locations That May Be Hiring Jobs at Amazon are organized by location, team, or category. You have the opportunity to choose which of 11 different languages you would like to use for your search. Locations include worldwide cities in North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Explore the various departments for advertising, books, customer service, devices, video, web services, business, and corporate development, digital entertainment, finance and accounting, fulfillment and operations, global corporate, transportation a nd logistics, and university recruiting. Different Types of Jobs at Amazon ?Browsing job categories such as administrative support, business, and merchant development, database administration, editorial, writing and content management, hardware development, investigation and loss prevention, and legal can give you ideas about where your talents might be put to the best use. Broad searches by either tech or non-tech jobs are available as well, and you can even search for work-at-home jobs. Remote and Flex Jobs Amazon has a variety of virtual jobs that can be worked from home. Positions available to work remotely depend on where you live and the type of job youre interested in. Theres a section of the website where job seekers can search specifically for virtual job opportunities. Amazon is handling its own deliveries in some locations. There are contract driver jobs available in over 50 U.S. cities. Amazon delivery partners earn $18 - $25 per hour and set their own schedule. To a pply, visit theAmazon Flex website, select a region where you want to work, answer a few questions about your age, vehicle, drivers license, and the type of phone you have. Youll be prompted to download the Amazon Flex Jobs app to your phone to apply. The Amazon Hiring Process Amazon has a completely angeschlossen application process.You create a Careers account, separate from your customer account, and upload your resume. You can update as necessary and include a cover letter when you find an appealing position. If you dont find anything that interests you, you can submit a general resume to keep on file, and you will be notified as appropriate positions become available. When you apply, you will be prompted to give your personal information and answer a job questionnaire. Then you can input your resume and cover letter. If you are a match for a position, you will be notified to set up an interview with the hiring manager and several colleagues. Business casual is appropriate f or an interview at Amazon. They promote a comfortable, casual work environment. Many hiring managers rely on behavioral interviewing techniques, so be prepared to provide examples of superior customer service, problem-solving and creative thinking. Research the company principles and be ready to describe how your approach would blend with the Amazon way. Benefits Offered to Amazon Employees and Their Family Members The benefits at Amazon are generous and include, but are not limited to, medical and prescription drug coverage for employees, eligible family members and domestic partners, dental, vision, life and accident coverage, short and long-term disability. Time off benefits include six personal days as well as six holidays, and vacation time, depending on the position ranges from one to three weeks. Amazon matches 401K contributions, offers employee discounts, and Restricted Stock Units. Some positions qualify for relocation assistance, including a furnished apartment until housing is found, a rental car until your personal one arrives, packing, moving, and unpacking your personal goods. Adoption assistance and parental leave are generous and flexible to accommodate the personal needs of the employee and their family. Child and elder support and pet assistance are also available. An Overview of Amazon as a Company Amazon is the leader in e-commerce, worldwide. They offer thousands of products from top retailers to customers in most modern countries. They have revolutionized e-shopping through innovations like 1-click shopping, free shipping, and Wish Lists. Customer service is the driving force behind Amazons success. They strive to make fulfilling customer orders faster, smarter, and more cost-effective. They spend a lot of time analyzing consumer needs and find innovative ways to fulfill them. The company has grown to encompass subsidiaries in industries ranging from entertainment to publishing, to retail sales of just about any product you can i magine. Amazons Company Philosophy Amazon is a company that prides itself on diversity and customer service and believes that embracing all cultural, professional, and life perspectives promote an environment of tolerance and inclusion. Amazon recruits employees who will embrace their customer-focused philosophy. Candidates should be prepared to show evidence that they have provided superior customer service in previous jobs. Candidates who are innovative and can help improve the customer service experience are attractive to Amazon.

A Startling Fact about Resume Layout 2017 Uncovered

A Startling Fact about Resume Layout 2017 Uncovered The very first thing you ought to do is make sure a prospective employer knows whose resume theyre taking a look at All you need to do is list the skills you have that also appear in the work offer. The very last thing that you want to do is receive a job that you cant do. If youre thinking about how to create a resume, youre in the proper location For the great majority of job seekers, the classic chronological resume is best. Also, as you would have little work experience, you would have the ability to balance both column resume easily. Because you wish to provide lots of attention to both, you might notlage have much room left for different sections, like a resume summary, volunteer work, interests, etc.. As youve already understood writing an outstanding resume isnt an effortless job that you can do. While you would like to include relevant key terms, you dont need to overstuff your resume either. Today, putting socia l networking links on your resume has begun to develop into a trend. Theres also information regarding tips and techniques on. Structured information in your resume isnt hard to read. Take a look at our article on the way to use your job references strategically in the event you need mora info. A reference list nowadays is not quite as common as it appears. Below, you will discover a list of resume examples that may aid you with your work search. Getting the Best Resume Layout 2017 After, you must open a new document and get started writing. You might call for a well-written formal depart correspondence or email for assorted explanations. When you format your resume you need to ensure your leave enough margin space to permit for printing. So, as you craft a resume with a particular format, consider the organizations to which youre sending that resume. Pay attention to the resume format you opted to pick, since you will need to reveal your skills, dependent on the format yo u made a decision to pick. As previously mentioned, you wish to decide on a resume format thats suited to your personal profile. If youre employing a functional resume format in place of a chronological one, you should fix that, stat. The standard format is among the absolute most basic resume format employed by job applicants. Websites like Etsy make it possible for you to download professionally designed resume templates all you need to do is add your own details. At the moment, it isnt essential to format your own resume on your own. For each work application, select the layout that most represents you in the context of the job that youre applying for. Theres no doubt that a resume which is both cohesive and professional will have a much better likelihood of standing from the crowd even supposing its made utilizing a template. The very first thing which you ought to pay attention to its a resume format you will use. When it has to do with finding jobs as an accounting cler k, or another area of the nation, the quantity of luck you have is directly associated with your capacity to take the suitable kind of actions. If you get a simple understanding of Microsoft word, you will have the ability to customize it and make your own resume. Before you commence writing your resume 2017, you should make certain that all the resume section youd like to include are formatted proper way and will be simple to read by a hiring manager. Any resume is a marketing document, which you have to do the just one thing to offer your candidacy in the very best and trustworthy way. Just make sure, whichever format you select, which youre targeting it for the job that youre applying to. Sometimes jobs dont turn out the way that you hoped they would, and youre able to wind up questioning whether you should move on to a brand-new function. Choosing Good Resume Layout 2017 A resume builder will allow you to rectify any errors and supply you with a working vision of the resume as you edit. Fibs on your resume even smaller ones are a huge no-no. The most significant thing about your resume design is it should be simple to scan and well-organized. If you still must save more space for other info, which you want to add to your resume, single line spacing is a great decision in your case. Its improbable that you would ever will need to use your elementary vocabulary to earn a considerable contribution at the job. Additionally, a resume that isnt ATS-compliant is not likely to ever be selected as a match, irrespective of the candidates actual qualifications for a position. Its content-packed layout is excellent for engaging employers with numerous facts, from experience to education.

Your top 5 in 2014 Articles you loved

Your top 5 in 2014 Articles you loved Your top 5 in 2014 Articles you lovedPosted November 17, 2014, by Jordan HuidekoperIf youre like us, then you face a terrible decision at the end of each workday Do you close all those article tabs you so optimistically opened? Should you bookmark them for anotlagelageher day? Or do you give up altogether because, lets face it, theres only so much advice one can take If this feeling is familiar, then you are certainly not alone. Earlier this year, New Zealand researchers from Victoria University found that were all reading more text than everonline, but that we also struggle to remember what on earth it was saying in the first place. But dont despair, because were getting to that wonderful time of year when content managers like us sort through the years winners and losers, and remind you of the things you really liked (or, wanted to read but never got around to). So open these up in your browser and get ready to bask in self-satisfactio n when youve consumed the top clicks of 2014 in one hit.6 ways to be happier in 2014Been feeling a bit low about the state of the jobs market? Or just life in general? ansicht six quick tips on how to be happier hit the mark with our readers and might just get you skipping your way towards the new year with a new outlook.Read more10 high-paying jobs you wont need a degree forWe can see why you all got on board this one cha ching If youre still looking for a career change then maybe its easier to achieve than you think.Read moreWhy your resume is like a burgerTheres nothing quite like a juicy burger, and it seems a lot of you thought your CV could use some more juice, too. Find out how to get the perfect balance of zest, grease and fresh ingredients with this tasty infographic. Warning this post may induce hunger for the job huntRead moreJobs Australia 2014 report unveils 10 top jobsEarlier this year we spent some quality time with government job reports. We dont think we impro ved our relationship with statistic-speak, but we certainly enjoyed hanging out with the numbers for a while. If youve been finding it hard to work out what industries are up and down, then you can scan this now and thank us later.Read moreStudying in 2014 could online courses become the new norm?Ok, were not going to lie, this one still surprises us. Were pretty across online study, but when we decided to write a state-of-play we didnt realise you would get so across it, too. But to have an in-depth roundup of online courses as our top performing post this year only proves one thing online courses are a seriously hot topic. And if you didnt know that already, then we can certainly get you up to speed.Did you like another post on Career FAQs this year? Let us know in the comments below. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness Ma nagerAccountantOffice Administrator CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire ansprechbar Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire Online Jordan HuidekoperJordan is a writer and photographer with a keen interest in personal growth and development.Related ArticlesBrowse moreWORKFORCE TRENDSAustralian employers prepare for growthThe majority of Australian employers are anticipating growth in the coming years and are planning to develop their talent, according to the latest Future of Talent Management report by HR firm Mercer.BusinessEMPLOYER RESOURCESManaging your business workforce is key to survivalThe economic slowdown has forced many businesses to take a good hard look at themselves how they operate, their business models, and how their employees perform.UniversityVET/TAFETAFE or Uni - Which one is better?The decision bet ween TAFE or Uni depends on a lot of different factors - from what career youd like to pursue, your learning style and how you plan to pay the tuition fees. Lets look at the differences and help you decide the right path for you