With A.I. Now a Reality, Are Human Workers Soon to Become Old Tech

With A.I. Now a Reality, Are Human Workers Soon to Become Old Tech A recent report by PWC has highlighted that more than 10 million UK workers are at high risk of being replaced by robots in the next 15 years (this represents 30% of all jobs). Sectors at particularly high risk are transport, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade and administrative roles. Those who left school with only GCSE-level qualifications are at highest risk, prompting calls for action by the government and employers to invest in upskilling the workforce, along with the possibility of some form of basic universal income. Faster and cheaper Robots and automation have been around for decades, so why now? Moore’s law states that the amount of computer processing power that you can buy for $1 has doubled every 18-24 months and because of this, automisation is now not just a possible option for companies to consider, it is an alternative that can be impossible for some industries to ignore. Foxconn Technology Group, the $100 billion global electronics group, employs over one million people but is now accelerating its program to replace its human factory workers with an “army of robots” to improve efficiency and combat rising labour costs. Computer automation has widely affected jobs in industries such as construction, factory-based manufacturing and transportation and will continue to do so. However, white-collar workers and professionals are also likely to be affected by technological advancements. The cutting edge of programming is seeing developers teach bots to think for themselves. Companies are now programming software robots to “creatively” write, to the point that if you have read a newspaper or magazine recently, odds are that you will have read an article written by a software bot. Software bots are much faster and cheaper than physical robots. White collar workers on the other hand are numerous and expensive. This means from a business perspective the incentive to automate aspects of their work is even greater than for low skilled work and manual labour. Leading A.I. companies have already stepped further, creating virtual workers who interact on a human level. IPsoft state that their avatar Amelia “understands what people ask â€" even what they feel â€" when they call for service.” For example, as a call centre operator Amelia can work using the same instruction manuals or prompts that a human operator would and she “learns” as she works, providing high quality responses consistently. And there are numerous other companies with similarly sophisticated AI products. Replacement or enhancement? IPsoft states that it is not looking to push humans out of a job, it is simply trying to free up humans’ time by allowing Amelia to take on the mundane, repetitive, routine and uninspiring tasks. Taking away these tasks will allow humans to focus on higher value functions. This may well be the case. As A.I. bots grow in number and capability, they will have a dramatic impact on employment. Whilst A.I. won’t replace people entirely, employers will have to completely re-think the structure of their workforces given that machines are likely to carry out a number of roles and tasks, particularly the lower-skilled jobs that are currently undertaken by humans. During this “revolution” new roles will inevitably emerge and will be required to be fulfilled by people. This will require employers, governments and education providers to respond by having to train and up-skill employees and students to work in other areas. Those organisations that fail to accept and embrace this at the right time will undoubtedly be left behind. About the author: Kathryn Dooks  is  Employment Partner at Kemp Little LLP.

Guidelines For Writing a Resume Objective

Guidelines For Writing a Resume ObjectiveGuidelines for writing a resume objective help you to write something that will be very convincing and have a high impact on the person who reads it. There are lots of people who find it hard to compose their own resume objectives. After reading through the guidelines for writing a resume objective, they are convinced that they should compose a resume objective for all the job opportunities they get. But, sometimes it is just the opposite.If you have ever finished composing a paper for a test, or an essay, or a thesis, you know that it is not easy to compose it with good structure and put in a good quantity of words. Even when you have studied for a few hours, it is not always easy to keep the paper going. This is the same for writing a resume objective as well.Your objective is a basic idea that you need to formulate. You should come up with a conclusion before you begin to write the rest of the resume objective. It should give a message to t he reader that says something about your skills and your qualification. It should be of relevance to the job that you are applying for.A resume objective can take up to a day if you are doing it from scratch. When you have had a day to think about what to say, then it will not be easy to start thinking about the rest of the resume. It would be more logical to write the entire resume at once, and just concentrate on a small part at a time. After you have completed a small part, you can start on the next one.Take into consideration all the possible parts that you can put in your resume. The best part about having guidelines for writing a resume objective is that you can use them for other parts of your resume too. If you are trying to select a business associate, it would be better if you use the guidelines for writing a resume objective. Then you can prepare a sales letter that will have a good sales pitch and your objectives.When it comes to writing the resume objective, you should go ahead and make it in a formal manner. This would be in conformity with the norms in the company. It is also a standard form of communication that has been followed by most businesses for a long time. In fact, the best way to create a resume objective is to do it yourself.It would be better if you could express yourself in your own voice and use a style that you know. There are numerous methods that you can use when you do your own resume. One of them is the method of use of examples. The other is the use of templates. There are many ways to come up with a resume objective.You need to consider the purpose you want to communicate to the person you are trying to contact. This way, you can come up with the kind of resume that is meant for the job. In fact, this is a good way to start a new career and to make it happen.

Eating More Fruit And Veggies Doesnt Have To Be Hard

Eating More Fruit And Veggies Doesnt Have To Be Hard Getting enough fruit and veggies  is essential to your health and well being. The fiber, vitamins, and water that fruit and veggies provide are things your body need to function and look its best. If you are struggling to get enough fruit and veggies in your diet check out my tips below that will make it easy to eat more healthfully. Fruit and Veggies Are Essential So you probably already know some of the health benefits of increasing your fruit and veggie intake. It can improve your skin, hair, and nails and help your digestive tract. You may be surprised to find out that it can also reduce your chances of an early death, read this from The Alternative Daily for more info. But maybe youre just, not a big fan on veg? Maybe youre stuck for ideas on how to eat more fruit? Well dont worry, lets take it meal by meal and see what we can do to get you to up your fruit and vegetable consumption. Breakfast Some people struggle with breakfast, skipping it altogether or grabbing something unhealthy on the go. This is not an ideal breakfast as you need something to literally ‘break your fast’ from when youve been sleeping. A balanced breakfast, at a regular time every morning is a much better idea. So what does a balanced breakfast look like? It will include protein, slow-release carbohydrates and of course either fruit or vegetables. If you have a sweeter tooth, go for fruit with your breakfast.   Try a low sugar granola with low-fat yogurt and fresh fruit, a fruit salad bowl or as a treat pancakes with blueberries. If you favor a more savory start to the day, why not try an omelet with spinach, red peppers and some low-fat cheese, or mushrooms on toast? If time is tight in the morning why not try some overnight oats? This is when you soak porridge oats overnight in a mixture of either yogurt or milk. They soften and become infused with the flavor and are delicious in the morning. Add peanut butter and banana for a delicious treat all go for apple and cinnamon for a yummy all american variation. Lunch Lunchtimes can be difficult. You could be at work or school, so you’ll need to buy food there or take a packed lunch.   Also, we often see sandwiches, rolls, and subs as a traditional lunchtime option. I am here to tell you to ditch the bread completely or only have it very occasionally. If you are eating out and its a choice between soup and a sandwich, go for the soup every time. In fact, soup is a fantastic way of getting lots of veggies into your diet. It is delicious, and if you are at home you can make yourself, and you will know exactly what goes into it. Try tomato, leek, and potato or even Stilton and broccoli. All you need to do is take a large pot, sweat some onions, celery, and carrots and add your vegetable of choice in a little oil. Then add some vegetable stock and simmer adding a few diced potatoes for thickness. When all the vegetables are  cooked through, blend with a hand mixer and serve. In this way, it is very easy to increase your vegetable intake as that is four types in just one meal! Other lunch options that can be useful for increasing your vegetable consumption are salads.   Why not try a salad filled with your favorite vegetables like pumpkin, spinach, tomatoes, and cooked aubergine. Or you could embrace the new spiralizing trend and go for some zucchini pasta with tomatoes? The spiralizer is a great piece of kit, because when trying to include more veggies in your meals it provides a novel way to prepare them. It also allows you to use vegetables in place of carbs,   for example pasta or noodles. Dinner The majority of the vegetables that you eat at the moment probably come from your daily dinner. But it is very easy to fall into the same old routine. Potatoes, carrots, and one green vegetable can get very boring after a week or two, so why not change up the vegetables that you have at your main meal? A good way of doing this is to make the vegetable the star, rather than just a side dish. Check out some vegetarian and vegan cookbooks for some tasty inspiration like this potato and asparagus frittata.   Consider how to make vegetables like asparagus, broccoli or artichoke the main ingredient in your meals. Another fun activity is to grab a list of vegetables and make sure that you buy one new vegetable off the list every week. You might come across things you havent had before, but that is all part of the fun and excitement as you get to try new things while being more healthy. Also, be careful of how your food is being cooked. Yes, potatoes, onions, and pickles are all vegetables, but they lose their nutritional value if you cover them in batter and deep fry them. Raw veg is the best but lightly steamed veg will hold in all the good stuff you need too. Snacks There isnt any excuse for not eating fruit as a snack, as its often naturally portioned and easy to take with you on the go. However some people still find it a bit difficult to get into this habit. A good way of increasing the amount of fruit and veggies that you can have at snack time is to   plan your snacks along with the other meals for the week. Make sure you include one portion of raw veg like carrots,   peppers,   or cucumbers and one piece of fruit like an apple, orange, or   banana each day. You can also add packets of dried fruit or home-made vegetable crisps. Make homemade vegetable crisps with this exciting gizmo, so you dont have to use any added fat. They are perfect for those times when an apple just isnt sorting your snack cravings. Remember getting a good variety of fruit and veggies in your diet at each meal time is the key. If you get bored with eating fruit and veg, then you wont eat as much and wont reap the health benefits. Images:  Omelet     Prep   Onion Rings   Oranges  Fruit and Veggies

Intelligent Disobedience

Intelligent Disobedience This is one of a series of posts on Intelligent Disobedience  by Ira Chaleff. Ira Chaleff is the author of Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What Youre Told to Do Is Wrong. Chaleff is an author and speaker who specializes in issues of leadership and power. His first book, The Courageous Follower: Standing Up To and For Our Leaders,  presented his concept of “courageous followership,” the idea that a follower can be very loyal to a leader and still have the courage to speak truth to power. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'P5D0WBoBRmdqCE1Zhdvjww',sig:'NDJwUv884AG2S_znrQ-9fO1xjE0KW7dDpD1l9w9Z5hM=',w:'337px',h:'508px',items:'171300166',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); In Intelligent Disobedience, he explores the concept of authority and how we are conditioned to respond to it from childhood. For many of us, obedience is automatic, especially when an order comes from a parent, boss or other authority figure. But we have learned that blind obedience can allow, even assist, evil. At the Nuremburg war crime tribunals after WWII, many lower level Nazi officers and soldiers claimed in their defense that they were just obeying orders. Befehl ist Befehl  (an order is an order) is known as the Nuremburg Defense. It’s for this reason that Chaleff believes it’s urgent that leaders and followers reconsider the concept of obedience. Chaleff says that following orders without applying ethical judgment can lead to great harm, including embezzlement and other business crimes, even bodily harm and death. He wants leaders to create a structure wherein a follower can make a conscious decision about whether to obey an order. He starts the book with a compelling story told to him by a nurse who attended one of his presentations. Early in her career 20 years before Chaleff met her), she’d been a young nurse, fresh out of nursing school, working in an emergency room. A cardiac patient was wheeled in, and after examination, the doctor in charge ordered her to set up an IV with a specific drug. She was stunned, since she’s learned in nursing school that this drug could be fatal to a cardiac patient. She had the courage, against all cultural norms and her training, to challenge the doctor respectfully, asking if he was sure that this was the drug he meant to order. You can easily imagine the response; “Just do it!” he snapped. Her training and conditioning kicked in. She set up the IV bag with the medication the doctor had ordered. She did everything but open the valve on the IV bag to start the drip. Quietly, courageously, she asked the doctor to come over.  She informed him that he’d have to turn the valve himself. We’ll never know whether the drug might have proved fatal, Chaleff writes, because that moment made the doctor re-think the order and administer another drug. The young nurse had discovered for herself how to practice intelligent disobedience. She had found a third option other than “obey” or “disobey” that led to a better outcome. Here are the conditions under which obedience makes sense: The system we are part of is reasonably fair and functioning. The authority figure giving the order or setting the rule is legitimate and reasonably competent. The order itself is reasonably constructive. (Chaleff writes that in situations that can cause grievous harm, the standard should be much higher.) You may think that you’d never obey an order that would cause harm or lead to an illegal act, but history and science proves that most people do not question a compelling authority figure. Chaleff cites several psychology experiments that prove that most people accept orders under duress, even when they see evidence that their actions are causing harm. So how do we learn the difference between obeying without question in a stressful situation when every second counts (whether you’re a soldier, pilot, public safety official, or medical professional â€" or an ordinary accountant) and when to stop and practice intelligent disobedience? We’ll explore Chaleff’s framework for intelligent disobedience in future posts.

What to Do With References in Resume Writing

What to Do With References in Resume WritingThe purpose of resume writing is to get a job. However, if you happen to get in touch with a company whose job posting you have already filled, you might not have the best idea of what to do with references on your resume. There are several things that you can do with this information.First, if the position in question requires references, and you already have references attached to your resume, you should not delete them. Instead, you should use the references as a means of explaining your reason for leaving the company.If you cannot provide an explanation for leaving the company, you should take the time to write down why you left and your reasons for not returning. You should always mention why you did not return because you were not happy with the conditions, the benefits, or the working atmosphere.Second, you should ask other employees to offer testimonials for you, if you wish to use these references in your resume. You should also in clude the names of these people on your resume in bold letters.Third, there are some circumstances where you can use the information that is already in your resume when it comes to what to do with references. For example, if you have an offer that is contingent upon meeting specific standards, and you are asked to submit references to the company you are applying for, you can include these standards in your resume.You should then explain why you did not meet these standards, and your reasons for not meeting them should be included on the applicant's criteria paper. If you successfully met the standards, you can include this information in your resume.Fourth, in addition to what to do with references in your resume, you should also list the contact information for the companies in which you have previously worked. You should include the name of the organization, the position you held at the organization, the year that you worked at the organization, and the department you held the po sition in.When it comes to what to do with references, you should always be careful to maintain the quality of the resume and to document all references that are written for you. This will help in the success of your job search and when it comes to getting hired, your references.

How To Address Key Selection Criteria - Jane Jackson Career

How To Address Key Selection Criteria - Jane Jackson Career How to Address Key Selection CriteriaPublic Sector Positions  As a career coach I have had many clients ask me how to address selection criteria when making an application for a role in the public service.    Many people find it quite daunting, as applications in this area require a detailed look at the Key Selection Criteria.   You must have a sound understanding of what is required and applications must address each and every criterion.    There is a set procedure to follow to ensure every applicant is given a fair and unbiased opportunity.      So, if youve seen a job opportunity in the public service advertised and you want to apply, where do you start?  The key requirement for Government positions is to respond to the Key Selection Criteria.  In this blog post, Ive addressed what you must consider before submitting your application.      Those of you who conduct some basic research about the job before submitting your applications will achieve the best results. Before you apply, think about the job requirements and gather as much relevant information as you can, so that you can focus your job application.  By following these three steps you will give yourself the best possible chance for serious consideration:  1.   Are you Qualified to do the Job?  Ask yourself these questions:     ·                       Does this role interest me because it fits with my career values and desired career directions? ·                       Do I meet all or most of the Key Selection Criteria for this job? ·                       Do I have skills gained in other fields of work that may be transferable? ·                       Would I be able to do the job with a little training â€" formal or on the job?  If the answer to all of the above is yes, then you are ready to apply. Before you do so, make a few notes:     ·             Summarise your academic and career history and the skills you can offer ·             Highlight your strengths, relevant experiences, achievement s and capabilities. ·             Address any obvious weaknesses and the training you are willing to complete to address these. ·             Address each Key Selection Criterion for the job. ·             Prepare or update your resume. ·             Talk to your referees about the job you are applying for and what they will say about you to a prospective employer.  2.   Understand the Job and Key Selection Criteria  If you dont fully understand the job requirements you may have difficulty demonstrating that you are the best person for the job. Study the Position Description, including Key Selection Criteria, along with any other relevant information you have collected.    Contact the person handling the recruitment for the role (there is usually a name and number in the job advertisement) to find out more about the position and ask any questions you may have so you fully understand the requirements.      There are four main items to review in a Position Description:    Values:  These tell you about the way the organisation works and what it expects of its employees.  Are you comfortable that these values fit with the way you want to work?  Accountabilities:  This is a list of the day-to-day responsibilities and tasks of the job. Each job has a key focus â€" certain roles may require you to supervise staff, manage resources or provide policy advice; other roles may be to deliver support services or provide staff training, etc. Your career background and interests should match the requirements of the job.    You must demonstrate that you have the capabilities, personal qualities, knowledge and skills to do the job. You may have worked in a related field or industry or have personal interests that have enabled you to develop the relevant skills and experience.    Key Selection Criteria:  The Key Selection Criteria outline the qualities, knowledge and skills needed to do the job. You will need to write short statements that sell your specific capabilities f or each of the criterion. It is important to include specific examples or situations where you have demonstrated the behaviour, knowledge, skills and personal qualities asked for in the Key Selection Criteria.    Writing a good response statement is essential to prepare you for the interview stage of the selection process. Now that you have specific examples you will be better prepared to answer questions about your ability to do the job.  Check each statement for the correct spelling and grammar.  By law, all candidates must be assessed fairly and consistently and be selected on merit.  It is possible to do this by using the Key Selection Criteria given to all candidates to assess their ability to do a job.    Describing how you meet Key Selection Criteria ensures all information about your suitability for a job is captured.  If it is an online application you are making, you can type in the spaces on the online application or cut and paste text from a document you’ve prepared .    Each selection criteria will vary among different employers and jobs however they are always statements combining skills, knowledge, experience and personal qualities.      For example:  Ability to develop and maintain systems and processes for mail distribution and storage of publications and brochures  Ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.Many selection criteria are based on key capabilities.   For example:Resilience Perseveres to achieve goals, even in the face of obstacles. Copes with setbacks. Stays calm under pressure. Accepts constructive criticism without becoming defensive.Problem Solving Seeks all relevant facts. Liaises with stakeholders. Analyses issues from different perspectives and draws sound inferences from available data. Identifies and proposes workable solutions.Respond to all Key Selection Criteria in the same way:1. Read and fully understand the job advertisement, Key Selection Criteria and Position Description.2. Print or save the Job Details or Position Description so you can refer back to it when necessary.3. Highlight key words in each of the criteria and think about what the employer is looking for.4. List examples of how you meet the each criterion. Describe relevant skills, experience, training, personal qualities, expertise and what you couldn’t have done without all these.5. Review your list and summarise, in 60-120 words, how you demonstrated what was required for each criterion.When working on your responses, the Situation â€" Action â€" Result methodology will help:  SITUATION Where and when did you do it?ACTION What did you do and how did you do it?RESULT What was the outcome of your actions?This may seem to be a time consuming way to make an application however, by following the instructions and addressing all that is required you will ensure you are considered fairly along with all other candidates.  Qualifications:  In many cases qualifications are either not required or are an added advantage- desi rable. However, some roles need formal or mandatory qualifications, such as a University Degree.  You must be able to produce documentary evidence of these qualifications to be appointed to the job.  3.   Find out about the Employer  The Government is the largest employer in each State. Each department and agency has different objectives, functions and programs and may deliver services in a variety of ways to the community.  It is important that you find out what the employing agency does its objectives and functions and how the job you are applying for fits in.    Research the agencys website or visit a public library to find out the information that will assist you in an interview:     ·                 Look at Annual Reports, Business and Corporate Plans. There may well be a question asked at the job interview to explore your understanding of the agencys role. If youve done your homework, you will be able to impress your potential employer by describing what you understand th e organisation does.   ·                 The organisational structure an organisation chart sets out the reporting arrangements and may tell you where the advertised job fits in. Usually the organisational context will be stated in the Position Description.   ·                 Agency values these vary for each agency. Public sector values are responsiveness; integrity; impartiality; accountability; respect and leadership.  By following these three steps you will give yourself the best possible chance for consideration for the role.    The process can be time consuming however it will prepare you well for interviews by ensuring that you fully understand your capabilities and are able to discuss them in detail.  If you need help to create a powerful application for the role youd love a strong chance at securing, book in for a complimentary Career Clarity Chat and lets find out how I may help you to attract the attention of the hiring manager and secure that dream job!

COLLECTIVE HUB Should You Send a Follow-Up Email - Jane Jackson Career

COLLECTIVE HUB Should You Send a Follow-Up Email - Jane Jackson Career SHOULD YOU SEND A FOLLOW-UP EMAIL? HELL YES, SAY THESE EXPERTSPublished in Collective Hub, 2 August 2017I was recently interviewed by  LIZZA GEBILAGIN  for this article in Collective Hub. Here is an excerpt:Remember your manners (and professionalism)When you’re writing a follow-up email, focus on being polite. “Make sure the tone of your email is a gentle reminder, not a demand for attention,” career management coach  Jane Jackson  says. “Also be concise â€" as it’s a follow-up email, don’t waffle â€" get to the point and offer to provide additional information should they require it to make a decision.”The last thing Jane suggests to entice a response is to add value. “You could include an attachment or a link to information or an article that would be of interest or add value to them. This will show you have done your research and are willing to go the extra mile to make a difference to them,” Jane says.Once you have all the pieces in place, don’t hit send until you’ve checked for typos. “When following up on a business email, the worst thing you could do is not to proofread your message.Sending a follow-up email with typos is broadcasting your lack of attention to detail, potentially shoddy work in the future and it just looks sloppy,” Jane says. “Remember that your email is an extension of your personal brand â€" what you put out there is a reflection of who you are, your professionalism, the way you do things and whether you really care.”To read the entire article click here