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Have you ever felt like all of your job candidates presented the perfect resume and perfect interview and don’t know how to choose between them? Often, to find the best employees, you need to dive deeper into the interview process. Here are a few tools you can use to evaluate job candidates more thoroughly and effectively. 

Tests

First, you can have your job candidates take a series of tests to learn more about them. For example, you could have them take a personality test or an honesty test to learn more about their personality. You could also have them take a pre-employment skill testing quiz to analyze specific skills that they would be using in their potential job. 

You can also have them take achievement tests, aptitude tests, agility tests, and more. If your job requires a lot of physical labor, drug tests or medical exams might even be helpful. Seeing the results of these tests can help you to understand the mind, thought process, education, and work ethic of the job candidates that you’re considering. 

Social Media

Another tool that you can use to evaluate your potential job candidates is examining their social media profiles. Nowadays, about half of employers examine their job candidates’ social media before continuing with the interviewing or hiring processes. A third of employers find content that makes them more likely to hire a candidate. Professional networking profiles, like Linkedin, can be helpful, but social media profiles will reveal a lot more about a person. 

Even if your candidates have private social media accounts, you can still find out a lot about them through the pictures and information that they post in the public section of their profile. So, make sure that you take time to learn more about your employee by examining their social media profiles. 

References

Finally, don’t forget to utilize the references that your job candidates have listed on their applications when you’re working through the hiring process. Talking to the provided references can teach you a lot about an individual’s personality, work ethic, and past experience. Their references might include former employers, supervisors, professors, and more. These contacts might reveal important information about a job candidate that could persuade or dissuade you from hiring them. 

So, if you’re starting the hiring process and trying to figure out what tools you can use to evaluate job candidates, remember this article. You can use tests, social media, and references to learn more about your job candidates. This will help you to learn about their strengths and weaknesses that weren’t highlighted in an application or interview.

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Tax season can be quite stressful. This is especially true for individuals that are trying to stay afloat financially. Here are some things to keep in mind when you are filling out your tax paperwork and want to save as much as possible. 

Make Retirement Contributions

It’s important to know that saving for retirement does not automatically mean you can make deductions on your taxes. But it is absolutely possible if you go about it properly. A 401(k) or a Roth 401(k) can be one method. You can also consider deferring your taxes, which can sometimes be done until retirement. 

Just be careful to make deposits and withdrawals and payments at the right time to avoid getting extra tax fines. An individual retirement account (IRA) can also be useful. Do lots of research or talk with a tax professional to know which option will work best for you.

Open an HSA

If you are not quite able to afford a well-rounded coverage plan for health insurance, it’s a good idea to think about opening a health savings account. The account is quite flexible in how you can use it; you can use your HSA to pay for all medical treatments, including dental. It also can be used for tax advantages and deductions. 

Any qualified medical expense can be bought with funds from an HSA. Not only is dental available, but you also can access the account for payments relating to vision and medications. A health savings account offers a lot of diverse advantages for most people for this reason.

Research Your Diverse Options

There are actually a lot of methods outside of the medical realm that can help you get your taxes down and maximize deductions. Opening a flexible spending account (FSA) is one possible option that will open up alternatives outside of simply your medical expenses. You can also donate to charities, churches, or other such non-profit organizations (although that might be limited depending on your financial situation). Some forms of income are not taxable. It might be useful for you to look into what your local options are. Business expenses, for example, can be deducted. 

When it comes to making meaningful changes to your taxes, a little bit of planning and research goes a long way. Figure out as soon as possible which kinds of savings accounts are relevant to you. Open the accounts that you’re going to use consistently. 

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A sabbatical is a significant break from work that typically involves some travel and exploration. During a sabbatical, an employee is often still paid full or partial salary. While it may seem counterintuitive to be paid for not working, breaks from work are actually very valuable to employees and employers. 

Start a Personal Project

If you are able to take a sabbatical from work, this is the perfect time to start a project you’ve been wanting to do on your own. While you are on sabbatical, don’t feel pressured to work on work-related projects or skills. Being creative and learning new skills will actually help you return to work with greater vigor and better ideas. 

Travel the World

Have you dreamed of traveling the world or even just going to one other country but have been deterred by a busy work schedule and corporate responsibilities? If this is the case, a sabbatical is a great time to start checking off visiting other countries from your bucket list. 

Before you leave to go abroad, make sure that you have at least a tentative itinerary so you don’t miss out on things you wanted to see. Additionally, make sure to take care of any big responsibilities before taking off, like maintaining your home while you are traveling. Large homes come with higher expenses, so you may consider downsizing to take pressure off.

Spend Time With Loved Ones

A sabbatical is also a great time to spend with loved ones that you don’t get to see as often when you are working. You might choose to visit aging parents or just stay at home more to spend more time with any kids you are still raising. Spending time with children is especially important because it helps improve their mental health. By being there for your kids during your sabbatical, you can build closer bonds with them and help guide them through difficult times in their lives. 

Taking a sabbatical doesn’t mean that you are lazy. Humans are not made to keep doing the same tasks over and over for years at a time. Sabbaticals are well-deserved and needed breaks that can help to increase productivity, improve mood, and allow time for other important things in an employee’s life. Your life shouldn’t revolve solely around work, and work-free sabbaticals can help you more fully understand this and enrich your life. 

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The morning commute can be a stressful time for many people. Traffic, crowds, and the pressure to get to work on time can all add to the stress of the day. However, there are things that you can do to make your commute less stressful. Use these tips for a less stressful morning commute.

Listen to Calming Music

A less stressful morning commute is possible when taking the time to play calming music while driving, walking, or using public transportation. Music that calms can induce feelings of serenity, provide a sense of security during chaotic moments, and help clear your mind. For example, gentle piano or orchestral pieces can act as a calming presence for commuters who must deal with traffic jams or long waiting periods on public transport. 

You may also find music from your youth to be particularly comforting as you make your way to work. Whatever you choose, simply taking time out to enjoy the beauty of life’s simple pleasures may give you the energy you need to make it through your commute and get ready for the day.

Ride a Bike

Cycling to your destination can be an exceptional way to reduce stress in the morning commute. Most ebikes can move at 20 mph with the pedal-assist. Not only do you get a workout and burn off some of those morning stresses, but biking also helps you arrive at work earlier and be more alert than with other forms of transportation. 

Due to shorter travel time and reduced costs on traditional transportation, ebikes are becoming increasingly popular among commuters. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and stretching can also help alleviate stress before you start your commute but biking is a great way to kick-start your day with both physical exercise and peace of mind.

Take Public Transit

Taking public transit for your morning commute can be one of the best tips if you’re looking to reduce your stress. Not only is it an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to get where you need to go, but the whole experience can help lower anxiety levels due to the passive nature of riding a bus or train. Studies have even shown that commuters who take public transportation may find themselves feeling more relaxed in their daily lives, as opposed to those who decide to drive. So before hopping into your car in the mornings, try leaving extra early to explore taking public transit instead – you may just discover a less stressful and more peaceful way of getting you through your morning rush!

The morning commute has long been a daily struggle for workers everywhere. If you want to make your commute less stressful the power is in your hands. Try these tips to make your morning commute as calming as possible.

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Entrepreneurs and business owners are often given the message that they need to be responsible, on top of their game, and get everything done. But that doesn’t mean that you should do everything yourself or without the help of others. Certain things in a business function are best if they are done with multiple people.

Payroll Management

Running payroll for your company is a very important job that requires you to be at the top of your game and make sure everything is accurate. Nothing makes an employee more upset than getting short-changed on their paycheck, so this is a crucial job to keep the company running smoothly. 

However, if you have a larger company, running the payroll by yourself may be beyond you. Rather than trying to take it on alone, this job should be divided up between multiple people who can ensure that the payroll is being set up properly, run on time, and double-checked for accuracy.

Creating a Retirement Plan

A retirement plan is one of the benefits that people are most attracted to at any given company. If you don’t currently have a retirement plan or you are reworking the current plan offered, make sure that you aren’t doing it alone. 

While you may have an idea of what you want to do, if you aren’t a financial expert, you may quickly run into problems. A 401(k) plan needs to go through compliance testing to ensure employees are treated fairly. You should also talk to employees to find out what is most important to them with their retirement plan so that they will be satisfied with this benefit you are offering.

Hiring

Hiring is one of the most important things to get right for your business, and leaving it all to one person is a good way to mess that up. Even if the person doing the hiring is really good at their job, they will have blind spots and biases that may not be serving the company well. Additionally, if they haven’t performed the job function they are hiring for, they may not be able to find the best person for the job. Having multiple people involved in the hiring process will help you produce a more robust profile for each candidate and hopefully hire the right person each time.

Rather than letting yourself get overwhelmed or not accomplishing things as well as you can, allow yourself to ask for help. After all, things become much more manageable when you work with others to share the load.

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Planning for retirement allows you to provide yourself with financial security so you can live comfortably. Retirement accounts help you build up your money and maxing out these accounts gives you the full benefits. Once you’ve maxed out your accounts, you may be left wondering where you can put more money in order to maximize your retirement savings. 

Put Money in an HSA 

A Health Savings Account or HSA is a great option for any additional money you may have. An HSA is an account where you can contribute pre-tax dollars. The money will roll over from year to year and you can keep adding to prepare for retirement or any eventual medical needs. The money in an HSA can be used for any qualifying medical expenses. 

You can choose to spend it however you’d like. This is beneficial to have in retirement when medical needs tend to increase. Money in an HSA will also have interest, so the money will grow over time. In order to have an HSA account, you must first have an HSA-qualifying health plan. 

Invest in a Taxable Account 

Most retirement accounts are tax-advantaged meaning they are exempt from taxes or receive other tax benefits. A taxable account is one in which any money earned in that account will be taxed during the financial year it was earned. Investing in these accounts allows more flexibility since there are no age restrictions and you can withdraw money at any time. 

With a taxable account, you can invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and any other investment you choose. You have full control over where your money goes and you can choose what risks you want to take. The highest long-term capital gains rate is 20% versus 37% for ordinary income. Investing in a taxable account is a great solution for anyone who’s maxed out their retirement accounts. 

Real Estate Investments 

If you’ve maxed out several retirement accounts and have invested your money in other accounts, there are even more investment options available. Investing in real estate, for example, can be very interesting and lucrative. There is a lot of variety in real estate investment. You can manage a rental property, flip houses, own commercial real estate, and much more. You can find an option that is interesting to you and keep it up as long as you choose. Like any investment, there are risks involved and it’s important to do research before getting started. 

Having excess money after maxing out retirement accounts is a blessing. You have more money you can grow and set aside for retirement. There are many options to consider, so take your time and find what works for you.

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So, you’ve just landed your dream job, but you discovered that you’re going to have to move to a new state. Moving for a job can be exciting, but it can also be stressful, especially if you’re moving with a family. Here are a few moves to make and things to consider when taking a job in a new state. 

Research the Area

First, make sure that you research the area that you’ll be moving into. Researching the area will help you to find the ideal area where you’d like to live. It will help you to identify amenities and conveniences that you’ll need to make your life functional and convenient. 

Spending time researching the area of your future job and home will also help you to know how to budget as you’re finding a place to live and figuring out your new expenses. For example, the cost of living in the new area might vary from your current location and you’ll need to plan so you can manage those expenses successfully. The research will help you to find the ideal location and ideal home for your situation.

Find a Place to Live

Next, you’ll need to take care of your housing. This includes finding a place to live and selling your current home. It will be much easier to find a place to live once you’ve researched the area. You’ll know what price range to be looking for, and you’ll also know some of your best options for areas where you’d like to live. 

Selling your current house can be a little bit more difficult, especially if you’re on a limited timeline. Traditional buyers often will take months to purchase your house, and you might be delayed in starting your new job on time. Finding a cash buyer can help you sell your home much more quickly.

Explore Aid and Compensation Options

Finally, don’t move without exploring aid and compensation options. Often, when a company requires you to move to a new state or location to start working for them, they’ll offer some aid or compensation to help with the moving process and expenses. Some relocation expenses can be quite costly, especially if you’re moving to a big city where the cost of living is much inflated. Some relocation aid packages could cover the packing and moving costs, and some will even offer you some money towards a down payment. If you don’t know what your new company will offer for relocation, don’t be afraid to ask and negotiate with them.

So, if you’re moving to a new area to start a new, dream job, remember these tips. Make sure to research the area, find a place to live, and explore aid and compensation options. This will help you to make a move to a new city that is less stressful, more orderly, and more successful overall.

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Do you work a desk job like millions of other people in the country? While desk jobs have become somewhat mainstream and routine, there are still many negative elements that come along with working at a desk. Here are some of the disadvantages of working at a desk that you might experience. 

Too Much Routine

First, working at a desk can force you into a schedule with too much routine. Sitting at the same desk for eight hours every day can make it difficult to concentrate for long periods. Sometimes, having too much routine in your day-to-day life can cause you to quickly become bored and burned out with your work responsibilities. 

When this occurs, your productivity and passion for your job can drop significantly. If you find that you have too much boredom in your desk job, try to mix things up by taking breaks and switching up your tasks to increase productivity. 

Possibility of Injury

Another disadvantage that comes along with working at a desk is the possibility of injury. Many injuries might occur when you work too long at a desk, even though you’re not in a manual labor job. For example, sitting in a chair that doesn’t properly support your back, posture, spine, and sitting position can lead you to develop back pain. 

This pain can then be aggravated by sitting in the same position day after day. Additionally, you can develop pain in your hands and wrists from your desk job. Typing for long hours can lead to wrist pain. Make sure that you’re taking care of your body as you’re working at your desk job and being aware of any pain or symptoms that you might develop.

Lack of Physical Activity

Finally, working a desk job can often lead you to have a significant lack of physical activity in your life. This is especially true if you often work longer-than-normal hours that bleed into your personal life. Having a significant lack of physical activity can cause your muscles to weaken, which can lead to pain and posture issues. Not getting enough physical activity can also cause you to gain weight, which could increase your risk of having a stroke, suffering from a heart attack, or developing diabetes. If you realize that you’re not getting much physical activity, try to make a change in your daily schedule to stay active each day.

So, if you’re working a desk job, or contemplating starting a desk job, remember the disadvantages that come along with such a work setting. Having a desk job can lead to too much routine, the possibility of injury, and a harmful lack of physical activity. If you do choose to work a desk job, make sure that you pay attention to your physical and mental health and care for your mind and body.

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Having a good work-life balance is essential to maintaining your mental, emotional, and physical health. When that balance isn’t well managed, you’ll feel overworked, burnt out, exhausted, and unmotivated. Here are a few ways to better balance your career with your personal life.

Stick to a Schedule

One helpful approach to balancing your career with your personal life is to stick to a schedule. Implementing a schedule can help you to take care of yourself both in and out of work. This is especially helpful if you work from home and the lines between work and personal life are easily blurred. Try to create a daily and weekly schedule complete with goals and tasks. 

For example, fit in time outside of your work hours for exercise, relaxation, self-care, and connecting with family. During your work hours, create a schedule that helps you focus your time on specific goals you want to achieve. This will help you to be more productive and motivated, which might help reduce feelings of stress and exhaustion.

Take Time Off

Another helpful way to balance your career and personal life is to take the time off that you’re permitted. Even if you think that you should skip your time off to make more money, remember that taking time off from work is essential to your health, both physically and mentally. Taking time off and visiting beautiful locations can help your mind to feel rejuvenated. 

Vacation time can help you to reconnect with your family and strengthen relationships, which will benefit you emotionally. It can also help you to enjoy getting active again, which is especially important if you work a desk job. Find an activity on your vacation that you love to participate in. For example, Mexico has a lot of great spots for surfing.

Figure Out Your Self-Care

If you feel the balance between your work and personal life slipping, you need to focus more on your self-care. Self-care can also connect a lot with your schedule since you’ll need to make time to take care of yourself. Finding ways to take care of yourself will help you to fight off feelings of burnout and anxiety and reconnect with your inner motivations. For example, try implementing self-care by using breathing exercises, practicing yoga, getting a massage, journaling for self-reflection, and/or participating in some of your favorite relaxation activities. This will help you to feel more rejuvenated when you return to work.

So, if you’ve struggled to balance your career and personal life, remember this article. Try sticking to a schedule, taking time off, or figuring out your self-care routine to better balance your responsibilities. This will help you to feel happier, more motivated, and more fulfilled in both your work and personal responsibilities.

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As an entrepreneur, you need to be very invested in your business for it to be successful. And, as with any professional, you must also find a good balance between work and family life. Knowing how to deal with stressful family situations can help you keep work and family separate, as well as keep you healthy and happy. 

Taking Care of Kids

If you have kids, this can add a great layer of stress to your life because children cannot do everything on their own. Children rely on their parents to provide the basic necessities of life as well as nurturing and love. One of the ways that you can better care for your kids is to stay organized and plan ahead as much as possible. 

If your children are in plays, academic competitions, concerts, sports games, or other important events, make sure to add the dates of those things to your calendar when you first find out about them. Prioritizing these things will help children remember big life events well. Having these things planned out will also help you schedule work things around those events. 

Aging Parents

In addition to taking care of kids, you might also need to care for aging parents. Aging parents often can’t do a lot of things for themselves and aren’t as mobile, so they need extra help. Moving aging parents in with you can improve their comfort and quality of life. This can also make taking care of them less stressful because you don’t have to commute to other places to see them. 

Working With a Family Member

It may seem impossible to separate work and family matters, especially if you work with a family member at your business. One way to reduce some of the stress of working with a family member is by treating them just like any other employee. This means that when you are working together, you have a strictly work-appropriate relationship with them with real consequences. Make sure that your family member knows and understands that your work relationship will be this way. 

Keep in mind that family situations can add stress to work life, but work life can also add stress to family situations. If you are struggling with familial relationships, you need to take time for those people and relationships. Pouring more effort into entrepreneurship and building your business will not fix your family relationships. 

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