Michael Bieruts Thoughts on Being a Graphic Designer

Michael Bieruts Thoughts on Being a Graphic DesignerMichael Bieruts Thoughts on Being a Graphic DesignerPage through the new book from Michael Bierut and youll quickly see why hes a graphic konzept legend. Bierut chatted with us about his remarkable career and offered tips on how to thrive in the competitive world of konzeption. In addition to being one of the worlds fruchtwein respected graphic designers, Michael Bierut is also pretty good at titling books. His recently released monograph How to Use Graphic Design to Sell Things, Explain Things, Make Things Look Better, Make People Laugh, Make People Cry, and (Every Once in a While) Change the World (Harper Design) is a compelling collection of works from his storied 35-year career in graphic design.Few people have accomplished more in the creative industry, and even fewer have advocated so effectively for graphic design and design thinking. Bierut, a partner at Pentagram in New York for 25 years, got his start working for the famed Massimo and Lella Vignelli at Vignelli Associates. Hes a past president of AIGA, an AIGA medalist, and a cofounder of the influential Design Observer blog. His work appears in permanent collections of some of the worlds top museums and he has received hundreds of design awards.Bierut spoke to us about the skills, abilities, habits and traits that graphic designers need to succeed.TCG What skills do you believe are most pivotal to graphic designers today?Michael Bierut Ill just assume you know all the necessary software programs. The most important trait is curiosity. Can you get interested in the subject matter behind what youre designing? Can that interest sustain you over the course of the project? Most importantly, can you tap into your enthusiasm as you search for design solutions?When it comes to working with clients, how would you advise someone starting out in the design field?Be patient. Remember that normal people didnt go to design school. Avoid jargon. And never forget t hat your clients know way more about their business than you ever will. You learn more by listening than by talking. If you wait long enough, theyll tell you everything you need to know.SEARCH GRAPHIC DESIGNER JOBSYou note that knowing how to read is more important to a graphic designer than knowing how to draw. What do you mean by this?Graphic design is about communication, and words - not always, but frequently - are the main ingredients we have to work with. There are many shortcuts now about how to draw. There are not many about how to read. Reading - deep, attentive, profound reading - is the starting point of so many great design projects. And dont be surprised when the quality of the prose doesnt meet your expectations. Speak up, loudly.Your book title includes both the words laugh and cry. How can designers truly pull emotion out of people with their work?Getting an emotional response out of an audience depends on one thing How well you understand that audience. Anodyne messages, generated by default processes, for one-size-fits-all situations almost never connect with anyone. Know your audience, and tailor your work to connect with that audience as precisely as humanly possible.Your first job out of design school was at Vignelli Associates. You stayed there for 10 years. What was the most important lesson you learned while working with Massimo and Lella Vignelli?That design is a sacred calling, worth taking seriously, and worth devoting your life to.What is the biggest design trend youve seen come and go (and maybe come back again) in your 35 years as a designer? And is it something youd admit to doing yourself?They all come and go Gradations. Drop shadows. Souvenir Bold. There is no such thing as a bad design style. There are only trends and passing fashions. And at one time or another, Ive done them all.What are your recommendations for staying creatively sharp?My best advice is to surround yourself with bright, energetic, curious people - of a ll ages.Photo credit for image of Michael Bierut Jake Chessum

4 important personality traits of U.S. presidents

4 important personality traits of U.S. presidents 4 important personality traits of U.S. presidents Reflect on the skills of some of our greatest presidents and how they can be applied to your job search.Whether you think they’ve succeeded or failed, each U.S. president was elected for a reason. Each man proved to the American people that he was right for the job, and tried to continually showcase his best traits. In the wake of Presidents’ Day, we examined which traits can be used to advance your career. Here are four of the professional traits everyone should take away from our presidents.Honesty Perhaps the most well-known presidential nickname is “Honest Abe.” Mr. Abraham Lincoln earned this nickname prior to his first inauguration, though speculations vary as far as exactly when. It may have been during his youth as a star customer-service store clerk, or later on in his law career when others observed his intolerance of lying in the courtroom.There are countless incentives to tell the truth, but perhaps none more important than it will eventually come to light, whether you verbally acknowledge it or not. We can all learn a thing or two from fellow President Clinton’s refusal to admit to a certain a mistake.As far as the job market goes, there’s no better way to kiss a position goodbye than if you lie on your resume. Even seemingly harmless fibs- like if you claim to be fluent in Spanish but you’re actually just semi-conversational- will likely show themselves sooner than you think.Commitment Franklin D. Roosevelt may have been one of the most dedicated politicians of all time. He was so invested in his beliefs that he didn’t allow anything to get in the way of his career as a political leader- even a crippling illness.Mr. Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio in 1921 at age 39. Though he was paralyzed from the waist down and had lost the use of his legs, his political career had hardly even begun. Roosevelt continued on to serve as the Governor of New York from 1929-1932, and served a record four terms as President of the United States.It’s no secret that it’s tough out there for a job seeker. The sheer amount of competition can be daunting. No matter the job market, it’s crucial to stay committed to your goals, while trying to stay positive and level-headed. Amanda Augustine emphasizes that job seekers stay persistent in their pursuit for a position, advising to “harness the power of three: Apply to jobs, engage in recruiter activity, and utilize your social and professional networks”Charisma Despite his scandals and shortcomings, President John F. Kennedy is predominately known for his incredible ability to command a room. In his 1961 inaugural address, he famously kept the audience rapt, saying, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”Just as it did for JFK, a friendly and pleasant demeanor can soften even the toughest critic. Even if you’re no ‘people person,’ flashing a friendly smile during discussions of your incomparable work ethic couldn’t hurt.Keeping cool Whatever your political party, and whatever your stance on President Barack Obama in the Whitehouse, you have to admit the man can keep his cool in a tense situation.Notorious for his repartee, he has managed to dish out light-hearted, witty one-liners to cheeky press and pedestrians attempting to shock or catch him off-guard.Next time you feel the need to lash out at someone in your job search or career - even if you feel justified to do so- try cracking a joke at the situation’s expense instead. It’s a much calmer approach, and everyone in question will react more favorably than if you were to hurl a couple of poorly prepared insults.Politicians aren’t perfect, but they do know a thing or two about commanding a crowd. They had to impress the American public enough to be chosen for the job. As a job seeker, you may only need to impress an employer or hiring manager (as opposed to the entire American population). However, you are a candidate up for a job against other equally q ualified professionals. So, remember: When it boils down to it, a well-planned, complimentary observation of the company culture may make a difference.

Customize this Outstanding Sample Human Resource Assistant

Customize this Outstanding Sample Human Resource Assistant Customize this Outstanding Sample Human Resource Assistant Sample Human Resource AssistantCreate Resume OBJECTIVE Expect to begin an entry-level position in the Human Resource department and gain experience in the functions of labor contract, administration, employment, recruitment, compensation, benefit programs, training programs and performance management. And also utilize my communication, interpersonal, organizational and customer service skills, in order to increase productivity within an organization.RELOCATE ILEducation: Robert Morris College, Illinois Bachelor in Applied Science Degree Major: Business Administration Concentration in ManagementRelated Courses:Human Resource ManagementBusiness ManagementBusiness and the LawBusiness EthicsOrganizational BehaviorAccounting 1,2,3Finance 300Experience: Perfummaina, North Riverside, IL Customer Service/Sales (1999-2004)Provided quality customer serviceMaintained a balance drawerPromoted items on saleSold additional merchandiseConducted inventory checksTrained new employee’sHandled custo mer concerns and complaintsManaged complaints to ensure customer satisfactionSkills:MS office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)Basic web page creation and designScanner, fax, 10 key calculatorType 35 wpmCustomize Resume

5 productivity killers (and why youre probably doing all of them)

5 productivity killers (and why you're probably doing all of them) 5 productivity killers (and why you're probably doing all of them) Take a glance at your to-do list for the day - how are you doing? Oh, wait you didn’t make one. Okay, find your scribbles from yesterday’s client check-in - what action-items do you need to check off? Wow, you didn’t take notes?! Though we are all guilty of hitting the mark sometimes, if you constantly feel distracted and unable to remain on task, it’s time to take a look at your work routine. Productivity is one of those qualities that’s never listed on a job description but is one of the most valuable and important skills to have, no matter your industry or position on the ladder. To remain focused and wow your manager, you want to avoid these destructive habits that take your attention away from the office.You check your email all the timeSince much of the professional landscape has become overly digitized, it’s no wonder your email is such a major part of your workflow. Though it’s a vital means of communication, it doesn’t need your attention 24/7. Career exper t for TopResume, Amanda Augustine says when you’re constantly refreshing your inbox and replying to everything right away - you’re not actually doing any other work. To cure yourself of this habit, it’ll take practice. To get started though, Augustine recommends setting some ground rules, starting with what time of day you log-in to your email, with the morning being the worst time.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!“Many experts warn that this is the absolute worst time to check your email. Instead, allow yourself only five minutes to quickly skim your inbox for urgent or time-sensitive items. Then, come back to your inbox later in the morning, once you’ve crossed an important item off the to-do list,” she explains.Just like you set up meetings on your calendar, do the same thing with email by reserving your time and focus. “Create a daily, recurring event on your work calendar that’s dedicated to email. Try to hold yourself accountable to those blocks of time to keep your email from wrecking your productivity,” she adds.You multitask … unsuccessfullyThough in theory, listening to a podcast while checking your email and Slack gossiping with your co-worker could make you feel like you’re killin’ it, what are you really accomplishing? Career expert Joy Altimare says most people get a surge of confidence from multi-tasking, but the reality is very few actually complete tasks when they are focusing on too many at the same time. In many ways, juggling this-and-that fosters and encourages mindless distractions.“They find themselves distracted during a meeting, in conversation - either on the phone or computer - and cannot digest nor participate in the dialogue,” she explains.The solution is simple: Cut it out. Much like you would give your undivided attention to a client at dinner (or to a promising first date), at work, you sh ould well, be at work! Get off your phone and step away from your computer in meetings - or don’t bring either. When you have emails to send, put on your headphone and turn up your focus playlist on Spotify and get through them. Have a presentation to write? Then you shouldn’t’ be checking Facebook. The point is to practice mindful productivity - and be respectful to your employer who wants you to get the job done, ASAP.You don’t have meeting agendasWhile scheduling meetings and attending them can make you feel like you’re making progress, more often than not pointless or poorly-run sessions are the opposite. In fact, plenty of professionals often feel like endless back-to-back ‘check in’s’ and ‘brainstorms’ waste their time, instead of capitalizing on it. If you feel as you are suffering from meeting fatigue, Augustine recommends reevaluating your calendar.“Take a closer look at your schedule and determine if there are certain meetings you could eliminate en tirely or delegate to another member of your team to attend,” she continues. “For those meetings, you intend to keep, give your attendees proper context. Include a short blurb in your invitation that explains the purpose of the meeting, what will be discussed, and what people should do to prepare for the discussion so everyone is on the same page.”And don’t forget: Starting and ending your meeting on time will do wonders for everyone’s productivity.You don’t take notesIn your college classes (remember those, from eons ago?) - you would never arrive without a pen and paper. While the kids these days use laptops or tablets now, it doesn’t matter what you use to take notes. Rather, Altimare says it just matters that you do. Too often employees will arrive at meetings - whether with the larger staff or their one-on-one with a manager - empty-handed. Not only does this give the impression that you’re ill-prepared but it will leave you scrambling, scratching your brain when it comes time to deliver.“Not taking notes is the number-one productivity killer - and it also demonstrates a level of hubris that can lead to underperformance and lack of productivity for the organization,” Altimare addresses.When in doubt, always, always bring a vessel for notes. Even a napkin will cut it if you’re in a bind. What you don’t want to do is leave yourself relying on memory to meet a deadline, impress your boss or deliver on a promise from a client.Your workspace is a hot messAs Augustine puts it: mess breeds stress. And when you feel anxious, you’re far less likely to want to sit at your desk, much less power through your day. Here’s when your inner Marie Kondo should kick in and inspire you to get through the muck, ASAP.“File the papers, tame your to-do list, and wipe down your desk so everything is tidy and clean,” she encourages. “Add a plant to your area, too. Incorporating a little greenery into your work environment has been proven to re duce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase positive feelings - all of which will keep you more focused and productive while on the job.”You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people

Senators work on a law to eliminate KSAs!

Senators work on a law to eliminate KSAs! Senators work on a law to eliminate KSAs! Senators work on a law to eliminate KSAs! I am very pleased to see that Senators Akaka and Voinovich are beginning to unravel the federal application process. They are talking about NO MORE KSAs! And I hope that they put a limit on the Questionnaire questions also. And if they could take off 8,000 characters from the essay limits, that would be great too. They are also saying that announcements are written in language difficult for people to read RIGHT, please write in Plain Language. What do you think about this? Kathryn Akaka, Voinovich Introduce Bill to Streamline Federal Recruitment and Hiring March 30, 2009 Washington, D.C. Today U.S. Senators Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) and George V. Voinovich (R-OH) introduced the Federal Hiring Process Improvement Act of 2009, a bill to streamline the federal recruitment and hiring process. Too many federal agencies have built entry barriers for new workers and invented evaluation processes that discourage qualified candidates, Senator Akaka said. Like the private sector, agencies need to take advantage of modern technology to find and hire the right candidates. By streamlining and simplifying the hiring process, this bill will be an important step toward making the federal government the employer of choice. Over and over, we hear of the problems in the federal hiring process. It takes too long; it is too burdensome, and so forth, Senator Voinovich said. The quality of technology has improved, but our processes have not. This does nothing to dispel any preconceived notions that the federal government is nothing but a bureaucratic system. It is time to convey to the thousands of men and women at all stages of their career looking for work that the federal government is more than just an employer, but a place where Americans can utilize and grow their skills in service to their nation. Among other provisions, the Federal Hiring Process Improvement Act seeks to address these issues by requiring agencies to: * Develop strategic workforce plans, including hiring projections and critical skills gaps in the workforce; * Post brief, clear job announcements in plain writing; * Allow applicants to submit resumes and cover letters, and no longer require knowledge, skills, and abilities essays; * Provide timely notification to applicants on the status of their applications; * Take no more than 80 days from the time a managers decides to fill a vacancy to the time an offer is made; * Keep an inventory of all applicants who elect to be considered for other federal vacancies; and * Measure the effectiveness of hiring efforts and reforms.

How to Write a Resume If Youre Changing Careers

How to Write a Resume If You're Changing Careers How to Write a Resume If You're Changing Careers Making the decision to change careers is a huge undertaking. Not only do you have to be willing to acquire new skills and step outside your comfort zone, but you also have to be able to sell your past experience to recruiters and hiring managers. While the majority of this “selling” happens in person during interviews, a well-crafted resume is a key to getting yourself actually called in for one. Though tried-and-true resume rules still apply to career changers, there are definitely some special guidelines to consider, according to resume-writing pros. “It’s critical to talk to those who are in the careers you want to go into to find out what they would want to see in a resume,” says Denise Riebman , a career development specialist. What are the hot terms in the field right now? The most in-demand skills and relevant knowledge? These are things you need to find out, then incorporate into your resume where you can. “When you’re changing careers, it’s assumed that your recent work experience will not perfectly align with the role you’re now targeting,” says Amanda Augustine, career advice expert for TopResume . “To ensure your resume isn’t immediately trashed by the ‘bots”’or a recruiter, you need demonstrate that you possess the skills necessary to do the job well, even if this new job isn’t a natural next step after your previous role.” That’s where transferable skills come in. “Some transferable skills are universal, regardless of the field: leadership, communication, analytical skills, and many others,” Augustine says. But to find industry-specific ones, you’ll want to conduct informational interviews and review the job descriptions you’re targeting. Look for commonalities between the postings, and you should get a good idea of what skills hiring managers are looking for. “If you need help, create a word cloud out of the job descriptions using a site like Wordle to identify which skills are emphasized the most across multiple job postings,” Augustine suggests. This is good advice for any resume, but it’s especially important for career changers. Why? Well, you’ll be able to not only highlight transferable skills, but also prove that you’re excellent at them. “Use statistics and numbers to show concrete information about the value you bring,” recommends Dustin Polk, President and Executive Resume Writer at Oracle Resumes . “Instead of just saying ‘developed and implemented innovative process improvements,’ say ‘increased operational efficiency and annual revenues by 13% by developing and implementing innovative process improvements.’ Show the value you bring, don’t just claim to bring it with nothing to back it up.” “Each industry has its own jargon - terminology, acronyms, and initialisms that only make sense to people who are familiar with the field,” Augustine says. “It’s your job to figure out how to translate your experience and past successes into terms that will resonate with your new target audience. Subscribe to industry-specific publications and follow their social media accounts, set up Google alerts for some of the major players in the space, and attend trade shows and other events that are relevant to your target field to gain this insight. Then update your resume accordingly.” “You don’t have unlimited space,” Polk points out. “You get one to two pages to fill with your most impressive accomplishments and qualifications.” Especially if you have a long job history in a previous career, this can be difficult to enforce. “Many people will turn into a sort of hoarder when writing their resume,” Polk says. “You can’t fit 18 bullet points of details for a job you had in 2002. It’s barely relevant, and a busy hiring manager won’t read it. If they want extreme details on the things you’ve done, your resume has already done its job, and you’ll be getting a call for an interview. Keep it clear, concise, and as relevant to your new industry as possible.” Most resume advice tells you that once you’re a few years out of school, you should move your education down to the bottom of your resume. This is true for the most part, but there’s an important exception career changers may want to consider. “If you recently earned a degree relevant to your new field, place your education section before your experience section,” Polk recommends. “Make sure they see that new degree. If it came with a designation, put that with your name at the top of the page, i.e. ‘John Smith, MBA.’” Sometimes, a functional resume - one that highlights skills above job history and is generally not chronological - is recommended for career changers, as it allows candidates to showcase what they choose. “While I strongly discourage professionals from using a functional resume format, some career changers find it easy to present their marketable skills in this structure,” Augustine says. “A word of caution: Recruiters despise this resume format and most applicant tracking systems (ATS) have difficulty reading and parsing your resume’s information when it’s presented this way.” That means you could automatically get rejected just for using the wrong resume format. The consensus among experts? Stick with a chronological format, providing more or less detail for each job, depending on how transferable your responsibilities and accomplishments were. Having a great resume is no doubt important, but when you’re a career changer, there are things that matter more. “ Especially when you are making a career shift, connecting with people in the field through authentic relationship building can give you a leg up, so that someone is willing to take a chance on you - no matter what is on your resume,” Riebman points out.

Customize this Outstanding Cafe Manager Resume Sample

Customize this Outstanding Cafe Manager Resume Sample Customize this Outstanding Cafe Manager Resume Sample Create Resume Albert Dorolice100 Broadway LaneNew Parkland, CA, 91010Cell: (555) 987-1234example-email@example.comProfessional Summary Versatile Cafe Manager experienced with skillfully overseeing all aspects of cafe operations in typically fast-paced settings. Profound knowledge of food and supply ordering, space organization and staff supervision and motivation. Routinely work flexible shift schedules and volunteer for overtime hours to ensure efficient operations and maximum productivity.Core QualificationsFood pricing and ordering proceduresStaff hiring, motivation and trainingBeverage equipment setupPoint of sale systemsPayroll processingHighly efficient communicatorProven conflict/problem resolverExperience Cafe Manager, April 2013 Present Quick Stop Cafe New Cityland, CAHire new staff and provide initial training.Develop and authorize promotions and weekly discounts.Arrange for maintenance of in-store machines.Place monthly orders for supplies and process invoices.Quickly a nd courteously respond to customer complaints. Cafe Manager, September 2011 â€" March 2013 Diners Delight Cafe Deli New Cityland, CAPrepared purchase orders and ensured that vendors/suppliers were paid.Held weekly staff meetings to identify potential issues and seek input.Confirmed that food items conformed with applicable health codes.Ensured that staff wore appropriate uniforms or clothing.Implemented updated cash control procedures.Prepared and adjusted staff schedules.Established monthly revenue goals.Developed an improved inventory system.Education 2011 Certification, Food Service Management Sinclair School of Business â€" New Cityland, CACustomize Resume