Five of the coolest offices in the world

Five of the coolest offices in the world by Amber Rolfe Need to get to meetings quicker? Why not take the slide?  From modern décor and quirky meeting rooms, to cosy furnishings and fully-stocked bars, there are probably a number of essential* things that your office might be missing out on. And if you’re looking for an upgrade, you’re in luck.Here are five of the coolest offices in the world, and how you might be able to become a part of them (goodbye plain old desk):AirbnbWhere is it? San FranciscoWhat makes it great? It’s like working from (a really well-designed) home.The aim of this office was to recreate some of the most popular listings ever found on Airbnb. Because as well as creating a cosy working atmosphere for employees, it’s also the perfect reflection of the brand and what it promotes.Their West Coast office boasts a range of unique workspaces inspired by the likes of a Norwegian houseboat, an Icelandic kitchen, and of course, the founder’s own apartment in San Francisco (where it all start ed).Newer additions include cosy living rooms from Shanghai, Cairo themed cafes, and a travel trailer from Australia.With all these spaces combined, the Airbnb office is able to link its brand with the old school chic-ness of San Francisco, whilst integrating modern work-from-home elements from all over the world.Also, it looks really nice.Who are they hiring? Airbnb offer a wide range of opportunities â€" based in the US, and in its 18 other offices around the world. Roles on offer include software engineering, data science, finance, admin, marketing, design, and more.      GoogleWhere is it? LondonWhat makes it great? Its quirky spin on vintage Britishness (and/or a full sized London bus meeting room).Google’s London HQ uses a mix of modern technology and old-fashioned furnishings to create the cosiest office space imaginable.From its clean and arty library area and padded cell meeting room, to its self-proclaimed ‘Granny Flat’ and ‘Flower Power’ boardroom, it’s clear that comfort is a big deal in this office â€" with almost every workspace including some kind of sofa (whether it screams floral kitsch or British pub green).The overall aim of the office was to tap into what people really want â€" which called for everything that epitomises comfort, food, and relaxation, as well as fun, exercise, and fresh air. There’s even an allotment area for employees to grow their own fruit and veg.And if you can’t get any work done inside, there’s always the ‘secret garden’ roof terrace. Not only does it have a view, it also has WiFi…N.B. There’s no need to panic if you don’t live in London. Every single one of Google’s offices have a unique theme, from ski lift meeting rooms in Zurich, to 1960s caravans in Amsterdam.   Who are they hiring? Google hire for a number of roles in offices worldwide â€" from engineering, technology, and marketing, to design, finance, and customer service.What it’s like to work for GoogleLegoWhere is it? Denmar kWhat makes it great? It has a slide (also, Lego).As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of play materials (otherwise known as the iconic Lego brick), Lego have a vested interest in promoting their creative values into every one of their offices.So, it’s no surprise that the HQ in Denmark closely resembles an office playground for big kids to create and develop new products â€" complete with Lego inspired workspaces.With an entrance that will fool you into thinking you’re walking through a cartoon cloud, to tables filled with bonsai plants, colourful furnishings, murals, and wall art, Lego’s Denmark office is vibrant, fun, and exciting.And, it’s not just the headquarters that’s living the values. Lego’s London office has also incorporated an open plan of working. Without a set desk, they’re free to roam around the quiet zones, meeting rooms, and other areas of the office, allowing them to build wherever they want.Who are they hiring? Lego hire for a range of pos itions worldwide, from accounting, admin, and customer service, to product, marketing, and project management, to name a few. There are also a number of roles available in their 125 retail stores located all over the world.  PixarWhere is it? CaliforniaWhat makes it great? It’s like working in Toy Story â€" but with more office chairs.Pixar’s offices are filled with a variety of their own film nostalgia, from Monsters Inc statues and ceiling hangings of Nemo, to Buzz Lightyear toys and Pixar-themed wall art (not to mention the famous ‘lamp and ball’ model in front of the main building).They also have a number of halls showcasing all of the artwork created by Pixar employees, even if it never became a part of the company’s films.To continue with the open artistic expression Pixar encourages, each Animator has the freedom to do whatever they want to their office space. This has resulted in one of the most creatively unique offices in the world, one which intertwines perfectl y with the imagination they’re famous for.So whether you’re looking for cosy tiki huts and mini castles, or double-story offices and peaceful cabins (see: Andy’s room replica) â€" this 22-acre campus has it all.Who are they hiring? You don’t need to be an Animator to work for Pixar. With positions in a range of fields, including everything from editorial, art, and production, to marketing, HR, and finance, there’s no limit to what you can do at their California HQ.Urban OutfittersWhere is it? PhiladelphiaWhat makes it great? Its obvious sense of brand identity.Urban Outfitter’s HQ is based in the Navy Yard, an old shipyard that was built in the 1860s. A lot of renovation was needed to turn the space into a functioning office â€" but luckily, that’s what the shabby chic fashion retailer does best.From the high ceilings, exposed steel beams, and low-hanging lights, to the quirky ornaments and bohemian interior décor associated with their brand, this workplace creates th e perfect combination of old and new.The main goal of the office was to improve the quality of life for the employees as well as bring the team together, and with a great looking office and a fitness centre and library included â€" it’s no surprise that morale improved significantly after the move.And with many of the original features still visible, the character of the old shipyard is safely preserved in amongst this bright and airy office/designer’s workshop.Who are they hiring? With offices all over the world, and over 200 retail stores, there’s no limit to the ways you can join the Urban Outfitters team.So whether you want to work in retail, buying, graphic design, finance, or ecommerce, there’s a role out there to suit you.  *May not actually be essential  Honourable mentions: Hootsuite, Dropbox, Pallotta Teamworks, Inventionland, Facebook, Twitter, Innocent, Mind Candy, Etsy  Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs now  Image creditsAirbnbG oogleLegoPixarUrban OutfittersFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Features Life At Work Where can I work? 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Monster.com Resume Writing Frauds - What to Look For

Monster.com Resume Writing Frauds - What to Look ForHow do you tell a real Monster.com resume writing fraud from a legitimate business opportunity? The answer is relatively simple. If they are asking for money in exchange for your resume, and they don't offer it for free, you need to find a more legit website. The reasons for this are simple: if someone is not interested in helping you get a job, they will not take the time to actually help you get your resume to the next level.You may be wondering how can a company like Monster.com benefit from helping you with your resume? The answer is simple. They will use your resume as their way to find more people like you to fill up their downline. To gain more people means that they can reach more people. When you reach more people, you can increase the number of leads they can send to the business or service that you are selling.This is great, but how do you know if your resume is legitimate or not? Well, there are two ways to ensure that y our resume is legitimate or not. The first way is to read the information, and see if it is accurate.That is probably the easiest way to avoid the most obvious information. A legitimate website will be simple to read and navigate through. They should be easy to understand, and they will not have complicated terms or sentence structures that take away from the actual content. Also, the resume should be properly formatted, and they should contain specific information.This is an important step, because sometimes a resume could look completely different from one company to the next. If you are using the same resume over again or are sharing the same information, it is possible that some of the information might be outdated. Having your resume reviewed by professionals is important, because they can determine whether or not the information is true.One of the other major resume writing frauds is called writer ghosting. Writing ghosting is when you are paid to write for someone else. There are a number of companies that offer you this service for writing resumes, however, you need to make sure that you are really being paid for this type of work. There are many scams out there, and if you are not careful, you could end up losing a lot of money.The Monster.com resume writing frauds are usually found on job websites that are simply trying to get people to sign up for a free trial of something. These websites do not need to charge money to get new leads, and they can get a lot of these leads for free by getting you to sign up for a free trial. Also, these websites often use the 'paid' website name so that people think that they are making money off of you. This is another scam, and you should beware of these types of websites.The best way to avoid these websites is to make sure that you are dealing with a legitimate company. The most legitimate companies do not require you to pay for anything, except for the time that they take to review your resume. They will also let you know exactly what information you are submitting, and will answer any questions that you have.

7 Tips For Taking Meeting Minutes And Save Time

7 Tips For Taking Meeting Minutes And Save Time Meeting are not always memorable, no matter how important they are.  And taking meeting minutes casually can be ineffective if not done well.   Youve probably had those moments following the meeting when you couldnt remember the details, or the speakers name. So you have to spend valuable time filling in the blanks with the help of others who attended. Taking meeting minutes in a way that makes it both easy and effective for later use isnt that difficult.  Sometimes, its just a matter of breaking some old habits.  Sometimes, its being open to a new idea or a new twist on the old methods.  Here are seven tips from gotomeeting to help you get the meeting notes and minutes done right, and save time in the process. 7 Tips For Taking Meeting Minutes And Save Time Image: Notes  Security Defence Agenda

Email a Professor Today

Email a Professor Today I’m made the 5 hour trek back to my Alma mater, Miami University, Thursday after work to lead a few Entrepreneurial Marketing classes taught by my favorite college professor.   This professor, Mark Lacker, has impacted the way I think. Im not sure exactly how we reconnected.   I know I wrote him an email at some point after graduation and, to this day, I’m very curious what that email said.   Whatever the case I’m really glad I sent that email. It has been 5 years since I sat in the same class that I led last week.   Mark’s class is one of those classes that just clicked with me.   The kind you never forget.   I still have the books from the class and refer to them often (because he assigned us real life, applicable books rather than text books) and still think about the speakers he brought in.   Mark taught me what a blog is, what guerrilla marketing is, how to bootstrap and Mark was the first person who suggested to me that interactive marketing was on the rise.   If I hadn’t been in his class, I would never have started this blog. More importantly, Mark and I have continued our mentor/mentee relationship.   As my career changes and grows, Mark is always there to listen and coach me along the way.   And now, five years later, I’m going to his classes to talk to them about interactive marketing, social media and blogging. Neat! Although I covered lessons about using Twitter for business and branding yourself online, I think what the students will value the most is getting a preview of life after college. Hopefully I gave them a sense that life after college isn’t so bad and that networking is crucial.   And that, regardless of what job you accept after graduation, you should never stop pursuing your passions outside of your job. The point of this post isnt pure nostalgia though.   Id like to give you a challenge. Do you still keep in contact with your favorite professor from college?   Have you ever emailed professors after graduation just to say hello and see what theyve been up to? This week, email a professor. Yes, even if you have been out of college for five years.   Even if you think they dont remember you.   They probably do remember you, and, if not, they are probably very excited to hear from a former student. Professors dont choose their profession because it pays big money.   They become professors because they truly care about the success and welfare of their students.   Those who go beyond just attending the class, will get a LOT out of staying in touch with their professors.   I am a testament to this.   I know that the rewards of staying in touch with Mark have just begun and that we will have a lifelong friendship. College definitely changed the course of my life.   I’m so glad that I can give back a little something to the school that means so much to me.   Thanks to the Mark and his students for having me.   And please feel free to use me as a resource on your journey!

Free Resume Builder and Download

Free Resume Builder and DownloadWhile there are many good free resume builders and download services, there are some that do not do a very good job of creating a quality resume. These are the resumes that end up in a pile at the bottom of the paper or in the trash can with the rest of the generic or low end resumes. For the most part, those who are looking for free resume builders and download sites have come to the realization that they can do far better than that.That is the basic idea behind using a high quality resume builder. Using one that is of the highest quality and meets your needs for success will produce the results you are looking for.One thing to look for when searching for a free resume builder and download is that the company should provide you with a demo version of the software. You can test drive the software before you make any commitments. This helps you determine if it is going to work for you or not. You will also be able to determine if the program offers addi tional templates that can be downloaded from their site.While the free resume builder and download you are looking at may offer free templates for the job you are trying to apply for, you should know that those templates may not be exactly what you need. If you already have a template of what you are seeking, you may be better off looking for a different company to fill in the blanks on your resume.Also be sure to check out the feedback from other clients who have used the free resume builder and download that you are looking at. You want to make sure the program provides you with the kind of results you are expecting and that it is of the same high quality as all the others that are reviewed by other professionals.Before you choose to go with a company to provide you with a professional resume builder and download, you should also take into consideration how the service works. In many cases, companies have pre-written resumes you can fill in on your own.This is great if you are app lying for the kind of position that doesn't require an extensive amount of work, such as typing a letter. A free resume builder and download will also help you put together a more customized resume that gives the employer more information about you and why you are the best candidate for the job.While you may be tempted to use a free resume builder and download to get a quick start, you need to keep in mind that you don't want to waste your time or money on a service that does not provide you with the kind of results you are looking for. A professionally built resume is worth your time and effort and should allow you to begin reaping the rewards of your hard work much faster than putting together a homemade template.

Google Glass Job Search

2) Reach OutEmployers are looking for people like youâ€"make sure you’re easy to find. Join LinkedIn groups that are relevant to your industry and participate in conversations to demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge of relevant subjects. Follow companies on LinkedIn and Twitter; like their Facebook pages and engage in meaningful dialogue. This type of interaction will also reveal much about company cultures. The images they post, questions they ask, and interest they show in their social audience could help you determine whether you want to be part of their “candidate experience”.3) Mind Your MannersSome things never change. Early Google Glass adopters (aka, Explorers) have learned the hard way how not to act  while wearing the wraparound spectacles. A lot of Glass etiquette is just common sense and offers useful reminders for the way you should conduct yourself while looking for employment. For example, Google warns users not to “Glass out,” or stop paying attention in critical situations. Stay sharp in interviews and listen closely to what the employer has to say. Make note of important company goals, hiring objectives, etc. Google also suggests turning off Glass in movie theaters and in establishments where customers might not want to be filmed by the device’s hidden camera. So take a hint and turn off your cell phone before an interview. Recognize there’s a time and place for certain gadgets.In other words, don’t be a “Glasshole.”

10 Questions To Ask During An Informational Interview

10 Questions To Ask During An Informational Interview 10 Questions To Ask During An Informational Interview Lots of jobs sound great. You may think you know what a position entails by reading a job description on sites like the Occupational Outlook Handbook or advertisements for open positions on job boards or company sites. Truth is, you probably don’t. For years I wanted to be a writer. I went to school nights and worked days pursuing my dream. When I graduated I found a job as an assistant editor of a national four-color trade magazine. I was in heaven. Turns out, I did get to do a lot of writing. I worked for a boss who was also a mentor. She taught me how to be a professional writer. I got to do cool things like work with the photographer during shoots for the magazine cover. I also got to type the shipping labels for the products when it came time to return them to the manufacturers. One at a time. On a typewriter. While I loved that job, it was hardly as glamorous as I thought it would be. You may find that about your dream job too. That’s where informational interviews come in. The opportunity to sit down and ask questions of someone who is already doing the job you aspire to can be incredibly valuable. Create a target list. This may be people in certain positions. It may be narrowed down to people who hold a position at particular companies or in certain industries. Make a list of the people you already know who you can talk with. Then ask everyone you know who they know that can help you. Besides friends and family, contact your college or university alumni group. Then use your imagination. Just make sure you prepare in advance, so you don’t waste his or her time, or yours. Here are 10 questions to get you started. How long have you been in this position? What attracted you to this job? Can you describe your typical day’s activities? What do you enjoy the most about your work? What do enjoy the least? What is the most challenging part of this work? What training or education do I need for this position? What are the salary ranges for a position at my level? How did you get your job? Looking back, would you still choose this profession? Why? What would you do differently? Who else should I speak to? Of course these questions are only a place to begin. Tailor them to your experience and industry. For example, if you are at a manager’s level your questions will be different than if you are a new grad. Always remember that an informational interview is just that. It’s your chance to gather information to help you choose a career or evaluate possible target positions. Asking for information is fine, asking for a job crosses the line. Informational interviews should be part of your job-search strategy. They are your opportunity to get the “inside scoop” from someone already on the job. They can provide some valuable insights into a company’s, or even an industry’s, culture. While it’s bad form to ask those you interview for a job, conducting informational interviews is a great way to build your network. Be sure to say thank you and follow up. If an opening does become available you may be at the top of the list. If you’d like to work with Annette Richmond, a certified resume writer, LinkedIn Profile writer, and career consultant, please schedule an introductory call to discuss your needs.     You will be able to access Annette’s calendar to choose a day and time that works for you.