Published on: 10 May 2018
Last Updated on: 09 August 2019
In 2016, 34% of Americans were working freelance careers. That percentage is expected to climb to 43% by 2020.
An improved work-life balance is the first benefit that comes to mind when considering a freelancing.
But we also know what no one else is telling you. Read on to find out more.
There’s a Union on Your Side :
Who hasn’t wasted precious working hours searching the web for reputable information before becoming more stressed and confused?
What makes Freelancers Union so great is it’s a one-stop-shop for free resources for beginning and experienced freelancers.
When going freelance, most people are overwhelmed with tax concerns. Don’t know how to read a 1099 form? Need help determining sales and use tax?
All this information is written clearly on the site by experts. You’ll also find guides for choosing dental, vision, life, and health insurance plans.
And even insightful blog posts ranging from productivity hacks to methods for handling tragedy.
Furthermore, a subscription at ThePayStubs gives you access to an innovative pay stub maker.
You can have a pay stub downloaded and printed within two minutes after selecting your preferred template.
Relationship Building isn’t Just About Finding Clients :
Nobody misses unfair office politics or boring meetings once they’ve gone freelance.
However, after working alone for a while, it’s normal to feel lonely.
While most of your friends are likely to work less flexible schedules, it doesn’t mean you have to spend day after day without socializing.
While your old friends are great, wouldn’t it be amazing to have freelancer friends who get you the way your colleagues in your old office did?
Freelancers can enjoy real human interaction (and 68% better focus) by joining coworking spaces.
58% of Those with Freelance Careers Have Gone Without Pay :
Unfortunately, when reading up on how to go freelance, most newcomers won’t come across these insights.
It usually takes getting burned first.
Never begin a project without a signed contract that clearly states payment amounts and due dates.
Ween out nonpaying clients by having a mandatory deposit amount prior to starting each job.
Don’t lowball yourself. New freelancers tend to charge less than the value of their work.
Think about the time, supplies, and whether you’ll hire employees. If you aren’t strategic about the costs to stay in business, it won’t last.
Most people are Googlable. With a simple search, you can learn about a potential client’s character, including how they treat employees and whether they’ve been fair to freelancers.
Don’t make it difficult for clients to pay you. Send professional-looking invoices from user-friendly programs like PayPal, Due, or Authorize.
Accounting Tasks Can be Done with Minimal Effort :
Even if you’re running a small business with a few employees, the idea of correctly issuing pay stubs can be a pain.
On the same site, you can generate employee W-2 forms without stumbling over difficult math or spending buckets of money on an accountant.
Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.
When job hunting, a standout resume is the first step in the door with a potential employer. But another component that should never be overlooked is the cover letter for the resume.
It’s your chance to show some personality in addition to your resume and tell a story.
Whether it is how and why you’ve made it to this point or why you are right for the candidacy.
Let’s run through some other resume tips and how they all fit together. Especially when you’re writing that ever-important cover letter for your next big opportunity.
Why A Cover Letter?
Before discussing structure and style, it’s worth considering why a cover letter is still essential to any job application.
While a resume or CV offers the facts about your experience and skills to date, the cover letter sets you apart. It sets the scene for who you are and why you’ll be perfect for the role.
1. A Strong Opening
At any given time, on average, there may be anywhere between 50 to 200 applications sent in for one advertised position.
So, how do you make your application shine while ensuring accuracy?
The best way to grab the reader at hello (or, indeed, their first sight of your application). How about a quick taste hinting at what they will soon discover?
Show them an enthusiastic interviewee brimming with excitement over the prospect of working with them.
2. Personalize & Make It Stand Out
One of the most important resume tips is never to be generic when writing a cover letter.
You want your cover letter for your resume to stand out!
Not sound like it was written by someone who submitted their application for every company advertised on the job boards.
Make sure you speak specifically about why you are interested in that job with that company.
Also, do some research before you apply for the job to get a feel for the type of company it is. Then, try incorporating similar values or beliefs about the industry into your cover letter.
For Example,
If the company you’re applying to is big on innovation and you’ve previously worked on a creative project, put it at the very start. It’ll make your cover letter more memorable.
“I am interested in applying for the Marketing Manager position at [Company Name]. I’m passionate about being able to tell creative stories and have developed and delivered some innovative campaigns. Which I feel would be a great fit for your team!”
3. Show, Don’t Just Tell
One of the most important resume tips when writing a cover letter is to support your claims with evidence.
Instead of saying, “I have strong conceptual skills,” give an example showing your leadership in action.
For Example,
“I oversaw leading a team of 10 to create a social media strategy that boosted engagement by 30% in 6 months. My direction helped the team to work together effectively."
By giving specific examples, you don’t just make the hiring manager understand what you can do, but you also talk about your achievements.
4. Connect Daily Work To Job Title
Another great resume tip is to read the job posting closely and consider connections between your day-to-day experiences and what the company seeks. Now, highlight the same for your cover letter for your resume.
If the job description mentions that you need experience with customer relationship management (CRM) systems, you have it; mention it!
Don’t leave it up to the hiring manager to determine your qualifications.
For Example:
“I have worked with Salesforce for five years and know I can oversee and enhance CRM systems to facilitate customer engagement and business development.”
5. Don’t Just Paste Your CV
Your cover letter shouldn’t be a rehash of your CV!
Plus, recruiters get frustrated when they must read the same thing after reading your resume.
To take advantage of the ‘cover’ part of the cover letter. Yes, you need to use it as an opportunity to explain how you would benefit from an employer.
The best way to do this is not with complex and lengthy sentences but with clear and confident writing.
Let your cover letter show enthusiasm (a love, even) for the job.
For Example,
"I’ve always been impressed with [Company Name]'s reputation for sustainability, and amazingly. Your team is truly committed to innovation and the future."
You can end it well with this!
"Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my experience and skills could contribute to your organizational goals. Please contact me at your convenience so that we can schedule a time to speak or meet.”
6. End It Well!
End your cover letter for your resume on a high note!
Politely let the employer know that you’ll be in contact to schedule an interview. Plus, don’t forget to mention how excited you are to apply for the position.
For Example:
“I would welcome the chance to speak with you further about how I could benefit [Company Name]. Thank you for your consideration. I hope to have the opportunity to contribute to your team.”
7. Proofread For Perfection
This is probably the most important part of writing a cover letter!
Keep it free from grammatical errors!
Typos and grammatical errors can make even the best-written cover letter appear sloppy and unprofessional!
One of the most basic yet frequently overlooked resume tips is double-checking your cover letter for typos. You want to show that you’re careful, and typos don't give that impression!
Before you submit it, take the time to re-read your cover letter. Especially if it is a fresher cover letter. Get a friend or mentor to read it and provide feedback. A peer removal can always be useful in catching something that you missed.
7. Keep The Format Simple And Professional
Also, remember to pay attention to the formatting of your cover letter. Keep the contents on a single page and use spacing effectively.
In addition, maintain a professional tone while providing insight into your personality so that your letter leaves an employer wanting to learn more about you.
They shouldn't lose track while reading huge paragraphs! That is a major buzz kill, and they might not even finish reading it!
At the top of the letter, include your name and address (alternatively, you can include your phone number/ email but not both), followed by the date and the recipient’s name and address.
If you can’t find this information easily, you can put yourself ahead of other applicants by addressing it properly: “To the Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern.”
Yes, (Before You Ask Again), It Is Important!
Never ignore the power of a cover letter for a resume. A resume is just data, but a cover letter is your chance to tell why you became the person you are today and why the position you’re applying for is the perfect next chapter in your career.
Many job seekers may think the cover letter is less important than the resume. However, writing a strong introduction makes it easier for the employer to connect with you and put your resume on top of the stack.
Employers won't even look at your resume if they aren’t impressed with your cover letter.
So, consider it an opportunity to bridge your resume to an interview.
To show personality and excitement about the position and get them to want to know more about you!
It’s a process, so be patient.
Work on personalizing each one before sending it out, and spell-check everything!
&
If our tips got you at that job interview, don’t forget to check out the interview questions to prepare yourself better!
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Top 10 Best Job-Boards In The US In 2023: A Comprehensive Guide
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Is Hotels/Resorts A Good Career Path In 2021
How to become an ultrasound technician?
To become an ultrasound technician or medical sonographer, you must at least have an associate degree in sonography.
Moreover, you can also pursue a Diploma or Bachelor’s program. Even if you have a degree in any other healthcare field, you can pursue a degree in sonography.
In this article, you will learn how to become an ultrasound technician or a medical sonographer. Moreover, this article will explain the role of this position.
Apart from that, you will learn the roles, responsibilities, and specializations of an ultrasound technician. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article.
What Is the Job of an Ultrasound Technician?
An ultrasound technician (medical sonographer) helps doctors and other medical professionals diagnose conditions through medical imaging. Here, the medical sonographer ensures that the diagnosis is precise, non-invasive, and pain-free.
For example, an ultrasound technician can help expectant parents see the first images of a child. Generally, these healthcare workers work in teams. Their job includes detecting health conditions like clogged arteries, enlarged spleens, etc., that are potentially life-threatening.
Basically, the ultrasound tech performs sonography by examining different processes of the human body. Apart from that, they check organ functions with the help of the sonography device.
Here, they place a camera-like probe on a patient’s skin. This probe then records images and videos. Then, the ultrasound technician passes the patient data to the physician who ordered the test initially.
Currently, as of 2024, an ultrasound technician is one of the most in-demand jobs.
What Is Sonography?
Sonography uses sound waves to record and create images of a patient’s internal organs. Basically, it is a surface-level recording method that does not use radiation to create images.
Apart from that, some ultrasound technicians perform prenatal ultrasounds. However, you can use and apply sonography in many more ways in healthcare.
For instance, sonography offers you a view of the function of the heart and blood vessels. Also, you can find out whether a patient has potential dysfunctions of abdominal organs.
Hence, if you want to be an ultrasound technician, you must specialize in any one of those areas.
Roles and Responsibilities of an Ultrasound Technician
If you want to work as an ultrasound technician, your task is more than just operating high-tech equipment. Here, you even need to explain various procedures to patients and answer their questions.
For instance, you must operate and maintain different imaging equipment. Additionally, you need to record the patient's medical data. Moreover, the job also requires you to analyze results before the doctor starts diagnosis.
However, you do not need a medical degree to become an ultrasound technician. Despite that, it is one of the least stressful roles in the medical field. Apart from that, you will also get good pay if you are good at your job. The best part is that the job is in high demand in the medical field.
Generally, in the United States, you will need to work in hospitals as an ultrasound technician. Apart from that, depending on the needs of your employer, you might work in a physician’s office, medical labs, or outpatient care centers.
Basically, in most cases, you will be a part of the team, which consists of doctors, registered nurses, and medical professionals. Furthermore, the ultrasound tech salary ranges from $60,000 to $90,000 annually (approx.)
On the other hand, there are some drawbacks too. This is because, in most cases, you might have to work in an environment with low light. Apart from that, you need to continuously stand and operate the machine. Moreover, in case of high demand, you will need to work on weekends and evenings as well.
How To Become An Ultrasound Technician? – Steps To Follow
You will need approximately two years to become an ultrasound technician. In some cases, you might require a year more.
The following are some steps you must follow to become an ultrasound technician:
1. Get A Formal Education
If you want to become an ultrasound technician, you must receive a degree in the healthcare field. Although it is compulsory to have a degree in medicine, doing so will give you an advantage. Apart from that, you can also consider getting a degree in biology, health sciences, anatomy, and chemistry.
For instance, you can choose to pursue a diagnostic medical imaging course that focuses strongly on sonography. On the other hand, you can also consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree.
2. Choose A Specialization
The healthcare sector is vast, and there are various fields in the sector. Hence, you must choose your specialty beforehand.
For instance, you can choose parental health or other specializations like cardiovascular field, abdominal, breast, neuro, gynecologic, and more. You will get an overview of major specializations in the next section of the article.
Basically, you can specialize in more than one area. After you determine which specialty you prefer more, you can focus on earning proper certifications.
3. Earn A Certificate
To become an ultrasound technician, you have to earn technical certification after you complete your specialization. Generally, there are three recommended ways to complete your certification:
American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI)
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
Here, you must choose one of these three since each of them has its own program and course. Any one of these programs will prepare you for a career in sonography.
Moreover, each program has its own requirements and timeline. Also, you need at least a year to complete your certification.
4. Choose Your Work Environment
Once you start working as an ultrasound technician, you will have enough opportunity to choose your work environment. For instance, you can work in a hospital setting, continue your private practice, or work in a medical laboratory.
Therefore, when you are looking for career opportunities, you can search based on the environment where you prefer to work.
5. Create A Resume
After you choose your work environment, you must research your potential employers. Then, you need to choose your work settings and job openings. Once you do that, you must begin working on your resume. Here, you must consider getting some resume tips from a professional.
Here are the factors you must consider when you are building your resume:
📝Formal Education
Here, you must include the name of your school, the degree, and the dates. However, do not include dates if you have graduated more than three years ago. Moreover, you can include details about your experiences with professional organizations and other leadership opportunities.
📝Professional Experience
In this section, you must describe your previous roles and responsibilities. However, if you have just finished school, include positions irrelevant to the healthcare field. Also, consider listing any relevant internship experience or coursework in a similar field.
📝Skills
In the skills section of your resume, highlight your personal and technical abilities. Moreover, to work as an ultrasound technician, here are some professional skills you must mention:
Communication skills
Organizational skills
Attention to detail.
Apart from these skills, list down your skills in sonography and your knowledge of dealing with machines.
📝Certifications
Include relevant certifications and their dates. This will show that you have field knowledge and the professional drive that potential employers are looking for. Moreover, some positions might also require you to have certain certifications.
6. Apply For Jobs
Once you complete your resume, you can apply for jobs in sectors that appeal to you. However, when you are applying for a certain position, make sure to align your resume and cover letter based on the position you are applying for.
Apart from that, you can also consider building a network in the healthcare field. Thereby, you can get insights into hospitals, medical clinics, and healthcare organizations. As a result, you will have more information about openings.
How to Become an Ultrasound Technician? - Major Specializations
An ultrasound technician has exposure to four different sonography specializations. Also, each specialization has multiple sub-specializations.
The following are the major specializations you can choose from:
A. General Sonography
Here, you must know how to image internal organs, like liver, brain, kidneys, etc. The following are the subspecializations in this field:
Neurosonology
Obstetric and gynecology sonography
Abdominal sonography
Breast sonography
B. Cardiac Sonography
In cardiac sonography, you must specialize in taking images of the heart using echocardiography. The following are some of the major sub-specializations:
Pediatric echocardiography
Adult echocardiography
Fetal echocardiography
C. Vascular Sonography
Here, you must become a specialist in taking images of veins and arteries. Basically, the goal is to look at the flow of blood and the status of blood vessels.
Peripheral vascular sonography
Carotid sonography
Abdominal vascular sonography
D. Musculoskeletal Sonography
In this case, you need to be a specialist in getting images of muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments.
Here are some sub-specializations you must consider:
Soft tissue sonography
Tendon and ligament sonography
Joint sonography
Pursue A Career In Sonography Now
Hence, you know how to become an ultrasound technician. First, you need to get a formal education in the healthcare field and then work on your specialization. After you specialize, you must get a professional certification. Consequently, you can apply for jobs as an ultrasound technician or a medical sonographer.
Do you have more suggestions on how to become an ultrasound technician? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below.
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An average person spends about 90,000 hours at work. These hours are equivalent to one-third of a person’s life. During this time, there are higher chances that an individual will meet new people at work. There are also chances that an individual would want to make friends with their colleagues.
Making or not making friends with co-workers can be an individual preference as both decisions come with an array of advantages and disadvantages.
Being friends with your co-workers has been proven to help increase job success. At the same time, many strongly believe that people who work in a toxic environment should avoid making friends with colleagues.
The question arises: should you be friends with your co-workers or not? If you want to know, read on.
Job Satisfaction
Undoubtedly, many people spend most of their time at work, which is tiring. That is why many people try to diversify the working process with friendly relations.
Findings have shown that when people make friends with their co-workers, it helps increase job satisfaction. Moreover, it helps perform better at different designated tasks and can motivate people to want to take part in other projects.
Making friends with co-workers can bring higher morale, so you are always motivated to perform at your best. You will want to show more commitment to your work and the organization as a whole.
Your colleagues will always motivate you whenever you feel down or tired about a specific task. Even when you are off from work, they can always cover for you, especially when you have an unfinished project that is due.
Mutual Trust, Care, And Respect
Beyond discussing workplace-related matters, there is more to getting along with your co-workers. Think about a nice time after work hours.
Spending some time at the cinema or doing outdoor activities at the weekend can positively impact your friendship. You can enjoy a better work relationship by asking each other questions freely, discussing ideas, and solving issues.
Indeed, the friendship you build at your place of work can sometimes last for a lifetime whether you remain in the organization or not. A workplace friendship built this way will create more respect, trust, and care. You would always want to check and look after each other.
According to the Australian Institute of Management's poll, good relationship with co-workers is an integral part of finding friends for a long time.
Read Also: 7 Fun and Simple Outdoor Activities for Your Child Under Ten
Employee Engagement
Friendship with co-workers can be a great way to increase employee engagement. Seeing a close friend who is busy with tasks assigned to them can motivate you to engage more.
This is backed up by a workplace study by Gallup in 2012 where employees who worked in the same place with their close friends admitted that seeing their best friends at their workplace helps them engage better in the working process. When workers became more professional at work, they ignored friendships.
Psychological And Social Support
Findings have shown that women are more enthusiastic about making friends at their workplaces to get emotional and social support whenever they are stressed.
Men, on the other hand, want to make friends with co-workers that will benefit their careers. They also want to make friends to help them finish pending tasks or job duties whenever they arise.
If you have friends at work, you feel happier and more supported which results in the improvement of your psychological state. You can always ask for help or advice, or just tell something that is bothering you.
If you want to make friends at work but do not know how, find phone numbers or emails of people you work with. You can do it on Nuwber, BeenVerified, or AnyWho. Try to find their social media accounts and send them a nice message.
Why Should You Not Make Friends With Your Co-Workers?
Too many benefits lie in making friends at the workplace. However, you may also be doing more harm than good if you do not know how to handle being friends with people you work with. Here are some reasons why workplace friendship may not be good for you.
1. Fallout Can Be Unpleasant
To be honest, if you prioritize socializing with your friends at the workplace over your office duties, your work process will suffer and may lead to unproductivity.
You will make a smart move if you do not mix personal interests with office duties because when the friendship hits a rock, the outcome will be negative.
What if you divulge career-related information to the wrong person? The outcome may be more terrible. It may take a toll on your emotional being and overall wellness.
If you do not make friends with your co-workers, you will not have an emotional attachment to gossip at the workplace. You will not be concerned with unnecessary discussions or workplace politics.
You can then focus better on assigned tasks. Do not forget that you can always enjoy your job even when you are not closely related to those you sit with within the cubicle.
2. Co-Workers Can Question Your Motives
This is another reason why being friends with your colleagues is not worth it. In some cases, if you have a good rapport with your boss, co-workers may accuse you of being a favorite worker, especially if it is related to being promoted. This is why it is often better to remain neutral and not build strong friendships.
Every step you take becomes suspicious and co-workers may use anything against you that may cost you your promotion, especially if you have gossiped about your boss in the past.
3. Jealousy May Set In
There are chances that you will have one jealous person among your fellow employees. Take, for instance, if you are someone that loves nice wear.
Others who have no taste in fashion may think you are trying to stand out. Even if this does not relate to the way you dress, jealous colleagues will not hesitate to hate you for anything when you are doing well.
Conclusion
Making friends with your colleagues can be good and at the same time something that should not be worth considering. In most cases, it is best to stay neutral. However, both decisions come with pros and cons.
When you decide to think about whether to make friends at work or not, compare all the benefits with the drawbacks and make your choice.
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