Understanding Barriers To Women's Career Progression

Never in the recent past have the debates over the matter of women's progression in their careers been as big as they are now. Nevertheless, the matter has always been discussed but not with the same intensity as it is today. With an increasing percentage of women in United States workforce (53%) in all professions, different barriers to progress have gone up.

Barriers To Women's Career Progression

Taking a holistic look at the women's career path makes clear that while most barriers are external, there some which are also internal.

Historically, male-dominated society has always viewed women as unequal and relegated women to secondary career positions. This is still being reflected in the modern skill-based job market by assigning women more and more to routine and mundane jobs that hardly carry decision-making authority. Even within new Human Resource Management processes, many processes for recruitment, interviews and aptitude tests, are sometimes centered on men rather than women.

While entry-level jobs such as teaching, healthcare and accounting are open to everyone, the dominant male population, which already occupies these jobs, leaves less room for women to enter and make a mark. Of late, the balance may be found to be shifting in favor of women, but the very nature of jobs in this category is such that women's upward mobility is far from being significant because of the fundamental and apparent lack of headroom (the glass ceiling). Women intrinsically think themselves to be at an advantage in typical jobs, which is evident from the statistics available: 53% women as opposed to 47% men. This is what can be called a socio-gender-related problem. It is gender-related because men have an advantage over women by in the types of jobs that require a lot of travel, or those which are physical in nature.

Women of substance have excelled in their independent careers. One doesn't need to look too far for names, as they are so dominant in their professions that their names could inspire those who want to tread their career paths. Why this can't be replicated in private industry? HRM practitioners complain that there is just not enough talent for the top jobs. Even organic or preferential promotions to the top jobs are almost always based on the natural progression principle.

Other areas of concern, such as maternity leave, are also hindering women's progression, although you would be hard-pressed to find an executive who would speak about this openly. Privately, many male executives cite women's lack of demonstrated willingness and courage to take bold steps as decision-makers and lack of risk-taking behavior as some of the most major psychological barriers.

In order to remove some of the physical and psychological barriers to women's career progression in private industry, a major attitudinal shift has to be made. Change will not come instantly, but over time, as society becomes more comfortable with women's increasing role in the business world.

Tony Jacowski

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Nontraditional Careers For Women - Female Jockeys Gaining Ground

The first thing I can remember wanting to be when I grew up was a jockey. Well, that obviously didn't happen, but I do wish there was a "fantasy jockey" camp, similar to what they have for baseball - I'd be the first to sign up!

Being a jockey was a nontraditional career for a woman when I was a kid, and it still is today. About 10% of professional thoroughbred jockeys are women; the Department of Labor defines a nontraditional field for women as one in which 25% or less of those employed are female.

As in other male-dominated fields, the women who pioneered in racing faced many challenges. The first woman jockey to ride in a pari-mutuel race was Diane Crump, in February 1969 at Hialeah, but she wasn't the first to try. When Penny Ann Early attempted to enter three races at Churchill Downs in 1968, she was prevented from riding because the other jockeys boycotted the races. Barbara Jo Rubin faced not only boycotts, but a bricks thrown through her trailer window, when she entered a race at Tropical Park in January of 1969. However, Rubin did become the first female jockey to win a race on February 22 of that year when she won at Charles Town. Rubin was forced to retire about a year later due to injuries; however in her brief career of 89 races she won 22 times and was in the money 20 more times. Diane Crump made history again in 1970 when she became the first woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby. She won over 230 races before she retired in 1985.

Although the number of women jockeys is still quite low, they race in a very different environment than the pioneering women jockeys did. The first women jockeys faced the prejudice and hostility of their male colleagues, who did not want women racing against them. The men would sometimes cut them off or commit other violations, which were ignored by the race officials. They would even slash them with their whips! (The irony of this is that one of the concerns of the male riders was that they felt racing was too dangerous and the women would get hurt!)

Diane Crump was invited to compete in a match race in Puerto Rico. The male jockey riding against her did everything he possibly could to unseat her from her mount, including grabbing her saddle cloth, knocking her foot from the stirrup, and grabbing her reins. Crump fought back by cracking him on the head with her whip, but he wound up winning the race by a length. However, the women in the crowd cheered Diane and cursed and threw rotten tomatoes at the male jockey!

The early women jockeys also faced opposition from the jockeys' wives, who were uncomfortable that the women would see their men in various states of undress, even though dressing quarters were separate. As a matter of fact, there were no women's dressing quarters - the women often had to change in horse trailers and couldn't even shower until they got back to their hotel rooms at the end of the day.

Getting good mounts was also a challenge, as many owners and trainers did not want their horses ridden by a woman. Sometimes the female jockeys were pressured to exchange sexual favors in return for a mount. When they did get mounts, they were often harassed by the fans at the track, or "goosed" as they were given a boost into the saddle by the trainers.

The tide started to turn in the 1970s at the small Eastern race tracks, the "minor leagues" of racing, when the dedication and work ethic of the women riders stood out against that of the men. The women began to gain acceptance, and gain more and better mounts around the country.

The most successful woman jockey is Julie Krone. She began her racing career in 1981, and won 3,454 races before she retired in 1999. At the time of her retirement, she had won more than $81 million in purses and ranked 16th in earnings on the all-time list for all riders. She un-retired in 2002 and continued to win, finishing her career with 3,704 wins and more than $90 million in purse earnings. In 1993, Krone became the first female to win a Triple Crown Race, when she rode 13-1 long shot Colonial Affair to victory in the Belmont Stakes. She is the only female to win a Breeder's Cup race. She accomplished the rare feat of riding six winners in a day. She is the only woman rider in the Racing Hall of Fame, inducted in 2000.

Krone "put the lie" to the idea that women weren't tough enough or strong enough to handle massive animals in a dangerous sport. At 4'10" and 105 pounds, she was tiny even by jockey standards. However, her size didn't prevent her from winning races, from coming back from injuries that would have ended the careers of other riders, or from picking fights and wrestling matches with male jockeys who had wronged her.

Following the path of Krone and the other trailblazing female jockeys, more and more women are racing successfully, and face much less prejudice and resistance than did the women in the early days. (Although it still occurs.) On March 26, 2009 top young jockey Maylan Studart won her 40th race with a win at Aqueduct, moving her from apprentice to journeyman status. Three of the seven jockeys she beat that day were women! Aqueduct currently has five women jockeys competing at the track. John Lee of the NY Racing Association stated that "I don't think we've ever seen so many talented women riding here at the same time. And when they're riding in New York, they're riding in the major leagues."

I look forward to seeing many more women compete as successfully as jockeys. (And I continue to hope for that fantasy jockey camp!)

© Koval Associates LLC

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

A Difficult Life for Single Mothers With a Career

We hear how difficult it can be to be a single mother and hold a career. A few fathers may have this problem so it applies equally to all those single fathers out there as well. Few of us know really how many hurdles these woman (single parents) have to go through in order to advance in their careers. Hurdles often include skills, wages and competing interests.

The Department of Labor states that about 69% of all single mothers are working. This number shows some indication of decline as the economy sours. Since such woman have competing interests, have more problems, often less skills, and must balance between work & family they are typically one of the first groups to lose their jobs. Even while working they have some of the lowest income levels. The problems these woman face can be summarized as follows:

Skills

Many of the working mothers have only sporadic prior experience. Since they have been busy raising children many of these mothers have not had the opportunity to attend trade schools or colleges. Furthermore, a career is developed over time and in many cases these woman have moved in and out of the workforce thereby they are unable to maintain a career.

Competing Interests

Businesses love when employees are committed to the company's success. The problem is that mothers sometimes come in late, must leave early and take additional days off to either recover themselves or take care of a sick child. If the babysitter calls off they are required to stay at home to watch their children. The more resources they have in terms of friends and family members the more likely they will be able to maintain a successful career.

Low Wages

Women are generally paid slightly less than men. When we add the lack of education and the sporadic work experience many woman are qualified only for entry level positions with subsistence pay. These low wages must be divided up for housing, food, clothing, children's medical needs, transportation, etc. With a low budget many woman are not able to provide for their children's future, may have chronic car problems because they can't afford maintenance, and may not be able to purchase all the luxuries of others. These low wages causes the next generation to repeat the problems of their mothers.

The next time a single mother makes a mistake please consider the turmoil these woman (and men) have to go through in order to survive. Each and everyday is a struggle to keep all the ends tied together and a problem in one area may cause the whole tightly knit ball to unwind. Companies that offer flexible schedules, promotion from within, job training, medical benefits and child care allotments do these women a great service.

Murad Ali

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Professional Women Advancing Their Careers

Given the challenges for women who want to advance their careers, I asked two groups of women with whom I was working what motivated them to want to take on those challenges. Their responses were varied but displayed an energy and conviction that was inspiring.

"I know I have talent, expertise and potential and I want to develop it and use it."

"I'm ambitious, and I have a vision for my life and goals I want to fulfil."

I'm a bit of a trail blazer. The idea of breaking through barriers, e.g., the famous glass ceiling, is a challenge that I find exciting!"

"I love the buzz of pushing the boundaries and discovering new challenges."

"I want to prove to all the men in my family, who I don't think really believe in my capabilities, that I have as much ability as they do."

"I want to make a difference in my organisation. I believe I have a vision for it and the expertise to implement that vision and I want the chance to do it."

"I want financial freedom to live the life I desire and that can only come with advancing my career and the income that goes with that."

"I want the meaning, purpose and fulfilment that comes with living and working at my full potential."

"I want the status that acknowledges my competence and the power that comes with it to bring about changes that I believe are important."

"I want to open doors for other women."

"My mother has a very successful career and she has been a real role model for me. I want to go where she has been - and even further!"
What motivates you?

Barriers for Women in Growing and Advancing Their Careers.

We know from the statistics on women's involvement on boards and the number who have achieved CEO status in their organisations, to mention just two indicators, that there are many barriers to women growing and advancing their careers as they would like. If they can identify, however, the barriers to their career advancement they can empower themselvces to break through each one and achieve the success they desire. So what are these barriers?

Women Having Children and Caring For Them.

Certainly having children and caring for them is a significant issue for us as women. It does interrupt our careers and poses many challenges regarding work/family balance, especially if we don't have a supportive partner, or an employer who offers us flexibility in balancing our work and our family.

Women Not Understanding Well Enough The Culture of Their Organisation and What They Need To Do To Make It In That Culture.

Culture is that intangible reality that shapes organisations. It creates the ethos, tone, spirit, energy, vibes and motivation that drives the organisation. It determines how things are done and achieved there. It is a powerful (yet invisible) force and personal success and fulfilment depends on whether we fit our organisation's culture. If we do, then the organisation offers much potential for career advancement but the opposite is also true.

Women Not Getting Themselves in The Pipeline.

Knowing what the progression is in our organisation or industry and getting in line, in the pipeline, is something to which many of us don't pay sufficient attention. What has to be done to advance our careers is something men make a priority of knowing, often from the moment they join a company. They then commit considerable energy and time to making it happen. We, as women, often look on with either amusement or derision at how blatantly they do it, yet they get the promotions and we don't! Women who are in the pipeline can sometimes lose their position because of their family commitments. Even three months maternity leave may see us miss a promotion because we weren't there when it came up.

Women Not Knowing The "Rules of The Game".

Growing and advancing a career is not always a clear and transparent process. It is a "game" and there are "rules". If we do not know the "rules" and many of us don't, or if we do know them but don't like the compromise involved in playing by the "rules", we'll have trouble winning the game.

Women's Own Attitudes and Socialisation.

There are still ingrained attitudes out there about the way women should be and act. We need to be "feminine", "nice" and "good". Dr. Lois Frankel has talked much about this in her book "Nice Girls Don't Get The Corner Office". She says that as grown, educated professional women we tend to act like little girls. We try to keep the peace; we don't rock the boat; we want to keep everyone happy; we take on the caring and nurturing role; we try to please everyone; we try to fit in. This might make everyone like us, but it won't advance our careers. As women we act like that because we don't like the way many men promote themselves. A s Lois Frankel says, however: "Success comes not from acting more like a man, as some might lead you to believe, but by acting more like a woman instead of like a girl.....All it takes," she says, " is acting like the woman you are capable of becoming than the girl you were taught to be."

Women's Styles of Communication.

Aligned with our attitudes and socialisation are some styles of communication that we, as women, favour that also don't help us advance our careers. We tend to favour consensus in decision-making but often over-consult and are then seen to be indecisive and unable to make the hard calls. We favour team work and attribute the success to the team, making our leadership of the team invisible to those who make the decisions about advancement. We tend to be unassertive (confusing it with aggression) and ask permission and apologise often instead of assertively expressing our ideas and intentions. We express ideas as questions, rather than be seen to be putting ourselves forward. There are styles of communication that are highly valued in leadership and management today that women are very good at. We need to fine tune those styles and divest ourselves of those that are part of a past that is no longer relevant to the world in which we are professionally working.

Women's Difficulty with Self-Promotion.

Many of us find it difficult to promote ourselves, our talents and our potential. Even highly successful women, when asked what challenges them most, have acknowledged that they find self-promotion difficult. We need to take much more seriously the importance of consciously building a platform, profile and reputation for ourselves. This is our personal brand.

Women Not Utilising Networking Both Within and Without The Organisation.

In my work with women over many years I have found that many women tend to believe that you advance your career and attain leadership positions by working hard, making a 150% commitment to your organisation, gaining qualifications, getting coaching behind the scenes to improve performance and giving loyalty. Men, on the other hand, believe that your career is advanced by who you are close to, by knowing the right people. They devote significant amounts of time to developing these relationships through networking. They meet the "right" people, get the "right" introductions and belong to the "right" organisations. They take leadership positions on the "right" committees and build their reputation and profile in their industry or professional sector. Women don't generally value the importance of networking to their career advancement and therefore do not utilise it well.

More often than not there is a combination of these barriers creating obstacles for any individual woman. There are, however, always ways through, over and under those barriers, but everything comes at a price. Once we understand what's involved, we can then decide whether we want to pay the price. We can also be inspired by those women who have found creative ways to be who they want to be and achieve what they want to achieve

Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Career Women More Prone to Divorcing Their Husband's: Can It Be True?

This can't be true! Or can it? According to Forbes magazine journalist, Michael Noer it is. He says that career women who make over $30,000 a year are more prone to divorcing their husbands because they are financially independent. This makes some sense. He also said that some of these career ladies might find someone at the office they like more than their husband's. The last reason I found extremely silly.

Anyone can find someone they like better when they do not value their marriage. A housewife might find someone she likes better at the community events she attends, or at her children's sports games, schools, grocery stores, and gym. A woman who suddenly finds someone she likes better than her husband is not committed to her marriage and that is what it all boils down to.

It is a fact of life that a career minded woman is not committed to her marriage! A career woman is committed to her career. So it would go without saying that the chances are much greater that she would undervalue her husband and the sanctity of her marriage more than a woman who has decided in her heart to stay home, raise and family and be home for her husband. Unfortunately, there are less of the latter in this country.

As we all know, a career woman will have a difficult time being there for her family, and pursuing her ambition at the same time. Someone is going to be left out, and it is usually the family. I don't advise a woman who is pursuing a career to get married. It's really that simple. Why get married if you aren't going to be married to your husband? And I do not advise a man to marry a career woman if he expects a traditional style home and family life, because it isn't going to happen.

Michael Noer was attempting to make a point but left out the root of the problem. The problem is what I constantly write about in my marriage books and articles. When couples are not devoted to the marriage in the first place, the marriage will most definitely fall on rocky times, whether the wife has a career or not.

The writer also says that career women are more likely to cheat! I think this was a cheap shot. I can actually understand why this writer got a lot of flack from the feminist movement and why Forbes magazine eventually had to apologize for Mr. Noer's article. Even if it were correct, he labeled the career woman in an unethical category, which we all know is not altogether true. Unfortunately people do not see the big picture for what it really is.

The big picture is we live in a Godless society. Career woman or not, it doesn't matter one smidgen. The title should have read: "Don't Marry a Godless Woman."
Come on folks, you know that America promotes godlessness, such as adultery, divorce, and promotion of women in the workforce, so what do you expect when people do not live by God's design and standards for marriage? People have simply made society's standards their belief for marriage and now they are complaining about it! The effect of what society does will come back and bite them on the tail every darn time and they still won't get it.

Mr. Noer forgot about all the desperate housewife's out there who cheat on their husbands? My goodness, are they not just as much to blame for the wreck of the family unit as the career woman? How would you really know? Could it be that the career woman is more likely to divorce because over half of all the women in America are career women? Or could it be that career women do not have time for God in their life because they are too busy pursuing their career? Yes to both.

I am all for the sanctity of marriage and family and you should be too. And that is precisely why we need to look at the big picture to understand the real reasons behind the high rate of divorce in this godless society. Putting the blame on the symptom will not make divorce go away. Listening to and applying sound wisdom and advice from above will actually mend this broken society if people would only apply its wisdom into their own marriage and life.

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness...What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?...For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." Therefore come out from them and be separate," says the Lord.
2 Corinthians, 6:14-17

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Kick Start Your Nursing Career With a CNA Job

CNAs or Certified Nursing Assistants are in high demand in the healthcare industry. A nurse's aide has the responsibility of helping nurses with duties that they have around the workplace. Not only is it a great way to get into nursing, but it is also a great way for you to discover what area of specialization you want to study once you become a registered nurse. The fact that they are in high demand makes it easier for you to become a nursing assistant as there are many places that offer such courses, even for free. Nevertheless, there are courses online that you can easily start with, even the full time courses are not very expensive and are offered in various areas of the world.

You can apply as a part time nursing assistant's job also; it is great if you are also pursuing some other course towards becoming a fully fledged nurse. The functions of a nurse's assistant are wide and varied but do not deal with giving any form of medication to patients. Also apart from the more sensitive tasks of a patient's care, a CNA delivers on most functions like cleaning, moving and taking notes on most of the patient's comforts.

A nurse's assistant's job is also to keep an eye on the progress of a patient. As they do that they are also given the responsibilities of keeping time tables not just for the patients but also for the doctors and nurses. There are also a lot of things that a CNA has to look at when it comes to general paperwork that doctors and nurses need to handle. A close firsthand experience of most of the functions of a fully registered nurse and also the understanding of healthcare is a vita experience that CNAs get.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Get Ahead If You Are a Women - Women's Career

It is easier to get ahead now in your career if you area woman. There was a time when women got paid less money for doing the same job as a man but that is starting to change. More and more mothers are going to the workplace to earn a living and they deserve to get paid the same as a man. Because you are seeing a lot of women in the workplace there are more opportunities available. You should always felt confident that whatever job you are doing there is opportunity for you to move up. It is important that you get recognized for doing a great job not only as a woman but as a person as well.

It can be hard to raise a family and have a full-time job if you're a woman. But luckily more and more companies are realizing that women add value to the workplace. There was a time when women were considered second-class to men and their pay also reflected this. It is great to see that there are more high precision jobs created for women than ever before.

Women have a lot to look forward to especially if they are wanting to advance in their career. There are more opportunities today than there have been ever. Now if you want to be a doctor, CEO or any other professional you can attain your goals. Long gone are the days when women could only be nurses were school teachers.

Remember the women can advance in the workplace and still have a family. Things have changed considerably from what they used to be for women in the workplace. It used to be that women only got a fraction of what a man got paid for doing the same job. There is a trend now that women are getting paid equally doing the same job as a man. You can also have high goals if you are a woman because the sky for you is the limit.


careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Children in ballet: practice, auditions & careers

Ballet was transformed into the elegant dance it is today from dances originally performed by European country peasants. In the 15th century, Italian princes performed poetry, music, singing and dancing in their courts. They developed a dance form, and the special steps for the ballet. During the 17th century professional ballet dancers began to appear. King Louis XIV of France, a dancer himself, established France as the center of the ballet world and french became the language of ballet to this day. Yes, men were the original dancers of stage ballet, and women had to earn their right to dance publicly.

It is important that the child who wants to pursue ballet as a career begin their intensive study early on in their childhood. Training as a professional dancer needs to start by the 11 or 12 for girls and about 14 for boys. An early start helps develop the flexibility and strength in the muscles and bones of the dancer.

There are two options to studying ballet. One ballet option will be to study at a school that has a local qualified ballet teacher teaching ballet exclusively to youngsters. The other option would be to audition for a full-time ballet school where ballet and academic classes are offered in one place. Most pupils will live at the school, eating, sleeping going to academic classes as well as learning dance, music, drama and choreography lessons.

In the Beginners class, dancers learn technique, basic movements at the barre, jumps and traveling steps. An advanced class will work on the same excercises and finish with pointe work for the girls, and jump practice for the boys. Classes are slow and careful focusing on perfecting simple steps. The training will gradually progress to more complicated movements and combinations of steps. The dancers learn how to use their bodies correctly , so that they avoid injuring themselves later on more difficult movement. A dancer will move to pointe work when her feet, ankles and back are strong enough to support her weight correctly.

Occasionally, the school will put on perfomances, recitals, for the parents and public. Here is where the dancer demonstrates what skills she has learned and learns to develop an awareness of where others are on the stage. Stage performances are essential for motivation, incentive to practice hard and helps you get used to performing in front of an audience. If the school is large enough they will also perform an annual Nutcracker at the end of the year.

Auditions are usually required for class advancement, for Summer School Abroad and entrance into a Ballet Academy. This is a dance test in front of examiners who look for youngsters with talent, correct physique, sensitivity to music and physical control. The examiners look dancers who have the potential to develop into a level of excellence. Audition applicants also have a physical examination to check their joints, shape of their foot (for pointe work) and straight legs that turn-out properly.

The ultimate ambition for the dancer is to gain a position performing for a professional company. In order to be chosen and obtain a contract as a professional dancer new dancers must have excellent technique, physique and stage presence. Wages, good working conditions, additional classes, costumes and shoes and tights are all provided. Some ballet companies tour and the dancer will need to be away from home for long periods of time. Most performing careers are short, rarely lasting beyond the mid-thirties. Injuries are also common and one can miss a year or two of performances. It is important to get experience and work qualifications in other areas that will enable the dancer to continue in the ballet field.

Other careers a ballet dancer may want to pursue when their ballet route has been exhausted, can include dancing for musicals, as a Choreographer, or a Dance Notator (Reads and writes scores of repertory) may also take on the role of Ballet Director/Mistress who coordinates and schedules school performances. The more obvious role an ex-dancer will take on is of a Ballet Teacher. Here he or she will help the next generation of dancers learn the Classical technique and the love of dancing. Training usually takes three years, but many dance colleges will provide a one-year course to dancers who have danced professionally.

Ballet takes many years of training for the young dancer. But with dedication and determination, and the love of the classical ballet, one can pursue a career in ballet in one of the various exciting areas.

Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Seven steps to land your first nanny job

There is a huge demand for family nannies, although finding your first nanny job may not be so easy. Throughout the year, agencies receive enquiries from clients who are pregnant and looking to return to work; they register with agencies hoping to recruit their nanny shortly after the baby is born. This gives them plenty of time to choose the right person and gets to know her before going back to work.

The aspirant nanny with no formal childcare experience, however, should make a few simple job-hunting preparations.

Step One is to identify agencies that advertise nanny jobs. Find out what nanny duties are required, which will give you a fair idea of what you should aim for in terms of further developing certain skills and to broaden your experience. One way is to volunteer your services to childcare groups, even if you aren't directly participating in the caring of the children. You may be assigned to help with the preparation and serving of snacks and beverages, which are essential skills to learn as an aspirant nanny. Supervising children during free play is also good practice. It won't be long before the children accept you as part of their kindergarten family and you may be roped into activities such as story reading and organizing creative projects.

Step Two is to prepare your résumé. Your first job will be the hardest to get, as you will encounter the prejudice that people are unwilling to employ you without experience. Your résumé will sell you to employers so make sure you do not undersell yourself. But how do you do this when you don't have a history of previous nanny jobs? When you write your résumé, mention any baby-sitting you have done, giving the ages of the children you worked with and any responsibilities or experiences you have acquired. Have you cared for younger brothers or sisters, nephews or nieces? Although you cannot use a family member as a reference, caring for siblings show an employer you at least have a background of childcare. Think carefully of all the child- or people-related projects you were involved in through secondary school and college. Have you taken part in school plays or concerts, gone abroad on exchanges, taken part in fundraising projects for charity? What are your hobbies? Do you play a musical instrument? Do you enjoy sport? Do you enjoy preparing simple nutritious snacks? Have you been trained in basic first aid? Mention any part-time work you have done, even it's working as a waitress in a restaurant or a cashier in a supermarket--while these occupations may not seem relevant, such jobs require you to be honest, reliable, a good timekeeper and able to get on with people--all qualities you'll need if you are to work as a family nanny.

Step Three is to register with agencies. An agency cannot charge you a fee or force you to accept a job. When you sign the agency registration work you are only giving the agency permission to check that the information you have given them is true. The agency does not have the right to prevent you from registering with other agencies or looking for jobs through newspapers or other sources. The agency will want to interview you. This may be your first proper childcare interview so think of it as a useful experience. The agency can tell you about availability of jobs and local pay rates and answer any questions you may have about nanny duties or contracts. The agency will check your references before it can offer you any interviews with prospective families.

Step Four is to contact your references. Offer two or more references--families you have baby-sat for and employers where you volunteered childcare work. Ask if they can give you a written testimonial, but do ask their permission if you may pass on their name and phone number as a reference.

Step Five is for the smokers among you. Now is the time to quit! Many parents are adamant that they do not want to employ a nanny who is a smoker.

Step Six is to learn to drive. Many jobs need a nanny who is a conscientious driver.

Step Seven - be positive that you will get a job but don't be too rigid in your expectations. For instance, your preference may be to work with toddlers, but you may be presented with an opportunity to be placed with a family to care for school-going children instead. Learn to be a caring, capable nanny by finding out all aspects of childcare, such as providing appropriate activities and encouragement, anticipating possible dangers and creating an environment that is stimulating and harmonious.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

How to keep business records for your ebay business for tax purposes

How to keep business records for your ebay business for tax purposes

So you’ve finally gone into business for yourself. You’ve found a product, sold and shipped it, and pocketed a tidy profit. The tax man won’t be far behind, which is why it’s essential that you keep good records for your business. Good records can mean the difference between paying too much in taxes and getting a hefty fine for paying too little.

So how do you keep good records? It’s easy, and not only is it good for the tax man, but it’s good for the long-term health of your business.

Rule #1: Keep business money separate from personal money.

Whether your business is sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a corporation, it’s important that you keep all the financial aspects of your business separate from your personal ones.

Keep a separate checking account in your businesses name and keep receipts for everything you buy for your business in a separate place from your personal expenses. Set up a separate online banking account and get a separate credit or debit card in your company’s name, so when you buy or sell items online you can keep the expenses off your personal balance sheet.

One of the advantages businesses have over individuals when it comes to taxes is that they get to deduct legitimate expenses before they calculate their taxes. So when it comes to finding all those deductible expenses, they can be organized much more easily if you don’t have checks to the babysitter and cash withdrawals for personal purchases mixed in with your inventory costs.

Rule #2: Keep receipts, bank statements, and a log of activity.

Keeping paper records, including returned checks and bank statements, can go a long way toward ensuring that your records are both complete and accurate. Even if you use financial and tax software (discussed below), paper records, kept in a safe place, provide an essential backup and will go a long way toward satisfying the tax man’s curiosity about your business.

If you have to travel as part of your business, you may be able to deduct those costs as a price of business, but it’s important that you keep track of those expenses to be able to justify them. If you take a trip on the company credit card, make a note in your financial records of where you went, who you met with, and what you purchased or sold. Even food or entertainment may be deductible if they are legitimate business expenses, but you’ll need to ensure that you have a record of what you were doing for the company in order to be able to deduct them.

If you mail items to your customers, keep a log of your postage and insurance expenses, as they are legitimate costs of doing business. Those costs cut into your profits, and they should cut into your taxes as well.

Because you may be able to reimburse yourself for certain personal expenses (like driving your own car to a trade show), it’s also essential that you keep track of the dates of your trips, your mileage, and what you were doing for the company. Keeping thorough notes can mean the difference between a legitimate reimbursement and a taxable disbursement.

Rule #3: Keep track of your inventory.

Your inventory is a legitimate cost of doing business, but it’s also an asset, and the increase or decrease in your inventory changes the value of your business and your taxable profit. As your business grows, your inventory will also grow, so it’s important to keep a record of the items you have for sale at the end of every tax year. Uncle Sam will ask you not only how much inventory you have, but how you figure its value, so having accurate records of purchases, sales, and what you have on hand is essential.

Rule #4: Use professional accounting software or an accountant.

Keeping good records means keeping organized ones. A pile of receipts and check stubs is going to be a nightmare to organize when you’re under the gun at tax time, so it’s important to keep track of your sales, your purchases, and your inventory using professional software or a professional accountant.

Good accounting software can also provide reports, allow you to balance your accounts, even tell you which items are money-makers or money-losers for you. It’s fairly easy to use and will go a long way toward helping you justify those expenses you’ll be claiming at the end of the year. Be sure to balance your accounts at least monthly, because you may need to file a quarterly tax form. Having up-to-date records will ensure that you can file easily and on time. Remember, it’s best to save everything in paper form as well. Computer crashes are all too common, so having paper backups (bank statements, printed reports) is essential to ensuring that your records are accurate and complete. Keeping a separate digital copy of your records off-site is also important. If your home or business has a fire, you’ll need to have copies of your records stored somewhere out of danger.

A professional accountant knows the tax laws, what forms need to be filed when, and can give you professional advice that can save tons of trouble down the road.

An investment in quality software and professional advice is money well-spent.

Rule #5: Keep track of what you pay yourself and others.

If your business is a sole proprietorship, your business profits will be taxed as part of your personal income, including a “self-employment” tax paid for Social Security and Medicare. If you elect to do business as a corporation, your taxes may be lower, but that doesn’t mean that you can take the money and go on vacation.

All money from the business that you use for personal items is income that must be declared by you on your personal tax forms. That’s another reason to keep business records separate: you don’t want the tax man to count legitimate business expenses as your personal income.

Rule #6: Don’t forget about the state.

If your business is a corporation, don’t forget that you may have to file a separate tax return and an annual report with them. Your state’s Secretary of State’s office usually has the forms you need online, along with instructions, and many will allow you to file those forms online as well. If you fail to file those forms properly, you could lose your charter, so it’s important to be aware of the necessary forms and filing deadlines.

Rule #7: Be professional.

The secret to keeping good records is to keep them separate from your personal finances and as accurate as possible. It’s to treat your business as a business, managed professionally and efficiently. Keeping records of all company costs and up-to-date accounts will help you avoid the headaches of tax time and let you enjoy the profits of successful business instead.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Tips for returning to work for the stay at home mom

Now that the kids are in school you need something to occupy your time and make you feel useful again. It's been awhile since you have been in the job market and your family is used to you being at home. Going back to work will not only be a change for you, but your entire household. How do you make this change so everyone can adapt and you can continue running your household smoothly?

The first thing you needed to do is sit down and talk with your family about the decision to go back to work. They needed to understand things will change because you won’t be available all the time like you were as a stay at home Mom. Everyone is going to have to work together and not depend souly on you to keep the household running. You as the parent will have to rearrange your schedule so you can still participate in your kids activities and maintain your new job. That’s going to be the hardest part of returning back to work, accommodating everyone and doing well at your new job also. Setting up a schedule for household chores and errands will allow you some time in the day to still attend the activities you needed to go to with your children. One of the biggest adjustments you will have to make is your time will not be as flexible as it was, when you were a stay at home Mom to participate in all the activities you did. Which could lead to you feeling guilty if you let it and that’s something you shouldn't let happen. Once you make the decision to return to work, it should be understood that things will change for you and your family. Don’t have guilty feelings about not being able to participate and go to different events with your children. Also accept some of your household duties will be neglected too. Returning back to work after not working for awhile is a adjustment to your body, mind and family. Everyone will have to accept this change and work with you until you get a routine that you are comfortable with and you are use to being back at the work scene. This will take some work on your part and your family to make things run as smoothly as possible. With everyone working together it can happen.

Going back to work after being a stay at home Mom is a big adjustment for everyone. You have to learn how to run your household differently and work-out a complete new schedule and routine to spend time with your family. It’s also a major adjustment for you to learn how to be somewhere everyday at a certain time, for a certain reason. All of these adjustments are hard in the beginning, but as time goes on everyone will adapt.

Your family will get use to your new lifestyle and so will you. Before you know it you will have forgotten about the good old days when you stayed at home being just a housewife and Mom.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

How to balance work life and home life

Running your own home business isn’t easy. There are so many things around to distract you, and people who work outside of their homes don’t have this same problem. When you’re first starting your business, it usually takes a pretty high priority in your life, and you may find yourself juggling your work life and your home life. Both can be managed successfully. It’s all a matter of balance.

One of the most important parts of your home life is your child. Many people, especially moms, start a home business thinking they will be able to spend more time with their children, but this usually doesn’t end up being the case. In a sense, working at home is the same as working outside of the home: it’s still work. You have a job to do; granted, you probably have more flexibility to do the work on your own time schedule. But you still have to get the work done. It’s very important to dedicate special time to your kids. They may feel they are less important than this new business you are spending hours on, so remember to take some time off and spend quality time doing something that your kids want to do; go to the park or a museum. If you have to run business errands with your kids, try to limit the number of them and then go do something fun, such as get ice cream, as a reward for the kids for being good. You might want to consider paying your kids if they are old enough to do some simple jobs in your office, perhaps filing or keeping your pencils sharpened. Anything like that will help make them feel more involved in your business and more important to you.

It’s difficult trying to run a business when you are providing full-time care to a child of any age. Babies need constant supervision, diapers, food, snuggling, and playtime. Thankfully they also have naps, but a nap schedule can change at any time so it isn’t necessarily something you can always count on. Toddlers also need a great deal of supervision, and they need more entertainment than do babies. They also may not take naps, which may leave you with very few extended periods of time to work during the day. It’s a little easier with school children if they are gone all day, but you still have volunteer work at their schools, car pools, and afternoon and evening activities. It’s not that any of these are bad things, and in fact, running your home business is great because it allows you to be there for your children when they need these things. But work does have to be scheduled around these types of activities. Just remember that your kids are only young once; work will always be there but your children won’t.

You will probably, at some point, want to consider your various child-care options. Some people prefer a daycare, where the child is out of the house and with other children, but this can get very costly. Others like to have someone come into the house for a few hours each day or week. This gives you a feeling of security in knowing your child is right there if he truly needs you, but it also gives you time and space to do your work. Another option is a babysitting co-op, where friends take turns babysitting for each other’s children. This is nice because you will likely have a list of people to call for babysitting, but it also means you have to be available to babysit other children too at some point.

Your spouse is another person with whom you will have to find balance in your life. If your spouse is supportive and enthusiastic about your efforts, that makes your life a little easier. However, if your spouse is resentful or uninterested, your job will likely be even harder. It’s a good idea to sit down with your spouse before you start your business and discuss your plans. Let him know how much time you expect to have to spend at this venture and ask for his input on when he thinks is a good time for you to work. Perhaps you will agree to hire a sitter for a few hours a day, or perhaps you will watch the kids during the day and work after your husband comes home from his job. Whatever the plan, it is important to respect your spouse by sticking with it. If you decide you will work from 9-5 and then you run to the office right after dinner to get back to work, don’t wonder why your spouse gets annoyed. Sure, things come up that throw your plan off track, but it is very important to keep the lines of communication open at all times and keep your spouse informed of what you are doing. After all, that kind of respect is only fair and is probably how you would like to be treated.

Your friends may take a low priority when you start a new business, and they will probably have mixed feelings on that. Real friends will understand, but will also appreciate if you make the effort to keep in touch even when you are busy. After all, you wouldn’t want to be dumped by your friends either. Take the time to send a quick note or email, or call every so often to keep up with what’s going on with your friends. They are part of your support system so treat them as you would want to be treated.

It’s all a matter of balance. Remember that even though you have started a new business and that part of your life is important, keep in mind that you do have a life outside of work. Remember the people in that life and be considerate and respectful of them.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Women's fashion: how to build a professional work wardrobe

You’ve either landed a new job in the office world, or you’re planning on doing so soon. Either way, you’re trying to beef up your wardrobe that consisted of some jeans and t-shirts, maybe a few clubbing outfits and a dress for special occasions to include attire suitable for the office world. Luckily, the definitions of professional clothing for women have gone through some changes in the past decades: no longer are high heels and pantyhose a necessity, just a possibility.

A good place to start is at the bottom, working your way up. As such, one of the most important parts of any outfit is a good pair of shoes (and this doesn’t change all because you expect to find yourself behind a desk for a good portion of the day). In all likelihood, as an entry level office worker, you’ll be required to make copies, assist walk-ins and maybe perform a few runner duties – otherwise known as getting up, moving around and sitting down throughout the day. You need a pair of shoes that will look nice, but won’t have you desperately seeking out a foot massage at the end of the day.

If you’re not used to heels and don’t feel any particular desire to start wearing them, don’t worry. A simple, flat pair of shoes will do. Regardless of heels or flats, unless you’re vegan or a form of vegetarian that is opposed to wearing animal products, you want to go with a pair of shoes whose upper is made of leather. Leather breathes a lot better than manmade materials and, therefore, helps keep your feet from feeling too cramped in their professional confines.

As for the actual aesthetics of your shoes, there are a few things to watch out for. Suede has a lovely look and feel, but it gets dirty far faster than a pair with a bit of shine to them. As well, unless your personality calls out for bright yellows and pinks when buying shoes, your best bet is to go with something dark. If nothing else, every woman should have a pair of professional, comfortable, black shoes somewhere in their closet. Not only do black shoes go with most every outfit, they take a lot longer to get noticeably dirty.

Another important note about shoes is what to wear with them. You don’t want to be caught walking into your new office with a pair of beautiful dress shoes over white, fluffy exercise socks. Not only would that be a tight fit, but it would look rather silly. However, unless your employer is more liberal or less observant than most, you don’t want to wear your shoes over bare feet. Other than dealing with the struggle of getting on a pair of pantyhose in the morning, you can try nylon knee-highs or thin cotton socks. As with the shoes, darker is generally better. If the darker colors don’t agree with you, choosing nylons that are flesh colored is a safe bet. It’s still noticeable that you’re wearing something, but not so noticeable that you might find yourself not matching the rest of your outfit.

With a few pairs of shoes back home in your closet, your next step is to find some bottoms for your outfit. Again, you don’t want to limit yourself to anything that is going to make normal office duties uncomfortable or, at worst, embarrassing. For that reason, unless you’re used to wearing skirts that go above your knee, wait until you’re used to your office before you show up wearing a miniskirt. For that matter, if you’re a recovering tomboy, don’t even think about skirts at all until you’re willing to wear ones in a more casual setting. While office attire is generally changed out of as soon as a person gets home, you don’t want to be so uncomfortable that you want to change out of it during your lunch hour.

Going back to positive points of the changing standards in professional attire, the best way to beef up your professional wardrobe is to buy some slacks. Not just one pair of slacks, but several. Good color choices include black, navy, pinstriped and, if your office is casual enough for it, khaki. Again, these choices might not be the best if your heart cries out for fuchsia and teal and mauve. However, they are easy to find and even easier to play mix and match with once you’ve gotten the appropriate tops. One thing to pay attention to when buying slacks is how they fit. While wearing pants tight enough that you can see your panty lines might be a good idea when you go clubbing, doing the same at work may line you up for a quick chat with your boss about appropriate attire.

Well, you’ve got your shoes and you’ve got your slacks, now you just need some tops. This is where you’ve got the most leeway in your outfit. Not only is there a wide array of blouses and sweaters that can be considered professional, their exact style and color are more varied and better suited to meet your own personal look. Of course, on both the upside and the downside is the fact that they’re likely to be the first and last thing a person sees when speaking to you. In general, one addresses the top portion of a person rather than the bottom and, therefore, is more likely to remember the pattern on your blouse rather than the color of your slacks or the style of your shoes. Therefore, if your blouse isn’t quite appropriate, it’ll be more likely to cause a stir than if you snuck in wearing tennis shoes.

A few things to look out for while shopping for blouses: as with your slacks, be careful to notice how tight your top is – if you can see the outline of your bra with it on, it’s probably too tight; if your top is so low cut that you’re worried someone might be able to tell the color of your bra if you move in a particular way, it’s probably cut too low; sleeveless tops may or may not be acceptable in your office, double check before you show up to work in one; colored blouses are easier to clean than white ones since they’re less likely to change colors in the wash if you accidentally drop in a red sock.

At this point, with three to four pairs of slacks, about double that in blouses and a couple of pairs of shoes, you have the makings of an excellent professional wardrobe. Once you get better used to the office world, you may end up expanding your choices to include suits and skirts and pantyhose. However, until then, the above hints and tips can at least get you through until your first full paycheck.

As a final note, make sure you look on the tags of anything and everything that you’re going to buy. Unless you plan on spending a large portion of your pay check at the dry cleaners, stay away from pieces that are marked as being “dry clean only” – even items that say they need to be hand washed can usually be done in a washing machine if it includes a delicates cycle.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

 

Heavy Equipment Training for Women

The opportunities for women in the construction field are more abundant than ever, and those entering the career path of heavy equipment operator will find that the job description has a lot to offer both genders. Heavy equipment training for women has sparked a great amount of interest as women continue to break through the concrete ceiling, and further extinguish the part that gender roles play in the construction world.

Heavy Equipment Training for Women

http://www.sxc.hu/index.phtml

Identification

Heavy equipment can be clarified as machinery that is used to move and relocate oversize building materials, and pieces of earth, on a construction site. Sometimes referred to as "earth movers," these monstrous machines should only be operated by skilled workers. Bulldozers, dump trucks, backhoes and motor graders are just some of the pieces of heavy equipment that a woman may learn to operate while in training.

Time Frame

Heavy equipment training classes consist of the same amount of learning time, whether you are a man or a woman. Most classes last three weeks depending on the level of certification that is sought. Each level consists of classroom education and construction site hands on training, and often includes OSHA training modules as well as, written testing. Some companies do offer apprenticeship programs that involve training in a wide variety of heavy machinery. These apprenticeship programs usually last three years and also consist of class time and paid, on site training.

Considerations

Women who are considering a career as a heavy equipment operator must be in good physical health. It is also necessary to have a good sense of balance, since elevated heights can be involved in the daily work environment and good hand and eye coordination. And because of the stereotypes associated with women working in the construction field; confidence, the willingness to succeed and a sense of humor doesn't hurt. Also, proper safety equipment such as steel-toed boots, insulated clothing and gloves must be worn when necessary.

Benefits

Women who train as heavy equipment operators receive certifications from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), coupled with a commercial driver's license (CDL) that will make them highly qualified and suitable to compete in a job market that was once thought of as only for men.

Potential

As society develops and continues to build bigger and better structures that can adapt to our ever changing lifestyles, the need for heavy equipment operators will also continue to grow. An increasing number of vocational technical schools are beginning to offer training classes in heavy equipment, which accept financial aid and job placement. Specialty heavy equipment training schools can be found through your local department of education and on the World Wide Web.

Misconceptions

The construction site is often thought of as a man's place of work, but women are beginning to show a greater interest in proving that such a misconception is just not true. As a matter of fact, women of all ages are beginning to take advantage of the open doors that construction and the operation of heavy equipment has to offer. Women are not only excelling in heavy equipment classes, but also finding that the machinery is not as difficult to handle as they had once thought. Some women are even beginning to recognize their natural talents for operating large pieces of equipment.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Married women's employment, gender socialization, and divorce rates

Men and women have been socialized to perform certain gender specific roles. Values pertaining to these gender roles have been entrenched in the American psyche for generations and are difficult to alter. These roles have been changing at a relatively rapid pace, but the values that surround these roles have not been changing at the same rate. Many consequences arise from resistance to these role changes. This imbalance of role and value change have large implications for the future of the stability of the family. The difficulty our society has with accepting these changing roles can cause strain between spouses which can ultimately lead to divorce. The exploration of the effects of married women's employment, gender socialization, and divorce rates are intertwined and can not be discussed without referring to the other.

Divorce is something that has become a dramatically more common event in our society. In fact, "our society has the highest divorce rate in the world" (Macionis, 1995). When we are analyzing our society's propention towards higher divorce rates, by looking at gender soclialization as well as married women's employment as factors in the increasing divorce rates, we can not start the process of analysis without dicussing the structure our society has constructed to support the institution of divorce. Today the possibility of divorce may be considered from the onset of the martial engagement. Further, divorce has been normalized to the extent that there are specialized classes for children of divorced parents, support groups for those who have been or are going through a divorce, and even laws (i.e. no fault divorce laws) that all exist to make the process of divorce easier for all of those involved. The structure our society has created to support the institution of divorce is something that both gender socialization and married women's employment exists within. Further, when linking these two factors to climbing divorce rates this back drop of an environment where divorce is an accepted practice may in fact help to not only give these factors momentum but to participate in the actual creation of them as well. With this all said we can now go on to explore employment of married women and gender socialization as two major correlations with higher divorce rates.

There is a strong correlation between divorce rates and married women's involvement in the work force. "By 1990 according to the government projections, about four in ten marriages were ending in a divorce (for African American about six in ten)(Macionis, 1995). Also "In 1990, just one and five women was in the labor force, the proportion of working women has increased steadily since then. In 1993,....the labor force included...57.9 percent of women" (Macionis, 1995). Married women's increased participation in the work force may have many consequences. Some of the consequences that result form married women working are that there is less time spent at home, less time interacting with family, and changing goals for the future. These consequences may negatively effect the marital relationship and contribute to the increasing divorce rates because some people may be reluctant to adapt their traditional beliefs about the roles they think men and women should perform.

Traditionally the type of labor engaged in by women and men was largely sex determined. There were also limits that existed to how successful a person could be in a job depending on their sex. There were clear lines defining the difference between "men's work" and "women's work". Men and women have been socialized to perform different roles. Women were socialized to work in the domestic sphere and men were socialized to work in the labor sphere. The phrase the domestic sphere is used here to refer to taking care of the house and the family. The phrase the work sphere is used here in refernce to work done outside of the home for wages (Richardson, 1993). Some sociologists have argued that the sex division of labor was necessary for a functional society. Talcott Parson, a famous sociologist, argued that "sex role segregation is a functional necessity for marital stability and even for the viability of society itself" (Parsons & Oppenheimer, 1994). This is not an isolated perspective. Other social scientists shared this view point. Freud, a leading psychoanalyst of the time, concluded that "women have less a sense of justice than men, that they are less ready to submit to the great experiences of life, that they are often influenced by their judgment by feelings of affection and hostility" (Richardson, 1993). These sentiments imply that women are less rational and less equipt to work outside the household than men. Women have been stereotyped as submissive, independent, agressive, and ruled primarily by rationale.

In our society the characteristics that are stereotypically associated with men are deemed more important, while the characteristics that are stereotypically associated with women are not regarded as important. The valuing of these characteristics directly effects what type of roles each sex would perform. Women have been socialized to remain with in the confines of the domestic sphere. The characteristics that were thought to describe women were supposively key to the functioning of the domestic role. This role of domesticity was defined by specific acceptable behavior such as cooking, cleaning, and child care. These characteristics deemed femine were thought to be necessary to run a successful household. For instance, the nurturing qualities were thought to be essential for raising children. On the other hand, men have been socialized to remain with in the confines of the working sphere. Men have bee socialized to be the "breadwinner", the "king of the castle". Thus, working outside the home was associated with characteristics such as agressiveness, dominace, independence, and rational. This split in labor has a direct effect on the stability on the marital relationship. When men worked outside the household, and usually earned all the money coming into the hosuehold, women depended of them for support. This financial dependence helped, in part, to make the occurance of divorce rare because women would have great difficulty supporting themself with out the help of a man (Spitze, 1985).

More recently, traditional gender role assignments have been questioned. Changes in economic conditions, social norms, and in values (such as an emphasis on togetherness has shifted to an emphasis on individuality) have contributed to an increase in married women's involvement in the work force (Elkind, 1994). Also large societal occurences may force women and men to change their roles. During world war II most of the men were off fighting and it became necessary for women to work in order for the economy to remain stable. This was a time when many married women, who would not normally worked, became involved in the labor force. After world war II "married female employment, specially that of young mothers, had burgeoned and the proportion of marriages expected to end in divorce approached fifty percent" (Sptize, 1985). Traditional ideas such as appropriate roles for each sex and how serious it was to disrupt a marraige were challenged. Women's increased involvement in the work force has allotted for more independence for women. It has also caused a great deal of difficulties that are related to the deteriation of the family.

A double standard exists for men and women in the work place. If a man is a dominant and/or demanding boss or employee that may be praised and even expected of him at times. However, if a woman demonstartes those same qualities she may be considered bossy or overbearing. These ideas are shaped by traditional gender stereotypes. So, even if a woman does obtain a postions with in the work force traditional stereotypes still burden her. The idea that men and women are equal in the work force is disproved by the many times women are discredited just because of their sex. For example, if a woman does work she "earns on the average sixty eight percent of what men earn" (Baron & Graziano, 1991). Women may earn less because their work is less valued, as well as because women tend to engage in certain types of work designated as "female occupations" which pay less. It has been shown that women tend to engage in specific types of occupations. "According to the U.S. board of statistics (1994), women engage in a narrow range of occupations, with half of working women holding just two types of work.....administrative support work and service work". Thus, women and work have changed, but there is still more than a trace of traditional beliefs incorporated into the work force structure in regards to women's participation.

These traditional ideas about women working that are still present can directly effect the marital relationship. Many consequences follow from increased involvement of married women in the labor force, but the reason these consequences effect the family in a negative way is because the role of women has changed but traditional ideas about the role of women has not changed at an equally rapid pace. Many men still prefer a traditional marriage in "which the husband is dominant and the wife plays a supportive (subordinate) role as child rearer, housekeeper, and the husband's and family's emotional support" (Zastrow, 1993). Typically, men who have difficulties with their wives working may be men who have been socialized to accept traditionally defined gender roles. Thus, for men, when the roles shift and values do not, their self concept and their self esteem may suffer. Interviews with such men suggest that "their wive's employment served to exacerbate their need for dominance in the home because it was an indication of their failure" (Pyke, 1994). This could certainly resuolt in a power struggle between spouses and could work to destroy a marriage by emphasizing the perceived imbalance between the spouses.

Another instance where the perceived imbalance may cause a problem would be in the area of the household work. Role overload is a probelm working married women encounter partly due to traditional stereotypical views. A number of studies have shown that "husbands of employed wives do almost no more housework than other husbands" (Gaugner & Halxer, 1980). This can be explained by the fact that many men have been socialized to leave the doestic sphere to women. "The amount of time the wife spends away from the household has a disruptive influence on marital relations, given the traditional organizations of household work" (Spitze, 1993). This difference between role and expectancy may further harm the marital relationship by adding stress to it and breaking down the positive interaction and increasing the negative interaction.

Not every consequence of married women's employment that increase the possibility of divorce is a negative one. Women who have been involved in abusive marriages and have found themselves dependent on their husband to support them would certainly benefit from becoming involved in the work force. This could enable women to be more independent by decreasing financial dependence on their husbands. It could also work to increase their self esteem and self concept. Thus, involvement in the work force by women in such a condition may empower them and give them resources, the courage, and the power that would allow them to leave. This also contributes to the rising divorce rates, because women who would not normally have been able to leave a bad marriage could do so.

Throughout time, gender role stereotypes have existed and it has been difficult to alter these traditional ideas. The need and the desire for women to work may be inhibited by these views. The changing roles of married women working produces many consequences. These consequences effect the marital relationship. They have a particularily deteriorating effect of the marital relationship because of men's and women's ideas about tradional gender roles have not changed as rapidly as the roles themselves. This disproportionate change in roles and values may create many situations that are harmful and ultimately destructive to marital harmony. Considering current trends in divorce rates and the increase in married women's employment are likely to continue, and understanding of their linkage may facilitate amelioration of any further negative consequences and propel future adaptation and understanding between the sexes.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Pregnancy and your job: discrimination and your rights

Discrimination affects people of all ages, races, genders, and religions. It can even affect you if you are employed, or are looking for a job, and you are pregnant. Fortunately, there are state and federal laws that address the problems associated with pregnancy discrimination. But, you'll understand what your rights are and how you can make sure they are upheld.

Discrimination against mothers to be isn't new at all to our society. That's why the Civil Rights Act of 1964 included a section that pertains to pregnant employees. Basically, the section says that if you work for a company that hires at least fifteen employees, your employer cannot order an employee to quit because she is pregnant. Nor can your employer fire a woman for being pregnant.

Being that she's a mother to be is no legal excuse not to hire a prospective female applicant too. And, an employer cannot, by law, allow a maternity leave to interfere with a woman's years of service record in any way. That is, it cannot be counted against here.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 even goes as far as to state that a woman who has had an abortion cannot be not hired for that reason. Nor can a current employee be let go because she had an abortion.

While you are an employee and are pregnant, if you are unable to perform your regular job because of your pregnancy, then your employer must offer you a light duty job. This job should be temporary until you are able to resume your regular duty.

In 1993, a new act, called the Family and Medical Leave Act, was put into effect. This law says that if your healthcare provider states that you cannot work at any time during your pregnancy, then your employer must allow you to take time off from work. This time is limited to twelve weeks and it is without pay.

You are also able to, by law, take off time to have your baby, adopt a baby or child, or take care of a sick child that belongs to you.

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, your employer must hold your job for you while you are taking this pregnancy - related time off. Your regular pay and benefits cannot be reduced or canceled while you are on leave too.

But, you must have been employed at the same place for at least twelve calendar months. And, you must have worked at least twelve hundred and fifty hours to be covered under this new act.

State laws vary, so be sure to check the laws in your state that protect pregnant women who are employed.

If you think that you are being discriminated against because you're going to have a baby, you should jot down detailed instances. That is, anytime that you feel your employer has discriminated against you, then write down the dates, times, places, names, and the details of what happened. You can then file your grievance with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

If you are a member of a union through your job, you can also contact your union representative to see if you can file a grievance.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Job interview preparation: what to wear

When it comes to job interviews, what you look like counts! As shallow as it sounds, your appearance is one aspect of your overall person that can make or break an interviewer's decision of whether or not they should hire you.

Though dress codes in the work place have become much more informal in the past several years -- it seems that the "Casual Friday" sentiment has invaded Monday through Friday as well -- job interview attire has remained strictly professional. A pair of khakis and a button down shirt may work once you get to the office, but before being hired, such an ensemble is always a no no. Both men and women alike are expected to wear business suits to any and every interview, and any exception to the rule may be a real cause of concern for the interviewer.

For women, the best choice of interview attire is a smart business suit in a conservative color such as navy blue or black. Although pant suits have become the choice of apparel for many female professionals, proper interview etiquette still calls for female interviewees to wear a skirt to the meeting. When abiding by this rule, be sure to use good judgment as far as the length of the skirt is concerned. When in doubt as to the appropriateness of skirt length, think of knee-length as the ideal.

Other tips for women including making sure to tone down any makeup. If you are going to wear nail polish (though you may want to refrain altogether), a very light color or clear coat is the best option. If you choose to wear jewelry, make sure that the styles chosen are conservative ones. Earrings should be small, and the number of rings and bracelets you choose to put on should be minimal.

For men, a suit is still the required uniform. Again, a conservative color like navy blue or charcoal gray is your best bet. Aside from being more professional looking, dark colors like these make it easier to change the entire look with just the change of a tie or shirt. This can be a particularly useful trick to employ when you need to interview more than once at the same company, but don’t have a wardrobe full of new suits to wear. Men too should choose to leave the jewelry at home, as the only thing you want to call attention to is your world of experience.

Careful grooming is something that both genders should pay careful attention to. Make sure that your hair is neat and professional looking. Long hair should be pulled back and out of your face (for both men and women). For men with facial hair, be sure that your beard or moustache is neat and trimmed. If you prefer the freshly shaven look, be sure and take the extra few minutes to get a shave in before the interview.

A final tip to remember – for men and women alike – is to go easy on the perfume or cologne. Though you certainly want to smell good for the interview, you don’t want to send an allergic interviewer running out in the midst of a sneezing fit.

So, while the rules of dress in the workplace may be more casual, stick to the rules of professionalism when dressing for an interview. Only when you land that job (because of your impeccable job interview appearance) can you start applying the business casual look to your eveyday work life.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy