Thursday, June 19, 2014
15 Smartphone Apps that can make you $$$
1. Pact
For those who want to make money and get healthy, Pact makes it easy to work on both goals at the same time.
The app is actually broken down into three separate options: Veggie Pact, Gym Pact and Food Log Pact. You commit to a specific goal, track your progress on the app and then earn cash for meeting your goals. The downside is, if you fail to keep your commitment, you could have to pony up cash to pay the more dedicated users.
Pact is available for free for both Apple and Android devices.
2. Viggle
Also available to Apple and Android users, Viggle rewards you for watching TV or listening to music. You simply tap the app so it can use audio to recognize the show or music and then the app issues you points. Those points can be redeemed for gift cards.
You can also use the Viggle Live feature to answer trivia or take polls while watching a show to earn extra points. As a free download, Viggle can be an easy way to earn some extra rewards, but be aware that some reviewers have said the app offers a limited selection of gift cards for redemption.
3. Ibotta
The couponers in the crowd probably already know about Ibotta. The app made a splash when it debuted as a totally digital way to earn grocery savings, but it has since expanded to include movie theaters, restaurants and other retailers.
Before shopping, users unlock rebate offers by completing tasks such as posting about the offer to Facebook or Twitter, viewing nutritional information or answering a trivia question. Then you buy a specified product and upload the receipt to claim your rebate cash.
Both Android and Apple devices can download Ibotta for free.
4. Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is a relative newcomer in the world of apps and, like Ibotta, can save you money on groceries and personal care items. However, there are no rebates to unlock; the app simply lets you clip and redeem coupon offers.
After you download the app for free from either the Apple App Store or the Android Google Play store, select the offers that interest you. As of this writing, sample offers include 50 cents for a purchase of sliced cheese, $1 for window cleaner and $2 for two boxes of cereal, among others. Once you’re done shopping, upload your receipt for verification and to receive your account credit.
5. Receipt Hog
Another app that rewards you for taking photos of receipts is Receipt Hog. However, unlike Ibotta and Checkout 51, there are no specific purchase requirements. Snap a photo of your receipt from grocery stores, dollar stores, convenience stores and similar retailers for a credit of coins that can be converted to cash or gift cards.
If you’re wondering why Receipt Hog would pay to see your receipts, it’s because the company operating the app is a marketing firm that is gathering data to create research reports. According to the company, all data is anonymous for reporting purposes.
You can download Receipt Hog for free for either your Apple or Android device.
6. Shopkick
If you still do most of your shopping at brick-and-mortar businesses, Shopkick can be a great way to earn reward points that can be redeemed for gift cards.
Users of the app receive “kicks” for walking into participating stores, scanning items and making purchases. Shopkick is a free download for Apple and Android devices.
7. CheckPoints
CheckPoints works under the same premise as Shopkick. You earn points by checking in at stores and completing tasks such as scanning products. However, CheckPoints offers expanded point-earning possibilities, including rewards for watching videos, shopping on the Web and taking quizzes. Points can then be redeemed for gift cards.
The app supports both Android and Apple devices.
8. Fiverr
You might be familiar with the desktop version of Fiverr, the site that allows you to sell gigs for $5 each. A gig might be anything from completing some quick graphic design work, providing professional advice or creating personalized jewelry. If you have a talent or skill, chances are it can be turned into a Fiverr gig.
Now, Fiverr sellers can use a mobile app to manage their account and sales. However, be aware that the official version of the app is available only for Apple devices. While the Google Play store has plenty of apps using the Fiverr name, these are created by third-party developers and tend to have poor reviews.
9. Field Agent
Field Agent is one of several apps that let you earn some extra money in your spare time by completing market research tasks.
According to the app, most tasks pay from $3 to $12 and may include checking whether a product is in stock at a particular store, snapping a photo of a display or taking a brief survey. When it comes time to cash out, users can receive their money either through PayPal or Dwolla.
Field Agent is available only in the Apple App Store.
10. Easy Shift
Like Field Agent, Easy Shift is an Apple-only app that allows users to earn money for completing tasks such as taking photos of promotional displays. Tasks typically must be completed within 24 to 48 hours, and payment is made via PayPal.
11. Gigwalk
Android users feeling left out because Field Agent and Easy Shift don’t support their phones may want to try Gigwalk instead. Operating under a similar premise, Gigwalk pays users for checking product inventory levels at area stores.
Gigwalk is available for free for both Apple and Android devices.
12. Rewardable
Yet another task-oriented app is Rewardable. As with the apps above, you have the opportunity to sign up for tasks such as checking displays, taking photos and recording information such as prices and inventory levels. According to the company, tasks can take five to 15 minutes to complete and may earn you up to $20 a pop.
Rewardable is a free app for Apple and Android devices.
13. IPoll
If you love sharing your opinion, you might want to download iPoll. Available for free to both Apple and Android users, the app offers “missions” that include taking surveys or providing feedback on products or services. Other earning opportunities include market research activities such as taking photos of store displays.
IPoll will notify you of available missions nearby, although it appears those in large metro areas may benefit most from the app. Some reviewers indicate missions in their area are few and far between.
14. App Trailers
App junkies should consider making some money off their obsession by downloading App Trailers. Compatible with Apple and Android devices, App Trailers rewards users for watching 30-second overviews of apps. You won’t get rich, but if you are already spending a lot of time reviewing the latest apps, you might as well get paid for it, right?
15. ESPN Streak for the Cash
This final app isn’t a sure thing, but it does offer the promise of the largest payout. ESPN Streak for the Cash asks users to predict the winner of a weekly sports competition. At the end of each month, the person with the longest streak gets a monthly prize – currently set at $20,000.
The longest streak on record, as of this writing, is 19, and you can get your chance to go toe to toe with the champion by downloading the free app on your Apple or Android device.
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Thursday, June 12, 2014
Best Jobs in 2014 - Top 5
1. Network Systems and Data Analyst
Technology is playing a huge part in businesses, which means that more data analysts are going to be required in the coming years. Instead of choosing an IT career that is declining, invest in the necessary education to be a data analyst.
2. Personal/Home Care Aides
With the baby boomer generation getting older, it is expected to fuel the need for care givers throughout the country. If you are interested in a medical or nursing career, this could be a great first step towards achieving that goal.
3. Home Health Aides
This job is slightly different from a home care aide, with the services involved including housekeeping, cooking, and/or babysitting. Home health aides do not need to complete a higher education, with a high school diploma said to be enough in almost all states. There will be a 49% increase in the availability of these jobs by 2016, in addition to a solid median pay of $20,000 to $25,000.
4. Software Engineers
With a median pay of $100,000 and an expected rise in employment of 44% by 2016, being a software engineer could be a very lucrative career. Most workers have a bachelor’s degree, while at least half go on to obtain their Master’s or PhD.
The world is becoming more connected with each passing day, and businesses recognize this. They will need to improve their computer networking, which is where software engineers come in. It can be expensive to maintain these computer networks, and businesses want to be as efficient as possible, which is why innovative software engineers will always do well.
Another great aspect to being a software engineer is the flexibility in work hours. As long as you get your work done by a certain deadline, there is no need for you to work the typical 9-5 hour days.
5. Veterinary Technologists/Technicians
The educational background for becoming a veterinary technician is two-fold. Either you can go to two year vet school and get your associate’s degree, or you can get a four year bachelor’s degree from one of the specific schools listed by the state.
With people becoming more concerned about the well being of their pets, the veterinary business is booming.
Technology is playing a huge part in businesses, which means that more data analysts are going to be required in the coming years. Instead of choosing an IT career that is declining, invest in the necessary education to be a data analyst.
2. Personal/Home Care Aides
With the baby boomer generation getting older, it is expected to fuel the need for care givers throughout the country. If you are interested in a medical or nursing career, this could be a great first step towards achieving that goal.
3. Home Health Aides
This job is slightly different from a home care aide, with the services involved including housekeeping, cooking, and/or babysitting. Home health aides do not need to complete a higher education, with a high school diploma said to be enough in almost all states. There will be a 49% increase in the availability of these jobs by 2016, in addition to a solid median pay of $20,000 to $25,000.
4. Software Engineers
With a median pay of $100,000 and an expected rise in employment of 44% by 2016, being a software engineer could be a very lucrative career. Most workers have a bachelor’s degree, while at least half go on to obtain their Master’s or PhD.
The world is becoming more connected with each passing day, and businesses recognize this. They will need to improve their computer networking, which is where software engineers come in. It can be expensive to maintain these computer networks, and businesses want to be as efficient as possible, which is why innovative software engineers will always do well.
Another great aspect to being a software engineer is the flexibility in work hours. As long as you get your work done by a certain deadline, there is no need for you to work the typical 9-5 hour days.
5. Veterinary Technologists/Technicians
The educational background for becoming a veterinary technician is two-fold. Either you can go to two year vet school and get your associate’s degree, or you can get a four year bachelor’s degree from one of the specific schools listed by the state.
With people becoming more concerned about the well being of their pets, the veterinary business is booming.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
The best (and worst) words to have on your résumé
Do you consider yourself a hard worker? A real go-getter? Someone who likes to think outside of the box? Then you're just the type of person who needs to review their résumé ASAP.
A recent CareerBuilder survey found there are some words hiring managers and human resources pros just don't want to see on your résumé. And if you've called yourself a go-to person, a team player or a strategic thinker, you'll need to make a few changes before you send your résumé to anyone else.
The deal-breakers
Unless you want to end up on an employer's "Do not call" list, think twice before you put any of these empty words on your résumé -- they won't accomplish as much as you might hope.
•Best of breed: 38 percent
•Go-getter: 27 percent
•Think outside of the box: 26 percent
•Synergy: 22 percent
•Go-to person: 22 percent
•Thought leadership: 16 percent
•Value add: 16 percent
•Results-driven: 16 percent
•Team player: 15 percent
•Bottom-line: 14 percent
•Hard worker: 13 percent
•Strategic thinker: 12 percent
•Dynamic: 12 percent
•Self-motivated: 12 percent
•Detail-oriented: 11 percent
•Proactively: 11 percent
•Track record: 10 percent
You don't have much time
Given the amount of time your résumé has to make an impression, it should come as no surprise that your choice of words can be exactly the reason you aren't brought in for an interview. In fact, if you get more than a couple minutes of attention, you should consider yourself lucky.
Sixty-eight percent of hiring managers and human resources pros will spend two minutes or less reviewing each résumé they receive; 17 percent will actually spend 30 seconds or less.
The words they actually want to see
If you really are a hard worker, prove it by backing up that claim with some data.Rather than focusing on your previous duties to capture your relevant experience, focus on what you've been able to achieve using your relevant skills. The following terms -- mostly verbs -- should help you refocus your résumé on what truly matters. As an added bonus, hiring managers would love to see these terms:
•Achieved: 52 percent
•Improved: 48 percent
•Trained/mentored: 47 percent
•Managed: 44 percent
•Created: 43 percent
•Resolved: 40 percent
•Volunteered: 35 percent
•Influenced: 29 percent
•Increased/decreased: 28 percent
•Ideas: 27 percent
•Negotiated: 25 percent
•Launched: 24 percent
•Revenue/profits: 23 percent
•Under budget: 16 percent
•Won: 13 percent
The bottom line: You can't afford to make a bad first impression, and you don't have a lot of time to make a good first impression. With some hiring managers, you'll have 30 seconds to make your case, and the numbers say you probably won't make it past two minutes.
A recent CareerBuilder survey found there are some words hiring managers and human resources pros just don't want to see on your résumé. And if you've called yourself a go-to person, a team player or a strategic thinker, you'll need to make a few changes before you send your résumé to anyone else.
The deal-breakers
Unless you want to end up on an employer's "Do not call" list, think twice before you put any of these empty words on your résumé -- they won't accomplish as much as you might hope.
•Best of breed: 38 percent
•Go-getter: 27 percent
•Think outside of the box: 26 percent
•Synergy: 22 percent
•Go-to person: 22 percent
•Thought leadership: 16 percent
•Value add: 16 percent
•Results-driven: 16 percent
•Team player: 15 percent
•Bottom-line: 14 percent
•Hard worker: 13 percent
•Strategic thinker: 12 percent
•Dynamic: 12 percent
•Self-motivated: 12 percent
•Detail-oriented: 11 percent
•Proactively: 11 percent
•Track record: 10 percent
You don't have much time
Given the amount of time your résumé has to make an impression, it should come as no surprise that your choice of words can be exactly the reason you aren't brought in for an interview. In fact, if you get more than a couple minutes of attention, you should consider yourself lucky.
Sixty-eight percent of hiring managers and human resources pros will spend two minutes or less reviewing each résumé they receive; 17 percent will actually spend 30 seconds or less.
The words they actually want to see
If you really are a hard worker, prove it by backing up that claim with some data.Rather than focusing on your previous duties to capture your relevant experience, focus on what you've been able to achieve using your relevant skills. The following terms -- mostly verbs -- should help you refocus your résumé on what truly matters. As an added bonus, hiring managers would love to see these terms:
•Achieved: 52 percent
•Improved: 48 percent
•Trained/mentored: 47 percent
•Managed: 44 percent
•Created: 43 percent
•Resolved: 40 percent
•Volunteered: 35 percent
•Influenced: 29 percent
•Increased/decreased: 28 percent
•Ideas: 27 percent
•Negotiated: 25 percent
•Launched: 24 percent
•Revenue/profits: 23 percent
•Under budget: 16 percent
•Won: 13 percent
The bottom line: You can't afford to make a bad first impression, and you don't have a lot of time to make a good first impression. With some hiring managers, you'll have 30 seconds to make your case, and the numbers say you probably won't make it past two minutes.
5 Common interview questions and how to answer them
An essential part of interview preparation is formulating answers to specific questions. And there are some standard questions that frequently come up during an interview. Here are five of the most common interview questions, as well as what the employer is looking for in your response.
1. Tell me about yourself
This is the most predictable yet sometimes the most frustrating of all interview questions. The interviewer has a copy of your résumé in front of her so why ask the question? This is simply your opportunity to present yourself in the best possible light.
For best results:
•Focus on three or four areas within your résumé that are relevant to the job opening.
•Be concise. Limit your moment in the spotlight to two or three minutes maximum.
•Show enthusiasm. Hiring managers love a genuinely interested candidate.
•Don't get personal. Focus solely on your professional achievements.
2. What do you know about the company?
A vital element to interview preparation is researching the company, including its background, structure and current industry trends. Employers are most impressed by candidates who have taken the time to thoroughly investigate their brand. To stand out from the competition, always check current press releases or company updates on the morning of your interview to reiterate your enthusiasm and interest in the role.
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This is another favorite from the lineup of interview questions and answers.
Responding to the strengths element of this question should be relatively straightforward if you have thoroughly analyzed the job posting and identified the key skills needed. By highlighting your personal strengths that most closely match the company's needs, you are emphasizing your suitability for the role. When it comes to weaknesses, restrict it to just one. It's not a trick question; everyone has weaknesses. The key is to demonstrate your willingness to work on improving them. Admitting to a weakness also shows a level of self-awareness.
4. Why do you want to leave your current position?/Why do you want this job?
Most candidates typically respond to this question by outlining what benefits they will gain from accepting a particular job. The employer ideally wants to know not only what the company can do for you but what you can do for the company. What aspects of your qualifications and experience will add value to the organization if you are offered this job? If you are currently employed but miserable in your present role, it is essential to focus on the benefits of joining the employer, rather than how terrible your predicament is. A negative attitude is one of the principal reasons that new employees fail to succeed in a new job.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
Unless you've been peering into your crystal ball recently, it's impossible to give an accurate answer to this question. What the employer is looking for is an indication of long-term commitment. If you are the preferred candidate, will their investment pay off? Your response should imply that you intend to stick around and grow your career with the company. You may also want to turn the tables and ask the hiring manager where she sees the company in five years' time.
1. Tell me about yourself
This is the most predictable yet sometimes the most frustrating of all interview questions. The interviewer has a copy of your résumé in front of her so why ask the question? This is simply your opportunity to present yourself in the best possible light.
For best results:
•Focus on three or four areas within your résumé that are relevant to the job opening.
•Be concise. Limit your moment in the spotlight to two or three minutes maximum.
•Show enthusiasm. Hiring managers love a genuinely interested candidate.
•Don't get personal. Focus solely on your professional achievements.
2. What do you know about the company?
A vital element to interview preparation is researching the company, including its background, structure and current industry trends. Employers are most impressed by candidates who have taken the time to thoroughly investigate their brand. To stand out from the competition, always check current press releases or company updates on the morning of your interview to reiterate your enthusiasm and interest in the role.
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This is another favorite from the lineup of interview questions and answers.
Responding to the strengths element of this question should be relatively straightforward if you have thoroughly analyzed the job posting and identified the key skills needed. By highlighting your personal strengths that most closely match the company's needs, you are emphasizing your suitability for the role. When it comes to weaknesses, restrict it to just one. It's not a trick question; everyone has weaknesses. The key is to demonstrate your willingness to work on improving them. Admitting to a weakness also shows a level of self-awareness.
4. Why do you want to leave your current position?/Why do you want this job?
Most candidates typically respond to this question by outlining what benefits they will gain from accepting a particular job. The employer ideally wants to know not only what the company can do for you but what you can do for the company. What aspects of your qualifications and experience will add value to the organization if you are offered this job? If you are currently employed but miserable in your present role, it is essential to focus on the benefits of joining the employer, rather than how terrible your predicament is. A negative attitude is one of the principal reasons that new employees fail to succeed in a new job.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
Unless you've been peering into your crystal ball recently, it's impossible to give an accurate answer to this question. What the employer is looking for is an indication of long-term commitment. If you are the preferred candidate, will their investment pay off? Your response should imply that you intend to stick around and grow your career with the company. You may also want to turn the tables and ask the hiring manager where she sees the company in five years' time.
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