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Page 2 November 9, 2017
Health and Wellness
Benefits of Volunteering
(BPT) - In the business world, we hear
a lot about the bottom line and quarterly
reports. For those in the nonprofit sector, it’s
often a matter of reaching fundraising goals
and achieving their mission statement. No
matter what kind of organization you work
for, there are big-picture goals, but of course
there are more.
Increasingly, companies are realizing that
part of this big picture is giving their employees
the opportunity to volunteer for worthy causes,
even paying them to do so. These efforts can
lead to some serious collective gains. For
example, according to The Health of America
- Community Investment Report, employees
from the 36 independent Blue Cross and
Blue Shield (BCBS) companies volunteered
more than 400,000 hours and donated over
$11 million in 2016 alone.
Individual efforts really do add up. Whatever
program your employer has in place, here are
some of the enormous personal benefits that
come with volunteering.
Productivity. Many would like to volunteer
but just don’t have the time. Who doesn’t
want to take a little time off and get away
from their busy lifestyle and just relax? In
a way, volunteering can help you do just
that. According to a study in the Harvard
Business Review, helping or giving your time
to others can make you feel like you have
more time, and in turn, make you a more
productive worker.
Health. Many studies have found that
people who regularly volunteer tend to lead
healthier lives and have a reduced risk of
heart disease. The jury is still out as to why
exactly this is, but giving back to others
seems to reduce stress, build confidence and
increase a person’s sense of satisfaction. These
psychological factors play an enormous role
in our physical health.
While they help create connections and
build community, volunteers also get a huge
amount of personal benefits from their work.
Better health, a sense of satisfaction and joy
that comes with helping others are only a few
of the reasons why more people are deciding
to give their time to others.
Community. In our digital age when
everyone is engrossed in their smartphones
and seem to be locked in their own world,
connecting with others - whether it’s those in
need or other volunteers - is more important
than ever. This is what happened when BCBS
companies spearheaded efforts to improve
health care access for the uninsured and
under-insured. Volunteers helped at mobile
clinics and food banks and with educational
programs, making invaluable contributions
and connections in their communities.
Family. When their employer gives them
the opportunity to take a day or two off to
volunteer, many people bring their family
along. The reason is simple: coming together
to do something for others is an incredible
bonding experience and can really strengthen
relationships. •
Seniors
Finance
5 Essential Soft Skills
for a Job Interview
(BPT) - Picture this: After months of
networking and polishing your resume, you
managed to make the necessary connections,
get in front of the right people and land an
interview.
You deserve to be here. After all, you have
an impressive background, great experience,
fantastic references and are confident you
can exceed the requirements of the job. The
interview is really just a formality.
For many, the hardest part of the job hunt
is simply getting an interview. However,
many top candidates get passed over and are
surprised when they are not offered a job.
The reason for this is they often spend a lot
of time practicing how to answer questions
and explaining their qualifications, but forget
about the soft skills.
A successful interview is about making the
right impression, and these five soft skills are
essential to making the impression that leads
to a job offer.
1. A memorable appearance. We all know
you need to dress your best before going into
an interview, but you should go the extra mile
to ensure the person you meet with remembers
you. In addition to looking clean, tidy and
professional, dress in a way that makes you
feel confident and will make others notice.
2. Be ready to floss on the go. If someone
notices something in your teeth, a piece of
spinach or fleck of cereal, they won’t be able
to see anything else. Before any interview, be
sure to have a pack of Plackers Flossers with
you. Made with strong floss that can quickly
remove any gunk stuck in your teeth, these
convenient one-handed flossers also double as
a toothpick. Don’t leave home without them!
3. Exude confidence. Beyond just making
you look good, the big reason behind dressing
well and double checking that your teeth are
clean and free of gunk is because this will
give you confidence. Hiring managers can
tell the difference between someone who is
confident and someone who is not. Needless
to say, they’re more impressed by confidence!
So even if you’re nervous, dress up, keep
clean, give a firm handshake and-if you have
to-fake it until you make it!
4. Keep it positive. How you answer
questions is often just as important as the
answers you give. Always frame what you
say in a positive note. In describing difficult
managers or poor work conditions at other
companies, frame it as a challenge you were
happy to take on, an opportunity to learn and
grow. Most importantly, remember to smile!
5. Eat well. You might be nervous and lose
your appetite, but be sure you eat well the
night before and the morning of the interview.
Whole grains and foods loaded with fatty acids,
such as salmon, eggs and kale, can help you
feel great and relaxed for the interview. Just
remember to have a few Plackers Flossers on
hand so that energizing meal doesn’t become
an unsightly mess in your mouth! •
7.0 in.
7.0 in.
be a dad today. Take time to
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Cal l 877- 4DAD411 or v isit www. fatherhood.gov
7.0 in.
10.0 in.
be a dad today. Take time to
Cal l 877- 4DAD411 or v isit www. fatherhood.gov
10.0 in.
Take time to
10.0 in.
be a dad today. Take time to
Cal l 877- 4DAD411 or v isit www. fatherhood.gov
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