What to do when your top choice hasnt called with a decision

What to do when your top choice hasnt called with a decisionWhat to do when your top choice hasnt called with a decisionYou went full steam ahead on your job applications until you snagged an interview with your top choice. The meeting went well, and the hiring manager told you to expect a notification soon. You knew that soon wouldnt be three days, but a week has passed.Now, youre closing in on two weeks since the interview. Dont let anxiety over the wait convince you to make a move that may harm your shot at the position, such as aggressively following up or bluffing about another offer.Instead, follow through with these five tips for when your top choice hasnt called with an offer1. Send an email to someone supportiveIn some ways, waiting to hear from your top choice with an offer is like waiting to hear back after a first date. Youre nervous, and your hands are eager to type a hasty glaubenszeugnis to check on your status. Take a step back and ease those nerves.Send an email or m essage to a supportive friend, family member or professional in your network. Talk about your concerns, but also about what you loved and learned during the interview experience. Your support person will actively listen to you while giving you validation and easing your mind. Afterward, youll find you have a bit more patience in waiting to hear back and maybe even the motivation to apply for other positions.2. Breathe and keep living lifeThe nerve-wracking wait may leave you stuck - upping your anxiety and stress, which can suppress your immune system. Youre more prone to getting sick when stressed, and that wont help while searching and interviewing for other openings.Practice mindful breathing to relieve stress - stop those shallow breaths, and take deep breaths to let air into your abdomen at a pace that feels natural to you. Make sure youre in a relaxed position as you breathe in and out. Dont forget about the other activities in your life as you remember to breathe.When welch es the last time you spent quality time with your family, kids, partner or friends? Call up your best friend for a coffee, or drive an hour to see your cousin. Do the dishes, and start that art project youve been talking about for months. Keep living life.3. Keep up the searchFocus on the reality of the situation - you havent received an offer yet. That means that while youre still in the running, you should also keep up the search. In the process, you may even receive an offer, which you can use for negotiating your compensation if your dream employer calls you back with a job offer.Maintaining the search will also keep your mind busy as you put in new applications. Give yourself a job search structure, so that you have a few tasks at specified times to focus on each day. This approach boosts your energy and gives you a positive feeling.4. Send a Thank You noteOnce youve breathed and released your anxiety, send a thank you note to the employer if you havent already. You can send t he note through an online channel youve communicated in previously, such as LinkedIn, or through the mail with a handwritten note. Which medium you choose will depend on a few factors, including time.When composing your letter, include these points of reflectionA highlight from the interviewA positive and surprising fact you learned about the companyA detail about the companys values that resonate with yoursOf course, you should also indicate your interest in possibly contributing and joining the business.5. Prepare for the worstWhile you and your family are hoping for an offer, you want to prepare for the possibility that you dont receive it. If the call comes and you dont get the position, carry your professional reputation forward by thanking the interviewer or hiring manager. Ask that they keep your records on file for future consideration and if you may reach out through LinkedIn to connect.A more difficult scenario arises when no one reaches out to you at all. Two weeks become three, and then a month passes. Its a possibility that reflects on the company, not you. Remain gracious and give them the benefit of the doubt by sending out a brief follow-up email with a warm and professional tone.Waiting is the worst when it comes to interviewing for a company you love. Dont let the wait drive you to check-in too much or say the wrong thing. Keep up the search. If they dont reach out, be gracious and choose to make this a positive learning experience. The right offer will come, often when you least expect it, and it will be worth the wait - because the company recognizes your value.Subscribe to thePunched Clocks newsletterfor more career advice from Sarah.

Air Force Inspector General (IG) Complaints Program

Air Force Inspector General (IG) Complaints ProgramAir Force Inspector General (IG) Complaints ProgramThe Air Force IG Complaints Program is a leadership tool that indicates where command involvement is needed to correct systematic, programmatic, or procedural weaknesses and to ensure resources are used effectively and efficiently resolves problems affecting the Air Force mission promptly and objectively creates an atmosphere of trust in which issues can be objectively and fully resolved without retaliation or fear of reprisal and assists commanders in instilling confidence in Air Force leadership. The primary charge of the IG is to sustain a credible Air Force IG system by ensuring the existence of responsive complaint investigations, and FWA programs characterized by objectivity, integrity, and impartiality. Only the IG may investigate allegations of reprisal under the Military Whistleblowers Protection Act. The IG ensures the concerns of Air Force active-duty, Reserve, and Guard m embers, civilian employees, family members, retirees, and the best interests of the Air Force are addressed through objective factfinding. Installation IG Program The concept of separate, full-time installation IGs was implemented to remove any perceived conflict of interest, lack of independence, or apprehension by Air Force personnel. This came as a result of the previous practice of assigning thechain of command and IG roles to the same official. The installation IG is organized as a staff function reporting directly to the installation commander. IG Role IGs are the eyes and ears of the commander. They keep the commander informed of potential areas of concern as reflected by trends they function as the factfinder and honest broker in the resolution of complaints they educate and train commanders and members of the base population on their rights and responsibilities in regard to the Air Force IG system and they help commanders prevent, detect, and correct FWA and mismana gement. Personal complaints and FWA disclosures help commanders discover and correct problems that affect the productivity and morale of assigned personnel. Resolving the underlying cause of a complaint may prevent more severe symptoms or costly consequences, such as reduced performance, accidents, poor quality work, poor morale, or loss of resources. Even though allegations may notlage be substantiated, the evidence or investigation findings may reveal systemic morale issues or other problems that impede efficiency and mission effectiveness. Investigations Not Covered and Complaints Not Appropriate Administrative inquiries or investigations governed by other policy directives and instructions are not covered under the IG complaint program. These inquiries and investigations include commander-directed inquiries and investigations, Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) or security forces investigationsand investigations of civilian employees who have specific appeal rights under law or labor union agreements. Investigations under the authority of the UCMJ or the Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM), line of duty or report of survey investigations, quality assurance in the Air Force Medical Service Boards, Air Force mishap or safety investigations, and medical incident investigations are also not covered under the IG complaint program. Additionally, the IG complaint program may not be used for matters normally addressed through other established grievance or appeal channels unless there is evidence that these channels mishandled the matter or process. If a policy directive or instruction provides a specific means of redress or appeals to a grievance, complainants must exhaust these means before filing an IG complaint. Complainants must provide some relevant evidence that the process was mishandled or handled prejudicially before IG channels will process a complaint of mishandling. Dissatisfaction or disagreement with the outcome or findings of an al ternative grievance or appeal process is not a sufficient basis to warrant IG investigation. Examples of Complaints Not Covered and the Governing System/Directive Changes to a Publication (AFI 33-360, Vol 1)Civilian Complaints (Civilian grievance channels)Complaints of Wrongs under Article 138, UCMJ (AFI 51-904)Enlisted Administrative Separations (AFI 36-3208)Equal Opportunity in Off-base Housing (AFPD 32-60)Landlord or Tenant Disputes (AFI 32-6001)Medical Treatment (MAJCOM SG)Military Equal Opportunity and Treatment Issues (discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, or disability) (AFI 36-2706)Punishment under UCMJ (AFI 51-201) Suggestions (AFI 38-401)Support of Dependents and Private Indebtedness (AFI 36-2906) Filing an IG Complaint Air Force military members and civilian employees have a duty to promptly report FWA or gross mismanagement a violation of law, policy, procedures, or regulations an injustice abuse of authority, inappropriate con duct, or misconduct and a deficiency or like condition, to an appropriate supervisor or commander, to an IG or other appropriate inspector, or through an established grievance channel. Complainants should attempt to resolve the issues at the lowest possible level using command channels before addressing them to a higher level or the IG. The immediate supervisory command chain can often resolve complaints more quickly and effectively than a higher level not familiar with the situation. Use the IG system when referral to the command chain would be futile, or there is fear of reprisal. How To File an IG Complaint If you believe you are unable to resolve your complaint in command channels, review the above to determine if the complaint should be filed with the IG. You may file a complaint if you reasonably believe inappropriate conduct has occurred or a violation of law, policy, procedureor regulation has been committed.Complete the personnel data information on AF gestalt 102 (typ ed or printed legibly) (the preferred format for submitting complaints), so it may easily be reproduced.Briefly, outline the fact and relevant background information related to the issue or complaint on AF Form 102. List the allegations of wrongdoing BRIEFLY (in general terms) and provide supporting narrative detail and documents later when interviewed. Write the allegations as bullets that answer who committed the violation what violation was committed what law, policy, procedure, or regulation was violated and when the violation occurred.Submit the completed AF Form 102 to any Air Force IG and set up a follow-on meeting to discuss the complaint.If the IG is named in the complaint, contact the next higher level IG. Complainants Rights Complainants have the right to File an IG complaint at any level without notifying or following the chain of commandFile a complaint with an IG without fear of reprisalRequest withdrawal of their complaint in writing however, IGs may still look i nto the allegations at their discretionRequest the next higher level IG review their case within 90 days of receiving the IG response. Specific reasons must be given as to why the complainant believes the original investigation was not valid or adequate simply disagreeing with the findings is not sufficient for additional IG review. Request express confidentiality if they fear reprisalSubmit complaints anonymously Complainants Responsibilities Complainants must file within 60 days of learning of the alleged wrong. IG complaints not reported within 60 days may seriously impede the gathering of evidence and testimony. The IG may dismiss a complaint if, given the nature of the alleged wrong and the passage of time, there is areasonable probability that insufficient information can be gathered to make a determination, or no special Air Force interests exist to justify investigating the matter. Complainants must cooperate with investigators by providing factual and relevant informati on regarding the issues. Complainants must understand that they are submitting official statements therefore, they remain subject to punitive action for knowingly making false statements and submitting other unlawful communications. Confidentiality Policy The IG makes every effort to protect the identity of complainants from anyone outside IG channels. IGs may release the name of a complainant only on an official need-to-know basis. Investigating officers do not divulge a complainants name to a subject or witness or permit the complainant to read the complaint without the IGs or appointing authoritys written permission. Above information derived from AFPAM36-2241V1

How full-time parents can reclaim a full-time job

How full-time parents can reclaim a full-time jobHow full-time parents can reclaim a full-time jobYou dont have to be paid for your efforts to list them as work experience on your resume.Sonja Fryes kids were getting older, and she decided she wanted to return to the workforce. The problem welches, she didnt have a resume. She hadnt worked in years, she told herbei resume writer, Mandy Minor. What experience could she even put on a resume?Frye had plenty of work experience, said Minor, co-founder and president of J Allan Writing and Design Studios, who helped Frye write a new resume. She just called it by a different name.Minor interviewed Frye for several hours and mined a treasure trove of work experience related to her field that would impress any employer. Most of it was related to her position as a council representative to the advisory council of an 800-student elementary school in Florida. There she managed a $419,000 budget overseen by two leadership groups it represented 100 stakeholders and drafted a 25-page report on the organizations future direction.She also served three years as co-president of an elementary school parent-teacher organization, where she managed 25 committees, appointed committee leaders and interim seats for five executive-level positions and raised more than $310,000.Nothing to put on a resume? Hardly. Those are quantifiable results and verifiable work experiences. More to the point, treating that volunteer work as legitimate work experience did the trick Fryes resume, posted on a job board, caught the eye of a recruiter at an educational bookseller that services schools and school libraries. Fry was hired as a literacy resource consultant in November.Frye is notlage alone in assuming that years as a full-time parent left her without work experience to impress a would-be employer. Many see their time away from an office as little more than household chores and grocery lists, said Minor and several other professional resume writer s who spoke to Ladders. These job seekers disregard relevant work experience done as volunteers or on a part-time basis that can serve as the foundation for an updated, relevant resume.Consider going back to your previous professionLike many full-time moms, Elizabeth Moorehead had a part-time job She worked a few hours per week as a schlussverkauf clerk at J.C.Penneys department store to earn some extra money. When her husbands business hit a rough patch in 2008, she decided she needed to do more than earn a little extra money and began to plot a return to the workforce. Like Frye, she looked back at the past 16 years and didnt see any current experience relevant to her previous career as a civil engineer. It seemed she would need to start over in a new career or take a less senior job in her profession.Catherine Jewell, a career coach who recently published New Resume, New Career Get the Job You Want with the Skills and Experience You Already Have, helped her discover recent, rele vant experience as an engineer.Again, volunteer experience saved the day. Jewell discovered, when interviewing Moorehead, that she had kept her toe in the engineering pool. Thanks to volunteer work as a member of the Education Playground Committee of her local school board, she could list on her resume recent achievements including writing grant applications totaling $30,000 safety-testing equipment vendor and supplier management on a limited budget managing 100 volunteers monitoring construction activities for environmental issues, such as water runoff, erosion and pollution conducting a limestone inventory for her township to ensure safe groundwater resources and redesigning a 20-acre park to protect the lake and native plant species.Those accomplishments, plus her civil-engineering accomplishments from 16 years ago, went to the top of her resume, Jewell said. She used a functional-resume format rather than a chronological resume to highlight those skills. While it was more recent , Mooreheads work at J.C.Penneys was pushed to her work history on page two.The process not only produced a more impressive resume. After several hours of interviews on the topic, Moorehead walked out with new confidence. She realized how current her skills actually were. She no longer felt out of practice.Present relevant volunteer work as if it were paidAs Fryes and Mooreheads stories exhibit, the volunteer work is often directly related to an individuals professional experience. Professional resume writers say it should be listed without apology on a resume, including all relevant responsibilities and achievements.I always ask clients what kind of volunteer work they do, Minor said. They teach courses on motorcycle safety, they lead a Boy Scout troop. I always encourage people to do stuff on the side. It really helps your resume.Beyond enhancing your resume, volunteering is a great way to meet people who might be in a position to hire or work for someone who is. Its also a great way to stay curent and sane, Minor said. Im a parent, she said. If all I did was kid stuff, well, its just not healthy. You have to try to get out of that bubble.Start volunteering nowWhat if youre a full-time parent who hasnt been volunteering or working full-time? Start doing so as soon as possible, Minor suggests. Volunteer in an industry or profession that directly relates to your dream job. And while youre embarking on your new volunteer career, make sure to keep track of the numbers so that youll have quantifiable achievements to list on your resume.Take notes, Minor said. Keep track of the size of teams, the amount of money you raise, and, even if you have to write a proposal, how many pages was the proposal or report. Anything to quantify what youre doing.Consider carefully whether to include part-time or survival jobsIn a nutshell Sometimes Homemaker 1999-2009 can be more impressive than a fast-food or retail job, Jewell said. If youre going to list part-time or survival jo bs, try to stick to those that have some kind of relevance to your target job.Consider a boomerang career changeThe important thing when re-entering the work force after an extended absence is not to get your dream job right out of the gate. Instead, concentrate on getting your foot in the door, Jewell said. From inside a company, you have greater options for career advancement.Moorehead applied for a job in the Water Resources agency in her home state. She was passed over for the job but was urged by the human-resources manager to apply for another job as an air-quality engineer in another department. Air-quality engineer is not her dream job, but she works within the same department, sitting across the aisle from the water-resources engineers. Shes hanging with them. Theyre all buddies. When theres an opening, shell be there, right across the hall. And shes back to work.