How to Opt Out of Annoying Work Events Without Burning Bridges

How to Opt Out of Annoying Work Events Without Burning BridgesHow to Opt Out of Annoying Work Events Without Burning Bridges Thanks to a huge push in how employers recruit and retain talented employees, company culture events are on the rise in every workplace. And while some of those events and perks are impressive , weve all witnessed a professional development or team-building event that was more eye-roll worthy than Instagram-worthy.Stuck with an overeager company culture feier planner? Heres how to opt out of less-than-fun professional development events without being labeled not a team player.First, the bad news its not possible or professional to cut yourself off from all culture events. Part of being a team player and getting in important bonding time is being available and in attendance for major events, if only every quarter or so. However, thats no reason you have to block off your calendar to spend time with work people during your personal time. You just have to use your knowledge of your company culture to weigh the necessary frequency of your attendance to ansicht events and fly under the attendance radar. When youve identified an appropriate event to skip out on, plan out your excuse in advance. Frankly, you dont always have to tell people why you cant make it, but you do need a handy phrase you can trot out to avoid an uncomfortable silence when you opt out of work events. As Alison Green writes on her popular blog Ask a Manager , its really not their business why you cant make it, you simply cant make it . And if your previously scheduled engagement happens to be meeting your spouse on the couch to watch Stranger Things, so be it.Sometimes the problem isnt frequency so much as longevity (Im looking at you, holiday partey on a weekend). Instead of completely skipping the event, consider just leaving early. Here are a few lines that will help you exit gracefully Just because you didnt attend doesnt mean you cant particip ate in the fun after part of the party. Use the event as an excuse to follow up with people individually, such as someone from a different department you usually look forward to seeing. This can spur a deeper connection and conversation despite the fact that you didnt go to the event and isnt that the ultimate purpose of company culture events, anyway?Its important to contribute to your company culture (after all, if youre taking our advice, you should love where you work most days). But its also important to establish and protect your work-life balance. Whenever you find it slipping a little too far toward work events, use these tips to opt out of work events or at least limit your time commitment.

5 Companies With A Perfect 5.0 Rating Hiring Now

5 Companies With A Perfect 5.0 Rating Hiring Now5 Companies With A Perfect 5.0 Rating Hiring Now People often say that theres no such thing as a perfect job or a perfect company. However, when it comes to Glassdoor ratings there are a few elite companies that have scored a perfect 5.0 overall rating from their employees.From top-notch work environments to inspiring leaders, these select companies boast some of the most enviable perks and career opportunites around. Here are five companies, from Virginia to the Silicon Valley, that have a perfect rating and are hiring nowClearpath Lending Headquarters Irvine, CA What They Do ClearPath Lending, Inc. has grown to be one of the nations fastest-growing Lenders in the mortgage industry. Their mortgage loan officers are exceptionally specialized in VA mortgage loans and can offer borrowers valuable solutions to meet their financial goals. What Employees Say Fantastic work environment Company really goes above and beyon d to help you succeed. - Current Loan OfficerGlint Headquarters Redwood City, CA What They Do Glint is the people success platform that leverages real-time people data to help global organizations increase employee engagement, develop their people, and improve business results. Leading brands like United Airlines, Intuit, and Sky leverage Glints unique combination of intuitive design, sophisticated analytics, and actionable intelligence to help make employees happier and more successful at work. What Employees Say Leadership kollektiv is confident, smart, no arrogance, great drive, and real. Plus Glint has huge technical advantages compared to market. - Current EmployeeUpside Business Travel Headquarters Washington, DC What They Do Small and medium-sized companies can save real money on every trip, while travelers get hundreds to spend at Amazon.com or their choice of 50+ other top retailers for making those savings happen. What Employees Say This is a group of people on a shared mission to make a big change to business travel. Strong emphasis on getting the product right and the customer experience to be amazing. Team is down to earth, fun and REALLY smart. Open and transparent communication style amongst teams. - Current EmployeeNav Headquarters San Mateo, CA What They Do Nav (formerly Creditera) is the free, modern way for business owners to manage their business credit. Its founders, Levi King and Caton Hanson, are lifelong friends and entrepreneurs. They were inspired to create Nav after their own experience dealing with the complexities of business financing. What Employees Say The company seems very unified in the fact that everybodys job matters. There is also a feeling of unity towards the mission. You can tell the team members are all quite talented. There is a pretty high level of diversity, and a very positive attitude towards it. - Current EmployeeStreetShares Headquarters Reston, VA What They Do The StreetShares communit y brings together business owners in search of funding and investors looking for both financial and social returns. In the end, business owners get the best deal possible, and investors earn a solid return while supporting American small business everybody wins. What Employees Say An impressive group of young professionals. They work hard but clearly have a great time. There is never a dull day. The place is on the move with a lot happening fast High-tech environment. Like having more than one monitor? Everyone here does. - Current Vice President of Business DevelopmentMethodology Glassdoors 5 Companies With 5.0 Rating Hiring Now article identifies companies with the highest overall company rating. Companies considered for this report must have received at least 20 ratings and must have an overall company rating of at least 5.0 on Glassdoor, respectively, as of 10/1/17. Ratings on Glassdoor based on a 5.0 scale 1.0=very dissatisfied, 3.0=OK, 5.0=very satisfied.

The Navys Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Specialists

The Navys Unmanned Aerial Vehicle SpecialistsThe Navys Unmanned Aerial Vehicle SpecialistsUnmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) save time, money, and lives by allowing aerial surveillance by remote control. They also deliver the occasional weapons payloads.The U.S. Navy, Army, and Marines all have created enlisted career specialties for the operation and maintenance of this technology.The Army and Marines have tackled UAV staffing by creating distinct military occupational specialties (MOS) for UAV operators and maintenance crews. The Navy has made UAVs a Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC). Thats a skill or job designator for specially trained personnel whoalready hold down a standard rating, the Navy equivalent of MOS.Job DescriptionThe Navy Enlisted Classification Manual, Volume II, Chapter 4, describes its UAV positions as followsNEC 8361, UAV Systems Organizational Maintenance Technician This is the repair person. Organizational maintenance means basic repairs and cleaning. It might me an replacing major components, but it doesnt involve soldering circuit boards.NEC 8362, UAV External Pilot The other services have a single operator, but the Navy has divided the responsibilities into two jobs. This is the pilot who handles take-offs and landings, controlling planes by sight.NEC 8363, UAV Internal Pilot This is the operator that takes over while the UAV is in the air, controlling it from a greater distance by satellite connection. Internal is a bit of a misnomer, since no one ever getsinsidea UAV. NEC 8364, UAV Payload Operator This is the specialist who remotely operates the sensor equipment on aUAV.NECs 8366, -67, and -68 These three NECs are specifically for the MQ-8 Fire Scout, a UAV helicopter. They are assignments for organizational maintenance technician, payload operator, and pilot, respectively.Automated navigation systems allow missions to be planned and uploaded before take-off. This allows operators to control UAVs by mouse, according to a 2008 Navy Time sarticle.Military RequirementsThe Navy requires a high school diploma for enlistment. Entry into the UAV NECs gets trickier. Sailors must already be trained in one of several Navy ratings and achieve promotion to a particular rank E-3 for UAV and MQ-8 maintenance technicians and MQ-8 payload operators, petty officer third class (E-4) for internal/external UAV pilots and UAV payload operators, and petty officer first class (E-6) for MQ-8 pilots.Those who want to work with winged UAVs (NECs 8361-64) must start out as an Aviation Electricians Mate (AE), Aviation Structural Mechanic (AM), Aviation kooperation Equipment Technician (AS), Aviation Electronics Technician (AT), Naval Aircrewman (AW), or Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ). Intelligence Specialists (IS) also may work as payload operators.For the MQ-8 unmanned helicopter, payload and vehicle operators (8367-68) must come from the AW rating, while maintenance techs may be drawn from Aviation Machinists Mates (AD) or the AE, AM, or AT ratings.Education NeededEntering the UAV field at pay grade E-3 or higher means an operator must already have completed several training requirements, including the formal school for his or her source rating.Beyond that, theres a 21-week course at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where instructors with the Armys 2nd Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment, train soldiers, Marines, and foreign military students on subjects including principles of flight, launch and recovery, maintenance, and aerial intelligence and surveillance.Future CareersAccording to Navy Credentialing Opportunities On-Line, sailors with one of the UAV pilot or maintainer NECs may be eligible for Navy or GI Bill funds for civilian certifications. These includeAircraft or Avionics Electronics TechnicianAerospace TechnicianAssociate-Level Electronics TechnicianUnmanned Aircraft Systems MaintenanceForeign Object EliminationFunding also may be available to test out for a private pilots license with theFAA.