Call People This Week!! #JobSearch #Holidays

Call People This Week!! #JobSearch #Holidays We all know that things tend to get shut down during the holidays.  Even though its hard to get in touch with someone, its important that we dont wait until January, just because people are busy during the holidays. In my last company we had two major efforts going on. One was developing our software, and the other was marketing and sales.  The sales cycle was anywhere from 6 months to more.  At one point, one of the executives said that we should shut down sales and marketing, and focus on development for a year. After that year, we could pick up sales and marketing efforts.  The math on that proposal made no sense at all.  Basically, he was saying to stop the marketing/sales machine from generating anything for 18+ month (12 months for development (we all know that no software project is done by the projected date) and another 6 months to work someone through the sales cycle.  Oh, I should mention: just because I said the sales cycle was anywhere *from* 6 months doesnt mean that the average was 6 months.  Some of the prospects had been in talks with us for over a year.  That means that this guys plan would have stopped all revenue to our company for a solid two years. Doesnt make sense, does it? Well, as job seekers, that is what we are doing when we stop networking during November and December. We try to get back in front of the right people by January, but you already know thats a tough proposition. You have too many people to get in front of and are a tad disorganized and they are just settling into their new year, new strategy, new challenges.  You didnt just delay your communication for two months you delayed your networking results for two months plus weeks or months. Dont do that. In the U.S., next week is a big holiday weekend where most of your contacts will be out from Wednesday through the following Monday.  So take advantage of this, and reach out to them THIS WEEK.  Theyll reply and say Ill get back to you the week after Thanksgiving, which is JUST FINE.  Better to get that response than Ill get back to you in January. This is the week.  Make the call. Send the email. Call People This Week!! #JobSearch #Holidays We all know that things tend to get shut down during the holidays.  Even though its hard to get in touch with someone, its important that we dont wait until January, just because people are busy during the holidays. In my last company we had two major efforts going on. One was developing our software, and the other was marketing and sales.  The sales cycle was anywhere from 6 months to more.  At one point, one of the executives said that we should shut down sales and marketing, and focus on development for a year. After that year, we could pick up sales and marketing efforts.  The math on that proposal made no sense at all.  Basically, he was saying to stop the marketing/sales machine from generating anything for 18+ month (12 months for development (we all know that no software project is done by the projected date) and another 6 months to work someone through the sales cycle.  Oh, I should mention: just because I said the sales cycle was anywhere *from* 6 months doesnt mean that the average was 6 months.  Some of the prospects had been in talks with us for over a year.  That means that this guys plan would have stopped all revenue to our company for a solid two years. Doesnt make sense, does it? Well, as job seekers, that is what we are doing when we stop networking during November and December. We try to get back in front of the right people by January, but you already know thats a tough proposition. You have too many people to get in front of and are a tad disorganized and they are just settling into their new year, new strategy, new challenges.  You didnt just delay your communication for two months you delayed your networking results for two months plus weeks or months. Dont do that. In the U.S., next week is a big holiday weekend where most of your contacts will be out from Wednesday through the following Monday.  So take advantage of this, and reach out to them THIS WEEK.  Theyll reply and say Ill get back to you the week after Thanksgiving, which is JUST FINE.  Better to get that response than Ill get back to you in January. This is the week.  Make the call. Send the email.

Hire the Best Online Resume Writing Services Near Me

Hire the Best Online Resume Writing Services Near MeDo you want to hire the best online resume writing services? You don't have to go too far away from your home computer to find these online companies. The good news is that almost all of them can be found online and you don't have to make a move into a strange city or town just to see them. There are websites that list just about every online company, including the best ones for hire.There are numerous directories that offer individual services, but they usually come in two categories. The first type consists of the larger corporations and the second type consists of the smaller and less popular companies. While most of the large corporations will list only the very best companies in their sites, some of the smaller companies won't put their own company name in the search engines. A simple search of a website's keywords will usually bring up results.Many online companies will provide an automated service. If you find a company onlin e that you are interested in, they may be able to get your job posted for you in about twenty-four hours. However, if you want something more personalized, you will probably have to hire a consultant who specializes in online resume writing services.When you are working with an online company, they will review your resume and make sure it is completely written. They will then supply you with a resume sample or proposal for your review. They will also spend a great deal of time discussing your qualifications and make sure you understand what you need to do to apply for a new job.If you hire someone, you should discuss any other details, such as your skills, interests, education, work history, previous work experience, and references. Don't forget to ask about the hourly rate and the total cost of hiring the online company. It can be much cheaper than paying for college campus tour, and it will be worth it in the end.You can find the best online company by visiting a website that will help you find just the right one. These sites will include companies and services throughout the United States. Some of them may also be members of Professional Resume Writers of America (PRWA).The best online resume writing services will usually offer to give you assistance if you are having a hard time deciding which company to hire. An experienced consultant will be able to help you to decide which company is right for you and to take the time to answer all of your questions.All of the online companies should offer the same basic services, such as cover letters, resumes, cover letters, and bullet lists, along with free consultation and advice on how to successfully and effectively complete your job application. Do your research before you hire any company, because you don't want to hire someone who will only disappoint you.

The Twesume Are You Missing the Boat

The Twesume Are You Missing the Boat I am not a trendy person. I was late to the game on contact lenses, skinny jeans, and Birkenstocks. I still cant figure out how to flat-iron my hair, and I have been wearing earrings from the 80s since the 80s. But when it comes to the internet and most things Geek, I tend to consider myself to be somewhere near the front lines. Even if Im disinclined towards something Im not one for Instagram, for example I usually know its out there. So when the term Twesume popped up in front of me, I wrinkled my nose at it and ran a few searches. It turns out, Im pretty significantly behind on my twesume. You guys, this has been around for a long time. Is this it? Is this the moment where the internet begins passing me by? What on Earth Is A Twesume? Twesume (tweh-soo-may) (I assume): A resume condensed into less than 140 characters, thus allowing for RT/MRTs. Often includes the #twesume and #hireme hashtags. I shall now proceed to write the rest of this blog post without flinching every time I type the word twesume.* Its exactly what it sounds like. A Twitter resume. This seems sensible, since more and more recruiting is done through social media these days, and plenty of job seekers have Twitter accounts. I also came across the suggestion of putting your twesume on your Twitter Biothis strikes me as brilliant, because I never know what to put on mine. Like many other people I know, I wear a lot of hats. Im a writer, a social media strategist, and I do some consulting. This is in addition to my day job. Clearly, Im not going to get all of that onto my twesume, so in order to use one strategically I would have to pick one. So lets try. Target a Market I have a particular love for process documentation, which stems from several years spent as a temp. I always say that the idea behind good process documentation is that someone should be able to walk in off the street, untrained; follow a process already laid out for them, and do any job. Maybe not as well as the person theyre filling in for, but certainly to the extent that no balls get dropped while the person theyre replacing is away. I call this the Hit by a Bus theory of process documentation. Its an area in which I would be interested in contracting or consulting. Good, now I have a specific market to target. Now, er…How would I find them? How would they find me? The Search Bar is Your Friend Remember the annoying Microsoft Word paperclip? Yeah, that was awful. The Twitter search bar is the opposite of that paperclip. I searched on a few variations of Process Documentation and you know what? Most of the hits I got were job postings or requests for proposals. Outside of using my friend the search bar, I read a few tweets where users were sending their twesume directly to job search agencies, headhunters, and so on. #hireme seems ubiquitous. Distill Your Entire Professional Life According to Shakespeare, Brevity is the soul of wit. Shake off the irony of that and lets proceed to being witty, shall we? Obviously, the job or work I want to do has to be in here. Thats Process Design and Documentation. Its Twitter, so I automatically replace and with . I need to talk about myself, specific to my attitude towards the thing I want to do. So how do I approach process design and documentation? Well, I am passionate about clarity, consistency and teamwork. (This sounds like a resume cliché. It is annoyingly true, I drive my coworkers insane with workflows and checklists.) Worth noting, I think, is that I also have over a decade of experience. I want to include hashtags wherever possible, without being annoying. Certainly I will be using #twesume and #hireme. I wordsmithed a little and came up with: @xxxxxxxxxx Clarity, consistency, experience. #hireme for #process #documentation design! #twesume Thats 98 characters. Im going to want to address it directly to potential clients, so Ive allowed ten characters for their handle. If someone wants to retweet that, it will add another 12-14 characters depending on how they do it. I would also add a shortened bit.ly or ow.ly link to my LinkedIn profile or website, which is another ~14 characters. This lands me at a comfortable 126 characters. Done! Im not ready to give up my lengthy CV, but I will certainly add my #twesume to how I look for contracts and clients. How about you? Would you try it? Have you already written your twesume? *I failed completely at this. Cant win em all.

Tip Thief - Turning Weddings into Corporate Events

Tip Thief - Turning Weddings into Corporate Events When it comes to planning the ultimate corporate party, there are ideas to be shared and ideas to be stolen. What this means is that while some things are suited specifically to the event that you are hosting, you can also get away with incorporating tricks and tips from other occasions to blend in beautifully with the theme or the scene that you want to set for the day or evening. Take weddings, for example. Of course we know that the traditional top table is not really to be used elsewhere and in most instances would just look weird and out of character but there are a myriad of other things that you would be able to transfer over without a second thought. The only thoughts that will come to mind from your guests are what fantastic ideas they are for the type of event that you are holding. Wedding Favours Favours at weddings are a big deal. Couple can spend thousands picking out quirky, edgy and original gifts, but why not keep it low-key and personal to your brand? It could be a keyring with your logo or motto etched onto it, a diary or organiser with key events in for your company going forward or even just a pen with your company details on (but keep in mind Wolf of Wall Street it’s never just a pen). It doesn’t have to be placed on a table if you’re not having a meal; leave them in decorated baskets or vases around the venue for your guests to help themselves to. Don’t worry if they take more than their fair share it’ll spur others on to take one before they’re all gone, thus promoting your brand further. Remember that there are people out there that organise events professionally it won’t hurt to take a peek at their previous work to see what standards you need to aim for if you haven’t done it before. Something to keep the mood light-hearted, and as a sure memento of the event and a reminder of who was there, are wedding photo booths. Except this time, they’re not specifically wedding photo booths they can be a photo booth to suit your occasion. Many proprietors of the photo booths are supplying drops and backdrops which aren’t specifically wedding-related anyway, so make good use of it and get some good snaps of everybody having a great time. You can also use this as a promotional opportunity by getting company contact details or any other logos or pictures you would like printed onto the bottom of the photograph most booth-owners are only too happy to oblige. Decorations Keep the need for decoration that weddings require and you will do well. There are many places where you can get discounted decorations but you will always thrive by thinking like a thrifty bride and keeping an eye out for any bargains at any time which can be used again and again throughout the year. Less is more, and if organising your first event, you don’t want to overwhelm people with too much going on visually. Create a relaxed environment and remember that while it’s not ‘the’ big day, it is your big day if planned effectively, all will run smoothly. . Image credits. Main.  Party.  

Resume Writing keywords

Resume Writing keywordsWhen you get into resume writing and you want to know what the most important things are to remember when you do it, keep these key words in mind. These are the keywords that your potential employer is going to use to search for you when they are looking through the resumes on their job boards. They are extremely important. The job of a writer is to make the prospect realize that you exist and that you have something to offer them.First, when you get into resume writing and you are trying to determine what the keyword phrase to write about should be, always keep in mind that the more specific the better. This means that you want to avoid generic terms, as this will probably just get thrown into the pile. Generic terms could refer to anything. In fact, the term 'salesperson' would mean the same thing as 'carpenter'. It does not have to mean anything other than it can be thrown in there.As well, you need to make sure that the term you use is something that your p otential employer is going to find easily on the internet. You do not want them having to actually go to the site where the information is for them to find. If it is a job position, they will search for it on their own.It is also a real problem if you have the keywords out of order. For example, if you were to put 'teacher' in your resume, your potential employer would see that and assume that you were only looking for a teacher position. They would think that you were looking for a teacher position that you already have. Therefore, by putting them in your resume in the wrong order, it will really hurt your chances of getting the job.Remember, as well, that you need to avoid the usage of the phrase that you think is fine, but the one that your potential employer doesnot understand or think is okay. Many times, you need to communicate with them in a very clear manner. If you send them an email or send them a letter with this phrase in it, then you are making the mistake of communicat ing and you do not want to do that.You also need to make sure that your resume is properly formatted. Keep it chronological, clear, and concise. You can leave out some of the key words and then take out other words that will clearly state your job description, but will do so in a way that they do not break up the flow of the page. There are a lot of resume writing sites on the internet that can help you with this aspect of the job.However, you still need to have a personal resume. You cannot simply just send a resume to a company and tell them to take it or leave it. This will not work, because they are looking for your personal information as well as your credentials.You want to include everything about yourself in your resume. You do not need to limit yourself to the information they have requested. That is why you have a personal resume; to provide all of the information in your best light.

What a Microsoft Word Resume Template Can Do For You

What a Microsoft Word Resume Template Can Do For YouHaving a Microsoft Word resume template is a very wise move to take when preparing for a new job. It can make it much easier to be able to get the right information to be submitted for the job.To start out on the right foot when looking for the perfect job, it is always important to have your own resume that you can use to get the first interviews. An old fashioned resume is not always the best way to go for the same. These often will only take the wrong impression with the person who is interviewing you.It is really a wonderful way to see if the job can be the right one for you. You can also add to this resume once you have decided where you want to go with the career you are seeking. It is definitely worth it to have your own Microsoft Word resume template.The biggest thing about getting a resume that will send a positive message is to make sure you get one that is tailored to the job that you are seeking. There are some things th at should not be included and these should be avoided as much as possible. It is better to just throw them all out and use something that is a little different to give you the best chance to stand out from the crowd.Another benefit to having these templates is that you can have a variety of ones to choose from and even have multiple choices so you can customize to exactly what you are after. In today's fast paced world there are no more days off, but there are certainly days where you may need to have a day off. It is still nice to have flexibility so that you do not have to be tied down to a certain schedule in case you are in the field that requires a lot of time off.When using a Microsoft Word resume template you will be able to give people a clear idea of what you are about and also what skills you possess. There are many people who use a Microsoft Word resume template and get more interviews than they might think. Using these templates can really help make your resume stand out and get noticed.When a person does use a Microsoft Word resume template, it is very easy to see exactly what they are talking about. People will notice how professional you are and your confidence level. They will be able to tell if you are comfortable enough with the industry you are working in and how well you can communicate yourself.A Microsoft Word resume template can make it much easier to find a job if you are not quite familiar with the industry or if you do not know the career field you want to go into. It is a great way to show a prospective employer that you are confident and professional when it comes to your resume.

The Biggest Mistake Job Seekers Make...Part 2

The Biggest Mistake Job Seekers Make...Part 2 What is the biggest mistake made by job seekers? These 17 career professionals share the mistakes theyve seen and want job seekers to fix! This is a continuation of responses to the question What is the biggest mistake made by job seekers? When Miriam Salpeter and I asked our talented and knowledgeable job search colleagues for their input on this question, we were thrilled with the answers they provided. You can see more mistakes job seekers make on Keppie Careers post and my Part 1 from yesterday. And Miriam has a new one today as well, check it out here. Todays job hunt is truly competitive. You owe it to yourself to be up-to-date on how to conduct the most successful job search possible because time is ticking! Not Doing The Right Things Many candidates only search for new jobs by typing in a few keywords into job boards or aggregators, but a truly focused job search is more about company searching and targeting your ideal employers. ~Heather Huhman, @HeatherHuhman, Come Recommended   If you want to land a great job focus less on what you want (stability, salary, etc.) and more on how you can solve employers problems. Can you clearly articulate how youre the solution to your potential employers challenges? If not, you have more work to do before youll be a compelling candidate. ~Phyllis Mufson, @PhyllisMufson, PhyllisMufson.com Job seekers often fail to realize that job seeking is a competition â€" they must maintain a competitive spirit to do well. This mindset also removes the pressure of being the “perfect” candidate. After all, even the most prolific winners are rarely perfect… they’re just a little bit better than those they compete against. ~YouTern Team (including Mark Babbitt), @YouTern, YouTern Putting your job search on hold while you wait to hear back from a specific position and company sometimes before youve even been invited to interview for it can cost you in time, momentum, and opportunity (e.g., an interesting opening you may miss during this period). ~Shahrzad Arasteh, @CareerConsult, Career Consulting Services Job seekers focus on job boards as the main thrust of their search instead of generating a multi-faceted campaign that includes networking, job boards, company websites, and building connections on LinkedIn. ~Julie Walraven, @JulieWalraven, Design Resumes Here is something Ive (unfortunately) heard: Ive sent my resume to every Fortune 500 company, whether they had a job for me or not. Im hoping that they will see my qualifications and think of a position for me. ~Cyndy Trivella, @CyndyTrivella, www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiatrivella Many people see the activities of job seeking as episodic. That may have been true in the past, but not any longer. Tasks like tracking accomplishments, updating résumés, networking, and staying current with the industry need to be ongoing so folks aren’t caught by surprise when an unexpected career transition such as a layoff or firing happens. ~Melissa Cooley, @TheJobQuest, The Job Quest   Many people confuse the activity of applying for jobs with the mode of job seeking. Being a successful job seeker in the social era is as much about online visibility, network value and the ability to identify employment opportunities before they ever becomes job adverts others can apply for. ~Hung Lee, @HungLee, Recruiting Brainfood Job seekers have no  idea what happens to their resume when they hit send  and apply for something online. They dont know the  game or how the typical recruitment process unfolds. In order to play the game effectively,  youve GOT to know the game, and then strategize accordingly. ~Jenny Foss, @JobJenny, JobJenny.com Job seekers hide behind a monitor when getting out there and networking face to face for job opportunities will better help them stand out from huge competition. ~Laura DeCarlo, @CareerHero, Career Directors International The worst thing a job hunter can do is to work with a recruiter and then try to bypass him and go directly to the hiring authority. ~Animal, @Animal, Recruiting Animal (If you havent listened to his radio show, you have no idea what you are missing!!! (Wednesdays at Noon EST) Overlooking Differentiating Details Understandably, job seekers can make many mistakes in the complicated new world of job search, but the biggest ones are these two, that go hand-in-hand: 1. Skipping over the essential first step â€" identifying the kind of job you want, targeting the companies that will be a mutual good fit, and researching their current needs and challenges to determine how your expertise  can help them. 2. Running straight for your old resume (if you can find it) and updating it â€" without first knowing who youre targeting, defining your personal brand, and creating content (for your resume, online profiles and other materials) designed to market your unique value proposition and resonate with your target employers.   ~Meg Guiseppi, @MegGuiseppi, Executive Career Brand Job seekers don’t worry enough about their online reputation and the possibility that mistaken online identity is sabotaging their job search efforts. The solution is Defensive Googling.   ~Susan P. Joyce, @JobHuntOrg. Job-Hunt.org and WorkCoachCafe.com Job Seeker fails to develop a personal clarity that includes: (1) who they are in terms of skills, attributes, values, passions (i.e., personal brand); (2) what work they are good at and most enjoy doing; (3) the types of people / organizations they want to work with; (4) the value they can deliver and how they can make a difference.   ~Walter Akana, @WalterAkana, Threshold Consulting Branding: Not taking the brand yourself hype seriously enough.  Corollary: Not understanding what brand yourself means. ~Sudy Bharadwaj, @SudyB,   JackalopeJobs.com One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is trying to be better than the next candidate by using others as a benchmark. In other words, job seekers tend to be afraid to separate from the pack or stray too far away from the expected. They dont want to take chances with their self-marketing. When I first meet clients, they usually have a mind-set around developing marketing dossiers (i.e. resume, cover letter, bio) that showcase they are qualified. However, most job hunters nowadays are qualified. Therefore, every job seekers focus should be to go beyond qualifications, even if that means breaking the mold, taking some risk with marketing, trying a new way fresh way to market their distinction.  The reward will be worth the risk of NOT blending in. Raising a few eyebrows is sometimes a great thing! ~Rosa Elizabeth Vargas, @ResumeService, careersteering.com Job seekers fail to understand or articulate what makes them different from the next applicant. ~Sital Ruparelia. @SitalRuparelia,   SitalRuparelia.com

Yoga Poses That You can do at Your Desk - Punched Clocks

Yoga Poses That You can do at Your Desk - Punched Clocks Office Yoga Poses You Can Do At  Your Desk Does sitting at your desk all day take its toll on your body? If you find your back aching, your shoulders feeling tight, your wrists hurting and your body feeling generally lifeless after a day at the office, you need to introduce office yoga into your work life. Many studios offer lunchtime yoga classes, but for a lot of workers today, leaving the office, changing, doing a yoga class, eating and then getting back in the swing of work in just an hour seems pretty daunting. So, instead of sacrificing your lunch break, try to incorporate some stretching into your day with these yoga poses you can do at your desk! Here are some simple office yoga moves to try right in your office that will help ease the soreness of your muscles from sitting hunched over a computer all day. Office Yoga Poses You Can Do At  Your Desk There are plenty of yoga poses for the office that you can do right in your chair between emails or meetings. Seated Twist The seated twist position is great to loosen your back and stretch your shoulders, hips and neck. Sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you. Bend your right knee, placing your foot on the outside of your left leg. Twist (gently) while exhaling, placing your right hand on the floor behind you. Inhale while wrapping your left arm around the right leg so it is pressed into your thigh. Repeat on the opposite side after taking three deep, slow breaths. A variation of the seated twist is done without even standing up from your desk, so it’s easy to incorporate this office yoga move throughout your day. Simply sit straight up and tall in your office chair. While inhaling, twist to one side and hold your armrest for a few seconds. Then, repeat on the other side. For a deeper twist, try holding the back of your chair instead. Keep in mind while twisting to twist from the abdomen rather than the back to get the best stretch. Scale Pose For a generally rejuvenating pose that will also build core and arm strength, try scale pose. It’s great for strengthening your arms, abs, back, shoulder, hips and wrist so you can sit taller and straighter. Start on the floor (or try at the edge of your office chair). Get in Lotus Pose with your legs crossed and the top of each foot resting on the opposite thigh. Place your hands on either side of your legs so they are pressing into the ground. Push through your hands and keep your shoulders down while raising your buttocks and legs off of the ground/chair. This will engage your core and open your shoulders. Hold for a few breaths, slowly lower yourself and then repeat. Do not do this pose if you have a recent wrist or shoulder injury. Ankle to Knee   Use ankle to knee to open your leg muscles and bring energy back to your lower body after sitting all day. Sit cross-legged with your left ankle on top of your right knee and your right ankle underneath your left knee. Flex your heels to stretch your inner thighs and calf muscles. Let your left knee release down. Lean forward and slide your hands along the floor to really stretch your hips. Stay for one minute and then change sides. For an alternative office yoga pose, try it in your chair: Sit straight up in your chair and place your left foot on your right knee. Allow the left knee to fall open, pressing toward the floor. Place your hands on both knees, keep your back straight and lean forward for a deeper stretch. Hold for a few breaths and then try it on the other side. Fish Pose or Seated Backbend Most of us do office yoga without even realizing it when we stretch our backs by reaching to the sky. To properly stretch your back, try one of these poses. Try fish pose for a traditional exercise (aka if you have a private space to lie down on the ground): Start with your legs in Lotus Pose. Or, if you’re new to office yoga, with your legs straight out in front of you. Lie on your back. Lift your pelvis slightly off the floor, sliding your hands (palms down), below your buttocks. Rest your buttocks on the backs of your hands. Press your forearms and elbows against the floor. Lift your torso and head away from the floor. Release your head back onto the floor, making sure not to put too much weight on your head. (Photo via Bloom Yoga Studio) Or, do a seated backbend in your chair for a modified office yoga pose that’s about as easy as it gets: Sit up straight in your seat and take a large inhale while reaching towards the ceiling with your arms wide. Drop your gaze to a point behind you and slowly bend back, beginning from your upper back and chest area. Hold for a few breaths, release and then repeat. Wrist Release Extension and Flexion After typing all day, your wrists probably need some attention. Take a break from typing and focus on your wrists for a few minutes. Begin with your right arm in front of you and your hand straight up. Use your left hand to pull your right hand towards the top of your arm. Do this on both sides, then switch to pull both hands the opposite direction towards you in the same way. (Image via Daily Mom) Finally, to really loosen up your wrists and forearms, simply shake your wrists from side to side and up and down. Cat and Cow Cat and cow is one of the best poses to open up the shoulders and really stretch the neck and back. Begin on your hands and knees in the center of your mat with a straight back. To move into cat, push through your hands and round your shoulders to create a scooping shape to your back while lowering your head toward the ground. From there, move into cow by rolling your shoulders back and lifting your head to look forward, arching your back in the opposite direction. Continue these movements several times, moving with your breath. Happy Baby There’s a reason babies are happy: they don’t have to work! Try this pose to channel the pure joy that babies seem to bring to life. Lay on your back and hug your knees into your chest. Separate your legs so you can hold onto the outside edges of your feet. With your arms outside of your legs and holding your feet, relax your body and feel your pressure points opening and relieving themselves. Gently rock in this position for a few breaths if it feels natural. Standing Forward Bend   Your basic forward bend has many benefits beyond stretching your legs and hips. It also helps calm stress, reduce fatigue and relieve the headache that comes from staring at a computer all day. Stand with your hands on your hips in Tadasana pose. Bend forward at the hips while exhaling. Bring your finger tips or palms to the floor in front of or beside your feet. Bend at the knees as much as is needed or cross your forearms and hold your elbows while bending. Wide-Legged Forward Bend To open your shoulders and legs, try a wide-legged forward bend. This variation of a regular forward bend will do wonders. Stand wide-legged on your mat with at least a few feet between your feet. Turn your toes toward each other slightly. Slowly fold at the hips, keeping your legs straight and your spine aligned. Drop your head to look behind you while bringing your hands to rest on the floor between your legs. Keeping your hips aligned, walk your hands back as close to your toes as you can. Go as deep into this pose as your body allows and stay for a few breaths. Downward-Facing Dog Downward dog is one of the most common yoga poses, and for good reason. It helps stretch and energize your body and can alleviate head and back pain. It’s also easy to do and very relaxing. Start on your hands and knees, making sure your hips are aligned directly over the knees. Walk your hands up to be slightly in front of your shoulders. Lift your knees away from the floor. Child’s Pose Want a relaxing way to stretch and relieve back and neck pain? Start with child’s pose. Begin by sitting on your heels. Move your big toes so they are touching together. Separate your knees to be as wide as your hips. Exhale and stretch to lay your torso down between your thighs, with your arms extended in front of you. Rest for anywhere from 1 to 3 minutes. Next time you’re feeling sore and tight at the office, try these office yoga poses to reenergize and rejuvenate your body and mind.  If you do a yoga practice outside of work hours, it can really help to incorporate these poses that will help those areas that need a little extra love from sitting at a desk all day. Follow or alternate with some of these deskercises to add even more balance to your work-life. Share your office yoga experiences with us in the comments section and don’t forget to subscribe for more posts to help you live a happy and healthy career life! Get everything you need to build a career you love by signing up for the newsletter.