Career

If you are a truck driver, you have a lot of opportunities before you. If you accept different types of cargo, you can significantly increase your earnings potential, even if you haul general freight.

The type of commercial driver’s license (CDL) you have can affect whether you can obtain various endorsements that may increase your earnings. So, here are a few different types of CDL endorsements and CDL endorsement codes so you can bring career to the next level.

Endorsements for CDL

You can operate different CMVs depending on which endorsements you have on your CDL. You need to apply for which endorsement you wish to receive when applying for your CDL. You’ll receive the appropriate CDL endorsement test once you have declared which ones you want. Each state also requires an endorsement, just as there are different CDL Classes between states.

A commercial driver’s license endorsement must operate certain commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). For the following federal endorsements, additional tests are required outside of those required for Class A, B, or C CDLs. State-specific endorsements may also be available.

Among the different endorsements you can pursue are:

H Endorsement

When an endorsement H is added to a CDL, the driver is permitted to drive a vehicle loaded with hazardous materials. A written knowledge test is required before the H endorsement can be granted.

N Endorsement

An N CDL endorsement allows an operator to operate a tanker vehicle (which transports liquids and gases). Drivers who wish to obtain a tanker CDL endorsement N must pass a written knowledge test.

P Endorsement

It would be best to have a P endorsement to operate a vehicle or bus that seats 16 people (including you, the driver). You must pass both the passenger P knowledge test and the road test to receive this endorsement. To drive a school bus, you must fill out separate forms and undergo a federal background check (since school bus drivers need two different endorsements).

S Endorsement

An S endorsement is the second endorsement a school bus driver needs. As stated previously, to receive an S endorsement, you must pass a written knowledge test, a driving test, and a background check.

T Endorsement

You can operate double or triple trailers if you hold the T endorsement, but you must clear a written knowledge test to obtain it.

X Endorsement

You can operate a vehicle hauling hazardous materials in a tank with the X endorsement. It needs to pass a written test to get the combination endorsement.

The app can help you manage your driving career if you want to get a CDL and advance your career with the right endorsements. Applying to new jobs is easy to store all your application information, including endorsements and certifications. There are also jobs available based on the licenses you hold.

Retirement is one of the most challenging topics for many people. Some people have to forcefully retire because of an illness, job loss, or other reasons. On the other hand, some people even fear thinking about retiring. It is either because they love what they do or aren’t ready to face the unknown.

What’s more difficult is deciding what the right time to retire is. Some people plan out their retirement according to age (usually above 60), while others set a financial goal. However, it is imperative to ensure that you have enough to support yourself and your family before giving up your paycheck. Read the seven signs given below to make your retirement assessment easier.

You have enough financial support

Financial support is the first thing you need to think about before retiring. Ask yourself whether you have enough money saved? And will you be able to live comfortably with that amount? Figuring out finances can be a hassle. You must understand that you cannot live on social security alone. You need to have some extra source of income to ensure you can sufficiently fulfill all your needs.

Consider hiring a financial planner. Financial advisors are highly qualified professionals who can help you set realistic goals, save time, minimize self-bias, and reduce stress. However, no one can tell you a fixed amount you need to retire. Your expenses will also highly rely on where and how you live. For instance, many say that retirement in Australia is pretty costly because prices are skyrocketing compared to other countries. Still, no financial advisor can tell you exactly how much do you need to retire in Australia or any other country for that reason. However, they can give you a pretty close estimate that can help you decide whether you should quit now or later.

You don’t owe anyone anything

Paying debts can become a nightmare without a steady stream of income. So, if you have any unpaid mortgages, loans, credit lines, credit card balances, or any other debt, know that it is not a good time to retire.

Your savings and money post-retirement should only cater to your personal needs and requirements and not pay off your debts. Some finance experts also call retiring with debt a ‘financial sin.’ By paying off debt before retirement, you can reduce the amount of interest paid overtime. You can also enhance your credit score and remove the emotional/mental burden off you. And most importantly, you will be able to focus on your savings solely for retirement purposes. It is always helpful to have a pre-plan and remain organized whenever you plan to retire.

You can cover your healthcare

It is astonishing how costly healthcare has become. It would be almost impossible for an average person to afford primary treatment without external help or some healthcare program. Medicare usually begins at the age of 65 and above. So, if you are planning to retire before that, you must look for ways to cover your healthcare.

If you get healthcare benefits through your spouse’s or a family member’s employment, then that is a sign that you can retire early. Similarly, you can also retire if you have health insurance to conveniently pay out of your savings. Several private health insurance schemes offer tax-free distributions to provide pocket-friendly medical plans.

You have a plan for emergencies

Emergencies can strike at any time. As much as we don’t like thinking about something wrong, we must always remain prepared. 

An emergency fund is crucial because it will help you deal with unanticipated circumstances in the best way possible. You might need a sudden car repair, home repair, or pay major dental expenses. Sometimes people need to travel or pay a bigger-than-expected tax bill unexpectedly. There could be several other reasons, and therefore, you must have a plan to cope with emergencies. Planning such scenarios will help avoid panicking and stressing out later if anything happens.

You have a social life

Having friends or family or both is highly essential when you retire. Even if you want to spend your retirement years alone, there will come the point when you start feeling lonely and isolated.

Often, people make their job their identity. Their social life lies within office boundaries. If you are also like them, make sure you find a new social circle before quitting. Otherwise, you might feel lonely and alone. Keep in mind that you will no longer get the chance to meet, have lunch, or converse with your colleagues once you retire. If you can live with that fact, then that is a sign that you are ready to retire.

You have a hobby

As mentioned above, retirement isn’t easy for many people, especially workaholics. You must pick a hobby to keep yourself entertained if you consider retiring. Having a hobby will help you feel less stressed about leaving your job and keep you busy.

Some hobbies you can look into are joining a book club, volunteering in your local community festivals, or gardening. You can also look into learning photography, pottery, and woodworking. If you are into sports, you can join some local sports clubs and play for charities.

You know about your tax bills

The last and the most crucial thing to understand before making your retirement decision are your taxes. You must account for taxes and figure out how much savings you will have after tax deductions. If the excess income is sufficient for you to enjoy your past years, nothing should stop you from quitting your job.

Every city and country has a differing set of tax rules for seniors and retired individuals. Some are also more favorable than others, hence, do your research and then choose.

Conclusion

Retirement can be a daunting yet exciting thought. The thrill about not having to work anymore and just sitting back and relaxing is indeed exhilarating. However, the transition from a workaholic individual with a strict routine to a freebie isn’t going to be easy. You must make sure that you are both physically and mentally prepared to retire before you take any step. If you are not, you might affect both your health and peace of mind. Therefore, review the signs mentioned above, think carefully, and decide.

Freelancing is a perfect way to be your own boss with nobody dictating you around and telling you what to do. There are more than a billion freelancers in the world today, which indicates that this is the field to be in.

Changing economic situations and the COVID-19 pandemic pushed many youngsters to become freelancers. The field has been popular for quite some time now, but the pandemic forced all of humanity to stay indoors. During this time, millions of people lost their jobs and livelihoods; in this case, freelancing platforms proved to be a great option to earn.

The best thing about freelancing is that you don’t have to go anywhere and can carry out work from the comfort of your house. This is enough to entice people to become a freelancer. Many people with stable jobs also freelance part-time for some extra cash.

Freelancing is exceptionally fruitful; however, a few concerning issues arise when working with clients from different parts of the world. International clients prefer hiring freelancers from other countries because the exchange rates are comparatively much more economical for them.

Having clients from across the border is a wonderful feeling because you are essentially getting a decent amount of money, but this awesomeness comes with a few limitations. Let’s look at what are some of the problems faced by freelancers with international clients.

1. Language Barrier

The biggest problem that arises while working with clients from other parts of the world is the language barrier. Clients speak a different language, and some of them are not as fluent in English as others.

Sometimes this causes a lot of problems because understanding what the other person wants becomes difficult. Due to this issue, it sometimes takes a considerable amount of time to be clear about everything. This also develops a sense of irritation among both parties and the chances of losing the business increase.

What a freelancer should do in this situation is to ask all the questions as simply as possible. The skill of understanding what a client wants develops over time and with experience. So, hang in there.

2. Communication Gap

The communication gap is another factor that creates problems for the freelancer and the client. In a physical setting or a job environment, the person asking us to do a task is near us and can guide us if they want things to be a certain way.

With the language barrier already in play, not being at the same place brings out the communication gap. This results in more revisions and consumes a good chunk of time that might affect the task completion for other clients.

When the freelancer thinks they are all done and submit their work, the client informs them about the things that need to be done differently, and they might have to start working on the project all over again.

The best thing to do is gather all the minute details about the project before working on it to avoid future mishaps.

3. Payment Issues

One of the biggest problems is getting paid as a freelancer. Freelancers begin their careers with freelancing platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr. Once they are experienced enough and have gained stable clients, they try to take up the clients personally out of the freelancing platforms.

The thing about freelance platforms is that they charge a fee for bringing the clients and freelancers together. This fee depends upon the payment you are receiving, and as the payments grow, the fees increase as well. People don’t want that and move outside of the platforms. This creates payment issues because of the country differences.

4. Tax Issues

Taxes are not fun, but they are essential. In addition to your country’s taxes, there might be tax implications of the country your client is from.

You have to figure out all the taxes before getting your hopes high and later get disappointed. We suggest you get some professional advice regarding the taxation process and begin your projects with foreign clients.

5. Time Difference

Time is another concern for freelancers. Clients from across the borders have different time zones than freelancers, which can be a major inconvenience. Because of this reason, the responses can get delayed and limit your work. Getting a quick response for something important related to the task will become a hassle because of the time zones.

The same goes for the client; they will have to wait a long time if they want to get in touch with you regarding a few chances.

If you want to work with foreign clients, you either have to adjust to the different time zones by changing your working hours or communicate everything before starting the projects together.

Although there are a few complications in the freelancing world with all its advantages, you can ignore the issues. You can work around the problems and solve them, not get too flustered, and be patient.

STEM pathways are some of the most challenging options you can select for schooling. However, they’re also among the most rewarding. While it takes a lot of hard work to make it in a STEM field, we promise it’s worth it, and today we’re sharing some tips to help make things a little easier for you.

Seek Tutoring

The first thing to do is seek guidance from someone who has already followed the path you’re pursuing. At a high school level, this is best done by engaging the services of the best VCE tutors Melbourne has to offer. They’ll be able to assist you with any concepts you don’t understand and with a tutor on your side, you can achieve the grades you need to get into your preferred higher education course. The key is that you have to be willing to put in the work too.

Go to Seminars and Conferences

Another great way to make the pathway to your career flow smoothly is to attend seminars and conferences. Hearing from experts who’ve achieved the goals that you’re aiming for is both educational and motivational. In some cases, they can even count as course credits.

You never know when an extra point or two toward your schooling will come in handy, and because you’re learning about something you’re interested in, you should have no trouble engaging with the lecture.

Take the Advanced Course

Speaking of course credits, if your school offers them, advanced courses are a great way to further your learning and prepare yourself for the future. You’ll most likely need to sit an exam to get into these types of courses, but both your tutor and your mentor can help you prepare. Though it will take more work, the extra knowledge you gain will be invaluable.

Get Hands-on

If advanced courses aren’t offered at your school or don’t fit in with your already busy schedule, you could also consider getting hands-on with a school-funded club or community initiative. As society focuses on increasing interest in STEM pathways, more extracurricular options are appearing, and they can be greatly beneficial for your future career.

These offerings are also a great option for those who choose to take advanced courses, but it is important to be mindful of your workload and only join a club or program if you have the time and energy to do so.

Attend a Summer Program

Many school districts now offer camps or mini-courses over the summer break, and if it is possible for you to join one, you can get a competitive edge in your desired industry.

Get a Mentor

Finding a mentor in your desired field is a powerful way to get ahead. As they’re already working in the career you aspire to have, they can provide a whole host of tips and tricks that can help you get where you want to be.

A mentor can also introduce you to people who could provide great learning resources or opportunities that you may not have otherwise been able to access. For these and other advantages, it’s certainly worth looking into.

Finally, it is important to remember that you have chosen one of the most challenging pathways available to students. While this certainly shouldn’t dissuade you from following your dreams, it should be kept front of mind so you can show yourself compassion when you feel like you’re lacking. All skills take time to grow, and you’re still young. Make sure you’re drinking enough water, getting enough sleep, and not being too hard on yourself. You’ve got this.

It is no secret that since the pandemic, healthcare occupations have been in demand like never before. COVID-19  coupled with an aging population is causing the healthcare industry to skyrocket. If you are looking for a rewarding career path that is both lucrative and flexible, you may want to consider taking a job in healthcare.

The past two years, and the rapidly spreading COVID-19 pandemic, have caused significant damage to many different occupations and job markets. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare industries are projected to grow much faster than the average occupation. Healthcare jobs are expected to rise at least 16% from 2016 to 2026. If you are serious about finding consistent work with high potential for growth consider the following healthcare occupations.

Physician Assistants

Just like doctors, physician assistants are medical professionals that treat and diagnose illnesses in patients. Responsibilities include prescribing medications, managing treatments, and therapies, and acting as a primary healthcare provider. Since COVID-19 caused hospitals to fill up in record-setting numbers, patients have been advised to seek medical treatment outside of hospitals. This has increased the demand for private practices, minute clinics, and physician assistants.

Physical Therapist Assistants

If you are looking for a career path that is constantly growing and always in demand, you may want to consider a job as a physical therapist assistant. As a physical therapist assistant, your primary role is to help improve the physical capabilities of your patients. As one of the most rewarding occupations in healthcare, you will be able to witness your patients grow from the start of an injury or illness to the end of a full recovery. While assisting the physical therapist, you will help your patients perform specific tasks to improve their mobility, strength, and other physical attributes.

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists are in high demand, especially with the damage COVID-19 can do to the respiratory system. As a respiratory therapist, you would be responsible for working with patients who have difficulty breathing. Some causes of respiratory issues stem from asthma, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, and various sleep disorders. Respiratory therapists also have the freedom to work in many different professional settings. You could find work in emergency rooms at a hospital, private medical offices, asthma clinics, and more.

Medical Secretary

With the growing need for medical practices, medical secretaries are becoming more and more in demand. While not entirely correlated with patient care, medical secretaries are the backbones of the doctor’s office. Tasks include everything from greeting patients to managing records, collecting insurance information, and processing payments. Medical secretaries also schedule patient visits, oversee the medical supply inventory, and arrange hospital visits.

Healthcare Manager

Healthcare managers play an essential role in the day to functions of any healthcare industry. Responsibilities include overseeing various departments such as physical therapy, doctors, offices, hospitals, nursing departments, and more. Healthcare managers, also known as medical managers, coordinate and direct healthcare providers’ everyday business operations and tasks.  You would do everything from hiring new employees to managing billing operations and creating work schedules.

Registered Nurse

While one of the most popular careers in healthcare, nursing is also the most flexible. There are limitless amounts of nursing career paths to take, resulting in high-demand jobs in every department. Registered nurses can find work at hospitals, private clinics, nursing homes, schools, and more.

Responsibilities include observing and analyzing patients, treating patients, recording medical data, operating medical equipment, and communicating with doctors, patients, and families. Nurses can also work anywhere in the country and even travel from state to state working in different hospitals.

Job Security and Higher-Than-Average Pay

As the healthcare industry continues to grow, more and more career paths arise every day. You can now find consistent work in every aspect of healthcare, from technology, administrative work, services, and more. If you’re looking for a new career path, now would be a great time to discover what the healthcare industry can provide for you.

Have you completed your bachelor’s or Masers? Wants to seek admission in any institute. Looking for an internship or job? In all cases, you need someone who could write a letter of recommendation for you. Professors, counselors, or managers write these letters. A good recommendation letter makes your application strong and makes you stand out in the competition.

Asking for a recommendation letter could be quite frustrating or exhausting as you haven’t done this task before. Here you will get everything regarding the Recommendation letter. How and who you should ask for a recommendation letter? Do and don’ts with simple tips to get you secured.

What is a Letter of recommendation?

A letter of recommendation is simply the viewpoint of someone else towards you. That other person might be your teacher, counselor, or your company manager. Applying for admission in an undergraduate program or graduate school or applying for a job, you are asked for one to three recommendation letters. These letters reflect your personality traits and what your behavior is with staff members.

Note that if your job requirement isn’t asking for a letter of recommendation. But believe me that this could be the factor which will urge them to review your application amongst all. So go for this even if it is not demanded. A recommendation letter seems professional witness of your character and integrity at the workplace.

How to Ask for the Letter of Recommendation

Applying for the first time and asking for a recommendation letter could be quite awkward for you and makes you feel uneasy. It’s a normal thing; everybody suffers the same. When asking for a recommendation, be discreet and humble. It will increase your chance of getting selected.

Prepare a Summary

First of all, prepare a summary in which you have noted all the subjects taken by the professor. Mention all those projects you have done. Mark your semester grades and overall grade in the course. Don’t forget to mention that paper in which the professor praises you. Just remind him about that. The summary should be like such that when the professor has a glance, it makes your character and complete background in his mind.

Ask Earlier

Just makes sure that you contact your professor on time. Book an appointment or meeting one month before the deadline. As professors have tight schedules and many tasks undone on their tables. Some professor has certain criteria that they will write a specific number of recommendation letters some may opt for ‘first come, first serve’ policy, so be the first guy. Writing a recommendation letter takes a lot of time, so having ample time for it makes it more authentic.

Pro Tip: give a soft reminder to the professor one week before the deadline. Never directly ask about the status of your recommendation letter. Just put a thanks note via e-mail. If the professor has done with your recommendation letter, then it will be fine, but if he has not done it yet, he is sure he will complete it on the next day.

Ask in-person

Before sending a formal e-mail to your professor, it is preferable to meet in person first. It makes you more comfortable, and you will be easy in the future. Share your thoughts freely, like where you are applying and what you’re excepting from your professor (things you want the professor to mention in your recommendation letter). Keep knowing that you are just asking for a favor, so be humble all the time. If your professor denies you, then you can’t force him to do.

Flattery Conversation

They are not waiting for you so never directly ask for a recommendation letter. Be flattery in your talk. Just discuss a few things first. Show some gratitude towards your professor. Tell how much you have enjoyed his class, remind some memorable moments, of course. Let’s share your opinion, praise his teaching methodology and what you have learned from him so far. After touching these things, come to your point and get your work done.

Provide necessary details

For a strong recommendation letter, you must have shared two things with your professor. First, is for which post you are applying and secondly, your skillset and qualifications. Keep these things crystal clear as to why you think yourself fit for this post. Along with these details, share your most updated resume, your interests and habits, current activities, and the deadline of the recommendation letter.

Keep your proposal short

Making it easy for the professors, keep your proposal short. Never told so many details that will make him feel boring. Just talk to the point like one or two lines for every moment you want to include. The more concise it will be, the more professional it looks.

Thank you in advance

While sharing the proposal, put a thanks note. He may not write a recommendation letter on your behalf. But the thanks note will show your gratitude and makes it tougher for the professor to deny your proposal. Once he has completed your recommendation, again put a thanks note. You are always thankful to them for what they have done for you. It’s a great act, and you will always ensure their role towards your success in the future.

Obeying all these points will end you up with a stronger and compelling recommendation letter.

Who to ask for the Recommendation Letter?

Indeed! the most important task is choosing an appropriate person for your job. To find out the best person, you need to find out your purpose for getting a recommendation letter. After that, choose and make a list of 5 professors and then narrow out the best one for your recommendation letter. Find out someone who is in close contact with you.

Most of the recommendation letters are filled with generic content, so they get ignored. It is like that as they review hundreds of recommendations letters. Some of them got noticed and praised because they contain organic content. If you are in good relation towards your professor, you may get a strong and appropriate letter because the professor knows your strengths and could explain generically.

Tips to get the Best Letter of Recommendation

Ask as earlier as possible

Contact your professor earlier. You can ask one month or before, instead of getting stuck in his tasks and writing your recommendation letter on the last night before the deadline. Let’s make your professor spend some time for you. The more relaxed he is while writing, the better for your recommendation letter.

Don’t take formal follow-ups

Follow-up is necessary, but you can’t be rough and start asking unethically like How long will it take? Just be thankful to your professor. Ask once he submitted a reference, and again ask after he submitted your request. Don’t stop the flow of thanks throughout the process. Ensure that the professor accommodates your success.

Always be graceful

Obey this rule throughout your life. If a professor denies your recommendation letter, even you are not supposed to take any action as it isn’t a part of his duty. Being nice even then and if he has done this for you, then you will be more than happy.

Avoid doing these things

Don’t go generic with our recommendation letter. It seems like scripted content, and you will be ignored badly.

Don’t be vague in your ideas, keep crystal clear thoughts and move in a direction. Keep consistent.

Don’t wait for the deadline and keep things done well before time. More time you will spend, you will end up with a more compelling recommendation letter.

Never show attitude. And remember, your professors are always at a place of respect. You cannot obey them in your lives. Never put grudges on someone and always be humble, and don’t forget to thank them.

Template to ask for a Letter of Recommendation

Here for inspiration, we have presented a template to ask for a letter of recommendation

Template 1

Jonathon

Write the address

Phone Number

your email address

September 5, 2021

Mr. John Teague,

Branch Manager

Company Name

Write address

Dear John,

I’m reaching out to request a letter of recommendation from you regarding the time I spent working at Lexington Clothing Company. Between 2015 and 2018, my fellow employees often mentioned how reliable and hard-working they thought I was when we were all talking shop over coffee or dinner earlier in the day! Your opinion is very valuable because it spans multiple years and involves learning under your supervision–and what teacher could resist such praise?

If possible (since this might take some effort on behalf of someone busy), please write up something that speaks well about my work ethic and a skill set that will greatly help improve chances for success later down the road should get hired somewhere soon.

Sincerely,

Jonathon

Template 2

From: you@email.com

To: maager@email.com

I’m getting to you through this letter/email for a letter of recommendation supporting my application at XYZ University. I understand if you are unable to commit. Still, I believe that the expertise and knowledge gained during my time working with Organization Nam would make me an excellent candidate in your Masters’s Program!

I learned so much from being on staff – not only did it broaden my understanding across many industries (and countries) within IT Services Management; however also helped build domain skills under expert supervision while receiving guidance all along every step of the way.

Yours faithfully,

Name

Department and Designation

Employee ID

People who work in sales are no strangers to rejection, it’s just part of the job. That doesn’t mean, however, that it isn’t upsetting or difficult to deal with.

No matter how great of a salesperson you are, sometimes a client just doesn’t have an interest, need, or budget for what you’re trying to sell. Letting rejection get to your head is a sure-fire way of trapping yourself in an unbreakable cycle of rejection.

In sales, it’s important to know how to deal with rejection, learn from it, and move forward in order to continue doing your job.

Don’t Take it Personally

In an interview with Sales Talent Agency, Michael Back, the founder and CEO of Honk, said that he’s always looking to hire people that are hungry. This means people that are willing to work hard, learn, and build a successful career.

The most successful salespeople are able to hold onto that hunger, even in the face of rejection. It’s much easier said than done, but you really can’t take your rejections personally. They usually aren’t a reflection of you or your aptitude but rather a reflection of the client’s needs and wants.

The first step is acknowledging and accepting that you are going to have to deal with rejection. While you should not go into your calls expecting a rejection, you should be prepared for the possibility of it happening. This way, you will not be caught off guard and will be able to come up with strategies that help you respond appropriately to rejection.

Don’t Give Up

Upon receiving an initial “no,” it’s important to continue the conversation. Most importantly, you need to remain professional. It can be tempting to want to hang up as soon as you hear “no,” however if you are polite and respectful, the client will remember this and be more likely to say “yes” in the future.

Just because a client says “no” once, doesn’t mean they always will! Unless someone asks to be removed from your list, continue to reach out to them on a semi-regular basis. Be careful of calling too often and turning them away completely, but an occasional check-in won’t hurt.

While not everyone will be willing to give you an honest answer, it can never hurt to ask why they said no. Whatever information you gather may be helpful to you when making future calls. Additionally, it gives you an opportunity to clarify any possible misunderstandings about the product or service you’re selling. This could be your ticket for turning their “no” into a “yes!”

Learn from Your Wins and Losses

After each successful and unsuccessful sales attempt, take note of what you did so you can analyze patterns. Try out different sales tactics and ways of formulating your pitch to get a wide range of things to work with. Over time you will be able to develop a system that will get you far more successful sales than rejections.

You can also talk to members of your team for any tips and tricks they may have. Remember that they too are very familiar with rejection and will likely be happy to offer you anything they’ve learned along the way.

Keep in mind, however, that even the best-crafted pitch may not work on every client. You’ll have to learn how to read the room and understand when certain things are and aren’t appropriate.