17 Signs Of A Toxic Work Environment (Plus What To Do)
By Hannah Morgan | Career Sherpa - Reprinted with permission
It's rare to find a perfect work environment. But if you are looking for a new job, you want to make sure that you move into a work culture that isn't toxic. As a job seeker, be on the lookout for signs of a toxic work environment before and during job interviews. Ask questions of past employees, read employer reviews, and ask open-ended questions during the job interview. If you are employed and feel burned out or stressed all the time, these may be symptoms of working in a toxic work environment. While we all feel some level of stress at work, you want to at least be aware of what is causing your stress. The stress from working in a toxic work culture doesn't just impact you. Your friends and family may notice a change in your behavior and attitude......
Read more
Operation Gratitude 9/11 digital letter writing campaign
On the upcoming 20th anniversary of 9/11 and its designation as a National Day of Service, Operation Gratitude welcomes grateful Americans to express their appreciation for the service and sacrifice of first responders, service members and Veterans through its digital letter writing campaign. Challenge America's Veteran Arts Community (CAVARTS) has created the moving visual art and poetry for this campaign. Please take five minutes to write a letter today through the digital platform here. We have a huge goal of 200,000 letters written through our digital platform by Sept. 12, and need your help to share with your community. The platform is open now and will close at 11:59pm PST on Sept. 12. Here are the two winning designs: This piece was completed in remembrance of the personal loss of my brother, as well...
Read more
Veterans who served in Afghanistan may be experiencing a range of emotions related to the U.S withdrawal from the country, and their families and caregivers face challenges supporting them and may be experiencing their own range of emotions. VA has developed a list of family and caregiver resources, including call center information and community support available to assist during this critical time. Veteran caregivers face unique challenges with little or no medical and mental health training to support themselves and the Veteran in their care. These challenges can take an emotional, financial and physical toll on Veteran caregivers and their families. Supporting others while also coping. Family members of Veterans are currently facing two challenges......
Read more
21 Of The Best Remote Jobs You Can Get In 2021
By Hannah Morgan | Career Sherpa - Reprinted with permission
Are you tired of the long commute, dressing up in a suit to go to work, or just want more flexibility in your work life? You're a good candidate for remote work. This list of the best remote jobs includes careers that are positioned to grow in the coming years, plus they pay well. In case you didn't know, there's a special vocabulary used to describe jobs that don't require you to work from an office. They are referred to as: remote jobs, telecommuting, work from home, virtual, or distributed work. If you're looking for some of the best remote jobs available today, this list should do the trick. The careers listed pay well, have been growing or have growth potential and many don't require specialized degrees or training. Remote Work On The Rise. The reality is that remote jobs have been around for quite...
Read more
Top Three Tasks When Applying for a Security Clearance
By Thomas Braden | U.S. Navy Vet and Author of A Veteran's Guide to Transition: Active Duty to Government Service
WHO NEEDS A SECURITY CLEARANCE? Any person who has worked or will work for an organization that requires access to restricted information more than likely has or will need a security clearance....
Read more
FREE U.S. Veterans Magazine Subscription for TAOnline Members!
U.S. Veterans Magazine (USVM) Is the premiere resource magazine for transitioning service members, service-disabled veterans, veteran business owners and their spouses and families. USVM is the link between the qualified students, career and business candidates from the ranks of our nation's veteran organizations, educational institutions, corporate America, and the federal government. Subscribe for FREE today!
17 Signs Of A Toxic Work Environment (Plus What To Do)
By Hannah Morgan | Career Sherpa - Reprinted with permission
It's rare to find a perfect work environment. But if you are looking for a new
job, you want to make sure that you move into a work culture that isn't toxic.
As a job seeker, be on the lookout for signs of a toxic work environment before
and during job interviews. Ask questions of past employees, read employer reviews,
and ask open-ended questions during the job interview.
If you are employed and feel burned out or stressed all the time, these may be symptoms
of working in a toxic work environment. While we all feel some level of stress at
work, you want to at least be aware of what is causing your stress.
The stress from working in a toxic work culture doesn't just impact you. Your friends
and family may notice a change in your behavior and attitude. You don't want your
stress to spiral out of control and ruin both your work and personal life.
You'll learn what red flags to watch out for so you don't find yourself in a toxic
work environment.
Toxic work cultures happen for a variety of reasons — poor leadership, lack of communication,
lack of respect, but more importantly, it happens when our psychological safety
is threatened.
The Need For Psychological Safety
Symptoms of an unhealthy work setting stem from our need for psychological safety.
When employees don't feel valued and respected, they exhibit behaviors that permeate
throughout the organization. This results in a toxic work environment.
Psychological safety is "a workplace where one feels that one's voice is welcome
with bad news, questions, concerns, half-baked ideas and even mistakes," says
Amy Edmondson, Organizational behavioral scientist at Harvard, in CNBC Make It.
Research has proven that organizations with psychological safety see increased confidence,
creativity, trust and productivity from their workforce.
So why wouldn't every organization work on this? Creating a work environment where
everyone feels heard and respected requires training and development at all levels
within the organization — and this takes time as well as money.
Signs Of A Toxic Workplace
Toxic work environments can display themselves in many ways. It's not always as
easy as identifying a racist or sexist worker. Sometimes, toxicity takes the form
of favoritism, punishments, or dismissive comments.
Sometimes stress and burnout are cyclical or seasonal which isn't necessarily a
sign of an unhealthy work environment.
It is up to each job seeker to identify both the obvious and subtle signs of a bad
work environment and determine if taking a toxic new job is worth the risk.
Review this toxic workplace checklist to see the behaviors and signs to watch out
for.
Lack Of Enthusiasm
One of the ways to see if there's the workplace is toxic is by evaluating the energy
and enthusiasm of the employees. If they are dragging themselves into the office
from the parking lot, not saying hello or greeting each other or look like they
are unhappy, then they probably are not enjoying the workplace. Anyone looking at
an unmotivated office feels the vibe of discontent. This is a clear sign of a toxic
work environment.
Employees Feel Left Out Of Communication Loop
When employees don't know what's going on, they fill the void of information with
rumors. If an employee doesn't have the most current information, they may miss
a deadline and get reprimanded by their manager. Inefficient communication is not
only demoralizing, it can endanger the health and safety of employees. Organizations
with poor communication strategies are a sign of a negative work environment.
Work Deadlines Take Priority Over Emotional Well-being
When results are more valued than the people, it leads to employees feeling they
are disposable or not important. This shows a disregard for the personal needs of
employees. Whether it is ignoring the importance of work/life balance or lack of
sensitivity to family or personal situations, employers who don't show empathy and
put their people first risk earning the reputation of a toxic workplace.
Technology Gets In The Way Of Getting Things Done
It could be that the organization's technology is outdated or not everyone knows
how to use the new technology yet. In either case, when technology gets in the way
of getting things done, it's a sign that the organization may not be investing in
making their business better. You may also hear the excuse "that's the way
it's always been done." Watch out for this sign that the company is not adjusting
and adapting.
Leaders Are Invisible
An invisible leader is not leading. They may not be reinforcing the values of the
organization or are not communicating their vision. When leadership, at any level,
is not visible, not communicating or not leading, it leaves employees feeling alone,
disconnected and vulnerable.
Confusion And/Or Dysfunction
When employees don't know what's going on or hear mixed messages about plans, this
leads to confusion. Dysfunction can also happen when roles are unclear or there
are sudden changes with no clear goals. A work environment that lacks trust has
ineffective communication, or is dealing with power struggles is certainly not healthy.
Unfair Policies & Unequal Enforcement of Policies
Morale will suffer if employees feel policies are unfair or that they are being
treated unfairly. This can be the "star" employee who can do no wrong
or it could be a woman who feels her sexual harassment claims are being ignored.
Without fair policies or an inclusive work environment, it's easy for a toxic work
culture to form.
Employees Stop Caring About Their Work
When an employee regularly misses deadlines or flat out refuses to deliver and this
goes undisciplined or unreported, it creates an unhealthy workplace. Employees seldom
start a job lacking motivation. It happens over time. Unhappy workers become apathetic
employees and it's a sign of an unhealthy working environment.
Your Boss Is Never Around When Needed
It's frustrating when you need to ask your boss a question and they aren't around
or haven't responded to your emails and texts. Employees who try turning to their
boss for help but don't get a response become discouraged by the lack of communication.
They feel like their boss doesn't have their back or doesn't care about them. And
this leads to fatigue, burnout and stress which are all symptoms of a negative work
environment.
Growth Or Learning Is Stifled
You want to take on greater responsibility or get experience using new skills but
you're turned down or delayed. When you're turned down or denied the opportunity
to grow or learn new things it's difficult to feel engaged. When you are unable
to achieve career goals or fulfill personal values it can lead to dissatisfaction
with your job. This can also result in unhealthy work behaviors.
Gossip, Backstabbing & Exclusion
An organization filled with gossiping employees is not a healthy work environment.
When not addressed, this chatter can lead to exclusion and even backstabbing and
bullying in some circumstances. Be on the lookout for an organization full of gossipers.
High Employee Turnover
A sure sign things are not good inside an organization is high turnover. People
don't stay in a job very long if they are miserable. It could be any combination
of toxic work behaviors that result in employees leaving. It may be poor leadership
that fires instead of fixing problems.
Absenteeism
Working in a toxic environment leads to stress and stress causes illness. Absenteeism
is a result of sick, dissatisfied or unmotivated workers. Either you know it first-hand
or can see this is a pattern in the organization.
Conflict With Your Ethics Or Values
Have you ever been asked to do something borderline unethical? Maybe you've been
commanded to fudge numbers or lie to a client. When employees feel that their values
or ethics are being challenged, it's hard to want to do their best work. Poor leadership
is the primary cause, but this can trickle down to employees.
Lack of Feedback
No feedback or negative feedback leads workers to doubt their abilities. They're
less likely to innovate or suggest new ideas. And employees who don't get feedback
will be hesitant to put forth the effort to do their jobs. A breakdown in timely,
honest communication erodes employees
Fear of Failure
If you notice employees not taking risks, it's probably because they were reprimanded
or criticized for failing. In a work culture that doesn't embrace failure, it is
seen instead as a flaw, there is little incentive for employees to try new things
or even suggest trying new things.
Can't Sleep Or Get Out Of Bed In The Morning
Are you regularly having difficulty sleeping? Pay attention. If this continues beyond
an initial stressful event, it's your body's way of saying you need to make a change.
What You Can Do About It
You have two choices when it comes to a toxic work environment, stay or leave.
If you choose to stay, you will either have to ignore the toxicity or confront it.
For many, the thought of confronting a toxic boss is not something they are willing
to do. If you are up for the challenge because you want to make your work situation
more tolerable, here are some suggestions.
Tips For Fixing Toxic Behavior
I've always believed in trying to address a problem directly before going up the
chain of command. There may be exceptions but in most cases, it's worth trying as
a first step. I also think every employee can follow the rule: "see something,
say something."
No matter what your level of authority, you have the right to address unhealthy
behaviors that contribute to toxic work environments.
Offer to deliver training or create instructions on new technology
Suggest leaders communicate more often
Discuss your needs and goals with your manager
Address your manager's communication or behaviors and how they impact your work
Talk to HR about updating policies to be more inclusive
Put a stop to the gossip
Model the behavior you expect from others
Tell a coworker when their words are offensive/not appreciated/inappropriate
Show co-workers you care (offer help or offer to listen)
It is easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. Take a risk.
Offer to be a mentor
Leave If You Must
Once you've weighed the pros and cons of staying in a toxic job, you may decide
to leave.
How soon depends on how badly you need a job and paycheck. Always try to have a
job lined up first. It's always easier to find a job when you have one. If you absolutely
can't last another day and need to quit, realize it could take 6-9 months (sometimes
longer) to secure a new job.
A workplace where empathy, feedback, and clear goals have been set and are on full
display is hard to find. That's why it's important to recognize some of the red
flags of a toxic work environment — so you make the right choice and find a job
and company where you'll be happy.
On the upcoming 20th anniversary of 9/11 and its designation as a National Day
of Service, Operation Gratitude welcomes grateful Americans to express their appreciation
for the service and sacrifice of first responders, service members and Veterans
through its digital letter writing campaign. Challenge America's Veteran Arts Community
(CAVARTS) has created the moving visual art and poetry for this campaign.
Please take five minutes to write a letter today through the digital platform here.
We have a huge goal of 200,000 letters written through our digital platform by Sept.
12, and need your help to share with your community.
The platform is open now and will close at 11:59pm PST on Sept. 12.
Here are the two winning designs:
Mindful, a painting by Veteran and artist Jason Turner.
9/11/2021 Sonnet by Douglas W. Johnson
This piece was completed in remembrance of the personal loss of my brother, as well
as my brothers and sisters in arms and friends lost while serving during 9/11 and
after. Their memories continue to flood my thoughts. I wanted to create an image
that signified that. That period of my life will always weigh heavily on me. However,
there's always someone thinking about you, and they have your six.
We disagreed, and still disagree, whether being overseas had any point. We never
disagreed on whether our sacrifices, and those who went before us, had meaning.
The words we use sound so cliche, so trite, but the deeds that we try to describe
are so poignant and fraught with emotion that we keep seeking ways to make the words
evoke the memory of the day we beheld the heroic humans. We are not all called to
greatness, but we can all live so that one day it may be said of us, "This, too,
was humanity". The heroes of 9/11 led the way for the heroes of OIF and OEF who
followed.
Those who wish to view the art online may visit the Challenge America blog: challengeamerica.com/blog.
Please take 5 minutes to write a letter today through our digital platform here.
The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products
and services on the part of VA.
Veterans who served in Afghanistan may be experiencing a range of emotions related
to the U.S withdrawal from the country, and their families and caregivers face challenges
supporting them and may be experiencing their own range of emotions. VA has developed
a list of family and caregiver resources, including call center information and
community support available to assist during this critical time.
Veteran caregivers face unique challenges with little or no medical and mental health
training to support themselves and the Veteran in their care. These challenges can
take an emotional, financial and physical toll on Veteran caregivers and their families.
Supporting others while also coping
Family members of Veterans are currently facing two challenges — supporting the
Veteran they love, and coping with their own thoughts and feelings. VA has resources
and information for both of these challenges, like Coaching into Care, which provides
support and resources to families who don't know where to start in supporting the
Veteran they love, all the way to VA's Caregiver Support Program that connects caregivers
to one another to support each other as peers.
"The most important thing we can do right now is connect. Talk to other families
facing similar challenges, even families you haven't reached out to in a while.
Suggest that your Veteran reach out to some of their battle buddies. Access one
of the many resources available through VA, DOD, or any of our many partners. You
are not alone, and you do not need to face any of this alone."
Coaching Into Care is a free service for people who are concerned about the Veterans
in their lives. Licensed psychologists and social workers offer advice for starting
the conversation with a Veteran about their mental health and motivating them to
seek treatment if it's needed.
Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of
social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling
to eligible Veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and
Reserve components, and their families.
VA.GOV: Access and manage your VA benefits and health care, including education
and records va.gov.
MyVA411: Dial 1-855-948-2311 (1-800-MyVA411). Callers have the option of pressing
0 to be immediately connected with a customer service agent to answer questions.
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 to talk to someone. Send a
text message to 838255 to connect with a VA responder. Start a confidential online
chat session at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
#VetResources: VA newsletter reaching more than 11 million Veterans, families, caregivers
and survivors. Resources, tools and tips for VA and community resources. Subscribe
at va.gov/vetresources/.
Coronavirus Information:
For the latest VA updates on coronavirus and commonsense tips on preventing its
spread, visit va.gov/coronavirus.
For more information about coronavirus, please visit .
Department of Defense Caregiver Support Directory
lists national resources and programs
that assist military caregivers, including helplines, training, caregiver support
programs, financial support, and support for children's needs. The directory is
a free resource available for download. The DoD also offers peer forums and discussion
groups for caregivers.
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Community Living (HHS
ACL): acl.gov.
By Hannah Morgan | Career Sherpa - Reprinted with permission
Are you tired of the long commute, dressing up in a suit to go to work, or just
want more flexibility in your work life? You're a good candidate for remote work.
This list of the best remote jobs includes careers that are positioned to grow in
the coming years, plus they pay well.
In case you didn't know, there's a special vocabulary used to describe jobs that
don't require you to work from an office. They are referred to as: remote jobs,
telecommuting, work from home, virtual, or distributed work.
If you're looking for some of the best remote jobs available today, this list should
do the trick. The careers listed pay well, have been growing or have growth potential
and many don't require specialized degrees or training.
Remote Work On The Rise
The reality is that remote jobs have been around for quite a while and the number
of remote workers has steadily been growing due to advancements in technology that
allows workers to access information remotely and collaborate in real-time.
About 17% of the US workforce were full-time remote workers before the pandemic
and 44% worked remotely full-time during the pandemic
While the number of remote workers is expected to decrease slightly, the trend of
remote work isn't going away.
Benefits Of Remote Work
Those who work remotely appreciate a more flexible work schedule, the ability to
work from any location, not having to commute and being able to spend time with
their family.
Many workers have reclaimed hours in their day by not commuting. There's also the
money saved by not needing to buy work clothes and not having to pay for gas, parking,
or transportation.
97.6% said they would like to work remotely, at least part of the time, for the
rest of their careers.
Remote workers have come to enjoy the benefits of working remotely and are not willing
to give that up easily.
Remote Jobs, Not Freelance
When looking for remote jobs, you used to come across jobs geared towards self-employed
freelancers or gig workers. Not so today.
Remote jobs aren't just for freelancers anymore. Remote work opportunities are found
in many industries and in a wide variety of roles making remote jobs suitable to
anyone. Plus the top remote jobs offer regular pay, health insurance and benefits,
without needing to hustle for your next gig.
The Best Remote Careers Are Not Scams
It used to be that many remote jobs were scams. They were called "work from home"
jobs and they targeted stay-at-home parents or people looking to make extra cash.
Today's remote jobs are mostly legitimate opportunities. Though you still need to
be cautious and do your due diligence (this is true for any job posting today).
We've seen more employers realize that a remote workforce is productive. While there
are still challenges managing a distributed team, some companies have better systems
and processes in place to manage remote workers.
Is Remote Work Right For Me?
Working from home can be lonely. It can also be chaotic if you don't have a plan
for young kids. It also requires discipline.
That means even if you're able to pursue one of the best remote jobs, it's important
to ask yourself these questions before jumping on the bandwagon.
Do I need social interaction in my workday?
Do I communicate proactively and thoroughly?
Do I manage my time and priorities effectively?
Can I stay focused on work in my home environment?
Working remotely requires you to be more proactive in getting answers to your questions
and solving problems. You'll also need a plan on how and when you'll communicate
with your boss to make sure your work is on track and your boss knows what you've
accomplished.
The Best Remote Jobs
According to Ladders,
these 10 careers are the best (and highest-paying) remote
work jobs in 2021:
Marketing, media and design (974% remote-work growth)
Project and program management (801%)
Accounting and finance (750%)
Human resources and legal (546%)
Technology (521%)
Engineering and construction (410%)
Operations and general management (299%)
Science and education (276%)
Sales and business development (211%)
Health care (197%)
Let's dive in and look at the top remote jobs within these careers.
Marketing, Media & Design
Careers within marketing, media and design are well suited for remote work. They
require creative thinking and typically the work is done independently.
Digital Marketing Specialist
Skills: Product Marketing, Digital Strategy, Brand Management
Education: 94% of hires have a bachelor's degree or higher
Salary Range: $48,000 — $96,000
Digital marketing specialists' objectives are to increase brand awareness, promote
company products or services and drive prospects to conversions. Unlike using the
more traditional marketing channels, digital marketers communicate through various
technology platforms. Digital marketing specialists work to initiate effective marketing
campaigns online and to translate business goals into successful marketing campaigns.
Additional remote jobs in this area include: Social Media Manager, Marketing Representative,
and Search Engine Optimization Specialist.
Digital Content Creator
Skills: Video Editing, Creative Writing, Public Speaking
Education: 92% of hires have a bachelor's degree or higher
Salary Range: $46,000 — $62,400
Digital content creators write blog posts, create website copy, plan and coordinate
podcasts and even create short videos for social media. Some of the remote job titles
used may also include: Content Coordinator, Writing Consultant, Podcaster, and Blogger.
Given the rise in the consumption of online information, these roles are fundamental
to brand building and a business's marketing success.
Skilled graphic designers are always in demand, and with more people than ever buying
online and interacting digitally, the value of a well-designed, easy to navigate,
and responsive company website has never been higher. Graphic design roles that
focus on user experience and user interface (UI/UX designers) work together with
programmers to design user experiences and help customers communicate with digital
products.
Project & Program Management
Many project and program management jobs are becoming virtual or remote due to project
management software and tools.
Project Manager
Skills: Time Management, Scheduling, Communication, Budgeting
Salary Range: $61,000 — $134,000
Project managers initiate, design, plan, execute, monitor and complete projects.
They manage teams, facilitate commitment and motivate team members, manage the expectations
of key stakeholders and communicate the status of project milestones. They build
a comprehensive work plan and manage the budget for projects. Project management
roles in the software industry look different than project management in the finance
industry. Therefore, you will need experience in your desired industry.
Product Manager
Skills: Market research, Critical thinking and analytical skills, prototyping
Salary Range: $54,000 — $121,000
Product managers handle the process of developing products and solutions. Setting
strategy, creating road maps, and defining product features are all a part of the
job. Product managers may also analyze market conditions and communicate with people
at all levels of an organization.
Accounting & Finance
Careers in accounting and finance are becoming more easily accessible remotely due
to technology.
Accountant
Skills: General Ledger, Financial Reporting, Accounts Payable, Microsoft Excel
Salary Range: $41,000 — $71,000
Accountants review and prepare financial accounts and documents for individuals
and businesses. They also ensure that a company is financially sustainable based
on its budget and operating expenses and may even provide financial advice. Accountants
can work remotely in entry-level and senior positions and have high growth potential.
Financial Analyst
Skills: Data analysis, Microsoft Excel, Financial analysis, Financial modeling
Salary Range: $48,000 — $83,000
Financial analysts use their expertise to inform a company's financial decision-making
process by conducting deep analysis of the variables that impact business operations.
The exact responsibilities will depend on the specific remote job and the context
of its industry. These professionals work in corporate offices, in financial analyst
firms, or as private practicing analysts.
Education: 86% of hires have a bachelor's degree or higher
Salary Range: $43,700 — $60,000
Loan officers evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of loan applications. Most
loan officers are employed by commercial banks, credit unions, mortgage companies,
and other financial institutions. Additional related jobs positioned for growth
include: Underwriter, Escrow Officer and Loan Closer.
Human Resources & Legal
HR and legal careers serve as the backbone of every business. These vital functions
are too important to be limited to working in the office.
Recruiter
Skills: Data analysis, project management, sourcing.
Salary Range: $36,000 — $80,000
Recruiters evaluate candidates' strengths compared with clients' requirements, and
recommend the best candidates to clients after a detailed screening and/or skill
assessment. They must be good at identifying talent and persuading people to interview
with a particular company. Recruiters may work for a single company or for multiple
companies at once as an independent contractor.
Compliance & Privacy Officer
Skills: Regulatory Compliance, internal audit,
Education: 87% have a bachelor's degree or higher
Salary Range: $50,000 — $138,000
Privacy officers ensure companies follow best privacy practices and procedures.
Tasks can include performing audits to ensure privacy compliance, conducting risk
assessments and reduction strategies, and handling breaches and privacy issues.
A degree in a technical field is often required.
Technology
Businesses will always need to adapt to new technology, which changes rapidly. Remote
jobs and careers within this field are constantly growing.
Cyber Security Analyst
Skills: Analytical, Communication and collaboration, Information technology knowledge
Salary Range: $51,000 — $117,000
The role of cybersecurity analysts is to protect computer networks and systems at
a company. Analysts will monitor networks for security breaches, research IT trends,
create plans for possible security issues, and more. Many cybersecurity analyst
roles require experience with IT work.
Web Developer
Skills: Program Management, Web Development, Distributed Systems
Education: 93% of hires have a bachelor's degree or higher
Salary Range: $77,500 — $104,000
Web developers build the structure of websites by working with designers and content
producers to write and modify software for websites. They write code to access databases
as well as test and document software. Additional remote jobs include Full Stack
Engineer, Frontend Developer, and Game Developer.
User Experience Designer
Skills: Web Design, Design Thinking, User Experience Testing
Education: 97% of hires have a bachelor's degree or higher
Salary Range: $80,000 — $103,000
User Experience Designers (UX designers) create designs for end users that are attractive
and functional; they need to make unified designs that are accessible to the target
population. In addition, these designers are in charge of the design process from
the mockup stage to the final product, whether it is a poster or a software application.
Industrial design concepts are needed to create prototypes and simple, clean designs.
Similar remote roles that are growing include, Product Design Consultant, User Interface
Designer, and User Experience Researcher.
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning
Skills: Advanced math and statistics skills, Neural networks, C++, Amazon Web Services
(AWS), Python, TensorFlow
Education: 99% have a masters or bachelor's degree.
Salary Range: $124,000 — $150,000
Machine Learning Engineers work in Information Technology to research, build and
design self-running artificial intelligence (AI) systems to automate predictive
models. They design and create the AI algorithms capable of learning and making
predictions that define machine learning. Additional roles include: Machine Learning
Research, Machine Learning Engineer and Artificial Intelligence Specialist. ML engineers
usually work closely with data scientists to construct artificial intelligence systems
and machine learning.
Data Scientist
Skills: TensorFlow, Statistical Modeling, Data Visualization
Education: 98% of hires have a bachelor's degree or higher
Salary Range: $100,000 — $130,000
Since data is vital to every business, you can find data scientists in almost every
industry. Similar remote jobs include: Data Science Specialist and Data Management
Analyst. Data scientists partner closely with business stakeholders to understand
goals and determine how data can be used to achieve those goals. They design data
modeling processes, create algorithms and predictive models to extract the data
the business needs, and help analyze the data and share insights with those who
want and need it.
Education
Helping students learn and bridging gaps in knowledge is now even easier using video
technology. From elementary level to training business, education is a growing area
for remote opportunities.
Career Coach
Skills: Mentoring, Social Media, Entrepreneurship
Education: 92% of hires have a bachelor's degree or higher
Salary Range: $44,300 — $50,000
Career, life and business coaches provide guidance to help their clients transform.
These roles can be performed through a business or as an independent business. You
can find Life Coaches, Fitness Coaches and Business Coaches offering services online
and virtually. The main responsibility of a life coach is to help people who want
to lead healthier lifestyles and improve both their physical and psychological well-being.
Fitness coaches focus on physical wellness and business coaches guide a business
owner in running a business by helping them clarify the vision of their business
and how it fits in with their personal goals.
Tutors
Skills: Lesson planning/curriculum design, Education platform development, engineering
and design
Education: 96% of hires have a bachelor's degree or higher
Salary Range: $46,500 — $63,200
This is one of the best remote jobs out there, and also one of the most underrated.
Remote tutors work with students of any age. Subjects can vary from elementary-level
history or English as a second language to physics. Video streaming software and
teaching software are often used to deliver tutoring in either one-on-one or in
group settings. Some tutors create their own lesson plans, while others teach from
a specific program. Within education, you can also find remote roles such as Education
Consultants and Teaching Assistants.
Sales & Business Development
Sales careers are vital to the growth of every business. While sales careers have
often required working in the field, other roles are now open to remote work too.
Business development managers create business plans, identify where to find new
clients, manage accounts, and meet sales goals. Sales and selling skills are key
elements of this job, as well as maintaining business relationships.
Senior Account Manager
Skills: Account Management,
Salary Range: $49,000 — $110,000
Account managers maintain client accounts by managing the relationship with customers
and creating long-term relationships, understanding client needs, handling client
communications, generating sales, and more. A senior-level role may require 10 or
more years of experience.
Health Care
Health care impacts all of us and careers in health care don't necessarily require
interacting with patients.
Clinical Trial Manager
Skills: Clinical Research, Project Management,
Education: Bachelor's degree (business, health care management or biology) or higher
Salary Range: $65,000 — $131,000
This job involves managing clinical trials. Some duties include recruiting patients
for trials, ensuring trials run smoothly, reviewing trial results, ensuring safety
standards compliance, and making changes to the trial structure. They also analyze
data based on trial results, interpreting research information, and creating detailed
documentation. Clinical trial managers must have strong medical knowledge, along
with appropriate schooling
Medical writers take technical and scientific data from studies and research to
write papers, articles, and documents that present the information in a clear manner.
They usually work at a pharmaceutical company, health services provider, medical
equipment company, or a related organization. They may also write manuals, training
materials, or educational papers. Knowledge of medical terms and processes is required,
and certification with the American Medical Writers Association can be a bonus.
When looking for remote work, it's as simple as using the "remote" filter on your
favorite job board. Almost every job board gives you the option to search for "remote"
jobs. If you are looking for vetted employers with remote opportunities, you can
use a site like FlexJobs.com. You can also check out
Best Websites for Remote Work and Side Gigs.
What's The Best Remote Job For You?
To find the best remote job, start by assessing your skills, career goals and salary
requirements to determine which remote careers are the right fit for your situation.
There's a very good chance you will find exactly the right opportunity.
Top Three Tasks When Applying for a Security Clearance
By Thomas Braden | U.S. Navy Vet and Author of A Veteran's Guide to Transition: Active Duty to Government Service
As the result of Congressional legislation and Presidential Executive Orders,
all federal positions which require a security clearance, have their background
investigations completed by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
(DCSA) in Quantico, VA. Their website is a wealth of information and is available,
here: dcsa.mil
By all pre-COVID accounts, the federal government's reorganization of a variety
of agencies and entities under DCSA's leadership has been a success. By streamlining
and expediting the process, DCSA has reduced a huge backlog of almost 200,000 pending
cases. Despite the many successes in this reorganization, the average processing
time still exceeds 3-4 months.
So, what can you do to avoid delays in your processing? You can ensure the following:
Be organized
When you begin your background investigation and have to complete
the perquisite SF-86 via the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing
(e-QIP) system, you need to be well-organized. If you've done this before, the system
may have retained your information. If not, you will be starting from scratch and
need to have your facts in order. You will need to outline your entire family history
including dates of birth and current addresses. That may sound easy, of course you
know Mom's birthday... but what year? And you will even need to provide this information
for your outlaws... I meant, in-laws and extended family (again, including place and
date of birth and yes, dates of death, too.)
You will need to provide data reaching back as far as ten years, including addresses,
foreign travel/contacts, etc. I recommend that you have a copy of your credit report
on hand, as it will likely contain useful information. For each period of employment
and/or residence, you will also need to provide a current U.S. based point of contact
who can vouch for you during that time; such as a neighbor, co-worker or boss. You
will need full names, as well as valid phone numbers and email addresses. This is
time consuming and may involve some sleuthing on your part to track them down today.
(You may want to find them on Facebook of Linked In and give them a head's up, as
well.)
Also, men will be required to provide verification of their registration for the
Selective Service (aka, "the draft.") Fortunately, you can look up your registration
number: sss.gov/verify
Get finger-printed, properly
According to DCSA, the next biggest reason which causes
delays in the completion of your background investigation is finger-printing. Yeah,
this one surprised me as well, but it can be major hiccup in your processing. I
had previously had a security clearance (with finger-prints on the record) for more
than 25 years, but none of that mattered... I needed to get a new set of finger-prints
and they needed to be collected electronically. Luckily, I was located near Washington,
D.C. and was able to get this task completed on one of the military bases. If I
wasn't retired (and therefore had access to the base), I'm not exactly sure how
I would have completed this task. So, think that part through, you may need to be
escorted onto a DoD installation, or you may need to find a civilian police station
that is willing to do it. You'll also need to verify if your organization and level
of clearance requires submission via the same DoD electronic system, or will they
accept the tradition rolled/hard copy prints. I would certainly run these requirements
to ground, early-on in the process with your Human Resources Office (HRO) and/or
Security Office.
Be honest
Another reason which causes delays when completing your background investigation
is extensive foreign travel and/or undisclosed foreign contacts, and foreign investments
which the DCSA investigators will need to exert time and resources chasing down.
If you've lived or served overseas, this can be an issue. You will need to provide
all dates of foreign travel. I recommend checking your passport and Facebook, Instagram
or other social media for pictures you or your family may have posted. (If you haven't
lived overseas, this may sound ridiculous, but it's easy to forget that day trip
across the border....) You will also need to identify if that travel was for work
or pleasure. (At some point it gets compared to the actual travel they find with
your passport; so, it's best if you include everything.) Lastly, you will need to
disclose any foreign contacts that you had or maintained during those times. This
could be your landlord, a co-worker, or your maid/gardener. My advice is to provide
as much information as you possibly can; again, including any known contact information
that you may have for these foreign contacts. If they're just that, casual acquaintances,
you should be fine; however, if they're considered "close and/or continuous" you
have to provide additional information. This is particularly true if your spouse
is/was a foreign national and perhaps maintains a house or other foreign investment.
So, be honest, be prepared and come to this process ready to disclose everything.
If you follow these rules
So, if I follow these three rules will I be guaranteed to obtain my security clearance?
No, there never any guarantees, but you should help in speeding up the timeline
for DCSA to make an adjudication/determination.
The Adjudicative Guidelines for Determining Eligibility for Access to Classified
Information are used by DoD Central Adjudication Facilities (DoDCAF) to determine
both initial and continued eligibility for access to classified information. The
adjudication process is an examination of a sufficient period of a person's life
to make an affirmative determination that the person is an acceptable security risk.
Eligibility for access to classified information is predicated upon the individual
meeting these personnel security guidelines. The adjudication process is the careful
weighing of a number of variables known as the whole-person concept. All available,
reliable information about the person, past and present, favorable and unfavorable,
is considered in reaching a clearance determination. When an individual's life history
shows evidence of unreliability or untrustworthiness, questions arise whether the
individual can be relied on and trusted to exercise the responsibility necessary
for working in a secure environment where protection of classified information is
paramount.
But if you follow the guidelines above: Be Organized; Get the finger-prints correct;
and, Be Honest. You should be well on your way to a streamlined adjudication process.
I cover this - and so much more - in greater depth and detail throughout my book, A Veteran's Guide to Transition: Active Duty to Government Service, now available on Amazon for less than the cost of a cup of coffee, I might add! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z83W9BK/
