| How to Manage Remote Employees Posted: 16 Feb 2019 04:00 PM PST Hiring remote employees is a great way to tap into talent from around the world. Figuring out how to effectively manage remote employees can seem overwhelming at first, but there are a few tricks and tools you can use to keep your telecommuters productive and happy. EditEmailing Remote Employees EditSetting Expectations - Establish your expectations for your remote employees up front. If your employees don't understand what you want or need from them, they won't be able to succeed. Detail all of your expectations in online documents, videos, or slideshows, and pass them along to your employees. Make sure they include all the key information your employees need to be successful at their jobs.[1]
- For example, you could create an introductory document to give to your remote employees when you hire them that outlines their responsibilities and gives them specific instructions for their job. You could even include links to other documents or videos that address specific scenarios your employees might encounter so they know what you expect them to do in those situations.
- Use deadlines to help your remote employees meet your expectations. Without deadlines, your remote employees won't know how much time they should be spending on their work or when they should be turning it in. Deadlines will help your employees manage their time efficiently, and they'll give you a good sense of how much work is being done by your employees.[2]
- Deadlines are also a good way to track how productive your remote employees are being. If an employee keeps missing deadlines, you'll know you need to reach out to them and go over your expectations again.
- You can always adjust your deadlines later on if they don't work out. If you realize a deadline you set isn't realistic, you can extend it by a few days.
- Give your employees a quota if deadlines don't apply to the work they do. Sometimes, remote employees are hired to do lots of short, consecutive tasks, where deadlines wouldn't make sense. If that's the case for your employees, try coming up with a quota they have to meet instead to help them manage their time and be productive.
- For example, if you hire remote employees to respond to customer inquiries for your company, you could let your employees know you expect them to answer 3-4 inquiries per hour.
- If you need help coming up with a quota, try doing the job your remote employees do for a day or two to see what can realistically be accomplished by one person.
- Let your employees know if they're not meeting your expectations. If you notice one of your employees isn't meeting their deadlines or quotas, reach out to them. Mention your concerns and ask if they have questions or need help with something. If the problem is recurring, consider whether the employee is a good fit for your business.[3]
- For example, you could email your employee and say "Hey Jon, I noticed you didn't meet your deadlines the past 2 weeks. It's really important that you get your work in on time. Is there anything I can do to help?"
EditCommunicating Effectively - Communicate with your remote employees in a clear and concise way. One of the challenges of working with remote employees is that it's harder to clarify any misunderstandings. Since you're not down the hall to answer their questions in person, it's important that you're as clear as possible up front when you communicate with them. If you're giving your employees instructions or sending out a group email, write it out first and read it to make sure it's clear. Avoid using complicated, vague language as much as possible.[4]
- Have someone else at the office read your memo before you send it out to see if it's easy to understand.
- Schedule routine one-on-one video conferences. Communicating over video with each employee gives you the opportunity to explain company updates and expectations more in depth, and it's a great way to connect face-to-face with your remote employees. There are lots of different video chat platforms you can choose from, like Skype and Google Hangouts. Try to get in at least 1 video conference monthly and individually with each employee.[5]
- Communicate as a group using chat platforms. Sending messages over a chat platform is easier than using group email. Whenever you have a message to share with a group of your employees, you can quickly add all the recipients in the platform to a message and send it. Chat platforms are also a great way for your remote employees to communicate with each other and quickly ask questions without having to send an email.[6]
- Take time differences into consideration when communicating. Since you're working with remote employees, there's a good chance that not everyone will be working in the same time zone. If possible, try to schedule calls and group chats during times when everyone is working. It may help to keep a list of all your employees' time zones so you can refer to it when you're scheduling events.
- If you need to get in touch with one of your employees about something but it's late where they live, ask yourself if it can wait until the next day. You can also send them an email so they get it first thing in the morning.
- Use emoticons and GIFs to make your employees feel at ease. Non-verbal cues like smiling and nodding play a big part in communicating, which makes communicating with remote employees over email or a chat platform tricky sometimes. You can work around this problem by adding emoticons or GIFs to the messages you send your employees. They'll appreciate the kind gesture, and it will help prevent your messages from seeming too aggressive.[7]
- For example, if you're asking one of your employees why they did something a certain way, you could include a smiley-face emoticon at the end of the message to show them you're not mad.
EditTracking Productivity - Have your remote employees log their productivity. Create a form or spreadsheet where your employees can submit tasks they complete and how long it took to do them. You can review their submissions regularly to make sure they're on the right track. If someone slips behind, you can catch it early and reach out to solve the issue.[8]
- Schedule regular group calls to discuss what everyone has accomplished. Routine group calls are a great way to keep your remote employees accountable and monitor their productivity. You can use the call feature on a chat platform to get your remote employees on a call at the same time. Then, have everyone go around and say what they've been working on and what projects they've completed recently. Take notes during the call and review them later to make sure everyone's getting enough work done.[9]
- Try a time-tracking software. There are a variety of softwares and apps available that let you monitor the amount of time your remote employees are spending on their projects. Some programs will even take screenshots of your employees computer screens during work hours so you can monitor what they're working on.[10]
- If you decide to use a time-tracking software, make sure you're transparent and explain to your employees why you're doing it so you maintain an environment of trust and respect.
EditCreating a Team Environment - Send out a weekly newsletter to fill remote employees in on company updates. Even though your remote employees don't work in the office, you still want them to feel like they're part of the team. Since they won't be around to witness big changes or events at the company, draft up a newsletter each week to keep them up to date and make them feel included. You can also include helpful productivity and efficiency tips in the newsletter so it's even more useful.[11]
- Give your employees company apparel so they feel included. T-shirts, key chains, bags, or other items with your company's logo on them would all work. Giving your remote employees a small piece of the company will help them feel like they're part of the team.[12]
- Host in-person get-togethers for your remote employees. Planning a meet-up is a great way for you and your employees to get to know each other outside of emailing and video conferencing. You can invite your employees to visit your company's headquarters, or you can arrange a trip to a different location and bring some people from the office along with you.[13]
EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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| How to Become a Geologist Posted: 16 Feb 2019 08:00 AM PST A geologist studies rocks, landforms, the Earth's history, and plate tectonics. Some geologists teach in schools or universities, work for government agencies, or help companies target sources of rich mineral reserves. There are many areas in the field of geology — from geophysics to oceanography and everything in between — and the field is growing rapidly. EditEstablishing a Foundation - Focus on doing well in math and science classes in high school. Geology, and indeed all areas of scientific study, require a deep understanding of basic mathematics and fundamental scientific principles. Chemistry and physics are especially necessary on the science end, and it's important to do well in calculus on the math end. [1]
- Take AP courses, if your school offers them, to get college credit and skip some of the introductory classes in the field.
- Take courses in environmental science or earth science, if your school offers them. Many schools offer classes in environmental science or earth science in addition to the regular trio of biology, chemistry, and physics. Fit these into your schedule as best as you can to develop some basic knowledge in these fields.[2]
- Environmental science is helpful as it teaches how humans affect the environment, how climate affects the earth, and the natural processes of the planet.
- Earth science is helpful as it teaches about the geological processes of the planet, including everything from volcanoes to tectonic plates to earth's geological cycle.
- Gain foundational knowledge in computer science and GIS. More so than just a few decades ago, geologists are coming to rely on computer skills and GIS (global information systems) to navigate and understand the earth.[3] Develop a strong sense of scientific analysis, use of GIS programs, and basic coding while in school to make your resume stand out to universities and potential employers.
- If your school doesn't offer classes in computer science and GIS, consider taking a summer course at your local community college between high school and university.[4]
- Join an after-school club such as a geology club or climate science club. Young people are becoming much more conscious of their effect on the planet, and you can learn more about the natural world and humanity's effect on it through clubs and high school organizations. It is a fantastic way to start understanding what scientific research and working together to reach a goal is all about.[5]
- If your school doesn't have an environmental science club or a club relating to geology, think about joining a local volunteer group, or inquire about volunteering at a local museum. They are always looking for new, curious people to bring under their wing, and you will get a head start on creating connections with geologists.
EditAttaining Higher Education - Find a school that has a program specifically for the study of geology. Research a handful of schools both in your state and in other states and look specifically for their programs in earth science and geology, and choose one that seems to put a lot of focus and dedication into that course of study.[6]
- It is usually recommended to go to a school in your state, as tuition costs will be much cheaper, but you should strongly consider schools in other states if they seem to have a better focus on geology.
- Work towards a Bachelor of Science degree in a geology-related major. Almost every university offers mathematics and physical science, but be sure to see if there is a geology-specific major you can take on.[7] Declare your major, and choose a minor that relates to what you want to do in the field of geology.
- For example, if you want to be in geology academia, take a minor in education. If you are interested in working for a large GIS company, take a minor in computer science. If you are interested in becoming a strict scientific researcher, take a minor in physical science or chemistry.
- Take an internship in a lab or take a field research position. Talk to the science department at your school to see if there are any openings, and keep in close contact with your professors so they turn to you if they need some extra help in the lab.[8] Your school may have an online job board or a career advisory center, so be sure to check for geology and scientific entry-level positions.
- While doing well in your classes and getting good grades are part of what gets you a job, the best way to learn is to do. You can learn plenty from books, but you must apply your knowledge in a internship or lab position to get a feel for the career.[9]
- Consider going to graduate school if you are interested in academia. Most entry-level geology jobs only require a bachelor's degree, but if you want to teach others at the university level or want to make yourself stand out from others, attain a master's degree at in a respected program to boost your credentials as a geologist.[10]
- A master's degree will open up doors beyond simple lab work, but a PhD will show others that you are an expert in your field. You will be much more likely to be considered for university-level education positions if you have a doctorate in geology.
EditBeginning Your Geology Career - Join a geology organization in your area to network and meet professionals. AGI, the American Geosciences Institute, has a variety of local geologist societies all run under the national organization.[11] AIPG, the American Institute of Professional Geologists, focuses on public service.[12] Both organizations have requirements for entry, including some form of experience in the field as well as a bachelor's degree in a geology-related major.
- A professional organization can boost your resume and will give you the opportunity to network with other geologists, which can lead to better job prospects and career opportunities.
- Make your resume and cover letter boast your education, experience, and skills. With many careers, your resume and cover letter can be soft and have a particular focus on you as a person rather than your technical ability. In geology and science careers, your resume and cover letter should exhibit your extensive education, including specific classes you took, your experience in internships and other scientific pursuits, and your strongest skills in geoscience research.
- Your cover letter can talk a little bit about you as a person, but don't focus on it too much more than a single paragraph. Your cover letter should detail significant experiences you have had, and describe your interest in geology and in the specific position you are looking for.
- Be ready to talk about your ability to analyse, your ability to work in a team, and your experience with advanced scientific principles as they relate to geology in your interview.
- Look for jobs in geology education at universities, high schools, and museums. Universities will offer courses in earth science, geology, or related fields. A museum could be looking for a geologist to catalogue items and do field research. A high school may need a geologist to teach environmental science, biology, chemistry, or physics.
- Whichever you choose, having a master's degree or PhD in geology will boost your credentials significantly, especially for museum and university positions.[13]
- Search for positions with large mining, energy, or GIS companies. A mining company may need a geologist to identify and supervise mining sites. An energy company may need somebody with significant scientific and computer skills to find new sources of energy. A GIS company needs geologists to accurately map out resources and geography in an area.
- You may not need a master's degree to work with a company, but it can help to skip past entry-level positions.[14] If you have a bachelor's degree, working at a large company could give you the opportunity to get your feet wet and begin getting some basic experience in the field.
- Use your college connections to start a scientific research career. If working for a company, teaching others, or working for a museum doesn't sound good to you, you can always do strict scientific research in one of the many privately-run or university-run labs in the world. It may not pay as much as some other positions, but your work will be entirely focused on research and learning new things about the world.[15]
- Whether you have a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, or a PhD, use your professors and internship connections to find a position suited to your education level.
- The best way to find strict research positions is by maintaining contact with your old professors and your university to learn about research openings before they become public.[16]
- Become licensed to practice geology, if your state requires it. More than half of the U.S. states require scientists to become licensed to practice geology. You will need to have at least a bachelor's degree, gain more than 3 years of experience in a job, and you will need to pass an entrance exam. Check the National Association of State Boards of Geology to see if you need to become licensed to be a geologist in your state.
- If you have a master's degree or a PhD, it is significantly easier to become licensed and you may not need to have experience in the field, as your intensive studies serve as an alternative form of experience.[17]
- Make sure you are good at writing and have taken a few foreign language courses. You may need to communicate effectively with other geologists from all over the world.
- A formal thesis proposal is required in almost all PhD and master's degrees, so think carefully about what piques your interest in geology and focus on that. Think back on what interested you the most during your studies and focus on that in your thesis proposal, as you will be more inspired and more confident in your work.
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| How to Remove Oil Stains from Paper Posted: 16 Feb 2019 12:00 AM PST Oil stains can be one of the most stubborn stains to get out of any type of material, especially a piece of paper. If you managed to get an oil spot on an important paper document that you can't replace, it's important to act fast. The sooner you start working to remove the oil, the better your chances are of leaving the paper oil-spotless. Either way, with just a little chalk or vinegar and a delicate touch, you will be able to at least reduce the visibility of the oil stain! EditCleaning with a Vinegar Solution - Create a cleaning solution with half plain water, half white vinegar. Combine of white vinegar and of plain water in a cup or bowl. Set your solution aside for now until you are ready to clean.[1]
- Vinegar is a natural cleaner that works like a mild bleach and can be used to clean many types of materials.
- Lay the affected piece of paper out flat on a hard, waterproof surface. Flatten it out as much as possible. You can place heavy objects on the corners to stretch it out and keep it flat and stable.[2]
- Remember that the sooner you start working on the oil stain, the easier it will be to remove.
- Moisten a cotton ball or swab with the cleaning solution and clean the spot. Gently and carefully dab the oil stain with the moistened cotton ball or swab. Be careful not to use too much of the cleaning solution as you could damage the paper you are cleaning if it gets too wet.[3]
- If the oil spot looks like it is getting too wet, dab it dry with a paper towel or let it air dry so that you don't create a hole in the paper.
- Keep dabbing rather than letting the vinegar soak in, until the stain appears to be lifted, then you can dry the area.
- Dry the cleaned area by dabbing it with a dry paper towel and letting it air dry. Once the spot is completely dry you can see if the stain was completely removed. If there is still an oil stain, repeat the process to remove as much of it as possible.[4]
- Keep in mind that this method will work better the fresher the stain is, older stains may not come out completely but you can reduce their visibility.[5]
EditUsing White Chalk - Get white chalk and a small paintbrush at an art supply store. If you can find chalk powder this is ideal, otherwise just buy a piece of chalk. If you use a piece of chalk you will need to use a knife to shave it into a powder.[6]
- The paintbrush should be soft-bristled and of an appropriate size to dust the oil spot you want to remove with the chalk powder.
- White chalk powder works well to absorb grease and oil.
- Lay out the paper on a hard, flat surface and smooth it out. Try to flatten out any folds, wrinkles, and ridges from the piece of paper. Take extra care to make sure that the part of the paper with the oil spot is as flat as possible.[7]
- It's important to start working to remove an oil stain from paper as soon as possible so that it doesn't have time to completely dry and set.
- Use the paintbrush to dust the oil spot with the chalk powder. Dip your paintbrush into the powder you are using and brush it onto the oil spot. The chalk will pull some of the oil stain out of the paper.[8]
- Sandwich the paper between two clean pieces of white paper. Be careful as you move the paper and try not to disturb the chalk on top of the oil spot. If you knock any of the powder off of the oil stain, lift up the top piece of paper and carefully brush some more of the chalk onto the spot.[9]
- You can lay one piece of clean paper next to the paper you are cleaning, slide it carefully over, and then lay another clean sheet on top.
- Warm up an iron on low heat and place it on top of the paper for 5 seconds. Make sure it is covering the oil spot. Remove the iron after 5 seconds and check the oil stain, it will be lighter or possibly completely gone. Repeat the process as needed to continue to lift the stain.[10]
- Test the warm iron on a blank piece of paper first to make sure that it does not burn so that you don't destroy the piece of paper you are trying to save. If it is too hot, lower the setting and test it again.
- Depending on how set-in the stain is, this method may not completely remove it, but it will get rid of some of it.
EditSources and Citations
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