Does Drinking Coffee Help You Ace an Exam?

When exam time rolls around it’s not unusual to see weary eyed students hunched over heavy textbooks sipping cups of lukewarm java. Although their main objective may be to stay awake until test time, can the benefits of coffee include better performance when exam time finally rolls around?

Interestingly, the benefits of coffee drinking for enhancing memory have already been demonstrated. In a study published by the American Psychological Society, drinking coffee was shown to boost memory in older adults, although decaffeinated coffee didn’t appear to have the same effect. It appeared to be the caffeine which enhanced memory rather than some other component found in the coffee. The researchers emphasized that other stimulants may have a similar effect to caffeine when it comes to optimizing memory.

Another study published in 2005 further confirmed the memory boosting benefits of coffee drinking. Researchers were able to show that caffeine enhances short-term memory by interacting with higher centers in the brain. The type of memory caffeine seemed to boost in these studies was “working memory” or the type of memory used to retain information for short time intervals, such as when cramming for an exam.

Despite this, not all studies have shown a memory enhancing effect. Some studies carried out on mice and rats have shown that caffeine may actually impair short-term and long-term memory.

Caffeine has also been shown to increase activity in the portion of the brain that controls attention which may allow for sharper focus on a task, in this case studying for a big exam. It appears that another benefit of coffee drinking may be allowing distractions to be tuned out so that new information can be absorbed more easily.

Although the benefits of coffee drinking seem to include increased attention and, possibly, enhancement of short-term memory, this may be a dose dependent effect. If high doses of caffeine are consumed particularly in a caffeine sensitive individual, negative effects such as jitteriness and anxiety may make it more difficult to retain information.

Some studies suggest a positive benefit of coffee drinking on memory and attention which may be helpful in preparing for an exam. Whether or not this is beneficial may depend upon the individual and how he or she responds to caffeine. It may also depend on how much caffeine is consumed.

The bottom line? When preparing for an exam, it’s probably best to study far enough ahead of time so you don’t have to depend on the benefits of coffee to ace the class.

Source: Does Drinking Coffee Help You Ace an Exam?

Exam Tips

If you’re equipped with the right knowledge, preparation for a federal government exam or interview is a simple and straightforward process.

In order to use all information provided by the hiring department or recruiting agency, there are simple things to consider:

Review the statement of merit criteria. The statement of merit criteria is the document by which the recruiting department or agency describes the eligibility criteria. These criteria are usually listed as follows: education, experience, competencies/abilities, personal suitability, asset qualification, operational/organizational needs, conditions of employment and/or other conditions of employment.
Review, search, practice and study all that is relevant to this position.You will want to read-up on the recruiting body, review your experience in relation to the position, search and understand how the recruiting body assesses knowledge and competencies in an interview or written examination.
Understanding the competencies listed on the statement of merit. Understanding the type of level of competencies for the job you are applying for will save you lot time and help you in written exam. Using concrete examples, prepare answers for your exam demonstrating how you meet each merit criteria based on your past experiences. If you clearly respond to these pre-screening questions, your application will draw attention and you will be given the opportunity to be invited to an interview.
Understanding the different types of interviews and interview questions.
The federal government generally uses structured type interviews: a structured interview is a formal interview which generally has more than 1 board member and where notes are taken in response to your answers.
Various types of interview questions are used by a selection board when assessing candidates:
Open ended questions: e.g. Tell us what you like about your current job;
Closed questions: e.g. What department is responsible for the application of the Public Service Employment Act;
Behaviour based interview questions: e.g. What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an example;
Situational questions: e.g. You disagree with the way your supervisor says to handle a problem. What would you do;
Personal questions: e.g. Tell us about yourself and what it is that you think you bring to this position.
Other methods used in the selection process:
Written exams: these tests generally assess the applicant’s knowledge, abilities and competencies;
In-basket exercises, role-playing and case method exercises.

Exam Tips

How to Make a Good Impression in Your First Month of Work

Have you ever wondered why you can't keep a job for more than a few weeks per job? Do you feel like you are doing nothing wrong and just think that the people that fired you had no reason to and are just evil? Well you need to read up on these steps for you to make a good impression in your first month at work so that you will keep your job for a long time.

STEPS:

1. Build a relationship with your co-workers: It is always good to get to know your co-workers. Making friends with your co-workers shows that you can fit into you new workplace and shows that you can build chemistry in your “team”. Also it helps to be on good terms with everyone in the workplace so in times of need of help on certain things your co-workers will be willing to help you since they like you.

2. Put in the extra time the first month: This does not necessarily mean that you need to put overtime in everyday for the first month. What this means is that you should put in the extra effort at work to make an impression to show that you have initiative and to show that you want to keep your job.

3. Always ask for help when needed: If you ever feel like you don’t know what you are supposed to do for the first month you should always ask for help. Whether it is the fact of being new and trying to understand what you have to do or whether you have been at the job for a month or year and you just can’t get an assignment done; ask for help. It would not look good in the first month if you go around trying to look like you know what you are doing but in reality you are not getting anything done at all. If you don’t know what you are supposed to do or you don’t understand how to do it ask for help.

4. Leave your home life at home and always bring a professional attitude to work: Leave the drama from home or friends at home. Your co-workers are not going to want to hear you complain about things that are going on in your life and some might think of it to be distracting if you constantly talk about it at work. This can lead to complaints about you to the boss and in the end could lead you to getting fired. No matter what drama is going on at life always try to bring that professional attitude to work and do that best job you can. The only time that you can bring it up is when your co-workers ask about what has been going on in your life, and this will only come from what was talked about in the previous steps, build a relationship with your co-workers.

TIPS:

1. Keep a positive attitude

2. Always act professional

3. Be to work on time

4. Don't take time off in your first month of work

5. Never ask about your salary at work or bring up your pay

6. Become friends with your co-workers

7. Leave personal drama at home

8. Dress for the job, Dress for "Success"

9. Always ask for help when needed

10. Finish assignments on time or early, NEVER LATE.

SOURCE: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Good-Impression-in-Your-First-Month-of-Work

How to Avoid Workplace Flu

Each year, approximately 15 to 60 million people in the United States get the flu, resulting in about 70 million missed work days. Workplace environments can be a breeding ground for the flu, spreading the virus through close contact and shared work spaces. Your co-workers can even unknowingly spread the flu virus a day before they develop symptoms. To avoid the workplace flu, follow these tips.

STEPS:

1. Get a flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is the most effective way to guard against flu in the workplace. The flu vaccine protects against three different strains of the flu virus. For example, the 2010-2011 flu vaccine in the U.S. protects against an influenza B, AH3N2 and H1N1 virus. Every person 6 months old and older should get the flu vaccination each year. Encourage your co-workers to get the flu vaccine, or work with local health officials to set up a vaccination clinic in your workplace.

2. Disinfect your work space several times throughout the day during flu season. The flu virus can live for about 72 hours on desks, doorknobs, copy machines, telephones and other work areas. Wipe these and other surfaces touched by others on a regular basis.

3. Wash your hands for a period of at least 15 seconds throughout the day, especially before eating. Make it a part of your routine after using the bathroom, making a cup of coffee, eating, attending a meeting, sharing office supplies like a copy machine or fax machine, or having contact with a co-worker.

4. Use hand sanitizer often. Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer gel or a package of disposable hand wipes in your work area, and use them after every meeting or contact with co-workers. Offer hand sanitizer to co-workers who come into your office. When using hand sanitizer gel, pour a generous amount into the palm of your hand and rub it all over your hands until the gel is dry. When it is not possible to wash your hands, using hand sanitizer is a good way to reduce germs.

5. Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes while working at your desk or sitting in a meeting. Germs, including flu virus droplets, spread through warm, moist areas like these.

6. Talk to your boss about working from home if the flu virus is spreading throughout your office.

TIPS: Be on the lookout for flu symptoms in co-workers, such as a cough and runny nose. Other symptoms you might feel at the onset of the flu include a high fever, headache, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. Some people may also experience diarrhea and vomiting.

SOURCE: http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Workplace-Flu

How to Be a Good Boss

How to Be a Good Boss

You're the boss. But it's no fun (and very difficult) being a boss who is not respected, ineffective at managing staff, or is even actively disliked. How do you get your staff to be the best thing that ever happened to you? By being the best boss that ever happened to them. This article is intended to be helpful in a smaller, more casual setting. Although the tips could be helpful to a person in a larger, more formal executive setting, some would not be appropriate in those settings - see How to Be A Good Manager for advice in a more formal setting. But if you're someone who is pretty much the ultimate authority in his or her company or store (a small business owner or a general manager (GM) for a retail store, for example) here's how to be a good boss.

STEPS:

1. Realize that management succeeds via the efforts of the workers. Because you're in charge doesn't mean you deserve all the credit for the work being done. Your staff is responsible for the bulk of the work. You are leading them as they get it done to be sure all regulations are complied with, etc.,.

2. Delegate responsibility and then trust your people. Micro-managers are never appreciated and shows disrespect toward the team member. Once you've trained someone to handle a task, allow him or her to handle it without interference. Different people have different approaches, and someone else's way of doing something may be just as efficient as the way you would do it. Before you step in and force your way on anyone, give an honest evaluation to the method, and if you find it works just as well, even if it's different from yours, let it be. Constantly correcting your people undercuts their confidence and does not allow them to exercise their own style.

3. Know your employees to know your strength. Watch your staff, get to know them as individuals. Understand their motives: Whatever that is, do your best to understand. That allows you to enhance, adjust and align their motives with your goals. The cream always rises to the top, and it's your job to figure out which employees do what is required in their jobs, and which employees do all they can in their jobs. There is a huge distinction.

4. Most bad bosses are under the (mistaken) impression that there is something threatening about this, because the bad boss thinks that s/he is the only one who can perform a given function. The truth is, the best boss trusts that his or her staff can be utterly relied upon.

5. Empower your staff to Make Decisions, and don't second-guess them. If you've done a good job of training your people to be your proxies, then you must believe they are doing their best to act in your (and your company's) best interest. Even if they make a wrong decision, or handle a situation in a way you would not have, don't second guess or berate them. Instead, use it as yet another training opportunity. Hear out their reasons for their action - most of the time, when taken in context, there was a logical basis for what they decided to do.

6. Help them learn to work out issues without your intervention. Sometimes one or more of your staff may experience friction with others. If they come tattling on one another to you, Listen to them carefully. If someone is not fulfilling his own responsibilities or is mistreating another employee, you'll need to step in and Resolve a Conflict at Work. But if you're satisfied it's only an issue of competition or a simple personality clash, urge them to settle it between themselves.
Talk to the other person, and upon verifying that it's a personality issue, simply let them both know that they aren't required to be friends, only to get along and get their work finished.
Tell them both you believe in their abilities to work and get along. Then leave them alone, but watch carefully. Don't interfere unless they bicker in front of customers. Put a stop to anything like that instantly.

7. Deal with any problems quickly and directly. Any boss who is terribly busy totally understands this concept: "I don't need all the details. Bottom line it for me." You don't have to be so blunt that you crush people, and Be Honest Without Being Harsh is a big time saver, and frankly, appreciated in the end. When you see a problem, deal with it quickly and don't nag your people about it later - let done be done. Try to elicit the agreement that whatever just happened was not acceptable. Remember that your goal is to promote productive behavior and retain the respect of your employee, NOT to antagonize your people, particularly in front of others. 

8. Tell your staff how much you appreciate them - in front of customers if possible. Never hesitate to pat your employees on the back, Compliment staff and thank them for their excellent service - if customers are there, letting them know how you value your people can go a long way toward the customers actually having more faith in the services your business provides. When your staff feel valued and appreciated, their job means more to them than simply a paycheck. When your customers know that you, as the manager think highly of your staff, they feel confident that they're in good hands, and it gives you more freedom to leave your customers in the very capable hands of your staff. See how this becomes a "win-win-win"? By lifting up your employee while your customer was watching, ALL of you got something good from it - with zero downside.

9. Show your appreciation by doing things for them. They go the extra mile for you. You do something nice for them.

10. Learn to be an effective listener. Your employees deserve to be heard when they have concerns. Allow them to finish talking before you speak; do not assume that you know what they are going to tell you before they finish talking; do not form objections in your mind while they are talking. Instead try to be fully engaged while they are talking without making it about your rebuttal. Acknowledge their points, which does not mean that you agree, but does mean that you understand their concerns. Repeat their points in your own words to confirm, if necessary. You may not need to take any action, but hearing them out is important to their sense of empowerment and significance. Often, simply saying, "I appreciate your telling me this" is all that's needed to make them feel they were heard.

11. Always say thanks to them for what they do at work.

TIPS:

1. Have a little tolerance in your heart. Your staff works how ever many hours for you and then lives the remainder in his or her personal life, which may leave a big impact, bleeding into work hours. Your employee may be cranky or have an off, low-producing day due to any number of personal reasons. (Still, remember it is their responsibility to deal with their personal lives on their time. You must remind them of this if they continually have the problem, but if it's a rare occurrence, do allow for the human limitation.)

2. Understand that things beyond your staff's control are bound to come up from time to time. As long as it's not habitual, it's in your best interest to treat your people like PEOPLE, not objects or numbers or cogs in your grand wheel. Give them the freedom to handle their personal issues, even if they come up on your time - as long as it isn't continual or egregious.

3. If you are on a tight budget, becoming a good boss can save you a ton of money. Many studies show how a staff that feels you care for them and value them will be far less motivated by money, and far more motivated by their sense of empowerment, value to you and the company, and the feeling that they have significant responsibilities.

4. Have fun with your staff. Joking with them and allowing them to see you as a human being binds them to you with feelings of friendship. Letting them address you as "My Queen" or "Captain" may amuse them. It's okay, then, should your staff start doing something like this, to address them occasionally as "My Prince," or "Lieutenant Commander!" etc. This is charming to them and lets them know they are not simple minions, but essential members of your crew or "royal court." While it's important to maintain the reality of your position as their leader, it's also important that you be accessible. (And it's quite telling as to how they feel about you - being addressed with a bow and "My Queen," even privately or in a light-hearted way says this person respects and admires you, and is willing to defer to you).

5. The owner or manager of a small company may be able to afford only a very meager year-end bonus. Instead of giving your team a teeny bonus of less than $50 each person, consider throwing a party for them - host it at your own home if you can. Your staff will be very touched that you have (A) invited them to your home, (B) spent money to cater for them, (C) provided a warm, fun event for them to share each other's company, and yours. Remember that $50 is a tank of gas that will be forgotten in a few days, but that party will give them a memory they may carry with them all their lives. A few themed party favors cost little but create loads of fun and good feelings.

6. Being a good boss really is a lot like being a king or queen. You have to rely on your people for so much, it's important that they feel loyal to you, and do things the way you want them done. Telling them to remember that wherever they go, even on their own time, they stand for you and your company, and to remember who they are in that light - it's actually a good thing. It makes them feel invested in the company in a very deep way, and those who are your very best will always go far above and beyond the call of duty to serve you to the best of their abilities.

7. Recognize that you need to learn to be a boss. Many of us are promoted to be a boss because we did a good job as employees. But the job of a boss is very different - and sometimes counter-intuitive. Without some level of effort, you may not grow into a good boss. Instead, you may continue to be just a good employee to your new boss.

8. A good way to remember the importance of treating your employees well is to remind yourself to think of them as you do your good customers. Your good customers often get the benefit of the doubt in a dispute. You will sometimes offer special perks as a way to say thanks and/or build loyalty. No matter what kind of personal mood you may be in on a given day you always put on a good positive face for your good customers. And, of course, you always treat those customers with great respect. These are the kinds of things you should also be doing for your good employees since, at the end of the day, they are every bit as important - if not more so in some cases - as those good customers you so treat them well! Their morale will be higher, and therefore business will be better, the more valued by you they feel.

9. Don't reprimand the entire department for what one person is doing wrong. For example, you discover that Sue is coming in late nearly every day, while everyone else is on time. Instead of sending a group email about the importance of punctuality, meet with Sue to discuss the problem.

10. Being nice takes the same amount of time (or less) as being a curt, rude, or a jerk. And it gets you treated better in return.

11. Be cautious about becoming friends with your workers. Try to keep communications on a professional level, at least in the office.

WARNING:

1. Not everyone is cut out to be the boss. If you are the owner, you might do well to hire a manager who is a good boss to interface with staff; if you were promoted, you might seek a different position elsewhere which does not require you to make management decisions. Sitting in the Captain's Chair really does require a certain type of personality - if you don't have it, that's okay; just figure it out and make your decisions accordingly.

2. Don't feel you need to cushion counseling or disciplinary statements with compliments or flattery. It makes you seem oily - in the "Evan" example above, starting out by complimenting and coaxing him to "get it" himself would be akin to bribing him to accept your guidance. If Evan is a halfway decent employee, he will know that being called into the office is not about his doing a good job, and you will seem weak if you cannot just come out with the problem. You don't need to dress him down, you just need to correct the behavior quickly. Your staff should be able to do a good job as a matter of course. If you are giving your people the props they deserve at the appropriate times, they will not require stroking at inappropriate times.

3. You will feel indebted to your staff. The better they do their jobs and you recognize them for it, the harder it is for you to feel as if you live up to their loyalty.

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:

1. Courage - you have to be brave to relinquish controlling tendencies.

2. A positive attitude - if you're sullen and morose, your people will be sullen and morose, too. They will mirror you. Staying upbeat will keep them optimistic and happy.

3. Patience - teaching people to do things your way takes time.

4. Empathy - understand that your people are human beings with needs and feelings, just like you.

5. Faith - believe in them. It means everything to them, and ultimately to you.

6. To always lead from the front - don't drive them from behind with a whip: we must inspire great people to do great things. They will take their cues from you.

SOURCE: http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Good-Boss

How to Become an IT Consultant

Do you need to learn How to Become an IT Consultant? Discover Proven Secrets on How to Become an IT Consultant and Get Great IT Consultant Clients Now

STEPS:

1. Becoming an IT Consultant is a Lot Like Launching a Professional Services Business. While some mistakenly try to copycat the business models of large retail stores, large computer manufacturers, or skilled trades people, the business of being a successful IT consultant is more similar to that of a B2B (business-to-business)-focused accountant, attorney, or management consultant. So be sure to take time to carefully plan your professional image, so you come across as a trusted technology advisor...not a glorified computer repairperson.

2. Embrace Time Management. As an IT consultant, your time is essentially your inventory. You sell your technical expertise, business savvy, and time to those small business owners and managers that need sound professional technology advice and ongoing support and oversight. So you better get a handle on how you manage your time. To do so, consider diligently journaling where every 1/4 hour of your business week goes, so you can analyze what percentage is (a) sales and marketing, (b) billable client work, and (c) administrative and operations.

3. Proactively Select Your Target Prospects with Both Eyes Open. Many new IT consultants make the nearly-fatal mistake of trying to market to “everyone” or “small businesses”. Both of these target markets are way too broad for most IT consultants. Consider narrowing down your focus by region, industry, company-size, and existing technology platform.

4. Focus on Long-Term Quality Client Relationships. Most new IT consultants spend way too much time and energy dealing with one-shot-deal, transaction-oriented customers, with very little potential for substantial repeat monthly business. Make sure you focus on those small business clients that value the ongoing support and oversight that you bring to the table, and have the needs and budget to consult with you on a regular basis.

5. Get to Know Other Trusted Business Advisors in Your Community. Because so many IT consultants copycat the wrong business models and target the wrong prospects, IT consultants often get burnt out and discouraged long before they’ve even scratched the surface on the best, repeat source of new clients around. Make sure you get to know and befriend other non-competing technology providers, accountants, attorneys, and management consultants in your area. Remember, these professionals already have a foot-in-the-door with the same decision makers you’re trying to reach. Take other trusted business advisors to lunch or dinner. Get together for coffee or breakfast. Play a round of golf. Invite them to a baseball or football game. Whatever comes naturally to you. But make sure you get to know other trusted business advisors in your community. This way you can start building those crucial business-nurturing relationships that your IT consultant business absolutely, positively needs as soon as possible.

SOURCE: http://www.wikihow.com/Become-an-IT-Consultant

How to Identify a Workaholic?

In the advanced world we live, having a career is important for essentially all tax payers who aren't ridiculously wealthy. But sometimes, this need to work goes too far. If someone you know could be a workaholic, it is important to identify the warning signs. While this article is written for helping another person, you may be able to identify any workaholic habits you have yourself. Steps: 1. Determine how much this person works in a week. If they work overtime constantly, it may be a red flag. 2. Determine his/her reaction to being separated from work. If that person claims he/she cannot go on without working, it is a symptom of a workaholic. 3. Ask his/her family and friends about it. Without being intrusive, ask others how they feel about that person's working happens and mood when he/she returns from work. 4. If you can prove that person is a workaholic, get him/her help. If left untreated, addiction to work can cause health problems. Warnings: • Do not be intrusive. This could make that person suspicious and defensive. • Workaholism is a psychological condition that can have serious effects. Compulsive workers may develop insomnia, carpal tunnel and blood clots from sedentary jobs, increased stress, a more aged appearance, and even death in a phenomenon known in Japan as karōshi .