What to Do if Your Age Is an Issue in a Job Interview

What to Do if Your Age Is an Issue in a Job InterviewWhat to Do if Your Age Is an Issue in a Job InterviewIn this day and age, it is rare for an interviewer to ask a direct question about the age of a candidate. Askinghow old you are, even in a roundabout way, is just something an interviewer is expected to avoid when conducting a job interview, as it is discriminatory and indicates ulterior motives. However,age discriminationremains a significant issue for many older job seekers. How to Respond if an Interviewer Seems Concerned About Your Age An unethical or untrained interviewer could pose a direct query about your age. Occasionally, a recruiter might fish around with questions that might yield some insight about your age, like asking when you graduated from college. In many cases, it is common for interviewees to sense some concern or hesitation on the part of the interviewer. It isnt just the presumption that an applicant is too old that is a concern for employers. Rather, it is the assumption (often an erroneous one) that older employees will lack in some critical qualities which will impact job performance. Common negative assumptions by employers about older workers include A lack of energy and therefore slow performanceHealth issuesAn inflexible approach to changing circumstancesBeing out of touch with current industry trendsA poor grasp of the latest technologyAn inability to relate to younger workersAn inability to relate to those from diverse ethnic backgrounds Younger candidates are also subject to this question. Interviewers may be trying to determine how low they can go concerning their starting your salary. Volunteer Information to Counteract Assumptions About Your Age When it appears that the interviewer has concerns about your age, the best approach is to volunteer information that will counter those assumptions. Use questions like, Why should we hire you? or What are some of the key strengths that will enable you to excel in this job?, as an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are bedrngnis only qualified but have all the other assets the employer is seeking. Emphasize Your Skills Older candidates who can reference examples of long hours worked on critical projects and quantitative measures of productivity can easily counteract assumptions about lack of energy. By emphasizing creative approaches to problem-solving,older workerscan demonstrate their flexibility and their ability to adjust to new challenges. Older applicants should also present a clear pattern of engagement with professional development activities and reference the latest industry trends to allay fears that they are out of touch. Discussing any leadership roles with professional groups and conference presentations can go a long way to proving this point as well. Older candidates should make sure that they refer to any technology expertise which they have cultivated, especially knowledge and skills acquired recently. Share Examples Whenever possible, offer positive examples of teamwork and/or customer contact with a diverse mix of colleagues and clients (concerning age and cultural background). Stories of how you successfully managed or mentored younger co-workers can effectively illustrate this point. On the flip side, sharing stories about how you successfully worked for a younger manager can help, too. Be Careful About Bringing Up Health Concerns You dont need to mention good health directly because you may bring up an issue that isnt in the mind of the interviewer. However, if you have a solid attendance record, you could mention that you have missed few, if any days, and can be depended on to show up for work and to be on time. Sometimes, mentioning active hobbies like running, skiing, spinning, and dancing during the less formal stages of an interview can demonstrate vitality and a high energy level. If the Interviewer Still Asks About Your Age If the question, How old are you? still comes up, th ere are ways to get around revealing your age.Calmly, shift the focus to the skills and abilities you can contribute based on your experience. Here are some examples of ways to frame up your answer Ive worked in this industry for many years and will not be slowing down anytime soon. Former employers have embraced age diversity. Am I right in thinking X Company shares the same philosophy?My years of experience and continued passion for learning and growing would certainly make me an asset to your company. For the sake of clarity, are you asking my age for a specific reason that I should be aware of?If you dont mind me asking, is there a concern about my skill set or education in relation to this position? Im confident that my experience and abilities make me completely prepared for this role. And Id love to briefly highlight some projects that directly apply to this position as well as the great results I achieved. My age has never been a problem. In fact, my level of experience and maturity would help me contribute a great deal to your company. May I ask you to elaborate on any concerns so that I can fully understand them and explain how I can meet your needs? After your response, note if the interviewer withdraws the question or realizes that its inappropriate. How they react to your assertive answer will say a great deal about both their integrity and the companys underlying philosophy on diversity. Though it may feel uncomfortable, know that having this clarity is of utmost importance to your job satisfaction.

Five ways to be the direct person youve always wanted to become at work

Five ways to be the direct person youve always wanted to become at workFive ways to be the direct person youve always wanted to become at workUnless youre already a pro at being direct,toeing the line between being assertive enough without being obnoxious can be difficult.Heres how to do so in a way thats effective, but totenstill keeps the person youre speaking with in mind.Stand your groundKnow your worth.If you have trouble being direct with a particular coworker or executive who consistently questions you or seems to doubt you,it can be easy toget lost in a web of words - or, worse, harp on what you feel like you lack professionally.Thats why its crucial to remember what you bring to the table while communicating your message.You got this job for a host of reasons, and justbecause someone who doesnt always listen to your ideas fails to hear you out doesnt mean that you have nothing valuable to say.Put yourself in the other persons shoesConversations are a two-way street.You migh t have a lot to get across, but be sure to examine the other persons perspective Where are they coming from? Does it seem like they will be more receptive to what youre saying if you present the topic to them in a specific way? Keep topics like this in mind.Also use the golden rule when being direct Treat those youre speaking to the way youd like to be spoken to.Choose your words carefullyDont smother the bad news with good news.The compliment sandwich tactic isnt always the best way to deliver feedback.Instead of dancing around what needs to be improved, be clear and respectful in saying it.Embrace who you are, and harness it in your deliveryDont pretend to be someone youre not.A Harvard Business Review article features advice from Daniel Ames, a professor of management at Columbia Business School and author of Pushing Up to a Point Assertiveness and Effectiveness in Leadership and Interpersonal Dynamics, on how to stay true to yourself.Dont feel you have to muster interpersonal co ldness to accompany your assertion. Feel free to be friendly and empathic while asking for your needs to be met, he told the publication.Keep the attention on youBeing overly directduring one-on-one meetings or conversations at work can seem confrontational, but keeping the persons focus on how youre feeling and/or what you need from them - instead of how theyre failing you in some way - can help get around that.Citing examples, a HuffPost article mentions that you should use I instead of you when being direct.Other featured advice includes saying significant things while face-to-face with someone (and that over the phone is in second place, voicemail is third, and that this should never be done throughtext message or email).When being direct, you dont need to cover up what youre really trying so say - just be conscientious in the way you say it.

Five Personal Robots Coming to Your Home Soon

Five Personal Robots Coming to Your Home Soon Five Personal Robots Coming to Your Home Soon 5 Personal Robots Coming to Your Home SoonNearly every story you read about progress in robotics tries to grab your attention with a hypothetical robot conquest scenario. This one is no exception.However, the robots in this story arent overtaking humanity as a whole just an increasing share of our daily lives. A new generation of friendly, efficient, and adaptable synthetic servants is invading US homes, exerting a new level of control over our household affairs.And as people surrender to them in record numbers, these real-world robots now dominate a $31-billion global market traditionally ruled by industrial-grade ordnungsprinzips.Advanced artificial intelligence and machine-learning technologies have rendered the bucket-of-bolts automaton of old-time sci-fi movies obsolete. The mechanoids at the vanguard of this new invasion are as diverse in physical form as they are in functionality. From extremely lifelike humanoids to playful caricatures of celebrities to totally unobtrusive smart home control systems, theres no longer a limit to what a robot is and what it should look like. And increasingly, robots can do much mora than simply obey direct orders. They can predict their owners wishes based on their past behavior.A recent report by the Boulder, CO-based market research firm Tractica underscores big changes afoot in the robotics industry. If you factor in specialized items like drones, unmanned aerial vehicles, and autonomous cars, sales of nonindustrial robots have now outpaced those of traditional shop-floor robots, claiming a 64% share of the total robotics market revenues.The key underlying story emerging in the industry is that industrial robotics has given way to non-industrial categories, says Tractica research director Aditya Kaul. In this process, the epicenter of the industry is shifting toward Silicon Valley, which is now also becoming a hotbed for artifi cial intelligence.Another prime indicator of consumer robots rise to power was the considerable buzz they generated at this years Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in January in Las Vegas. As the nations largest and most influential showcase of next-wave tech, CES is a reliable predictor of coming attractions at your local Best Buy. This year, at least as far as tech-watchers pundits were concerned, consumer robots like the five profiled below stole the show.Smart GarbageWeve all been there before. You come back from the grocery store only to find you forgot to buy the one thing you needed most. Forgetfulness is one of the most human of all foibles, and at least in this case, robots can help. A personal shopping assistant from GeniCan helps households keep their pantries stocked by automatically populating a shopping list on the users smart phone. The device clips on to the side of a garbage or recycling bin, where it holds vigil over whats being thrown away. As empty containers are discarded, the GeniCan scans their barcodes and adds the product information to the digital shopping list. The device also features a speech recognition function, so noncoded items can be added to a list verbally. To fully eliminate the need for return trips to the grocery store for commonly used items, the system connects with Amazons Dash Replenishment tafelgeschirr to arrange automatic home or office delivery.Professor Einstein. Image Hanson RoboticsPersonal GeniusIt walks. It talks. It understands quantum physics. Professor Einstein (Hanson Robotics) is the real Albert Einsteins mechanized Mini-Me counterpart. The 14.5-in. free-moving figure is a lighthearted facsimile of the worlds most famous scientist, right down to the iconic white mane and a tongue that sticks out on command. Designed for ages 13 and up, the Lilliputian laureate is part science tutor, part personal organizer, part comedian, and part chat partner. Currently selling for a consumer-friendly $299, the Profe ssor incorporates many of the novel features behind Hansons high-end, ultra-realistic, empathetic robots natural language processing, advanced artificial intelligence, and more than 50 realistic if playful facial expressions. Those expressions, in fact, are keys to engaging learners in ways that other apps or learning tools cant. Like the companys more advanced robots, Professor Einsteins skin is made of a biologically inspired nanomaterial called Frubber for flesh rubber which works with a system of internal motors to mimic the motion of human facial muscles. The Wi-Fi-enabled device connects to Hansons Stein-o-Matic app for both iOS and Android devices, bringing a daily influx of fresh knowledge.Cute CompanionLynx from Ubtech Robotics, is a multi-function robot specializing in personalized interactions with its owner. This in-home companion is an extension of the companys Alpha series of humanoid-style devices, which move with either 16 or 20 degrees of freedom. By combining a lifelike range of movement, advanced AI capabilities, and Amazons Alexa AI voice recognition power, Lynx can recognize faces, images, and voices detect emotions offer personalized greetings and handle a range of personal tasks from playing music to monitoring the home while the owner is away. Its connection to Alexa enables users to order products directly from Amazons Prime service with basic voice commands.Leka. Image LekaBonding BallAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions latest statistics, onein 68 children in the U.S. are on the autism spectrum. Although the disease affects people in different ways, autisms hallmarks include challenges with language, social interaction, empathy, learning, and sensory perception. Kids with autism have trouble interacting with other people. Fittingly, a new robot has been developed that could reach these kids in ways their human teachers and parents cant. Leka, the product of Paris-based start-up Leka, now in testing at scho ols and therapy providers as a non-threatening, self-paced learning tool for kids with autism and related developmental disorders. The spherical device about the size of a typical playground ball stimulates learning with lights, sounds, music, vibrations, and other stimuli that can be customized for the needs of individual children. An internal video screen displays images and videos, including a range of facial expressions that help children develop greater ease with eye contact and personal interaction. Leka can be used to teach specific skills like color recognition or it can be used in exercises guided by an adult to practice interpersonal skills.Predictive PalKuri from Mayfield Robotics packs a comprehensive set of home-monitoring and personal assistant tools into a petite, almost pet-like package. Specifically developed to foster a personal connection with family members, Kuri is heavy on the soft skills. It likes to be petted. It can blink, smile, nod and move its head from side to side. The 20-in.-tall, 14-lb companion even shares its feelings through a built-in heart light that changes color to reflect different moods. The robots mapping sensors and drive system help it navigate around edges, corners, and different types of floor surfaces. A 1,080p camera installed behind one of its eyes helps homeowners keep tabs on property or pets while theyre away. A four-microphone array enables Kuri to hear and recognize various voices, while a dual speaker system cranks out music, podcasts, and other audio from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth sources. Wired included Kuri on its list of the 10 Sharpest Designs at CES 2017.Michael MacRae is an independent writer. For Further DiscussionThe epicenter of the industry is shifting toward Silicon Valley, which is now also becoming a hotbed for artificial intelligence.Aditya Kaul, Tractica

How to Get a Job Teaching English Abroad

How to Get a Job Teaching English AbroadHow to Get a Job Teaching English AbroadMany Americans dream of working overseas to experience life in another culture, acquire or strengthen foreign language skills, reunite with a special friend from a year of study abroad, or to provide service in a developing country. The fruchtwein practical way for most Americans to make this dream a reality is to teach abroad. The most common subject that they teach is English (as a second language).Read below for more information on how to get a job teaching abroad. Jobs Teachingat International Schools Hundreds of other teaching opportunities exist in a wide range of subjects at international schools that serve the children of English-speaking diplomats, business people, and other expatriates. Positions at international schools typically require certification or the equivalent hintergrund in teacher training and some experience (usually 2 or more years) teaching stateside. Like in the U.S, it is ea sier for candidates with a background in high demand disciplines like math and science to secure employment. Geographic flexibility, willingness to help with sports or other extracurricular activities, single teachers, or those with a partner who is also a teacher will be more attractive to many schools. Teach English Abroad A large number of Americans land jobs teaching English abroad each year. English has become the dominant language for international trade, so export countries, particularly in Asia and Latin America, are eager to have their citizens learn the language. Prospective teachers often do not need teaching experience or training in Teaching English as a Second Language to secure employment. Many programs exist which can facilitate theplacement of Americans into teaching positionsin different locations. Popular options include the Jet Program, which places teaching assistants in schools throughout Japan. Candidates should plan a year in advance since the deadline is in late November. The Chilean Ministry of Education also hires teaching assistants for public schools and provides housing with a host family, health insurance, and a modest stipend to cover some living expenses. The government in Spain offers avery popular program whereby American and Canadian citizens act as cultural and language assistants in the school system and receive a stipend of 700 Euros per month for an 8-month assignment running from October through May. Language assistants work 12-16 hours per week, leaving plenty of time to experience Spanish culture outside the classroom. In addition, participants receive medical insurance. Developed countries in Asia such as Japan and Korea offer some of the most lucrative English teaching opportunities, which are advertised through websites likeGoabroad.com. Prospective teachers should communicate with current American teachers at these schools to gain first-hand knowledge about working conditions prior to signing any contracts. How to Find OverseasJob Opportunities Candidates usually land positions by working through organizations like theInternational Schools Service(ISS),Search Associates,orTIE Online.These services can connect candidates to schools. Other job seekersapply directly to schools.Search AssociatesandISShold teacher fairs in the U.S where international schools interview candidates for jobs. These organizations also list many vacancies through their websites for registrants. Subscription fees do apply. Search Associates also offers an internship program for a limited number of recent college grads without teaching credentials. TheDepartment of Defense(DOD) operates its own schools for the offspring of military personnel stationed overseas. In most cases, the requirements are similar to those for other international schools with a bit more flexibility in some cases regarding requirements like certification and experience. International Service Programs Participating in international servi ce programs like the Peace Corps and WorldTeach is another way to travel overseas to teach. Teaching English is one of the most common placements for Peace Corps volunteers. Volunteers have the opportunity to work in developing countries in Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Some volunteers also teach math, science, and health. The Peace Corps charges no fees and volunteers receive a multitude of benefits including a relocation allowance of $8000 upon completing their term of duty, loan assistance, free travel to their service site, health coverage, and preference for federal employment. Those who complete their Peace Corps assignment become members of a large network of alumni who can be of tremendous assistance with future careers. Many other programs, like WorldTeach, charge fees but they often include housing, insurance, and other benefits. Many of these organizations provide fundraising literature that grads can use to solicit donations from friends, family, and communi ty organizations.

Get Tips for Starting a Pet Boutique

Get Tips for Starting a Pet BoutiqueGet Tips for Starting a Pet BoutiquePet boutiques, parte of the 50 billion dollars per year pet industry, provide high-quality products to pet owners. Gain Experience Prior employment in an animal related field is always beneficial when starting a pet boutique business. Experience in retail sales, especially as a pet product sales representative, will prove particularly useful. If you have never worked in a retail pet sales environment it would be wise to find a part or full-time position with an established business to learn the ins and outs of the industry. There is no substitute for hands-on experience. Business Considerations Before opening your pet boutique you must take into account various business and legal considerations. You should consult your accountant regarding the advantages and disadvantages of forming your business as a sole proprietorship, limited liability company, or other entity. You should also contact your local gover nment with regard to any permits or licenses that could be necessary for your business. Obtaining an insurance policy should also be on the planning checklist. Choose a Location You have to determine whether you will offer your products online via a website or through a brick and mortar retail location. A web-based store has a much lower start-up cost. A retail store offers additional exposure and customer traffic, but will obviously involve added costs for rent, employee salaries, and insurance. Many boutiques offer both online and retail shopping options. Name Your Business Your pet boutique business should have a name that makes it stand out from the crowd and especially big box chain pet stores. Emphasis should be placed on the unique, high-quality goods and services that you can provide through your boutique location. Select Your Products A pet boutique can carry a wide assortment of products and pet care items. Some boutiques specialize in creating customized items . Such services could include letting customers choose their own materials and design for custom pet bedding, or engraving pet identification tags and collar nameplates. Handmade local leather goods, such as collars and leashes, are often popular purchases for pet owners. Generally, the inventory of a pet boutique can include pet care supplies, clothing, bedding, travel carriers, a variety of toys and treats, and gift baskets. Some boutiques also operate a pet bakery and create all-natural gourmet treats. Animal themed human apparel may also be of interest to consumers, especially to those owners who are fans of a particular breed. Breed specific items can be hot sellers, so it is wise to keep items relating to the popular breeds in stock. Marketing Strategies There are many ways to advertise your pet boutique. It is always a good idea to try to align your boutique with upscale womens clothing boutiques, interior design studios, and other high-end shops. You can approach these h igh-end venues and ask if you can leave your business card or even develop a reciprocal advertising venture between your businesses. Other venues where you can advertise your pet boutique may include veterinary clinics, dog grooming shops, doggie day care businesses, supermarkets, retail shopping centers, and office complexes. Events like dog shows and pet industry expos are also excellent places to set up a booth to offer samples and demonstrations of products. Additional advertising options include placing an ad in the phone directory, creating a personalized web page, or taking advantage of advertising opportunities with local media outlets. If you create a website be sure to allow your customers to subscribe to a mailing list for a weekly or monthly newsletter featuring special offers, events, and coupons. Another idea to gain exposure is donating gift baskets to charity events and fundraisers. You can include your business card and logo to advertise your pet boutique while help ing a good cause. Over time word of mouth will become an excellent source of customer traffic. Price Your Products The most effective way to price your product line is to investigate what your competitors charge for similar items. You can gain a great deal of knowledge by searching online and visiting shops in your local area. Be sure to price your products competitively. Business Outlook According to the Pet Product Manufacturers Association (APPMA), the pet product industry draws in 50 billion dollars a year. The APPMA estimates that there are 78.2 mio dogs and 86.4 million cats kept as pets, and that number is expected to increase each year. Pet boutique businesses should show continued growth as pet owners have steadily increased spending on their animals each year according to the APPMA research studies.

The Unusual Mystery Into Computer Science Internship Resume

The Unusual Mystery Into Computer Science Internship Resume The sample below can help you begin. Fortunately, you may create an eye-catching CV readily since there are lots of choices to construct your resume in a few minutes. You can readily and conveniently compose a winning objective for your internship resume or cv by taking advantage of the sample objectives given in this post. Examine the samples to locate a format you prefer. What You Need to Know About Computer Science Internship Resume It isnt even important to generate a brandname fresh CIHR CV for each financing opportunity should you need to submit the precise exact same data. Check to be certain youre providing all of the info required and clearly define your skill sets in regard to application requirements. Resume examples for free will help you in a detailed process on the best way to compose your resume. Possessing a continue template has become a satisfactory and smart practice for numerous things. In case you have any question please dont hesitate to contact me. If youre asking for employment for which you own a lot of relevant experience, its reasonable choose the date format. The very first thing which you ought to do is identify the jobs you plan to complete an application for. Keep in mind, the type of job that you get is dependent on the sort of resume you create. You will see the format composed of different resume sections. A CS internship can take you down a great deal of distinct paths, often based on what sort of programming languages you currently use and which you wish to learn. As its label, its really a format with building based on the moment. Any template with advanced alternatives for formatting is ideal since its going to give you the critical versatility to file format an effective resume. The 5-Minute Rule for Computer Science Internship Resume You are going to be amazed at the number of templates you will discover out there offered. You can also see R esume Templates. A template demands the effortless structure of a resume. It is very oganized and named layers too easy to customize. The Demise of Computer Science Internship Resume These individuals acquire an on-line computer security degree, which aids them organize and plan for keeping the security of a businesss computer information ordnungsprinzip. As stated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the range of computer and data research scientist jobs is predicted to grow 11% during the next decade, which is faster than average. To attract attention, you are going to need to compose a good computer science resume. With an internship in computer science, youll also have the ability to explore one of the numerous sub-fields like computer graphics, computational issues, software engineering or quantitative analysis. As an item management intern, you will also function as a bridge between the engineering and marketing and advertising teams, helping to do market research and de velop effective advertising and marketing strategies for your merchandise. You also have to be acquainted with system computer software concepts like operating systems, compilers, and interpreters. You just need to pick the suitable computer science resume template which goes with your profession. Thus it is quite critical to present an impressive job application to grab your fantasy job. Be sure the business accepts PDF resumes. Make certain you use the major one beneath and attempt to get a job whenever youre in a position to. When you speak about a particular job, list at least two bullets describing what you did. The Battle Over Computer Science Internship Resume and How to Win It Prior research work functions as the deciding factor that will be able to help you land the internship. Moreover, youll also be requested to give names of few people who may refer to your research abilities. While all resumes must offer info in your work and education experience, in addition to your abilities and achievements, there are a variety of ways to present this info. Individual resumes are available for assorted disciplines. Computer Science graduates may have a multitude of careers. Language abilities and computer skills are definitely the most appropriate. Expand your objective to include things like a persuasive overview of why youre the perfect internship job candidate. A potent internship resume objective is necessary to stand out as the proper internship candidate. Each of the truly amazing details in every format will probably be employed, so it may be longer and present additional details. From the activities, you dont will need to place specific info on place, length, in addition to other information as in chronological format. If you may fit all your important and pertinent details on a single page, thats excellent, but dont be concerned if youve got to go on to a second sheet of paper. Very to begin with, you will have individual speak to and information. Following that, youll also make set of your specific skills. Then write by the side of each one of the skills youve got. Hard skills could be classified in many ways, dependent on your job title. Hard skills which are linked to the position needs to be listed first. New Questions About Computer Science Internship Resume To some level, your initial job, probably part-time, would supply you financial freedom and prepare the personality. Particularly, resume writing is among the complete most researched issues online. Coming with exceptional abilities and capacity to market and market products for the advantage of the corporation. Self-motivated student with the capability to create new suggestions to foster the goals of an organization.

PowerToFlys Remote Weekly Digest

PowerToFlys Remote Weekly Digest Its time to seize the day and start your work-from-home journey with one of these awesome new positionsApply to one of our featured fully remote jobs below or visit our jobs page for even mora opportunities Buffer - Accountant (Remote) FairFrame - CTO and CoFounder (Remote) GitLab - Director of Marketing Operation (Remote) Help Scout - Android Engineer (Remote) Livepeer - Video Engineer (Remote) Logikcull - Senior Security Infrastructure Engineer (Remote)Paylocity - Product Owner (Remote)Plex - Engineering Intern (Remote) RebelMouse - Full Stack Developer Zapier - Senior Director of Design (Remote) One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for be ing in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot more to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pRe search presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervi sors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender ste reotypes plaguing the construction industry.