The Best iPad Apps for Work

The Best iPad Apps for WorkThe Best iPad Apps for WorkThe passing of Steve Jobs yesterday sent chills throughout the world. The man behind Apple and its amazing products - iTunes, the iPhone and the iPad, along with a trendy lineup of computers helped change the way people read, work and play each day. Literally millions of people were touched by Steve Jobs innovative and aggressive business approach and therefore his death touched many who use the products he famously touted at conferences in jeans and a black turtleneck shirt. Even those who purposely purchased the other product are celebrating the legacy he left behind. Were a little more productive today thanks to Steve Jobs and as a career intelligence site, we pay tribute to the genius behind Apple and the iPad with a special look at how he helped make our professional lives that much easier. Thank you Steve Jobs. Here are the best iPad apps for workEvernote (free) Our ideas often come to us at the oddest of times. Rather than sketch something out on a napkin in a diner or try and remember it until you get into the office the next day, Evernote makes it easier to keep all your notes in one place. Whether you have a new idea for a marketing campaign, want to put together an itinerary for your next trip, found a website that you like and want to do business with, or just enjoy a bottle of wine and think it would be great for that dinner party you are having with other executives, this app does it all. Write notes, draw concepts, take pictures, cut and paste complete website, or record your voice and store it, share it and go back to it whenever you want to revisit your idea. Why waste your brain power for simply remembering ideas when Evernote can do it for you and you can spend the rest of the time coming up with other career-changing plans.Dragon Dictation (free) This is not the fruchtwein perfect app in the world, but it is perfect for those who can clearly speak out their ideas, but have trouble writin g it all down. Rather than bog your secretary down by having her dictate a company-wide memo, you can let Dragon Dictation do it for you. Dragon Dictation is an easy-to-use voice recognition application that allows the user to easily speak and instantly see their text or email messages. You might have to clean it up a bit in a word processor, but its so much faster than staring at the computer screen trying to figure out what to type. They say it is five times faster, but even if it is only two times faster, its better than what you have now. Let your secretary do more challenging work.FlightTrack Pro ($9.99) This app is designed for those sales people, consulting experts and everyone else who flies for work on a consistent basis. Import flight data automatically from any airline confirmation email and get push alerts with real-time changes to your flight (they are even sent when the app is closed). Get real-time flight itinerary updates, and zoomable maps that work offline and look much better than those maps you get on your TV screen. It also allows you to view weather radar and forecasts, which is good to know if that weather may delay you from an important business meeting in London, California or anywhere else you may travel. You can even predict flight delays with airport warnings and historical delay forecasts. And because it covers more than 4000 airports worldwide, and international flight coverage with 1400 airlines, it becomes that much easier to find alternate flights at a tap should weather or other issues cause any problems with your flight. This app is also good when tracking the flight of an important business client you need to have picked up at the gate. There are many practical uses for this app that just makes life a little easier.Expensify (free) Those that travel a lot or end up picking up the tab to woo clients and tauglichkeit advertisers will love this app. It automates your entire expense report process by syncing with your credit car ds and bank accounts to track purchases as they happen. The app will also pull in eReceipts, digital copies of the paper receipts you normally have to carry around, for most purchases under $75. And for purchases made with cash, just take a picture of the receipt and the app will pull out the merchant, date and amount of the transaction. Add in any remaining expenses you may have encountered and you have a completely documented view of all your spending. You know your company better than your iPad does, so with all the information at your fingertips, just pick which expenses you want to add to the expense report and send it out for reimbursement.Dropbox (free) This app allows you to work on a project from the office, continue it on the train and finish it at home. After you install Dropbox on your computer, any file you save to your Dropbox will automatically save to all your computers, your iPhone and iPad and even the Dropbox website. This is perfect for the person that likes to w ork on projects at home, but tends to forget to email it to themselves to pick up later at work. You hate when that happensbut now it never has to happen again. Now your boss knows you literally can work all day.Other great appsCamCard ($6.99) Take pictures and save peoples business cards for easy viewing whenever you need to reach your contacts. Its the thinnest, non-bulky rolodex you will ever own.QuickOffice Pro ($19.99) Review and edit Microsoft Office documents on your iPad, print or save as PDFs, and email documents to colleagues.Scanner Pro ($6.99) You can scan important hard copy documents (even multi-page documents) and send them to colleagues via email or upload them to Dropbox.Azul Media Player ($1.99) Azul Media Player plays most video file formats without any file conversion. For those who do video presentations, this might be an important app to use.War Pinball HD ($2.99) When you need to kick back and de-stress, this is the perfect app. It has tables for Platoon, Miss ing in Action and Navy Seals and plays just like a real pinball game, complete with tilt action. Its a nice little break for those who need one, but are tired of Angry Birds. Jon Minners, Vault.com

How to Develop an Online Blog No Matter Your Job Title - The Muse

How to Develop an Online Blog No Matter Your Job Title - The MuseHow to Develop an Online Blog No Matter Your Job Title Creating an online blog today is easier than ever for people outside of the design or product world. Weve partnered with Squarespace to show you how its done. Remember to use code THEMUSE17 to get 10% off your first purchase when creating your own personal website.We understand that if you arent a writer, designer or photographer, launching a blog can be daunting. Especially when it comes to that first, most pressing question what do I put on it?But trust us on this one, you do have the skills necessary to whip up a blog.And thats important because its a great way to bolster your personal brand and set yourself up as an authority in your industry (no matter what industry that is). Blogging also provides recruiters- and just about anyone else youd like to know professionally- a glimpse into your personality.Here are some ideas to make your blog happen once and for a ll.Marketers Market Yourself By Showcasing Your Marketing SkillsWhat it shows outside of your resume We want to know that youre a connector and clear communicator.You dont have to be a writer Marketing is a wide umbrella that covers a range of different roles and skills which is why you may be tempted to do it all on your blog. Instead, try to focus on a key aspect of your experience or create content that represents where you see yourself going in your career. If you are interested in lead generation, you can share opinions on the latest analytics tools using a format that highlights the pros and cons of each. If PR is your trade, get into the habit of posting any new learnings you find during events or conferences that you plan to apply to your current role.Your blog could look like thisMarketing is all about looking good, right? Because of that we recommend strong visuals that tie to the blog post titles. If your post is discussing the best conferences for marketing professionals , use an image from that conference To keep your page cohesive, think about using photos that have colors within the same palette. For example, love the muted look? Try to stick to pastels or washed out photos.Food and Hospitality Workers Put Your Photos Where Your Food IsWhat it shows outside of your resume Instead of bullet points listing your work experience, why not get your reader drooling over your creative recipes or past travels?You dont have to be a writer When it comes to a food or hospitality blog, strong images are key. An effective blog for a chef will be driven by food photos that take presentation into account. The colors and textures of dishes, as well as, how food is plated can set you apart from the rest. While you dont want to give away all of your secrets, its a good idea to offer cooking tips so readers remain engaged. It could even be as simple as a post on the five ingredients you always buy from the farmers market and how you like to use them.In the hospitali ty business, you can focus behind-the-scenes information that reveals how the service industry runs smoothly. Travel sites are a dime a dozen, but if you have a unique perspective on making your way around a new destination, heidewitzka your audience with some unique insider tips. Or try sharing a review of a favorite hotel and details on an itinerary in the region.Your blog could look like thisAs we mentioned, images are gold for food and travel blogs. Thats why we love a blog format that places the photos front, center and full scale.Accountants Use Words to To Show Youre Good With Numbers (Really)What it shows outside of your resume If you deal with numbers, chances are youve been asked to simplify your findings for colleagues in other departments. Your blog can really shine by offering financial analysis in an easy-to-understand way, demonstrating you have the know-how to communicate with anyone.You dont have to be a writer An accountant might consider creating a post in a timel ine format, breaking down a list of mobile apps (from travel to grocery shopping) you rely on throughout the day to monitor your budget and save money. Another post we are dying to see clever or surprising ways to reduce monthly bills. You can use free tools online, like Canva, to add simple charts and graphs that illustrate your advice. Alternatively, you can tailor content to a specific niche you have a good track record in. Have you had wild success repaying your student loans? Share that wisdom with the world Pro tip schedule your financial advice with seasonal headaches like graduation or tax time for an SEO boost.Your blog could look like thisIf you dont have time to create custom images for your posts, dont fret This kind of layout is for you. Salespeople Close The Deal with Your ReadersWhat it shows outside of your resume Show us the money Your blog is all about how you tick as a abverkauf machine.You dont have to be a writer Jump into the blogging world by sharing some of y our tried-and-true sales tactics. Whats your favorite networking technique? Do you have a fool-proof plan for getting high-level executives to respond to your LinkedIn messages? How do you go about following up on a lead? Whether youve discovered a great way to strike up an engaging phone conversation or never fail to close a deal over a dinner meeting, your blog is the place to organize your experience. You may even want to show off your presentation skills by crafting your advice on slides and embedding them into your blog with tools like Slideshare.Your blog could look like thisThis layout from Ally Behnke puts your freshest face forward. Sales - at its core - is winning over people with a first impression. Why not bring that same approach to your blog? Put a professional portrait on your homepage and a short biography to let readers know your background.With a clear strategy and thoughtful posts, theres no reason why your blog cant land you the the career opportunity of your dre ams.

Not for the beach 12 books worth reading this summer

Not for the beach 12 books worth reading this summerNot for the beach 12 books worth reading this summerWhile everyone else is catching up on the latest beach reads (spoiler alert All the characters in those will reveal a secret past before living happily ever after), you might want to cozy up to something completely different.Some of these are hot off the presses, some are modern classics, and some might just give you a different type of insight into what you think you know.In no particular order1. The Kingdom of Happinessby Amy GrothZappos founder Hsieh built an empire one pair of shoes at a time. His geschftlicher umgang model includes classic Silicon Valley growth ideals, along with some quirkier wisdom gleaned from deep soul searching and time spent at burning man. Its a good read for the eclectic business person looking for a different type of role model.2. The Magic of Tiny Businessby Sharon RoweIf youve been thinking about starting a side hustle but have no idea of where to s tart, have a look at this book. You dont have to sink a fortune into a business to get it off the ground.3. The Art of Minglingby Jeanne MartinetSummer should be about fun and socializing and getting out from behind your screens and back to hanging out with people. Its also a great time to practice your soft skills. Read up on mingling and socializing and then practice during barbecues and rooftop cocktails.4. 21 Secrets of Million-Dollar Sellersby Stephen J. HarvillDid you ever wonder how top salespeople manage to sell themselves, their businesses, their philosophies, their talents year after year after year? This book gathers twenty-one common behaviors of top earners across seven major industries that set them apart. Every person profiled or analyzed shares one common trait- theyve managed to figure out how to use their talent for persuasion to earn upwards of one million dollars a year.5. Tribe of Mentorsby Tim FerrissIm not one of Ferrisss great fans, but I love the way he cull ed information together to encompass the best habits of artists, athletes, and investors. More than that, its positioning them as long-distance mentors who can help or inspire you depending on your ultimate goal.6. Braving the Wilderness The quest for true belonging and the courage to stand aloneby Brene BrownThere are so many statistics about how alone many of us feel. This book allows you to feel accepted either in a group, or if youre a slight misanthrope. Its more of a confidence builder than anything else, and one that speaks out against the tendency to cut others down in our current social structure.7. Gigged The end of the Job and the Future of Work by Sarah KesslerWith one in three Americans earning a living as a freelancer, chances are good that you or someone close to you no longer fits the mold of the typical worker. This book explains how the trend began and offers day to day information and advice on navigating the new work reality.8. Outside Insight Navigating a World Drowning in Data by Jorn LysseggenThis one wont be out until August, but Ive had a peak and its by turns fascinating and terrifying. If youre trying to figure out how to get ahead of the competition, this book allows you insights in how to interpret whats already out there and make it work for you.9. Reset My Fight for Inclusion and Lasting Change by Ellen PaoIf you ever feel like your entire career has been spent swimming against the currents, youre not alone. Author Pao shares her past struggles along with deep insights into how many of us might be taking everyday inequality in the workplace for granted.10. Everybody Writes by Ann HandleyNo, this isnt a new one, but its probably time for your refresher course in how to write. More than that, its a helpful way for anyone producing anything from a tweet to a campaign to understand how to engage with readers instead of simply talking at them.11. Hug your Hatersby Jay BaerWhile this book is ostensibly about the customer service experi ence, it also helps one understand how to deal with the trolls online and in life.12. My Beautiful Despair The Philosophy of Kim KierkegaardashianThe love child of philosopher Sren Kierkegaard and Kim Kardashian combines angst with fluff in this tiny, brilliant tome. It wont help your career, but it might add a laugh to your day and spark conversation around the water cooler.