The secret to nailing an interview is the opposite of what everybody thinks

The secret to nailing an interview is the opposite of what everybody thinksThe secret to nailing an interview is the opposite of what everybody thinksCongratulations, youve made the short list of candidates for yur dream job. Now all you have to do is pass the final test How do I walk into the room and convince the decision makers that Im their best choice?This is the question on the mind of anyone, everywhere, whos ever competed for a job. Unfortunately, its exactly the wrong question to ask. We know because we advise corporate boards, executives, and CEOs - from middle-market firms to the Fortune 500 - to help them make their fruchtwein critical hiring decisions. Were in those rooms all the time. More importantly, were in the heads of the people who make the decisions. Job seekers, heres one of the surprising interview tips to understand before you walk into the room Theyre as anxious about the hiring process as you are. Maybe even more so.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladder s magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreWhy? Time is short. No one seems like the perfect fit. The chances for failure are uncomfortably high. The cost of a wrong decision can be astronomical.In the face of uncertainty, hiring decision-makers want to make a panzerschrank choice. So when you are walking into the interview, get out of your own head and your own anxieties over proving you are worthy of the role. Safety is your key to the kingdom. And communicating safety, weve found, has less to do with convincing the decision maker of your capabilities, skills, or intelligence.The bottom line is this You get fired on results but hired on perception. So how can we all exude safety in the room?Become the Happy WarriorBill Fry has delivered many tens of millions of dollars of value to shareholders of companies he ran. He grew the vacuum company Oreck during an economic downturn - no easy feat - and before that, he led Bell Spor ts through a similarly challenging time, with 9/11, new market entrants, a major acquisition and then a merger. Before starting his corporate career, he spent eight years in the Navy, after an ROTC scholarship took him to Ole Miss. Bill is competitive and as sharp as a tack. Sounds formidable, right? He must be one intense guy we thought, prior to meeting him to assess him for the CEO role at Oreck.It took one minute in his presence to prove that assumption wrong. Bill radiates an Im OK, youre OK vibe that sets you immediately at ease. Eye contact, friendly questions, self-effacing humor, and calm but confident demeanor. Bill listens intently no matter who is in front of him - a CEO or a mailroom clerk - and makes you feel respected. Bill Fry gets results, without a doubt, but darned if he isnt the nicest guy you ever met.In the interview process, nice guys and gals finish first.Boards, and interviewers in general, consistently overemphasize soft skills in their hiring decisions. Can it be that the same comportment that helps attract a date also gives you an edge in getting hired? Sophisticated as they are in tackling hard business problems, when sizing up people, most board members and business leaders hire under the heavy influence of gut feel. And gut feel leads them to the more likeable candidates.Among 2,600 CEO candidates analyzed by Professors Steve Kaplan and Morten Srensen of the University of Chicago and Columbia University, the more likeable leaders had higher odds of getting hired for any leadership position. They werent necessarily the best of the best, but they were the friendliest of the best. SAS analysts found similar patterns in their analysis. Highly confident candidates were 2.5 times more likely to be hired. Likeability and confidence impart no advantage in performance, but they definitely help you land the job. While these studies focused on CEO candidates, weve seen the likeability effect play out up and down the corporate ladder.Bill Fry exudes a Happy Warrior demeanor. The happy warrior confidently says, I love to solve the problems you have. Been there, done that, and liked it. Eager to do it again for you As these leaders talk about their most difficult projects and tough decisions, they exude joy, pleasure, passion, and energy. In other words, they simultaneously create both emotional and practical safety. You know youve met a happy warrior when he or she leaves the room and you cant wait to put her or him in the job.The people who ultimately get picked are those who lead with fierce competence delivered with genuine warmth. Good interviewees take a read on the room the moment they walk in and mirror the energy level. They pay close attention to body language to see how their words are landing Are peoples eyes lighting up? Do they sound hesitant? Are they checking their watches? Your goal is to connect with your audience and make them feel safeLinguistic landmines and the safety of wordsDuring the CEO Genome Project, we ran 212 CEO interview transcripts through SAS text-mining software, searching for linguistic patterns behind hire and no-hire decisions. SAS is a company who builds powerful predictive analytics tools the IRS and major banks use it to detect fraud, to name just one application. When we unleashed it on our interviews, we found some ugly hidden handicaps superficial factors that have little or nothing to do with what it takes to perform yet that trigger biases that affect your odds of being hired.Foreign accents. Candidates for United Statesbased companies who had a significant accent were, twelve to one (), less likely to be hired. Yes, in the twenty-first century, when billions are spent on diversity initiatives, in-group bias continues to play an out-size role. Its bad enough that the bias exists. Whats worse is that nobody will tell you as you are coming up the ranks that you may be the most capable person in the world but that others perception of your capabilities m ay suffer because of your accent. Saying so is not polite and can even be risky.Elevated or pretentious language or affectations. While accents are a handicap, so is using overly sophisticated language. Throwing the dictionary at your interviewers will not get you the job. Interview candidates who used more esoteric, intellectual, or ivory tower vocabulary were, eight to one, less likely to be hired. Candidates who used more colloquial language (e.g., phrases such as shooting from the hip) were, eight to one, more likely to be hired. In our experience, down-to-earth storytelling, drawing on memorable results, is vastly more powerful than a cerebral, academic style.Management platitudes, acronyms, and consulting-ese. Relying on empty buzzwords can be an interview killer. We sat with one candidate who kept saying he was all about amplitude and that he liked to elevate people. Trouble was, he seemed to think that repeating these phrases removed the need to offer specific, quantifiable examples. Using generic language can come across as lacking authenticity and can trigger the interviewers ambiguity bias - the tendency to avoid those who appear to be missing information. Instead, be precise in your use of language and examples.We and I. Leadership is a team sport. The goal is to balance the I with the We. All candidates use I when describing their accomplishments at a higher rate than We. But the weakest candidates used I at twice the rate of the rest of the interview candidates. The best candidates are clear about their individual contributions without overusing I. Candidates who go on and on with their own accolades and accomplishments impress decision makers less than the ones who say, My proudest achievement was the moment the team began to knock it out of the park - and then clearly explain their role in the teams achievement.You may not look anything like the interviewers who will decide whether you get the job. You may not have gone to the same schools or played the same sports. But if you can leave them feeling safer and more energized than you found them, youve got a much better shot at getting the job.Elena Lytkina Botelho and Kim Rosenkoetter Powell are the authors of The CEO Next Door (Crown Publishing), from which this article was adapted.This article was originally published on March 8, 2018.

New FAA Postings for Air Traffic Controllers Are a Top Federal Job Opportunity for Young People with Limited Qualifications

New FAA Postings for Air besucherzahlen Controllers Are a Top Federal Job Opportunity for Young People with Limited QualificationsNew FAA Postings for Air Traffic Controllers Are a Top Federal Job Opportunity for Young People with Limited QualificationsNew FAA Postings for Air Traffic Controllers Are a Top Federal Job Opportunity for Young People with Limited QualificationsThe FAA plans to hire more than 1,000 Air Traffic Controller Specialist trainees per year for the next 9 years, according to a Resume Place analysis. A Bachelors degree or three years of work experience will qualify millions of 20-somethings to apply.The Federal Aviation Administration announced the opening on Feb. 10 of a number of Air Traffic Controller Specialist trainee positions, creating some of the best federal job opportunities for young people, according to The Resume Place.Air traffic control can be an excellent career choice for young people, says Kathryn Troutman, president of The Resume Place, a resume writing and federal job-search coaching firm. Trainees must begin the training program before their 31st birthday at age 56, controllers are subject to mandatory retirement with full federal benefits. Newly hired air traffic controllers must be willing to relocate to any of the 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.Trainees receive a wide variety of instruction in controlling air traffic over several weeks at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. During their studies at the academy, Air Traffic Control Specialist trainees earn a salary of between $20,527 and $27,942, plus a per diem payment to help with living expenses. Upon successful completion of the academy training, candidates will be offered permanent employment with standard pay of $37,441. Air Traffic Control specialists eventually earn very good pay, typically between $57,982 and $82,534, according to USAJOBS.To maximize the likelihood of being hired as an Air Traffic Control Specialist trainee, applicants sh ould read and follow the job announcement instructions carefully, says Troutman. Each of the job announcements is different in terms of qualifications and experience.Troutman makes the following suggestions for applicants to the ATC trainee program.The civil-service application process is very demanding, and it requires applicants to be clear and specific in describing their experience and education, says Troutman. The average length of a successful federal resume is 3 to 5 pages. Applicants should write their federal resumes with the USAJOBS resume builder and include details that evidence education, demonstrate work experience with progressive responsibility, and show an understanding of the FAAs mission and the role of the Air Traffic Controller. Successful candidates delve into detail when discussing their work responsibilities, projects and accomplishments.Troutman says that the resume builder asks applicants to fill in lots of specific information about themselves, including the following for each position in the work history job title, detailed duties, employers name and address, supervisors name and phone number, start and end dates, salary, and full- or part-time position including hours worked per week.The online application includes a biographical assessment, a narrative of the candidates personal information, education, experience and other qualifications. Applicants should be sure to describe their years of full-time work experience in a way that shows how theyve been able to work with teams, that they have knowledge of their job and their organization, and that theyve demonstrated responsibility, says Troutman. Lack of experience in aviation, air traffic or transportation apparently does not disqualify a candidate, but any work history in these fields is likely to help.Applicants should be sure to describe their years of full-time work experience in a way that shows how theyve been able to work with teams, that they have knowledge of their job a nd their organization, and that theyve demonstrated responsibility. Kathryn Troutman,President, The Resume PlaceThere are five ways to qualify for the ATC Specialist trainee program1. Three years of progressively responsible work experience. Full-time (40 hours per week) employment must be documented and show progressively responsible experience. Most types of employment include the required experience if the worker has learned about the organization, gained knowledge of the occupation and demonstrated responsibility.OR2. A Bachelors degree earned with a four-year course of study. The degree must be earned at a higher education institution accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. To qualify based on education, applicants must submit transcripts that state the institution, credit hours earned and graduation date.OR3. A combination of education and work experience. The applicants total qualifying work experience is converted to a percentage of th e three-year experience requirement the applicants education is converted to a percentage of the four-year education requirement. The combination must be at least 100 percent. For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study is comparable to one academic year of college.OR4. Previous experience as an Air Traffic Control Specialist. Applicants must provide supporting documentation such as an FAA certificate, military certificate or training record.OR5. An alternative qualification for Air Traffic Control Specialist. Any one of the following can suffice An appropriate facility rating with experience actively controlling air traffic in civilian or military air traffic control terminals or centers Current or past FAA certificate as a dispatcher for an air carrier Current or past instrument flight ratingCurrent or past FAA certificate as a navigator or full qualification as a navigator/bombardier in the Armed Forces 350 hours of flight time as a copilot or higher and curre nt or past private certificate or equivalent Armed Forces rating Experience as a rated aerospace defense command intercept directorRegardless of the means of qualifying, the candidate must be a U.S. citizen who passes a medical screening and security check. Successful candidates must also speak English clearly enough to be understood over radios and other communications equipment.Even if candidates dont currently meet the requirement for a combined three years of progressive work experience and college education, they can work toward that qualification with confidence that new vacancies will continue to be posted. The FAA plans to hire more than 1,000 ATCs on average each year through at least 2022.

Employers Seek College Grads Fresh out of School

Employers Seek College Grads Fresh out of School Employers Seek College Grads Fresh out of School According to CareerBuilder, forty-six percent of employers said they plan to hire recent college graduates in 2011, up from 44 percent in 2010 and 43 percent in 2009. Of those who plan to hire recent college graduates, 26 percent reported they will offer higher starting salaries than they did in 2010, an improvement from 16 percent who said the same in last years survey and 11 percent in 2009.Employers are mora optimistic overall, and as a result, are looking to bring in entry-level workers to build their workforce for the future, said Brent Rasmussen, President of CareerBuilder North America. Companies are adding jobs in a variety of areas and need fresh, educated talent to fill those roles. Our survey found that they will recruit college grads primarily for IT, customer service, sales, finance, accounting and marketing jobs this year.While schools are quick to cut budgets for arts in education, in the end, it seems that the skills that employers look for are all about self-expression. The most important skill that employers look for in candidates is their ability to communicate well. In some jobs, its particularly important that workers are able to write well, but people with strong verbal communication are sought after as well.

An Overview of Endorsements in Advertisement

An Overview of Endorsements in AdvertisementAn Overview of Endorsements in AdvertisementOver the last hundred years, there have literary been thousands ofadvertising endorsements. From athletes and movie stars, to doctors and mechanics, endorsements are a major part of the advertising and public relations industries. And with good reason. When a product or service chooses to align itself with someone famous, or an expert in that field, they are taking a shortcut to recognition, goodwill, and credibility. For instance, you may never have given a second thought to a certain brand of cereal. But when an Olympic gold medal athlete you know comes out and says they eat it, its on your radar. In other words, endorsements are an easy way for a brand to attach themselves to the positive feelings associated with a celebrity or industry professional. Types of Endorsements There are four basic types of endorsements, mostly paid that brands have available to them. Sometimes they are free, esp ecially for charities such as celebrities speaking out on behalf of breast cancer screening tests. Using the Product or tafelgeschirrThis is perhaps the most common in sports and fashion. For example, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan are paid millions of dollars to be seen wearing Nike shoes. Medical brands will pay esteemed physicians, dentists, doctors, and other medical professionals to tell the world that they use a specific product.Speaking on Behalf of the Brand (aka Testimonials)Appearing in ads for a product or service is another popular way for brands to use endorsements. Many major celebrities do this to earn millions of additional dollars every year (thinkChristopher Walken for Kia) although most opt to endorse products that are not seen in this country. For example, Arnold Schwarzenegger has endorsed a variety of Japanese products. This is often a good option because if a celebrity falls out of grace, their overseas image is more protected against negative press than it wo uld be stateside. Unpaid TestimonialsAdvertisers have the choice of paying someone to write or say something that can endorse the brand, but its even better when that testimonial is completely free. This can happen in a few ways. A famous blogger, YouTuber, professional, orcelebrity, can say something positive about the brand. A famous example of this comes from England. When the TV chef Delia Smith uses a certain kind of cooking utensil on her cooking show, sales for that particular model shoot up ten-fold the following day. If a well-followed blogger gives a restaurant a glowing review, geschftsleben (at least in the immediate aftermath) will boom. Fake EndorsementsThis is not to imply anything illegal going on. It is simply referring to the kinds of endorsements that come from actors who are paid spokespersons for everything from a rental car company to a specific household cleaning product. These spokespeople canappear as families explaining how wonderful the product is or appea r as medical professionals wearing white lab coats. They have to be identified as actors in these commercials, even if they are speaking the words of a real family or doctor, and therefore the power of this kind of endorsement is much weaker than the other three. Very few people watch an ad featuring an actor and think the product will be as good as its stated. The Dangers of Endorsement Deals Endorsements tie two brands together. One brand is an actual product or service, and the other is a personal brand, from a movie or TV star, musician, or industry professional. The hazard is, once the two are tied together, things can get messy if anything goes wrong with either brand. One only has to consider O.J. Simpson and Bill Cosby to understand the implications of an endorsement gone awry. Danger to the BrandShould anything negative happen to the person endorsing the brand, the brand itself can suffer very quickly. You only have to look at the issues that Tiger Woods created for th e brand he endorsed. In these instances, a crack PR and legal team are needed to stop the bleeding immediately. But in some cases, the damage is too great and the brand must disavow the endorsement.Danger to the EndorserSimilarly, should a brand come under fire for doing something wrong, the famous person endorsing it can become tarnished unless they move fast to remove themselves from the relationship.If it is discovered a company is using sweatshops, engaging in false advertising, or is flat out breaking the law, that could easily tarnish the reputation of the endorser. Is Product Placement an Endorsement? The jury is out on that one. Some maintain that true endorsements are overt, and involve a ansicht advocating the product or service. Of course, things dont always work like that. If a celebrity is simply seen out and about wearing a certain type of watch, or driving a specific car, and is photographed by the media, then that is also an endorsement, whether its paid or not. Then theres product placement. Its not quite the same, but it can be said that a brand is endorsing a movie, and vice versa if the two are linked to a product placement deal. Was Ford endorsing James Bond when it appeared in Casino Royale? Was the Bond franchise endorsing Ford? In both cases, you can say that the equity of both brands was used to create a statement. However, it is not a typical endorsement in the truest sense of the term.

12 Early Career Success Tips from Booz Allen Hamiltons CFO

12 Early Career Success Tips from Booz Allen Hamiltons CFO12 Early Career Success Tips from Booz Allen Hamiltons CFO Booz Allen Chief Financial Officer Lloyd Howell Jr. recently held a roundtable in Midtown Manhattan with college students participating in the Business Today 44th International Conference. During the event he offered the following career advice for those entering the workforceDevelop Your Critical Thinking Skills.As an employer, I look for critical thinking skills , judgment, and decision making. Much of what we deal with is anything but structured. The ability to look at a complex problem from many angles and then make a decision based on judgment and experience is an important skill. I learned it from a mentor, from working alongside a very successful executive, and asking questions.Booz Allen is a learning organization. We emphasize development and training. That leads to the ability to constantly learn new crafts, new areas, how to help new clien ts. People who are drawn to consulting often cant quite figure out exactly what they want to do at first. Continuous learning gives you the opportunity and platform to try different things. I always enjoy learning something new, and that inquisitiveness has certainly helped me in my career.Be positive, principled, proactive, and productive. Work gravitates to those who enter the workforce with a positive disposition. People gravitate to them, theyre invited onto engagements, and to be involved. These are people who raise their pranke often, who are team-oriented. It comes across powerfully.Appreciate that you are still learning about yourself. Early in my career, all I knew for certain was that I wanted to be an engineer, so I majored in electrical engineering. I had no idea what came next. I was either going into investment banking, consulting, or working in a traditional engineering capacity as an R&D analyst. I decided based upon the recommendation of a good friend. Thats how I g ot into Booz Allen. Being open to the most random advice and ideas will help you learn about yourself.I like to joke that I dont remember much academically from either undergrad or graduate classes, but I remember everything socially- the connections I made with classmates, professors, and friends in the cities where my schools were. They are probably the biggest contributors to my success, the people I met and the relationships Ive had for many years.Its important to leverage coworkers and colleagues , to offer them help and ask them for help when youve got too much on your plate. In academics, Ive seen the emergence of a lot of group projects, which is terrific. Its a perfect mirror of what happens in the workforce.Ive been super impressed with the younger generations in our workforce . They are extremely respectful and helpful- Its so important. It contributes to you being seen in a positive light, and people wanting to work with you and for you. All of that starts with respect .Patience is something I lack, but my advice is to be patient. Everyone wants it yesterday, but it doesnt work that way. With patience, it more times than not will happen when it is supposed to happen. Things need to happen in their own time due to a variety of reasons.But DontBe Patient About Planning Your Career.Everyone should have a career plan , and we should all be impatient in thinking through it and getting feedback. If you say you want to be president tomorrow, well thats probably not realistic. There are probably some things you need to do in order to get there. But be aggressive in putting that plan together and getting feedback. Once you get into your plan, things happen. There might be any number of life events that cause your two-year timeline to stretch to three. Be patientwith that. Learn from it. It will make you a better professional, a better person.This article was originally published by Booz Allen Hamilton . Reprinted with permission.

What to Expect From Easy Certifications to Add to Your Resume?

What to Expect From Easy Certifications to Add to Your Resume? New Questions About Easy Certifications to Add to Your Resume For a Marketing Manager, Digital Marketing and advertising Certification goes a very long way in letting the recruiter know the extra skill in exactly the same domain. Medical assistants are in demand, but it doesnt indicate it will be simple to land work. Writing the most effective medical assistant resume can be a true challenge for many job seekers as its not a simple undertaking. In the event that you and a candidate are alike in each way except that you have certifications in sales, an employer may be more inclined to consider your candidacy for an interview, simply due to the higher experience, however slight. In reality, HR certifications are a few of the highest regarded in the industry world. There are a lot of easy-to-obtain certifications that could set any work seeker aside from the competition. If youve resolved to begin a completely new ca reer, congratulations Whether you are in possession of a long academic career with various degrees or masters, or vocational or technical courses that have resulted in professional certificates, there are a number of approaches to include certifications on a resume to draw the hiring managers interest. The Lost Secret of Easy Certifications to Add to Your Resume Its possible to receive a ritterlich idea of accredited on-line certifications on the subsequent link. For instance, if you take up an on-line training course in say, metaphysics. With only a little google search youll be able to discover a lot of certifications and degrees which will completely change what you could do with your life. At the exact same time, in the event of freshers, all the certifications matter a good deal. Things You Wont Like About Easy Certifications to Add to Your Resume and Things You Will In that situation, you will want to place your certifications at the peak of your resume beside your nam e. As you see there are just a couple of keywords here. There are three major kinds of resumes which you can select from when crafting the perfect resume. There are a lot of totally free places where you could learn HTML for free internet. Key Pieces of Easy Certifications to Add to Your Resume There are various sorts of certifications which should be included on a resume based on the sort of jobseeker and the business and position that the resume is for. Its true, you ought to be tweaking your resume before each and every work application. The header of your resume is your very first chance to earn a huge impression. Choose how long youve got, choose a (mini) project, and prepare for your resume to be that a great deal more eye-catching. You merely dont understand how to list certifications on resumes. List the certifications which youve earned over the duration of your career. As an additional section on a resume, certifications can be useful in earning your candidacy stick out in the application approach. It is extremely easy to validate educational credentials. Obviously, even free certifications need an investment of time. Absolutely free courses and certifications may not carry the weight of high-level certifications or official degrees, but theyre a fantastic method to explore new abilities and demonstrate that youre invested in your very own personal and professional improvement. Another distinctive quality of the CISSP is that you have to subscribe to the (ISC)2 code of ethics to select the exam. There you are able to learn about education requirements for your industry and discover certifications that can enable you to advance your career. For instance, if you have CPR certification and youre asking for an accounting position it isnt relevant and would most likely be better left off your resume. An expert certification is proof that youve got the wisdom and skills to do something. Some could have additional secondary certifications w hich are not really related to the position. Life, Death and Easy Certifications to Add to Your Resume Taking a few hours to truly clean up your resume is well worth doing before you begin a work search, or even just once a year for a tune-up. The very first step is the easiest. If you want more help writing your experience section, take a look at the expert experience part of our resume writing guide. At times, you merely have a couple of minutes, and you would like to spend them giving your resume a fast polishing-up. List Your Online CertificationsLearning more about a specific career or industry through an internet certification class demonstrates that youre dedicated to being among the very best in your profession. All you need to do is make certain the certification program is not just a class and that its coming from the appropriate authority. A certification might replace an amount of education, or it can serve as an extra bonus to convince employers to hire you. In that instance, you may add your latest certification to your education section. The 30-Second Trick for Easy Certifications to Add to Your Resume When writing a resume, it isnt appropriate to include things like an on-line contact address that doesnt sound professional. The course also teaches the essentials of content advertising. Following your contact info, your private summary, also called your resume summary, should be next. Aside from being a big part of financial intelligence, understanding of finance is a prerequisite for being wealthy.

Ridiculously Easy 5-minute Work Lunch Recipes

Ridiculously Easy 5-minute Work Lunch Recipes 5 Crazy Easy Lunch Recipes To Inspire Office EnvyPosted August 11, 2016, by Vivien Luu Youre sick of your usual lunchtime haunts (and theyre making you office fat, lets be honest), but youre definitely not organised enough to make lunch the night before, and frozen meals are not an option (gross who can even pronounce half of those ingredients?) All you want is an easy (and sorta healthy) midweek lunch an office-friendly option thats quicker, healthier, and cheaper than what youd get from the food court downstairs. Is that too much to ask for? We hear you Busy schedules can mean that all too often, lunches are an afterthought or a sad tuna-and-rice affair. And we wanted to fix this. Armed with just a microwave, a trusty old sandwich press, and a whole lotta ingenuity, weve created 5 super easy lunch ideas in the Career FAQs kitchen thatll get your stomach from Monday to Friday We went for minimal prep time and maximum food envy k nocking togetherbei a weeks worth of office-possible lunches that use 5 ingredients and take 5(ish) minutes. And yes, these are 5 real minutes, not 5 Jamie Oliver minutes. To make life even easier for you, weve put together a shopping list of ingredients, so you can do a quick one-stop shop, and be ready to win at droolworthy midweek lunches. The total bill came to approximately $35, and will give you about 13 lunches, meaning that each meal will cost you no more than $2.69 a pop. Crazy, right? So if youre short on time but big on value and nutrition, get ready to have your mind blown. 1. Yes I made this in the microwave quiche Time 4 minutes This mugtastic quiche is the epitome of an easy office lunch. My editor actually made it the very next day after she saw me making it and shes not a fan of cooking. Quiches are ridiculously versatile, and can be as simple or posh as you make em. Ham and pea, smoked salmon and asparagus, mushroom and sundried tomatoes seriously, the options are endless I love that a quiche can also double as breakfast for hectic mornings. Ingredients 2x eggs Grated cheese Milk Baby spinach leaves Pancetta (optional) Cherry tomatoes (optional) Method Beat eggs into a giant mug (see below for why size does in fact matter) Stir in milk, salt and pepper Add remaining ingredients Microwave for approx. 3-4 minutes on High. Make aya that you keep an eye on it as it cooks -- the quiche does rise during the cooking process, and could overflow in the microwave. So the taller/deeper the mug, the better TIP Use a fork to check that the quiche is cooked through before you dig in. 2. Nachos a la microwave Time 3 mins This recipe isnt the healthiest one on the list. But if youre feeling a bit naughty, this nachos recipe is kickass and literally took 3 minutes to knock together. If youve had tacos, pulled pork, or even spag bol the night before, you can add the leftovers to this recipe for an extra protein hit. The whole office gave this one a thumbs up Ingredients Bag of corn chips Handful of cherry tomatoes Handful of grated cheese Half avocado Small can of beans (optional) Lime (optional) Method Throw the corn chips and cheese into a bowl, and microwave for 2 minutes on High. Add in the beans, chopped avocado and cherry tomatoes. Dig in 3. Zingy Mexican summer salad Time 4 mins If youre feeling guilty after your nachos feast the day before, and have a couple of sad corn chips left over, this zingy salad will fix you right up. I know, I know...You dont make friends with salad, but seriously, this dressing is AH-MAZING. Grab an empty jam jar, and its as easy as Smashed avo + squeezed orange juice + extra virgin olive oil = Summer in a jar Ingredients Baby spinach leaves Handful of cherry tomatoes Half avocado Orange Leftover corn chips (from the nachos recipe) Extra virgin olive oil Small can of beans (optional) Lime (optional) Method Throw together the spinach leaves, cherry tomatoes, avocado and beans. Cho p up orange. Reserve 2 slices for dressing and throw the rest into the salad. Dressing Squeeze orange wedges, smashed avo and extra virgin olive oil into a jam jar and shake it like crazy. Drizzle over the dressing and crush up a few corn chips for crunch factor. TOP TIP If you cant be bothered with chopping up an orange, mandarin segments would work too 4. The Pimp my toastie sandwich Time 3 minutes Toasties have made a serious comeback. Celebrity chefs are fancying up this late-night staple, and theres no reason why you cant do the same for a quick midweek lunch. Like the quiche, your possible flavour combinations are ENDLESS. So dont feel limited by this particular recipe get creative Im keen to try a French toast version with honey, berries and yoghurt as a breakfast option, as well as a dessert number filled with bananas, Nutella and hazelnuts Ingredients 2 slices of bread Cheese Handful of baby spinach leaves Handful of cherry tomatoes A few slices of pancetta Pesto dip (optional) Butter (optional) Method Butter bread on the outside, and spread pesto dip on one piece Layer pancetta, tomatoes, spinach and cheese Grill on the sandwich press until the cheese oozes out Enjoy 5. The Haloumi Stack Time 5-6 minutes In an ideal world, youll want a decent sandwich press for this one. The Career FAQs one is a tad past its prime so it took a bit longer, but oh man, was it worth it. Its a dish that had heads turning, and was a crowd pleaser for the meat eaters, vegetarians, celiacs, and paleo dieters alike A veggie peeler is your best friend for recipes like this. It means minimal chopping time, and has earned itself permanent residency in my office pantry. Ingredients 1 portobello mushroom 1 zucchini Haloumi Extra virgin olive oil Pesto (optional) Handful of spinach leaves (optional) Handful of cherry tomatoes (optional) Method Use a veggie peeler to peel strips of zucchini. Slice haloumi and pat it dry (to avoid the juices running out). Throw everything onto the sandwich press. Grill for 5-ish minutes. Plate up, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and pesto sauce. TOP TIP Make sure you really pat the haloumi dry to avoid a huge mess of haloumi brine pooling below your sandwich press. Trust me. So there you have it Five killer office lunches that were made by real people in a real office. No, were not chefs, and no we didnt hire any food photographers. We took these photos on a smartphone, and didnt doctor them in any way and were now the most popular gals in the office. Grocery shopping list Eggs Bread Corn chips Grated cheese Pancetta Cherry tomatoes (1 punnet) Baby spinach leaves (1 pre-washed bag) Avocado (1x) Orange (1x) Haloumi Zucchini (1x) Portobello mushroom Small can of beans (2x) Want more recipes? Whether its simple breakfast ideas or 3-minute office snacks, leave a comment to let us know ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInter ested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searcheswhy do you want to work in retail answersdefine good work ethics in aged carehow to become an office manager in australiahow to become a youth worker in australiahow to become a social worker in australia CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire Online Vivien LuuViv is a writer who enjoys researching and writing about creativity, how the human mind works, and neuro processes. She values creativity above all else and admires people who pursue their career dreams, no matter the sacrifice. In her spare time, she binges on HBO shows and epic fantasy novels.Related ArticlesBrowse moreMaternity leaveWorkers rightsMaternity Leave in Australia - Know Your Righ ts Having a new baby is a mixed bag of excitement, nerves, overwhelm and a whole lot more, so when it comes to working and preparing for baby, its important to take your time, know your rights and do your research.EMPLOYER RESOURCESGenerations in the workforce10 Reasons To Hire Gen YDisloyal, overindulgent, high-maintenance, image-driven, over-confident and spoilt. Generation Y has been called it all. We take a closer look what Millennials bring to the workforce and give 10 reasons why you should hire a Gen Y employeeCareer progressionNew skillsMeet Lucy. She wants a promotion.This is Lucy. She wants to ask her boss for a promotion. Read more to find out what happens next.