Real Estate Purchase Agreement FAQ - United States

Real Estate Purchase Agreement FAQ - United States Real Estate Purchase Agreement FAQ - United States General Information About Real Estate Purchase AgreementsWhen should I use a Real Estate Purchase Agreement? A Real Estate Purchase Agreement is used to document the sale of a home. It is most often used when: A buyer is purchasing a new residential property where construction of the building has been completed before the home is paid for and the buyer takes possession of the property A buyer is purchasing a previously owned and/or lived-in property What law governs real estate sales? Real estate transactions can be governed by both common law (laws made by judges in courtrooms) and civil law (laws enacted through state or federal statutes, otherwise known as legislation). This means that the laws can vary from state to state, so its important to check laws in your jurisdiction before executing a Real Estate Purchase Agreement. When can a real estate contract be terminated? There are two ways to terminate a real estate contract: either by including an option to terminate in the contract or by relying on the regulation set in your states legislation. For example, state laws commonly allow a real estate contract to be terminated if a seller fails to disclose material facts about the condition of the property (such as water damage or mold) to the buyer. Common Terms Found in Real Estate Purchase AgreementsWhat is specific performance in contract law? Specific performance is a court action used to compel a contractual party to fulfill their obligations under a contract theyve signed. What does consideration mean in a real estate contract? Consideration in real estate refers to something of value exchanged for real property. Money is the most common form of consideration, but it can be other things of value like another property. What is earnest money? Earnest money is the deposit that the buyer is required to provide to the seller up front, in order to convey to the seller that the buyer is serious about purchasing the property. It is a cash deposit paid to the seller as evidence of the buyers good faith to complete the purchase transaction. An earnest money deposit can be credited to the sales price (sometimes applied to the down payment) upon closing but can be forfeited if the buyer defaults. It ensures that the buyer is serious about obtaining the necessary financing and fulfilling the other conditions necessary to purchase the property. Without making an earnest money deposit, some buyers may not be motivated to obtain financing and may keep looking for a better deal on other houses. Often, if the buyer does not proceed with the transaction, the seller can keep the earnest money as damages (money paid to compensate a contractual party for losses). However, if the buyer backs out due to one of the contingencies in their offer (e.g. poor results on the home inspection), the deposit is generally returned. What is escrow in a Real Estate Purchase Agreement? Escrow refers to the situation where the sellers property title is held by a neutral third party (the escrow agent) until closing (when all the terms of the contract have been satisfied). At closing, the escrow agent transfers the title of the property to the buyer. What is an escrow agent? An escrow agent is an independent third party who holds property in a trust until the terms of the home purchase contract are met. The agent is responsible for collecting payments from the buyer and giving those payments to the seller. From an administrative standpoint, an escrow agent is beneficial for all parties to a sale transaction as they handle all funds and documents relating to the sale. Both the seller and the buyer can give instructions to the escrow agent. For example, if the seller has failed to perform one of their obligations under the agreement (like having a home inspection completed), the buyer can have the funds necessary to fulfill that obligation (such as the cost of hiring a home inspector) withheld from the seller out of the monthly mortgage payment. What does the closing date refer to in a real estate contract? The closing date is the date the seller delivers the title deed of the property to the buyer and the buyer pays for and takes possession of the property. Closing dates are typically 30, 60, or 90 days after the contract is signed. People who are financing the purchase through a mortgage should ensure that the closing date will occur before the mortgage commitment letter expires. A mortgage commitment letter is a letter from a lender stating their commitment to lending money to the buyer for the purchase of real estate. What is the effective date in a real estate contract? The effective date is the date the parties become bound to the terms of the real estate contract. It is typically the day that both parties sign the contract, or if the parties are signing on different days, the date the last party signs the contract. What are prorations in real estate transactions? Prorations are expenses or benefits that are shared between the buyer and the seller. Common prorations calculated in real estate transactions include property taxes, mortgage insurance, and utilities. Essentially, these prorations are meant to account for expenses that are paid while the title of the property is switching from the seller to the buyer. For instance, if the closing date for the purchase agreement lands in a time period for which the seller has already paid property tax, the cost of the tax will be prorated from the closing date to the end of the time period the taxes were paid for. The buyer would then reimburse the seller for the time when the sellers name was no longer on the title. What is a residential services contract? A residential services contract is a contract from a home warranty company to maintain, repair, or replace all or any part of the appliances, structural components, electrical, plumbing, heating, or air conditioning systems of a residential property. The contract is usually for one year. What is a Mello-Roos community? In California, the term Mello-Roos community is used to refer to new communities (sometimes called Community Facilities Districts or CFDs) that are formed by local governments to obtain additional public funding. In these communities, a special tax is imposed on property owners in order to help cover some of the costs of developing and maintaining the infrastructure of the community. What is a legal description of property? A legal description of a property (sometimes referred to as a legal land description) refers to the format used in your jurisdiction to officially describe sections of land for the purpose of government records. In other words, it is how your land is defined on government records. In North America, most jurisdictions use a township and ranges system for rural areas or a lot and block system for urban or metropolitan areas. The legal land description may be documented in various ways. However, the most common identification system is a series of numbers and letters, such as SW19-57-8-W5. Your legal land description can be obtained from the County Recorders Office and may be found on your land title, in tax assessment information, and in your mortgage agreement. A legal description of property is not the same as your street address (or municipal description). What is unimproved property? Unimproved property is land without significant buildings, structures, development, or site preparation. Essentially, it is a raw piece of land. What is an environmental assessment report? An environmental assessment report is created by an environmental specialist who examines the property to determine if any elements are causing a negative environmental impact. For example, this report would inform the buyer if there were any underground storage tanks on the property that were leaking a contaminant into the soil. What are riparian matters? The term riparian refers to bodies of water such as rivers and lakes which are located on or adjacent to property. Riparian matters refer to a property owners legal rights to such bodies of water. Real Estate Financing InformationWhat is real estate financing? Real estate financing refers to the process of paying off a real estate purchase over time rather than in a lump sum. A buyer borrows money from a lender (like a bank or loan office) and pays back the loan over time as dictated by the loan agreement. This process can also be referred to as amortization. It should be noted that there is a no financing option in a Real Estate Purchase Agreement for buyers who pay in full with their own funds without requiring any sort of loan. What is third-party financing? Third-party financing refers to when a buyer takes out a loan from a bank or another lending institution to pay the sale price of the property the buyer is purchasing. The loan is then paid back over time (usually with interest) based on whatever agreement the buyer makes with the loaning institution. One of the most common forms of third-party financing is a Mortgage Agreement. What is owner financing? Owner financing (or seller financing) is often used when a buyer is not able to secure a loan from a financial institution. In such a case, the seller can set up a repayment plan with the buyer and enforce it with either a Promissory Note or a Loan Agreement. What is an assumption of a mortgage? An assumption of a mortgage occurs when a buyer agrees to take responsibility for an existing mortgage on the property they are purchasing. Before taking this option, the buyer should speak to the mortgagor (typically the seller) to determine if this is the best course of action for both parties. What is the Federal Housing Administration (FHA)? The Federal Housing Administration is a government agency that provides housing mortgage loan insurance to qualified applicants who get loans from certified lenders, guaranteeing the mortgage if the buyer defaults on (doesnt pay off) the loan. The FHA assists those with poor credit history, those who cannot afford a large down payment, and others who for one reason or another are unlikely to obtain a mortgage from a regular mortgage lender. The program allows those who typically would not be able to afford a mortgage to qualify for one because the FHA will pay the mortgage in the event of a default. What is the Veterans Administration (VA)? The Veterans Administration (also known as the US Department of Veterans Affairs) is a cabinet-level government agency that provides various social programs and benefits to veterans. The agency provides housing mortgage loan insurance to qualified veterans who are trying to get loans from certified lenders in the event the homebuyer defaults on the loan. The program helps people with poor credit to qualify for a mortgage because the VA will guarantee to pay off the loan if the individual defaults on their mortgage payments. Questions Related to the Property in Real Estate PurchasesHow do you find the legal description of a property? You should be able to obtain the legal land description of your property from the County Recorder's Office (also called the County Clerk or Register of Deeds Office). The legal land description of your property may also be found on your land title, in tax assessment information, and in your Mortgage Agreement. What is the municipal description of my land? The municipal description of a property is the street address of that property as it would be written on a postage envelope. For example, 1234 Oak Street, Los Angeles, California 90001. Does a lease on a property need to be described if the property is being sold? A lease refers to a situation where a tenant is paying rent to live in the property. You do not need to include a description of the lease if it terminates prior to the closing date since the lease will not affect the buyer. However, any leases that extend beyond the closing date must be accurately described in the purchasing agreement, and a copy of the lease should be provided to the buyer. What fixtures are typically included in a house sale? Fixtures are items of personal property that have been attached to land or buildings in such a way that they cannot be removed without damaging the item, the land, or the building. As a seller, you may choose to exclude some fixtures from the sale of your home because they have sentimental value, they are hard to replace, or for another reason. Examples of fixtures include: Chandeliers Custom-made drapes Window blinds Built-in appliances Built-in cupboards Light fittings Wall-to-wall carpeting What happens if I forget to exclude a fixture from the sale of my property? If the item has been affixed (or permanently joined) to the property, it is assumed to be included in the sale unless it is specifically excluded in the purchasing agreement. This means if the seller forgets to exclude a fixture (like a chandelier), it would be considered sold as part of the property. At that point, the buyer would essentially own it and could sell it back to the home seller if the homebuyer so chooses. In such situations, its best for the buyer and seller to have a clear discussion about what is included (in regards to fixtures) in the sale of the property before signing any agreements. Property Disclosure in Real Estate PurchasesWhat should a seller of real property disclose to a buyer looking to purchase it? Each state has different requirements as to what should be disclosed to a buyer, but sellers should include as much information as possible regarding the condition of the property. For instance, if the property is brand new, youll be prompted to discuss the quality of the propertys insulation, including the material used, the thickness, the insulations r-value, and which parts of the house are insulated. To protect yourself from any disputes regarding the condition of the property before the sale is finalized, you should disclose any material defects that are affecting the property (such as mold or water damage, etc.) that you are aware of, and you should complete the state-specific disclosure form provided with the purchase agreement. What are the statutory disclosure requirements for the sale of real estate? Statutory disclosure requirements vary from state to state, but generally the seller is required to disclose any known defects in the physical condition of the property that may materially affect its value, including malfunctioning appliances, pest control problems, mold problems, structural issues with the home, roof defects, and more. Each state has different requirements as to what should be disclosed, so it is recommended that you learn about the statutory disclosure requirements for your state. Do I have to provide a disclosure statement to the buyer? Most states require a seller to complete a disclosure statement for a buyer. You will know it is not a requirement in your state if you are given the option to leave out a disclosure statement in our Real Estate Purchase Agreement questionnaire. Should a buyer request a new survey of the property before they purchase it? Even if the seller can provide a copy of a survey that was completed within the past year, the buyer should still request a new survey in case there has been a change in the property since the last survey was completed. Alternatively, the buyer could request a declaration that there have been no additions to the buildings on the property. Questions Related to Closing a Real Estate PurchaseDo I need other documents to close a real estate sale? Yes. A Real Estate Purchase Agreement is used to outline the terms of a residential property sale between two parties. It does not have the power to transfer title, so a Warranty Deed is often used in conjunction with the purchase agreement. Also, if the buyer and seller agree to owner financing as an option for financing the sale of the home, a Promissory Note will also be used with the purchase agreement. What is a Warranty Deed? A Warranty Deed is a document filed with the County Recorder's Office that grants title to real estate from the seller to the buyer. A Warranty Deed contains a guarantee from the seller that: They are entitled to sell the property There are no outstanding liens other than those listed on the Warranty Deed They will defend the buyer against any claims brought against the property by individuals claiming to have a prior interest in it What is a Promissory Note? A Promissory Note is a legal document that acts as an enforceable promise that a borrower will repay a loan to a lender under the terms agreed upon in the contract. It can be used to document things like the loan amount, the loan date, the repayment plan, and more. What is a transfer tax on property? Most U.S. states collect a tax for every transfer of real estate that is registered. Depending on your state, this tax can be referred to as a: Real estate transfer tax Deed tax Conveyance tax Some states also require additional documentation to accompany the payment of the real estate transfer tax. What is title insurance? Title insurance is a form of insurance in which the insurer agrees to compensate the insured party for any loss suffered as a result of a defect in the title to the property that was unknown to the buyer at the time of the sale. The policy is required by most institutional lenders in order to get a mortgage, and the lenders will pay the value of the mortgage in the event that there is a defect in the title that voids the buyers title to the property. Obtaining title insurance is an alternative to getting a municipal compliance certificate or real property report. Signing and Dispute Information in a Real Estate Purchase AgreementDoes a Real Estate Purchase Agreement have to be notarized in order to be valid? No, this document does not have to be signed by a notary public since it does not get filed with the County Recorder's Office. The purchase agreement only serves as a written record of a contractual relationship between the seller and the buyer and does not actually transfer the title or ownership of the property from the seller to the buyer. Do I need witnesses when I sign a Real Estate Purchase Agreement? No, witnesses are not required, but it is advisable for both parties to insist on having witnesses present who can, if a dispute arises at a later date, testify that the parties did in fact freely sign the contract. Should unresolved real estate purchase disputes go to mediation? Mediation is a way to resolve disputes in a less formal, less rigid, and generally more cost-effective manner than going to court. It allows both sides to talk candidly about their issues and bring them to the forefront. Mediation is generally non-binding to the parties, meaning either party can walk away without a resolution if they feel the process is being handled poorly. That being said, the cost savings of mediation and the opportunity for alternate solutions (as opposed to a win/lose situation in litigation) make the process very appealing for small disputes. Should unresolved real estate purchase disputes go to arbitration? Arbitration is an alternative way of resolving disputes outside of court. The disputing parties will offer testimonies and evidence to plead their cases and then the arbiter rules on the case. Unlike mediation, where a resolution is only reached if all sides agree, arbitration can rule in favor of either party. The parties are free to decide whether or not disputes that are not resolved by mediation should go to arbitration. If arbitration is agreed upon by the parties, the decision of the arbitrator will be binding on both parties.

7 reasons from recruiters why you didnt get the job

7 reasons from recruiters why you didn't get the job 7 reasons from recruiters why you didn't get the job The job-hunting process can be a roller coaster of highs and lows, and every rejection along the way can make you feel more and more insecure. But while there are situations where you didn’t get the job because of something you did (or didn’t) do or say, there are also times when it’s more about another candidate. Here’s why you didn’t get the position, according to recruiters and experts.You didn’t do your homeworkYou have the power to learn as much as possible about your potential employer before the interview day comes, and if you don’t you’re at a huge disadvantage. A Robert Half blog post makes it abundantly clear that you shouldn’t essentially give up an opportunity with an employer because you failed to do your research properly.“You don’t want the reason you didn’t get the job to be because of something easily avoidable.  Today, there’s no excuse for not being prepared for an interview. Start by  reviewing the company website, and really dig into th e content. Companies often provide profiles of their key executives, which you should read carefully. Look for the company’s press releases, too, where you may find information that doesn’t show up anywhere else,” Half writes.The article continues, saying that you should know about the employers competitors, among other points.You used too much jargonJargon can make you look like you’re trying way too hard at work, and enough  ridiculous words could potentially send eyes rolling.A Glassdoor article features advice from Omer Molad, CEO/Founder of Vervoe, and he comments on why you shouldn’t use too many words like this saying, “don’t try to look smarter than you really are.”Another applicant stole your thunderSometimes, it’s not about you - it’s about how another candidate has won over the employer.Ashley Watkins, NCRW, touches on the reason “the company is in love with another candidate” in a LinkedIn article, mentioning how this situation might play out.“ Many times candidates are left in limbo because the hiring team is heavily courting another candidate,” Watkins writes. “The company isn’t telling you where you stand in the application process one way or another because should this ‘dream candidate’ back out, they’ll be able to fall back on you.”You’re better suited for another employerThere’s a large discrepancy between what you want and how the employer operates.Ken Schmitt and Vicky Willenberg write about how the job isn’t “the right ‘fit’” in a LinkedIn post, saying that you want to be part of a “loosely structure culture” and more, but that ”our company has long been established as a traditional corporate work environment with a structured hierarchy and a typical 8-5 workday. Clearly, we are not the right ‘fit’ for you. It’s nothing personal, we just won’t get along.”So instead of getting too hung up on the differences in the work culture you seek and the one the employer has, move o n and look for positions at places that match your vision more.You just didn’t mesh with the hiring managerSometimes you don’t get the job, even though you technically fit the bill.Richard Moy writes about his time as a recruiter in an article for The Muse.In the section about why “you weren’t the right fit for the manager,” he writes, “the unfortunate truth about getting rejected is that even when you match every single bullet point on a job description, there are things the hiring manager’s looking for that are difficult to describe in words.”You weren’t on timeThis is an obvious one: Whatever you do: Don’t. Be. Late. This is Strike One in terms of things that work against you before the interview has even started.A HuffPost article features commentary from SpareFoot recruiter Katie Smith: “Being late is disrespectful and will gain you no points in terms of getting the job… This is an instant red flag to any hiring manager that you are not the most dependab le candidate in the pool,” Smith told the publication.Your materials contain errorsAgain, this is also a no-brainer. How is an employer supposed to trust you with high-stakes projects and assignments if it’s clear that you struggle with spelling?The same HuffPost article  mentions that things like spelling mistakes and other issues in your cover letter and resume make you look “sloppy,” among other points.It continues with advice from Kimberly Reed, managing partner and CEO of Reed Development Group. She told the publication that your cover letter and resume should be “clear, concise and results-focused.”Many of these mistakes can be avoided, so steer clear of them so you’re in a better position to land the job you want.What’s the best interview advice you’ve ever heard? Let us know in The Climb! 7 reasons from recruiters why you didn't get the job The job-hunting process can be a roller coaster of highs and lows, and every rejection along the way can make you feel more and more insecure. But while there are situations where you didn’t get the job because of something you did (or didn’t) do or say, there are also times when it’s more about another candidate.Here’s why you didn’t get the position, according to recruiters and experts.You didn’t do your homeworkYou have the power to learn as much as possible about your potential employer before the interview day comes, and if you don’t you’re at a huge disadvantage. A Robert Half blog post makes it abundantly clear that you shouldn’t essentially give up an opportunity with an employer because you failed to do your research properly.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!“You don’t want the reason you didn’t get the job to be because of something easily a voidable.  Today, there’s no excuse for not being prepared for an interview. Start by  reviewing the company website, and really dig into the content. Companies often provide profiles of their key executives, which you should read carefully. Look for the company’s press releases, too, where you may find information that doesn’t show up anywhere else,” Half writes.The article continues, saying that you should know about the employer’s competitors, among other points.You used too much jargonJargon can make you look like you’re trying way too hard at work, and enough  ridiculous words could potentially send eyes rolling.A Glassdoor article features advice from Omer Molad, CEO/Founder of Vervoe, and he comments on why you shouldn’t use too many words like this saying, “don’t try to look smarter than you really are.”Another applicant stole your thunderSometimes, it’s not about you - it’s about how another candidate has won over the employer.Ashley Watkins, NCRW, touches on the reason “the company is in love with another candidate” in a LinkedIn article, mentioning how this situation might play out.“Many times candidates are left in limbo because the hiring team is heavily courting another candidate,” Watkins writes. “The company isn’t telling you where you stand in the application process one way or another because should this ‘dream candidate’ back out, they’ll be able to fall back on you.”You’re better suited for another employerThere’s a large discrepancy between what you want and how the employer operates.Ken Schmitt and Vicky Willenberg write about how the job isn’t “the right ‘fit’” in a LinkedIn post, saying that you want to be part of a “loosely structure culture” and more, but that ”our company has long been established as a traditional corporate work environment with a structured hierarchy and a typical 8-5 workday. Clearly, we are not the right ‘fit’ for you. It’s nothing personal, we just won’t get along.”So instead of getting too hung up on the differences in the work culture you seek and the one the employer has, move on and look for positions at places that match your vision more.You just didn’t mesh with the hiring managerSometimes you don’t get the job, even though you technically fit the bill.Richard Moy writes about his time as a recruiter in an article for The Muse.In the section about why “you weren’t the right fit for the manager,” he writes, “the unfortunate truth about getting rejected is that even when you match every single bullet point on a job description, there are things the hiring manager’s looking for that are difficult to describe in words.”You weren’t on timeThis is an obvious one: Whatever you do: Don’t. Be. Late. This is Strike One in terms of things that work against you before the interview has even started.A HuffPost article features commentary from SpareFoot recruiter Katie Smith: “Being late is disrespectfu l and will gain you no points in terms of getting the job… This is an instant red flag to any hiring manager that you are not the most dependable candidate in the pool,” Smith told the publication.Your materials contain errorsAgain, this is also a no-brainer. How is an employer supposed to trust you with high-stakes projects and assignments if it’s clear that you struggle with spelling?The same HuffPost article  mentions that things like spelling mistakes and other issues in your cover letter and resume make you look “sloppy,” among other points.It continues with advice from Kimberly Reed, managing partner and CEO of Reed Development Group. She told the publication that your cover letter and resume should be “clear, concise and results-focused.”Many of these mistakes can be avoided, so steer clear of them so you’re in a better position to land the job you want.This article was first published on September 12, 2017.You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people

Why the Holidays May Be the Best Time of Year to Look for a Job

Why the Holidays May Be the Best Time of Year to Look for a Job Why the Holidays May Be the Best Time of Year to Look for a Job Why the Holidays May Be the Best Time of Year to Look for a Job Think the holidays are the worst time to look for a job? Not so fast! Some experts warn that the hiring prospects during the holidays are dire. If you listen to these folks, you might as well just go into job-search hibernation and kick your job hunt back into gear again in the New Year. The good news, however, is that these experts aren't exactly right. There's a silver lining. Searching for a job during the holidays can actually be a good thing. It may not be the very best time of year for a job hunt, but there are plenty of positives! Here are just a few reasons why the holidays might be the best time for you to look for a new job. Hopefully this information will keep your spirits up and allow you to enjoy a wonderful holiday season! There are plenty of networking opportunities. The holidays are a time for families to gather together, tell tales of holidays past, and enjoy food and beverages with one another. The same goes for businesses. It may not be hiring season, but party season provides lots of opportunities for networking. Like families, businesses tend to ramp up their hosting of events during the holiday season. So be jolly and take advantage of the increase in networking events. Attend events like fundraisers, open houses, and other opportunities that allow you to connect and mingle with people who can connect you to job openings. Even holiday parties at friends' homes offer you ample opportunity to network. Just be sure to approach each event in the right way. Don't go all business mode at your friend's party. Instead, let your job search come up naturally in conversation. You don't want to come across desperate, and you don't want to burn any bridges with friends. There's holiday spirit to spare. With all the parties and the holiday spirit going around, the holidays tend to bring out the generosity in people. This can be the same for hiring managers. Take some time during your holiday job search to send a friendly email or make a quick phone call. Make sure when you reach out, you wish them a happy holiday. If you're following up about a possible interview, it's more likely you'll get a response if you mention the holidays. I know I can't resist returning wishes of a happy holiday season when I'm offered them. If that response happens to come with an offer to stop by the office for an interview, then happy holidays to you! The competition is limited. Lots of people that are job searching, whether employed or unemployed, take a break during the holidays. They buy into the rumors that a holiday job search is a dead end. Therefore, the numbers end up being in your favor. The job seekers that are already employed, even if they hate their job and are actively searching, are more likely to take a break over the holidays. They've got a steady income, and sending in resumes and applications takes away from time with their families. Those seeking employment often stop looking over the holidays as well. Don't make the same mistake. There are still plenty of job openings and employers actively hiring, so take advantage of the limited candidate pool and put your hat in the ring. Related:Make Your Holiday Job-Search List and Check It Twice But it's common knowledge that January is prime hiring season... I speak from experience on this one. I've been in the job market in November and December on a couple of occasions. Both times I landed a job through my holiday job search because I ignored the rumors about the timing being bad. If you don't get a call back right away, don't fret. Many employers will review resumes and set up interviews through the holiday season with the intention of actually offering the job in January. Whether for budgeting reasons, or just because they don't want to train a new employee before their own holiday break, this trend is reason enough to continue applying during the holidays. I actually recall applying for a number of jobs in October and November years back and then giving up by early December. Out of the blue, one of the positions I'd applied for contacted me in the middle of December. I interviewed shortly thereafter and then heard nothing. A week into January, I received a phone call and a job offer. A few weeks later, I was sitting at my new desk, in an exciting new role. I'm not the only job seeker with this kind of experience, so don't give up on the holidays and keep your head high. You never know when that offer is going to roll in. Seasonal jobs often lead to permanent work. Many companies need additional help during the holidays, which means seasonal job openings abound. They can be great to put a little extra cash in your pockets for the holidays, but there's another reason to be merry about the prospect of seasonal jobs. Seasonal jobs can lead to full-time employment. Think of this role as an on-the-job interview. Seasonal jobs offer you the rare opportunity to prove yourself to employers by showcasing your skills within the day-to-day operations of their business. Take your seasonal job seriously and do your absolute best. In fact, go beyond your best and show employers why they'd be crazy to not offer you continued employment after the holiday season. Talk to your boss and get to know them. When the time is right, let them know you're interested in potentially continuing with the company and discuss your career goals with them. Even if the seasonal job you land isn't your dream job, the company you're working for likely has openings in other areas that might be more of a fit for you. If you impress your employer within your seasonal role, they'll likely be willing to put in a good word for you at the next level. Don't delay, start today. Don't wait to start a holiday job search. As they say, there's no time like the present. Don't let your job search get in the way of your holiday enjoyment, but also don't let it keep you from landing your next perfect role. During your downtime or in between family gatherings, find yourself a quiet spot in your home and submit your resume to a couple of positions. Shoot for five to seven positions per week. That's between twenty and thirty per month. By making this a part of your job search routine, you'll be able to enjoy the holidays without dedicating too much time in one day to applying for jobs, and you'll be sending out enough resumes to position yourself to get a wonderful holiday gift: a new job. Click on the following link for more job-search advice. Need a to update your resume for the holiday season? Take advantage of our free resume critique today! Recommended Reading: #OfficeHours: How to Get a Stalled Job Search Back on Track How to Search for a New Job During the Holidays Jobs in Demand During the Holiday Season

3 Things to Know About Healthcare Management Systems

3 Things to Know About Healthcare Management Systems 3 Things to Know About Healthcare Management Systems Healthcare management systems, also known as healthcare information management systems, are designed to help healthcare providers collect, store, retrieve and exchange patient healthcare information more efficiently and enable better patient care. These technology projects - which are often compliance-driven - can require significant investments in time and resources. When selecting and implementing a healthcare management system, providers should keep  three things  in mind. 1. There are two main types of healthcare management systems - electronic health records (EHR) and practice management - which organizations will need to evaluate, depending on their size, business needs, and compliance demands. Many healthcare providers are moving to EHR systems to meet the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) compliance deadline in 2015; others are doing it simply to modernize their operations. Practice management software solutions, which can be connected to EHR systems, are typically used by small and midsize medical practices to organize specific details about patients and the care that they receive from the practice. 2. Most healthcare management systems, especially for large healthcare providers, are delivered as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions. Because the software is delivered on demand via the cloud, and not through internal systems, healthcare providers need to be especially mindful about maintaining the privacy and security of PHI (patient protected health information). When choosing a SaaS vendor to deliver their healthcare management system, providers therefore need to ask, and receive clear answers for, a number of questions, such as: How do you keep data secure? Where is the data stored? How do your practices fulfill our compliance requirements, such as with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)? 3. A healthcare management system is much more than an IT project. Implementing a new technology infrastructure and digitizing clinical and patient information are only parts of the process of moving to a healthcare management system. There is also a critical “people component.” Medical professionals who will be using the system every day - doctors, nurses, technicians, medical receptionists and many others - need to be engaged early in the process so they have a say in how the system is designed, receive appropriate training, and have ample time to prepare for what will be a monumental shift in how they work. This requires that providers focus on change management from the outset of their healthcare management system project. Many providers decide to seek outside assistance to help ensure a seamless transition to a healthcare management system. For example, they turn to project staffing services that can provide consultants with healthcare management and business systems expertise. They may also look to compliance experts for guidance on how to implement systems that meet the requirements of HIPAA, HITECH and other relevant regulations. For more on HIPAA compliance and other challenges facing today’s healthcare providers, visit Protiviti’s website. Related posts Regulatory Compliance: How to Help Your Finance Team Stay Up to Date Why Regulatory Compliance Training Is a Must-Have for Your Team Compliance Costs Are Rising: Here’s What to Do

Career Paths for a Marketing Major

Career Paths for a Marketing Major Career Paths for a Marketing Major Marketing is the process that begins with creating a product or service and ends with putting it into consumers hands. In studying this process, a marketing major learns how to identify market segments, estimate demand and set prices. This field includes market research, advertising, public relations and sales. Students who earn associate, bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees in marketing can pursue a variety of careers. Major Courses You Can Expect to Take Associate Degree Courses Principles of MarketingSalesmanshipInternational MarketingIntroduction to Retail Bachelors Degree Courses Introduction to MarketingConsumer BehaviorSales ManagementRetail ManagementPublic RelationsMarketing ResearchAdvertisingE-MarketingBusiness-to-Business MarketingQuantitative Methods Masters Degree Courses Marketing Analysis and ManagementProduct Innovation and PlanningConsumer BehaviorMarketing ResearchGlobal MarketingInternet MarketingAdvanced Quantitative Analysis Doctoral Degree Courses Multinational MarketingTransportation and Distribution TheoryConceptual Foundations of Product PlanningEmpirical Models in MarketingMarketing ResearchBuyer Behavior Career Options With Your Degree Associate Degree: Sales Representative, Junior Account Manager, Advertising Sales Representative, Retail SalespersonBachelors Degree: Advertising Sales Representative, Media Buyer, Market Research Analyst, Marketing Coordinator, Marketing Manager, Public Relations Specialist, Account Manager, Brand Manager, Sales Representative, Survey Researcher, Development Officer, Insurance AgentMasters Degree (including an MBA with a concentration in marketing): Brand Manager, Advertising Account Executive, Chief Marketing Officer, Marketing Manager, Sales Manager, Public Relations Manager Doctoral Degree: Professor, Researcher Typical Work Settings Many people who graduate with degrees in marketing work in the marketing, advertising and publicity and sales departments of companies, professional associations, and religious and non-profit organizations. They develop strategies to sell products and services to consumers. This includes estimating demand, identifying market segments and developing advertising, publicity and sales strategies. A large number work for marketing, advertising or public relations firms that provide these services to other companies and organizations. Preparing for This Major in High School High school students who are thinking about studying marketing should take classes in business, statistics, writing, public speaking and math. These courses will provide basic knowledge that will help prepare students for their college coursework. What Else You Need to Know This major may also be called marketing management.Related majors include advertising, marketing research, public relations and sales management.Studying marketing at a four-year college or university will lead to a Bachelors of Science (BS), Bachelor of Science in Business Administration or Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Degree.There are two different types of associate degree programs in marketing. Students can earn an AAS (Associate in Applied Science) or an AS (Associate in Science). These degrees prepare graduates for marketing trainee jobs and for transfer into a bachelor-level program in marketing. Masters degree programs, which take about two years to complete, are available for students who have an undergraduate degree in marketing or another business subject and for those who have no prior background in this area.Individuals who want to earn a masters degree can opt for a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in marketing or a Masters of Science Degree (MS) in Marketing.Internships make graduates more desirable job candidates.

10 Habits of Successful Project Managers

10 Habits of Successful Project Managers 10 Habits of Successful Project Managers Why do certain project managers bring their projects in on time, on budget and with satisfied customers while others have a hard time? Let’s look at the ten habits that highly successful project managers share to find out. These habits get mentioned over and over again in performance appraisals and in end-of-project reviews where the client, team or sponsor is offering feedback to the project manager. You don’t need to have ten years of experience to deliver successfully every time. By changing your habits and brushing up your skills you can drastically improve the chances of your project being a success and give yourself a less stressful time at work as well. Using the Right Team The most effective and successful project managers know the capabilities of their team members. It means that they can allocate the right work to the right people. Using the wrong resource on a task can lead to it taking longer or being poorly done. It helps to know the strengths and weaknesses of the individuals working with you so that you can best allocate them to project tasks. Managing Project Issues All projects hit issues from time to time. Successful project managers don’t let it worry them. They know the processes for issue management and also how best to deal with problems as they arise. You can do that too. Once you know how to assess a project issue, you’ll find that issue management becomes an easy habit to incorporate into your weekly routine. Put some time aside to go through your issue log each week, and you’ll soon find that it’s an easy job to stay on top of managing problems. Coping With Changes Projects are designed to change things, but that kind of change is happening to other people! It’s harder to manage change that is aimed squarely at the project team, upsetting the detailed project schedule and creating new work and a whole pile of documentation updates. Successful project managers have a change management process that they follow. Following defined steps makes it easier to turn any action into a habit because it’s structured and repetitive. The change management process looks like this: Receive information about the change.Assess the change.Establish how much work it would be to do the change.Prepare a recommendation about whether it is worth going ahead. Once youve prepared a recommendation, ask your sponsor to get a decision from about whether you should incorporate the change or not. You can approve some small changes yourself as long as they are within your remit and authority levels. Successful project managers know that coping with changes is part of the job and they have a plan to deal with them as and when they arise. Managing Project Costs It is highly likely that your project is going to incur costs, even if you don’t have full control over the purse strings yourself. Being able to manage financial elements in your control has to be a habit. If you don’t approach it regularly and routinely, you will find the job becomes so huge it’s impossible to do well. Fantastic project managers stay on top of the expenses with filing systems that work for invoices, quotes, and estimates. Get into the habit of using your budgeting software (even if that is just a spreadsheet). You can’t manage your project costs until you have a plan of what you are going to spend. Read this on how to create a project budget so you can get started. Teambuilding The project team might not be working directly for you. So, why is teambuilding part of the habits of successful project managers? It’s because you need your team to work together effectively and you need the individuals involved in the project to quickly come to a point where they trust each other. You get that through building the team. Watch out for situations where your team is falling apart. Bullying behavior, in particular, is unacceptable. Understanding Processes The sixth habit of highly successful project managers is that they understand the processes that exist within their sphere of control. That means that they know what work procedures need to be followed. They don’t waste time trying to work out how to write a business case because they know that there is a procedure for that and they can follow the steps. The most successful project managers are not a slave to process. They know when the right thing to do is to follow the process. They know when it’s better to tweak it slightly to make the tasks overall easier for everyone. An example of that would be to remove the bureaucracy from a small project by tailoring the processes accordingly. Updating the Schedule Project schedules shouldn’t be left to chance. The most successful project managers will make it a habit to regularly check their schedules for accuracy and update them. There are lots of ways to track your project’s progress. The most important thing is that you do it. If you are struggling to make this habit your own, then book a short meeting in your diary with yourself and your schedule once a week. Use the same time each week and take 30 minutes to review where you are and where you need to be. Make the necessary amendments, tell the team and carry on with the project. If your schedule changes have an impact on the end date for the project or on the delivery date for major milestones, then talk to your sponsor. You shouldn’t change the fundamentals of your baselined plan without going through a formal approval process. Managing Project Risk Knowing what to include in your risk register is one thing, but habitually reviewing it and acting on the risks raised is something different. It’s not enough to use the beginning of your project to identify risks and then not think about them again. Risk management needs to be part of your project habits because without it you’ll find that risks turn into issues and create problems for you. It is another area where standard processes and booking a regular slot to do a risk review can help. You can include it as part of your team meetings. Make it a habit to review your risks with the team, close any that are no longer a threat and plan actions for those that you want to mitigate. Tracking Time Project managers know a lot about project time management, but that tends to be in the domain of scheduling and planning. What we’re talking about is time tracking on a more regular, daily basis. We’re talking about timesheets. Project teams often aren’t that keen to use timesheets if they haven’t done so before. Many project management software tools have time tracking inherent in the product. That can make it easier to introduce the switch to time tracking as a team. Whether or not you track your team’s time (which is recommended) it is important that you know where your own time goes in a day. You should make it a habit to keep a note of how you spend your time. It will help you understand whether you are spending time on the top priority project tasks. You might think that you are, but are you? Timesheets or time recording of some form will help, even if it is just an hourly log on a notepad. Delivering Business Change Finally, the habit that makes project managers most successful is their ability to equate project outputs to business results. If users don’t use your product or the software quickly falls out of date or customers aren’t as amazed as you are  then your project has been a waste of time. The most successful project teams make sure that they know what business results theyre aiming for. They build a solution that delivers that business change in a sustainable fashion. What they deliver when the project ends is fully used and totally adopted by the customer. It’s a success because it has been built to be a success from the start. Understanding business objectives is a key criterion for any project manager who wants to make an impact on customers and stakeholders. If you can show that you have delivered something of value, then it’s easy to demonstrate the impact you have and the value that you bring to the company. Make it a habit of asking your stakeholders what business value they are expecting and how they want to use whatever it is that your project is delivering for them. Talk to them about how they define success. You can build this into a repeatable process at the start of every project.

The Top Secret Truth About Language Proficiency Resume Uncovered

The Top Secret Truth About Language Proficiency Resume Uncovered So if you're very fluent, I mean if you're at university level, you're likely to know much more words than someone who can only read at a grade three level. Native English speakers would have the capability to begin the activity immediately, essentially giving them more instructional moment. In reality, you would have run into the term pretty often. For those purposes of your CV, the principal thing that you want to think about is how academically rigorous the test is. The Do's and Don'ts of Language Proficiency Resume While the person has a large variety and constraint of structure, an occasional nonnative slip might occur. Business English language proficiency may also supply you with a competitive advantage when applying for professional jobs, particularly when it comes to international businesses. A web-based search can help you to discover programs to in which to participate. You need to have a particula r languages' section which gives more comprehensive info on your ability. Get the Scoop on Language Proficiency Resume Before You're Too Late Some users even think that you should only place your language skills on your resume if you're business proficient or higher. Listing your skills provides a chance to showcase your abilities and experiences to prime employers for the remainder of your resume. You also will require to talk about knowledge. An exaggeration of language skills could set you in a lousy circumstance. Resume language skills are the same. They are a great asset in today's labour market, but not every job-seeker knows how to draw attention to them. Your language skills are just a little portion of your resume, therefore it's critical that also you realize how to compose a resume by every section. The Dirty Facts About Language Proficiency Resume Please get in touch with us in case you have any questions regarding payment. Your resume demonstrates that you're accomplished. No additional application is necessary. Beginning your on-line application is straightforward, and you might go back to add additional application materials before submitting your final application. The letter together with the bank statement and passport has to be recent. Acceptance into the program doesn't signify you will necessarily be in a position to pursue the precise project detailed in the letter. 1 A resume summary is a brief, snappy introduction paragraph that gives a summary of your very best work. Other electronic or written evidence won't be considered. There's no appeal procedure to reach complete admission without the ESL course. The admission procedure and requirements for the bulk of the graduate programs are alike. Students who don't meet the English language proficiency requirements are qualified for admission just to the ESOL program should they meet the Accuplacer ESL testing requirements. Students who achieve a minimum grade of 75% in every language coures at the period of application to The University of Western Ontario are thought to demonstrate the degree of English language proficiency needed for admission and won't be asked to supply more proof of English language proficiency. Well, the ideal method is to use an accessible vocabulary. When you have language ability in something besides English, therefore, be certain to mention it. The speed by which you're in a position t o comprehend sentences remains measured and there's still uncertainty in your selection of words. Students need to comprehend why English is written the way it's, and to attempt to spell out the grammar rules in English can create more confusion. A Secret Weapon for Language Proficiency Resume It is essential to understand the cv example is called a guide and you must modify the case statements in order that they match the position needs from the job which you're applying for. Although the language is identical, the variation may be helpful for the hiring manager to understand. The very first step towards getting your fantasy job is to produce a fantastic first impression. If you're asking for work in English within Europe, you may add the CEFR level in brackets if you think it's going to be understood. The capability to speak different foreign languages will always be regarded as a strong point no matter the particular needs of the work position. Possessing a universal means to speak about your language proficiency can help you distinguish yourself in a crowded area of job candidates or school applicants. So whenever your linguistic skills are related to the position you're applying for, and that is going to offer you the suitable highlight as a possible candidate, you might think an area in your resume for a language section (sometimes holding the Spanish language is extremely practical for candidates in the United States!) To provide the employer a better idea about your language knowledge, include what you've done employing the language in prior jobs or associated experiences. Understanding your audience is critical! In uncommon circumstances, if you've limited language capability generally, but language experience in a specialized sector (computer, for example). Cultural proficiency isn't solely the acceptance of cultural differences, but instead a transformational process that enables people to acknowledge interdependence and align with a group aside from their own. What You Should Do to Find Out About Language Proficiency Resume Before You're Left Behind So, assessing language proficiency is a vital part of program evaluation. Use the self-assessment tools to ascertain your level in every language you speak. It is possible to still claim some amount of proficiency, but might also need to remember you will want to refresh your familiarity with the language to make sure that you're up to speed. You should first rate your degree of proficiency so that you can accurately present it in your resume.