Author: MFemy Team Member

Things to learn from Uber’s Work Culture

Uber has become a role model as far as business start-ups go. Innumerable start-up companies have promoted themselves as the “Uber” in their respective fields, and economists are worried about the “Uberization” of work.

However, the biggest lesson this start-up giant has brought to us in recent times is not to try and copy it. And it especially teaches us not to copy its work culture.

Over the past few weeks, Uber has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. It has criticism, and its internal work culture has been described as “toxic” and even “aggressive.”

But what aspects turned out to be negative and should be avoided by other companies?

1) Controversies surrounding Uber

Sonn affter Uber’s chief executive Travis Kalanick initially accepted a position on President Donald Trump’s advisory board, Uber faced severe backlash, and a #deleteuber campaign was also launched.

There have also been reports of sexual harassment made by former employees of Uber, which has fanned the flames even more.

2) Start-up problems

Uber has started to face problems every start-up eventually faces. Any start-up company needs to build things from scratch, but the most difficult part is making the business sustainable in the long run.

With employees being paid less, there are dangers of going back to square one despite gaining massive success and popularity.

3) Growing concerns and culture shock

Uber’s name is synonymous with ridesharing, but this may change as well, as people switch to other services amidst growing concerns over Uber’s ventures.

Having a brand name is essential, but you need to pay attention to your culture if it is all your company has.

Why is Being Ambitious so Important in Today’s World?

Ambition is the goal-driven thought process that reaffirms your beliefs to achieve something. When people put their minds to something, there is no way to achieve it. This is what ambition is all about.

To achieve your goals, it is essential that you plan your mode of action and set milestones for getting there step by step.

The drive to do something in life, irrespective of what obstacle you might face, is indispensable in today’s world. People often say that ambition is a vice. But the truth is, it is not. It is a driving force that helps people manifest their dreams into reality.

Ambition is not a vice, but its underlying purpose might be, and it only depends on individual intentions and the modus operandi of achieving your goals.

If you achieve what you desire by fair means, ambition will help you overcome a lot of problems because of the grit and tolerance it provides you with.

What you think can be turned into reality as the universe is always listening to your heart. You may not believe it, but it is indeed true. So effective mind language is necessary.

We live in a world of cut-throat, ruthless competition. So a lack of ambition will leave you complacent and unsuccessful. You don’t want to be left behind in life’s race, do you?

If you haven’t thought out your plans yet, you might end up on a couch living with your parents with no achievement to your name. So gear up today and start planning how to make your career and goals successful.

It is important not to let your ambition overshadow your common sense. You should be careful never to let it come in between your loved ones and you, and at the same time utilize it to progress in life.

How Does Learning a Foreign Language Help You?

In the age of globalization and cut-throat competition, it is very important to walk with the times and mingle with people of different nationalities, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

While languages like English have long eased communication between people of different nations, we must get an upper edge over others by being bilingual.

Here are a few perks of learning a foreign language.

It’s easier for you to survive in a new country:

People today travel across the world to work, study or expand their horizons. Learning a foreign language helps you cope in a strange land where you can make new friends and create an awesome network of people.

Because you know their language, the locals will appreciate you more, and nobody will be able to take you for a ride!

Your employability increases:

Being bilingual means that you are smart and capable of surviving in a multicultural environment. Employers are constantly on the lookout for people who can interact with international clients with finesse.

Also, there may be people of different nationalities working with you, so you automatically become more desirable for the employers if you know a second language. You can make your career as an interpreter too.

It makes you smarter:

A bilingual brain is better adapted to problem-solving and analytical skills. It will also help increase your logical aptitude, reasoning, and focus.

Also, learning a new language enhances your brain’s capacity to break down word structures and understand grammar and sentence constructions from scratch.

It makes you healthier:

Being bilingual has considerably decreased the chances of Alzheimer’s disease in people as it makes your brain active and improves your cognitive and operational skills.

Additionally, learning a new language also enhances the neural pathways in your brain, hence making you healthier.

It enhances your confidence and creativity:

You will have an enhanced vocabulary, and as a result, your creative pursuits will be even more interesting. You will be able to self-express in more languages than one.

Also, it helps you become more confident while interacting with people and boosts your self-esteem in the process.

So, if you have any plans to learn a foreign language, don’t wait.

Want to Change Your Career in Your Mid-Age: Here’s What You Need to Know

Changing your career when you are in the middle of your life could be one of the toughest decisions you will ever make.
You can make this transition smoothly, but you should keep in mind that since many careers require young and energetic blood, the options you will get may be limited in number.
The first thing that you need to understand is that there will be no shortcut to success in this way.
You will have to take many small steps to reach where you want to be. You will have to start anew. Your new career will not be served to you on a platter.
However, some tips might help you make a career switch successfully.

Thorough research of your new industry:

Networking with influential people will set the right pace for your new career.

It will help you know about the industry you are getting into and introduce you to the people with whom you should be spending more time to build a secure network. The more you know, the better.

Apply on various job portals:

You can use websites such as LinkedIn to let your resume reach out to the recruiters.

Showcasing your previously acquired skills:

By: SKWStock on Shutterstock

See if your already-acquired skills can also be applied in this new career you are choosing. If yes, let the recruiters know how you can benefit them.

Keep your options open:

Be adaptable to changes. The job in a new career may not work the way your previous career did.

Keep an open mind and learn things faster.

7 Jobs for Graduates with a Linguistics Degree

Now that you hold a linguistics degree, here are 7 jobs you can opt for to help launch your career-

1) Computational linguist

It is an interdisciplinary field requiring computational and natural language skills. You can earn anywhere from $6000 – $11000 per year.

You need to hold an undergraduate degree in linguistics with a master’s in computational linguistics or similar fields.

2) Linguistics professor

You can teach linguistics, philosophy, psychology in universities. While just starting, you can earn anything from $32000 – $91000, which will increase later.

A master’s degree and a Ph.D. are required, and you need to have a professional teaching certificate in some cases.

3) Translator

Translate 2000-3000 words per day and earn anywhere from $24000 – $53000.

You need a degree specializing in two languages other than your mother tongue. Having a master’s degree will significantly improve your chances of being hired.

4) Teach a foreign language

Become an instructor in classrooms teaching foreign languages to your pupils. You can earn anywhere from $31000 – $72000 per year.

For this, you need an undergraduate degree and specialization in your chosen language.

5) Foreign linguists

This job involves analyzing language in various fields. You even get a chance to work with the CIA or FBI. You can earn from $37000 – $100000 per year.

A bachelor’s, master’s, and a Ph.D., as well as legal knowledge, is required.

6) Technical writer

Produce technical content and earn $37000 – $86000. For this, a bachelor’s degree is required.

7) Lexicographers

Compile dictionaries and earn $50000 – $55000.
You need a degree in Linguistics, English, and modern languages. Having a postgraduate degree improves your chances.

Linguistics is a great field when you are passionate about languages. Apart from following your passion, use your interests to earn an income.

How to Deal with A Boss Who’s a Bully

It’s the beginning of a new year, and many of you have probably just started working or have switched companies. This means an entirely unfamiliar environment and a brand new boss. While some are lucky to work under genuinely nice people, many others are not.

We hear people complaining about oppressive bosses all the time. A recent survey conducted by CIPD found that 91% of employees say that their employers fail to take up the ‘bullying’ issues at work seriously.

If you’re stuck with a boss who intimidates you or rides roughshod over your opinions, you don’t have to grin and bear it. Instead, try doing the following to help you tackle the situation effectively.

1. Open up to your mentor

It’s not the best idea to deal with such issues all by yourself. The company might have assigned you a mentor upon joining to give you an orientation about your job or the company.

Try confiding in this person, and he may be able to make a much-needed intervention while offering you a piece of sensible advice.

2. Confront your boss

Though this may seem like an obvious choice, many people are afraid of confrontation. Have a candid conversation with your boss about your feelings and politely explain how this affects your work and mental health.

Studies have shown that workers who stood up for themselves and fought against their bosses had to endure less emotional distress than those who did not.

It isn’t easy to be empathetic and understand why he could be behaving the way he is. Make sure you focus on solving the problems rather than playing the blame game. This will mitigate the tension and help resolve your issues.

3. Take it up with the HR

If the situation is beyond your control, file a formal complaint with your human resources team. Sometimes, these things can escalate to a point where merely talking to someone is of no use.

The formalities can cause you to have cold feet, but hang in there and let the concerned authorities sort this for you.

4. Keep up your confidence

Bullying can cause severe repercussions in the victim’s life. You may feel like quitting. But step aside and think of all the positive feedback you’ve received from your customers and colleagues in the past.

Think about the times when you’ve performed well and have been praised for it. It might just help you to find a reason to stay and gain your confidence back.

Start-ups as a Career Option

After you’ve graduated from college, you have a tough choice to make. Should you walk on the well-trodden path of a corporate job or try your hand in the exciting field of start-ups?

With its good pay and great benefits, a corporate job seems like the more tempting option. But is it always the right choice?

Here are a few benefits if you consider a start-up as your prime career option

1) Getting recognition:

You will be starting corporate life at the entry-level, where everyone else who has joined before you will be your senior.

You will have to work on pre-decided tasks and projects, and you will not have much of a say there. Entry-level corporate jobs will not bring you much recognition.

However, the whole team is just starting in start-ups, and your efforts will never go unnoticed. Every little thing will make a difference, and your opinions will be valued.

2) You’ll attain more skills:

By: SKWStock on Shutterstock

While many people doing corporate jobs are stuck in one place doing the same routine tasks- working in a start-up will allow you to branch out, develop new skills, and learn from other innovators.

Soon, you will find that you feel comfortable working in different fields doing different things.

3) Makes you a responsible worker:

Being part of a start-up also brings a compulsion to be responsible. As the number of employees is lesser than big companies, you may be responsible for a lot of work that you will have to answer for. It hones your sense of duty.

Thus, if you want an exciting career option that fulfills you, start-ups are a good idea.

Important Aspects to Consider Before Accepting a Job Offer

It is hard to get a job offer in the highly competitive market with many candidates looking for opportunities. You may feel lucky if you can get through an interview and land a job.

When you commit to a job, you give away a part of your life as you spend all weekdays at the office.
So it makes sense to gauge the offer and then decide whether you want to accept it.

What should you consider before accepting a job offer?

Before accepting that job offer, pause to weigh the various aspects of the position.

Salary and benefits

By: Enciktepstudio on Shutterstock

The most crucial aspect of the job offer is the salary and benefits. You should understand the package details thoroughly because some of the benefits may be denoted in terms of money, but you won’t receive the paycheck with the quoted amount.

Ensure that the salary is sufficient to meet your needs. Many companies provide ambiguous offer letters without mentioning the benefits.

Before signing on the dotted line, understand the terms thoroughly.

Understand the schedule

When you agree to a job offer, you have to understand the schedule clearly. You have to factor in time for a commute because traveling for an hour from your home to the office can be tiring when it must be done twice every day.

Understand your work schedule so that you are comfortable with it. If you are not happy working on the weekends, take up jobs which require regular five days working.

Work environment

Your interview experience should give you an insight into the work environment at the company. If you were not comfortable during the interview and stopped asking any questions, you may have to look for another job.

You can work peacefully with good people who motivate you.

You should be at ease and have a sense of well-being after accepting a job. It does not make sense if you accept an offer which makes you dreadful at the thought of it!

If you have any job offers on way, do take these tips before accepting the offer.

We wish you all the luck!!

Ways to Use LinkedIn for Getting a Job

Social media is nowadays utilized for recruiting and finding prospective jobs. The online networking site LinkedIn has become popular to search for jobs and job recruitment.

If you wonder how to increase your job-getting prospects by using LinkedIn, here are a few tips that can help you get the job you want.

1) Become more visible with your profile

By: Yuri K on Shutterstock

Most job recruiters search for potential employees with specific keywords that fit their requirements. If you want to discover employers in your desired field, make your profile keyword rich.

Make sure your LinkedIn headline sums up who you are. Fit essential keywords into your profile headline.

2) Build a network

By: Metamorworks on Shutterstock

Connect with as many people as you can. Follow your desired companies and recruiters online and maintain a steady relationship with them.

Let them understand that you are interested in a job so that when there is a job opening, they will be more likely to offer it to you. Be a regular visitor on LinkedIn.

3) Make your profile attractive

Have a professional photo for your profile picture. Mention the skill you have, and instead of just stating them in a monotonous way, you can stand out by adding your achievements to a particular skill.

If you’ve stood first in a debate or won in a national robot competition, be sure to mention it. Develop skills and add them over time. Do certifications in your desired field and mention them as well. A professional profile will increase your chances of getting picked.

Be active, maintain connections and showcase your eagerness for the job to increase the possibility of being hired.

5 Clues at Interview which Reveals about the Company

Applying for a new position is never easy, no matter whether you are just applying for your first job or whether you are a seasoned employee on the lookout for better opportunities.

You may want to watch for a few things when attending that interview to discover crucial things about the company.

Clue 1

One way to figure out if the company is serious about their offer or not is by determining how receptive they are during the interview process.

Don’t count on it if the hiring manager asks mundane questions and waits for the five minutes to be up before telling you that they will be in touch. Moreover, a company that gets to waste your time is not a place you should consider working for anyway.

Clue 2

If you are asked to meet various managers as part of your hiring process, it only indicates that no single person takes the call and hints at disorganization.

Clue 3

If the company has forgotten that the interview was slated for that day, and yes, it has been known to happen more often than you think, then the company is more than disorganized; it smells of trouble and a shaky future.

Clue 4

Perceptions matter, and if the hiring manager is downright rude or impertinent, the office setup would not be that pleasant either. A tense workplace will not be worth the trouble and effort you would have to put into fitting in.

Clue 5

If the manager does not respond to your messages in time or to your requests, you must ask yourself whether working for someone like this would be worthwhile. After all, when you become part of their workforce, the manager should address your concerns.

And if he could not even take the time to respond to a simple skype message, chances are he will not be paying you or your concerns much attention either.

So let’s be vigilant and avoid any job which reveals any of the above indications.