Googles new AI assistant can pass for a human on phone calls

Googles new AI assistant can pass for a human on phone callsGoogles new AI assistant can pass for a human on phone callsIn the near future, a machine can book reservations on your behalf, and the human on the other line may never realize that they are talking to a chatbot.This is the new frontier of machine learning that Google unveiled at its I/O conference on Tuesday. In the demo, CEO Sundar Pichai played back phone call recordings of actual conversations between Google Assistants and seemingly unsuspecting employees at a hair salon and at a restaurant.Called Google Duplex, Google Assistants new artificially intelligent system does leid sound robotic. There are no beep beeps or metallic echoes. It sounds just like us. In the demo, Duplex interjects its requests to book a restaurant reservation and a haircut appointment successfully with lifelike mhhmmm and uh-huh.The amazing thing is that Assistant can actually understand the nuances of conversation, Pichai said in the demo.Google Duplex sounds just like a human assistant - is that a good thing?In a blog post explaining the technology, Google said making Assistant sound human is the goal.The Google Duplex technology is built to sound natural, to make the conversation experience comfortable, the post states. Its important to us that users and businesses have a good experience with this service, and transparency is a key part of that. We want to be clear about the intent of the call so businesses understand the context.But even though Google said the experience is meant to make the experience comfortable, the ethical question being raised is For whom is the comfort intended?Does it feel comfortable for customer service representatives to not know if they are communicating with a machine? Or, is that too intimate and invasive? Can it be easier for us to abuse a customer service representatives time when a machine is the one who can make the nitpicky request, and can call back repeatedly beyond the threshold of human social propriety? (Google has not been clear as to whether or not the AI assistant will identify itself as a robot.)It is easy to see the convenience value being added for businesses and clients who want to offload the tedious work of scheduling to a machine. It is less easy to see the value being added for the salon receptionists and cashiers on the other line.In its blog post, Google touts Duplex as a public good, because it can address accessibility and language barriers. Instead of worrying how to pronounce a foreign entree for takeout, you can ask Duplex to handle the call for you, the thinking goes.Instead of making a phone call, the user simply interacts with the Google Assistant, and the call happens completely in the background without any user involvement, Google says.Time will tell which kind of science fiction story we are in. Google said it plans to abflug testing Duplex more in the wild soon.This summer, well start testing the Duplex technology within theGoogle A ssistant, to help users make restaurant reservations, schedule hair salon appointments, and get holiday hours over the phone, the company promised.

Boost Your Prospects With Our Civil Engineer Resume Template for Word

Boost Your Prospects With Our Civil Engineer Resume Template for rogerBoost Your Prospects With Our Civil Engineer Resume Template for WordIntroductionIn your search for a new job, a strong resume may be one of the most effective tools in your repertoire. Learn how to improve the quality and influence of your writing with the help of our civil engineer resume template for Word and a selection of tips. Take advantage of expert advice weve gathered together in one place. In addition to providing a sample resume, weve broken down each section of the resume the summary statement, skills section, work history section, and education section.Civil Engineer Resume Template for Word Taylor R. GarciaPueblo, Colorado 11111E trgarciaanymail P 555Civil engineer with 23 years experience in government projects involving bridge design and transportation solutions. Skilled at the creation of costBS in Civil Engineering, 2005College of New MexicoAutoCAD Certification, Current

What to do When You Miss a Recruiters Call

What to do When You Miss a Recruiters CallWhat to do When You Miss a Recruiters CallYou messed up. You had a scheduled phone call with a recruiter to talk about a job or interview. And then something happened that caused you to miss it. Here is what to do when you miss a recruiters call.1. Keep calm and do not panicPanicking and fear always leads to irrational actions. And these actions usually make you look like an undesirable job candidate. Every company likes a person who stays calm under pressure.2. Give your recruiter his or her own ringtoneYou will receive calls on your cell phone from friends, family, and telemarketers. However,recruiters are professional connections, so you need to know when it is the recruiter who calls.The last thing you want to do is answer a call thinking it is a friend by saying, Wassup?, or worse, take your frustrations out on a recruiter who you mistakenly thought was a telemarketer.Now, when you hear that special ringtone you know it is time to talk b usiness3. If possible call back right awayWhen you missed the call and immediately catch your mistake, call back right away. Use one of these excusesSorry the call droppedI dropped my phoneI stepped away to answer the doorYou can only use these if you can immediately call back right after noticing you missed the call.4. Send an emaille to reschedule with apologiesIf you completely miss the time frame scheduled for the call and now it is too late to call back, send an email to reschedule.Be sure to apologize, but this time simply say that you had unintentionally missed the call. Politely ask to reschedule by offering a time and date and hope for the best. The purpose of doing this is to avoid any future back-and-forth emails for setting up a new call. You missed the call. Make it simple for the recruiter to call you again.5. Look for other job openingsWrite this one off as a mistake you will never make again. Things happen and from time to time you have recruiters and hiring managers who will not reschedule. Some take the approach, How reliable are you, if you cannot make appointments? or They must not want the job badly enough.Whatever others think is out of your control. If you lose recruiter connections or job interviews due to a missed phone call, then it wasnt meant to be. You can only try to fix your mistakes and hope the recruiter will schedule a new call.6. Create a discipline for how you handle phone callsYou missed a call and there was a reason for it. Take inventory, find out why you missed the calland then create an interview discipline for phone calls. For exampleDo not plan to be right on time. Prepare to be ready one-hour before the call.Create a designated place for you to take calls where you cannot be disturbed.Avoid taking calls from anyone other than the recruiter for 30 minutes prior to the call.The reasons for this excessive planning You are reducing stress before the call so that you sound relaxed and confident when it is time to speak.Ge tting stuck somewhere, background noise or distractions, and your overall mood can affect the way you sound on a call. Even worse it can cause you to miss the call completely.

4 Tips to Use Gratitude to Deal with Holiday Stress at Work

4 Tips to Use Gratitude to Deal with Holiday Stress at Work4 Tips to Use Gratitude to Deal with Holiday Stress at WorkThe holidays can be stressfulend of the year reviews, deciding what gifts to buy your boss, and finishing up projects before everyone goes on vacation can really take a toll on someone. The best way to deal with stress is to practice gratitude daily. Here are four ways you can make time for gratitude in your already busy, hectic life.List out things that make you feel grateful Make time for five minutes in your schedule, set a timer and quickly jot down your blessings, what makes life easier, and what makes you happy. Everyone can find five minutes to spare, and after the exercise youll realize that five minutes is a long time. Not only will you gain some perspective on how much time you have in your day which can help with managing stress, but youll also be pleasantly surprised by your long list of blessings in your life. Say thank youMost people feel stressed during the holiday season which can cause a lot of tension during meetings or maybe even a snide remark or two over email. A simple thank you will ease tense situations and help spread the holiday cheer. You can also consider writing a LinkedIn recommendation for one of your deserving colleagues who have been doing an excellent job at work. They might even return the favor for you, which is a win-win for both of you.Create a daily reminderA daily reminder to be grateful during the work day can be used to trigger a sense of calm when youre feeling stressed. If youre a visual person, you can hang a photo of a tranquil scene and every time you look at it, youll remember to relax. Some people like to wear a bracelet or band that they touch every time theyre feeling overwhelmed to calm down. Another way is setting an alarm at a certain time of day to make it a mandatory break from everything work-related.Try meditation Some of have trouble just being grateful for the present moment. We tend to be caught with what will make us happy in the future, or still dwelling about past mistakes from our past. If youre having trouble being thankful with your current situation, meditation is a tool you can use to be content in the present. According to Huffington Posts How to Meditate at Work, You can meditate while walking to your next meeting, stepping outside for a quick break, standing by the copy machine or going to the bathroom. The key to meditation is to stay grounded and aware of your thoughts. You can meditate everywhere If you start focusing on your thoughts and the present moment, all stress and anxiety start to become manageable.

Whatever They Told You About Summaries in Resumes Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why

Whatever They Told You About Summaries in Resumes Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why You need to have five objective statements. No matter whether youre on the lookout for an entry level job or larger career advancement, you most likely already understand how important your resume can be in your search to discover the ideal job. A headline should include your work target along with the principal advantage of hiring you. You should state your occupation in addition to some common keyword phrases in your industry. The medical industry can be quite competitive. If youre attempting to obtain work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. Its important to select the opportunity to compose a career summary thats a strong match with your jobs of interest. Life After Summaries in Resumes If youre writing a CV as you are asking for a particular job, you may use the job specifications to make your summary. 1 A resume summary is a brief, snappy introduction paragraph that of fers a summary of your very best work. Now imagine whether that SAME resume had had a summary statement on top clearly outlining why youre the ideal candidate. Be certain to tailor your resume summary to the particular job listing. Youre going to compose a resume summary which gets many mora interviews. While the summary ought to be grammatically correct, theres a distinctive style to such statements. Make your resume expert summary from the very best few bits. You may want to look at a qualifications summary which we outlined in last weeks postbut if only you need to have a summaryhere are a couple examples to help you begin. Whatever They Told You About Summaries in Resumes Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why Professionals with a large variety of experience in many fieldsAs a professional, you can take advantage of an executive summary to provide the recruiter a general view of what is written in your resume. Real estate is a rather lucrative industry so its obviously a competitiv e one. Accounting and finance managers are going to want to see your technical understanding. Based on your degree of experience and the jobs youre applying for, what you decide to concentrate on in your resume summary might vary. The job posting also takes a candidate with a proven ability to appraise the skills of different nurses. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. Youve got to understand the fundamentals about the job you wish to apply to. Utilizing an online resume builder is a powerful tool to assist you compose a winning resume. Job seekers deserve to discover decent content quickly. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously offer you an advantage. Our resume examples can make certain youre prepared in the event you receive a referral. If you own a wealth of seemingly disparate experiences that call for a bit of context to tie togetheri.e. If you follow the suggestions above you are going to have an interesting, compe lling resume summary that is likely to make the reader want to find out more about you even regardless of your lack of work experience To make it simple to compose a profile that covers all the vital points, Im likely to provide you two distinct templates that you are able to customize to suit your own background and situation. Just having a profile isnt enough. The very first thing recruiters see is whats up-front and center. The very first thing which you want to do is go back and have a look at the job which youre applying for and determine your intended audience. Telling someone you managed a huge project is fantastic. Sowrite the remainder of your resume first.

Randstad Finds Women Dont Feel Constant Connectivity Improves Productivity

Randstad Finds Women Dont Feel Constant Connectivity Improves Productivity Randstads most recent Engagement Index study has revealed that the constant connectivity of the workplace does not imply higher levels of productivity for women. The study found that 42 percent of women think that there is now more difficulty in disconnecting from work when at home and 68 percent dont believe that blurring the work-home boundary is leading to increased productivity. As enhanced technologies and increased access to information continues to blur the lines between ur professional and personal lives, many workers mistake being busy for being productive, Linda Galipeau, Randstad CEO of North America, said. These are two very different concepts that when looked at from an organizational standpointcould have serious implications for a companys bottom line. We are only productive if were producing the results that are most impactful to our goals. Being that we live in a multi-tasking world, it is important to work smarter and hone in on those high-impact efforts that will create more meaningful results. This is incredibly important, especially as men and women can now perform their jobs from almost anywhere.Other highlights from the survey include 49 percent of women reported flexibility and accommodation in working arrangements at their company with 33 percent feeling that this is the most effective way to engage them 50 percent of women chose flexibility/adaptation as the most import skill for growing their careers followed by computer and technology skills (43 percent) and 87 percent of women said relationships with their colleagues are highly impactful on their job satisfaction and 85 percent said the same about the relationship with their supervisors.

Investment pieces What you need to look more successful

Investment pieces What you need to look more successfulInvestment pieces What you need to look more successfulBack in the corporate stone age AKA the pre-laptop work era people actually judged each others professional worth based on their briefcases. A beat-up heritage brand case might have signified that you were second-generation successful, while a brand-new,zip-up portfolio told the world you took your paperwork very seriously.Those days are long gone, and it can be a bit more difficult to show the world you mean business. If youre looking to up your professional wardrobe game, consider a few investment pieces that can be worn time and time again.So, what are investment pieces? For the purposes of this article, lets define investment pieces as items that give you significant value for your money- year after year after year. Or as Matthew Mounsey-Wood, Creative Director at GANT puts it, investment pieces can be judged on their effortless wearability and are more often than notla ge great quality, timelessly modern go-to pieces that you never tire of.Mounsey-Wood says an investment piece should elevate your outfit and be something that you will love, season over season. Imagine a classic preppy look a button-down shirt and chinos. If you invest in a classic button-down with a timeless silhouette, you can pair it with this seasons sneakers, or your favorite loafers, and it will wear just as well with both. Mounsey-Wood calls these universal pieces. Its important to have investment pieces that are of quality construction, that are flattering, and that are versatile.Timeless vs. trendYou dont have to rush to buy several investment pieces at the same time. If youre comfortable with your own style, you already know what youll be wearing consistently. If youre still testing out your fashion sense, invest in one piece at a time and see if it makes you feel confident and in control every time you wear it even if you wear it for years. An investment piece is somethi ng that is timeless and that you will have in your closet for years, explains Brooke Cundiff, cofounder Chief Merchandising Officer at CoEdition.She also believes A seasonal trend is not an item that you should not necessarily invest in (think the latest sunglass trend just because it is happening, doesnt mean you have to do it). A classic handbag that you will own forever yes. Statement sneakers not so much. Try to think of something that is so classic and chic that 10-15 years from now you will still love it.Wardrobe anchorsA truly good investment piece should be something you can wear as part of a regular day-to-day outfit. Your investment pieces should be the essential building blocks to all your looks, said Whitney Casey, CEO and cofounder atFinery. That could be A crisp white button-down, a tailored black blazer, nice fitting straight legged jeans without rips or washes on them, simple black booties with updated heel and toe, a clean white sneaker without logos and a sizable work bag to carry laptop, notebook etc in. You can then add trendy items that you dont pay a lot for to all the and you then elevate the trend by anchoring it in an investment piece.Personality,not price tagIn case youre wondering how much you have to spend to consider it an investment, Mounsey-Wood said I think style is measured by personality, not price tags, so my advice is to not stare yourself blind on the price but rather follow your intuition and let that decide. If you really love a piece and will wear it many times, for many years, then the price matters much less than the use youll get out of it. And while youre at it, dont wait for a sale. Mounsey-Wood said You should buy things when you need them. You should buy things that you love and know you will want to wear for a long time.Modern investment piecesGant recently launched machine washable suit separates in classic patterns that range in price from $270.00-$475.00 per separate.Casey recommends a company called Wardrobe .nyc founded by Vogue Fashion Director Christine Centenera which includes capsule collections with essential pieces for both work, play and work out.Investment pieces dont have to be pricey. Sperry, best known for their boat shoes, recently launched their upscale Gold Cup collection. The line includes many styles that are hand-made in Maine out of more luxurious leathers or other components. The look is old-school preppy money without a matching price tag.

Resume Changes for 2016

Resume Changes for 2016Resume Changes for 2016Its 2016 and you just pulled your four page, wrinkled up resume from 2008 out of the bottom of your desk drawer because youve been laid off and youre looking for a new job. Now youre thinking, eh, I just need to add my last job and submit it like it is. Dont do it A lot has changed since 2008 when it comes to writing resumes.In 2016 think of your resume as the first weapon you have to show your expertise and skills to a potential employer and/or the hiring manager. You want to make sure to leave a great impression so that you are noticed and receive an invitation for an actual interview.Here are a few tipsKeep it relevant In the 2016 resume, you do not have to list all of your experiences, just the fruchtwein significant ones that will leave a good impression.No more objective statement When you include this in a 2016 resume, it can look like desperation on your part according to the experts. You should still include your career goals b ut most employers are more interested knowing what you bring to the table than your future plans.Wasted space Dont waste valuable space with basic job descriptions. Highlight and emphasize your skills, accomplishments and expertise youve had in your previous jobs. Otherwise your resume may come off looking mediocre at best.Use specific keywords not buzzwords This is one of the latest trends that you should apply to your updated resume. Using specific keywords/action words/industry terms will help a potential employer learn more about you and things that you can do that are specific to their job application.Do not go beyond two pages Lengthy resumes are a thing of the past so stick with one or two pages or else you risk the weg of boring the hiring manager or recruiter because youre not delivering what they are looking for from the beginning of your resume. Do not fall into the trap of creating a long drawn out, boring resume if you want to get the attention of a potential employe r in 2016

Watch What You Say

Watch What You Say Watch What You Say Social media is amazing. We can think something, type it, and just like that, broadcast it to the world. AmazingBut this ability to communicate with everyone has a downside. All too often, people feel that because they can say something, they should. I cant count the number of smart and interesting people Ive stopped following on Twitter because they kept sending out political missives that I neither agreed with nor wanted to hear. The same goes for overly religious content. Im on Twitter for social and business reasons and unless religion or politics are your actual profession and unless thats why Im following you I dont care to hear your views. But its elend just a case of annoying people. There are times when your views may actually hurt your career. The recruiter who is researching you before passing you on to the hiring manager may violently disagree with your opinions, and that may color his or her reaction to your candidacy.The last time I said this on Twitter, one of my followers asked But arent you always saying its important to be authentic? My political views are very important to me so Im not being authentic if I hide them. Its a good question but I would ask this in return Do you routinely walk around the supermarket announcing your political opinions at the top of your voice? How about when you first meet strangers in a networking meeting do you let them know where you stand on health care reform even though they didnt ask? Im guessing that youd feel it was inappropriate to share those views in that situation, and would wait until either there was an actual discussion, or you were with people you know.If thats the case, why would you feel the need to broadcast your opinions on the web? Not only is it inappropriate, but unlike shouting in the supermarket its also forever. Ten years from now, your words will still be sitting there in some Internet database just waiting to potentially trip up your career.So yes, authenticity is important, but so are social niceties. Just as you wouldnt loudly proclaim your gegenseite to illegal immigration at a Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast, you probably shouldnt do it on Twitter.