Stripe Review Best Online Credit Card Processing Solution

Stripe Review Best Online leistungspunkt Card Processing SolutionIn searching for the best online leistungspunkt card processing tafelgeschirr, we looked for a payment processor that can easily connect to existing elektronischer geschftsverkehr stores and websites, as well as one that offers customization options. It was also important that the service is scalable and allows you to add additional features as yur geschftliches miteinander grows. The best option should also integrate with other business management systems and have competitive processing rates and fees.After conducting extensive research and analysis, we recommend Stripe as the best online leistungspunkt card processor for small businesses in 2019. To understand how we selected our best picks, you can find our methodology and a comprehensive list of credit card processing companies on our best picks page.Why Stripe?Connects With Websites, E-Commerce Platforms and AppsStripe is an online payment processing company design ed for developers, so the first time you visit its website, you may feel out of your depth. However, once you know what to look for, youll discover that Stripes tools make it easy for your small businesses to accept payments online.Integrations and ExtensionsOne of the best things about Stripe is that it works with hundreds of business software applications and services, such as e-commerce platforms and shopping carts, accounting and invoicing systems, and CRM software. Many of unterstellung allow you to sign up for a Stripe account from within the program. If you already have a Stripe account, you can connect it to these integrations with just a few clicks. Thats it no programming skills needed. Heres a small sampling of the e-commerce solutions that integrate with Stripe3dcartBig CartelBigCommerceEcwidGoDaddyShopifySquarespaceVolusionWeeblyWixX-CartStripe CheckoutIf you already have a website, you can use Stripes prebuilt Checkout form. You only have to copy and paste a short cod e to instantly place buy buttons and payment forms anywhere in your e-commerce store. Alternatively, you can use plugins to add Stripe to your site.If you have some coding experience or a developer on staff, youll enjoy the rich assortment of developer tools, features and advanced customization options Stripe provides. You can use Stripe Elements, a prebuilt UI, to customize the look of the checkout form for your website or mobile app, or use Stripe.js to build a custom payment flow.Editors bedrngnise Looking for information on credit card processors? Use the questionnaire below and our vendor partners will contact you to provide you with the information you need.Ease of UseStripe users, including the small business owners we spoke with, rave about how easy the service is to use. For your customers, Stripes checkout form is simple, making it easy for them to complete their purchases quickly.For geschftlicher umgangesWhether youre signing up for a Stripe account directly or through a third party that integrates with Stripe, the process is easy and takes just a few minutes. You fill out your business and bank information, activate your account, and choose a processing method. Stripe doesnt provide you with your own merchant account, so you dont need to fill out an application or submit to a credit check and wait for approval.When you log in to your account from the Stripe website for the first time, youre greeted with a collection of how-to guides that help you navigate the service. The dashboard is user-friendly, with a minimalistic design and a simple navigation menu along the left side of the screen. Here, you can easily access transactions, customer information, subscription plans and any other feature you want to use.As easy as it is to set up a Stripe account, add Stripe Checkout to an existing website, and connect to other integrated business systems, other features are complex. If youre not a developer and dont have one on staff, you may need to hire one if you want to use Stripe to create a customized payment solution for your website.For Your CustomersIts important to make sure that your online storefront is as easy as possible for customers to use. This includes a hassle-free checkout process to help close the sale and prevent abandoned carts. With Stripe Checkout, customers can check out quickly by simply clicking on a pay button and entering their credit card information.To make it even easier for customers, Stripe Checkout has a feature that lets buyers securely save their credit card details for future purchases so they dont have to enter it again on future purchases. This feature isnt just for the customers benefit because of its convenience, this feature can help you turn one-time buyers into returning customers.See related story Credit Card Machines Answers to Frequently Asked QuestionsAffordabilityFlat-Rate PricingStripe offers simple, transparent pricing for its credit card processing services with no hidden fees. Heres what it costs to use Stripes payment services.Online credit card transactions 2.9% + $0.30. This rate applies to all types of domestic credit and debit cards, including all card brand and card types even premium rewards credit cards and American Express cards. It also includes digital wallets.Online payments made with international cards carry an additional 1% fee. If the payment requires currency conversion, another 1% fee is applied to the transaction.In addition to credit and debit cards payments, you can accept non-card payment methods such as ACH credit, ACH direct debit and wire transfer payments using your Stripe account. Pricing for these services is posted on the companys website.Volume-based discounts are available, as are custom pricing plans for nonprofits and businesses that have very large or very small ausverkauf tickets. You can speak to a sale rep to get a pricing quote based on your companys numbers.One of Stripes newer offerings, Stripe Terminal, can be used to accept credit and debit card payments in person. Heres what it costs to useIn-person credit card payments 2.7% + $0.05. This rate applies to all types of domestic debit and credit cards that you accept in person using a card reader.Other FeesStripe only charges you when you make a sale. There are no setup or monthly fees, and no payment gateway fee. Theres no PCI befolgung fee either since Stripe does the heavy lifting on PCI compliance for you. And because you accept a service agreement instead of signing a contract, theres no early termination fee.Chargeback fee. Because online merchants are always at risk for payment reversals, or chargebacks, Stripe has a low chargeback fee of $15. It has a dispute resolution process in place to protect sellers from fraudulent claims, and it is one of the few payment processors that will refund the chargeback fee to you if the dispute is resolved in your favor.Add-on services. Stripe also offers services and products that cost extra to use. For example, if you use Stripe Billing to add recurring payments like subscriptions to your account, it costs 0.4% over the transaction fees. Other services that carry additional costs include Chargeback Protection, Stripe Sigma, Stripe Atlas and premium untersttzung. You can find these products and their pricing on Stripes website.Payout ScheduleWhen you start accepting payments, it takes Stripe seven to 10 days to transfer your funds to you. Afterward, it transfers your funds on either a two- or seven-day rolling payout schedule. fruchtwein businesses qualify for the two-day rolling schedule, but businesses in higher-risk industries are on the seven-day schedule. If you need the money from your transactions faster than this, another payment processor may be a better fit for you, as many offer next-day funding and some offer instant deposits for an additional fee.FeaturesStripe is packed with features to help you run and grow your e-commerce business. Here are some of the capabilities small businesses can take advantage of when using Stripe to process credit cards onlineAccept More Credit CardsIn addition to the big four Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover Stripe lets you accept credit cards from other brands, like Diners Club, JCB and China UnionPay.Accept Digital WalletsYou can accept digitally stored credit and debit cards from your customers who use Apple Pay, Google Pay, Microsoft Pay, Alipay, WeChat Pay, Amex Express Checkout, Masterpass by Mastercard or Visa Checkout.Accept In-App PaymentsYou can allow your customers to shop and make in-app payments through your mobile app using Stripes SDKs. Stripe supports both Android and iOS apps.Accept Global PaymentsStripe lets you accept credit card payments in more than 135 currencies. This means your international customers can pay in their local currencies, and Stripe automatically calculates currency conversions for you.Manage Payment OptionsWith Stripe Billing, you can save time by automating paym ents with recurring billing, subscription plans, flexible billing periods and saved credit cards. You can also offer perks to customers, such as coupons, free trials and installment payments. With this feature, you can create and send invoices to your customers via emaille and accept invoice payments through a hosted payment page. Stripe Billing is an add-on service and costs extra.Accept In-Store PaymentsAs mentioned above, Stripe recently released Stripe Terminal, which has SDKs that you can use to build your own mobile app for accepting in-person payments. There are two credit card readers you can use with this featureThe mobile credit card reader is a BBPOS Chipper 2X BT. It costs $59 and connects to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth.The countertop credit card prfinal is a Verifone P400. It costs $299.Both card readers are EMV certified and allow you to accept chip cards, contactless cards and mobile wallets.View Real-Time ReportingFrom the dashboard, you can view your acc ount activity in real time. You can manage refunds, respond to chargeback disputes, and track your sales, processing fees and refunds. The dashboard also shows when money is transferred from your Stripe balance to your bank account. You can ausfuhr your data as a CSV file or as a monthly report for QuickBooks. For an extra fee, Stripe Sigma provides advanced business data.Access The Dashboard on The GoThe Stripe Dashboard app lets you track sales and payments on the go. With the Android version of this mobile app, you can issue refunds or set alerts for instance, when a purchase or payment is made. And you can view business reports, daily summaries and historical comparisons. The iPhone version has more functions, allowing you to quickly search for transactions and email your customers.Use Stripe With The Rest Of Your BusinessAs mentioned above, Stripe connects with many of the business apps that you may already use, letting you automatically sync sales data across your operation. Third-party integrations include accounting and invoicing software, e-commerce solutions, email marketing services, analytics tools, point-of-sale systems, inventory management, and customer relationship management (CRM) software.SecuritySecurity is a huge concern for any business that accepts credit cards, especially online. Stripe has multiple security protocols in place to keep your customers payment data secure. First, it encrypts card data and processes transactions on its own network. This means no sensitive data touches your servers, so hackers wont have access to your businesss data or customers credit card information if youre ever the victim of a cyberattack, Stripes rep told us.Stripe automatically implements several layers of protection specifically designed for web-based financial transactions. For instance, Stripes client libraries and mobile API meet industry standards such as PCI DSS requirements, so youre always compliant. Stripe is certified as PCI Service Provider Level 1, the highest level of security certification for the payment card industry. You will still need to do your part to be PCI compliant by following PCI data security standards and completing the annual self-assessment questionnaire.Additionally, Stripe includes its built-in fraud-prevention tool, called Radar, with every account. Radar uses machine learning to identify and block fraudulent transactions. It assigns risk scores to each payment and automatically blocks those it considers high risk.Two-factor authentication is also available to further protect your account from unauthorized access.Customer SupportIf you have any questions about Stripe, or trouble using it, the company offers the following resources to help you find answersEmail support for one-on-one helpA searchable database of articles and FAQsHow-to guides, tutorials and demo videosDocumentation on a wide variety of features and functionsReference guides for developers, coding and third-party integrationsYoull notice that Stripe doesnt give you direct access to its customer support team, meaning you cant call a representative on the phone when you need assistance. Youll have to start with email support a rep can then help you solve the issue online or give you a call. Stripe says this email-first system helps it provide faster support, but its definitely a drawback if you prefer to reach a representative directly when you need help.LimitationsStripe is an affordable and customizable online credit card processing service, but its highly technical. Although thats a plus for merchants who have development expertise or developers on staff, small businesses that want customizations will likely need to hire an outside developer to get the most out of the service. Even its website is intimidating for non-developers and doesnt make it easy to find its easy-to-use products the integrations, extensions and prebuilt checkout form.Stripe doesnt offer a virtual terminal for processing phone, fax and m ail-order purchases. Although you can manually key in credit card information in Stripe Dashboard, the company stresses that you cant use this as a regular method of accepting credit card payments, and the payment terms specifically mention this payment method as a prohibited business practice.Like other merchant aggregators, Stripe has many online complaints about held funds and sudden account terminations. Stripe addressed these issues in a letter to the Better Business Bureau. It explains that, per its service agreement, it may hold your funds or cancel your account if it detects a fraud risk, if your business uses the service in an unauthorized way, or if it considers your business high risk. For example, if your business has a sudden spike in chargebacks, Stripe may start holding your funds. If it discovers that your business sells products on its prohibited businesses list, it may close your account. To avoid these headaches, youll want to read the service agreement or contrac t before you sign up with Stripe or any other payment processing company.Ready to choose a credit card processing company? Heres a breakdown of our complete coverageBest Credit Card Processors 2019How to Accept Credit CardsBest Small Business Credit Card ProcessorBest High-Volume Credit Card ProcessorBest Low-Volume Credit Card ProcessorBest Credit Card Processor for Flexible TermsBest Mobile Credit Card ProcessorEditors note Looking for information on credit card processors? Use the questionnaire below and our vendor partners will contact you to provide you with the information you need. Lori Fairbanks Lori Fairbanks has years of experience writing and editing for both print and online publications. After graduating from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts in English, she worked as a magazine editor and then as a freelance writer and editor for a variety of companies, including marketing firms and a medical university. She now writes for business.com and Business berichterstattung Daily about financial systems and services for small businesses, such as accounting software, credit card processing and point-of-sale systems. 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If Your Boss Says This, Its a Sign They Probably Underestimate You

If Your Boss Says This, Its a Sign They Probably Underestimate You Feedback is the key to success on any job, but some comments or responses may be warning signs of potential problems. Sometimes, the issue is a micromanaging babo. In fact, 59% of respondents in an Accountemps survey admitted to working for a micromanager at least once. If your boss uses the statements listed below, pay attention because there may be issues (real or perceived) with your work performance or attitude.Why? QuestionsIts a part of your bosss job to ask you questions and then provide feedback. However, according to Carisa Miklusak, CEO of tilr, The schriftart of questions asked could indicate a potential problem.She provides four examples of problematic why questionsWhy are you meeting with that person?Why did you do that?Why didnt you do that first?Why do you feel thats important?These schriftarts of questions could indicate that theyre concerned about your performance or losing confidence in your abilitie s, Miklusak warns.Please Let Me See Your WorkWhen youre a new employee, your boss might ask to see your work before it is sent out. Even after youve been with the company for a while, this might happen on occasion especially for a big project. However, Roberta Matuson of Matuson Consulting warns, If this is happening all the time, it means that your boss lacks confidence in your ability to do things exactly how he or she would like them done.Youre Ambitious/AssertiveDuring performance reviews, feedback can provide the type of constructive comments that can help to advance your career. However, women tend to receive vague feedback in performance reviews,while their male peers receive specific feedback with action plans and even sponsorship from their bosses, according to Dr. Patti Fletcher, a technology executive, gender equity advocate, and author of DISRUPTERS Success Strategies from Women Who Break the Mold.Vague feedback, in which no specific behaviors or scenarios are called ou t, with no actionable insights on what you should keep doing, whats working, what isnt, and areas of development, are red flags, Fletcher says. If your boss describes you as ambitious or assertive, you are probably not receiving a compliment (though if your male counterparts receive those same words as descriptors, they likely are receiving compliments), she explains. Without this insight, as well as the desired outcomes, women are not able to come to a common understanding and create mutual expectations -- in short, your boss will get frustrated and so will you.You Have a Lot Going OnIf youve been passed over for new projects or stretch roles, your boss may use an indirect approach to communicate a lack of confidence in your skills. And, according to Miklusak, this may be a gender-based response. Men are positioned based on their potential, and theyre asked if they are interested in taking on a big project, and they are part of the decision, she says.Women, on the other hand, are h ired or appointed based on experience, and if your boss lets you know that you were not chosen by saying things like you already have a lot going on, thats a red flag. Miklusak believes that this could be an unconscious bias, especially among male bosses, but she warns that not being allowed to participate in other projects or stretch roles can negatively impact your career.Other Red-Flag PhrasesGrant Findlay-Shirras, co-founder of Parkbench.com believes that there are other words and phrases that should be cause for alarm.Let me do that for youWhat are you doing?How are you (insert task)?According to Findlay-Shirras, These phrases and questions should alert an employee to the fact that they are not doing well, they are not fitting in, and they should do something about it.Tips to Reverse the SituationIf your boss underestimates you, fortunately, there are steps that you can take to reverse the situation. Sometimes, your bosss analysis may not be accurate, but in other instances, th ere may be performance issues that you are not aware of.Abbi Whitaker, co-founder of The Abbi Agencybelieves that employees who want to gain the confidence of their boss or teamberater need to go the extra mile. Go above and beyond stay late to get the job done by a deadline, and proof your work very carefully to ensure there are no spelling errors or other mistakes.Whitaker also recommends sending thought leadership articles to your boss - and include comments on how the lessons can be incorporated by the company. These actions demonstrate that you want to help drive culture and new ideas show that youre engaged as an employee, and someone I would definitely want to keep around for years, Whitaker explains.Sometimes, it may be necessary to take a more detailed approach to changing your bosss perception.Cynthia Bucy, senior career consultant at IMPACT Group, advises the following stepsAsk your boss if there any are concerns about your ability to accomplish the workAcknowledge any di fficulties dont try to cover up mistakesProvide details of your plan to accomplish work, including measurable milestones with deadlinesRequest checkpoint meetings to reassure your boss that youre on trackIf there have been problems in the past, recount steps taken to change and share successes those steps have led toEmphasize strengths and achievements from the past, as well as what youve learned that will lead to improved workRequest training/development opportunitiesIf your boss refers to you as being ambitious or assertive, Fletcher recommends asking for an explanation of those terms. Dont use this opportunity to argue, but to help your boss understand his/her unconscious bias, she says.When youre not assigned to new projects or roles because your boss says you have a lot going on, dont just passively accept this response if youre certain that you are an excellent worker who has good time management, multitasking, and organizational skills. Use data to explain why you would be a good fit, Miklusak explains. If you have personal or family commitments outside of work, she says this is none of the companys business if you excel on the job. Do not let your boss bring your personalcommitments into the conversation redirect attention to the reality rather than the perception.Another thing you can do is find a mentor.According to Bucy, a mentor who is considered a strong team member can help you figure out the best approach for working harmoniously with your boss.However, a mentor is also beneficial for other reasons. According to Autumn Manning, co-founder and CEO ofYouEarnedIt, As a woman, its important to find people in leadership positions that not only have formal authority over your role, but people who can also be an advocate for you, offer perspective, give you real feedback, and most importantly, encourage you to step into opportunity when they see it.Manning warns that a boss who only looks at your title or your level of experience isnt necessarily consi dering your potential. However, when someone sees the passion, the intuition, the skills and knowledge you bring, and what you can do for the team regardless of formal title, then theres something special there, she concludes.So, how do you get the boss to look past your flaws and consider what you could add to the company?According to Findlay-Shirras, you must get your boss and coworkers to want you to succeed. The top performers at a company can literally MAKE a person successful. Therefore, you need them to support you.Therefore, he says you need to be the type of person that they want to keep even if your performance doesnt merit it. Work hard, be a champion of culture, ask questions, and show that you want to improve, Findlay-Shirras explains. And you can buy more time until your performance improves.--Terri Williams is a business, higher ed, tech, and ethics journalist with bylines at The Economist, USA Today, Yahoo, Robert Half, U.S. News & World Report, About.com (dotdash), The Houston Chronicle, and Business.com. Follow her on Twitter Territoryone.

The Newly Leaked Secrets to Professional Resume Writers Disclosed

The Newly Leaked Secrets to Professional Resume Writers Disclosed Dependent on the received professional resume, its going to be a lot easier to adapt it to actual job openings. It is a fact that many individuals write poor resumes. You dont need to modify jobs to raise your value if you raise the expert writer perform at work. You might also want to choose a professional that offers additional job seeking services too. If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Professional Resume Writers One of the very first indications that you might need a professional resume writer is that your resume simply does not seem to be operating for you. Even if you believe youve proofed your resume enough all on your own, its still true that you could be missing something crucial. Even in case you have to take baby steps simply to abflug to add writers ohio price, get started. Almost all of writers time, it isnt the resume. How to Find Professional Resume Writers Online Vertical Media Solutions is among the greatest professional resume and CV writers that it is possible to come across online. Professional resume writers can often provide solutions which you would not have thought of by yourself. He or she made resume definitely will stand out from the rest of application and it will give your application one step ahead. The Secret to Professional Resume Writers Yes, and you need to also consider the expense of the Resume Writing Services. Professional Resume Writer is available on the internet also. Many Professional Resume Writers offer a complimentary review of your resume together with an explanation of the way that they may be in a position to aid you. Resumes require time and extensive knowledge for you to make sure its impact. Though a competent professional resume writer will typically execute the majority of the work, its essential that you try to supply the writer with some vital information. A freelance professional resume writer may be a little more affordable, but a writer backed by a trustworthy company will probably have more quality safeguards in distribution policy to ensure you get exceptional resume services. Resume service an expert resume writer specializing in serving your resume writing needs. Choosing a resume writer isnt a task that ought to be dismissed. Whispered Professional Resume Writers Secrets Many professional resume makers are available on the internet. Its critical for your career to discover a certified, professional resume service provider that satisfies your requirements. You are able to check the writers credentials throughout the certification organizations website.

Free Entry Level Technical Support Specialist Resume Template

Free Entry Level Technical betreuung Specialist Resume TemplateFree Entry Level Technical Support Specialist Resume TemplateLooking for a new career? The growth of computer networking applications in business has given rise to an increased demand for technical support specialists. You may think that your lack of IT skills makes you unqualified to fill such a position. However, a well-written entry level resume highlighting the technical expertise you do have, coupled with an expressed desire to quickly acquire the skills needed to succeed at such a job, may just be enough to make prospective employers consider you for such a role. Listed below are a few tips and techniques for you to consult while creating your entry level resume.Create ResumeCustomize ResumeWhat to Include in an Entry Level Technical Support Specialist ResumeIn many instances, those hiring for entry level positions in technical support understand that you may not bring a lot of experience to the table. Their main co ncern, then, is whether youve had professional experience in the past, and/or your prior academic pursuits. Therefore, focus on bolstering those sections of your resume. Include any details that could potentially be applicable to your role as a tech support specialist.Common Resume Fails Mistakes to AvoidIncluding too much information Stay concise and to the point.Downplaying your social skills Dealing with upset clients is an important part of technical support.Incorporating humor Present yourself as a professional.Resume Content James Jackson 8855 Eagle Lane, Syracuse, NY 11111 555-987-6543 james.jackson32anymail.com Summary Former insurance agent looking to embark on a new career in technical support. Relevant experience includes use of actuarial software programs and familiarity with database management techniques. Recently completed IT skills course through local technical college. Adept at picking up and retaining new skills. Known for ability to communicate clearly and calml y in high-stress situations. Confident in capacity to quickly develop skill set needed to contribute to IT success. Hoping for either full-time position, or part-time or on-call work that could eventually lead to a permanent role. Highlights Developed extensive clientele over five years in the insurance business that often required claims assistance at a moments notice. Known throughout firm as being among the experts in the use of technical resources, including software programs, spreadsheet and database development and management, and dienst website utilization. Encouraged clients to use online policy management resources, and advised them on how to successfully navigate through provider websites and mobile applications. Recognized in publication released by Security Home Insurance in 2014 as being one of their participating agents most referenced by clients. Ranked among the Top 5 percent of graduates in IT technical program. Experience Agent Henderson Home and Life Insurance Age ncy Syracuse, NY 2011 2016 One of five full-time agents.Consistently earned superior ratings in client satisfaction.Assisted in the processing of over $3.4 million in claims. Regularly spent several hours on the phone with both providers and clients working to resolve issues.Attended multiple conferences aimed at incorporating online tools into the claims management process. Sales Manager Commercial Contractor Tools, Inc. Glen Falls, NY 2007 2011 Worked with several local contractors securing tools needed for commercial applications.Received training from tool manufacturer representatives on the correct use of products.Traveled to various job sites to deliver products to customers.Offered in-depth explanations of product verarbeitungsschritt and service manualsManaged customer database to track order histories. Plumbing Assistant Joes Emergency Plumbing Services Glen Falls, NY 2003 2004 Part-time job while in high school.Helped master plumber with nighttime and weekend emer gency plumbing calls. Education Associates of Applied ScienceAdvance Technical College, Syracuse, NYCompleted accelerated study programEarned CCNA certificationParticipated in two-week career practicum with local financial institutionHooper High School, Schenectady, NYHigh honor rollFBLA member

5 Signs That Its Time to Fire a Freelance Client

5 Signs That Its Time to Fire a Freelance Client5 Signs That Its Time to Fire a Freelance ClientOne of the hardest decisions youll ever have to make as a freelancer is when to let a client go. Even if the company in question is a pain to deal with or the project is less than exciting to work on, its hard to walk away from money, especially when you work for yourself and dont have that guaranteed paycheck coming in every two weeks. However, I can tell you anecdotally that Ive never met a successful freelancer who hasnt had to part ways with a client before. Its the nature of the game no gig is forever, and sometimes, youll be the one to decide that the job no longer meets your needs. How to Know When Its Time to Go The trick is to know when its time to go and to make the parting as pain-free and professional as possible. Go about things in the right way, and youll free up time for more worthwhile investments, while still maintaining the goodwill of your former client which you wa nt to do, because its a small world, and you never know when youll see them again, or whether theyll turn out to know people at your next big project. But, first things first How do you know when its time to fire a client? The following, separately or together, are pretty good signs that your association might have outlived its usefulness. Youre Not Making Enough Money Whats enough money? Rates are leidoriously hard to set, and often vary widely from client to client, but a good rule of thumb is that your hourly rate as a freelancer should at least equal what you made as a full-time employee (taking into account things like health insurance and paid time off, which youll now have to cover for yourself). If you find that youre working all the time and cant make your overhead, or youve worked for the saatkorn client for several years and never received a rate increase, chances are, youre underpaid. The first step, obviously, is to ask for more money, but if that doesnt work, its t ime to start quietly shopping for a replacement client, or looking into increasing your hours with other existing contracts. Once youre sure youre not putting yourself in a worse spot by pulling the plug, go for it. You Wouldnt Use the Work Youre Doing in Your Portfolio Every freelancer has a story (or five) about a job they took solely for the money and would just as soon forget. Thats nothing to be ashamed of. Every gig cant be something youd pick for your highlight reel at the Oscars. However, if you find that the work doesnt boost your personal brand, or worse, that youd just as soon no one knew you worked for these people, its time to think about whether the job is a good fit for your personal goals and values. You Cant Communicate With Your Primary Contact Person Ever talk to someone and feel like one of you is using a translator and not a very good one? Sometimes, for whatever reason, people just cant express their ideas to one another. Maybe one party has a listeni ng problem, or there are different communication styles at play. Whatever the reason, if you find yourself unable to get your ideas across to one another, eventually, it might be time to call it quits. You Feel Disrespected or Abused by the Client It takes all kinds to run the business world, and some of those folks, by default, are going to be not-nice people. The good berichterstattung is that you dont have to deal with them ever. Theres no excuse for abusive behavior like name-calling, yelling, or inappropriate language or actions that make you uncomfortable. If the client engages in any of these activities, whether or not they meet the legal standard for harassment, you should part ways immediately. On a related note, if your client is treating you more like an employee than a contractor you may need to take some steps to clarify your work relationship. You Have a Better Offer As a culture, we value loyalty, and we show that by punishing people who demonstrate it. Im on ly sort of kidding. While you never want to leave clients in the lurch, you need to remember that youre in business. If a current client wont pay you what youre worth, isnt a good fit for your CV, and/or isnt fun to work for, its completely OK to move on to a situation that works better. Your first loyalty needs to be to yourself, your business, and your family. How to Quit a Freelance Job Whatever the reasons why, once you determine that you no longer wish to work for these folks, do things the decent way and resign with professionalism, just as you would from any other job, freelance or full-time. Give them plenty of notice, in writing, abiding by the terms of your contract. Dont get into the weeds with all the reasons why youve decided to quit. If youve really decided to go, now is not the time to talk about the poor pay rate or the unreasonable hours. All you need to do is to let them know that youre not going to be working for them anymore. Especially if youre really overwo rking for them, its a good idea to take a look at some sample resignation letters, before you sit down to write your own. Keep your note short, sweet, and professional, and youll never have cause to regret it later.

Interview questions candidates should ask

Interview questions candidates should askInterview questions candidates should askThe questions you ask during an bewerbungsgesprch often determine whether you get the job.Weve all been there. Its the point in the job interview when youve answered every question thrown at you in a pointed, authoritative, relevant manner.Now, do you have any questions for me? the interviewer asks.This is the make-or-break moment of the interview, say experts, especially in a market with mora candidates than jobs. Its your chance to demonstrate your insight into the organization at which youre interviewing, your industry acumen, your communications and people skills, and your desire for the job.The worst thing you could do in an interview - other than passing gas - is to say, I dont have any questions - youve answered them all, said Mitch Beck, president of Crossroads Consulting, an executive search firm and employment agency. Who wants to work with somebody who doesnt have any inquiries about the company? It shows that you have no brains.Its your last chance to win over the interviewer, and this scenario puts pressure on the candidate to enter the interview prepared to ask thoughtful, focused questions of their own, said Cheryl Palmer, a certified executive career coach and the founder of Call to Career, a firm that provides C-level executives with career coaching and resume- writing services.Thats your last opportunity to really show to that employer, Yes, Im the best candidate for the job, Palmer said. I always advise people to do their homework and to work any information theyve gleaned from their research into their questions so that they really come across as well-prepared candidates.Good questionJ.B Bryant is president of Strategic Alignment Group, a management consultant that helps businesses identify their competitive advantage. He said job hunters should look at the questions they ask during an interview as their opportunity to create a distinct competitive advant age.Something has to set you apart, more so, maybe, in this economy, because the employers are churning through so many potential people, he said.A safe way to impress an interviewer is to know everything there is to know about the company, the industry and the interviewer themselvesKnow everything you can about a company before you interview, Beck said. Do a simple thing like Google the rolle you are going to interview with.The questions you bring to an interview help the employer determine whether you are a good fit for the company, but they also help determine whether the company is a good fit for you.Prospective employees may be tempted to take any job port in an economic storm, especially if they have been job hunting for an extended period of time, but a bad fit wont benefit anyone in the long run.I think its helpful for candidates being interviewed to come up with good, thoughtful questions that are going to accomplish two purposes, Palmer said. They need to be able to demons trate to that potential boss that they have really thought about the job and have some good, probing questions. But they also need to ask questions that will help them determine whether or not this is going to work out.Beck went further, emphasizing that the interview is the prospective employers opportunity to convince you that the company will be a good fit for your needs. The interview is also a chance for the job seeker to turn the tables and get more information out of the employer.Remember that an interview is a two-way street, Beck said. You have to convince the person who is interviewing you that they need to hire you. But remember Youre not there to beg. They need to convince you just as much as you need to convince them.Accordingly, one of the most important questions to ask during an interview relates to expectations, Bryant said.In my experience, expectations are not communicated very clearly, he said. Most people - at every level - come in, and there seem to be an awf ul lot of assumptions being made, both on the new employee side and on the employer side. You hear people say that it takes six months to get integrated into a company and to really be productive. Well, it doesnt need to. If you dont ask anything else, find out what the expectations are.Bad questionWorse than silence are bad questions that a prospective employer can not answer demonstrate your ignorance or worse, offend the interviewer that it eliminates a job seeker from consideration.There are some questions that have always been taboo during an interview - rushing into questions about salary, for example. But have any questions become no-nos since the economic downturn? No, experts said. The rules are pretty much the saatkorn as always.The rules are the same - its just that ( the questions) count more than ever before, said Call to Careers Palmer. Thats not to say that it was OK to ask about salary ( during an interview) before and now its not. It simply means that everything i s much more serious because of the competitiveness of the job market. So, things that an employer might have overlooked before are really, really going to be a big deal now because you have so many qualified candidates looking for the same position.Stay away from questions that arent going to help you any, said Crossroads Consultings Beck. Getting into somebodys personal life is really of no interest. Asking whether someone is pro- or anti-Obama is not a good question to ask. I would stay away from questions about salary. I would stay away from questions about benefits. You want to ask questions that are relevant to the job and to the opportunity that you are being presented with.Bryant said its important for prospective employees to use their intuition to help determine which questions will resonate positively with interviewers.You need to feel out the personality of the person youre interviewing with, said Bryant. Are you going to ask, Are there any discipline issues with my (pote ntial) direct reports? before you even get the job? That might be seen as meddling. But, Where did my predecessor leave off? Thats perfectly acceptable to ask in an interview.

7 signs you work with a toxic achiever how to cope

7 signs you work with a toxic achiever how to cope7 signs you work with a toxic achiever how to copeToxic achievers pose a serious dilemma for business owners, managers, and supervisors. On the one hand, they get the job done - quickly, and more successfully than their peers. So, their work production or sales numbers look great. But, on the other hand, they create major headaches due to the way they relate to others, their negative conflictual attitude, and their propensity to frequently want exceptions to company policies and procedures.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more7 signs of a toxic achieverHow do you know if one of your team members is a toxic achiever, or just a pretty good producer who can be irritating to work with? Let me describe some common characteristics.Toxic AchieversAre brighter, faster, and more productive than anyone else in their area within the organizat ion.From a production point-of-view, they are top dog (They know it. You know it. The management knows it. And they use this stelle to their advantage.)Relate to others in a condescending, brusque manner, flaunting their productivity as a reason to be treated as special.Toxic achievers are good at what they do and they are not shy about reminding others of their performance history. They freely share their advice with colleagues (even when it is not asked for), and are loath to receive input from colleagues.Can be angry, vindictive, and destructive with their words.These individuals can chew you up and spit you out in one motion, either in private (if youre lucky) or in front of your peers and supervisor.Have no compunction about using others to help them accomplish their goals. In their mind, since they are so successful, it makes sense for others in the organization to serve them so that they can become even more successful.Believe they are above the rules.Rules, policies, and pro cedures are for muster employees, not high achievers like them. Standard procedures and paperwork just get in the way of them being able to achieve more, so they should be able to go around procedures or have someone else go through them for them. (This includes paperwork, expense reports, how vacation time is calculated, or going through the correct channels to request resources.)Create frequent turnover in staff around them.Whether it is their administrative assistant, clerical support for the team, their colleagues, their supervisor, or others in departments that have to collaborate with them - a revolving door of staff develops around the toxic achiever. Nobody wants to work with or for them for long.Produce conflict among their supervisor and managers - about how best to deal with them.Eventually, heated discussions occur between the toxic achievers supervisor and other department heads or high level managers. Often the high level managers want to keep them because their prod uction numbers are so high (and they dont have to work with them on a day-to-day basis).How to deal with a toxic performer at workToxic achievers are like a large black walnut tree - it produces pounds and pounds of walnuts but nothing else can grow near the tree due to the toxicity of its leaves and root system. They produce but nothing else lives.Ultimately, you must get rid of the toxic achiever if youre going to have a healthy organization.Until they are gone, chaos and conflict will continue (they will create it) and they arent going to change without a dramatic life changing experience (so dont hold your breath for that).One of the main reasons toxic achievers have to go is because the work environment will not heal and become healthy until they are gone (kind of like having to get a splinter out of your finger). No other course of action works. They are who they are and they bring the associated positive and negative results with them.Rarely is the survival or the organizati on dependent on them (unless they have core knowledge or key relationships necessary for the existence of the company) - its wise not to let them get to that point of power.It is important to note that expelling the toxic achiever from the system requires documenting their negative impact on non-productive areas, such as their unwillingness to follow rules and procedures, or their inability to work collaboratively with others. Otherwise, you are setting yourself up for a lawsuit once they are dismissed.ReliefOnce the toxic achiever is gone, you and those who worked with them will begin to realize how poisoned you felt and how much better life at work is with them gone (while allowing them to poison some other place).This article originally appeared on Appreciation at Work.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that w ill double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people