Saturday, March 14, 2020

How to identify workplace harassment

How to identify workplace harassmentIf youve been paying attention to the news or social media lately, chances are youve seen some of the heartbreaking stories and backlash from sexual harassment in industries like entertainment, news, and politics. Metoo has become an inescapable part of ur landscape, as women (and men too) share stories about how people in positions of power took advantage of them in highly inappropriate ways, ranging from the unprofessional to the criminal. The sheer force of this movement can feel overwhelmingbut while we get story after story of public figures involved in sexual harassment, its also important to know what these issues may look like in everyday life, for the rest of us. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Before we get started, an important bedrngnise if you have been harassed, or think a colleagues or anfhrers behavior has crossed a legal line, you should seek out specific legal advice right away. And i f you suspect you may have been the victim of workplace harassment but arent sure, the first place you should go is to your companys Human Resources department. This is what theyre there foracting as a neutral resource to help you identify, report, and resolve problematic behavior or actions in the work environment. Weve put together some resources and information for reference, but if youre facing harassment at work you should always seek the qualified help of professionals who are highly trained in workplace harassment issues.What is workplace harassment?Workplace harassment can take many different forms. Sometimes its obvious. It can be blatant sexual or personal requests from a colleague, client, or boss, likeIll give you a promotion if you sleep with me.If you dont do this for me, Ill fire you.I can make it worth your while if you come have a few drinks with me.Ill give you more geschftsleben if you take care of me, *wink wink*.Harassment can also be subtler and more insidious, such as personal comments that make you feel uncomfortable or highly personal topics of conversation that arent relevant to your work. This is sometimes known as a hostile work environment.Examples of this type of harassment could includeTelling dirty or inappropriate jokes at workCommenting on physical attributesMaking suggestive comments in emails or on social mediaDisplaying suggestive pictures or websitesMaking sexual innuendosUnnecessary touching without consentUnwelcome sexual advances, or persistent requests for dates or other personal favorsPersonal ridicule or mockerySabotaging others work or otherwise interfering with work performanceOpen discrimination or commentary based on gender, race, sexual preference, or other personal attributesThis kind of harassment isnt necessarily always sexualit can also be considered workplace bullying. Whether theres a sexual component or not, personal harassment is never okay. Essentially, if someone is being singled out or targeted for pe rsonal reasons and not professional, it could be harassment. And even if someone is being singled out for ostensibly professional reasons, theres still a line of professionalism that companies and employees are required to follow. Once that commentary or behavior crosses into the personal, it could qualify as harassment. If you feel uncomfortable with the behavior of someone in the workplace, thats usually a red flag.Per Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, sexual harassment is considered a form of illegal discrimination in the workplace, which means victims are protected by federal law. If harassment is done on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, victims may also be protected under Title VII. If the harassing behavior is unwelcome and creates a hostile work environment, that can create a situation where the employer is legally liable for the harassment.Whos affected by harassment?Sexual or other harassment can happen to anyone, anytime, in any kind of professional environment. We often hear stories about it happening between a boss and an underling, but in reality it can happen with supervisors, colleagues, clients, or other people who are involved in a professional capacity. A supervisor can be harassed by an employee.And its important to note that no particular gender or group has a lock on sexual harassment. Although 1 in 3 women between the ages of 18 and 34 report having experienced sexual harassment on the job at some point during their careers, this problem is not limited to female victimsmen experience this kind of harassment as well. Harassment comes in all shapes and sizes, and harassers are not always stereotypical boss figures. Anyone who makes you feel personally uncomfortable in the workplace is a red flag.What to do if youre being harassedAccording to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), as much as 70% of sexual harassment goes unreported, often because victims are afraid of retaliation or just dont feel comfortable coming forward with their experiences. If youve experienced harassment (or have seen it happen at your work), youre protected.Know that its not your fault. If youre experiencing sexual or other harassment in the workplace, you didnt bring this on yourselfits on the harasser. Youre legally entitled to having a safe, professional working environment.Know youre not alone. In a comprehensive, eye-opening 2016 report on workplace harassment, the EEOC found that between 25% and 85% of women reported sexual harassment in the workplace. The variation is likely due to peoples hesitation to report harassment, but no matter what, the figure is staggeringat least 1 in 4 women have experienced harassment. The numbers are rising for men reporting harassment as well a 2012 study by the EEOC revealed that approximately 17% of men had experienced sexual harassment at work. Its a widespread problem that has often been kept hidden.Know your rights. If youve been harassed, or thin k you may have been, its important to know what your rights are. The American Association of University Women (AAUW) has a detailed reference guide about how to handle the issue from several different perspectives, giving information on how employees, colleagues, and employers can resolve harassment claims.Talk about it with someone trusted. This can be a trusted confidante, but if youre experiencing harassment or have witnessed it and want to take steps to resolve the issue, your companys HR department is a good first resource. They can help you by confirming your companys harassment policies and either resolve the issue internally or help you with the next steps of a formal complaint. Employment attorneys can give you a sense of the legal perspective if you think the harassment rises to the level of a legal issue. Always consult with legal and professional resources to determine what you can do officially to document and report the problem.One of the hardest takeaways in this post -Harvey Weinstein era has been discovering how widespread and pervasive the culture of harassment can be in the workplace. Ideally, its not something youll ever face in your career, but if youre one of the growing numbers of women and men dealing with harassment (or bringing it to light), understand that youre not alone and there are resources out there that can help you.

Monday, March 9, 2020

How to Grow Your Income

How to Grow Your Income More money. We all want it, dont we? Sometimes, it can feel like our income isnt in our control but nothing could be further from the truth. There are two big levers to creating wealth income and expenses. Taking ownership to increase the money we earn covers half the equationIncome growth is particularly important for women, as we generally face awage gaprelative to men. Were also more likely than men to take timeout of the workforce often to serve in highly valuable but non-paying caretaker roles for children or parents.Here are three ways to grow your income and accelerate your path to wealth.Get more from your current job.A pay increase in your current job is a logical distributionspolitik to start, and technology is your friend in this effort. Just a few years ago, we had to rely on general industry studies,governmentdata, or asking colleagues (yikes) to benchmark our salaries. Today, pay data is increasingly accessible. TheFairygodboss salary databaseg ives you much more precise data on what your role is worth.If youre gunning for a pay increase, you need to document the heck out of the business value you deliver to your employer. Decide the exact amount youre worth, and then increase it by at least 10%, becausewomen dont ask for enough.Prepare at least three other non-salary items (like more PTO or a better expense account) that you will negotiate for if you dont get the full increase youre requesting. Practice by negotiating with a savvy friend who can role-play your boss reaction.Dont wait for the next review cycle. When your case is ready and youve practiced your pitch, confidently approach your boss with the business case for why you have earned a raise.Create a side hustle.Sites likeEtsy,TaskRabbit, andCare.commake it easier to tischset up aside hustle. A hustle allows you to create an additional income stream from applying your skills to the hours in which youre currently not working. Youll want to carefully consider any as sociated costs to ensure your side hustle actually brings you income, and doesnt deliver a costly headache.Unsure where to get started? This post lists99 ideasfor your consideration. Ask neighbors and friends if they have small tasks theyd like help with, for a fair hourly rate. Most importantly, save the money from your side hustle (or put it towards debt) to get the maximum return from your extra effort.Pursue a job or career change.Your position today might not be ripe for income growth, or youre ready to move on. Whatever the case may be, changing jobs can result inhigher income increasesthan sticking with your current employer. Explore careers that are recognized for higher-than-average pay, and identify which companies receivehigh ratings from female employees.Next, startnetworking. Ask friends, neighbors, and former classmates whether they have contacts in the industry or company youre looking to move into, and offer your support to them in return. Consider investing in a gro up likeEllevate Network, a global network of women supporting other women to advance in the workplace, or joining aLean In Circle.Think about the last time someone asked you for career help. I bet you were happy to offer your support The vast majority of those you reach out to will feel the same, and networking will increase your odds of landing a new, higher-paying gig.Each idea to grow income will take time and planning. Start by deciding which is right for you. So - which are you going to prioritize to grow your income over time? Or, is there another approach youre going to focus on? Im curious to hear--The Feminist Financieris on a mission to help women build wealth and own their financial independence, by improving financial literacy and taking the mystery out of money. Ms. Financier is also a shoe addict, travel fanatic, and wine enthusiast.Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Unproductive Meetings Got You Down Technology Can Help

Unproductive Meetings Got You Down Technology Can Help Weve all sat through at least one meeting thatleft us thinking,Well that was a waste of time. It happens to the best of us One thing leads to another, and then another, and eventually, someones unrelated tangent goeson for the whole hour.Unfortunately, this isnt only a common problem its also a serious one.Unproductive meetings dont justwasteyourand your companys time. They also waste a staggering amount of money. According to Business Insider, American companies lose $37 billion every year on unproductive meetings.Just how do unproductive meetings cause such losses?Well, consider that a manager gets paid $2,000 for 40 hours of work every week, explainsShiv Sharma, Taskworlds content manager. If he sits in a two hour meeting that doesnt lead to any actionable conclusions, thats equivalent to burning $100.In the past, companies could easily blame this problem on a number of things e.g., unforesee n circumstances, a lack of resources, or even poor employee performance.But, if you want to move beyond excuses, now may be a good time to check out the various ways in which business technologies have come to rescue us all from unproductive meetings. Now,we have access toproductivity platforms like the aforementionedTaskworld that allow us tocreate projects for our meetings, assign action items in real time, and set completion dates for eachtask. With a simple app like that, meeting can become a lot mora productive.Imagine starting your computer and finding a screen that tells you exactly what you need to do for the day, gives you all the files that you want, and allows you to communicate with any member of your team. Now imagine it also suggests specialized workflows to help organize your work. Thats the kind ofproductivity platform your company could benefit from if youre still struggling with unproductive meetings.Get Your Meetings Right The Four Golden Rules of Meaningful Meet ingsThat being said, productivity platforms arent magic cure-alls. They wont automatically save you from bad meetings. In fact, before a productivity platform can help you, Sharma says, you have to learn and adhere to the four golden rules of meaningful meetingsHave a specific purpose.Involve the right people.Follow the schedule.End with planned actions.The word specific in that first step isextremely important. Generic agendas will only invite generic discussions.Instead of saying youll be discussing pricing in the meeting, say youll be coming up with pricing limits for enterprise costumers, Sharma says.And of course, you should invite only the people who can adequately contribute to the topic of conversation. According to Sharma, If you invite people who dont need to be there, your meeting will be longer, less efficient, and thus, more expensive.Ultimately, the key to having productive meetings lies in standardizing the way companieshold their meetings.We at Taskworld have creat ed a methodology based on the above rules, Sharma explains. Even though the agendas of various meetings may differ, this methodology will still hold true.Beyond standardizing as much as possible, its also important to treat meetings as limited resources.With the advent of the latest technologies in project management and communication, it has become possible to avoid meetings for a lot of projects, Sharma says. Having fewer meetings keeps people motivated and focused.The truth is, nobody really likes having meetings. But theyre a necessary part of any business operationand they arent going anywhere, so we might as well make the fruchtwein of them. And there are few things more satisfying than leaving a meeting with clarity, purpose, and a general sense of accomplishment.This is something we all like to feel in the workplace and, if you follow the tips outlined above, you will.Youll save your company some money, too.

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

How to Boost Your Creative Brainpower

How to Boost Your Creative BrainpowerHow to Boost Your Creative BrainpowerSearching for inspiration? Heres how four accomplished creative professionalscome up with all-star ideas.Generating ideas for new projects can seem daunting, and getting abfluged is frequently a huge part of the battle. Feeling stuck? We talked to Gail Anderson (cofounder of Anderson Newton Design), Will Miller (partner and creative director atFirebelly Design), Andrea Pippins (founder ofFly and adjunct faculty member at the Maryland Institute College of Art) and Ron Thompson (cofounder of Italic Studio) about how they tackle the idea generation process. Based on a wealth of experience, here are their tipsWhen it comes to idea generation, beginning is often the hardest part. How do you kick-abflug yourself?Anderson I collaborate with my partner, Joe Newton. Its great to have someone to commiserate with. He is probably more polite than he needs to be, but its good to know that theres someone there to shoot down my bad ideas as needed. We do a lot of pencil sketches and have copious notes scrawled everywhere, so we typically dont rush to the computer right away. Both Joe and I really enjoy dissecting a project together, so its fun to just sit at our desks and talk about all the possibilities.Miller Many times, we push ahead by looking back. Past projects provide many opportunities for good ideas that began to take shape but might not have come to fruition. We also ask ourselves what weve seen out in the world thats exciting - a special print process, a certain type of binding or an interaction we werent expecting. If its something of interest to the studio and makes good sense for a project, well try and find a way to explore it and make it unique.Pippins I typically start writing down words that come to mind when thinking of the topic at hand. Its usually in a list form or a mind map. I use those words to refine my research for inspirational imagery. I love going to the library to do rese arch, but I also use online resources. I build private mood boards on Pinterest for projects, and collect images that I can use as inspiration and reference throughout the process. Then I start sketching. Most times, those thumbnails are scanned in and used as a base where I build the final design or illustration.Thompson Luckily, we dont begin any project in a vacuum. We have a starting point that is spelled out in the client brief. After listening to our clients talk about the problem theyre trying to solve, well do a deep dive with them to learn all about their industry and their product. This initial research gets us in the right frame of mind for developing our concepts, from which all other ideas and visuals will flow.Do you have idea generation sessions with clients to get their input?Anderson Some clients really appreciate engaging, and others are too overwhelmed with their own day-to-day chaos to have time for more than a quick email. But its always preferable to draw clien ts out to get any tidbits of information, even if its simply telling us what they dont want. Weve been working with one client whos been really great about including us in their internal process, and who welcomes our input and guidance. Thats been really energizing, and keeps us on our toes. When a client truly respects your point of view, you want to give them 110 percent. Everyone wins.Miller When we talk about ideas and inspiration with the client, its typically early in the project. We present real-world examples of design, art, and architecture, and we talk about each example in a way that highlights the clients need or captures a key characteristic of the project. A 10- to 15-page deck of inspiration, organized by concept and design direction, really helps our client understand how what we do will directly tie to their goals and objectives. An added benefit of this step is it allows clients to voice their subjective distastes, helping us focus on what will be most well-receive d.Thompson Each client is a bit different. Some want working brainstorming sessions while others are fine being hands-off and letting us do our thing. With that said, we always start every project with a kickoff meeting in which we discuss the creative brief with our client, listen to their goals and then ask a ton of questions. Then, we like to break out on our own to really dig into our ideas rather than sit in a room and have a big brainstorming session where ideas are jotted on whiteboards. Those meetings can work against you when it comes to being efficient and letting your mind flow unedited.What do you do when you hit the proverbial wall? Do you have any advice on how to overcome creative blocks?Anderson Over time, Ive learned that the best thing to do when you hit a wall is to step back from the project. Close the file and walk away - temporarily, of course. Even when things are time-sensitive, you need to take a stroll around the block, get a cup of coffee, or whatever it takes to shift your mind and focus on something else, preferably not work-related. Its really important to figure out what to do when the needle gets stuck. Its a lesson that took me about 20 years to learn.Miller Theres a huge amount of collaboration in the office, so when one person is hitting a wall and feeling stuck, well share files and discuss. Theres no ownership of work and no one is protective of a project. We try to work together to move projects forward in the best and most appropriate way. Being willing to ask for advice and critique is a solid way to move forward.Pippins Having a person you can go to for feedback on a project is a great way to get unstuck. He or she can ask you questions and provide insight you havent thought of, or tell you what youre doing is great (youre overthinking it) or terrible (you need to go back to the drawing board). It always helps.Thompson I wish we had a secret serum (whiskey, perhaps) that would always allow us to be at our peak, but we all get blocked. For us, just stepping away tends to be the best cure. Go run, walk, surf, bike, read a book or whatever it is that you like to do outside of work. It can help to take your mind off things and open you back up to new ideas or ways to approach the project.Do you have any tips for recent grads just starting out their creative careers on how to generate ideas and stay fresh?Anderson When youre walking down the street, put your smartphone down and remove your earbuds. Constantly observe your surroundings, noting even the most mundane daily occurrences or patterns. There are stories everywhere, and those stories are the basis of ideas. Not being afraid to fail is important, too. An idea might seem corny or bad in the moment, but you never know if theres a kernel underneath that can be built on. I find that even now, Im sometimes too self-conscious to take a chance on throwing an idea out there that might be a clunker, only to hear someone else say it. And then everyone th inks that person is a genius Ugh.Miller Stay aware of whats happening in the design world. Dig into projects that have a lot of writing accompanying the final piece. Reading how other visual communicators have turned colors, symbols and ideas into something fresh is exciting and empowering. Not only does it help you understand how to talk about successful projects, it promotes the vocabulary needed in your own work to articulate challenging concepts.Pippins I show my students at MICA different techniques to generate multiple ideas like visual brain dumping (quick doodles) or giving them a random word to think about in relation to the topic. My advice is to get off the Internet when doing research and go to the library. Looking for historical references and the original sources for an idea you saw online can trigger another direction. When we learn as much as we possibly can about a topic, within a given timeframe, it gives us more information to be inspired by.Thompson Get out of yo ur comfort zone and live. Meet new people, try new restaurants, visit a country youve never been to, take a class and so on. Also, write down your thoughts or keep a journal. And I mean write, not type. Its amazing how the mind works differently when using a good old-fashioned pencil or pen on paper. Just get your ideas out and get them out fast.Idea generation can be tough when youre a freelancer who works alone. For more tips, read our post, How to Brainstorm When Youre Working Solo.SEARCH ur JOB OPENINGS

Friday, December 27, 2019

Raising a Mid-Level Resume to VP Level

Raising a Mid-Level Resume to VP LevelRaising a Mid-Level Resume to VP LevelCertified professional resume writer Ken Moore bridged a senior sales executives varying roles together to elevate a sub-par resume.Sometimes its hard to recognize that your resume doesnt really reflect your talents - or may even give readers the wrong impression.Case in point Bill Johnson.Bill, who asked Ladders not to use his real name for this article, is a senior sales executive with proven leadership in geschftsleben development. But to read his old resume read, you would think he was a mid-level strategic partner, not a vice president-level expert in both wireless technology and construction materials.Bills former resume would have given people a false impression that he only had mid-level experience, said Ken Moore, certified resume writer with Ladders. He was much more senior than he was portraying. Also, there was no focused job target in his intro.Johnson attended a networking event Ladders held re cently at the New York Athletic Club, where he received a resume critique. (For more information on upcoming events nationwide, drop a line to the career services team.)You know, I was pretty skeptical about the whole thing, Johnson admitted. There are a lot of people trying to take advantage of this downturn, and lots of job sites that are polluted with garbage. I made sure to grill them about things. And I got my answer.The answer? His resume needed a professionals touch.I decided I would try the free resume critique they had there at the event, Johnson said. They were very gentle about it. They went out of their way to critique it in a way that was considerate, but they ripped it to shreds. It was a gentle but constructive shredding.Johnson said he is really pleased with his new resume and much preferred collaborating on it to going it alone.I had a hard time reconciling my two very different sales roles in wireless and construction supplies, Johnson said. I also had a really har d time writing about myself, and I really wasnt up with the style of resumes written today. Writing your own resume is kind of like cutting your own hair. Ive tried it, but it didnt exactly look right. Two roles, one goal One challenge we had with Bill was to bridge and condense his expertise in two very different fields, Moore said. But we also had to overcome some common mistakes in resumes that we see a lot, like the use of personal pronouns and the lack of things like revenue numbers and percentage of business increased.In a field as competitive as technology sales, it becomes incredibly important to quantify the bullet points in your resume. With guidance from Johnson, Moore was able to go back and retrofit the resume. He included hard numbers about business Johnson won and brands he supported, and he consolidated the document to focus on the past 10 to 12 years.Bill had a lot of one-liners, said Moore. Things like 1 sales performer in U.S. for two years but no qualification of what that did for the business. Anyone can write that, but you need to qualify it in a more detailed fashion.The formula for a successful resume, according to Moore Say what you want by saying what you are.Its not personal, its businessYou have to capture the reader of the resume right at the very beginning, Moore said. You have to point out your immediate career goal and show your value to a future employer.Moore said it takes subtlety to focus on what you want without overdoing the personal angle.Your career goal is not a personal objective statement, Moore said. Its a branding statement that says, This is who I am and This is what I can do for your business. What surprised Bill most about the process of having his resume tuned up by The Ladders professionals?They know what they are doing, Johnson said. Its like the difference between an autobiography and a biography. You know what I mean? Its like having a nice, finished, polished product thats been andrang through all the quali ty checks. It was very worth it, and I got it back in a week. They were good and fast.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

4 Tricks to Landing Interviews Without Ever Applying for the Job

4 Tricks to Landing Interviews Without Ever Applying for the Job4 Tricks to Landing Interviews Without Ever Applying for the JobEverything infuriating about applying for a job can be easily summed up in that one unpleasant feeling that twists knots in our stomachs the moment we hit the submit button carrying our resumes away to the next level. In other words, its the waiting process that does the most damage to our poor hearts and weakens them.However, there are times when, paradoxically, you submit one resume after another, yet no call is being given back. It all becomes even more frustrating when you hear tales of impossible happenings involving a certain someone applying for one job only and getting a meeting appointed thirty minutes later. Yes, job searching can be really terrible.This isnt an article talking about how to make your application stand out more. This is all about being one step ahead of everyone else and landing an interview without even sending in a CV. Why? Becaus e chances are that this particular someone earlier mentioned did similar backstage work in order to get to this point. All it takes is to follow the formula laid out by people like them.1. Stop Waiting, Take ActionWeve already established that waiting sucks. Surely, you can try all kinds of tricks to stand out from a list of applicants. You can even find ways to stand out without having to actually apply. For example, you can polish your LinkedIn profile or your social media and fill them up with crucial information that might be really eye-catchy for any companies scouting the Internet and search results.However, that does still involve a little bit of waiting, doesnt it? What is left to do is to take the initiative. Do make sure that you have all of these elements in check regarding your Internet parta. Seek out contact information for your company and, as the name suggests, actually do take contact Send an e-mail or a message on a social platform to a company representative in th e shape of an open letter. Let them know of your interest in a collaboration and line up some incredible skills and sets of experiences that will make it difficult for them to overlook your request.2.Get a Boost with Wink MarketingAka probably the most commonly used tactic by aspiring youtubers. What is this wink absatzwirtschaft we speak of, exactly? Its essentially the equivalent of standing idly in someones line of sight for so long that they have no choice but to notice you. In other words, in means making yourself known without showing any direct intentions that youre interested in what the recruiters have to offer.Lets return to the YouTube comparison for a better understanding. When you scroll down in the comment section of a popular video, you can easily spot out numerous people trying to bring attention to their channels. Some go about it with a complete lack of tact pro tip, do avoid using phrases of the likes of please check out my channel. An efficient way is to leave c omments that compliment the video, that talk about anything else. By being an active member of a community, people are going to grow an interest in you at some point.3. Make Use of ConnectionsAlthough this seemed like the most obvious advice, it only came out now because there tends to be a rather grim connotation behind this tactic. Its not all about fraud and unfair advantages, but rather about taking an approach which means getting to know a representative as a person before you get to know them as a company worker.If youre not lucky enough to become acquainted with someone who can earn you a direct visit to a recruiters office, you can always do so through referrals. Statistically speaking, many recruiters have admitted to prioritising referrals over classic CVs and standard applications. If you dont know where to start, zero is a good place. If you want to get a referral for Crossmark, make an account on their website, browse it, find contact means, and start with baby steps.4. Build a ReputationMake some noise on the Internet You cant exactly travel from company to company with a paper filled with ideas, suggestions, and qualifications and expect anyone to actually pay attention to it. Even if they do, chances are youll be sadly forgotten rather quickly. But this doesnt need to happen in the online space. This is because once you put something on the Internet, it remains there forever.Create a blog or a website where you can publish some writings demonstrating some of your ideas. Offer useful critiques to the works of others, something thats specifically useful if youre seeking to publish articles. E-mail important people with ideas and suggestions. Basically become this Fairy Grandmother of great ideas and an incredibly benevolent desire to share them with someone.Its not necessarily easy to take this approach, but its definitely worth it if executed right.Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Air Force Radio and Television Broadcasting Job Description

Air Force Radio and Television Broadcasting Job DescriptionAir Force Radio and Television Broadcasting Job DescriptionThe Department of Defense has a radio and television channel. It is called AFRTS - American Forces Radio and Television Service. Headquartered at Fort George Meade, Maryland, this multi-media platform distributes news, entertainment, and policy updates for military personnel around the world. The Defense Media Activity is the unifying command of the television, radio, print, and multi-media mission. The AFRTS mission is to communicate Department of Defense policies, priorities, programs, goals and initiatives. By providing stateside radio and television programming to those who are part of the Department of Defense, AFRTS offers a touch of home, to those outside continental United States. AFRTS includes the Radio and Television Production Office (RTPO), The Pentagon Channel and the AFN Broadcast Center. Specialty Summary The men and women of the Air Force Radio a nd Television Service organize and conduct broadcast operations, produce programs, and directs radio and television broadcasts. The journalists and video specialists, prepare informational materies in broadcast format for use on Armed Forces Radio and Television (AFRT) and commercial media serves as talent and operates broadcast equipment. Sporting events that are happening in America are high lights of deployed airmen, sailors, marines, and soldiers every week. Being able to slip away even for a few hours while deployed is needed R R that is provided by the AFRTS network. Duties and Responsibilities The men and women of AFRTS also prepare informational materials for use on AFRT and commercial media by identifying and selecting newsworthy events. They are able to produce radio and television scripts, narrations, spot announcements, and news and sports broadcasts. They also select associated visual material as necessary and available and coordinates the use of graphics, sets sp ecial effects, and audio and video material to support programming requirements. This job requires both creative skills as well as organizational skills. In order to prepare and maintain schedules, daily operation logs, and continuity book, they must assist public affairs officer in working with electronic media as well.They are responsible for programming and directing radio and television broadcasts by selecting and scheduling programs for broadcast on AFRT stations. They review all copy and program materials for host country sensitivities before airing and coordinate receipt and disposition of AFRT program materials. Maintaining station library or recorded programming is also another responsibility as well as evaluating audience feedback. The men and women of AFTRS monitor station programs for effectiveness, professional quality, and support of mission objectives. They also manage resources to support the United States Air Force Internal Information Program. They also learn to operate radio and television broadcast equipment and arrange remote broadcast coverage of special events. Additional Responsibilities Supervises radio and television broadcast operations.Coordinates maintenance of radio and television equipment.Directs positioning of lights, cameras, microphones, properties, and personnel.Conducts broadcast rehearsals as necessary.Coordinates maintenance and acquisition of broadcast equipment.Performs as talent in programs produced for AFRT.Conducts radio and television interviews.Performs as disc jockey, newscaster, sports announcer and producer. Specialty Qualifications Being creative and organized isnt the only skills one should have when considering a specialty code within the Defense Media Activity. One must be a good writer, speaker, and reader in order to perform at this very public job within the military television and radio, internet, and print media world. Here are more details of the types of qualifications one must have Knowledg e. Knowledge is mandatory of radio and television writing and broadcasting regulations and policies governing AFRT and other public affairs activities broadcast equipment capabilities and methods of researching public attitudes. Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school or general educational development equivalency is mandatory.Training. For award of AFSC 3N032, completion of the basic broadcasting course is mandatory.Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated (Note See Explanation of Air Force Specialty Codes).3N052. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3N032. Also, experience in broadcasting and directing television or radio programs.3N072. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3N052. Also, experience in performing or supervising broadcast activities.Other. The following are mandatory as indicatedFor entry into this specialty1. A favorable evaluation of a voice audition.2. Ability to type 20 words per minute.F or entry, award, and retention of these AFSCs, absence of any speech impediment, and ability to read aloud and speak distinctly. Strength ReqH Physical Profile 333333 Citizenship No Required Appitude Score G-69 (Changed to G-72, effective 1 Jul 04). Technical Training Course E5ABD3N032 000 Length (Days) 60 Location FGM Possible Assignment Information