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Showing posts from March, 2020

Overcoming Exam and Performance Anxiety

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It’s normal to feel a little anxious before a test, but if the anxiety gets out of hand, it can be debilitating. No one wants to perform poorly just because their nerves got the best of them. But exam and performance anxiety can stop you from concentrating and make you physically uncomfortable. From a racing heartbeat to nausea, exam anxiety can cause trigger physiological changes in your body that impact your performance. Here are some quick tips on how to overcome exam anxiety: 1.  Sleep Well Contrary to what many young people think, you shouldn’t be cramming the night before your exam; it’s horrible for your anxiety. You need at least 6–8 hours of sleep before the exam, so your body and mind aren’t exhausted, and so you can concentrate. 2.  Have a Positive Attitude When you walk into an exam that’s going to have a major impact on your life, it’s tough to maintain a positive attitude; but letting your negative inner voice take control of your mind isn’t go...

The Perks of Becoming a Civil Servant

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There are around two million people currently working in the US government (not including postal workers). The majority of these individuals work in the US military, while the rest work in public service, in areas such as agriculture, housing, health, and labor. In recent years, the government has launched a streamlined application process for college graduates who want a career in the civil service. Federal bureaucrats make about 78%  more than employees than people in the private sector, while state and federal employees make about 25% more. So even though the economy is booming, government jobs continue to be high in demand for all the benefits they offer. Here’s a list of some of the benefits that come with joining the civil service: 1.  Job Security Once they get a job with the government, people usually don’t quit. While private employees are often at risk of being terminated, government employees are rarely fired. The rate of terminations among governme...

An Overview of the Civil Service Exam

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If you’re looking for a job in civil service, you’ll be required to pass a civil service exam that tests the specific skills you’ll need for the public sector position you’re applying for. The purpose of the exam is to distinguish candidates based on their abilities and to ensure that they have the skills they need to do well in their respective sectors. Here’s an overview of the civil service exam and what candidates can expect when applying for jobs in civil service: Tested Skills All civil service exams are tailored for specific sectors; however, there are basic areas that each exam covers. Regardless of the type of civil service exam you’re going for, you’ll be tested on your ability to read, reason, and solve problems, along with writing proficiency, clerical abilities, and math—the part that everyone dreads. Civil service professionals must also have basic software skills and need to be proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel. Parts of the service sector that re...

4 Requirements For Becoming a Police Officer

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Other than the armed forces, there are very few jobs that are as noble as becoming a police officer. Police officers commit their lives to protecting civilians and keeping our streets safe. So if you’re looking to make a positive impact on your community, there’s no better job than becoming a police officer. But before you earn your badge, you’ll have to meet some basic requirements to enter the academy. Here’s a list of some of them: 1.  Your Age and Background You have to be at least 21 years of age and a US citizen by the time you graduate from the academy. You’ll also need a valid driver’s license because you’re expected to drive on the job. After you apply to a police academy, they will carry out a background check to ensure you have a clean record. Any criminal activities (felonies and misdemeanors) will disqualify you from the academy—including domestic violence convictions and DWIs over the last 5 years. You will also go through a psychological evaluation...

Becoming a Firefighter: What You Need To Know About the Firefighter Exams

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Becoming a firefighter is no ordinary task; it requires long hours of training, hard work, dedication and a sincere desire to help others. Apart from dealing with emergency breakouts, and being on duty for over 24 hours, there’s a lot more to a firefighter’s job than extinguishing fires. This includes continuous training and education, performing preventive fire maintenance, filing reports and working closely with federal and state officials in case of suspicious widespread incidents. Moreover, these responsibilities only increase as firefighters move up the ranks. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , employment in the firefighting career field is estimated to grow by 5% from 2018 to 2028. Taking the Firefighting Exam Most fire departments require candidates to take a physical test as well as a written test when hiring new firefighters. The test methodologies vary based on the departments and states. These tests, however, are often administered in the later...