What Money Can't Buy

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares 7 things that money can't buy...

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"Give me money... That's what I want," so goes the song.

Money has been in our world for thousands of years. Originally, money was used as a measurement tool to estimate the value of goods. Before money, people would trade goods that they had a surplus of for other goods that they could not readily harvest, make or grow. This typically included resources vital to their survival and protection: food, animals, tools, and fabrics. Societies expanded and the trading system became more complex.

In this day and age, to say our society is highly money-conscious would be a gross understatement.

It's important to remember what money can't buy:

7. Integrity

"To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity." - Douglas Adams

6. Peace of Mind

"Money cannot buy peace of mind. It cannot heal ruptured relationships, or build meaning into a life that has non." - Richard M. DeVos

5. Intelligence

"Bottom line is, I didn't return to Apple to make a fortune. I've been very lucky in my life and already have one. When I was 25, my net worth was $100 million or so. I decided then that I wasn't going to let it ruin my life. There's no way you could ever spend it all, and I don't view wealth as something that validates my intelligence." - Steve Jobs

4. Love

"If you want to distinguish between those who love you unreservedly, and those who love your money, try losing all your money." - Jordi Alemany

3. Health

"Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived." - Dalai Lama

2. Happiness

"Money has never made man happy, nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has, the more one wants." - Benjamin Franklin

1. Spiritual Enlightenment

"Money can buy a house, but not a home. It can buy a bed, but not sleep. It can buy a clock, but not time. It can buy a book, but not knowledge. It can buy blood but not health, so you see; money is not everything in life." - Unknown

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

"What Recruiters Look at on Your Resume in 6 Seconds"

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares an article...

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BusinessInsider.com published an article revealing an "eye tracking" study performed on recruiters reviewing resumes. 

The study concluded that when reviewing your resume, recruiters look at your name, current title and company, current position start and end dates, previous title and company, previous position start and end dates, and education. 

The more organized and concise your resume, the clearer it will read. 

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

Perspective on Placement Fees

Levitt & Associates, Inc shares its point of view on placement fees...

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It's true, law firms may not need assistance from a recruiter in order to hire the best talent on-the-market but what would you say the difference is between on-the-market and in-the-market?

The best talent in-the-market are likely the attorneys who are not actively searching for a new position. They may be perfectly content in their careers.

Recruiters are able to engage with top talent and inform them of a clients' search for someone with their skill set and experience.

In addition, recruiters are privy to inside information about top attorneys who require their job search to be private due to a number of reasons.

Recruiters search ahead of the need. We recruit for a position before it becomes available. We build relationships with candidates and are able to identify the best and the brightest and we can identify which candidates have the greatest potential.

The recruiter fee is pennies in comparison to the cost realized in salaries paid to an average performer. Recruited talent generates profit through superior performance. 

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

Creating Positive Work Relationships

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares 6 types of people that drain your energy and how to protect your health...

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The quality of our relationships has an effect on our health. You may have noticed that certain people make you feel more energized or calm while others seem to drain you of all your energy.

The following is a list of the type of people to keep your eye out for and suggestions for protecting your health:

• The Sob Story. This person seems to always have a "poor me" attitude and whines to anyone who will lend an ear. Limit your time with this energy-draining person and say "I'm sorry, I can only talk for a few minutes," and continue with your work.
• The Drama Addict. A minor incident is blown out of proportion by this person. Someone sneezes and all of the sudden, rumor in the office is that H1N1 is going around. Practice patience and limit your time with this person. Maintain a level head when listening to their stories and don't be sucked into the drama. It's strange how they can have near-death experiences every week.
• The Chit-Chatter. This person is only concerned with themselves and has no regard for you or your feelings. At first, they may seem entertaining. Then the constant talking does not stop and you get tired. You take a step back and they step closer to you. Know that this person does not respond to body language cues. You have to speak up and politely excuse yourself from the conversation, "I'm sorry, I really have to get back to my desk now."
• The Fixer Upper. This person heads straight to your desk to desperately plea that you solve their problems... all the time. You become her therapist and they take up all your free time. Do not fall into the trap. You need your free time. Share your empathy but resist the urge to offer advice. Instead, show your support and say, "I'm confident you'll find the right solution." If they persist, consider sensitively suggesting they speak with a qualified professional for help.
• The Blamer. This person cuts you down and always has a negative comment to make. They may feel more powerful if they can make you feel guilty or that your work on a project was lacking. Apply that 4th grade lesson, "I'm rubber and you're glue," theory. Imagine a shield of sorts that protects you from their negative remarks. Your shield keeps you sane and their constant negativity cannot deplete you.
• The Bully. Some people are just vindictive. They cut you down and have no consideration for your feelings. Remember that these people tend to be wounded and do not take their mean remarks personally. Remove them from your life whenever possible.    

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

How to Sabotage a Job Offer

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares 3 ways to lose a job before you get it...

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You've heard it time and again, a post-interview thank you note can set you apart from other candidates in the interview process. Interviewers often claim that the follow up can almost be as important than the interview. 

Here are three things to avoid when writing your note:

1. Being Late. Just as it is important to be on time (or early) for an interview, it is important to send your handwritten thank you note the day of your interview. This shows that you are respectful, thoughtful, and that you really want the position.

2. Being Careless. Mistakes are often made when people rush. Write neatly and take a minute to review your note to check for spelling or grammar errors. 

3. Making it About You. This is a note to your reader. Your reader enjoys hearing nice thoughts about themselves. Make it personal while showing that you are action-oriented and interested in assisting them in situations that are important to them. For example, "It was nice to have met with you today. I really enjoyed speaking with you about your views on _________. I can see that your firm has been very successful in _______ and I'm eager to brainstorm with you more about how ________ can affect your firm in a positive way as that has been a key focus during my career." (Fill in the blanks) 

Take your time and compose a well-written, personal note. Then send it as soon as possible. 

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

Reinventing Yourself

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares 3 tips to reinvent yourself in your new career...

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Sometimes you are ready for a change - a big change, one where a new hairstyle just wouldn't cut it. You may be ready for a new career.  

You can't change your wiring. It's best to think of this self-project as "repackaging", or what I like to call "reinventing" yourself. Your chances of happiness and success increase when you know exactly what you like and what your strengths are. Make a list of everything you enjoyed in your previous positions. Be sure to make note of the things that you excelled at. 

Step by step process. Reinventing yourself won't happen overnight. Start small and know your end goal. Set measurable mini-goals along the way and celebrate each achievement. You are on your way to becoming the you you've always wanted to be. 

Full-time commitment. Switching to a different field means you are starting from scratch. You can expect the same long hours you had in your first career. Luckily, you are doing what you love and you're doing it for you. The return on investment is far greater when you are doing what makes you happy. 

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

7 Things Successful People Do

Levitt & Associates, Inc shares 7 things successful people do...

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"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome." - Booker T. Washington

1. Fail
You may have heard the quote, "To increase your success rate, you must double your failure rate." Everyone fails. To be successful, you must persevere and know that for every time you fail, you are that much closer to success.  

2. Set Goals
Set measurable and achievable goals and write them down - daily, weekly, monthly and annually. Keep checking back to those goals, measure your progress and re-evaluate your list. 

3. Act
There is never going to be the "perfect" time.  Instead of letting obstacles stall you, know that taking action will lead you to your answers. 

4. Continued Improvement
"There's always room for improvement." Successful people hold this mentality and thrive on self-improvement. Everyone makes mistakes; rather than dwell on them, reflect on them as a learning opportunity. Nobody is perfect; view your weaknesses as areas of opportunity and set goals to improve.

5. Communication is Key
The most successful people know how to communicate with others in a way that allows them to get what they want without making others feel that they are being manipulated or pressured. Communicate with confidence. 

6. Be Flexible
Plans change and sometimes Murphy's law of "anything that can go wrong, will go wrong," applies. The most successful people know that there is no use becoming frustrated and instead, they roll with the punches.  

7. Network
Build and maintain connections. The most successful individuals had help along the way and utilized their mutually beneficial business connections and partners. 

Levitt & Associates, Inc.