FunEducation

After taking a career test and finding out what type of role they are suited for, jobseekers may want to create a LinkedIn profile if they have not done so already. CIO recently provided a few tips for the social media website that can help people’s online job search efforts.

For instance, the news source suggested that LinkedIn users focus on crafting an effective profile. An individual’s page should clearly state who they are as a professional. In order to accomplish this, the profile must also be completed in full.

"If you don't follow through on completing your own profile, what other things will you fail to finish," Eve Mayer Orsburn, chief executive officer of Social Media Delivered, told the news outlet. "Take the time to fill in as many of the fields as you can, and always include a picture."

Now, new research reveals that elderly people who consume food rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins may be able to stay sharp in their old age. In the study, scientists from Oregon Health and Science University and Oregon State University’s Linus Pauling Institute worked with 104 people with an average age of 87.

Scientists tested 30 different nutrient biomarkers in the participants’ blood, while 42 of them underwent magnetic resonance imaging scans. Based on blood nutrient levels and other data, the scientists found a connection between cognitive ability and high levels of vitamins B, C, D, E and healthy oils.

"The vitamins and nutrients you get from eating a wide range of fruits, vegetables and fish can be measured in blood biomarkers," said Maret Traber, principal investigator at the Linus Pauling Institute and co-author of the study. "I’m a firm believer these nutrients have strong potential to protect your brain and make it work better."

For instance, while most companies do not actively pursue risk-takers, CBS MoneyWatch reported that organizations do like to see ambitious employees. This means that jobseekers will want to show their interviewer how they will go above and beyond what is expected of them at work.

Similarly, prospective employers want to see candidates who are confident, and not cautious or fearful, the news source stated. However, instead of bragging about their greatness, jobseekers should show that they are comfortable with what they have achieved professionally.

In addition to confidence, interviewers will also be looking for energy in those they are speaking to, according to the news outlet. Something else that jobseekers should bring to an interview is fresh ideas that can leave a company more impressed than underwhelmed.

During a job interview, it is also important for candidates to avoid telling jokes and discussing controversial topics, Quintessential Careers suggested.

Despite a high national unemployment rate, people are still finding work. While some may question their credentials, the reason for their lack of job offers may simply be due to the fact that they have poor interview skills.

The New York Times recently offered a few tips for jobseekers that, when used, may just lead to more offers.

For instance, the news source recommended that applicants think about their wardrobe before they head to their interview. This is not a time to dress casually. That means jeans, or anything people would typically wear to the beach, should remain in the closet. Once these individuals are appropriately dressed, they need to make sure they arrive for their appointment well ahead of its scheduled time.

Furthermore, the news outlet reported that researching a prospective employer before a meeting can yield enough knowledge to help individuals speak convincingly about their reasons for interviewing.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, one’s body language is also important during an interview. Jobseekers can show their interest in a position by making eye contact and resisting the urge to slouch.

People should also consider whether their lack of job offers has anything to do with the types of positions they are applying for. Taking a career test may point individuals toward jobs that they are better suited for.

One student who has displayed exceptional artistic talent is 13-year-old Ben Glover, who attends the Bishop Stopford School in the UK, the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph reported. Glover’s mastery of 3D animation has led London’s Trinity College to honor the adolescent with its Gold Arts Award.

According to the news source, this honor is typically awarded to individuals who are at least 16 years of age.

"It’s brilliant to receive the award, it is not something people my age do or even hear about," Glover told the news outlet. "Everyone seems very proud of me and what I have achieved."

In addition to attending Bishop Stopford, the news source stated that Glover is a member of the Milton Keynes and Northants Explorers, which is a part of the UK’s National Association for Gifted Children.

If children show signs of exceptional talent, parents may want to have them take a kids IQ test to see what areas they shine in.

Many students struggle in the classroom. Some have learning disabilities, while others are simply bored by the material they are being taught. Occasionally, these pupils are unengaged due to the fact that they are actually gifted children.

According to the National Association for Gifted Children, the needs of gifted students are often overlooked.

Keenan Lyon, who is currently enrolled in Canada's Carleton University at just 16 years of age, is one student who found it hard to stay interested in what he was expected to learn in the fifth grade, the Ottawa Citizen reported.

During math class, Lyon would sit in the back of the room reading a physics book, rather than focusing on what his instructor was teaching, the news source stated.

After completing his studies at Carleton, Lyon plans to pursue a master’s degree in nanotechnology at the University of Waterloo and earn his PhD by the time he is 20 years old, according to the news source.

Parents who want to make sure their children are receiving an education that will keep them engaged may want to have them take a kids IQ test to verify their intelligence quotient.

As Thanksgiving approaches, some jobseekers may decide to take some time off from their search for employment opportunities, thinking that businesses will do the same. Despite what some believe, the holiday season is actually an excellent time to search for jobs, according to CareerCast.com.

During the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's, people can take advantage of several networking opportunities.

"By doubling your efforts over the holidays at a time when many other unemployed workers are focused on activities other than job hunting, you increase your odds of finding a new position," said Tony Lee, publisher of CareerCast.com.

According to the online employment resource, hiring does not stop over the holidays. Attending holiday parties can provide an opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new connections that may lead to better job prospects. Furthermore, the season allows for a reason to reconnect with former co-workers and employers, who may be able to point jobseekers towards a few openings.

Before the holidays get underway, jobseekers may want to take a career aptitude test so they know what type of position will best suit their personalities.

Free Career Test

Many students struggle to get through algebra class, while some adults still do not have a good handle on this branch of mathematics. This is not the case for Kalee Hall, a 6-year-old North Carolina resident, who learned the basics of algebra while having lunch in a Pizza Hut, the Winston-Salem Journal reported.

This is not Hall's only accomplishment, but it is one reason why she is now a member of Mensa. It is not uncommon for the high IQ society to offer membership cards to gifted children. In fact, the news source stated that the group's youngest member on record was 2-years-old.

Hall's mother, Karen, would not release Kalee's official IQ, but she did tell the news outlet that the 6-year-old's score placed her in the 99th percentile. In order to gain entry into Mensa, her score had to be at least 132, but the news source stated that Kalee may have placed somewhere over 140.

As a member of Mensa, Hall will join around 110,000 members who come from 100 countries and all walks of life, according to the society's website.

Parents who are curious to see if their children have what it takes to join Mensa may want to have them take an IQ Test for Kids.

Every time firefighters leave the station to respond to an emergency, they never know if they will be coming back. As a result, this line of work is not for everybody.

In fact, there are a few traits that every firefighter should have, according to Firehouse.com. For instance, the ideal candidate for this profession should be accountable, adaptable, aggressive, persistent and willing to make sacrifices.

While training programs are designed to help firefighters prepare for the types of scenarios they will encounter on the job, a recent study by human factors/ergonomics researchers found that not all programs are as effective as they are meant to be. The researchers found that repeated exposure to the same set of live-fire scenarios can fail to prepare firefighters for situations that are different in nature.

"If you learn the scenario, you can predict what will happen in that one scenario, but you can’t predict what will happen in situations that look a little different," said researcher Michael R. Baumann. "If you learn general principles, then you can predict what is going to happen in a wide range of situations."

Before individuals even begin their training, they may want to take a free career test to see if they have the traits that are required to work as a professional firefighter.

Researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System have found a link between a specific genetic variation and the reduction in intellectual function that affects some men as they age.

According to the investigators behind this research, which appeared online in Translational Psychiatry, the genetic variation was located in the hippocampus, a region of the brain that plays a role in the formation and storage of memories. Airplane pilots who participated in the study and had this variation also experienced an age-related decline in the size of this neurological area.

As the researchers tested 144 experienced pilots, who were at least 40 years of age, over three separate sessions that were each spaced a year apart, they witnessed a decline in performance among those with the genetic variation.

"This gene-associated difference may apply not only to pilots but also to the general public, for example in the ability to operate complex machinery," said Ahmad Salehi, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford.

Older professionals, such as airline pilots, who are curious to see if their brain is as strong as it was in their youth may want to take an IQ test.

As the number of job applicants rises, more companies are turning to the pre-employent personality test as a way to separate qualified candidates from the rest.

According to the Bureau of National Affairs (BNA), between 30 and 50 percent of large employers are using personality assessment tools to see which applicants will be the best fit for their organizations, as well as the integrity candidates have. These tests can be especially helpful as online applications have increased the number of resumes businesses have to sort through when looking to hire new workers.

"By having data available before meeting with a person face to face it can maximize the interview time and confirm that what is being said by the candidate is genuine," Melissa Hulsey, president and chief executive officer of the staffing firm Ashton, told Smart Business.

Hulsey added that knowledge is power, and pre-employment personality assessments can provide a range of helpful information that makes them a worthwhile tool.

While the results of personality tests can prove helpful during the hiring process, companies need to remember to use other data when making their final decisions, BNA reported.

Many schools around the country provide special programs for students that meet certain academic requirements, such as a high IQ. For example, gifted individuals from the Hattiesburg Public School District in Mississippi devote five hours a week to the REACH program, the Hattiesburg American reported.

In total, there are 175 second through eighth graders currently participating in the District's gifted program, the news source stated. In order to gain entry into REACH, students must score in the 90th percentile of their age group on an IQ test that is administered by the District. Mississippi's minimum state required score is 119.

"Our goal is to create an educational environment that meets the needs of intellectually-gifted children that allows for autonomous learning, creative thinking [and] meta-cognition, outside of what the regular, standard curriculum would offer them," Jas N. Smith, a spokesman for the District, told the news outlet.

Currently, REACH students are being taught how to flex their creative muscles, the news source stated. In a class of six at Thames Elementary School, program participants recently made lengthy lists of all the items that can be placed inside of a hat.

According to Livestrong, an IQ test can identify potential areas of academic achievement for students. 

The National Association for Gifted Children states that there are an estimated 3,000,000 gifted children in classrooms throughout the country. As these students often learn differently from their fellow classmates, they can benefit from education programs that cater to their specific needs.

Missouri's Lindbergh Schools recognized the needs of gifted students and established a new facility for its Lindbergh Eager Achievers Program (LEAP), South County Times reported.

At the Schools, children who are identified as gifted students are placed into LEAP, which is the elementary portion of the Lindbergh's gifted education program, according to the Schools' website. Kindergartners who take part in LEAP devote one half-day per week to the program, while pupils in the first through fifth grades take part in a full day of LEAP learning on a weekly basis.

On September 26, students had an opportunity to explore the new LEAP facility, which features five classrooms with the latest digital technology and a playground, the news source reported.

Parents who feel their children may be gifted can have them take an IQ test. The results of this assessment can help parents and school officials make sure these youths are placed in the appropriate academic settings.

When employers hire new workers, most are relatively confident in these individuals' ability to do the job for which they have been hired. However, as time passes, it may become apparent that these employees are not a good match for their new role.

In a recent survey, Robert Half Finance & Accounting polled more than 1,400 chief financial officers (CFOs) to learn what factors make a new employee a failed hire. Aside from poor performance, 36 percent of respondents cited a poor skills match as the main reason why a worker did not work out at their companies.

Results also showed that 30 percent of CFOs cited unclear performance expectations, 17 percent blamed personality conflicts and 14 percent pointed to a failure to fit into corporate culture.

"Companies can't afford hiring mistakes, which are costly and can erode staff morale," said Max Messmer, chairman and chief executive officer of Robert Half International. "Finding the right match requires time and attention, and it's something even busy managers need to make time for."

For both organizations and jobseekers, a career test can provide a solution to common hiring mistakes. The results of this assessment can help companies weed out poor candidates, while individuals can use the knowledge they acquire to find a job that best suits their skill set.

For many individuals, it is a given that with age comes greater wisdom. Now, psychologists at the University of Texas at San Antonio know that adolecsents' higher levels of intelligence are due to the fact that their mental speed increases.

These are the findings of a recent study involving 6,969 adolescents, who were between the ages of 13 and 17, and took part in the 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. As a part of this research, these individuals took IQ tests - which measured their knowledge of math and vocabulary - and mental speed assessments - which asked participants to complete timed arithmetic tasks.

The psychologists reviewed the data from this survey and found that older teenagers outperformed their fellow participants who were younger in age. Furthermore, they came to the conclusion that higher intelligence was almost entirely the result of faster mental speed.

"Performance on intelligence tests reflects, in part, the speed of acquiring knowledge, learning things and solving problems," said Thomas Coyle, the study's lead author.

Parents who are curious to see how their children's intelligence is changing with each passing year may want to have them take an IQ test.

Some people believe that the more they use technology, the smarter they will become. Then, there are those who feel that gadgets like spellcheckers and video games do not do much for their intelligence.

However, as more people purchase smartphones and devices like the Apple iPad, more companies are releasing mobile applications that are designed to boost the brain power of individuals who use these gadgets. Mesa Legend recently highlighted a few of the games that are designed to appeal to anybody who is looking to keep their mind sharp and have fun at the same time.

For example, Brain Fit is an iPad game that is designed to engage a user's mind, according to the news source. The program provides visual stimulation through the use of bright colors.

Past research has shown connections between technology and cerebral benefits. For example, according to the results of a University of California, Los Angeles study, searching on the internet may be able to provide a form of exercise for the brain, Computerworld reported.

Individuals who use technology several times a day and are curious to see what impact it has had on their intelligence may want to take an IQ test.

Many individuals may take their first personality test while they are in college, as schools often have on-campus career centers where students can receive help finding work.

Rio Hondo College in California is one institution that offers these and other services at its Student Career Development Center, El Paisano reported. At this facility, individuals can develop the skills they will need in their chosen professions. However, before they assume these roles, many students need a little help figuring out the types of jobs that would best suit them.

This is why the Center provides students with a chance to take a personality test. The news source stated that this assessment, which can be completed in 20 to 30 minutes, helps individuals make decisions that are related to their schooling and professional careers.

Individuals who take a career test of this nature can use the information they receive to find a career that they can excel in. According to U.S. News & World Report, certain professions are good matches for specific personality types. For example, artistic people may want to become architects, while those who are more social might thrive as nurses or mediators.

When jobseekers take career tests, they have an opportunity to better understand the interests and skills they possess and how these attributes can help them find the right position. These assessments can be found at school career centers and online, among other settings.

Once these individuals have started a job, having characteristics such as a clear sense of their job goals, as well as high career aspirations, can help these professionals stay employed, based on new research. These, findings will be presented at the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association.

In the study, researchers found that in troubling economic times, young adults who have educational aspirations, career goal certainty and an interest in job search activities stand a greater chance of gaining employment as they transition to adulthood.

The researchers arrived at these conclusions after analyzing data from the Youth Development Study, ongoing research that began with a group of St. Paul, Minnesota ninth graders in 1988. Individuals who displayed the three characteristics between the ages of 18 and 30 were more likely to gain employment when they were between 33 and 36 from 2007 through 2009.

"Although structural factors like industry, region, etc. are undoubtedly important, these three characteristics are found to be particularly significant career transition resources," said Mike Vuolo, an assistant professor of sociology at Purdue University.