Why you should walk away from your problems

Why you should walk away from your problemsWhy you should walk away from your problemsLast week, we stayed in Eze, a small medieval village in the French Riviera. Eze is perched on a hillside, roughly 420 meters (1,400 feet) above sea level. Near the entrance to our hotel, I noticed a sign labeled theFriedrich Nietzsche Path.The German philosopher apparently stayed in the area in the 1880s and would frequently hike up the steep path from the seaside to the village. His inspirations for the third part of his masterpiece,Thus Spoke Zarathustra, supposedly came during these daily hikes.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraI decided to follow in Nietzsches footsteps and took the walk myself. My first thought? Nietzsche must have been one fit dude. Even though Im more physically fit now than Ive ever been, I welches drenched in sweat by the time I climbed up the spectacularly steep path b ack to the village.Why did Nietzsche put himself through this intense climb every day? Setting aside the view (which isspectacular), Nietzsche knew a key to solving problems that most of us neglect.When were trying to tackle a thorny problem, we have a tendency to stare at it- literally. I find myself doing this often. As I try to come up with a title for a blog post or struggle with the right structure for a chapter in my book, Ill keep staring at my computer, and moving commas and sentences around asSisyphusrolls his eyes at me.But as Nietzsche writes, In order to see much, one must learn to look away from oneself. Put differently, a watched pot never boils. You often have to walk away from the problem- literally and metaphorically- for the answer to arrive.Consider, for example, the mathematician Andrew Wiles. In 1995, Wiles becamea celebrityafter proving Fermats Last Theorem- which had remained unsolvable for more than three centuries. When he got stuck working on the proof- whi ch was often- Wiles would stop, let his mind relax, and go for a walk by the lake. Walking, heexplains, has a very good effect in that youre in this state of relaxation, but at the same time youre allowing the sub-conscious to work on you.Research supports Wiless intuition. Incubation periods- spending time away from a problem after you get stuck- boostsyour ability to solve the problem. When you walk away, your subconscious remainshard at work, consolidating memories and making associations.This is why a good footslog is part of many renowned scientists toolkit. Nikola Tesladreamed upthe alternating-current motor during a stroll through the Varosliget park in Budapest. To ponder difficult problems, Charles Darwinwalked downa gravel path called the Sandwalk near his home in Kent, kicking up stones along the way.The physicist Werner Heisenbergdevisedthe uncertainty principle during a late-night walk through his neighborhood park in Copenhagen. For two years, he had been frustrated th at his equations could predict the momentum of a quantum particle, but not its position. One night, he had an epiphanyWhat if there was no problem with the equations? What if the uncertainty was actually inherent in the nature of quantum particles?In an age of high-tech instant gratification, walking can sound a bit underwhelming. But solutions to complex problems often come as a subtle whisper- not a big bang. To perceive the whisper, you must walk away from the problem and create space for interior silence to oppose contemporary chaos.The next time you feel stuck, just walk away (and leave your phone behind).If you keep walking with the question long enough, you will gradually walk into the answer.This article first appeared on OzanVarol.com.Ozan Varol is a rocket scientist turned law professor and bestselling author.Click hereto download a free copy of his e-book, The Contrarian Handbook 8 Principles for Innovating Your Thinking. Along with your free e-book, youll get the Weekly Contrarian - a newsletter that challenges conventional wisdom and changes the way we look at the world (plus access to exclusive content for subscribers only).

All those supplements and vitamins you take arent really doing anything

All those supplements and vitamins you take arent really doing anythingAll those supplements and vitamins you take arent really doing anythingMore than half of American adults take dietary supplements, but most dont really do much for your heart or fight against death. In fact, some might even harm you, according to new research.Dietary changes and even supplement intake like multivitamins and antioxidants dont do much for you, as a study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, took a larger look at vitamins and supplements, along with diets as well. In total, information gathered from nearly a million participants worldwide as researchers compared these dietary phenomenons to medical conditions like coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart attack, as well as death.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreParticipants were put through more than 270 trials which had participants t ake different supplements or try a different diet. Their data were compared to control groups.Supplements like omega-3 fatty acid supplements, which are often found in fish supplements, and a low-salt diet did show possible health benefits, according to analysis. But supplements containing both calcium and vitamin D increased the risk of stroke.But the most stunning revelation welches how supplements like multivitamins, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamins D, calcium and iron showed no increased or decreased risk of cardiovascular disease or early death.The panacea or magic bullet that people keep searching for in dietary supplements isnt there, said senior author of the study Erin D. Michos, M.D., M.H.S. People should focus on getting their nutrients from a heart-healthy diet, because the data increasingly show that the majority of healthy adults dont need to take supplements.

10 part-time, remote jobs for moms for the holidays

10 part-time, remote jobs for moms for the holidays10 part-time, remote jobs for moms for the holidaysSometimes it might feel impossible to fit another thing into your already busy schedule, much less any sort of professional job. Thats whereremote jobs for momscome into the picture.Remote jobs, paired with a part-time schedule, can provide moms with a flexible way to work and earn extra money - particularly when the holiday season means an increase in good cheerandcredit card bills. If youre looking to stash away some money for the holidays, whether its for gifts or travel or anything else,weve got a list of jobs that may fit the bill.The 2018 seasonal hiring outlook has been fantastic, which makes sense considering theoverall strength of the job market. With a historically low unemployment rate (3.7%) and many more open jobs (7 million) than there are job seekers (6 million), now is a good time to be searching for both temporary and ongoing employment.Employers like Duluth Trading Company, KPMG, Major League Baseball, UncommonGoods, Wine.com, Williams-Sonoma, 1-800-Flowers.com, and many others have beenheavily hiring for holiday and ongoing seasonal help.Over700,000 holiday and seasonal jobs are expected, up from 696,000 four years ago.Amazon alone already hired 1,750 part-time, seasonal customer service associatesthis year- and theyre all working remotely.About these part-time, remote jobsBelow are10 part-time jobs that can be done from your home schreibstube - no commute needed They were all actively hiring as of November 14, 2018, and arenotseasonal jobs so theyll continue to provide you with a paycheck after the holidays when all those bills come due. They also feature a variety of schedules and hours to fit into your life, whatever that may look likeCheck out the list, and be sure to check out the FlexJobs database foreven morepart-time, remote jobsin over 55 career categories.Home Care SchedulerDuties for the home care schedule will involve answering after-hour calls, handling new resident inquiries, overseeing all after-hour resident schedules, and more. Evening hours and every other weekend are required for this part-time, remote job.Law Enforcement TranscriberThe transcriber will transcribe material related to law enforcement and investigations. This is a freelance, remote position that requires a personal computer with a reliable Internet connection.Market Research InterviewerA market research interviewer will conduct telephonic surveys and input responses using numeric keys or the mouse. A reliable Internet connection, a PC computer, and telephone access are required.Mobile Search ReviewerEvaluating new products, product quality, and zugnglich search results are the duties of the part-time, remote mobile search reviewer. Candidate must have an Android smartphone.Online Community AmbassadorThis position is looking for candidates to connect online with users of the companys website and app to help them get the most out of the company platform. 15-20 hours per week are required.Team Building ManagerA part-time, remote team building manager will organize team trips and events, facilitate weekly meetings, and help with onboarding new hires.Technical Support SpecialistWorking overnight, the technical support specialist will support a positive user experience by taking incoming calls from faculty and students in need of technical assistance.Virtual Executive AssistantA virtual executive assistant is needed to manage scheduling, travel, and communications. College graduates with at least five years of related experience are preferred.Virtual Health CoachThe virtual health coach will work on the weekends to provide one-on-one coaching to clients trying to develop healthy habits, pilot experimental coaching protocols, and help users navigate their programs.WriterUsing three to five years experience in writing digital content and using SEO tools, the writer will create content forwebsites, blogs, case studies, a nd ebooks.This article first appeared on FlexJobs.

Shifts in Desired Sales Skills and Specialties

Shifts in Desired Sales Skills and SpecialtiesShifts in Desired Sales Skills and SpecialtiesAn inside look into what recruiters are looking for in sales executives.Ladders intelligence team dug into the database of sales job descriptions to see what skills recruiters are asking for as the economy turns.As some skills and specialties become less needed, others are in demand.Spot growth skills in the charts belowFurther, were seeing a shift in industries hiring sales leads as outlined in the charts below

5 Ways to Develop Your Workplace Collaboration Skills

5 Ways to Develop Your Workplace Collaboration Skills5 Ways to Develop Your Workplace Collaboration SkillsBack in high school or college, were you the one who always did the bulk of work on a group project, then wondered why the teacher wouldnt just let you do it by yourself in the first place? Your teachers didnt make you participate in groups to frustrate you. They aimed to teach you a critical skill the ability to collaborate.Those people skills can be invaluable at the office where workplace collaboration is an increasingly pivotal part of the job for many creative professionals. Workplace collaboration is multifaceted and includes a range of abilities, such as clear communication, problem solving, empathy and accountability. Collaboration is an important soft skill for any creative professional. Projects involving design, marketing and anwender experience, for example, often require working together in teams and across departments. Interdepartmental initiatives can have their ow n challenges because teams may have different priorities, skill sets and personalities.In a survey by The Creative Group of more than 400 advertising and marketing executives, 37 percent of respondents said conflicting goals and priorities were the biggest barriers to cross-departmental collaboration.The following five tips can help you develop your workplace collaboration skills1. Work on projects outside your comfort zoneTaking on projects that fall outside your area of specialization forces you to rely on the expertise of others. For example, if you mainly focus on web design and have an opportunity to help implement a new project management system, use the opportunity to offer your creative expertise while also learning from colleagues in other departments, such as media services, IT and training.2. Communicate clearlyIts important to be clear and timely in your responses when youre working with anyone, but especially when youre collaborating with other departments. They may not know the buzzwords or acronyms you and your teammates use. When we asked creative professionals what online business communication behavior annoys them most, the top response was failure or slowness to respond, followed by poor grammar and spelling and use of acronyms and buzzwords. (Check out the infographic below for the full survey results.)We can help you get your next creative jobSUBMIT RESUME3. Find a beraterSome organizations offer formal mentorship programs. Even if yours doesnt, you can ask a colleague with strong collaboration skills to mentor you. A mentorship relationship doesnt have to require a big time commitment. It could be as simple as eating lunch together once or twice a month.Another option is to enroll in a class at a local college or attend seminars that focus on boosting collaboration and teamwork skills. Many courses and webinars are available online as well.4. Join industry groupsIndustry associations are excellent resources for the professional developmen t of both hard and soft skills. For instance, volunteering on a committee can be a good way to expand your network while honing your collaboration skills outside of the office.5. Participate in team-building activitiesSure, spending 15 minutes trying to untangle a human knot might seem silly, but time spent working with a group toward the same goal helps strengthen collaboration abilities. If your organization doesnt offer team-building activities during retreats or meetings, you might suggest the idea to your supervisor. These activities can improve office communication by boosting morale and connection between colleagues.Wait, theres moreThere are some other things that will help you boost your workplace collaboration skills. For example, recognize when coworkers have expertise in certain areas and ask for their eingabe. Likewise, use your know-how to help others, even when there doesnt seem to be a direct benefit to you.In addition, when you work with a team, put the needs of the group ahead of your own. When you collaborate on interdepartmental projects, be especially attuned to differing perspectives and knowledge bases. For example, if you sit in the marketing department of a nonprofit, youll likely need to coordinate with the development department regarding grants and fundraising campaigns.Finally, share your ideas, but also listen to the input of others. Recognize when someone else has a stronger idea than your own and support it, being sure to give credit where credit is due. Your efforts will go a long way toward building strong workplace collaboration.Download The Creative Group Salary Guide for all the in-depth salary data you need to help you make the best hiring and career decisions.

The Birth of Server Job Description Resume

The Birth of Server Job Description Resume Then you may be all set for a server job. Make certain that the server is aware theyve been sat. In the majority of situations, servers are anticipated to answer questions concerning the menu. An inferior server asks the table should they want fantastic support. Provide as many additional information about the duties and duties of a server at your restaurant as youd love to create a server position description that is appropriate for your enterprise. If you want to develop into a restaurant server, its vital you understand that youre part of a far larger team and you have to work nicely with your coworkers if you hope to be successful. Even though a basic serving job is fairly simple to find, servers who wish to work in nicer restaurants want in order to demonstrate their abilities and experience. If you adore connecting with people and are interested in finding a job with flexible scheduling, a career as an IHOP server could possib ly be a superb option for you. While the duty of assuring great tafelgeschirr to the whole restaurant is big, with teamwork it will become easy and flowing. Although professional experience is often preferred, there are different varieties of experience that managers may think about when looking for servers. The perfect food server ought to have a friendly mindset, great memorization, and communication abilities. If you wish to develop into a superior Server Bartender, you should have the capability to cope with pressure and manage stress. The Basics of Server Job Description Resume Our resume builder provides you with tips and examples about how to compose your resume summary. Make sure that all decorations are set in view of the instructions. The uniform code also forms an important portion of the template. Its possible for you to browse through the web site for unique formats of templates. Server Job Description Resume Ideas When serving breakfast you have to make sur e you take care of all of the people sitting at the table. If there are lots of guests for breakfast you might want to make up to three pots of coffee in the very first hour of your shift to get ready for a busy breakfast with a lot of coffee drinkers. Some banquets servers will need to take orders for each table, in case there are several meal choices. You are going to be working with different servers, busboys, bartenders and cooks to earn a good dining experience. Overview PizzaExpress provides takeaway services for customers to relish pizza away from the restaurant atmosphere. Aside from customer assistance, Servers must likewise be able to relay all food orders to the kitchen in an extremely efficient manner to ensure that each food order is processed accordingly. Many servers begin by working as assistants, and to succeed on the job they ought to be acquainted with general restaurant info in case the guests ask for anything which isnt linked to the food or menu, such as, for instance, a guest asking for a new knife. A restaurant server ought to know the menu prior to taking any tables on the dining room floor. The Little-Known Secrets to Server Job Description Resume You wish to stress the positive qualities of your business and why a work seeker would want to work for you. A server may also acquire a related course or degree to be in a position to land a greater status in the firm. You complete an interview. Resumes may set the tone for your upcoming career. Dont forget to customize to the position youre applying for. When its part-time or a whole career, we would like to make sure that you get whatever you want out of your Ruby Tuesday experience. For someone without experience, youve got to concentrate on your abilities and qualifications. You might want to lead with a concise summary of the job. Simply Google Search your State and Food Service Certification and youll have the ability to get what you require. Servers also finish a ran ge of other job duties too. Server training happens during employee orientation. Job listing websites would require you to make an on-line profile before applying. In spite of the salary being well under the minimum wage, the majority of the income for someone with the waitress job is composed of tips, bonuses, and overtime. There is a different section for extra bonus. A nanny job may consist of housework duties. She undertakes all of the tasks related to providing care for the children. The Advantages of Server Job Description Resume The very first step should always be receiving your resume in order. Your very first duty when getting to work is making sure its organized and prepared for operation. Another reason process servers are a critical portion of civil society is to be certain that legal papers are served in an extremely powerful and proper fashion. Use the search box to find just what you want to get. One of the principal reasons you have to know the server j ob description whilst in the hotel and catering industry is that you might have to watch performance evaluated business. Everyone knows the food service business is just one of the more tightly regulated industries on earth. The organization also maintains over 50 locations across 12 other nations. Also, do make sure to mention specific benefits that your organization provides that others might not.

The Best Ways to Prevent Job Burnout - Spark Hire

The Best Ways to Prevent Job Burnout - Spark HireThe honeymoon phase isnt just for relationships. In fact, it happens frequently with jobs. For the first few months of a new job, theres no such thing as a bad day. Your boss can do no wrong, and your company is greater than any other one out there. However, once this rosy glow wears off, the realistic picture of the work environment may be a shock. When employees are no longer engaged it can lead to a number of concerns, including loss of productivity and higher turnover.In addition to this, company culture matters more to workers than ever before. Unlike other generations, millennials place a high priority on liking what they do each day at the office. Providing a positive work environment and room to grow makes that geschftliches miteinander more likely to draw in top talent of all ages.There are a number of reasons why an employee can begin to feel burnt out at work. Some common issues includeExcessive job demands An overloaded emp loyee will quickly become exhausted. Its easy to identify this person theyre the one drowning in papers and to do lists.Role confusion A person who isnt sure exactly what their job requires is more likely to experience frustration and, as a result, burnout.Lack of information or support An employee who has no guidance or support at work will quickly start to feel confused, and may begin to disengage as a result.Lack of feedbackIts hard for a person to get better at their job when they dont know what they are and arent doing well. The fastest way to get an employee to quit is to ignore and ostracize them.Little to no involvement in decision making While a company cant be a complete democracy, employees should feel as if their ideas matter. Their suggestions should be valued and taken seriously.Work mismatch When a marketing person is put into tech support, theyll begin to feel out of place and frustrated by their lack of success at work. Employees should use their talents and interes ts each day.Preventing burnout is easy when employers shift the focus to factor employee satisfaction in to the equation. Some easy ways to do this includeCreate a clear list of goals and strategies If employees dont know what theyre working towards, theyll wonder why they should work at all. A clear set of well-defined goals and company values help employees to stay focused and base their work around these principles.Check in regularly While employees dont need to be micromanaged, some guidance and feedback from a manager counts. This interaction should consist of both constructive criticism and praise for a job well done. Employees who feel connected are more likely to be satisfied with their working environment.It is also important that an employer defines roles for all members of the organization. When people know exactly what theyre supposed to do and how performance will be measured, their efforts are worthwhile and meaningful.How do you prevent burnout at your company? Let us know in the comments

How to develop a thicker skin at work without being obnoxious

How to develop a thicker skin at work without being obnoxiousHow to develop a thicker skin at work without being obnoxiousI have been accused of many things in my life but having a thick skin has never been one of those things. In fact, more often than not, Ive been told that Im hypersensitive. I prefer to think of it as sensitive to the people around me, their needs and our shared goals.That said, Ive spent years trying to figure out how to develop a thicker skin. I admire those people you know the ones where criticism or abrasive comments leave nary a nicked or wounded ego.If you struggle with being too thin-skinned, some of ansicht tips might just helpMake your voice heardTake the time to build relationships and develop a rapport with your colleagues, advised Miriam Daniel, VP of Echo and Alexa devices at Amazon. As you get increasingly familiar with your team, dont be afraid to make your voice heard. In fact, demand that your voice is heard. Daniel said, Weve all been in meeting s where people have been talking over one another its OK to say, time out, I have something to say.Try not to take it personallyYou develop a thicker skin by changing your attitude and trying not to take things personally, said Lynda OConnor Co-Owner of OConnor Communications, a public relations firm specializing in the promotion of books and authors. I play tennis 4 times a week, and sometimes a partner says something or makes a sour face if I miss the ball. If you try your best to do something right and you fail, at least you tried, and that is better than not trying.Build up your confidenceEvery person has a unique perspective no matter your level or experience and those perspectives are valuable, said Daniel. She believes the best way to show off your thinking is preparation. When youre invited to a meeting, come to the table with data to back up the points you want to make. This will allow you to speak from a place of strength which builds self-confidence and earns credibilit y.Roll with itIf a friend or an associate says something that stings, just be like Teflon and let it roll of your body, OConnor said. And if someone is nasty, dont throw shade their way in response. OConnor advised Think about the big picture and take the long view. Getting along with people and being kind to them is better than saying something mean back to someone if they insult you. In life, we experience highs and lows, but the lows make us stronger and more compassionate.Use your brainDid you ever see James Bond cry? asked OConnor. No, when he was in a tough spot, he used his brain and got out of a tough spot gracefully, and that is what we should do. You can get weepy or feel sorry for yourself later, in the moment try to be as gracious as possible.Embrace rejectionAs for me, the biggest tip I can offer is to learn to embrace rejection.As any entrepreneur or freelancer will tell you, rejection is just a part of doing business. Sending out more pitches or introductions can help with both increasing your reach and growing your business itll also help you better deal with rejection.After all, if you pin all your hopes on a single letter of introduction, imagine your crushing disappointment when you receive no reply, or worse, a dismissive or scathing one. If you increase your outreach output, youll not only increase the odds of a positive response, you can also better gauge what will or wont work in the future. And when you get really good at it, youll start to treasure the rejection letters that home in on your skills and allow you to improve your abilities for the next round.

Managing the Diverse Workforce

Managing the Diverse Workforce Managing the Diverse Workforce Working with people from very different backgrounds can be stimulating and educational. When youre the manager of a diverse staff, the essential tools are keeping an open mind, being alert to any discomfort among employees, and developing sensitivity to cultural variations.This need not be difficult. Just take an interest in learning about the cultures your staff members come from, advises Vincent Seglior, who was the World Trade Institutes director of international training for 12 years. Its a give-and-take. Youll find out about their cultures and theyll discover more about ours.Professionals who come from other countries for a job in the United States are often very tech-savvy and may speak English well, perhaps having learned it as a second language, Seglior found. So outwardly, they seem similar to us in many ways. But deep down, their values may have been shaped by religion or their own cultural orientation. As a U.S. manager, try to find out about the values and the diverse cultures of your team. Always keep in mind that no one culture is better than any other, theyre just different, he stresses.Cultural NuancesSeglior notices some variations in business attitudes. In North America, especially in large cities, a time is money attitude is common, keeping many professionals in a frequent rush. That means Americans tend to get down to business quickly. But many countries have a different perspective, and people arent in such a hurry. They may prefer to get to know a colleague before they start working together, says Seglior, now principal of Seglior Solutions, a career-coaching company based in New York City.Teamwork is an area rich in cultural nuance. Some societies, such as Japan, have a strong inclination toward collaboration, and wanting to be part of a group. Americans are often more individually oriented, says Seglior. It may take a bit of an adjustment for someone to make that shift in orde r to be comfortable at a U.S. employer.It can feel like a different world to come and work in the U.S. Try to empathize with each employee, Seglior suggests. Be supportive. Show that youre with them. If you just listen and observe, youll start to understand their perceptions and feelings. Sometimes it helps to reframe a question the employee asks, to make sure youve interpreted it correctly. Reframing the question also signals that it matters to you to have a clear discussion.titel of Dos and Taboos Around the World A Guide to International Behavior by Roger Axtell.A very sensitive issue is different taboos around the world. Its important to be careful about certain words and gestures. For instance, making a little circle with your thumb and forefinger signals OK in the U.S., but its an obscenity in Brazil, Seglior learned. Humor is particularly delicate. Be careful what youre kidding about, he cautions. Whats considered funny in North America is not necessarily well-received or und erstood in all cultures. To become familiar with (and avoid) these potential offenses, he recommends any of the well-respected, widely available books by international marketing expert Roger Axtell, especially his classic, Dos and Taboos Around the World A Guide to International Behavior.Another vernderliche is attention to promptness. Im a New Yorker, and super-punctual, says Seglior. I show up for meetings on the dot, but other cultures even some different regions of the U.S. may be more casual about time. You may want to talk privately with a particular employee, very gently, about expectations in terms of keeping appointments for meetings or conference calls in your department.If youre moving to a new department, or getting several new employees, expect an adjustment phase. Some training companies specialize in orienting foreign-born professionals coming to their first job in the U.S. Your HR department may also be able to provide some type of assistance, if needed, says Segli or.Keep Reaching OutThe best tactic for managing a diverse staff is to keep reaching out. Talk to your team members, especially the new hires, individually. Learn about where theyre from. In the U.S., we have professionals from all over the world. Is there someone at your company who comes from the same place as your new employee? Could he or she be a mentor for your staff member, or help you understand a little about their culture? Seglior asks.He believes in holding an orientation session anytime there are personnel changes in your department. Be upfront about what to expect in the company culture, and also in the broader U.S. culture if many of your team members grew up elsewhere. Be a manager who develops open relationships with your diverse staff. Talk to them positively, both in a group and individually. If you remain curious, receptive, and open to learning about their different cultures, your staff will benefit and so will you, says Seglior.Carol Milano is an independent wr iter.No one culture is better than any other, theyre just different.Vincent Seglior, principal, Seglior Solutions

Rural Americans want a job, while urbanites want a raise Report

Rural Americans want a job, while urbanites want a raise ReportRural Americans want a job, while urbanites want a raise ReportIts a tale of two cities.Americans living in rural towns are being left behind by the current jobs boom, while their counterparts in urban areas are seeing employment gains so robust that theyre thinking of ways to negotiate a raise, according to a new analysis.The number of people filing new jobless claims dropped to 222,000 last week - the lowest figure since 1973, according to Labor Department stats cited by MarketWatch. And the number of people collecting ongoing unemployment benefits dropped by 16,000 to 1.89 million - a 44-year low, according to MarketWatch.Yet, according to an analysis by Jessica Rabe of DataTrek Research using Google Trends to track users searches across the nation, people in rural regions like Mississippi, North Dakota, and Iowa are predominantly searching for job openings while those in urban areas like California and New York are searching ask for a raise,MarketWatch reports.Our takeaway workers in large urban areas (who are statistically mora likely to have a college degree) are asking for raises, while people in more rural areas are still searching for jobs, Rabe wrote in DataTrek Researchs daily morning report email. Urban areas see tight labor conditions and wage inflation rural areas lag on both counts.Rabe added that the divide representsa two-speed job market - since the number of job openings has outpaced the number of hires by nearly a half million jobs for nearly two straight years, according to the most recently available data from August 2017.Yet rural residents continue to live in higher-than-average poverty rates.Approximately 17.2% of rural residents lived below the poverty line in 2012 - higher than the 14.9% nationwide poverty rate, according to the nonprofit advocacy groupHousing Assistance Council.In addition, rural unemployment rates have long been an issue. Unemployment rates in rural areas doubled between 2000 and2010 - according to an HAC 2012 report,Taking Stock Rural People, Poverty and Housing in the 21st Century.More Americans are in poverty in 2012 than at any time since the Census Bureau began measuring its occurrence in the early 1960s, HAC wrote, estimating that 10 million rural residents lived below the poverty line.(CreditHousing Assistance Council)Household incomes in rural areas and small towns continue to lagbehind those in suburban and urban areas, HAC added, blaming the high proportion of low-skill and low-paying jobs in rural areas, combined with lowereducational attainment levels.