4 ways to help you impress a recruiter during a phone interview even though they cant see you

4 ways to help you impress a recruiter during a phone interview even though they cant see you4 ways to help you impress a recruiter during a phone interview - even though they cant see youA phone interview is officially on the books for you.But just because the recruiter wont be able to see you doesnt mean you can totally let your guard down - in fact, youll need to work even harder to impress them..bxc.bx-campaign-1012255 .bx-group-1012255-lyDBLV9 width 900pxheight 550px

How To Help Managers Grow Employee Engagement

How To Help Managers Grow Employee EngagementHow To Help Managers Grow Employee EngagementHow To Help Managers Grow Employee Engagement Chinsky MatusonIn their bestselling book, First Break All the Rules, Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman of the Gallup Organization argue that the number one reason why people flourish in an organization is their immediate supervisor. Its also the number one reason they quit. Studies across the globe support their findings. Yet many businesses operate as usual and are then surprised when the expected occurs.Business is anything but usual these days. The power to hire and retain employees may be in the hands of employers today, but this will inevitably change as we move through the recovery.Baby Boomers, who were supposed to begin retiring in droves, will start to execute their plans as their portfolios recover. Younger people, who for the first time in their lives have experienced a layoff, will set sail on their journey towards becoming business owne rs to avoid this happening again. Thus businesses will find themselves in the midst of another war on talent.Companies can shore up their organizations and prevent people from leaving by pulling out their secret weapon. That weapon is called middle management. These are the people on the front lines. They are the glue of the organization and in the trenches with the troops everyday. They are the ones who can minimize your risk of losing your best people. But they cant do this alone.Here are some best practices to help your managers re-engage their teamsEngage Your Front-line ManagersEmployee engagement is defined as an employees willingness to expend discretionary effort on the job. Highly engaged employees are more productive and provide higher levels of customer service than those who are moderately engaged or disengaged. They are also more likely to remain loyal to the organization, which cuts down on costly employee turnover.To create this type of environment, you must first ful ly engage your managers. Their feelings of commitment and connectivity will be apparent to their people, who will fruchtwein likely follow suit.Here are some ways to accomplish this.Keep the Lines of Communication OpenIt is important, especially during difficult economic times, to keep the lines of communication open so people know what to expect. In todays fast-paced global world, consider using whatever forms of communication are available to you and your people.Memos are fine, but it may be more efficient (not to mention more green) to communicate via a company Intranet. This will help prevent communications from being lost in the mounds of paper or e-mail sitting in peoples in-boxes. Streaming a live webcast is also a great way to ensure your message is heard by all, particularly when you have a remote workforce.Keep in mind communication must be a two-way street. Employees need to feel their concerns have been heard and that they can impact change.Engage by Growing TrustEngagem ent begins with trust. It is important to feel confident, that with the right resources, your managers will be able to create a strong connection with their people. However, this connection has to start at the top. You have to demonstrate that you trust your own people before they will trust others.Take a closer look at your systems and processes. Does everything require ten signatures for approval? Are employees empowered to make customers happy without having to call the boss? The ability to make decisions without close supervision is a clear sign of trust. If you allow your people to operate as if they were business owners, they may very well surprise you and deliver better results.Empower Middle ManagementHaving a position with a title and little authority can be quite frustrating for most people. Yet this is exactly what happens in many organizations. Give managers the authority they need to be effective in their roles. Allow them to make decisions that are well within the scop e of their expertise. For example, involve them in the budgeting process and give them responsibility for bringing their departments in on budget. Give them full authority for decisions regarding staffing and employee terminations.Encourage TransparencySo often middle managers are asked to be less than truthful to their own people, in order to protect the firm. For example, they may be instructed to tell people there will be no further staff reductions, even though this certainly could be a possibility if the companys largest client chooses not to renew their contract. This type of scenario prevents managers from establishing authentic relationships with their people. Weave transparency into your organization and encourage your middle managers to do the same.Set Clear GoalsShare the company goals with managers and encourage them to do the same with employees. This helps keep employees committed to the mission. Show each employee how his or her work contributes to the health of the o rganization. When goals change, dont forget to keep people informed so they remain on the right path.Free Up ResourcesManagers (and their people) have been asked to do so much with so little that most are exhausted. As the economy improves, free up financial resources. Give your managers permission to provide salary increases to those people who have excelled under less than optimal conditions. Allow them to replace substandard equipment and to staff vital positions that have been on hold.Follow these simple steps and you will sail through the choppy waters of the recovery with the wind behind you.Author BioRoberta Chinsky Matuson is the President of Human Resource Solutions and is the author of the forthcoming book, Suddenly in Charge Managing Up, Managing Down, Succeeding All Around, (Nicholas Brealey, January 2011). Her firm helps organizations accelerate productivity and profitability by increasing employee engagement. Sign up to receive Robertas complimentary newsletter, HR Mat ters.

The Art of Compensation Negotiation in 2017

The Art of Compensation Negotiation in 2017The Art of Compensation Negotiation in 2017The Art of Compensation Negotiation in 2017 ConlanPerhaps youve noticed the trend. Competition for highly skilled candidates is driving compensation up.According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, compensation costs were up 2.4percent for the 12-month period ending June 2017. Millennials are driving the trend. With education loans to pay, they sometimes have out-sized expectations for compensation.Employers, for their part, want to hire the right people without having to participate in a compensation arms race.Some companies want people to come to them because they love the job, not because its the highest paid one, says Michael Wheeler, a professor at the Harvard Business School and its online learning platform HBX, and an expert on negotiation theory and practice. But for people who have heavy student debt, it may not be easy to say yes to something $10,000 less than a competitor is offering.As sa lary informationbecomes mora transparent and gender pay equity comes to the fore, heres how to get compensation negotiation right and help the seeker to accept your job offer.Establish BenchmarksStaying on top of the latest salary trends can help you remain competitive, says Brad Stultz, human resources coordinator at Totally Promotional, which custom prints promotional products and is based in Coldwater, Ohio. Be sure to research salaries in comparable fields and businesses in your geographic area to determine what the market will bear.The goal is to be able to provide a competitive salary that makes sense for the business and the potential employee, says Stultz.Look for salary reports compiled by recruiters and industry associations that dig into salary benchmarks for different positions and industries. Stultz says he participates in a monthly meeting of HR professionals that also conducts a benchmarking survey that includes salaries, benefits and other information.This can be an invaluable resource as a professional looks to get feedback from their geographical area, he says.Know Your Firm LimitsAs you interview candidates, you may find someone who comes as close to a perfect candidate as you could hope for. Beware these top candidates dont come cheap. You might find yourself offering the moon to get that highly qualified candidate on your team.Some are cautionary with this approach. People are very reluctant to make hard decisions going into negotiations, but as youre negotiating, youve got to have some kind of ceiling of how high youre willing to go, Wheeler says.Above that point you have to be willing to walk away. You need to come in with a credible offer and the arguments for it, says Wheeler economic constraints and other pressing issues are perfectly legitimate reasons to set a limit on your offer and stick to it.Get Them to Name a NumberNegotiating a job offer can feel a little like a game where the rolle who throws out a number first is the one wh o loses. But getting the candidate to give you a ballpark figure can help determine how close they are to your own internal numbers and whether you can narrow that salary gap.During the interview process, if youd like the applicant to suggest the salary range they were first thinking, you can ask what they were paid at their last job as a way to begin the discussion, says Dana Case, director of operations at MyCorporation.com, a business consulting firm in Calabasas, California. Learning what your potential employee feels they should be paid can tell you a lot about the type of worker they think they are as well as their aspirations, adds Case.Beware as well that todays candidates are likely to have done some of their own homework on competitive pay levels.Use Perks as a Bargaining ChipYou may hit an impasse on a salary number during negotiations. At that point the candidate may come back to you and say something along the lines of, How can we make this work for both of us? If so, i ts time to remind the candidate this is a negotiation about overall compensation, not just about salary.Think about other factors, Wheeler says. Can you offer equity in the company? Is there a better job title you could offer? Things like a clear path to growth , paid or unpaid vacation days and flexible schedulingcan help sweeten the pot for candidates who are looking for a larger package. Discussing these options could make it possible for a candidate to accept a lower salary, Wheeler says.Embrace a Little SilenceBe sure to give the candidate a little time to consider things once youve made your job offer. Many candidates will likely come back the next day or after a weekend with an answer in the meantime, dont assume that a lack of questions them means theyre not satisfied with your offer.Wheeler tells the story of Derek Sanderson, a professional hockey player who welches wooed by a team in a new league. He had been making about $70,000 a year he was then offered $1 million to pl ay in the new league. He was stunned but didnt respond and the offer rose.He ended up getting the highest pro sports salary at the time, because the person on the other side kept adding when he said nothing at all, Wheeler says. They thought he was stonewalling, when he was just overwhelmed. So make sure they put an offer on the table.

Best Job Search Engine Sites

Best Job Search Engine SitesBest Job Search Engine SitesJob search engines are websites that include job listings from all over the internet. Whilejob boardsonly include jobs directly listed by employers, job search engines include job listings fromcompany websites, other job boards and more. Therefore,job search engines typically list more jobs than job boards. Using a job search engine can save you lots of time, since you do not have to search for jobs on multiple websites. There are many job search engines out there and it can be difficult to know which ones are best. Here is information on the top job search engines, plus tips onhow to use them. Best Job Search Engine Sites Google for JobsGoogle for Jobs is a job search engine powered by Google. It compiles listings from many different sources, including other job search engines. Users can simply font a job into their Google search bar. Google then generates a list of job openings. Users can then narrow their search by type o f job, location, company type, date posted, and more criteria. Users can save job listings, share jobs, turn on email alerts, and apply for jobs directly on Google. Indeed.comIndeed includes millions of job listings from thousands of websites, including company career pages, job boards, newspaper classifieds, associations and blogs. Job seekers may also search job trends and salaries, read and participate in discussion forums,upload a resume, research companies, and set up job alerts. Indeed also has ajob search app youcan download to your phone. LinkUp.comLinkUp is a job search engine that searches and posts job listings from company websites. The job postings are from small, mid-sized and large companies, and are updated whenever the company website is updated. Because the jobs come directly from company websites, there are no duplicate listings. Like many other job search engines, you can receive email alerts for jobs of interest. SimplyHired.comSimplyHired searches thousands of job boards, classifieds and company sites. Advanced search options include thetype of job, type of company, keyword, location and the date the job was posted. The site also has information about the job market in various towns and cities so you can get a sense of which companies are hiring and what jobs are available. SimplyHired also has information on average salaries for a variety of jobs, based on job title and location. US.jobsUS.jobslists thousands of jobs directly from company websites and state job banks. The site is run by the National Labor Exchange, which is a partnership between DirectEmployers and The National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA). Beyond typical job search options, US.jobs has job search information for veterans as well as career resources such as resume help, a salary calculator and information on career events. ZipRecruiterZipRecruiter allows you to search millions of jobs. You can search by trending job types, job titles and companies. Whe n you create a free account you can set up job alerts and upload your resume to make applying easy. AdzunaAdzuna is a job search engine that includes millions of job listings. In addition to jobs, you can view salary data and information on companies that are hiring. The ValueMyResume tool enables job seekers to estimate what they are worth. JobisJobJobisJob collects job listings from multiple job boards. Users can find connections at companies through their social search options. If you sign up for a free membership, you can save your job filters and job listings as well. You can also receive email alerts for jobs. JobisJob has a free mobile app as well. JobLift.comJobLift provides job listings from over 4,000 partner job boards. Users can search quickly and easily using job title, keyword, or location. Advanced search options include experience level, date posted, and company. You can also sign up for email alerts for new job postings. Best Niche Job Search SitesNiche job search s ites include jobs based on specialized criteria like type of position, career field, or industry. For example, there are niche sites for healthcare jobs, engineering jobs, jobs for students, government jobs, and more. Here is a list of some of the best niche job sites. Tips for Using a Job Search Engine Find your favorite.Searching many job search engines at once can be overwhelming. After checking out some of the top job search engines, select one or two of your favorites. Perhaps you will focus on aniche job search engineor one that has a useful advanced search option. Limiting the number of job search engines you use will keep you from getting overwhelmed. Use the advanced search.Most job search engines have anadvanced job search option,which is a great way to narrow down the many listings. The general search option usually allows you to include onlya keyword or schlagwort and a location. With the advanced search option, you can furthernarrow your search by company, industry, salary, and type of job (internship, part-time job, etc.). Using the advanced search option is a helpful way to make sure you look onlyfor jobs that are a good fit. Create an account.If you find a job search engine you really like, consider registering for an account. Typically, registration is free. Most job search engines allow you to upload a resume and cover letter when you register, to make applying to jobs easier. Usually,you can also bookmark jobsor request regular emails (sometimes known as job alerts orjob search agents) with the latest job listings that fit your specifications. Use the app.Most job search engines also have an app you can download to your phone. If you areactively job searching, download the app so that you can quickly check for job listings on the go. Many apps send you job alerts by email or on your phone as well. Watch out for multiple listings.One drawback to job search engines is that, because there are so many listings from multiple places, repeated listings are common. Be careful to avoid repeat listings, as well as expired job listings.

Make a Free Resume Secrets That No One Else Knows About

Make a Free Resume Secrets That No One Else Knows About If youre not content with the outcome, you always have the option to ask your author to rewrite the content to make sure it is created exactly the way that you want it. There are lots of essay writing services that think theyre the very best, and thus dont be cheated and check the real collection of the very best. Resumizer free resume creator allows you to preview your resume at any location in the creation approach. Try out our completely free critique today Although it can eat up lots of your time and effort, preparation is still a vital portion in a work pursuit. The procedure is easy and straightforward. The process of producing a resume is quite straightforward and straight-forward. Learn more on the subject of ourreview procedure. Using Make a Free Resume If your resume starts with an Objective indicating what you are searching for rather than that which you have to offer to an employer, youve already lost point s right there. Naturally, you would like to earn a good one. Too many resumes state that the individual has an established record or he or shes considered an exemplary performer in 1 area or another. Its probably your very first and just chance of showing your recruiter what an asset youre. An oversight could cost you plenty of money. You are my very best employee ever Youll distitelblatt our payout procedure to be fast, friendly and secure, and our staff always inclined to go the additional mile to satisfy your requirements. Choosing Make a Free Resume Is Simple Expectations of the Job Whether you apply to a greater repair business or a more compact one can create a difference in the way you wish to compose your resume. Whether youre a fresh graduate who has no professional experience, or a pro who is searching for a resume update, you can rely on our reliable services to supply you with what youre looking for. You may depend on us because weve helped hundreds of different individuals get the jobs theyve always dreamt of. If youre including a site or blog address, be certain the information youve got on its appropriate and relevant for the job. Preparation mostly will consume the majority of your time if youre in work search. To begin with, once the recruiters go through your resume, they receive a very first impression of your profile. Just sign up there, complete the details and your Resume is prepared to download. To learn more on what it requires to be an Online Teacher, take a look at our complete Online Teacher Job Description. If you are thinking about where to receive a professional resume or cover letter, then youve come to the correct location. Theres a third reason you must make a free resume instead of paying a professional writer to do the task for you. As an overall plan, its advisable to compose a specially customized resume for each target position that you apply to, so you are going to have lots of chances to practice. Many p eople arent going to respond. Make a Free Resume Features Just take a look at the best resume writing services to look at. An easy, traditional resume is appropriate for all scenarios, by definition, but will offer you a very clear advantage when applying for traditional positions. If you would like to acquire high high quality research and thesis papers in time and for a fair price, you should probably attempt using EssaySupply.com. You may think that there are already dozens of free resume building services out there in the internet world. Make a Free Resume for Dummies Now, take a look at best free online resume builder websites. You are able to enter your social networking profile address for an extra point of contact. If youre still putting an AOL email at the peak of your resume, youre dating yourself. For the organization, making the best resume will be applied as the exact first tool when they picked the alternative for more review. To save a good deal of heartache down the road, be sure you use our resume builder to create a document that could be easily transferred to several job applications. ur resume builder is not going to bother you with any kind of annoying watermarks. Our resume builder is the quickest approach to create a resume that will allow you to get your fantasy job. Our resume generator does each of the challenging work.

Making Yourself Indispensable in the Workplace

Making Yourself Indispensable in the Workplace Warning this article contains a lot of ways to suck up to management. These kind of tips wont help your chances of curing cancer, but they might help you get a little extra boost in your career. There are a host of reasons you may have for wanting to impress your anfhrer (a promotion or raise, a glowing reference, work perks), but the question of the day is whether or not putting in extra hours, bringing work home, and taking on more responsibilities is worth the value of making your boss think that you are a shining star among mere light bulbs. While effort is obviously required in order to be a stand-out employee, there are a number of ways to become an indispensable workplace presence without spreading yourself too thin.1. mora likely than not your boss is big on punctuality and consistently arrives at work on time. You can easily show your dedicat ion to your job by always arriving at work and being prepared to begin your day by your official start time. Make a note of when your boss typically arrives at work and shoot for showing up about five minutes ahead of his or her regular time. And no matter how sleep-deprived and grumpy you may feel, slap a smile on your face and politely greet your boss every morning.2. Though your workload may already be jam-packed you should seriously considering being among the first to volunteer for select, high-visibility projects that can help shape your bosses perception of your into one where you are seen as an eager person willing to branch out and take on responsibilities beyond your required duties. This also gives you some amount of control over any additional work you must complete by not simply taking what you boss assigns but speaking up and taking the tasks you want.3. Everyone schreibstube has a go-to guy that person who everyone turns to when toner is low, software stalls, papers g et jammed, or incomprehensible error messages appear on fax machines. Even if it has nothing to do wither your regular job, make a small effort to learn the tech side of how the office runs. You know learn where paper, ink, and toner are kept and how to properly install them into your office printer. Know how to use that million dollar software system that no one else does. And when you encounter an inevitable tech problem, take the time to learn the solution instead of simply ignoring the situation until a techie solves the problem. Tech know-how can be seen as life-saving especially to a boss who has a printer gremlin show up before a big meeting.4. This act will make you popular throughout your office, not just with your boss. Make the office coffee and, every once in a while, remark to your boss that youre making it and ask if he or she would like a cup. Dont become the person who run errands, but showing up with donuts once in a while never hurt anyones career. Be the person w ho brings life to the office and is fun and positive to be around. Unexpected small actions are fun and keep work life interesting.5. Listen to your bosss word choices when discussing business concerns and note any buzzwords that are used frequently. Assimilate them into your own vocabulary and use them in meetings and emails. This smart use of language helps to show your boss that you genuinely understand what he or she is after.Working hard and performing well will always be the best method for success, but in order to reinforce positive perceptions and get the attention your deserve, these career tips offer a way to insert yourself into your bosss routine without being overbearing or annoying.

MVP Sluggers Attitude Provides 3 Career Lessons

MVP Sluggers Attitude Provides 3 Career LessonsMVP Sluggers Attitude Provides 3 Career LessonsMVP Sluggers Attitude Provides 3 Career LessonsIm a diehard Red Sox fan, a formerly long-suffering devotee of a baseball team that was many times luckless - and sometimes clueless - in its quest for a World Series championship. But, thanks in no small part to slugger Manny Ramirez, the Sox changed their fortunes and won the Series in 2004, and again in 2007. Manny sometimes had a slack attitude about his responsibilities to the team. For a long time, we laughed it off as Manny being Manny. But in 2008, the fruchtwein valuable player in the 2004 Series had worn out his welcome in Boston, and he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.The circumstances leading up to and following his trade offer three valuable career lessons.Lesson 1 You may have lots of talent, but if you cant work well with others, your bosses wont be happy.Manny was a hitting machine. His presence in the Sox lineup perplexed opposing managers and frustrated opposing pitchers. But he also frustrated his teammates and management by not giving 100% in some games, and begging out of others, notably one game in 2008 against the archrival New York Yankees. The Sox lost that game, as well as 4 of the next 5 before the trade. After the trade, it was reported that team management said most of Mannys teammates were fed up and felt he needed to go. The Sox then went out and won 7 of their next 10 games.What it Means to You One persons schwimmbad attitude can negatively affect an entire team. Hiring managers may admire your superstar talent and accomplishments, but many will select someone with less talent who might have a better fit with the organization and its culture. Thats why you may be interviewed by more than just the hiring manager before an offer is extended.Lesson 2 Dont diss your employer as you walk out the door, or afterwards.In his final days in Boston, Manny sounded off against team management, incl uding the principal owner, John Henry. People have long memories, and if they happen to forget, the sports media will remind them. Manny became a free agent after the 2008 season and needed to negotiate a new contract for 2009. His history of badmouthing management might have led some teams to steer clear of him.What it Means to You If, in an interview for a new position, you speak negatively of a former employer or boss, it can work against you. Hiring managers might think, If this person talks this much trash about his old boss, whats to stop him from doing the same if they leave my company? And, with employers increasingly scouring the web to vet potential new employees, any rants about former bosses or employers that you leave on a blog or forum that can be traced back to you will set off an alarm in the hiring managers head.Lesson 3. When you start a new job, make a strong first impression.Like the Red Sox, the Dodgers wanted to make it to the World Series in October. They trad ed for Manny because they believed his hitting talents would help them get there. In his first six games as a Dodger, he didnt disappoint, hitting a white-hot .565 and belting four home runs. (In his final six games with the Sox, he hit only .261 with one home run.)What it Means to You Sometimes a change of scenery, such as a new job, can bring out your best. If youre unhappy where you are and dont see anything changing that can improve your mood, you may be better off in a job that can rejuvenate you and offer you a better opportunity to grow your career.In the real world, there are a few employees who get away with Manny-like behavior, but thats rarely the kind of behavior hiring managers look for when its time to fill an open position. So, help them see that you not only have the skills and experience to excel at the job, make sure they see that youre also a respectful team player who behaves like a true professional.What other career lessons can you get from professional athlete s? Share your views with us.

How to Write an Organizational Feasibility Study

How to Write an Organizational Feasibility StudyHow to Write an Organizational Feasibility StudyWhat is the purpose of an organizational feasibility study? It is to define the legal and corporate structure of a geschftlicher umgang. An organizational feasibility study may also include professional background information about the founders and principals of the business and what skills they can contribute to the business. Your organizational feasibility study should include Description of your business structureDescription of your organizational structureInternal and external principles and practices of the businessProfessional skills and resumes Description of Your Business Structure This section of the study contains a narrative description of the legal requirements for establishing your business and why you feel this is the right structure for your business. Here, you should discuss the pros and cons of alternative business structures. For example, a sole proprietorship leaves the sole proprietor open to both financial and legal liability risks. A high-risk business should never be set up as a sole proprietorship because it will make it difficult to attract investors as well as clients and customers. It is also the hardest and most expensive form of business to insure. If you wish to become a tax-exempt organization, you will need to incorporate, file for tax exemption with the IRS (and, in some cases, within your own state), and set up a board of directors and officers of the corporation. You will also need to decide if your organization should be a membership or non-membership organization. Organizational Structure Discuss your business organizational structure. One of the best ways to present this information is with an organizational chart.An organizational chart shows the hierarchy or chain of command in your business. It lists key positions and subordinate positions under department heads, supervisors, and managers. Principles and Practices o f the Business Every business should have a published code of ethics and principals that govern how the company conducts its business. In this section, include both internal and external principals of operations. You may also want to include policies related to anti-money laundering and sexual harassment claims. Internal Operations Business Principles and Practices Businesses that are incorporated must have a board of directors. Do you have a conflict of interest policy in place? Will you use Roberts Rules for conducting meetings?Do you offer services where clients need to be screened for eligibility for financial aid or social services, or are there other prerequisite requirements such being a senior citizen, minority, or disabled?Do you have hiring and employee training and management practices in place?Do you have an overall corporate philosophy or work culture that inspires, encourages, or offers incentives to employees? Do you have an anti-discrimination policy in place? External Business Practices and Principles Do you have a customer policy or philosophy? Examples of client/customer philosophies include We do not serve clients we team with clients to meet their goals.We value creativity and imagination and use these to our clients advantage.Our employees maintain high ethical standards that reflect on how we treat our clients. Professional Skills and Resumes A business strengths come from the talent, skills, and experience of those running the company. In this section, you give a brief overview of all founders, employees, and partners involved in the business that will be contributing their skills and input into how the business is operated. You should also include any board members, directors, and officers. Include in your list of principals (most important people in your business or organization) a brief overview of how their particular skills will serve the business. You can also include accomplishments that relate to the business. It is also beneficial to attach resumes for at least the top three principals listed.

Here are the most underrated U.K. destinations

Here are the most underrated U.K. destinationsHere are the most underrated U.K. destinationsWere not gonna lie, London is a must-see at least once in your lifetime. But youll miss a lot of awesome experiences if you spendallyour time in London when travelingto the U.K. Branching out to some underrated destinations may do you mora good than just sticking with the traditional go-to spots. Here are locations you should definitely add to your tripFollow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more1. Pluckley, EnglandWith a population of just over 1,000, you wouldnt think a small town like Pluckley would have much going on. Prepare to be surprised, because it once held the title for themost haunted villagein the U.K., and it still receives a lot of recognition for its supernatural atmosphere. Dont worry if youre not a spirit seeker - you can still marvel at the ivy-covered castles and quaint village l ife.2.Cardiff, WalesCardiff is more of a city than a town with 341,000 residents. What makes Cardiff special is that its not a breeding ground for tourists yet there aregreat attractions and fun things to do. TheWales Millennium Centre, for example, is one of the top-performing arts destinations in all of theU.K. Then, you can have your quiet moments by the age-old castles and the gorgeous waterfront.3.Belfast, IrelandLooking for a true city experience without tourist insanity? Belfast is your spot. Its a more underrated capital city than Dublin, Ireland and it wont disappoint. It hasbeautiful botanic gardens and cobblestone streets. Check out theMetropolitan Arts Centreor walk through the number of city squares.4.Chester, EnglandHistory buffs, this is your ultimate getaway. Chester is over2,000 years oldand it has preserved its cathedrals and buildings as much as possible. Walk by the River Dee or check out the number of independent galleries and small shops. This spot is quaint, r elaxing and rich in culture. What more could you want from a relaxing U.K. trip?5.Stirling, ScotlandStirling was tailor-made for nature lovers. Experience the rolling fields of flowers with and views the Stirling Castle, which has ahistorythat dates back to the Wars of Independence. After your sightseeing, you can go on the ultimatewhiskey tastingtourthrough the town.This article first appeared on Swirled.