How to gain powerful traction when you feel like youre stuck in your career

How to gain powerful traction when you feel like youre stuck in your careerLifes tricky. If you havent figured that out yet, soon enough, tricky moments shall soon arrive. But what does tricky mean? The term is very subjective, therefore it can be perceived through different angles. Heres what I find tricky the moment when you absolutely dont know what is going on with your life, and the primary reason being your professional life. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) It couldnt get trickier than that because choosing and pursuing a career is a heavily important matter that each of us has to encounter. A lot of professionals start their jobs with full force. Theyre eager, excited, and motivated.You might have felt the same when youve first started. But nowsomething has changed. You might feel somehow stuck with what youre doing. A feeling of notlage belonging might be present in your mind, soaking the beauty of your life.That, my friend, happ ens to many people. We, humans, dont really belong to one place only. We have a strong urge to experience diversity. If were put ourselves in one small box, its obvious that were going to feel stuck.Well, if the previous description fits your situation, youll definitely appreciate the advice thats about to follow. Gaining traction during these moments of despair lies in your ability to execute different actions. Without further ado, lets get straight to the practical tips.Spend Some Time with Yourself and ThinkDo you ever take the time to be with yourself and only with yourself? Spending moments alone can benefit you tremendously, as this useful time helps you put your thoughts in order. Life often pulls us in different directions. In fact, there are many individuals who lack control over their lives.These individuals believe theyre busy, yet theyre soaked into a negative cycle that never gives them time to think.Considering that youre struggling with your career and something simpl y doesnt feel right, set aside one hour each day to reflect and introspect. At first, let your mind travel to wherever it pleases. Then, cut off all the thoughts and internal speaking. Be without thoughts, be free.Ask Yourself Different QuestionsSurprisingly, asking yourself questions and then answering them using an objective perspective is going to pay off well. Whenever you feel like youre stuck, ask the most relevant questions on the matter.What work actually is.Step back and think about what work actually means. Simply put, it is an agreement between two sides. You deliver value and get paid. Everyone does it one way or another.Why are you doing it?Why are you working? What is the main reason behind your involvement? Is it necessary? Or youre just in a deep comfort zone?Is there a change that youre afraid to make?Dave Watson, HR manager at CareersBooster, suggestsYou really need to figure something out are you afraid or not? Fear as an emotion doesnt come through conscious chan nels. The main triggers of your fear sit in your subconscious mind, waiting to take action.But, when you ask yourself this question and trying to answer it objectively, youll find more answers than you probably imagine.Are you afraid of failing the transition between two jobs?Some professionals are afraid of not keeping up with the pace. They know that theyre ought to make a change, yet theyre afraid that they wont be good enough at their next job. Well, do you have the same type of fear? If yes, let me clarify something whatever youre imagining now is merely an illusion of what the reality will actually look like if youre making the change.Check For the SymptomsIf youre not sure whether your feeling of being stuck is caused by your careers impact, start looking for different symptoms or clues. First. Are you feeling dissatisfied while youre at work only? Second. Are you going to work only for the sake of getting paid? Third. Is your professional growth stunned?These are three impor tant factors that need to be considered as soon as possible. All of these signs appeal to your humans basic needs. If you neglect your needs, youre likely to feelwellstuck.1. Is Change Required?Once you took the time to analyze whats going on, you should be able to decide whether a career change is required or not. Feeling stuck doesnt necessarily mean that you have to go. By taking some alone time, you might, in fact, find out that the problem is elsewhere. Or, you might figure out different ways to continue your career by making different changes.Therefore Im asking youis a change required?No Build Momentum and Move ForwardIf you believe that your job is not the main issue of your negative feelings, then you need to consider building momentum and moving forward. Heres how to do thatThink of your higher purposes goals and develop a plan that helps you achieve them. Ideally, choose a single goal and stick to it.Commit emotionally to everything you do.Focus on your professional grow th.Strengthen the relationships with your colleagues.Take small, small steps.Be grateful for what you have in the present moment.Yes Make a ChangeIn case youve decided that youre no longer able to continue doing what youre doing, a career shift is required. The first preparation is mental. Before taking real action, you must put everything in place.Eliminate your fears, raise your standards, and be courageous. Theres nothing to be afraid ofreally. Youre going to experience new things, and thats good If people wouldnt be so afraid of change, they wouldnt spend most of their times thinking what could have been ifTakeawaysTo tell you the truth, youre really one step closer to making a huge progress with your life. Its extremely important that youve already realized that somethings wrong. And, you cannot let this negative cycle go on forever. Follow our insights, put them in action, and dont be afraid of improving your life for the better.About the author Eva Wislow is a career coach a nd HR Executive from Pittsburgh. She is on a mission to help people find their true calling. Eva maintains a strong interest in bringing the digital revolution in human resources. Follow Eva on Twitter.

3 Ways Crowe Isnt Like Other Accounting Firms (And Why That Matters)

3 Ways Crowe Isnt Like Other Accounting Firms (And Why That Matters)3 Ways Crowe Isnt Like Other Accounting Firms (And Why Thats Great News For You)When it comes to finding your first job, would-be accountants and consultants dont usually have too much trouble. Plenty of major firms hire new classes of interns and entry-level folks every year. And so does Crowea top ten firm in a weltumspannend network that stretches across 130 countries and hundreds of offices.However, given Crowes position in the marketas both an industry leader and a nimble, mid-sized firmtheyre able to offer their employees a different style of work and company culture. Remote work, a relaxed dress code, and the wide variety of work opportunities are just the tip of the iceberg.We sat down with some current employees and interns to learn what makes Crowe differentand why thats good news for recent grads and current students.1. Theyre Part Of A Global NetworkWith Global OpportunitiesOne of the most exciting featur es of working at Crowe, the gruppe told us, is the ability to take on opportunities around the firm, andconsequentlyaround the world.These opportunities to depart from your initial office and department are like extracurricular activities, at least according to Allison, a six-year veteran of Crowe who just got promoted into a manager role on the Audit team.I started in Nashville, but I told my career coachesanother feature of working at Crowethat I wanted to move to Southern California eventually. A year later, there welches a staffing need for people of my level in the Los Angeles offices, and I welches able to make the move across the country and havent looked back since.And while she didnt look back, Crowe did allow her to look forward A couple years later, Allison participated in a secondment with another office in the Crowe Global network. Basically, she got to spend six months living and working in another country while still having her primary job in LA secured.Her destinatio n? The Cayman Islands.I was able to experience working and living in a different environment, Allison explains. And I was literally in paradiseBut this, Allison tells us, is just one of the many ways the Crowe experience for relatively new talent is different from other firms.2. You Get Total Trust And Real Responsibility From Day OneWhen youre on the Crowe team, no matter what level of seniority you are, theyre going to treat you like an equal. That means taking on real responsibilitieswith plenty of help from your peersand having the respect of the company from the very start.Thats why policies like a relaxed dress code (when youre not working on-site with a client) and remote working arrangements arent reserved for upper management like they frequently are at other companies.This requires trust in our employees that they can both get the job done and know when to reach out for assistance, Allison explains.And that trust comes with real responsibilitysomething that Crowe people, e ven at the intern level, love about the company.When I was new at Crowe I was assigned a fixed asset project using a new depreciation calculation software, David, a recent tax intern, recounts. I did well on it, and ever since then Ive been referred to as the depreciation expert by people on my team.And that was just the beginning of Davids high-impact projects. He credits the wide variety of opportunities to Crowes unique combination of clients and superior resources.Crowe has a strong mix of small, medium, and large clients. Exposure to the variety of sizes allows you to learn gradually without the pressure or expectation to learn everything all at once, David explains. Because of the experience you acquire working with smaller clients and seeing the entire process with them, you are able to apply the same approach on a larger scale. Being able to take on more responsibility early on really accelerates your learning curve.3. Train The Way You WorkAnd Never Stop LearningSomething e veryone we spoke to emphasized The approach to training at Crowe makes perfect sense for the industry.The initial training is very hands-on with the group working together on case studies and collaborating just like we do on actual engagements, Brandon, a senior staff member on the Audit team, tells us. This approach is especially helpful for new grads, who have had plenty of theoretical and textbook education but less experience in real working scenarios.The training helped me prepare for some of the technical skills I would have to utilize as well as some geschftliches miteinander etiquette, like talking to clients and how to present ourselves, Evelyn, an Analytics Consultant, says.In addition to the intensive, hands-on onboarding process, Crowe sets everyone up with Crowe Universityan online learning platform that enables team members to learn new skills as needed and on the fly.Of course, more than any formal education program, Crowe cultivates a culture of collaboration and men torship. Everyone we spoke to at Crowe had both formal and informal mentors on their teams and on the senior staff, all of whom were willing to lend their expertise and advice whenever it was needed.The people at Crowe make the entry-level program here stand out in general, Katelin, a Senior Auditor, tells us. We have a vast group of people with different personalities, but everyone cares. Crowe looks for people who are willing to Care, Share, Invest, and Grow, and it shows.Looking for a unique career path in professional services? Check out open opportunities from Crowe on WayUp

PowerToFly Networks

PowerToFly Networks Find (or be) the mentor of your dreams. Connect with women today via PowerToFly Networks One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million con struction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot more to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing ind ustries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for t he industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next platzdeckchen of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the wor k can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.

How to Ask for a Reference for a Job

How to Ask for a Reference for a JobHow to Ask for a Reference for a JobWhen you ask for a reference, both whom and how you ask for a job reference are really important. You need to be sure that the person who is recommending you for employment is willing and able to give you a good reference. This is critical because your references can be what makes the difference in getting - or not getting - a job offer. In addition, you shouldnt give out anyones name as a reference without their permission. The individual who is giving you a reference needs to know ahead of time that they may be contacted regarding a reference for you. When References Are Required It used to be that every candidate who applied for a job was expected toprovide a list of references either attached to a formal deckblatt letter and resume in an initial job application package or at a personal interview. A few conservative industries such as education, law, and academia still expect you to submit your reference s with your job application. However, not all do. It is becoming more of a trend that potential employers do not ask for lists of references (at least not in an initial application) often because they themselves have a policy not to provide references to their own employees. This has resulted from the fact that disgruntled job candidates who failed to land new jobs have sued their reference providers for submitting negative evaluations to the employers with whom they are trying to secure new employment. How To Ask For an Employment Reference If you are in fact asked to submit employment references, you can ask for a reference by phone or by emaille. Email can be a good way to request a reference because if the person isnt comfortable recommending you it can be easier to decline by sending an email message than by telling you in person. When you ask for a reference, dont just say Could you give me a reference? or Could you write a reference letter for me? Instead, ask Do you thi nk you know my work well enough to provide me with a reference? or Do you feel comfortable giving me a reference? or Do you feel you could give me a positive reference? This way, your reference giver has an out if they dont believe they can provide a strong endorsement or if they dont have the time to write a letter or take phone calls from employers on your behalf. When the person you are asking for a reference replies positively, offer to provide them with an updated copy of your resume, to share your LinkedIn profile, if you have one, and to provide information on your skills and experiences so your reference has current and relevant information on your employment history and skills. Also, take the time to stay in touch and keep your references updated on your employment status. How to Ask for a LinkedIn Reference Its easy to request a recommendation via LinkedIns messaging system. When you request a recommendation, ask the person to recommend you if they can and if they have the time. This way they have an out if they arent interested in giving you a reference, are precluded by company policy from giving references or dont feel they know you well enough to recommend your work. Heres how to ask for recommendations on LinkedIn. How Many References to Ask For On the average, employers expect a list of three references, so have at least three or four references ready to recommend you. The extra one is handy, just in case the prospective employer cant reach the others in a timely manner. Create a Reference List Once you have your references set, create a reference list with the names, job titles, and contact information for each of your references. Print the list to bring to interviews and to send to employers who specifically request references with your initial job application materials. Do not send unsolicited references, though, to employers who dont ask for these. You dont want to take the risk that a) a reference might not have written a glowi ng review of your work or b) the new employer dislikes and/or doubts the reliability of the reference himself. The best distributions-mix to present references is at the end of a personal interview after youve already acquired the employers interest solely on the basis of your strong resume and professional background.

10 Jobs That Pay Over $100k Let You Work From Home

10 Jobs That Pay Over $100k Let You Work From Home10 Jobs That Pay Over $100k Let You Work From Home Sometimes a dream job isnt about what you do but where you work- in other words, for some, a dream job is one you can do from the comfort of yur couch. If you dream of a job that lets you work from home , youre in luck. Weve found 10 open jobs that offer remote work opportunities- and bonus, they all pay at least $100,000. (If that doesnt motivate you to apply today, we dont know what will.) Read on to find out more about these jobs. Glassdoor Salary Estimate $111,000Brief Description Be the primary point of contact for Professional Services with select Ping delivery partners, overseeing engagements delivered for those partners and assisting with partner enablement. Responsibilities to include schedule and budget oversight and risk/issue management. Some travel (less than 50%) is expected in this role however the majority of work will be performed remotely , according to the job listing .Glassdoor Salary Estimate $225,000Brief Description Seeking full- or part-time, Physician Regional Medical Director to supervise PAs and NPs working in our Metro Phoenix area urgent care clinics, according to the job listing . Most supervisory duties can be performed remotely although some clinic visits are required. Seeking a physician with at least two years urgent care, ER or family medicine experience.Glassdoor Salary Estimate $109,000Brief Description As a product manager at Sittercity, you will be responsible for driving the product vision, planning, design and execution of innovative solutions that are rooted in user insight and data, according to the job listing . Your primary responsibility is the overall success of our product line, as well as helping set and execute its strategy. You will be an advocate for great customer experiences, championing on behalf of your users.4. Senior Business Analyst , Backstop Solutions Group LLCGlassd oor Salary Estimate $113,000Brief Description The Product Team is seeking a Senior Business Analyst to lead local and remote development delivery initiatives, according to the job listing . The ideal candidate has experience in the financial services sector or product management exposure with an equivalent balance of motivation to quickly learn the needs of our users.Glassdoor Salary Estimate $78,000-$112,000Brief Description The purpose of the Healthcare Solutions & Partnerships team is to help establish Boston Scientific as a leading Healthcare Solutions provider, according to the job listing . This is achieved by engaging in long-term partnerships with customers, providing them with services and solutions which are differentiated and tailored to their needs. Reporting to the Healthcare Solutions and Partnership Director, the core objectives of this role are to understand key customer needs from a solutions standpoint, architect the best possible solutions to fulfil the cust omers needs and design deals or projects aligned with the strategic commercial direction defined for the customer.Glassdoor Salary Estimate $125,000Brief Description The Regional Sales Director is a sales leader who inspires, drives and achieves a regional quota across multiple industries (runs a balanced business) through all sales channels, according to the job listing .Glassdoor Salary Estimate $130,000Brief Description InVision is a fully distributed company with employees in 25 countries around the world, says the job description . You love both new and interesting things but also things that are proven to work because youve been burned by the new and shiny before. You arent afraid to tackle any problem head-on with the support of talented people to help. You enable people to do their best and achieve things together they never thought possible. Because you care. Because you genuinely want to deliver something that people love.Glassdoor Salary Estimate $126,000Brief Desc ription Join our team of data scientists to solve challenging problems in the world of cybersecurity, according to the job listing . Ideal candidates will have an understanding of data analysis and machine learning techniques, good security intuition, and the ability to develop proof-of-concept solutions. Hands-on experience with a variety of machine learning algorithms, data cleaning and performance measurement and tuning are all required. Candidates should be able to identify opportunities, formulate problems, work with security subject matter experts and other researchers to develop potential solutions and then build those solutions in order to test performance.9. Nurse Practitioner , Molina HealthcareGlassdoor Salary Estimate $136,000Brief Description Care Connections, a division of Molina Healthcare, seeks Nurse Practitioners to join its growing team which will contribute to the company mission to bring quality health care to the underserved, according to the job listing . The Care Connections NPs focus on screening and preventive primary care services delivered in the home, community and nursing facility settings. As a clinician, you will have the rewarding experience of providing needed care in the environment that patients feel most comfortable and are most receptive. This is a special opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable people.10. Remote Psychiatrist , Doctor on DemandGlassdoor Salary Estimate $273,000Brief Description Doctor On Demand is the transformative and leading national NCQA-accredited online medical practice where millions of patients access secure, fee-for-service video consults with excellent psychiatrists like you, says the job listing . Doctor On Demand was created by some of Americas best doctors, top companies and national TV leaders with the goal of improving patient access to high quality, conscientious and compassionate physicians.

Answering the So What Interview Question

Answering the So What Interview QuestionAnswering the So What Interview QuestionTips on how to serve up your accomplishments with context in order to ace the senior-level interview.In the last article, Stop Taking Yourself for Granted, we looked at strategies to acknowledge and appreciate the impact you have had on organizations and individuals. Now, well take that to the next level with a four-part formula for quantifying your accomplishments and telling your stories in a memorable and compelling way.The single biggest mistake people make when it comes to sharing their accomplishments is providing results without context. Saying that you grew revenue by 15 percent without noting the market conditions or goals doesnt say much.In other words, you havent answered the question, So what?How did your approach compare to what the average person might have done? This is an important point many people miss.Without the benefit of a parallel universe in which to test our theoretical comparison s, this may be difficult to assess with any accuracy. Nevertheless, the temptation on the part of many humble souls is to believe that anyone faced with the saatkorn facts and challenges would have done the same thing. Not necessarily.Why didnt anyone think of this sooner? People may have recognized the problem or opportunity. They may even have come up with a way to address the issue. But if they didnt take action, the insight is meaningless. Ideas are everywhere. Credit rightfully goes to the people who make things happen.Converting your accomplishments into the STARs format will solve this problem.What was the SituationWhat was your specific role or Task?What Action did you take?What were the Results?What was the situation? This is where you explain what the real problem (or opportunity) was, why it was a problem, how long it had been a problem and what might have happened had the problem not been addressed. How and when did it become apparent that there was an issue?What was you r specific role or task? Describe your role. How did you find yourself in a position to address the issue? Were you selected? Appointed? Elected? If you were selected or appointed, what was the title of the person who appointed you? Did you volunteer? Did you take on the project on your own initiative?What action did you take? How did you address the problem? What specific steps did you take?What were the results?This part is relatively straightforward, since it requires quantifiable evidence of your effectiveness. The biggest mistake people make in this area is limiting their thinking to dollars saved or earned. Money is just one quantifier. Challenge yourself to incorporate the other fiveTimeQualityQuantitySafetyCompliance(By the way, if you cant imagine how safety and compliance apply to you, dont worry. They probably dont.)Heres an example from one of my clientsSituation/ChallengeTo address the waste and expense associated with the disposal of 30 55-gallon drums of waste coolant from machine operations per month. Disposal expense $4,500/month ($150 x 30)TaskSelected by Operations Manager to streamline operations and reduce waste coolant expenditures.ActionResearched opportunities to recycle coolant and recommended a $10,000, one-time investment in coolant recycling equipment.ResultsTotal annual savings $162,000. Recycling process eliminated$54,000/year in disposal costs$108,000/year in coolant purchases.ROI on $10,000 investment Less than one month.When quantifying is a challengeIn some cases, the quantifiers may not be obvious. One receptionist I coached insisted there was no way to quantify her accomplishments. On the surface, that would appear to be true. After all, it isnt helpful, or particularly enlightening, to say, I smiled at 87 percent of the people who walked in the door. However, when I probed further, she revealed that her company, on three separate occasions, had eliminated her entire division. Each time, she was hand-picked by the executive team and became the only employee to survive the layoffs. From a potential employers point of view, that quantifier is like a third-party endorsement that saysShes great. Thats why we went out of our way to keep her.As you may notice, this isnt about bragging its about evidence. People who come across as braggarts are the ones who cant offer anything other than glowing generalities with no reasons to believe.Stick to the facts, and the STARs approach will minimize the likelihood that your stories will come across as bragging. Instead, you will be leaving it up to the listener to judge the value of your efforts. I call this the Its a Wonderful Life Approach to marketing yourself. In the movie Its A Wonderful Life, George Bailey is given a chance to see what life would have been like for his family, friends, and town had he never been born. That is exactly what every job hunter needs to imagine as well. How are things different, preferably better, for your companies, co-workers, frien ds, and family? What happened- that might never have happened- were it not for your efforts?If you can answer this simple question, you will be well on your way to uncovering the gold in your background and telling your story in a compelling way. Your goal is to find a way to get people to thinkWow, if she can do that for them, just think what she could do for us.Do that and you will have succeeded in doing something most job hunters never do.

Air Force Basic Training Tips for Family and Friends

Air Force Basic Training Tips for Family and FriendsAir Force Basic Training Tips for Family and FriendsBefore you depart for Air Force Basic Military Training (AFBMT), its important to discuss the process to reach you with your family and friends. Its understandable that 8 weeks is a long time to be apart from someone, and emergencies happen, but there are protocols in place. The goal is to enaya AFBMT recruits and their families and friends are prepared to follow the established protocols. Family Emergencies You cant use a cell phone or receive phone calls or during basic training. You cant receive them even if there is a family emergency. Emergencies must first be certified through the American Red Cross. Before you leave home, tell your family that if an emergency arises (a real emergency, such as a death or serious illness in the immediate family) they should contact you through the Red Cross. Your family should know your full name, your social security number, and your flig ht address. If they havent received your address yet, dont worry about it. As long as the Red Cross knows youre in AFBMT, theyll find you. Mail Call Within a week or so of arriving, youll be sending a pre-printed postcard home that has your flight address on it. Youll only be sending one of these to one person, so make sure that person knows how to get a hold of all your other friend and family members with the information. Tell them that you will not have much time to write home during basic training. It would be surprising if you can find the time to send more than one or two short letters home. However, make sure your friends and family know that its imperative that they write to you as often as they can. Basic training can be a lonely, stressful time, and a cheerful letter from home can be just the thing to pick up a lonely recruits spirit. Make sure they know not to send you any gifts or care packages during basic training. Thatll involve you getting yelled at by your T.I. , and it will then be thrown away (if perishable), or put away in the storage area until you graduate from basic if its not perishable.Also, keep in mind that the T.I. hands out mail to everyone at the same time, during evening mail call, and will often read messages in public view aloud. Phone Calls Make sure your family and friends understand the AFBMT phone call policies. Its possible that youll sound scared during the first phone call youll be allowed to make. Tell them not to be worried. Graduation Finally, tell them that they will receive an invitation to your AFBMT graduation, along with all the details they will need to know, during your sixth or seventh week of basic. They should make plans to attend, if possible, as it is an experience they (and you) will never forget.