The Best Questions to Ask an Interviewer

The Best Questions to Ask an InterviewerThe Best Questions to Ask an InterviewerWhen preparing for an interview, youve got to do more than know how to respond to tough interview questions. You also have to ask some of your own so you can find out if the job, your potential boss, and the company are the right fit for you.Beyond that, hiring managers expect you to ask good questions. If you dont, theyll be less-than-impressed by your preparation.But when you have limited time in the interview, what are the best questions to ask? Here are some questions and tips from Houstons top resume writers, ResumeSpiceWhat are the fruchtwein important qualities for someone to succeed in this role?The hiring manager likely told you about the daily tasks and responsibilities associated with the job. But its also important to have an understanding of what it takes to succeed in the role. The hiring managers answer to this question will often give you insight beyond the sttte itself and into the compa ny culture.What are the biggest challenges of the job?Hiring managers can sometimes paint a rosy picture of a position theyre trying to hire for. But to gain a clearer sense of what the role truly entails and to assess whether its right for you-you to need to know about the good, the bad and the ugly, too.What are your goals and expectations for the first month on the job? What about the first six months?You want to ensure youre able to meet expectations within the designated time period. Beyond that, asking this question ensures that youre not blindsided by unrealistic goals once on the job.How many people work in the department? What are the biggest opportunities and challenges in it?Even if the company is a big one, youre likely mostly going to be working alongside those in your department, day in and out. Thats why its important to get a sense of the team how big it is and important projects, areas of focus, or trends coming up that impact it.Whats the culture like at the comp any?Many job seekers make the mistake of asking questions only about the job and the responsibilities, without also delving into the companys culture. But if the culture is a poor fit for you and your personality, youre not going to be happy there, even if you can do the work.What do you like most about working at this company?Asking this question can offer you further insight into the companys culture and what its really like to work there.Whats the next step in your decision-making process?Dont forget to ask this question before you leave the interview. If the hiring manager isnt going to be making a decision for three weeks, its important for you to know that. Otherwise, you might sit around, wondering, waiting and worrying. Asking this question will also give you a timeframe thats appropriate in which to follow up.Need more help getting the interview and getting the job? At ResumeSpice, as Houstons trusted resume writers, we do more than offer tips, but also interview preparation help along with resume and cover letter writing, career coaching, and LinkedIn assistance. Call us today at 832.930.7378 to learn more.

Microgrids May Power Entire Future

Microgrids May Power Entire Future Microgrids May Power Entire Future Mechanical engineers play a key role in designing renewableenergy ordnungsprinzips that safely provide peak performance, often enduring hostile environmental conditions. Significant mechanical engineering contributions include spinning shafts, large gearboxes, twisting blades, wave energy converters, power equipment mounting design for shock and vibration abatement, and motor and generator controls and simulations.Many of these components can be integrated to form microgridsdistributed generation systems that operate as self-contained, local electrical power grids with a combination of sources and loads. They operate equally well when connected to or disconnected from the utility grid, often incorporating on-site renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar panels, as well as electrical energy storage systems.Microgrids gained national attention during Hurricane Sandy when a residential building in Gree nwich Village was able to maintain its power, water, and heat during the damaging storm and its aftermath. It was one of the few buildings that had lights on in the landscape of darkness after Con Edison cut power to almost one-third of Manhattan. The buildings combined heat and power (CHP) system ran 24/7 for five days after the storm, maintaining rechengang of the central boilers, domestic water pumps, and elevators until power was restored.Microgrids are distributed generation systems that operate as self-contained, local electrical power grids with a combination of sources and loads. Image General Motors and ABB.Fun to DesignMicrogrids provide the the opportunity to integrate a variety of renewable energy sources (solar, wind) and fossil-fuel sources (natural gas genets) in building systems, together with CHP that uses the waste heat to provide building heating/air conditioning or hot water, to significantly boost efficiency. A static disconnect switch is typically installed so the building can isolate itself from the utilitys grid at a moments notice.Dr. Thomas Jahns, professor of power electronics and electrical machines at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, carries out microgrid research and design at the universitys Center for Renewable Energy Systems, which works with the private sector to explore applications in the fast-growing microgrid industry.We are investigating how very different types of renewable and fossil-fuel-based energy sources can be combined with various types of energy storage to design new microgrid configurations, says Jahns. These integrated energy systems will make it possible to reduce our dependence on conventional coal-fired power plants, despite the intermittency of renewable energy sources.Microgrids have the potential to be the basic core technology that will make tomorrows smart grid possible. For this to happen, however, there must be a fundamental change in the way the nations utility system is designed. Our traditiona l radial grid system, which is built around a limited number of very large power plants, would need to be converted into a distributed mesh system in which the large power generators are broken into very large numbers of small electrical sources, says Jahns. This would make it possible to significantly reduce our fossil fuel dependence, reduce our need for large transmission lines, and improve the reliability of our electrical power because of these islanding capabilities. Future PotentialIt is possible that eventually the entire supply of U.S. power could be supplied via microgrids, but it wont be easy and will require a massive change in mindset. In Europe and other parts of the world, where energy is more expensive, microgrid installations are much more aggressively pursued than here in the U.S., says Jahns. However, that could change in the future if conversion to clean non-carbon renewable energy sources becomes a major societal objective.UW-Madisons Department of Engineering i s serious about microgrid technology. The university will soon open a state-of-the-art microgrid laboratory at the Wisconsin Energy Institute on campus. Research efforts will combine real and simulated power sources capable of reproducing the inherent technical challenges associated with intermittent energy sources.We want to be able to create all of the different operating conditions that are associated with renewable energy sources, including high-wind and low-wind days, and bright sunlight and overcast skies, to develop improved techniques that will enable microgrids to adapt more naturally to these fluctuations, says Jahns.Mark Crawford is an independent writer.Microgrids have the potential to be the basic core technology that will make tomorrows smart grid possible.

15 of the Best Cities for Finding a Job in 2019

15 of the Best Cities for Finding a Job in 201915 of the Best Cities for Finding a Job in 2019With the unemployment rate at a record 18-year low, theres no time like the present to polish up your resume and cover letter and departure applying for jobs. But, in some cases, getting hired for a job might largely depend on where youre located, according to the WalletHub story, Best Cities for Jobs. It compared 180 U.S. cities across 30 markers of job market strength, ranging from the amount of jobs available to employment growth to monthly starting salaries.Looking to see which places are the best to find a job? Here they are, ranked from first to fifteenth Arizona appears three times on the list, ranking first, tenth, and fourteenth, respectively. Colorado also appears twice on the list, landing in both the fifth and thirteenth slots. Weve added in convenient links to see the flexible and remote job opportunities each city (or state) hasScottsdale, AZColumbia, MDOrlando, FLSan Francisco , CAColorado Springs, COPortland, MEPlano, TXWashington, DCBoston, MAChandler, AZSouth Burlington, VTMinneapolis, MNDenver, COTempe, AZPittsburgh, PABROWSE OPEN REMTOE JOBS BY LOCATIONMore specifically, the findings break down as followsMost Job OpportunitiesOrlando, FLSalt Lake City, UTCharleston, SCColumbia, SCPortland, MEHighest Employment GrowthColorado Springs, COReno, NVHuntington, WVHialeah, FLGlendale, AZHighest Monthly Average Starting SalarySan Jose, CAWashington, DCBridgeport, CTSan Francisco, CAOakland, CALowest Unemployment RateSouth Burlington, VTFargo, NDHonolulu, HIMadison, WIBismarck, NDShortest Average Work Commute TimeBurlington, VTTallahassee, FLMissoula, MTColumbia, SCHuntington, WVIf you dont live in any of these cities and are on the hunt for a new job, dont fret There are plenty of remote jobs out there that have no schauplatz requirement. Check out these 25 companies currently hiring for work-from-anywhere jobs today