【推荐1】In today’s difficult economic time, it’s natural to rethink your goal of studying abroad. Does the benefit outweigh the cost? The answer, in fact, is yes, when you look at the road ahead.

When the economy becomes more challenged, competition for the workforce increases, and employers look for employees with the best credentials（资力）. Having an overseas degree — from a university where strong English skills are required — can make all the difference. The added expertise of a foreign degree, along with more cultural experience, can make you more qualified for many jobs.

A 50-year study of 3,400 students shows that studying abroad is usually a defining moment in a young person’s life and continues to impact the participant’s life for years after the experience.

82% said that they acquired skills that influenced their career path. 70% stated that it ignited（点燃）an interest in a career direction that they pursued after the experience.

And the effect on one’s career can be equally strong. A study by the Queensland, Australia government showed:

61% of employers stated overseas studying experience was positive on a graduate resume. 72% of employers felt that a second language made a graduate a more attractive employee.

Still, there’s the question of how to pay for studying overseas. But the cost doesn’t have to be as high as you think. Scholarships may be available to cover some or all of these costs. And, there are plenty of ways to further offset（抵消）the cost — through financial tips, advice and grants（补助金）.

【推荐2】Three Key Steps to Motivate Your Team to Strive for Excellence

It is a known fact that one of the most compelling reasons employees leave their job is because they feel unappreciated, or that they bring no real value to their team.    1     In order to motivate and build up a team for excellence, there are some key steps that you should follow.

    2    

This does not mean that you should hang out with them at the local bar, or become one of their weekend buddies. What it does mean is that if you want to motivate your team to excellence, then you should take the time to get to know your team personally by talking individually to them at different times, asking basic questions, and letting them see that you are human and accessible.     3    

Recognize them as a person, not just their ability.

Too often, we are quick to praise people for a job well done, but we fail to let the person know that we appreciate them as a person. Praise them for that job well done, but take notice of their personal qualities and talents and how they bring value to the team.    4     For example: “Hey Johnny, those were some great ideas you came up with in the team meeting today, I like the way you think!”

Make their success public.

Take time in your team meetings each week to recognize and talk about the people who made a difference that week.    5     This makes others want to push harder and do more as they see that hard work is valued. Many times other team members do not know what has happened in other departments, or the accomplishments that they have had, so this is also a great way for your team to keep up with the latest and greatest.

【推荐3】Google is consistently rated the best place to work. So you need a degree from Harvard to in the door, right?

Not really, according to Laszlo Bock,Google’s Head of People Operations. When the company was small, Google cared a lot about getting kids from Harvard, Stanford, MIT and many other Ivy League schools. But Bock said it was the “wrong” hiring strategy. Experience has taught him there are exceptional kids at many other places, from state schools in California to New York.

“What we find is the best people from places like that are just as good, if not better, as anybody you can get from any Ivy League school,” said Bock, who just authored a book titled “Work Rules!”

Every year, 2 million people apply to get a job at Google. Bock himself has seen some 25,000 résumés.

Grades: Google’s data shows that grades predict performance for the first two years of a career, but do not matter after that.

Brain-teasers: Gone are interview questions such as: Why are manhole covers (井盖) round? or How many golf balls can fit in a school bus? “Our research tells us those questions are a waste of time,” Bock said “They’re a really coachable skill. The more you practice, you get better at it.”

Here’s what Google does care about:

Problem solvers: Your cognitive ability (认知能力), or how well you solve problems.

Leaders: The idea is not whether you were president of the student body or vice president of the bank, but rather: “When you see a problem do you step in, help solve it,” and then critically, “Are you willing to step out and let somebody else take over,and make room for somebody else? Are you willing to give up power?”

Googleyness: That’s what Google calls its cultural fit. It’s not “Are you like us?” Bock said. “We actually look for people who are different, because diversity gives us great ideas.”

“What’s most important is that people are intellectually humble, willing to admit when they’re wrong, and care about the environment around them...because we want people who think like owners not employess,” Bock said.

The least important thing? Knowing how to do the job.

“We figure if you get the first three right you’ll figure it out most of the time.”

【推荐1】Are you searching for the latest device as a gift? Here, we offer a guide that will help you take a closer look at four of tech’s hottest categories.

Virtual reality

Virtual reality (VR), the most exciting tech development of recent times, has arrived. The Sony VR doesn’t require expensive phone and there are some devices you can purchase to enhance the experience. But if you’ve already got a PS4, you can enter the world of VR for just $400 (2780 yuan).

Wireless headphones

Combining ease of use with the ability to move around without limit, wireless headphones just make sense. The Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones are worth a test drive. The headphones feature active noise cancellation. They can be easily purchased for less than $400 online.

Digital cameras

While your phone has more functions, there’s no substitute（替代品）for a real camera. As small as your smartphone, the smooth design of the Fujifilm X70, $699 (4850 yuan), makes it the perfect companion. In China, Xiaomi’s mirrorless Yi M1 offers a more affordable option, available for just 2199 yuan.

Smartwatches

Watches, thanks to the mobile phone, were becoming unnecessary. Now the pursuit for fitness has helped the watch industry push forward. FitBit has been a leader in the sporty wearable field, and its new swim-proof Fitbit Flex 2 ($130) represents the best in the way of today’s fitness bands.