Want to get hired Lie. Or, dont lie. (seriously)

Want to get hired Lie. Or, dont lie. (seriously) I was reading an interview on TheJobInnerview.com with Lou Adler.  Lou is well-known in the recruiting space.  You can read his interview at the link but heres a snippet that caught my eye: Me:   What would you say are the top 3 most common attributes/similarities you note in job candidates you hire? Lou:  Candidates that are confident, don’t mislead or fabricate, and ask solid and insightful questions. Okay, three things that are common in people that Lou, a hiring expert, hires: Confidence Dont mislead or fabricate Good asker of solid and insightful questions. Wait, whu?? Seriously, of all of the attributes of successful hires, 1/3 of them is stating that the people DONT LIE? I get the other two be confident, be smart hm, maybe there were other things, like able to communicate their expertise, good hygiene, heck, even if he said they were all college-educated I wouldnt be surprised. But the fact that Lou felt like adding such a negative, horrible thing makes me wonder how prevalent this issue of lying (aka, misleading or fabricating) really is! Seriously, if that is what we are coming to, we have issues. Checklist for doing well in todays interview: __ Act confident (but not overly confident __ Try really hard to not lie or embellish __ Ask smart questions at the end As Homer Simpson would say: Doh!! All I know is I hope Lous experience, and response, isnt influenced by anyone who uses JibberJobber!  Were smarter than that! Want to get hired Lie. Or, dont lie. (seriously) I was reading an interview on TheJobInnerview.com with Lou Adler.  Lou is well-known in the recruiting space.  You can read his interview at the link but heres a snippet that caught my eye: Me:   What would you say are the top 3 most common attributes/similarities you note in job candidates you hire? Lou:  Candidates that are confident, don’t mislead or fabricate, and ask solid and insightful questions. Okay, three things that are common in people that Lou, a hiring expert, hires: Confidence Dont mislead or fabricate Good asker of solid and insightful questions. Wait, whu?? Seriously, of all of the attributes of successful hires, 1/3 of them is stating that the people DONT LIE? I get the other two be confident, be smart hm, maybe there were other things, like able to communicate their expertise, good hygiene, heck, even if he said they were all college-educated I wouldnt be surprised. But the fact that Lou felt like adding such a negative, horrible thing makes me wonder how prevalent this issue of lying (aka, misleading or fabricating) really is! Seriously, if that is what we are coming to, we have issues. Checklist for doing well in todays interview: __ Act confident (but not overly confident __ Try really hard to not lie or embellish __ Ask smart questions at the end As Homer Simpson would say: Doh!! All I know is I hope Lous experience, and response, isnt influenced by anyone who uses JibberJobber!  Were smarter than that!

The Essential Building Blocks for Women in Business to Thrive

The Essential Building Blocks for Women in Business to Thrive Women In Business Stepping out into the business world is a daunting prospect, but the lure of a potential success is too great to ignore.  A staggering 42% of businesses fail because   there is no market for their product. But even with the right product, there are still a few boxes to tick before relying on the business as a steady flow of income. Discover a few essentials to get and keep that business running. Cash Flow Is King Although it’s true that business owners need to spend money to make to make money, it’s important to leave the shopping sprees for later. Spending money on the business should be directly related to the operations of the business. Not only is cash flow critical to internal processes, it is also the top reason for business failure. Lack of Business Continuity Owner-operated businesses stand the risk of closing down when something happens to the owner. This is not only in the event of death but also when the owner becomes ill. This means having a proper business plan that details the succession plan for the business. It also means training up the right staff to take over when the time comes.  Business continuity is also critical  when things shut down, such as power failures, service provider interruptions, and even natural disasters. Manage Unexpected Personal Expenses When leaving the corporate environment, it’s important to not forget to replace those benefits. This includes proper retirement planning, insurances and more. Getting  the right insurance is essential for self-employed   people.  If this is not in place, it places a huge risk on the business in the event of a medical emergency. Furthermore, it also allows the owner to take the time to improve their health condition without rushing back to the business. Put Yourself Out There Thanks to the number of women who have broken through the proverbial glass ceiling in the corporate world, the business world is slowly responding to this. This means that women in business have a great chance to leverage their strengths and create their brand. It also means that they are able to communicate their value proposition well to their customers,  which is a critical building block. Sound governance and ensuring all the paperwork is up to date are two more aspects business owners should look into to ensure they’re on the right track. Take the time to get it right, as there might not be enough to do it over.

Personal Branding Interview Bob Garfield - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Interview Bob Garfield - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Today, I spoke to Bob Garfield, who is a columnist for AdAge and the author of his latest book The Chaos Scenario.   In this interview, Bob talks about his new book, his opinion on the impact of social technologies on media, where radio and TV will end up, and his future media outlook. What is the The Chaos Scenario? Why should be people care about it? The Chaos Scenario is frighteningly simple. Mass media and mass marketing collapse under the weight of the digital revolution. Thats happening already, and is irreversible. Meantime, a digital world evolves to create new and different and in some ways superior sources of news, information, entertainment and culture. This, too, is underway. Alas, the collapse of the old model will create devastation such as the death of the newspaper industry and broadcast TV long before the digital world is evolved enough to take their place. What do you think about the impact of web technologies on media? How has it impacted your role as a journalist at AdAge and NPR? The answer to the first question is: murderous. The internet and other expressions of digital technology have fragmented audiences so dramatically that media do not have the critical mass of eyeballs to generate ad revenue to fund the content theyve been providing free or heavily subsidized for 3 1/2 centuries. Secondly, digital technology has given us all the ability to avoid ads, which, given that opportunity, almost everybody does. The digital world has lowered the barriers of entry for creating content to pennies, which means Courtney, the 8th grader, is literally competing with CBS and the New York Times for audience. Finally, the near-infinite supply of content creates a near-infinite supply of advertising inventory, which severely depresses prices, which means that nobody makes enough money to underwrite high-quality content. As for me, I have two media jobs. So I am doomed. Will TV and radio even exist in the future? How can journalists/reporters/producers and people outside of the media industry prepare for this? TV and radio transmitting radio signals from local towers? No. How can we prepare? You might as well ask a cobbler how he prepared for the Industrial Revolution. What is your opinion on Chris Andersons book Free? Do you think that will be the new advertising model? Im embarrassed to say I havent read it yet. I can say this: free is a fact of life, but for very few categories of commerce can it represent a viable business model. Can you name your top 3 predictions for the future of media? How will they effect our lives? The Death of Mass Media. Period. Consolidation in every community and a competition for who can be the local hub for news, information and culture. A new legal framework for fair use that will define the future of aggregation.and therefore dictate who will triumph in the local-audience land grab. Journalism is essential to democracy, but it is also expensive. Someone will fill the vacuum. If it is non-profits and other do-gooders, great. If the vacuum is filled by governments or partisan groups, democracy is in great trouble. - Bob Garfield is a columnist, critic, essayist, pundit, international lecturer and obscure broadcast personality. He isn’t exactly a media whore, but he’s extremely promiscuous.   He is the author of The Chaos Scenario.   Garfield’s “Ad Review” is a prominent feature of Advertising Age, where each week he singles out an ad for praise or ridicule and thus has become among the more pitifully groveled-before figures in trade-magazine history.   For many years, Garfield was the advertising analyst for ABC News. He’s been a regular on Financial News Network, CNBC’s “Power Lunch” and “Adam Smith’s Money Game” on PBS. He also has been quoted by every major American newspaper, news magazine and broadcast news program, owing to his fearless willingness to speak authoritatively on subjects he doesn’t necessarily understand.

Standing Behind Your Brand Confidence is Key - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Standing Behind Your Brand â€" Confidence is Key - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career The best support you can offer yourself is confidence. Without belief in what you do and what you represent, you cant successfully project a personal image that attracts customers. This confidence comes from an innate belief in your own worth as a person and as a product. It is the key to progress since it not only affects your relationships externally but also how you perceive and react to the world around you. Confidence is Key What is a personal brand if not an external valuation of your own self-worth? It is literally a projection of how confident you are in yourself. Now that its necessary as a way to increase your overall value alongside the value of the product youre producing, its even more important to begin garnering as much confidence in yourself as possible. Though some people seem naturally born with an unwavering belief in their potential, the vast majority have at least a few hang ups that make them doubt themselves. Through social media, however, these weaknesses can be hidden from sight. Before the days of the online persona, confidence had to be mastered physically as a means of projecting your persona onto others and attract those that saw your value. Nowadays, you can come up with rehearsed posts to send out that glisten with belief in yourself no matter how scared you are when you make the post. Luckily, humans are extremely adaptable. Therefore, the more you post confidently, the more confident you will become mentally. Its pretty much faking it until you make it a reality. On that same note, remember to steer clear of self-depreciation. It may drive you crazy because you want to point out all of your own flaws to avoid potential criticism, but do not give in to this desire. Those with self-confidence dont waste their time worrying about small mistakes. They continually working toward making the next time even better. Live by the Brand Whatever your brand, believe in it.   It’s you. You are unique.   And, only you can deliver on actions and corporate brand promises in the way that’s uniquely you.  If people meet you and find a very different person than what they experience through any other medium or interaction, theyre going to feel deceived and rightly so. Your brand, after all, should be an extension of your true self. It might be a bit more exaggerated but it should nevertheless be an accurate portrayal of the real you. Your personal brand is the culmination of every great quality that sets you apart and makes you an asset. Not living this way labels you a fraud. So how do you avoid such a trap? Without a doubt, learning real confidence is a challenging feat to master. The first step is assuming the language you use on social media. Because language directly affects how we perceive ourselves, its the fastest way to remove the disconnect between our online brand and our actual persona. Start talking as positively as you type and eventually that positivity will become your default way of acting. From here, everything else will fall into place. Once you speak confidently, youll believe in your confidence. Once you believe in your confidence, youll begin acting with the natural ease and charm that those with true belief in themselves exude. Recently, I interviewed Nicole Wright, actress, director and co-host of Super Geeked Up (Super Geeked Up is seriously THE Geekiest Show Online! Join the SGU crew as they discuss your favorite sci-fi, fantasy, superhero, and geeky topics and play super-fun games!) She shared this about personal brand self-confidence â€" Nicole:   Ive always thought of myself as awkward. I was one that one kid that was super hyper, silly, loud and out there. I wrote a sketch for my high school Spring Production called Bergetha the Bunny. It was probably the weirdest and most hilarious thing I ever came up with in high school. I was dressed in a bunny/panther suit (long story), strumming an out-of-tune guitar and singing about animals who had sadly passed on. Literally the entire audience was laughing and on the floor and this sketch got me in the yearbook and notice for a college scholarship, I kid you not!   I realized that this was who I am and started embracing this awkward side of me and branded myself as Nicole the Awkward. I had a blog and vlogs where I told awkward stories and came up with awkward character sketches. It was really fun and it was a space that I felt completely myself! The sad thing is, I allowed others judgment of me to squash out this part of me that made me different and unique. And I became extremely critical of myself and extremely self-conscious. It wasnt until a few years ago when I started feeling more confident in myself and allowed myself to embrace the awkward again.   The parts of ourselves that are awkward are also the things that make us unique and stand out and become our signature brand. Allowing others to convince me to be something other than who I am was hurtful and damaging. Thankfully, there are some very positive people in my life who helped me reclaim my awkwardness!   Not only is it important for you to be confident in yourself and not be ashamed of all the little quirky things that make you different, but its also important to surround yourself with positive people who encourage you, support you and push you to be the best version of yourself. There are three huge things that have helped me embrace my brand. The first is my husband. He is my number one supporter, always encouraging me to pursue my dreams and be confident in myself. The second is my family and friends. And last, but certainly not least, is my Super Geeked Up family. Being a part of this team of lovable weirdos is one of the best things to have happened in my life. Not only do I feel that my awkwardness is supported, but it also gives me a platform and a space to encourage and connect with others. I have a passion for making a positive difference in the world and this brand gives me the platform to do just that by being able to connect with and encourage others all over the world that have similar passions and interests. Your brand also gives you a platform to make a positive different in the world around you. Being confident in yourself and your brand is important but whats even more important is that you come at it with love and genuineness. We all are looking for ways to connect with others and the world around us. I know for me, when I see brand that is authentic and genuine, I cant help but gravitate towards it and the people involved and look for ways to connect. Keep Trying New Things Confidence can become stale over time if you fall into complacency. Should this happen, even your online brand will suffer the consequences. As a preventative measure, continually force yourself to do things energize, excite you and even challenge you. Do you hate networking? During the next event you attend, make a connection with at least one stranger and build from there. By doing new things, you probe the boundaries of your potential. Its succeeding with the scary things that show you all youre capable of, and the longer this list is, the stronger your confidence becomes. As with all things, however, remember to be cautious of going too far. Self-confidence in a personal brand is essential for attracting people but being too confident repels them just as easily. So long as you remain open to criticism and always seek to improve your identified weaknesses, youll be able to walk the precarious line between humility and pride.

A guide to workplace personalities by Blue Planet II

A guide to workplace personalities by Blue Planet II This post was written by a member of the Debut Contributor Network. Using the magic of Blue Planet II, Charlie Duffield gives us a crash course in workplace personalities. Way back in 2017, the undisputed grandfatherly don of wildlife television, Sir David Attenborough, graced our screens with the spectacular Blue Planet II series. Camera crews offered unparalleled footage of life brimming within our earth’s oceanic depths, whilst Attenborough contributed his warmth and wisdom via voiceover to spectacular effect; the programme was deservedly the most watched of the entire year with more than 17 million viewers. As we set sail into a new year, January offers a very different connotation of ‘the blues’, with the return to real life and responsibility after festive downtime. But if Blue Planet II taught us anything, it’s that we’re more interlinked with the ocean than we think, and marine life need not feel so far away… Here’s a reminder of some of the defining protagonists seen on screen, cross examined with some familiar workplace personalities you’re bound to encounter back in the office. The Sea Otter As the heaviest members of the weasel family, these playful marine mammals eat 30% of their body weight a day to sustain themselves. Having once faced near extinction, they’re now so populous they can form rafts amongst themselves, and even fall asleep holding paws to prevent them drifting from each other. In your office  With highly developed social skills, extroverts thrive in office environments and the constant human interaction provides a lot of scope for tomfoolery. Every office has a quasi-comedian character the office joker. They’ll use any excuse to initiate distraction in exchange for a barrel of laughs or suppressed guffawing, all for the sacred cause of…’banter’. But just as the fun-loving sea otter plays a vital role in maintaining kelp forests…well, the office ecosystem would be inordinately drab without them. The Tusk Fish The Blue Planet II team became so fond of their tusk fish they named him Percy the Persistent. They filmed this ingenious fish swimming to the edge of the reef in search of a small clam for brekkie, before spending an hour relentlessly bashing the clam repeatedly on rocks until it cracked open. That’s commitment. In your office  Pure and simple, the heads down hard grafter. They know that nothing great is ever achieved without hard work, and always deliver the goods. The Sperm Whale No snickering at its name please These gentle giants are owners of the biggest brains on the planet, and use sonar signalling to effortlessly hunt for squid in the murky ocean depths. In your office  The clever clogs; the IT whizz, speaker of twelve languages fluently, video ninja or PowerPoint extraordinaire. These supremely skilled experts possess niche talents which regularly blow your mind. There’s no such conundrum as ‘transferable’ skills here, just employees with real market value and pragmatism. Their showmanship may be understated but everyone knows they’re the revered masters of the workplace. The Clownfish You’ll probably recognise these aquatic animals, but did you know the saddleback clownfish is an especially talkative fish? They spend all day noisily communicating amongst their clan to protect themselves from the many predators, such as coral trout, hunting around Southeast Asia’s reefs. In your office  Gossip Girl 101 calling. Nothing beats a solid natter by the water cooler, in the lift, en route to another unnecessary meeting, loitering by your desk. If you’re having a lonely sort of day, you’ll be grateful for the office chatterbox. But when your workload hits peak intensity, you’ll want to by-line the in depth chit chats about your lunch choices and neighbour’s love life for productivity’s sake. Just don’t underestimate their ability to diffuse office based awkwardness and tension like a pro with their gift of the gab. The Octopus An eight-armed mollusc that’s able to change colour and shape shift? It might sound more like a beastie conjured up within Harry Potter’s universe, but the fearless female octopus dwelling in South Africa’s green seas is far from fictitious. Whilst being attacked by a pyjama shark, she’s filmed fashioning a shell suit for herself, and successfully outwits her predator whilst being applauded as an utter rock star by the doting crew. In your office  They might not have eight tentacles, but they’re still able to juggle a million errands with ease. Their plethora of skills and quick-thinking mind-set ensure that the multi-tasker  is a force to be reckoned with. There are many more personalities lurking within our water depths to explore, and every creature, great and small, has their part to play. When the Blue Planet II team camped out to witness the awesome strategic planning of sea lions hunting yellow fin tuna in the Galapagos Islands, they showed us how even sea animals intuitively understand that team work makes the dream work. Nevertheless, if you watched the entirety of the series, you’ll recall the heart-breaking final episode exposing the suffering humans have inflicted on our seas and the bountiful life within them. Perhaps your new year’s resolution is to do your bit for ocean conservation. Cut out single-use plastics and only eat sustainably-caught seafood, if at all. And whilst you’re saving the great seas, it pays dividends to cast your net a little wider; in the annual schlep back to work, remember that just like the oceans our sensitive office eco-systems, and the multifaceted teams within them, need preserving too. As David Attenborough concluded, ‘the future of humanity, and indeed life on earth…now depends on us. Images via BBC Connect with Debut on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more careers insights.

5 Career-Boosting Tips to Get a Job in a Medical Record Office - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

5 Career-Boosting Tips to Get a Job in a Medical Record Office Do you want a career as a medical records technician? Follow these career-boosting tips to secure your first job in a medical record office! Jobs in the medical record office are growing by 13% annually. This is faster than average career growth for all occupations. It’s a great time to be a medical record technician. You may fit well in this new career if you enjoy working in a very organized medical-related field. Once you enter the field, there are many opportunities for advancement. Continue reading to learn about advancing in the medical record technician field. How to Become a Medical Record Technician Medical Record Technicians MRT must complete a 1-1/2 to a 2-year education program. You are then prepared to take the certification exam. You must demonstrate organizations and attention to detail when becoming a technician. It’s important to understand and practice, without exception, confidentiality rules. You must also be able to learn computer skills and new technology. 5 Career-Boosting Tips to Get a Medical Record Office Job What can you do to boost your career as an MRT? In any job, step one in advancement involves performing at an exceeds expectations level. According to the Holland Code framework, an MRT typically has interest areas in “Persuading” and “Organizing”. The Persuading interest indicates that you focus on influencing, motivating, and selling people. These characteristics can develop an effective manager. The Organizing interest means that you excel in working with information and processes. You have a talent for keeping things arranged in an orderly system. This quality describes the skill needed for an MRT. Find ways to “show” your superiors that you have these qualities and characteristics. Show them that you are a motivated and innovative employee.  Demonstrate professionalism in all that you do. 1. Complete and Maintain the Certification as an MRT Most companies prefer hiring candidates who completed MRT registration or certification. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) administers the certification exam. Successful completion gives you the professional designation of Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). A certification on your resume opens doors for career advancement. This leads to higher salaries and better peer networking opportunities. Completing the required continuing education for recertification makes you a lifelong learner. 2. Complete Higher Degrees Continuing in your education process and achieving higher degrees increases your marketability. Here are the academic routes you can take. Associate’s Degree There are several programs that a student may complete to enter the MRT role. Associate of Science (AS) Degree The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree Specialized Associate Degree (AST) Bachelor’s Degree You may choose to earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree in Health Information Management. This degree prepares graduates to enter managerial positions  supervising health information professionals. Once you complete the BS, you are qualified for Registered Health Information Administrator positions. Master’s Degree The Master of Health Information Management (HIM) Degree provides many job opportunities. HIM professionals may work in large medical and hospital systems. You may find a position in a private physician practice. Healthcare consulting companies, as well as software and service vendors, also hire HIMs. 3. Know the Tech MRTs should be proficient in several software programs. This will increase your qualifications for positions you are interested in pursuing. Analytical or Scientific Software including Minitab, SAS, SPSS, or StataCorp Stata Database Reporting Software such as Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services or SAP Crystal Reports Medical Software including Epic Systems, Medical condition coding software, Medical procedure coding software, or MEDITECH software Enterprise Resource Planning ERP Software such as SAP Business Objects Microsoft Office Suite such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, or Microsoft Excel If your school did not teach some of these software programs, find courses so that you can become proficient. 4. Become a Manager Medical and Health Services Managers often require at least a Bachelor’s degree. Many employers now prefer a Master’s degree. National average statistics show that applicants need less than 5 years of experience. The median pay for this position is  $84,270. The job outlook for this career shows a predicted 20% growth rate by 2026. This is much faster than other occupations. Medical and health service managers may hold titles such as healthcare executives or healthcare administrators. Their job is to plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services. Management scope may include an entire facility, specific clinical department, or a physician’s medical practice. This job also entails making changes to ensure your organization meets healthcare laws, regulations, and technology. 5. Become Active in Your National Organization Part of being a professional means being a member of your national organization. The AHIMA has worked to improve the quality of medical records for almost a century. They have assumed leadership roles to promote effective health data and information management. They also take part in ensuring quality healthcare for the public. AHIMA first began in 1928 and is now the leading association of HIM professionals worldwide. They provide resources for HIM education, accreditation, credentialing, policymaking, and issue advocacy. AHIMA provides a reliable, up to date resource for information to HIM professionals. Joining your professional organization affords you many career benefits. You can attend conferences and other continuing education opportunities. You gain a network of peers to call upon to discuss questions, policies, accreditation, and more. This network can prove invaluable when you are in the job market. Participating on committees allows you to take part in creating policy and molding your profession. You have the opportunity to run for office at the local, regional, and national levels. This makes a great addition to your resume. Are You Ready to Boost Your Career? Would you like help  to interview more effectively? We provide interview coaching. We also help troubleshoot your job search. Our company has helped hundreds of people get the desired job and promotion they sought. If you found this article about boosting your medical record office career helpful, continue reading our site today. We want to help you meet your career goals.

Amazon Resume Writing Services Can Help You Land That Dream Job

Amazon Resume Writing Services Can Help You Land That Dream JobPeople who are experienced in the hiring process prefer to get help from Amazon resume writing services. These types of services are generally inexpensive and are capable of producing an excellent quality resume. Resume services provide you with a wealth of knowledge about what type of professional resume format will work best for your particular position.If you are preparing a resume for a position that does not currently exist, you may find it difficult to overcome the skills gaps that exist in your resumes. Amazon resume writing services can help you accomplish this by providing you with ready-made resumes. These prepared resumes come with professionally formatted headers and resumes. They can be customized according to your specific specifications and provide you with the answers to all of your job interview questions.Your resume should be given appropriate attention and proper grammar, so as to become a well-written document. The company that you choose for resume writing services will help you in this area by ensuring that your resume is grammatically correct and free from spelling and punctuation errors. Amazon resume writing services also understand that the specific needs of every job application vary. Therefore, they provide various professional resume formats that can address the specific needs of job applicants.The use of these resume services also enhances your self-confidence by providing you with confidence. Professional companies that offer such services do so with the objective of assisting you to land the ideal job and in turn improve your financial position. One of the primary reasons for using resume services is that they use resume templates that are professionally formatted. This is important since there are thousands of resume templates available online that may not be easily identifiable by people who are trying to figure out how to write a good resume.Resume writing services also take care of filling in the blanks in your resume. There are several standard sections in a typical resume and one of them is the summary. A standard resumeoutline usually has the summary at the end of the document. A resume that is prepared by an employer will be the same irrespective of whether the position is in sales or in engineering. In fact, there are hundreds of different sections in most resumes but your professional resume services can help you write an effective summary of the achievements you have achieved during your time as an employee.The next step that professional resume services will take is revising the documents. Since every position is different, your resume will vary from the other employee resumes. The professional services to make sure that the document is worded accordingly, but still be clear, concise and eye-catching. If you have hired a professional resume writing service to provide your resume, they will take the time to read through your document and then make changes if necessary.Some of the best professional resume services can also provide you with samples of resume formats. The samples will serve as a reference point for the resume that you create. If you want to check out the samples on Amazon resume writing services, simply click on the link below to find them.When you hire resume writing services to help you create your resume, you are investing in your future success. Therefore, it is critical that you take the time to make sure that you choose the right resume services to help you get the job of your dreams.