| How to Defrost a Freezer Posted: 16 Apr 2021 01:00 AM PDT Over time, a thick layer of ice can build up on the inside of your freezer if you have one without an automatic defrosting system. Modern freezers usually have a mechanism to remove the frost without your help, but older freezers and some cheaper models may need you to defrost them. Frost in your freezer reduces the efficiency of the appliance, adds to your electricity bill, and makes it tricky to get things in and out. Defrosting is fairly simple, but it will take you an hour or two to do it. [Edit]Preparing the Freezer for Defrosting - Eat as much food as you can ahead of time. Clearing out your freezer as much as you can will make the process go easier. In the week or so leading up to defrosting your freezer, try to cook and eat what you can.[1]
- Plus, it's a good way to use up food that may be on the edge of getting too old.
- Move the food in the freezer to a cool location. If you can, ask a neighbor if you can move some food to their freezer for a little while. Your next best option is to stick it in a cooler surrounded by ice or frozen cooling packs.[2]
- If all else fails, wrap it up with cooling packs in a blanket and set it in a cool part of your home.
- Turn the freezer off and/or unplug it. It's a good idea to unplug it completely if you can, as you don't want to be standing in water while working around the appliance. If it's a freezer/refrigerator combination, the refrigerator food should be fine for 1-2 hours as long as you leave the door closed.[3]
- Some freezers have a switch you can use to turn off the freezer instead of unplugging it.
- Place old towels and baking trays around the bottom of the freezer. There's going to be lots of water as you defrost your freezer, so it's best to just be prepared. Put several layers of towels on the floor, gathered around the base of the freezer. Put baking trays on top of the towels but under the edge of the freezer to catch extra water.[4]
- Find the drainage hose if yours has one and place the end in a bucket. Some freezers have a drainage hose on the bottom of the freezer that will help carry the water away. If yours has one, put the end in a low basin or bucket so the water can drain out into it.[5]
- You also might want to place shims under the front feet of the freezer to help encourage the water to flow toward the drain.
[Edit]Removing the Frost Layer - Take out the shelves and leave the door or lid to the freezer open. The warm air is your first tool to defrost the ice layer. Prop the door or lid open if you need to, as some freezers have doors that automatically close. Now is also a good time to take out shelves, drawers, and any other removable parts if your freezer has them.
- If some shelves won't come out, leave them in until the ice melts some more.
- If you just let the freezer sit open without doing anything else, it will likely take 2-3 hours to defrost completely, depending on how thick the ice is.
- Scrape the worst of the ice out with a spatula to thin out the ice layer. If you have layers and layers of ice, it will melt faster if you scrape some of it out. Use the edge of a spatula to scrape the ice into a basin or bucket so it can melt away from the freezer.
- You can also use an ice scraper, but be careful as you could damage the lining of your freezer.
- Add a bowl of hot water to the freezer to easily speed up the process. Place the bowl in the bottom of the freezer. You can even add several bowls of water if you have room. Use boiling water if you can, but be careful not to burn yourself as you move the bowls.[6]
- The steam will help melt the ice. Change out the bowls as they get cold, every 5 minutes or so.
- Use a blow dryer to melt the ice faster. Set the dryer on the hottest setting and hold it about away from the ice. Blow it towards the ice layer in the freezer. This will speed up the process considerably but make sure to keep the cord and blow dryer well away from the water for safety's sake. Also, move the blow dryer over the ice constantly so you don't make any one area too hot.[7]
- Some vacuum cleaners will also do this. You have to attach the hose to the exhaust, and it will blow out hot air. Use the hot air from the hose to melt the ice.
- You could also try a steamer used for cleaning or taking wrinkles out of clothes. Set the steamer on high and move it over the ice.
- Continue to scrape out the ice as it melts. The pieces of ice will start to slide down the walls as it melts. Use the spatula to pull them out into a bucket or basin so the freezer can melt faster.
- Also, mop up any water from the ice with a dry towel.
[Edit]Returning the Freezer to Working Order - Wash any shelves and drawers in a sink full of soapy water once they warm up. Fill the sink with warm water and a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid. Once these parts come to room temperature, drop them in the water to soak.
- After they've soaked for a few minutes, scrub them down with a dishcloth in the warm, soapy water. Rinse them thoroughly with clean water and shake off any excess water you can.
- You should wait for them to come to room temperature because glass shelves could crack if you move them from a freezing environment to a warm one too quickly.
- Wipe the inside of the freezer down with baking soda and water once the ice is gone. Add 1 tablespoon (18 g) of baking soda to of water. Dip a rag in the water and wring it out. Use the rag to wipe down the interior of the freezer, including the walls, the door/lid, and the bottom of the freezer.[8]
- The baking soda will help clean and deodorize the freezer.
- Dry the removable parts and the inside of the freezer with a towel. Get up as much excess moisture in the freezer as you can with a fresh, dry towel. Wipe down the shelves and drawers, too, using a new towel as needed.
- Let the freezer air dry for 10-15 minutes. Leave the door open and walk away for a little while. When you come back, the freezer and shelves should be completely moisture-free.
- Any moisture left in the freezer will just turn back into frost.
- Put everything back in the freezer and turn it back on. Slide the shelves and drawers back into place if you have them. Turn the freezer back on or plug it back in if you need to. Place any food you saved on the shelves and in the drawers.
- Throw out any food that you think might have thawed and reached an unsafe temperature, particularly foods like fish.
- Ice build-up can be a sign your freezer isn't working properly. If ice frequently builds up in your freezer, have a technician take a look at it.[9]
- Put a desk fan on a chair or other suitable stand and set it to full power to blow warm air into the freezer.
- A wet/dry shop vacuum works well to speed up the removal of both water and ice.
- To avoid another ice buildup in your freezer, dip a paper towel in some vegetable oil or glycerin (found at most drugstores) and lightly coat the inside of your freezer with it. This will slow the buildup of ice in your freezer, and it won't be as hard to remove.
[Edit]Warnings - When using a hairdryer, keep the plug and hairdryer well away from any water.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Old towels
- Baking sheet
- Basins or buckets
- Hot water
- Dishcloths
- Dishwashing soap
- Baking soda
- Spatula, optional
- Hair dryer or vacuum cleaner, optional
- Cooler, optional
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make a Resume Posted: 15 Apr 2021 05:00 PM PDT Whether you're a new graduate or a seasoned professional, a polished resume is essential for a successful job hunt. Your resume is a visual document that hiring managers will typically only glance at for a few seconds. A clean structure and well-organized content can help your resume stand out from the rest. Tailor your resume to each job, highlighting the skills, education, and experience that make you a strong candidate.[1] [Edit]Sample Resumes [Edit]Structuring Your Resume - Choose a template or design your own. Most word processing apps have several different resume templates you can choose from. If none of them appeal to you, however, you can always use your own design.[2]
- There are also templates available for download online, many of them free. If you don't want to use one of the basic templates in your word processing app, you may find another online that works for you.
- Template elements can also be customized to suit your needs. Think of it as scaffolding that you can adjust or eliminate as necessary.
- Use a standard, readable font in 10- or 12-point. Your section headings may be a little larger. Times New Roman and Georgia are popular serif fonts. If you want to go with a sans-serif font, try Calibri or Helvetica.
- Create a header with your name and contact information. At the top of your page, type your full name, address, phone number, and email address. Play around with the formatting to find something that you like best.[3]
- For example, you could have all the information centered. You could also have your address on the left side and your phone number and email address on the right, with your name centered in the middle in a slightly larger size.
- If you don't already have a professional email address, get one from a free email service such as Gmail. Ideally, the email address you use on your resume will be some version of your initials and last name. Never list a silly or suggestive personal email address on your resume.
- Use a chronological resume in more conservative fields. In a chronological resume, you list your work experience and education in reverse-chronological order. This is a classic resume format that would likely be more appreciated by older hiring managers, or those in conservative fields such as accounting or law.[4]
- You don't have a lot of flexibility with a chronological resume, but you can still arrange the sections in a way that puts your strongest information at the top. For example, if you have a lot of education but not a lot of work experience, you might want to list education first.
- Try a functional resume if you lack direct work experience. With a functional resume, you can highlight your specific skills and assets without having to list every job you've ever had. This can be a benefit if your work experience is thin.[5]
- A functional resume is also a good choice if you have an extensive amount of experience and want to limit your resume to a page. You can focus on the skills you've developed rather than having to list each individual job with specific details.
- Combine a chronological and functional resume to highlight your skills. You can still use a functional resume even if you're looking for a job in a more conservative field. Lead off with a skills section, then include chronological sections underneath.[6]
- Because this type of resume can get lengthy, consider only listing your last 2 or 3 jobs and your highest educational degree. If you've been at your most recent job for over 10 years, you may want to only list that. You can make clear in the functional part of your resume how long you've been working in the industry.
[Edit]Making Your Content Shine - Lead with groups of skills for a functional resume. A functional resume puts emphasis on what you can do, rather than on what you've done. Brainstorm a list of 4 to 5 categories of skills that you have experience or education in. Then include a brief description of the skill and bullet points with specific examples of when you put that skill to use.[7]
- For example, if you're creating a resume for an online writing job, you might include "editing" as one of your skills. One of your bullet points might state the number of articles you've edited on wikiHow and any accolades you were given for that work. Even if it's volunteer work, it's still experience as an editor.
- You can also include relatively soft skills. For example, you might list "team leader" as one of your skills. You could then include bullet points detailing your work in student government, organizing a rally for a nonprofit organization, or working as a camp counselor.
- List work experience, including relevant volunteer work. For a chronological resume, add specific jobs and other work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with the most recent job you've had. Use specific, descriptive job titles that tell potential employers exactly what you did through that experience.[8]
- Generally, you should include the month and year you started and ended the job in a chronological resume. However, if you worked there for several years, just the years are typically fine.
- With a functional resume, you have a little more leeway in how you include your work experience. You don't necessarily have to include the dates you worked for a particular employer, although you should indicate the length of time you worked there. For example, you might say "Managed 20-person sales force for 10 years."
- Use active verbs to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments. Specific numbers and metrics show potential employers exactly what you achieved. For example, if you were a sales manager, you might include a line such as "Implemented changes that increased sales by 27% in 1 quarter."
- Include relevant education or certifications. Typically, your highest degree is the only one you need to include on your resume. However, you should include lower degrees if they're relevant to the job you're applying for. Additionally, list any relevant licenses or certifications you have.[9]
- For example, if you've just graduated from law school and are applying for a job as an attorney, you would want to include your law degree on your resume as well as the bar you've been admitted to. If you're admitted to practice in any other courts, you would want to list them as well.
- If you're creating a functional resume, your education section will probably be at the bottom of the page.[10] Some people leave education off of a functional resume entirely. However, include it if the job post lists a specific degree as a requirement.[11]
- If you had a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, feel free to include it with your educational information. Otherwise, you should leave it out. If you're listing more than one degree, include your GPA on both of them if possible. Otherwise, don't include it at all.
- Emphasize hard skills that make you a more valuable employee. Even on a chronological resume, you might have a skills section if you want to let the hiring manager know about skills you possess that are relevant to the job. Focus on hard skills that can be objectively evaluated, such as computer or technical skills or languages.[12]
- It can be tempting to fudge a little in your skills section and exaggerate your skill level to sound more impressive. However, this can get you in trouble. For example, if you only know a handful of words and phrases in Spanish, don't put on your resume that you're conversational or even fluent. If the hiring manager starts talking to you in Spanish, you've eliminated your chances of getting hired.
- If specific skills were listed in the job post and you happen to have those skills, on the other hand, include a skills section and list them along with detail about your proficiency.
- Place keywords in your resume strategically. Employers often use filtering software to scan resumes for specific keywords. These words indicate what they want in a potential employee. The software enables hiring managers to spend less time reading through resumes. To get through the filter, include keywords mentioned in the job listing.[13]
- Make sure the keywords you use fit in with the rest of your text, and use them sparingly. There's no need to repeat the same word or phrase over and over.
- Add hobbies and interests if they relate to the job. A section for hobbies and interests is usually considered optional, but if you're short on content it might help. However, you should include only hobbies or interests that would benefit you in the job you're applying for.[14]
- For example, if you're applying to be a manager at a sporting goods store, the fact that you play several sports would definitely be relevant to that position.
[Edit]Finalizing Your Resume - Tailor each resume to the specific job you're applying for. You may have a master resume that includes all of your skills, education, and experience. However, the resume you give to each potential employer won't necessarily include everything. Only include skills and experience that are directly related to that job. Try to make your resume match the job listing as closely as possible.[15]
- Move sections around if needed so that the most important qualifications listed in the job description are at the top of the page. Rearrange your bullet points as well, putting the most relevant information first.
- Even if you're proud of a particular accomplishment, take it off your resume if it doesn't relate to the job in any way.
- Edit your resume to eliminate excess words and create space. Active, punchy text is essential in a resume, since the document will likely only be glanced at for a few seconds. Remove pronouns, articles, adjectives, and adverbs. The final statement should communicate only the action and the result of that action.[16]
- For example, suppose you worked as a barista at a café. You might include a bullet point that you maintained high sanitation standards. However, you want to make that as quantifiable as possible. You might say "Implemented new sanitation program; increased café health and sanitation score by 11%."
- Make your bullet points personal, rather than just rattling off the job description for the position. For example, if you were a retail sales associate, you might say "Exceeded all personal sales goals for 4 months" rather than "Sold clothing and accessories to customers."
- Proofread carefully before submitting your resume. Don't rely solely on the grammar and spelling checkers built into your word processing app. Read through your resume several times to make sure it's error free. Reading out loud can also help you find errors or awkward wording.[17]
- Be careful with apostrophes and contractions. If you have difficulty with contractions and possessives, read what you've written as though you spelled the full words out rather than using an apostrophe and see if it makes sense. For example, you could easily find the error in the sentence "Trained sales staff and reported they're progress" if you read it as "Trained sales staff and reported they are progress."
- Make sure your formatting and punctuation are consistent. For example, if you use bullet points in one section, you should use them in all sections.
- Free online apps, such as Grammarly, can help you find errors you might not have noticed on your own.
- Save your resume as a PDF file. If you're sending your resume to potential employers online, they most commonly want a PDF. Use that file format unless the job listing specifically requests something else.[18]
- A PDF document benefits you as well because it preserves your formatting choices. It also prevents errors from being accidentally introduced if the hiring manager opens your resume or prints it out.
- Print copies of your resume to take to the interview. Print your resume on a good printer using quality white or ivory paper. You can find "resume paper" online or at office supply stores. If you included hyperlinks for your digital resume, take them out before printing so all your text will be black.[19]
- Take at least 3 copies of your resume to the interview. If you know you are being interviewed by a hiring team, take enough copies so that each member of the team can have one. You also want to make sure you have at least one left over for yourself.
[Edit]Additional Help - Using years instead of months and years can help hide gaps in your resume. Just remember to be honest if the interviewer asks you about it.
- You can include a section at the bottom of your resume for references. However, if you're running tight on space, feel free to leave this section out. If the hiring manager wants references, they can ask for them.
- Include a cover letter, even if the employer doesn't specifically require one. It can give your resume context and provide a more personal introduction to you as a candidate.[20]
[Edit]Warnings - Never lie on a resume. At best, you'll find yourself unable to perform the job. At worst, you could get fired or face legal action. Fabricating government work experience could even land you in jail for fraud.[21]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Keep Positive During Hard Times Posted: 15 Apr 2021 09:00 AM PDT The old expression about seeing a glass as half-full or half-empty may have a ring of truth to it. When you're dealing with tough times, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. A positive outlook can really help you cope with your situation and find potential solutions, and though it may seem difficult, there are some things you can do to keep positive during hard times. To make things a little easier for you, we've put together a list of ideas you can use to help boost your mood and see your circumstances in a more positive light. [Edit]Acknowledge the good things in your life. - Practice gratitude for everything you have. Instead of thinking of all of the negative things you're dealing with right now, try to think about the positives. Focus on what you do have going for you rather than what you don't.[1]
- For instance, if you're struggling with finances right now, you can practice gratitude by thinking about some of the things that you do have, such as a place to live and a tasty meal to eat.
- You can be grateful for anything you have, whether it's tangible or intangible. For example, if you have a loving partner or a great friend to support you, that's a great thing!
- If it helps, try making a list of everything that you're grateful for.
- Even if you're dealing with something really difficult, like the death of a close friend or loved one, you can find gratitude in the happy memories you have of them.
[Edit]Look at your situation from a new perspective. - Think about the positive things that can come as a result. When you're dealing with a lot of difficult or stressful things at once, it can be easy to fall into the trap of seeing yourself as a victim of circumstance. Instead, think about what got you into the situation and why things are tough right now. Try to think about the potential positive things that can happen and what you can do to try to improve your situation.[2]
- Asking questions can help you get to the root of the problem. For instance, if you're failing a class, you can ask yourself why you're struggling and what steps you can take to turn things around.
- If you were laid off or fired from your job, for example, don't think about it as something you'll never recover from. Instead, consider all of the new possibilities open to you and the new potential jobs you could try to get.
[Edit]Focus on what you can control. - Don't worry about the things you can't. It can feel like the world is piling on top of you during tough times, but it's important that you keep your perspective focused on what's important. Even if there are a ton of things going on right now, you can't solve all of the world's problems. Think about the actions you can take and what you can actually do about your situation.[3]
- For example, if you're unemployed and you're struggling to find a job, focus on things you can do, such as spending time searching for available jobs, sending resumes, and filling out applications, instead of worrying about when you'll get a response or stressing about the jobs you didn't get.
- If you're struggling with a health problem such as obesity, you could try asking questions like, "What can I do to improve my health?" and come up with solutions such as, "I can make sure I have some veggies with each meal and take a walk at least once a day."
[Edit]Remind yourself of other difficult times you've made it through. - Remember that things will eventually get better. When you're feeling especially down, focus on times in the past where things were tough and then got better. Remember that you've gotten through hard times before and you can do it again. You'll get through this and you'll be stronger because of it.[4]
- It can feel difficult to see past your current situation, but if you look to the past, you can see proof that you can make it through this.
- For instance, if you're dealing with a serious injury or illness right now, think about medical issues you've had in the past that you were able to overcome. Even if it takes some time, you can make it through this.
[Edit]Spend time with positive people. - Surround yourself with people who can uplift you. It's human nature to respond and react to the people around us. So if you have negative people around you, you're going to feel negative, which is especially bad if you're going through some hard times. Try to find people who have a positive outlook on life and spend time with them. It may boost your mood and help you better deal with your circumstances.[5]
- Try to avoid spending time with people who fuel negative emotions and make you feel even more stressed out.
[Edit]Do things you enjoy. - Your hobbies and interests can keep your spirits up. Just because times are tough doesn't mean you should put aside or ignore the things that make you happy. Continue to make time for you to pursue any hobbies or passions that you have, which can help you cope with the stress of difficult times.[6]
- For instance, if you love to draw, play music, play sports, or spend time in nature, don't put your interests on pause when you're struggling. They're still important and they'll help you manage your stress.
- You can also pick up a new hobby or try out something you've always wanted to do. For instance, if you've wanted to try yoga or get into knitting, set aside some time each day to try it out!
[Edit]Take a screen-time break for your mental health. - Give your mind a break from your phone, computer, and TV. If you're dealing with hard times, seeing negative news stories and other people's fake personas on social media can make you feel worse. Try going for a walk or grabbing a coffee with a friend. You could also read a good book or spend some time doing a hobby you enjoy. Take a break from the news, social media, and any apps that take up your time. It can really work wonders for your mental health.[7]
- Many people on social media present the best or exaggerated versions of themselves. It's not healthy to compare yourself to them and it can really take a toll on your mental health. Give yourself a break and take some time off from social media if it makes you feel bad about yourself.
[Edit]Practice breathing meditation. - Relax your mind so you can see things more clearly. When you're stressed out or struggling with something, it's easy to feel mentally overwhelmed. Mediation can help you see things more clearly, which may help you come up with solutions to any problems you're having. Try some simple breathing meditation by closing your eyes and taking slow and deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling out of your mouth.[8]
- Breathing meditation will make you feel calmer and more relaxed, which is also great if you're super stressed out.
[Edit]Contribute to charity. - Volunteer your time or make a donation. It may seem difficult to find the motivation to help others while you're dealing with hard times yourself, but research suggests that people who volunteer their time tend to be happier than people who don't. Try doing something to help your community. Look for community or volunteer groups in your area that you can join to give something back. You may find it helps keep you feeling more positive about yourself and your situation.[9]
- For instance, you could spend time helping out at your local food bank or homeless shelter. It doesn't cost you anything and you can make a genuine contribution.
- If you do have the financial means, donating to a charity or a cause that you believe in can help support them and make you feel better about yourself and your circumstances.
[Edit]Ask for help if you need it. - It can be physical, mental, or emotional support. Reach out to a friend or coworker to help you with some of your tasks if you're overextended. If you aren't sure what to do about a tough situation, try asking someone you trust and respect for advice. Don't be embarrassed to cry out or share your frustrations with a friend or family member, either. You don't have to bottle up your emotions and deal with everything on your own. There are people who love and care about you and who may be able to help.[10]
- For instance, if you just lost a loved one and you suddenly find yourself struggling to deal with it, don't keep it to yourself. Call or visit a close friend or family member and tell them how you're feeling, even if you just need to vent or cry it out.
- Avoid the urge to skip on sleep and focus on getting restful sleep each night so you're feeling energetic and focused each day.[11]
- Try to get some daily exercise. It can boost your mood, sharpen your focus, and increase your energy levels, which can be really helpful if you're dealing with hard times.[12]
- Make it a goal to eat lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts so you're getting good nutrition that will keep your mind and body healthy.[13]
[Edit]Warnings - If you feel depressed or if you have thoughts about hurting yourself, reach out for help. Talk to a mental health professional such as a counselor, therapist, or psychiatrist. You don't have to deal with it alone.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
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