My Campus Chronicles
Our college blog dedicated to helping students prepare for life outside of college.
August 2008 archive
Labor Day is just around the corner, and we tend to think of it as an excuse for a day off from work. But as one article points out, Labor Day is a time to celebrate one of the country's biggest assets: the American Worker.
Labor Day is a time to remember how valuable workers are to this country. It's a time to reflect on the hard work and determination that laborers in the 1800's spent fighting for the labor laws and worker protections that we all enjoy today.
So this year, when you are relaxing by the pool or partaking in a bar-b-q with friends and family, take time to remember those who came before you, and enjoy your time off that they fought for.
Happy Labor Day!
I had an employee come to me the other day, and she mentioned that one of her co-workers was falling down on the job. Unfortunately, I have noticed this employee's lack of interest and ability to take their work to the next level too, but since I have not heard any complaints, until now, I assumed that maybe my expectation were too high.
It was very helpful that the first employee had the courage to discuss another co-worker's misgivings with me and bring it to my attention. I understand that it is difficult to do this, but sometimes managers need this validation that an employee isn't carrying his/her load.
Approach your manager is a non-confrontational manner, and make sure that you are reporting a co-worker for the betterment of the company or team. You may consider doing this in a neutral setting such as over lunch or in the car on the way to a meeting.
Offer solutions or recommendations as to hoe this worker might improve, or need some help with their workload.
Take this as an opportunity to get better acquainted with your manager and use this as a relationship building opportunity.
I appreciated it, and I am sure other managers will too.
"If you thought the only ways a co-worker or boss could form an impression of you is through your attire, personal hygiene or verbal communication skills, you thought wrong. Turns out even the way you decorate and organize (or don't organize) your workspace can speak volumes about your personality. Let us know what your office or cubicle says about you."
Seek additional educational opportunities - Opportunities are everywhere. For example, the AARP Foundation established the Women's Scholarship Program in 2007 to help women 40 and older overcome financial and employment barriers by allowing them to participate in education and training opportunities they could not otherwise afford. The Women's Scholarship Program helps women who are raising the children of another family member, those in dead-end jobs and those who have been out of the paid workforce for five or more years.
Align yourself with your work - Whether you need to work, or want to work, and whether your work for a fee (or for free), work can give your life new meaning when you align who you are and why you are here with the work you choose to do. If the changing marketplace does not support your current career, maturity is an excellent time to explore long-held dreams. Do you want to start your own business? More and more women (proportionately more than men) are doing just this. Do the work. A meaningful work life matters.
Pay strict attention to changing marketplace needs - Once you know what is "out there" and when you know what is "in you" - align your interests and new learning opportunities with marketplace needs. How simple is this? Need help? That's why we have coaches.
If you seek traditional employment - Continually reposition yourself as a passive candidate on LinkedIn, Facebook, Zoom, Ziggs and Naymz. Up your social networking efforts. Execunet's recent market intelligence report states that networking, including social networking, accounts for 70% of senior professional and executive opportunities. Remember! It's who knows you, not simply who you know, that matters.
Learn the serious skills of negotiations - Apply this in the workplace whether you are negotiating for compensation or a project assignment. Take a class and practice until your own self-confidence soars. There is ample evidence that women stand back when it comes to speaking up effectively for their own interests.
Begin to specialize - Maturity is the "age of the Guru." It is often ONLY through specialization that you can continue to increase your income throughout your working lifetime and find success in the art of doing exceptional work.
Come out of the "aging closet" - Learn the facts about aging minds, bodies and spirits and how working contributes positively to outcomes in each of these areas of life. Work maintains a good self image, sustains social relationships and improves financial health. Work (whether full-time or part-time) is a prescription against loneliness and boredom, especially the gut-wrenching isolation that financial ill-health can bring to your life.
Leave a gift to the future - The best gift you can give your children is to live your life well and to remain as financially independent as possible. Good work is one path toward achieving this goal.
For more on the latest trends impacting mature workers, visit my website: www.AgelessinAmerica.com.
The job market has slowed considerably, and for many workers that means having a hard time finding a new one after a lay off, or if you want a change of scenery.
I certainly would not recommend or encourage workers to switch jobs during these uncertain times. But for those who may have lost a job, now might be the time to consider a whole new career altogether.
Many private sector jobs, government, health care, law enforcement and education in particular, are still hiring at a healthy rate. Now, switching careers can be intimidating and require additional education or certification, but some employers in these industries are willing to pay for it if you commit to working for them after you receive the training and education needed.
I recently read an article about how easy/difficult it is to find a job in certain areas of the country. So you may have to do a little research about which jobs and employment sectors are strong for your particular city or region. But research shows that, for the most part, private sector jobs are still thriving in an otherwise weakened job market.
So if you have always wanted to be a nurse, or try your hand at being a police detective, now may be the time to take the plunge.
It's one of the most difficult lessons to learn, especially for younger workers - how to handle your relationship with your boss.
As one article points out, there are several behaviors to make sure you are performing up to the standards of your superiors. Some of those include improving your communications skills, anticipating your boss' needs and learning their pet peeves.
These are all important factors in entering into a healthy and productive relationship with your managers. But in order to incorporate these behaviors into how you work with your superiors, you may need to evaluate some of your personality traits that may have change while at work.
I have experienced many personalities of workers, and not all of them are easy to work with, or manage. So here are the three traits that I believe are the most detrimental to one's career. Consider this...are you:
- Rebellious against authority? You know the type. These folks have always found ways to do the opposite of what they are told, or hate taking direction from others. If you fit into the category, you come off as condescending or combative in your dealings with your boss. So swallow your pride and temper your attitude.
- The doormat? Some workers think that they only way to woo their boss is to be constantly available for their every whim. But this can backfire. If you are only there to perform your boss' scut work, then you will never be seen as anyone more than a "doer" or underling. So help out when your boss needs it, but make sure you balance it with stepping up to the next level.
- Flying under the radar? These are the workers who perform their job just well enough to get by. Clients don't complain about them, colleagues are indifferent to their presence in the office, and managers don't seem to be concerned about what they are up to. If you fall into this category, it can be a dangerous area to be. For one, you will probably never be considered for promotions, because your talents don't shine through. Your name may also come up if there are cuts backs or layoffs.
Now, if your personality aligns with one of the three above you need to be conscious of it and then keep it in check. Don't be afraid to ask co-workers who have a good relationship with their boss how they do it, especially if you have the same one.
Remember, the best way to get ahead is to develop a good working relationship with your boss. Not only will it make your day-to-day work life easier, but you should eventually be able to turn this rapport into a mentor-mentee relationship as well. Good luck!
