Capture Real-World Career Insight & Advice That Will Prep You for The Big Time

Holiday Gift Giving Advice

Getting ready for the holiday shopping crunch? You aren't the only one. Have you added your boss to your list of gift recipients? If so, here are a couple of tips for holiday shopping etiquette.

Buying a gift for your boss may be more stressful than buying for the aunt who has everything, or the brother who had an interest in nothing. When it comes to your boss, remember these three rules:

- Don't over spend

- Don't get too personal

- Don't assume you know what they like

Instead of guessing, think back to some of the casual conversations you have had with your boss. I am sure in passing they have mentioned hobbies, or interests that would be appropriate gift ideas.

If you can't think of something specific, stick with items that are generic, but useful. Nice picture frames or a pen set would be thoughtful and can be used at home or in the office. Smaller offices may also want to consider a large gift from the entire office - perhaps a gift certificate to a nice restaurant, or for their favorite store.

So as you embark on the trip to shopping malls and are making your list, go ahead and add your boss. Just check your choice twice to make sure it's the right item to give from employee to boss.

Delegating in the Workplace

As a manager, one of the first tasks I had to learn was how to delegate assignments to other team members. This wasn't always easy for me. I tend to be a "take charge, I'll just do it myself" type of employee. But as my role continued to expand, I realized that I had no other choice but to delegate some responsibilities to others.

I came across this article that provides ten tips for delegating. These are all helpful and certainly should be taken into account when assigning duties, but here are a couple of my own that I have picked up along the way.

First, don't delegate tasks to just anyone. Some employees will be more astute and responsible than others. Whether it's attention to detail, or negotiation skills that are needed, choose the right employee for the right task.

Delegate the most important assignments to employees who are ready to "level" up. This will put them in the position of thinking at a higher level and give them the experience they need to get to the next skills set.

Don't delegate and then assume the assignment was taken care of. Yes, you want to trust that your employees have fulfilled their work responsibilities, but ultimately you are still accountable for the project's completion. So follow up, not as a micromanager, but just to ensure they didn't have any questions, or needed any additional instructions.

Finally, be sure to spread the wealth around. It will be natural to have one or two employees who you continuously rely upon to get things done, and get them done right. But you don't want them to feel that you are taking advantage them, or have other team members feel that you favor them over the others.

Past Affect my Future?

Q:   Dear Seymour, I want to go to university and study psychology, however I have a criminal record will this stop me pursuing a career as a psychologist?

- Submitted by Desrine

A: Dear Desrine,

Please do not let any past mistakes stop you from pursuing your dreams. Psychology is an excellent field, and you may have the life experience that sets you apart from others pursuing this career.

In other words, you should consider pursuing your psychology degree by taking a track that may fit what you have learned through your own personal experiences. Formal training, combined with real-life experience could make you an excellent candidate to counsel at-risk children or youths and help them avoid the same mistakes.

What's important is that you stay on the straight and narrow, and prove that you have made the changes to show that what's in the past is truly in the past. If this is achieved, they you may be able to find employment in other areas such as social work or even as a counselor within the criminal justice system.

So go ahead, and pursue your degree. I know that you can make it work for you!

Career Change Challenges

Q:   Dear Seymour, After 14 years at a company, as a tailor, my department was downsized. I decided to change careers and got Microsoft Office Training. I would like to work as an administrative assistant but having no previous experience plus not being a fast typist, combined with competition from the growing volume of unemployed candidates I am losing all confidence that I am hirable. I practice typing daily and search the online job listings. Also, I have contacted a few job placement agencies. Because of my lack of experience they have turned me away. Should I keep trying other agencies? Have you got any suggestions as to what I could do next?

- Submitted by Roxann

A: Dear Roxann,

You are probably tired of hearing, "if at first you don't succeed, try again". So I am not going to tell you that, although it is very true when you are searching for a job. You have a unique situation as a career changer, so here is my advice.

First and foremost, your initiative to take Office training is commendable and on the right track, but as someone who is entering into a new field after 14 years, it seems to not be enough to be hired. So, check out a local community college or trade school that offers classes in administrative assistants. You may not be in the position to pursue a full degree, but showing that you are pursuing some kind of formal training will elevate your status with future employers.

If you are having a difficult time financing classes at a trade school or college, contact your local workforce assistance office. Often times, you may find classes for low cost or no cost if you are willing to dedicate your free time and weekends to attending.

Experience is key to proving you are ready for a new job, so you may also consider volunteering your time to work in the front office of a church, non-profit organization or local school. Although you would be volunteering, you cannot expect a paycheck, but it may give you that valuable "real life" experience that you need to get your foot in the door.

Once you have some formal training and experience under your belt, you'll probably find it easier for staffing agencies to take the chance on placing you, and employers who are looking for someone hungry to jump into a new career.

Best of luck!

Criminal Record Getting in the Way?

Q:   Dear Seymour, I am having trouble obtaining suitable employment because I have a felony from 1990. Even though I have a BA degree in Marketing from an accredited business school and 8 years supervisory experience in this field with an excellent record of achievement, doors are constantly being slammed in my face. Please advise.

- Submitted by Don

A: Dear Don,

It sounds like you have the experience needed to get your foot in the door with other employers, but something isn't quite working. This is a question that has been asked before, so you are not alone in combating this issue.

Since it sounds as though you have been employed elsewhere, it may not be your criminal record that is keeping you from finding a job. To be sure, you may want to contact someone you have interviewed with in the past, and ask them point blank. If it's not the record that's holding you back, it may be something else that you can correct and make you a more qualified candidate.

If the record is the issue, you may want to consider having your record sealed or expunged. If this is something you haven't tried to do, I would first try to take that route. Another is that you have to accept any job, even if it's outside of your expertise. Building a successful track record on the job may be what you need to move past your record.

Furthermore, try contacting your local or state employment office, and ask if there are any programs that may help ex-offenders re-enter the workforce.

Hope this helps, and let us know how the job search goes.

Seymour

The Temp Life: Nick's Grand Plan

The Temp Life, Spherion's original web-based series, contains subject matter that may be disturbing to some viewers... especially temps! In this episode, when Mark and Laura confront Nick about their soul-crushing temp jobs he sent them on, they learn Nick's dark secret and how they've been pawns in his grand plan. Get Temp Life news and updates on your phone by texting LIVETEMP to 44636 and don't forget to tune in for the next episode on December 22!

Want to catch up on other Temp Life episodes? Click here to access the Temp Life channel.

Improving Your Relationship With Your Boss

"Year after year, many workers will add "improve my relationship with my boss" to their list of New Years' resolutions. While the supervisor-subordinate relationship is crucial to job satisfaction, be sure your primary strategy to building a more fruitful connection isn't just buttering up the boss."

From Black Friday to Cyber Monday

Many workers will take time off for holiday shopping. Some companies are closed the day after Thanksgiving, which gives employees time to indulge in the annual shopping tradition known as Black Friday.

But this year, retail studies predict that online shopping on the Monday after Black Friday will increase due to merchandise and shipping discounts. Many people avoid the malls and crowds the Friday after Thanksgiving, but now more than ever with a down economy, people are looking for the best deals on holiday items.

This brings us to the topic of online shopping during the workday - should you, or shouldn't you? The anticipated deals that are offered through online shopping on Cyber Monday, may be too good to be true for some, but employers will be losing money on productivity if too much shopping takes place on company time. However, if employers put their foot down it could cause an already jittering workforce to become hostile.

Company equipment and time are almost never allowed for personal use, but check your employers' policy about computer and Internet usage. Typically, managers and employers will turn a blind eye, but if your company is strict, you could be shopping at your own risk.

However, workers are allowed breaks and lunch hours that can be used for whatever you choose. If you do plan to take advantage of those online deals do so on your time during the work day.

So happy shopping everyone, but do so responsibly.