My Campus Chronicles
Our college blog dedicated to helping students prepare for life outside of college.
Steve Wajda archive
During these uncertain economic times, many workers may find themselves looking at job opportunities that do not fit their expertise...exactly. What many workers do not realize is that although they may not have an exact skills set to fit a job description to a "T", they may have enough to give them the leverage to be hired.
I came across this great article that outlines how employees should market their transferable skills during an interview. It offers advice about how to position your skills to interviewers and show your qualifications for the job.
What's important to remember is to prepare for your interview. You should always prepare ahead of time for any interview, but when you are entering into a situation where you may need to "sell" your skills a little more than usual, preparation is the key.
This is also an opportunity to gain additional experience that you may not have. So emphasize your desire to learn while pointing out the fact that you have the skills necessary to contribute to the company.
Keep in mind that you may also have skills that are unique to the position, or even unique to the company. So during your preparation, make a mental note of your unique skills, such as foreign language or experience organizing affinity groups.
So don't shy away from job opportunities just because you may not have all of the skills outlined in the job description. You may just have the perfect skills to compliment the responsibilities of the position.
The other day, I caught a news report on CNN about workers who went from six-figure salaries to unemployment. One of the more interesting segments was about a man who told his story online at the CNN iReport section of the station's Web site. After sharing his story on iReport, he received an offer to work on a contract basis for a health care company.
Although unconventional, this was an example of how networking and sharing information about yourself and your work experience may lead to opening doors for a new career or employer.
Networking is still the best way to find a job, or at least make the contacts that can lead to a new job. But are you prepared to be a top-notch networker? Take a few minutes to do some research about the best places to network for employees working in your industry with your expertise.
Next, make a plan of action including a "to do" list of Web sites and networking communities to join, such as LinkedIn. The key in making sure these sites work of you is to come accustomed to visiting them daily for updates and to make new connections.
Don't be afraid to use unconventional means to network, but make sure you have the personality to pull off something quirky. I wouldn't necessarily recommend standing at an intersection wearing a sandwich board to advertise your qualifications, but you may want to consider using some of the newer methods of getting noticed. One suggestion would be to create your own YouTube video to deliver your elevator speech.
Networking doesn't always have to be a litany of after work mixers and overcrowded job fairs. Let creativity be your guide and get noticed for a new career.
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.
Let's face it, the job market is tough and getting tougher. Layoffs are mounting and fewer companies are hiring. But the opportunities are there for employment, you just have to find them and work hard at getting your foot in the door.
Knowing that the market is more difficult, some workers may feel compelled to take the first job they are offered, even if they are not interested in it. Forbes recently printed an article about this very subject, and it made me think about how fear can lead to someone taking a job that they do not want.
More and more, fear is leading people to take desperate measures to make ends meet, including working jobs that may be perceived as dead ends. However, just because you have not been offered your dream job, doesn't mean the position is not without its own merits.
First of all, you have to weigh the pros and cons of the company and the job. You may find that the job is a short-term solution and stepping stone in your career. Particularly if this is your first job, you can gain some of that on the job experience that might be critical for other employers to consider you for your next job.
Consider making lemonade out of lemons. If the job isn't quite what you had in mind, it might still be a valuable learning environment for your career down the road. Work experience is not just about gaining more skills, it's about learning how to work with different personalities and management styles, and this may be your time to learn these important lessons.
Hopefully you are not in a position where you have to apply for jobs that are outside of your area of expertise or interest. But if you are, these opportunities can serve their purpose as well. Take the time to learn a new skill or further develop some of the skills you may already possess.
Although a job offer may not be exactly what you are looking for, it doesn't mean that you should not consider it for the time being. You can develop, and learn, some valuable skills to set the pace for your future career.
I recently read an article about junior employees as change agents within their company. But what exactly is a change agent? When I think about employees I would consider change agents, those who come to mind are employees who offer well-thought out ideas and solutions, as well as those who show follow through. But what about junior employees who are just getting their feet wet in the workplace?
Junior employees have a couple of hurdles to jump over if they want to be considered change agents in their company. To begin with, some more mature workers will view junior employees as inexperienced, leading to trust issues. This may or may not be a fair assessment, but it could be reality. So you will have to gain trust in order to be viewed as any more than an entry-level or junior employee.
You should show enthusiasm for your ideas, but don't be too quick to jump the gun on your ideas. Temper your enthusiasm before moving ahead with suggesting your ideas. If your enthusiasm and excitement cloud your judgment, you could be setting yourself up for failure if your plan is not well-thought out.
As hard as it may sound at first, don't be afraid to disagree with colleagues. It is intimidating at first, but don't underestimate your ideas or ability to contribute to a conversation or meeting. You may have thought of something that no one else has. So don't be afraid to show your "know how" and offer alternative ideas.
Without asserting yourself and expressing your ideas, as well as developing a level of trust among your colleagues, it will be difficult to move up the ranks and be viewed as more than a junior employee. And remember, you always want to be viewed as an employee who is a level higher than you are.
It is unfortunate, but becoming more frequent. More and more workers are being downsized or laid off from their jobs. It can be devastating when it happens to someone you know and is close to. What do you say?
First of all, don't avoid the issue. It will probably alter how you spend time together because of their need to job search and save money. So lend a shoulder to cry on, or just be there to provide a pick me up.
You should also be careful about not inviting your friends to do something because they may not be spending as much money on going out. You may think that you are being considerate, but ceasing to make plans with that person is a painful reminder that they are not currently working. So maybe cook dinner at home and rent movies for a change.
Also, don't hesitate to offer to help with their job search. Losing a job can be overwhelming, and some workers have a hard time focusing and deciding where to start. So offer to help your friend become organized and suggest Web sites, organizations or other possible job opportunities.
Lastly, if you are a member of a networking organization, extend an invitation to your friend. Even if you don't have experience in the same industry, networking anywhere could lead to a new opportunity. You can help break the ice by introducing your friend to other members, and they may know someone who can help your friend find a new job.
Layoffs are tough, but the bottom line when it comes to a friend losing their job is to just be a friend back.
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.
I recently read an article about punctuality in the workplace, and it donned on me that on-time performance seems to have gone my the wayside, a la business casual. Many employees have taken for granted or become just plain lazy about getting to work or meetings, or even conference calls on time.
OK, once in a while one meeting will overlap into the next, but consistent tardiness is truly an annoyance and it's just plain rude and disrespectful. Not only to your manager, but to your entire team.
So here are my five tips to help manage your time:
If at all possible try to schedule a 15 minute between any calls or meetings. Not only will it help you keep from short-changing one event, but you can be better on time for the next. Set your alarm 15 to 20 minutes earlier than you normally would, and make a concerted effort to show up for work on time.
Know your calendar ahead of time. If you know you have an early morning meeting or call, either adjust your regular routine to be there on time, or plan on taking the call from home so you don't miss a beat.
If you commute and live in a high traffic area that makes you habitually late, at least have the courtesy to call ahead and let the team know. Also be in the habit of staying later to make up for the time you missed in the morning.
Talk to your manager and explain your commuting situation. They may allow you to work a schedule that in more conducive to traffic.
Just remember that punctuality is as important to your team and your manager, as producing good results. If you try to be on time, and it still isn't working, you may want to consider some time management or organizational courses to help you get on track.
If you are one of the lucky ones who found a new job during this down economic time, you will want to pay attention to this blog post.
First off, congratulations on your new job! Your hard work has paid off, and now it's time to show your stuff.
So whether you are starting a new job altogether, or have moved to a new department within your company, you will need to know how to impress your new boss right off the bat.
As with most tips in regards to getting along in the workplace, open and often communications is key. Make sure you let your new boss how you tend to operate, and in return, learn their expectations and how they typically run their departments.
Make sure that you maintain your professionalism at all times, and be prepared to learn from your new boss. You should also make sure that you stay informed, not only about your industry in particular, but current events and other business news as well.
Show your abilities as a team player, and remember some of the above tips, and you will be head of the class in your new boss' eyes in no time.
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.
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!
Economic times may be tough, and finding a job right now may be tougher. For those companies that are hiring, they may be more selective about who they hire. In these tighter economic times, you may have to stand out in a crowd to get a job, and according to one article I found, the quirkier the gimmick to get a job, the better.
Some of the ideas the article mentions (wearing a sandwich board with your credentials in traffic, sending a shoe asking to get a foot in the door) are quite extreme and may not fit your personality. These extreme techniques may also backfire if the company you are interested applying to work for isn't assumed.
If you do want to stand out from the crowd, but don't want to take the extreme measures to get the interview, try looking into alternatives to a traditional resume or use social networking.
Regardless, don't do anything that you feel uncomfortable with or you don't think you could pull off as a natural part of your personality. And remember, if all else fails, stick to business dress and a clean, formal resume.
Good luck with the search!
Happy hour is a time honored, workplace tradition of team building and bonding with co-workers. But as one recent CareerBuilder survey points out, happy hour has more often than not, turned into a pitfall for acting unprofessional.
Some of the highlights of the survey include:
- 15 percent go to hear the latest office gossip.
- 13 percent go because they feel obligated.
- 10 percent shared a secret about a colleague.
- 8 percent kissed a colleague.
- 8 percent said they drank too much and acted unprofessionally.
Ok, so the above doesn't sound like a recipe for successful team building, but it also doesn't mean that happy hours are not beneficial to the work environment.
Although some workers may over indulge in drink, make sure that you are not one of them by limiting yourself to a two drink maximum. It is also important to eat a meal or at least appetizers.
If you are in charge of organizing a happy hour, make sure to keep it short, probably two to three hours at the most. That way, those who feel obligated to attend do not feel trapped or have to be uncomfortable about leaving too early, and co-workers who are close friends can continue their night out if they choose. Also, make sure everyone is aware that a happy hour is taking place, so some workers do not feel left out.
Happy hours are meant to be fun and festive, and they can bring workers close together. Just be careful about how much "fun" you do have, and keep conversation casual...you may even want to consider taking the "work" out of happy hour!
The high cost of living has forced many baby boomers to come out of retirement to once again start earning a paycheck.
Some boomers have yet to retire, choosing to work well into their 60's. For some though, this is an opportunity to work in a field where their job has more meaning than their lifelong career.
USA Today recently published an article about some of the fields that baby boomers are choosing for their second careers, or even choosing to switch to even before retiring. Those fields include health care, teaching, social work and even environmental projects.
Not only do these jobs provide a paycheck, but they also give workers a sense of giving back to the community.
This is also a time for workers who are close to retirement to consider turning a hobby into a product, such as photography or cooking.
For those who are considering a second job, this is a time to be creative...and as the saying goes: "do what you love and love what you do"!
Think about the last time you had a job interview. Remember what it was like, sitting in the lobby of a building or office, nervous, wondering if you are dressed professionally, thinking about possible questions and how you would answer them.
You are called into the interview. Introduce yourself to the interviewer, hand them your resume, and wait for the questions to start. The first question - If you were a fruit, what kind of fruit would you be and why? Huh!?
Believe it or not, many interviewers are moving towards a trend of asking silly, if not down right weird interview questions. One article points out how strange and tricky questions can be.
So how do you answer these questions? First of all, don't feel bad for being caught off guard. More than likely, this is part of the reason why the interview is asking the question, to see how creative you can be, quick on your feet.
Don't try to be too technical with your answer. If all else fails, take an "easy" approach to answering an odd question. For example with the fruit question, I would probably say an apple (they're my favorite fruit, so when I hear "fruit" I think "apple"). Then I would say, "Because they are versatile, and stand out in a crowd."
There are really no right or wrong answers here, as long as you stay professional and try not to oversimplify your answer. Back to the fruit question, I wouldn't say "Apple... because they are sweet and pretty."
You could also try humor with your answer, as long as it's not offensive. Humor is also tricky because it could fall flat.
What are some of the strangest interview questions you have been asked and how did you answer them? If you are an interviewer, have you ever used these types of questions? What was the reason why you used them and would you continue to ask them?
Have you ever been to Disney World and taken a tour of the animation studios? If so, you'll notice that the animators have decorated this workspaces in the theme of the film that they are working on. For example, I was there when they were working on Lilo and Stitch, which took place in Hawaii.
The cubes were all decorated with hula girls, plastic coconut shells and tropical flower leis to inspire their creativity. The result: a multi-million dollar grossing film that includes a beloved character, stuffed animals, lunch boxes, Disney rides, well, you get the picture.
Now think about your work environment. It's difficult to always come up with the next bright idea when you spent half or most of your time in an office with four white walls, or worse, a cubicle in the middle of the office.
I recently read a column about how creativity also spurs productivity. As you can see with the Disney example, it can't hurt to have inspiration. So go ahead, add pictures, flowers, quotes or other elements that motivate you. Allow your personality to show through too. You could encourage your co-workers to do the same, and before you know it, your creative juices will begin to flow.
Companies have been battling the Internet for worker productivity for years. But now, there's a new distraction that's taking workers' attention away from their job during the workday. MySpace, Facebook, Twitter...all are great tools for social networking and keeping in touch, but they can be a distraction.
A recent article highlights how some companies are combating the social networking beast by employing filtering software to block social networking sites.
The key to remember is that too much personal time spent on social networking can be a distraction and cuts into company time unless you are in the sales, marketing or recruiting functions, which finds social networking sites useful tools.
Whether it's social networking or online shopping, if it's not job related, you shouldn't be spending time, outside of your lunch break, on the Internet with personal business. It's unprofessional, and your managers and co-workers probably wouldn't appreciate it.
Searching for a job can be a job in of itself. And starting with career fairs can feel like you are in the thick of the rat race.
Competition can be stiff, and one article points out how important it is to stand out in the crowd. It could mean the difference between leaving with a job opportunity, or leaving empty-handed.
How do you differentiate yourself from the other candidates? Career fairs are supposed to be part of the informal interview process, a way to explore companies and opportunities in a group setting. But you should still treat it as the first impression for a potential employer.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Always bring multiple copies of your resume.
- Dress professionally, as if going to a sit down formal interview at an office.
- If possible, conduct research before hand about the companies that will be attending the fair.
- Have questions ready. This may be the best opportunity to find out if the companies are a right fit for you as an employer.
- Stay engaged. Career fairs can be exhausting, but try to keep you energy level up as much as possible to stay enthusiastic.
- Pick up business cards from those who you meet. You might not have the chance to spend a lot of time with the companies you are interested in and will have to set up a time for a follow up. Make sure you stay in contact with those you meet by collecting business cards and sending thank you/reminder notes about your expertise.
Good luck or your job search!
We've all dealt with office politics. No, not those pesky relationship crushing, ego stepping situations where you are expected to "do as I say, not as I do". I am talking about office conversations about politics.
With this year being a presidential election year, and an interesting one at that, politics and the issues are on many people's minds. But is the office the place to discuss these? Some will say no.
Today, political issues are more than just a topic of conversation for friendly banter. As one article points out, they are doctrines in which people live their lives.
By discussing politics and political beliefs, workers run the risk of causing irreparable damage to their relationships with colleagues, causing hurt feelings and damaging your own reputation if arguments turn heated.
My best advice is to steer clear or tread lightly with political conversations at work, unless they are with close friends who may already be familiar with your beliefs and feelings. Otherwise, this could be dangerous territory to enter with colleagues.
What do some of our readers think? Do discuss politics at work, or would you prefer to take a neutral stance and keep your feelings to yourself?
An interesting article about disgruntled workers cites a survey that says bored workers are more disgruntled than overloaded employees. At first glance, this might seem to be a surprising revelation, but if you are one of those "bored" employees you can understand how this makes sense.
Employees who don't feel they have accomplished anything at work have lower job satisfaction and pride in their employers, not to mention decreased morale and productivity which can affect coworkers.
If you feel yourself being bored at work, there are some steps that you can take to try and improve your work environment.
First, speak with your manager and ask if you can take on more responsibilities, or spearhead a new project.
Second, re-evaluate your own workload. Perhaps you are missing opportunities to do more or be more creative with your current assignments.
Third, consider continuing education classes or training opportunities at work. Not only will this provide you with more stimulation and get your brain working, but it may provide you with additional skills that will help you stand out for job promotions.
If these suggestions don't rid you of never-ending boredom, it's likely time to start looking for a new job.
From the holiday party to the going-away party, the office is often a place for fun, social gatherings. While this can be enjoyable for the person of honor, it often can be expensive for other employees. Instead of chipping in money or going out to eat, what are some unique ways to celebrate?
For example, if the entire office must put in money towards someone's birthday cake, why not have the person with the most recent birthday buy the cake for the upcoming birthday? Or, encourage everyone to design a homemade card to give to the special person.
Instead of going out for lunch to celebrate a new employee, why not try pot luck? Every employee can make a dish, which is certainly less expensive then dining out. It also encourages camaraderie!
Readers, what are some other cost-saving yet fun-filled ways to celebrate around the office?
Let's face it. Everyone can have difficult times at work that force you to show your emotion. Whether it's personal issues that spill into the work environment, or frustration as a result of work, emotions can emerge at the worst time during the work day.
I recently read an article about anger in the workplace, and I wasn't surprised about how easily the person in the article allowed their emotion to boil over in such dramatic fashion.
It can be difficult to contain how you are feeling, especially at work where you may be experiencing criticism or questions about your abilities. Sometimes, your emotions may not stem from work at all, but something happens and that's where you will express them.
Anger is probably one of the most common emotions overly expressed at work. Co-workers, managers and supervisors may provoke you, but you still need to keep your cool as best as possible.
If you begin to feel yourself becoming angry, take a break and regroup instead of staying in a situation that may escalate. Just as in your personal life, take the higher road and diffuse angry moments before they get out of hand.
Also, find an activity outside of the workplace that might help you relieve stress and calm any work-related anger issues that you might have. Exercising, meditation and yoga, or perhaps finding a hobby like painting, can all help relieve stress and allow you to decompress from work.
Bottom line is that it's ok to show emotion at work, as long as your reactions do not go over the line.
Workers' commutes are getting longer and longer. Some workers are traveling two hours, one-way, to get to their jobs. This might be extreme to some, but the norm for others. I think that most people would agree this is asking a lot for any job. Not only is driving stressful, but it can be dangerous if you are too tired to be on the road.
Still, this trend of long commutes is worth it for workers who feel that they cannot pass up the salaries they are receiving. According to a recent blog post, this is the case for many.
However, long commutes can be detrimental to your career. Not only can in cut into your work/life balance, but your production can suffer because of exhaustion or stress, which can lead to anger and frustration that might be detected by your manager or colleagues. Furthermore, your pocketbook could suffer from the wear and tear on your car and the price of fuel.
So what's a worker to do if this is the situation that they are facing? For one, you might want to ask your manager about flexible scheduling or work at home options. This would relieve the need and stress of being in the office everyday.
You could also check into park and ride or carpooling options. Again, you would save money, and sanity, while sharing the load of the commute, or leaving the driving up to others.
A last option that might not be so easy, is to just find another job option closer to home. If the other solutions mentioned are not viable and the commute proves to be too much, then you might be better off finding a closer career opportunity.
Gadgets are a part of our work lives. Blackberries, Treos, Sidekicks, the list goes on and on. However, constantly being connected is not always a good choice to make. The amount of information that we are inundated with on a regular basis can be overwhelming, much less adding in a constant stream of emails.
One article even suggests that too much email is lowering IQs because professionals are bombarded by so many they are unable to concentrate and focus on work and projects that require workers to focus. Some of The Big Time's regular readers may also recall other posts about workers who never really disconnect while on vacation, because they are constantly connected to email.
Some companies are going to no email Fridays to cut down on the amount of email that is sent and encourage more face to face contact with colleagues. Other companies are working on innovative initiatives such as periods of "Quiet Time" and email programs that filter out unnecessary or redundant email messages.
I myself find that by not having my email open, I can better concentrate on work with tight deadlines or projects that need my undivided attention, resulting in a complete outcome with minimal mistakes.
So think twice before sending an unmanageable amount of email or too many voicemails. Chances are if you are having a hard time receiving an answer, it's because the recipient is too busy playing catch up!
Do ever get the feeling when you work on a project that you are unfulfilled and not quite sure whether or not you make an impact or contribution to your company? If so, chances are you're not the only one.
I came across this article that talks about how employees and managers are often times not on the same page about the "big picture" goals and outcomes of company projects. This can lead to employees feeling burned out and unfulfilled by their job.
If you find yourself in this situation, there are ways around just taking an assignment, doing the work and then moving on to the next assignment.
A good way to become engaged is ask your manager questions about the project. If you don't want to seem that you are prying, try asking questions in subtle manner, such as, "Is this part of the new building initiative I've heard so much about, or an entirely new project?" Also, be mindful of how your team works together and use your intuition as a guide for more insight. In other words, put two and two together based on the tasks that your co-workers have been assigned.
You should also stay in tune during staff meetings, town hall meetings and internal communiqués that may offer clues into the vision and direction of your company. Then, when you receive an assignment from your manager it will be easier to uncover the reasons behind your impending hard work.
Social networking has become the most popular way to network and find business connections. Every week or so, the trend evolves into a difference technique. The newest form of social networking is 'friending' people through Facebook, LinkedIn or the social networking site of your choice.
A recent post on the blog EXCELER8ion, discusses the idea of friending and how it works. The basic idea is to develop a legitimate friendship first, and then let it naturally turn into a business relationship.
Friendships can take you much further than regular business networking. They ensure a level of trust and intimacy, where business relationships are just that: business.
'Friending' is a good way to make connections, but also develop relationships that you can rely on outside of the office. Additionally, your new friendships could pay off in the long run, as you would probably be moved to the top of your new friend's list if a job opportunity or connection come their way.
Woken up lately and thought to yourself "great, another day of the same old job, same old office, same old co-workers?" Then you realize that you creativity and enthusiasm for work have disappeared?
If so, you too might enjoy this recent post about getting stuck in the mud at a bad career. The blogger focuses on finding your passion and turning that into a career - essentially getting paid for doing what you love. Believe me, the idea of it sounds appealing, particularly for those folks who are burned out of the whole 9 to 5 monotony. But I do caution against leaving the "normal" workforce immediately to turn a hobby into a full time job.
For example, you may dream of being a chef and opening your own restaurant. But you probably cook because it's relaxing and you enjoy it. Be wary that once you cross that line into cooking full time that means it becomes a job, and that makes it harder to cook for "fun."
So here are a couple of tips for those who would like to turn their passion or hobby into a career.
First of all, test the waters. If you want to change your career, especially to a hobby, try it out on a semi-part-time basis to see if you can actually handle your hobby as a career. It isn't easy holding a full-time job while starting a new one, but it's better than quitting your job and then having the next career not work out.
Second, choose a hobby or passion where you can actually make income. If you like to paint, don't spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on art supplies. Instead, consider a job at a museum, or volunteer first to see if it's your calling.
Furthermore, think about giving your current career a chance, but in a different setting. If working in the non-profit sector is where you really want to be, perhaps you can take your accounting and finance expertise and use it to work for an organization or cause you feel passionate about.
I am curious to hear what others' dream jobs are, and whether or not you have tried to turn it into a career. How did it go, and what steps did you take to get there?
I recently came across a blog post about law students who do not want to practice law, once they obtain their degree. One blogger described his experiences and challenges with looking for a job outside the legal field, while possessing a JD.
One of the most intriguing parts of the blogger's post was in how he needed to explain to his interviewers why he wanted to work in a field outside of law. His insight is actually sage advice for anyone in a similar situation, with any variety of degrees or career choices.
Take for example teachers. Many times, teachers pursue degrees outside of teaching. Even though they may have to be certified by the state in order to teach, their degrees may be focused on English, math, history or other school subjects.
Some hiring managers may be skeptical about hiring someone with degrees outside of their chosen career path. They might question your commitment to their company, and you could be perceived as someone unsure of what you really want to do with your career.
Regardless of your degree and chosen career path, you will need to be prepared to show an interviewer that you understand the parameters of the job you are interviewing for, and showcase where your expertise would fit in.
On the heals of the extremely successful Live Earth concert, there's no question the topic of global warming and the environment in general is top of mind for us all. Everyday, more and more research and insight into the issue of global warming hits the airwaves. Regardless of how passionate you are about this topic, I think we can all agree that keeping our environment healthy is a smart move.
Recently, Time Magazine's blog "Work in Progress" posted information from a Harris Interactive survey about American's leaving their computers on at work, resulting in wasted energy usage, and according to the survey, pumping 14.4 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Workers have an opportunity to help curb some practices that may be damaging to the environment. In fact, some companies are now raising the temperature of their air conditioning, and no longer purchasing plastic bottles of water, for example.
I thought of a few areas that workers can help out the cause, such as decreasing the amount of paper that is used by refraining from printing useless or unnecessary materials. Energy can be saved by everyone turning off their office lights at the end of the day, and to ask for recycle bins for aluminum or newspapers in the office.
I am interested in knowing if others work for companies for environmentally friendly policies. What are they, and do you have any suggestions for how to start a conservation program?
Ah, technology. What would we do without cell phones, email and our PDAs? How about have a good weekend or vacation....
Recently on The Blogging Boss, a post alluded to how many workers are tied to their job, even on the weekend. But if you fall into this category, fear not, Spherion is here to share some insight in to how you can unplug for the weekend.
First and foremost, the more time you can spend catching up on a little R & R, the more refreshed you are to return to work on Monday, and the more productive you will be. If you never leave work, even at home, you will burn out and find yourself quickly disenchanted with your job.
Secondly, plan a fun activity or get involved with a hobby that you find relaxing and enjoyable. Regularly schedule this activity into your weekend plans. If you are someone who gets bored easily, pick out a couple of different activities that you can rotate from one weekend to the next.
Lastly, turn off the cell phone and laptop already! More than likely, you are one of only a few "weekend warriors" still tuned to the office on Saturday and Sunday. It's ok to work on tasks just to "get ahead" every once in a while, but you shouldn't make a habit of it.
Graduation time is here, and after the celebrations and break from the books come to an end, recent grads are faced with having to land their first job.
According to new research from Career Builder, college graduates will be in the cat-bird seat when searching for their first job. In a recent CB Campus blog post, it was revealed that 42 percent of companies will up their starting salaries for recent grads, and 79 percent of hiring managers plan to hire recent college graduates, an increase from 70 percent just last year.
The Career Builder post points out some of the tried and true tips of job seeking preparation tips such as conducting in-depth company research, showing enthusiasm and sharing relevant and related experience outside of just internships.
But, competition will be stiff and the amount of jobs available in your field could be slight, so you will have to really stand out from the crowd. You will make headway by networking at career fairs or at industry organizations. Remember to ask those you meet questions about their company and the company's culture. Also, offer a resume to your new contact and remember to ask them for a business card. Even if they are not a hiring manager, you can at least have a point of contact inside the company for follow up.
Also, utilize some of your college friends and contacts to help identify job opportunities. Some are hired just prior to graduation, so if you know former classmates who have received job offers and were hired before you, ask them if there are other open positions that you qualify for, and see if they can help get your foot in the door. Many companies offer employees referral bonuses. So knowing a friend or classmate can not only help you find a job, it could pay off for them as well!
Congratulations class of 2007, and best of luck in career world!
In a recent blog post on Career Solvers by Barbara Safani discusses how and why you should keep up with your contacts even after you've landed a new job. Some of the ideas that Safani addresses are:
- Updating contact information: Safani suggests that when candidates start their new job they contact their network about their new address and email.
- Staying connected to colleagues: Safani suggests that by staying connected to colleagues candidates can put themselves in a position to return favors, should any previous colleagues decide to look for work.
- Keeping professional memberships active: By candidates staying up to date on association newsletters and event networks are more easily contacted and grown.
Some of the other areas to consider when keeping up with and staying connected include inviting some of your key contacts to lunch or dinner. Individual meetings outside of the workplace can be very effective in developing and maintaining key connections.
If you have difficulty remembering to keep up with your network, set up reminders in your work calendar so that when you do have some open time, you can use it wisely by contacting someone you have been meaning to call or email. Many people now have their own blogs or pages on social networking sites, such as Facebook or MySpace, that also serve as an easy way to stay in touch with your network.
And remember, if you stay in constant and sincere contact with your network of connections they will be more willing to help out when you really need them.
