My Campus Chronicles
Our college blog dedicated to helping students prepare for life outside of college.
Life In The Cubicle archive
"A recent American Staffing Association study found that nearly half (43%) of workers surveyed had turned their temporary job into a permanent one. There's no question that taking a temporary job can lead to full-time work, but you must make your intentions known! Don't be shy about sharing your goals of a permanent position with your coworkers and supervisors."
"Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures, but not when it comes to job seeking. Just because a job is (or seems) available, there is other criteria to consider. Taking any opportunity without careful consideration may seem like a good quick fix, but quick fixes often aren't the best for you in the long run."
"Just hearing the word "merger" can strike fear in the minds of many workers. While changes that come with the merging of two companies can seem daunting and scary, workers who approach the event with an optimistic attitude, willingness to learn new things, and build new professional relationships will stand out as star performers."
"Victims of a layoff rightfully experience a range of emotions, often retreating from the world of work only to ultimately re-emerge back into reality. Regardless of where you are in the Layoff Cycle, remember that you will survive, you will move on, you will find something new."
"Job seekers beware that what you do with your body during an interview could make a bigger impression than what you say. It won't matter how adept you appear on paper if your body language screams bored, disrespectful or sloppy. Make sure you communicate a good message verbally and nonverbally."
"Asking for a raise during a recession is not out of the question for deserving workers. What should be out of the question is asking for a raise without the backup or proof that you deserve one. If you don't ask, you won't receive. Just be sure to do your homework in determining your market value and contributions to your employer before you "raise" the idea."
"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."
"Feel like your boss is always missing in action? You're not alone. Many workers struggle with a boss who's too hands off, leaving them with little or no direction."
"Election time can bring out the most passionate of political enthusiasts. However, some patriotic workers may find that their colleagues remember them for their political affiliation and not their quality of work. Be sure to keep your political beliefs in check at the office."
"An increasing number of workers are making their commutes more productive by using the latest gadgets and technologies, turning this traditional "down time" into a way to get their "to do" list under control. Check out a list of our picks or tell us which high tech toys you recommend."
"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."
"Nowadays, Web conferencing is becoming more and more popular. It is, without question, a great tool to facilitate meetings with team members who may be spread out in various locations, can reduce the costs of communication and is considered a more effective use of time. But what if they are met with less than enthusiastic participation? Tell us about your Web conferencing experience."
"We don't mean to burst your bubble, but securing an interview is the easy part. For every one job opening, you can be sure there are more than a handful of workers vying for it. The real challenge is to ace the interview and land the job. So how do you make sure you're the one they remember? Three words: prepare, prepare, prepare."
"Internships provide an invaluable way to gain real-world experience and apply the skills you've learned in the classroom to a work environment. As important, internships can kick-start your climb up the career ladder. A recent survey by Experience, Inc. found that 54% of employers view their internship program as a pipeline for new hires. Do you have an internship success story? Tell us about it.
"A survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation reported that nearly one-third of workers have slept on the job. Perhaps because on average, workers receive 40 minutes less sleep then what they need to be effective, many companies now allow short naps during the day. Do you snooze on the job? Let us know...
"Despite many workers' desire to maintain a balance between work and their personal lives, a substantial segment of employees are working long hours. According to Spherion research, nearly one third of U.S. workers spend between 41 and 50 hours a week at the office, and another 12% clock 50 hours or more weekly. Do you feel like you're always at the office? Let us know...
"Have you ever wondered if your new cubicle mate may also be your soul mate? According to Spherion research, 36% of U.S. workers would consider dating a coworker if they were single, and 39% have had a workplace romance already. Tell us your office romance story...
"Ten years ago, compiling a list of career-focused New Year resolutions may have just included a quick resume update and passing out a few business cards. Today, thanks to advances in technology, social networking and online recruitment, that list continues to grow. Check out other posts for tips on how to take advantage of online networking and job search tools this year.
"According to Spherion, an employer's culture and work environment is highly important to U.S. workers. Yet, many employees find themselves out of step when it comes to some key issues, such as dress code. If you feel like a fish out of water, you probably need to brush up on your company's policies so you can be noticed for your hard work and talent, not your fashion sense. Has this happened to you? Let us know...
For the majority of Americans, "retirement" no longer means to retire from working. Spherion studies find that 77% of workers plan to work after retirement, even if it means squeezing it in during a round of golf. What are your plans for retirement? Let us know...
According to a recent Spherion study, 16% of U.S. workers are currently working from home 1 or more days a week and another 63% would be likely to telecommute if given the option. However, limiting distractions that come with working from home can be a challenge. Check out our posts on how to set up a home office
Ever find yourself apologizing on the phone for noisy coworkers? It's Hard to be professional or productive with loud, boisterous cubicle mates interrupting you at every moment. If you've had to deal with an annoying coworker, tell us about it.
Ever feel that after you submit your resume to a potential employer, it goes into a black hole? Technology has made job hunting easier, but standing out even harder. What tips do you have to get noticed by prospective employers?
Let us know.
According to a Spherion survey, 51% of workers say their personal values are in agreement with their employer's corporate values. How much do reputation and corporate values influence your decision to work for a company?
It’s ironic that modern technologies, created to help bring people together and keep them in constant contact, have resulted in a preference for remote communication rather than face-to-face talk. What is your experience with this phenomenon? Let us know
Nearly half of U.S. workers say a casual summer dress code is important to them. Thankfully, approximately the same number tells us their employers offer this summertime perk. Does your employer relax the dress code during the summer?
American Idol is a wildly popular TV program and the subject of much debate in workplaces nationwide. Have you ever gotten into a debate at work over the contestants on American Idol?
According to a Spherion survey, nearly 20% of workers have taken office supplies for personal use in the past year, and 10% of those surveyed do not feel it is wrong. Have you ever taken office supplies for personal use?
According to a Spherion survey, nearly 40% of workers have had workplace romances, and 25% ended in a trip to the altar. Have you ever had a romantic relationship with a fellow employee? Let us know
"According to a Spherion survey, 44% of workers say their company has an open door management policy. One-quarter say their company does not, and one-third are unsure. Does your employer have an open door policy?"
 |
| Fewer than one-third (26%) of workers use their computers at work to shop for or buy gifts online during the holidays. Are you one of them? |
Sixty-eight percent (68%) of workers are not satisfied with their ability to maintain a balance between their work and personal lives. Are you? Let us know.
While workers want better work/life balance, many can't cut the office cord. In fact, only 53% say their bosses don't expect them to stay connected outside of working hours.
When you leave work, do you leave your work behind--or are you up to your eyeballs all the time?
"Uh, the walls don't have ears, do they?"
According to a Spherion survey conducted by Harris Interactive, nearly one-third of U.S. workers aged 18 or older don't trust their HR departments to keep their problems private, and fewer than half feel comfortable taking problems to HR.
How do you feel about discussing issues or problems with your HR Department?
Nearly one-third of all workers say they are feeling burned out, according to a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive. How are you dealing with workplace stress?
