When you lose a job, there is a big distinction between whether it was due to a layoff or a firing. In cases where you were laid off, you have a better chance of explaining yourself to potential employers in regards to why you are out of work. If, however, the loss of the job was a result of a firing, carefully choosing your words to discuss the situation is imperative. While I have never been fired from a job over a 23-year career, I have been a layoff victim. The layoff eventually led me to considering starting a small business, however, I was eventually persuaded to realize the fact that having someone else take care of your checks and health insurance is not such a bad thing. As I pondered whether or not I would look for another job or go into business for myself, the idea of having to deal with the thought of getting a small business loan to start a business was also not overly appealing. Yes, the loss of a job stings in a number of ways, but a layoff is much easier to … [Read more...] about Is That Firing or Layoff Going to Cost Me My Next Job?
Career Advice Blog
Top 5 Offenses of the Senses at Work
I’ve worked a number of jobs in a variety of offices over the last couple decades and it never ceases to amaze me just how offensive co-workers can be, regardless of the company’s caliber. I’m not referring to blurted-out remarks that reveal way too much about an individual’s values or his experiences in a bathroom stall (not that such a brand of offensiveness doesn’t exist – that’s another blog post altogether). The offenses of which I speak pertain to attacks on our five senses – the sorts of attacks that evade the senses of HR reps during digital interviews. For those of you who work in rather compact office quarters, you know what I mean. We all tend to take our five senses for granted until a neighboring office worker unexpectedly intrudes upon one or more of them, typically with something they’re wearing, listening to or eating in an effort to appease their own senses. I trust that coworkers do not rile our senses … [Read more...] about Top 5 Offenses of the Senses at Work
Tips For Getting Back Into Work For The Over 40s
So, you’ve hit or even passed the big 4-0. You have life experience, professional experience, a certain amount of wisdom that comes with age and yet, you are still struggling to secure that new job. You suspect that your age may have something to do with it. Unfortunately, you are probably right. As an older job seeker, you need to be aware of the mindset that you will encounter in interviews and be prepared to adapt and ask questions accordingly. Here’s a few things that will help the over 40s overcome potential barriers to that much sought after new job. 1: Older People Are Stuck In Their Ways This is a common misconception among employers. There is a belief that the older you are, the more resistant to change you become. While it is certainly the case that there are people over 40 who do exhibit this characteristic, the truth of the matter is that older employees are actually better at coping with change as they have experience in adapting to changing circumstances, … [Read more...] about Tips For Getting Back Into Work For The Over 40s
Your Rights Regarding Wage Disputes
Wage disputes can arise in almost any work environment, even productive and happy ones which operate smoothly and without incident. Employers sometimes may even be unaware that a violation has occurred, which makes it all the more important that you as an employee have a strong understanding of employment law and your right to fair wages for the work you engage in. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), you are protected against an employer taking advantage of your good nature, lack of leverage, or ignorance of your rights to obtain unpaid labor from you. In many disputes, the issue can be quickly and amicably resolved in-house by simply taking the time to frankly and calmly address the problem with the HR department and make clear your expectations for compensation. Honest mistakes and errors are not entirely uncommon in payroll departments, and immediately assuming the worst can quickly lead to ill will between you and your superiors, possibly damaging your future prospects of … [Read more...] about Your Rights Regarding Wage Disputes
Kill ‘Em With Kindness: How to Ensure Awesome Customer Encounters
The task of contacting a customer service desk, particularly if there is a case of dissatisfaction involved, is usually considered an unpleasant one for many people. As a result, representatives at the other end must be capable of not only properly handling the problem to a full resolution, but also possess the necessary people skills to deal with a potentially angry customer. … [Read more...] about Kill ‘Em With Kindness: How to Ensure Awesome Customer Encounters
Work-Life Balance (& How To Achieve It)
Work-life balance is a phrase that we hear a lot these days. In times gone by, if you had a job, it was the most important thing and that was usually the end of the story. Although this may still be true for some people, these days a lot of people want to strike that balance so that their work isn’t all consuming. There is an old adage: "Nobody says on their deathbed 'I wish I had spent more time at the office'" So, how do we strike that all important work-life balance? Disconnect One big reason that work–life balance can be hard to achieve, is if we have an inability to switch off from work. Advances in technology makes our lives easier in a lot of ways but it can also make it easier to stay “plugged in” to our work which can lead to imbalance. It is worth making it a habit to disconnect from work, in whatever way you need to, including via technology. Boundaries You could create some empowering rules for yourself and turn off your work phone, laptop etc … [Read more...] about Work-Life Balance (& How To Achieve It)
Online Careers – They're Real, You Know!
You don't need me to tell you that the internet has brought changes to almost every aspect of life for the average western world civilian, and work and careers are no different. We have email, social networks, upload and download sites and more. The internet has made thousands of traditional jobs faster and in a lot of ways easier. We'll always need the mailman and the trucker to keep the world of work ticking, but so much can be done online in the 21st century that is revolutionising the world of work. One thing that we haven't seen a lot of since the internet became so accessible is an online career. Not something that just utilises the internet to good effect, something that can be almost 100% done online. No boss looking over your shoulder, no stale office smell, no drive to work, just flick up your laptop or start up your PC and you're effectively at work, you can even travel and justify it as working. For many people, this is the holy grail. Too good to be true, right? Well, for … [Read more...] about Online Careers – They're Real, You Know!
So You Wanna Be a Bartender?
Congratulations! You’ve just graduated college. Nights of crumpled Red Bull cans, twitchy eyes and library sleepovers have finally paid off with the ultimate prize of a shiny new liberal arts degree. When the celebratory parties and confetti parades finally die down, it’s time to step into the next exciting part of your artistic career: the service industry. Now don’t despair – it’s possible this might only be temporary. Your dreams of using models as pool floaties in the Hollywood Hills are still intact, just... displaced for the moment. Hold your head up, move through the seven stages of post-university despair, toss off that mortarboard, and tie up your apron. Some might consider it “beneath their degree”, but the service industry is a fantastic way to make money fast while you search for that higher calling. Los Angeles and New York aren’t cheap, and like it or not, you’ll need something to pay for rent and food while you network. Additional benefits include increased … [Read more...] about So You Wanna Be a Bartender?
Is Experience More Important Than Education?
As an employer, when we hire someone new it’s vital that we find someone who can get the job done. Whilst we of course understand that it takes time for someone to learn the job, often having some experience in a related field means that the candidate in question is much more likely to pick up the ropes at a faster pace compared to someone else. When comparing this with looking at someone’s education, we usually check their qualifications to see how well rounded someone might be. However, in the forefront of our minds is ‘how quick can said person pick the job up?’ Many job hunters get frustrated with the fact that employers often require a certain amount of experience, especially when they are fresh out of college and haven’t yet had the chance to work. It’s important to note that the word ‘experience’ doesn’t always mean several years in a similar job. ‘Experience’ could come down to plenty of things such as people working on side projects or volunteering on a part time basis. If … [Read more...] about Is Experience More Important Than Education?
The Art of Presenting: 5 Tips for the Perfect Interview Pitch
Presenting the perfect pitch can often be a daunting prospect, particularly if you’re making the presentation in an interview scenario. Luckily, many skills that are applicable to most business scenarios, such as the ability to present information in a concise and accessible manner, can be extrapolated to making a good interview presentation. Follow these five top tips to present a perfect pitch. 1 - The first rule of any good presentation is good preparation, and this is even more important in an interview, as you may not know in advance the constituents of your audience. The more familiar you are with your presentation, the more professional your pitch will appear. If possible, try to learn your pitch by heart rather than referring to notes, to encourage the impression that you really know your topic well. Make sure all your equipment and materials are ready, for example that you have a sufficient number of hand-outs, and that you know in which folder your presentation file is … [Read more...] about The Art of Presenting: 5 Tips for the Perfect Interview Pitch