March and April are two of the most difficult months to work through because there tends to be a lack of motivation; everyone wants time to fly so summer arrives and PTO’s happen every other week. However, it’s actually crucial for professionals to be productive during these two months because vacation season is fast approaching. The only way you are going to reach your work goals is if you use your time efficiently. This means avoiding unnecessary phone calls, distracting conversations, and chores around the office. If you let yourself get distracted every minute, then before you know it, its 7:00pm and you are still at the office finishing up work. Stay in "work mode" by applying these solutions to the following three common problems: The phone that never stops ringing You aren’t going to be able to get a lot of work done if your phone is constantly ringing. Aside from being annoying, your phone ringing every 2 seconds is also very distracting for you and your coworkers. … [Read more...] about Stop Wasting Your Time at Work
Archives for March 2011
How to Get Your Spouse's Support About Your Lousy Job
Anyone married or in a serious relationship recognizes The Look – it occurs when you get home from your crappy job (Should I Quit My Job?) and start to once again talk about your day. I wouldn’t exactly call it "the thousand-yard stare," but it speaks directly to how your partner is receiving this communication byte. Here’re some of my possible interpretations of what’s going on in the mind behind The Look: · "Oh, God, not again." · "Does HE ever ask what kind of day I had?" · "He is NOT quitting that job!" · "I wonder if ‘Ice Truckers’ is on tonight?" · "Did I finish all that red wine last night?" · "Maybe I should be putting on the ‘ahhh, honey, I’m sorry about your day’ face." Why the Tuning Out or Frustration? Don’t get me wrong, even if your spouse is having the above thoughts in response to your crappy day talk, don’t assume she doesn’t care. But even a loving, caring partner hearing you complain about your job constantly is … [Read more...] about How to Get Your Spouse's Support About Your Lousy Job
How to Recover When a Positive Co-Worker Leaves The Office
An important part of being happy in the workplace is developing good relationships with your co-workers. Nothing is more satisfying than enjoying the company of the people you work with, especially if some of those people can create a fun and exciting work environment, one that is inspiring to your work and also to your attitude. However, we all know that the job market is fairly dynamic recently, which means that people come and go in jobs. How will you cope, then, when one of those fun and exciting people leaves your place of work, thus deflating the overall atmosphere at the office? Well, the biggest thing you should try to do is maintain a positive attitude about the situation; however, this is probably easier said than done, so here are a few ways to help you keep up your spirits after a fun co-worker has left your team. Adjust Your Work Routine One of the first things you can do after the positive co-worker has left is you can adjust your work routine to take on a different … [Read more...] about How to Recover When a Positive Co-Worker Leaves The Office
The Shiba Inu Temperament: They Make Great Workers!
Some mornings I wake up and wish that I was spending the day with my best bud, our first Shiba Inu Kenji. Instead, I strap on a necktie and mind-numbingly swipe my photo ID card to gain access to my cell for the next eight hours. Ever wonder how some of the nimrods you work with got hired? I often find myself thinking that Kenji and the Shiba Inu temperament make for the perfect coworker -- even sans opposable thumbs. Here’s why... Perfect Attendance He never calls in sick, arrives late, or misses a meeting – and it’s not because he doesn’t know how to use the phone! Kenji is institutionalized. He thrives on routine. This makes him a dependable and loyal employee, the kind that you know you can rely on. (Well, as long as there’s not a squirrel running by!) Merit-Based RaisesKenji understands that good work will be rewarded. If he succeeds at a task, he is given a treat right away. Imagine giving your dog treats based on the number of years you’ve owned him or her? More … [Read more...] about The Shiba Inu Temperament: They Make Great Workers!
Tweet Your Way to a Possible Job
I have to preface this post by saying I’m not one of those old(er) folks who shun new technology; I make my living writing, utilizing it every day. But I’ve been slow to embrace Twitter (“Twitter for Job Search? 10 Users to Follow”). I just don’t immediately think of it as a communication tool. Now I might embrace their stock if they go public… But I have to say, this article on WSJ.com caught my attention, “Here Tweeting is a Class Requirement.” I love this concept, “Businesses including Sprint Nextel Corp., Levi Strauss & Co. and Mattel Inc. are sponsoring college classes and graduate-level research to get help with their online marketing from the young and hyperconnected. Sprint, for example, supplies a class at Boston's Emerson College with smartphones and unlimited service in exchange for students working gratis on the company's local Internet push.” So Sprint gets free marketing services and the students get shiny, … [Read more...] about Tweet Your Way to a Possible Job
How to Backtrack From a Work Fight
Admit it. On an unbearably slow work day, you would sign up for a pay-to-view of "Project Manager SMACKDOWN!" Instead of the semi-civilized, passive-aggressive wordplay you usually get from these two, they’d get it out of their system and you all could get on with your day. Not that I’m a proponent of violent fighting at work, but wouldn’t it be satisfying to watch?Work ConflictBut a serious conflict at work can be really tricky. It’s not quite like a spat with your spouse or friend, which has different rules because it’s a personal relationship. You have to work with this person every day and you can’t really avoid the issue and get your job done. So, what comes next? It depends on where the conflict was left, how much damage has been done and what you’re willing to do about it.Skill SetAs we often bemoan here on Jobacle, the workplace is made up of an unfortunatelly large percentage of buffoons, clods and the clueless. Oh yeah, there’s … [Read more...] about How to Backtrack From a Work Fight
How to Stay Relaxed During a Job Interview
Whether you’re an interview virgin or have simply been “interview celibate” for awhile, that first interview in a new job search can be stressful. From the sweaty palms to the rambling stories to the nervous laughter, it takes a great amount of self-discipline to harness your energy when trying to impress an employer. And since it’s something we don’t get to do regularly, it’s easy to find yourself out of practice when you’re hunting for a job.By now you’ve researched the company, picked out a winning outfit, and are planning to arrive 15 minutes early. Good thinking! But how will you stay calm during the interview?Keep the following tips in mind during your next job interview, and your skills, experience, and personality will do the talking.Read the rest of my post at U.S. News and World Report. … [Read more...] about How to Stay Relaxed During a Job Interview
LinkedIn Job Hunting: What if a Potential Employer Views Your Profile?
Social networks tow that narrow line between transparency and stalkerism. As the business-minded adult player on the field, LinkedIn offers a feature that allows you see who has viewed your profile. Free accounts show you the five most recent viewers and Premium accounts show you everyone who has checked in your profile over the past 90 days. After a 30-day free trial of the LinkedIn Premium package, I’m now convinced I need the feature. A mere four weeks ago I couldn’t understand why anyone would pay $29.95 a month for a few enhanced features. But after a test drive, I see great value in receiving three InMails (allowing you to contact anyone within the system) and becoming a member of the Open Link Network, where any user can send you a message. The most valuable feature for job seekers and freelancers, however, is the aforementioned “Who’s Viewed Your Profile” function. An expanded list of titles, regions, and companies, makes it ease to deduce who has checked you out. … [Read more...] about LinkedIn Job Hunting: What if a Potential Employer Views Your Profile?
8 Ways to Be the Perfect Professional Reference
I take a ridiculous amount of pride in being a good professional reference. After all, who am I to stand in the way of a person looking to improve their work situation or to make a better life for themselves? Here’s how I ensure I am the perfect professional reference. If I’m your reference, and you don’t get the job, it ain’t on me, buddy! 1) I make sure I pick up the phone when they call. Getting embroiled in a game of phone tag only hurts the prospect's chances, especially if the company is in a rush to fill the slot. Most people won’t roll the dice on picking up a call from an unidentified number. But if your colleague has tipped you off that a call might be coming in, take a chance. In the long run, it will save you time. 2) I make sure I take the call in a quiet location. If I am forced to whisper at work or am shouting over other folks in a public setting, the conversation will suffer. Since we are dealing with another person’s livelihood, it’s critical to set … [Read more...] about 8 Ways to Be the Perfect Professional Reference
The First Things to do When You Lose Your Job
There's nothing easy about losing your job. Whatever the reason behind it, there's an emotional reaction that you need to deal with before taking steps to move on. For most folks, this means taking a bit of time just for yourself. Of course, if your financial situation is not the best, you may feel you can't take time off. But it needn't be a long time, and sometimes as little as a couple of days will do the trick. So what do you do during this recovery time? Much will depend on you: your personality, your emotional temperature, your family situation, your support group and more. But here are some general thoughts and ideas you can adapt to suit yourself. First, be nice to yourself. Don't beat yourself up because of what has happened. If a good friend was in this position, wouldn't you give them words of encouragement and reassure them that they are "all right"? Well, you can do the same for yourself. This might be the ideal time to treat yourself to a spa treatment. If that feels too … [Read more...] about The First Things to do When You Lose Your Job