The holiday season has arrived and you are likely either excited, depressed or indifferent. If you are pumped about the delicious food, gifts, and fewer work days that will soon be arriving, you likely want to spread that cheer to coworkers. Unfortunately, some coworkers won’t be nearly as excited about the cheer you are intent on spreading. Additionally, your holiday cheer at work may get you into trouble with regards to pay bonuses and gifting. Check out these five holiday season mistakes to avoid at the office as you get into the spirit of the season. Making holiday assumptions It may come as a shock, but not everyone celebrates the same holiday traditions as you. From Christmas to Hanukah, many traditions collide this time of year, setting the stage for friction at the office. Avoid offending your coworkers by not making assumptions about the religious affiliations of others. Religious holiday music, certain foods and religious holiday décor should all be kept at home … [Read more...] about 5 Holiday Season Mistakes to Avoid at Work
Archives for December 2012
Ways You Can Deal with Career Stress
There are many reasons as to why you may be enduring stress in your career. It is important to keep in mind that not all stress is a bad thing. In fact, when you learn how to positively handle stress, you can maximize your job productivity to levels that you never thought were reachable. The number one thing to remember when it comes to dealing with job stress is that it is fixable, but you are the one who must take the steps to fix it. The first step to coping with career stress is to recognize that it exists. Below are a few of the symptoms and signs of job stress: - Low morale - Frustration - Apathy - Alienation - Boredom - Absenteeism - Anxiety - Irritability - Fatigue - and more While organizations should take the time to implement practices that assist their employees in dealing with work related stress, there are several things that you can do yourself to get through the rough times. Continue reading below for some helpful tips: 1) Change your job situation: This … [Read more...] about Ways You Can Deal with Career Stress
Your Greatest Weakness: 9 Ways to Answer that Question
Everyone who has been on a job interview could relate with answering that dreaded “weakness” question. It is the most asked question in an interview, hands down. It can potentially determine if your application is doomed or not. The way you answer this question differentiates you from the rest of the applicants that have been interviewed. With that being said, if you’re having a hard time answering this question, here are some tips you may want to keep in mind. Poke up some fun, humor Start the interview with light humor to ease the tension. It will place you in a comfort zone where you can show how well you carry yourself. A playful yet professional way to inject some fun could give the interviewer that you are serious but is open to have fun when warranted. Make your weakness as your strength For example, try to tell them that you work so hard that you tend to miss out on a work-life balance. This will tell the interviewer an area you want some improvement in a positive … [Read more...] about Your Greatest Weakness: 9 Ways to Answer that Question
Best Jobs for 2013: Learn These Skills Now
The job market has been particularly volatile in recent years as the economic changes around us have taken effect. So in light of this, what are the best jobs for 2013? Which skills should we use learn to put us in a good position for these jobs? Information Technology Specialists The information technology business is booming and only set to continue – it really is a revolution. This survey from Computer World shows what areas of IT were in demand for 2012 and 2013 will be about building on these skill sets. Healthcare Professionals As we are now living longer, healthcare continues to be a good, reliable field to enter. Occupational therapists, dentists, doctors; these jobs are always needed and can open up many opportunities including the opportunity to travel and move around as well as many transferrable skills . There is also the booming area of alternative health care (massage therapist, acupuncturist, reflexologist etc.) which is now becoming more and more … [Read more...] about Best Jobs for 2013: Learn These Skills Now
Dos and Don’ts of Gifts for Coworkers
Finding the perfect gift for a coworker is a great way to earn brownie points in the office. Unfortunately, a landmine field of potential mistakes stands between you and giving that ideal gift. Do Organize Events This year, organize a gift exchange at the office. An organized gift exchange allows coworkers to opt in or out of giving and receiving holiday gifts at the office. The organized event also prevents you from creating awkwardness by giving gifts to coworkers who don’t observe the holiday season. Do Participate Unless your budget or religious affiliation prevents you from participating in holiday gift exchanges at the office, join in on the fun. Taking part in the festivities ensures you are viewed as a team player and is sure to lift your holiday spirits. Of course, avoid placing judgment on those coworkers who decide not to participate because the decision could have been made for a number of reasons such as for religious ones. Do Personalize Don’t buy generic, crappy … [Read more...] about Dos and Don’ts of Gifts for Coworkers
Freelancing: How to Turn Work Negatives into Life Positives
Downsizing. Outsourcing. Reshaping. These words sound bad coming out of the mouth of an employer and they could have even worse effects on your income. However, they might represent the opening in life you’ve been waiting for. Does it mean your dreams can come true when you hear you’re losing your job? If you handle this shift in your career the right way, it could mean just that. Prepping for the Inevitable Changes One reason you’ll feel caught off-guard when you are laid off is you haven’t been reading the proverbial writing on the wall. Have you seen managers get replaced? Has your office space been reduced by a floor or more? Are coworkers having hours cut or have employees begun working from home? When you start to see these telltale signs in your company, consider what might be ahead. Unfortunately, no one is irreplaceable and no one is invulnerable when a company faces a drastic drop-off in revenue. If you’ve dreamt about a freelance career or changing the work you do … [Read more...] about Freelancing: How to Turn Work Negatives into Life Positives