Ah, the familiar sight of the ‘Goodbye and Good Luck’ card – a staple purchase for workers who want to send their parting colleagues off with a ‘Bon Voyage.’ But as a receiver of one of these cards, what are you supposed to do about all the messages that say ‘keep in touch?’ I mean, what does ‘keeping in touch’ specifically entail? It’s easy to blush and feel awkward as you say your goodbyes, but don’t make false promises. Keeping in touch with old colleagues doesn’t have to feel weird. In fact, here are some tips on how you can successfully maintain good relationships with the people you used to work with without coming off as some kind of crazed stalker – or worse, someone who only uses their ex-workmates to get ahead. Why Bother Staying in Touch? If you are looking for a new job, or are looking to get promoted, having a network of contacts in your address book can help you succeed. Many jobs are filled by word of mouth and guess who knows your employment history, your interests … [Read more...] about Networking Tips: How to Keep in Touch with Former Colleagues
Archives for 2013
Reasons to Think Twice Before Becoming a Freelancer
The moment we realize we are tired of working at a regular 9-to-5 job for the clients we don't like at all and making less than enough money and feeling constant boss pressure we start to think about becoming a full-time freelancer. At first, it seems to be the only possible option for those who want more money and independence. But as it is widely known, there's no such thing as a free lunch. The freedom provided by freelance work usually comes with a price and you must realize that you'll have to sacrifice some things for the sake of working when and where you like. The most tangible disadvantage, probably, is that after taking the freelance road you'll have to forget about medical coverage or paid sick days. From the first day of your freelancer's life you only earn when you work and all the retirement savings thing is only defined by how much you get monthly and how much you are able to put away. … [Read more...] about Reasons to Think Twice Before Becoming a Freelancer
Why Working in Retail Is Like Playing Football – Plus Win $50
Working in retail and the game of football have a lot more in common than you realize. Thinking back on my first job in retail, I see several distinct similarities. 1) A CROWD. Retail is one of the few professions where there are always spectators. Whether you drop a pass (register receipt jam!), fumble the ball (wrong price!) or miss the play call (don’t remember what aisle the mops are on!), people are watching your every move. 2) UNIFORMS. I never got to don shoulder pads and a helmet, but that red vest made it clear which team I played for. A store uniform makes it easy for customers to identify you for assistance, much like a uniform helps you identify who just crossed into the end zone. 3) A COACH, A QUARTERBACK. Much like a football team, every retail store has its hierarchy and roster. In retail I worked as a register supervisor. This sort of made me like a Tight End. Sometimes my job was to block (deflecting issues before they move up the chain to management) but … [Read more...] about Why Working in Retail Is Like Playing Football – Plus Win $50
Interview Preparation: 3 Ways to Show Off Without Bragging
Interview preparation time? Read on! Even with the economy showing signs of recovery, the job market is still tough. If you have managed to score an interview with a prospective employer, you have already beaten the odds. However, you should not rest easy. An interview provides the opportunity – and the obligation – to show off your qualifications to their best advantage. That doesn’t mean resorting to outright bragging. There are more subtle ways of demonstrating that you are the right candidate for the job. Ask Thoughtful Questions Doing your homework is a basic part of interview preparation. But how do you show off all your hard work? Nearly every interview ends with an invitation from the interviewer to ask any questions you might have. Instead of asking about vacation time and salary, use this opportunity to ask questions that demonstrate that you are in tune with the company’s vision and plans. … [Read more...] about Interview Preparation: 3 Ways to Show Off Without Bragging
5 Tips To Manage Personal Internet Use in the Workplace
The Internet is essential to the operation of most businesses today, and allowing your employees to access the World Wide Web is a necessity. However, this opens up the possibility that workers will use the Internet for personal reasons during working hours, resulting in lost productivity. By following these 5 tips for managing personal Internet use in the workplace, you can avoid lost productivity without feeling the need to stand over your employees’ shoulders. Develop a Policy Develop a clear policy for personal Internet use, and make sure everyone is aware of it. … [Read more...] about 5 Tips To Manage Personal Internet Use in the Workplace
Understanding Motivation at Work
Motivation at work is a key element to running a successful business and being successful in your career. To be able to maximize production, performance and results, everyone involved has to be motivated to achieving the best possible outcomes. There are two main ways to create motivation, either by avoidance or desire, more commonly known as the carrot or stick approach. The Avoidance Approach Avoidance (or the stick approach) is about moving away from the negative, doing what is needed to prevent something unwanted from happening such as the fear of missing a deadline or fear of failing to produce a clients order as requested. This approach relies on having a fear of the outcome in order to invoke the fight or flight response, which in turn stimulates cortisol and adrenaline levels. Higher levels of these hormones help focus the mind and body to find a solution to avoid the negative outcome. This approach can be very effective for urgent situations and short term problems … [Read more...] about Understanding Motivation at Work
5 Job-Related Benefits Of Taking Online Courses
On the topic of education beyond high school, African-American minister and human rights activist Malcolm X once shared; “I imagine that one of the biggest troubles with colleges is there are too many distractions....” However choosing online courses is a way to escape a lot of distractions associated with college-type settings, no matter what your age. Even if you did not attend college right out of high school, it is never too late to begin taking online courses to boost your resume. Instead of choosing a course at random, take courses that can help further your career. One example is a CCNA course that helps you prepare to take the certification exam. This is especially important if you plan to work in the IT industry. The Many Benefits of Online Courses Online college is not your only option for continuing your education. There are so many opportunities, and even more benefits to taking online courses. Here are some of the more common benefits that directly relate to your job. … [Read more...] about 5 Job-Related Benefits Of Taking Online Courses
The Importance of Taking a Break From Work
Taking a break from work is an essential element of productive working but can quite often be missed out or intentionally not taken. The reason untaken or missed out. Though on occasion events do take place that can lead to working through breaks, if this happens on a regular or consistent basis it can have a detrimental effect on your performance at work as well as your health, enjoyment, fulfillment and your sense of job satisfaction. Reasons for this happening can be numerous: a culture of working through breaks may exist at your job, pressure to complete a workload greater than the time available, or working with a constant flow of customers throughout the day are some of the reasons why breaks often get left We are Less Productive without Breaks We may think that not taking a break from work results in more work being done, but this is not always the case. It's a common human trait to allow what we do to expand to the time we have. If we are focused on completing tasks … [Read more...] about The Importance of Taking a Break From Work
5 Reasons to Choose a Career in Graphic Design
The majority of modern jobs seem to offer very little in the way of reward, apart from in the monetary sense. The daily grind may bring enough in to get the bills paid every month, of course, but in terms of spiritual fulfillment they often leave a lot to be desired. For this reason alone, it seems wrong somehow to just settle for a salary and forget about enjoyment. Thankfully, there are some roles which are more vocations than jobs, so if you have a sneaking feeling that there’s something better out there this could be the time to have a re-think. One role, that of graphic designer, could prove to be the ideal path to happiness. Here are five reasons why this may be the start of something big. Impressive salaries There is a wide salary range in this industry, and of course those who start at the bottom tend to earn the least. Wage levels rise with ability and experience, however, so the financial rewards are there for all to see. A career in graphic design offers an opportunity … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons to Choose a Career in Graphic Design
How to Turn Your Temp Job Permanent
Sometimes, when you receive a call from an employer, the news can be bittersweet, like getting a temp job when you applied for a permanent position. Although you aren’t necessarily part of the company, the good news is that you’re foot’s already in the door, which means that you have to be able to prove your worth in order to earn a permanent position. In order to beat out other temps and interns for a permanent job, you have to be able to set yourself apart from the rest of the flock, that way, you’ll be able to get ahead as an employee and earn that coveted position. If you’re a temp and are looking to earn a permanent position at your current company, here’s a list of tips that can give you that competitive edge you need that’ll help you earn it. Know the Business If you really want to form part of the company, you have to understand what exactly your company does and learn the business. You have to make an effort to learn about the company that you’re working with, such as … [Read more...] about How to Turn Your Temp Job Permanent