Raise your hand if you’ve ever exaggerated your proficiency level in a software program on your resume. Or if you have listed that you are fluent in Spanish since you once took a course in college or high school. Or worse, raise your hand if you have ever overstated your volunteer activities to appear more community-driven. If I had to guess, most of our readers would be raising their hands high. At the very least, they would be looking at their feet and shifting uncomfortably. How about during the interview? I can hear you now... “I am self-motivated, always on time, first to volunteer, a people person...” and the list of embellished qualities continues on. We all do it. Our main priority in the interview is to sell ourselves. But when does it cross the line from embellishment to just a flat out lie? Truth be told, if you are in the mix of job hunters, you understand how competitive the game is. It’s almost as if the job seekers are now the predators and the … [Read more...] about Resumes and Interviews: A Thin Line Between Embellishment and Lies
Holiday Distractions Are Unavoidable
Christmas cookies line the tables at work. Holiday sales tempt you into buying not only presents, but that sweater you need for yourself (or at least you tell yourself you need it). Extra emails, phone calls and parties lure you away from work and your other obligations.Why are the holidays such a distraction from all priorities? Diets, budgets, work, free time...they all go out the door starting the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. While December is an all-consuming month filled with entertainment, it still serves as an interruption to completing any type of pre-planned goals.So how do you keep on track during this overwhelming season? To be blunt, you don’t! You will inevitably give in to those delicious sugar cookies, skip out of work for the extra happy hour, and spend some extra unplanned cash. However, you can still contain the December mess by following these tips (or at least one of them).1. Get your shopping done early. Make a list of what presents you have to buy and … [Read more...] about Holiday Distractions Are Unavoidable
Networking Advice: The 29% Solution
For most of us, networking is something that operates in the background as we go about our everyday business. Personally, I often find myself having to push extra hard to make, keep and cultivate relationships. Those of us who sit on our networking laurels will often site the "six degrees of separation" law as an excuse. After all, if you subscribe to the theory, then you'll meet the connection you need "naturally."What if I told you that the six degrees of separation law is a myth, designed to create complacency while others get ahead? According to a new book, The 29% Solution, only 29 PERCENT of us are six degrees apart from everybody. And authors Ivan Misner and Michelle Donovan tell you how you can get into the 29%.The book is broken into 52 weekly networking success strategies and it can be read chronologically or you can pick and choose the chapters that apply to you. Each section ends with action items, making this reading exercise more than just a passive activity.From setting … [Read more...] about Networking Advice: The 29% Solution
Resume Writing Challenge Winner Announced
Seven professional resume writers came, saw and kicked some ass. Each one tackled my resume and applied their own career magic. But there can only be one winner.Listen to the latest installment of the Working Podcast to find out who won the inaugural challenge. Direct DownloadOnce again we would like to thank all of the participants, our panel of judges and our loyal readers for making this experiment a smash success. We're going to do it again real soon with a new crop of writers and one of our reader's resumes; so subscribe to our blog feed now! … [Read more...] about Resume Writing Challenge Winner Announced
Why Bosses Call Us In to Their Offices
The class went "oooh" and "ahhh" when the note came down from above."Andrew G.R., please report to the principal's office."Busted.The blood rushed from my face as I journeyed to meet my maker. I walked down the narrow, fluorescent-lit corridor with my mind racing. How did he find out?"Andrew," Principal Schulman said, sternly. "We have a problem."Fighting tears (this was fourth grade!), I stared down at my feet, unable to fill the silence with anything worthwhile. "It appears that you have next Friday off because of a family trip."Where is he going with this? I wondered."That is the day of the class trip to Yankee Stadium. And because I know they are your favorite team, we have decided to move the trip up a day. So, you will be able to attend, after all."What?! All of that buildup for good news?! And here I thought he knew about that incident in the girls' bathroom....The feeling of anxiety that often accompanies being called to the principal's office never leaves your side. The … [Read more...] about Why Bosses Call Us In to Their Offices
Working Podcast Episode #82:Office Courtesy
Episode #82 of the Working Podcast brings you free career advice, employment news and the hottest job Websites:- 7 courtesy violations happening in your office.- Punk rock song about work.- Learn about StrongResume, WorkVent and StreetSmartJobz. Direct Download … [Read more...] about Working Podcast Episode #82:Office Courtesy
What's Your Employer Really Up To?
After the banking bailout (and now potentially the auto industry bailout), the bitterness is tangible for abuse of power and greed by corporate companies. One Web site, KnowMore.org, is fighting back against corporate abuse by raising awareness on five different issues: business ethics, worker’s-rights abuse, human-rights abuse, political influence, and environmental concerns.The wiki-style Web site allows users to post information and issues on corporate abuse that fit into the previously mentioned categories. The topics range from exposure on environmental concerns for the Dow chemical company to unethical sweatshop conditions at the Kuk Dong factory in central Mexico.Although all content can be altered by anyone, the site contends that it is accurate because so many users continue to update the information. Further, the team of editors and staff manage the content and assign a rating to each company.Go to KnowMore.org to find out what your purchase power supports. You might be … [Read more...] about What's Your Employer Really Up To?
Bulletproof Your Job: Be a Volcano
Wouldn't it be nice if you could anchor yourself so deep into the fabric of the organization that you work for that you become immobile? It's no easy task, and there will always be elements out of your control. However, by learning from one of my favorite geological wonders, the volcano, we can give ourselves better odds to hang on to our gig. Here's how to be like a volcano. ACT LIKE LAVA Lava flows until it fills every crack. When it comes to your company, you should be identifying voids and doing your best to fill them. This will help you become "one" with the organization, hence laying the foundation for the future - just like hot molten lava. BIG & POWERFUL You can chop down trees, relocate entire houses and tear down stadiums. But one thing you've probably never seen is anyone taking down a volcano. No one f*cks with the volcano because they can't. You want to put yourself in a similar spot, and since growing another few feet isn't an option (even with advanced … [Read more...] about Bulletproof Your Job: Be a Volcano
Zolio: Crossroads Between Facebook and LinkedIn?
A growing Web site, Zolio.com, provides solutions for both job seekers and employers. Their Web site states that the reason for starting the site was “to create your professional identity after Facebook and before LinkedIn.” Essentially, this site was designed to help new job seekers (right out of high school or college) to build their resume and professional identity on the Internet. However, the Web site proves to be beneficial for entry-level employees, experienced workers, and employers alike.The free site allows job seekers to build a resume by focusing on the content without worrying about the format. It also allows job hunters to upload documents, videos, or other items to impress employers.Zolio takes it a step further by offering a personal URL to add to an email signature or a job application. If that isn’t enough, add the “Z” icon to your website or your social networking page for interested employers to click on and link back to your zolio … [Read more...] about Zolio: Crossroads Between Facebook and LinkedIn?
Empathy Can Bring Back 'Lost' Employees
You are giving an update, doing a presentation, or even just observing your associates in their work environment. Yawns, texting, and computer screens displaying non-work activities (unless you work for Facebook) have all infiltrated your work space.How do you wake them up and regain their focus and attention?It is not an easy task, and consequently, there is no easy answer. Among many things, the solution depends on the primary age group, their personalities, and your culture at work. However, here are some questions to start asking yourself about your employees. 1. The most important question of all is the most obvious: why are they unfocused?- Do they have personal troubles going on in their life (i.e. a break-up, divorce, death in the family, money troubles, etc)? If you know the answer, this is a good start. They felt comfortable enough to share the problems going on in their life which likely means you have a decent working relationship.- Are they under or over challenged in … [Read more...] about Empathy Can Bring Back 'Lost' Employees