The job market gets increasingly competitive as people who have years of experience and qualifications are finding it increasingly difficult to find work and accepting job which are below their skillset. For someone who has recently graduated or in an entry level position, this can become frustrating with chances of promotion often going to people with ‘experience’. There are many ways to get noticed by your boss, but this post will focus on the psychology of the way you dress, how to do it well and if it is really possible to affect your job prospects. Dress for your industry With the digital and creative sector booming in the current economy, dressing for your industry is very important. If you are working for a design company, the dress code is often relaxed. On the other hand, this doesn’t mean that you should wear what you would on a Saturday. Wearing smart casual jumpers with shirts and smart jeans or trousers will set you apart in front of management. If your firm has a … [Read more...] about Can What I Wear Affect My Promotion Prospects?
How to Change Your Job – 10 Top Tips
Whenever you start a new job, you probably don't go in thinking about moving on, right? You want to do a good job, you want to impress your manager and you want to succeed. Yet sooner or later you'll start to get itchy feet and want to move on - it happens to all of us. As such, it's always good to be prepared - because believe it or not, unless you're approaching the end of your working life, that day is coming. However you go about it, changing your job takes time, careful preparation and a bit of luck too! Here's a few top tips from Octopus HR on how you can get the ball rolling if you want to make the leap. 1 - Your resume So, your old resume got you the job you're in now? Congratulations! Now throw it out. "Whatttt?" You cry. "Why?!" Because it's the old you. In order to make a fresh start you need a fresh resume. 2 - What do you want to do now? So you want to change your job, right? Well once you've thrown out your old resume, take the time to research your market. Research the … [Read more...] about How to Change Your Job – 10 Top Tips
How Your Education Level Directly Affects Your Salary
You would have heard it being said that there is a direct correlation between what you earn now and your level of education. Now this is true no matter the field or industry that you are in. Therefore, it is still better today to earn that degree and add to this in order to earn more money just as it has been the situation many years before now. Yes, and even though there may be indications pointing to the possibility of the gap between different education levels thinning, it is still very true that this gap exists. For instance, it was reported last year in 2011 by Georgetown University’s education and workforce center, as stated by The College Payoff that holders of bachelor degrees earn approximately $2.27 million over a lifetime with their counterparts that have a master’s and doctoral earning $2.67 and $3.25 million respectively. These numbers certainly are enough proof for as many that may have doubts about this that formal education really does pay. But anyone reading … [Read more...] about How Your Education Level Directly Affects Your Salary
Be The Hero Your Workplace Needs (But Not The One it Deserves)
An office should be a place of pride, a showcase of the machine and how it works. If a workplace looks messy and disordered it says a lot about the state of affairs at the company. So, have you ever walked into your own office that you work at to think what a tip it is and perhaps how much nicer it would do if someone took a little bit of time to do a few specific things? Well, you can be that person – an office superhero; fighting grime and helping out everyone – resulting in smiles all round. Here are a few things you can do to kick start a healthy office mental attitude; if you start chipping in, others will follow you no doubt. Wires Wires, wires, wires; the bane of any office. In many offices through the world you can’t step foot in an office without being offended by these banded black, white, red and yellow snakes that seem to snake around the office. There’s no other way of saying it; wires look messy. So…why not fix this? All it takes is a couple of hours before … [Read more...] about Be The Hero Your Workplace Needs (But Not The One it Deserves)
How to Make Your Pay Check Last
Whatever job you do and however much you are paid, managing your pay check well is important. So how do we make the most of our paycheck and make it go further? Set a Budget Working out a realistic budget is the foundations of making your pay check go further. Sit down and work out all your essential expenses first (rent/mortgage, utility bills etc) and then move onto other expenses in order of priority. If you realise that your rent is taking up too much of your pay check, could you downsize or find somewhere cheaper to rent? What bills could you reduce? Get creative and see what expenses you can reduce in order to free up more of your pay check. You could try tracking all your expenses for a month to get a true indication of what you are spending your money on, so that you can get really clear about what you want to keep spending on and what can be cut. Live Within Your Means Once you have set yourself a budget, make sure you live within your means. It is important to make your … [Read more...] about How to Make Your Pay Check Last
What to Do When an Irritating Coworker Drives You Up the Wall
Have you ever had a coworker who just won't stop talking while you're trying to concentrate? How about a manager who constantly criticizes your best efforts, just for the sake of asserting their authority? When it comes to irritating colleagues, almost everyone can relate. Although work relationships are not marriages -- you (probably) won't be dealing with your current coworkers for the rest of your life -- the same problem-solving and give-and-take techniques that make home relationships work can be utilized in an office or workplace. Whatever your current situation, following these maxims will help smooth out the problem and bring your work life back to level ground. Positivity Wins You catch more flies with honey than vinegar -- that is, if you're into catching flies. But whenever someone is annoying you (i.e., using earphones cranked as loud as speakers or hogging the copy machine), getting upset will just raise your blood pressure and theirs. Enter every situation with a … [Read more...] about What to Do When an Irritating Coworker Drives You Up the Wall
Office Etiquette Involves Showing Respect to Co-Workers
No matter how long the list of careers, there is nothing worse than having a co-worker who has an annoying habit. This can happen in any industry. While some people are very in-tune with how their behavior and actions affect others, there are many people who just don’t seem to “get it.” They talk so loud that everyone in the office can hear their conversations, they wear perfume that smells strong and pollutes the air, and they invade their co-workers’ personal space. The Most Important Etiquette Rules to Follow at Work Volume Control: If you are in a cubicle or in an open area, keep your voice down. This includes phone conversations as well as in-person conversations. Not only might you be revealing confidential information to co-workers without realizing it, your loud voice is probably disrupting the productivity of others working in your area. Your Personal Life: You might have some friends in your office who like to hear about your personal life, but the majority of your … [Read more...] about Office Etiquette Involves Showing Respect to Co-Workers
4 Mistakes to Avoid While Traveling With Your Boss
Traveling for work is a great way to break up the monotony of your workplace routine. Business travels are also ideal occasions for learning more about your fellow coworkers and to build stronger friendships with them. However, while you may be accustomed to the relaxed routine of traveling with coworkers, traveling with your boss can be an entirely different experience. Here are four fatal mistakes to avoid. Being Annoying It’s natural to feel a little nervous regarding a business trip with your boss. However, you mustn’t allow your nerves to cause you to talk too much or adopt other annoying habits. Few things are worse than being stuck with a coworker in a car or airplane who won’t stop talking or who is constantly sending and receiving text messages. Keep your annoying habits in check while traveling with your boss to secure your slot on future business trips. Drinking too Much Relaxing after conferences or client meetings with a tall beer or glass of wine is perfectly … [Read more...] about 4 Mistakes to Avoid While Traveling With Your Boss
Bosses Day 2012: Honoring a Boss You Dislike
Bosses Day 2012 is quickly approaching. Are you ready? If you dislike your boss, you may dread the annual day honoring the undeserving manager. While you may be tempted to overlook the occasion to symbolize your feelings, the snub could end up being a dire mistake. The following are four reasons why recognizing Boss's Day in at least a minor way is better than doing nothing. Be the Bigger Person Snubbing your boss on their day of honor won’t go unnoticed. Even if you’ve been battling incessantly with management, set the issues aside and be the bigger person at least for this one day. Showing that you can recognize the boss even in the midst of conflict proves your worth for future leadership positions and may just lead the path towards a less complicated future with your boss. Keep Your Job While you may not like your boss, the job market may be a little slim, making it unlikely you’ll find immediate employment elsewhere. Not recognizing your boss on Boss’s Day could pave the path … [Read more...] about Bosses Day 2012: Honoring a Boss You Dislike
The Best Careers for Early Retirement
Some of the best careers for early retirement revolve around occupations that enable people to set their own desired income. Some occupations have established low salary ranges, and it generally takes 30 to 40 years to retire from these types of occupations. Other types of careers enable individuals to increase their earning potential year after year, which can easily lead to early retirement. Real Estate Investor Real estate investors have an opportunity to increase their annual income over time by making profitable real estate investments. Real estate investors define their market potential in each geographic location and invest in properties that will provide them a high return on their investment, as well as consistent steady income over extended periods of time. Depending on their target market, real estate investors may invest in foreclosed homes, tax lien certificates, commercial properties, and more. Some real estate investors may choose to maintain ownership of the … [Read more...] about The Best Careers for Early Retirement