Where do you clock more hours than time with your SO, family or friends? Where are you tossed into the pressure-cooker of unrealistic deadlines or a crazy boss? Who’s the best person to understand your job stress? I’ll bet the answers are: 1. Work 2. Work 3. Your co-worker Those scenarios and answers are the perfect recipe for forming friendships and other intimate connections. When you spend eight to ten hours a day with someone in a close working relationship, you tend to buddy up. Working under stressful conditions also leads people bonding. It’s a natural next step for people to sometimes form crushes on their co-workers. There’s nothing inherently wrong with having a crush – they can be harmless. Danger, Will Robinson! (Many of you won’t get that reference, but I thought it was funny and it’s my post.) Although crushes on co-workers can be nonthreatening, it’s where they might lead that has the potential to enter the danger zone. “But I’m looking for a … [Read more...] about Crush on Co-worker? Don’t Go There
Navigating Friendships in the Workplace
Making friends at work can be a great way to widen your social circle and make work more enjoyable at the same time. However, there can be pitfalls to navigate around having friends at work. Work Place Hierarchies vs Friendship Of course, it is possible to be friends with a colleague or boss regardless of your positions within the company but sometimes there are issues to consider. If you are a friend’s boss, it might be worth having a discussion with your friend about boundaries and your different roles as a friend and boss. Treat your friend as you would any of your staff. If you are friends with your boss, don’t expect favors just because you are friends. It will blur the lines of your friendship and can cause unease with your other co-workers. Communication and being clear with your friend/colleague helps to navigate potential misunderstandings. Don’t Hold Yourself or Your Friend Back As wonderful as it can be having a good relationship with your colleagues, it is not a … [Read more...] about Navigating Friendships in the Workplace
Frustrated at Work? Here's How to Job Vent
Most office workers vent on the job. After all, there is certainly no shortage of things to get upset about. From backstabbing coworkers to incompetent bosses, stinky lunches to the way people invade your personal space, everyone finds something to get annoyed about. Some people will let out an audible sigh for the world to hear, others will take their aggression out on their office supplies (poor inanimate objects!). However you choose to job vent, I'm willing to bet that there's a healthier way. At a previous job where I had a private office, I would do 20 pushups every time I found myself frustrated, miffed, or plain ol' pissed off. Let's just say I got myself into pretty decent shape. This post is about taking the negative energy that's associated with work frustration and harnessing it into something positive. Here are the tactics that I use. I'd love to hear how you cope with "workstration" in the comments section below. WALK THE LINE. The power of getting up from … [Read more...] about Frustrated at Work? Here's How to Job Vent
Boss Says: Do NOT Listen to Music at Work
The Jobacle inbox has recently been hit with several emails from employees complaining that their jobs do not let them listen to music at work. Not cool. I am one of those people who is driven by music; it is my lifeblood. It helps me concentrate, keeps me motivated, and puts a rhythm to my day like nothing else. Boss's who let me listen to music, get more out of me. But hey, it's their world, I'm just living in it. So let me put on my corporate cap and give you some insight as to why your company won't let you rock out at your desk. - You’re getting paid to give your full attention to your job. Even if you are an “expert” multi-tasker, your compensation is for 100% -- not 99%. - Headphones can keep you from hearing your phone ring, your email chime, or drown out any other audible communication cue. - What if everyone was in headphones? Teamwork and synergy would be flushed down the drain. - You put the person who comes to your desk, including your boss, in the awkward … [Read more...] about Boss Says: Do NOT Listen to Music at Work
5 Ways To Make Your Commute More Enjoyable
Fun and commute in the same sentence?! Surely not? However, a fun commute is possible with some thought and creativity. Here are some ideas: 1. Change Your Perspective A commute is often something we endure: the time we are either going to or leaving work. However, if an average commute is 2 hours a day, that’s 10 hours a week, which is an average of 480 hours a year for a full time worker. That is a lot of time! So, how do we make this time more fun? Firstly, a change of perspective helps. If you currently see your commute as something to be endured between getting to and from work, try and catch yourself and change your thinking. Be mindful of this time and stop wishing your life away! I used to find myself getting agitated regularly when queuing in a long line at the supermarket. I try and catch myself if I go down that track these days and remind myself, it is all my life. Anything can be enjoyable with a change of perspective! 2. Meditate Using your commute to meditate can be … [Read more...] about 5 Ways To Make Your Commute More Enjoyable
3 Reasons a Career in Healthcare Might Not Be For You
Despite constant news of healthcare booming in today’s recovering economy, you probably want to think twice before investing in a healthcare career. Before pursuing a career in healthcare, it’s wise to invest some time exploring a few of the negative aspects to this field. Although healthcare is a thriving industry, and very fulfilling to many individuals, you need to deliberately evaluate your personality and preferences before dedicating your time and attention to a career in healthcare. Consider the top three reasons many choose to avoid working in this field: 1. Crazy Hours, Relatively Little Pay The healthcare field is extremely demanding on its workers, from a labor and delivery nurse to a surgeon. Patients primarily require healthcare after an unexpected event. Sickness, heart attacks, and childbirth typically arrive unannounced. Thus, healthcare workers must respond to the demanding, versatile needs of patients. While some thrive on a hectic schedule, most cannot deal … [Read more...] about 3 Reasons a Career in Healthcare Might Not Be For You
Healthy Working in the Winter
Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are approaching autumn/fall and heading for winter. I recently talked about ways to stay healthy at work and wanted to talk today about ways to stay healthy at work in the winter, which can be more of a challenge! Get Outside (Even If It’s Cold!) It can be tempting to spend more time indoors as the days start to draw in in but getting fresh air and sunlight is vital for good wellbeing even in the winter. If your job involves being inside all day or in front of the computer, schedule time into your day to get out into the elements. Eat Healthily In colder weather it can be easy to comfort eat, especially when there is less need to worry about your ‘beach body’ but it pays to eat healthily and well. You will be glad you ate healthily in the winter when next summer comes around! Slow cookers are one great way to prepare quick and healthy meals in the winter. They are great for soups, stews and much more! You can literally throw everything in a … [Read more...] about Healthy Working in the Winter
The Dirty Truth: Why Employers Post Fake Jobs
Fake job posts are everywhere and they always will be. As a job seeker, your anger is justified. Who on earth would go to the lengths of posting a phony position and waste the time of dozens or hundreds of applicants? The answers may surprise you. A fake job posting can lead disingenuous people to a wealth of information. Here are a few reasons why companies and other hiring agents post fake jobs. And here is the ultimate guide on how to quit a job gracefully. - Fake job postings exist so that employers can gauge the current talent pool. What better way to assess how in-demand a position is than to post an advertisement to fill that same position? The number of applications can be a valuable pointer on what to pay a person for a given job. It also is an indicator of how easy that person is to potentially replace. - Fake job postings exist so that companies can get a back-up for your position and keep resumes on file. Since we already know that every job is temporary, an … [Read more...] about The Dirty Truth: Why Employers Post Fake Jobs
Forget the Gym! Staying Fit at Work
Working 8-10 hours a day (and then some…) can really get you feeling like all you want to do is veg out as soon as you finish your work day. The problem is that couch potato mentality won’t do anything for your glutes and hamstrings, especially if you’ve been sitting for the majority of your workday already. Feel motivated to work out like Demi Moore back when she starred as G.I. Jane or want a ripped body like Brad Pitt in Fight Club? Then bring out the inner exercise guru in you and apply these creative, doable exercises at work. Whether that means you only have ten minutes to spare on your morning break or during your lunch break, you can exercise during the most sedentary of jobs. Why Get Exercise at Work, Anyways? Does a quick 10 minute workout really boost up your metabolism or help you to lose those calories consumed from your extra value meal you had at lunch? No, but it can revitalize your mind so that however bored and repetitive you feel your job is, you can have an … [Read more...] about Forget the Gym! Staying Fit at Work
The Resume of the Future is DOA
The resume of the future isn't coming. Sorry. I know this will disappoint the technologically-savvy, eco-friendly among you, but it's the truth. Before you rip my head off and start singing the praises of one of the many new resume-building tools available, I suggest you bookmark this post and come back to it every few years to see that I was right. Audio resumes? No chance. Video resumes? Nope. Never. Image resumes. A mere blip on the radar. Some things are just meant to be tangible. And sorry guys, a sexy infographic won't get it done either - at least not in most fields. Don't shoot the messenger. Personally, I think the entire resume thing is a joke to begin with. Your entire professional life on a single piece of paper? Pul-lease. So for the time being, the debate rages on... Should I include a photo? An objective? Should I print it on funky-looking paper? Social media has changed the game slightly, but the majority of positions still call for a resume. A … [Read more...] about The Resume of the Future is DOA