I’ve already told you that wearing a suit everyday to work sucks. Big time. And the biggest problem is the necktie. Born several hundred years ago thanks to Louis XIV’s eye for haute couture, the necktie fashion trend crossed over to England, where gentlemen displayed their status with colorful cloths hung around their necks. Thanks for nothing guys! (Read more about necktie history) While many industries and companies have relaxed their dress code, some businesses, like mine, have held on to the notion that dressing up is part of playing a professional. I know they have their reasons, and some of them I get, but overall, if you’re sitting in a cubicle all day with limited interaction with the outside world, it all seems a bit pointless. Here are eight reasons why dressing up in a necktie is a royal pain in the ass. - It's uncomfortable. Having something pressed up against your neck and putting pressure on your trachea, just isn't normal. - … [Read more...] about 8 Reasons I Hate Wearing a Necktie to Work Everyday
Interviewing an Interviewer: The Importance of Comparisons in Job Searches
Sweaty palms and underarms, racing heart, dry mouth – these are the ailments of a typical job interviewee. When it comes to interviews, most potential employees are concerned only about impressing their interviewer, desperate to be offered employment. However, in their race to be the chosen applicant, many interviewees overlook the importance of comparing the potential workplace against any ideals they have for a career. This is unfortunate because, if selected for the job, a new employee may very well realize the new workplace environment is less than ideal. This results in an employee struggling to make the most of a new job and an employer wondering why the latest hire isn’t living up their initial expectations. If you’re currently applying for jobs, keep in mind the importance of interviewing your interviewers. While you may be desperate to find a new job and get out of your current workplace, the situation likely won’t improve with the new employer unless you’ve assessed whether … [Read more...] about Interviewing an Interviewer: The Importance of Comparisons in Job Searches
How to Minimize Conflicts in an Intergenerational Workplace
Employers are facing an unprecedented challenge in today’s workplace – managing multiple generations of employees. From veteran workers volunteering with organizations to generation Y now entering the workforce in droves, this mix of attitudes, work ethics and life experiences sets the tone for intense workplace debates if not managed properly. Addressing the generational demographics of your employees is essential for operating a functional business in today’s diverse workforce. However, avoid approaching the management of an intergenerational workplace in a negative light. Too many employers attempt to change the inherent workplace mentalities of each generation – manipulating generation Y workers into accepting a 9 to 5 schedule or in making veteran workers become more computer literate. Ultimately, these employers are setting themselves up for failure. To truly be successful in managing an intergenerational workplace, you must adopt policies that cater to all generational … [Read more...] about How to Minimize Conflicts in an Intergenerational Workplace
Personalize Your Job Hunt
Most people who are job-hunting use career sites, other online resources, head-hunters, networking and send out zillions of résumés. With so many out of work it seems like those who find a job have hit on some magic formula. If you aren’t one of the lucky few, maybe it’s time to shake it up a bit. Why not try the old-school 1:1, in-person approach? Personal Touch A recent WSJ article described how 97-year-old Lillian Brownstein landed a job in 1938 by knocking on doors in an office building in New Jersey. One company she spoke to had just fired their secretary and hired Brownstein after a typing test. Now I’m not suggesting you just drop by companies and ask to speak to someone about a job. These days, the receptionist would probably call security. But try to make the job-search more personal. According to the article above, only 9% of people looking for job opportunities think to contact relatives and friends. Instead 51% are opting for looking at ads and sending in applications. … [Read more...] about Personalize Your Job Hunt
Caffeine Nazi Says: Roast National Coffee Day 2011
September 29, 2011 is National Coffee Day. Ahead of the highly-anticipated day, CareerBuilder and Dunkin’ Donuts have released their second annual list of professions that "rely" on coffee the most to get through the work day. Considering the negative affect caffeine has on our bodies, the findings are pretty alarming. In fact, I'm kind of frightened that the educators teaching our children, the physicians scanning us for cancer, and the politicos trying to fix our economy, are all addicts. But wait, the word caffeine is conveniently absent from the press release. I'm sure these folks are all drinking decaf. Not!Am I calling for a ban on caffeine in the workplace? Of course not. While I admit I am a tea snob, and someone who is hyper-sensitive to caffeine, I am also a huge proponent of all things in moderation. I don't like the fact that people feel they need to "rely" on anything other than oxygen to get through the work day. And if you think the … [Read more...] about Caffeine Nazi Says: Roast National Coffee Day 2011
How to Quit Your Job: 50% Off Book
With an exciting new Jobacle book in the works, we've decided to offer a temporary price reduction on How to Quit Your Job: The Ultimate Guide to Leaving a Job Gracefully.In less than 30 minutes you will discover...* How to put in your two weeks notice* The secrets of your final days at a job* A plan to resign from a job* Secret exit interview traps* How to stay calm when under work stressUse special code "FALL" upon checkout and the book is yours for only $3 -- that's 50% off! Hurry, this discount expires after 100 copies are sold. BUY NOW! Makes a great gift for that unhappy coworker! … [Read more...] about How to Quit Your Job: 50% Off Book
Enhancing Communication Skills at Work
Good communication skills are vital for us to thrive in (most) work places, but how well do we really communicate? Answering this question and working on the areas that need attention can pay big dividends. Self Assessment If you would like to enhance your communication skills, take some time to honestly assess yourself. This can be a difficult task and may involve a lot of soul searching however getting honest with yourself will give you the opportunity to transform the way you communicate at work and in other areas of your life. Some questions you could consider are: How good are you at really listening? (Note: Real listening is not just waiting for other people to finish talking so you can say what you want to say) Do you ask for what you want or do you complain instead that you can’t get what you want? Do you answer other people’s questions directly or ramble off topic? Do you use positive or negative language? Do you over explain or give limited information to others? Do … [Read more...] about Enhancing Communication Skills at Work
6 Rules to Break at Work
If you’ve read my posts, you know that I've always had trouble following the rules, especially rules in the workplace. I discovered in some recent reading that many workplace experts agree with me. Wow, I never thought that would happen! So here are some rules I suggest you break: 1. Don’t say “I don’t know” or “I made a mistake.” – We learn early on at work that it isn’t viewed positively if you admit you don’t have the answer. But the problem with faking it is that invariably it will catch up with you later. So own up to it and say you’ll research the issue until you have an answer. Confessing that you made a mistake is also really risky. As we all know, blame has to be assigned somewhere. Step up and admit you made a bad call. Do what you can to make it right and learn from it. 2. Don’t go out on a limb at work – Tell me if this has happened to you. You and your colleagues go into a meeting where you can tell your boss about an issue that’s causing you all problems. … [Read more...] about 6 Rules to Break at Work
Sabotage – Your Co-Worker Is Out to Get You!
No one likes to believe someone at work is out to get them. Work is challenging enough without feeling you have to watch your back. What if you’re just being paranoid? Maybe you’ve been feeling a little off your game recently or having a self-confidence lull. But, what if those feelings turn out to be right on target? You could be the victim of sabotage by a co-worker. What can you do about it? Identify the Signs of Sabotage If you suspect someone is out to get you, and sabotage at work is a distinct possibility, here are some signs: · Get a friend’s opinion - Some people are really good at trusting their instincts – they read people well, are adept at discovering underlying motives and very perceptive. But if you’re not sure about trusting your gut, tell a trusted friend what’s been going on and get their reaction. If they agree it sounds “off,” then you have a good place to start. · Look for “tells” – A term used in poker, a “tell” is body language that … [Read more...] about Sabotage – Your Co-Worker Is Out to Get You!
Happy Fall! Shifting Gears at Work for Autumn
I slept in till 9:30 a.m. this morning. I hate doing that because it perpetuates the myth that we who work at home are slouches. Normally, I get up around 7:15 and hit my desk by 8-ish. But the thermometer said 46 degrees and I wasn’t going to move out of that bed. Welcome to fall!Favorite SeasonA lot of people tell me fall is their favorite season and I agree, especially after the scorching summer we’ve had. I like the cooler weather, but I notice my SAD (seasonal affective disorder) starts to kick in. I’m way more interested in fats and sugar, feel down on cloudy days and have trouble getting motivated.I would imagine that even those of you without SAD are feeling distracted at work, maybe even a bit down because summer’s over and the days are getting shorter. How do you shift gears and head into fall without that affecting you? Take some steps to regroup with the change of season.Take InventoryTake note of what you didn’t accomplish over the summer. … [Read more...] about Happy Fall! Shifting Gears at Work for Autumn