The Internet offers a wealth of resources for the modern professional — whether you’re a job seeker or an actively employed guy or gal. The trick is knowing which resources can make your life a little easier so you don’t waste your time on the ones that can’t. 1- Simplify Scheduling I’m willing to bet you’re familiar with the e-mail scheduling game — as in, when you and a contact send multiple e-mails back and forth, trying to figure out a good day and time to meet or chat. Then I discovered the following great scheduling tools: • Tungle.me • TimeTrade.com 2- Controlling Your Appearance in Search Results Whether you are a job seeker or a seasoned professional, you are going to get googled at some point. So it’s better to be proactive in trying to manage what people will see about you then to wait for Google’s algorithm to decide to show your high-school prom pictures. These websites are a good start to managing your on line reputation. • Vizibility.com • … [Read more...] about 10 Online Tools Every Serious Job Seeker Should Use
Using an Industry Specific Approach to Improve Your Career Search
Whether you have recently been laid off or are looking to take your career to the next level, beginning the search for a new job can be an intimidating task. Most companies no longer accept phone calls, unsolicited emails, or office visits for job applicants. In order to find a new position that suits your strengths, you must turn to Internet search engines and company websites. Using a specialized job search dedicated to your industry will make the process more effective and less painful than using a generic job search website. The Importance of a Specific Search Most large companies have an impersonal application process that can take up to an hour to complete. After you finish the somewhat unnecessary personality quiz and submit all of your personal information through the online form, the last contact you will ever have with the company is through the automated confirmation email that sits in your inbox. By sitting in front of your computer all day and filling these out, your … [Read more...] about Using an Industry Specific Approach to Improve Your Career Search
Negotiate Your Way To Success
Anyone who is in need of resolving a dispute or would like to get the best deal possible regarding some sort of financial transaction or a trade of any kind is certainly in the market to learn negotiating skills. A person may need to learn negotiating skills because they are limited in their knowledge or experience in communicating their needs and desires. When attempting to make the most beneficial deal, understanding the subtle points of negotiating or dispute resolution can spell the difference between getting what one wants and giving away too much in the process. The purpose of negotiating with another party is to get them to do something. They need to do more, pay more, give up more, etc. Or perhaps they need to do less or stop some action. Ultimately, negotiations are necessary in order to get something which is not otherwise forthcoming. Two Variations of Negotiation Processes Distributive negotiating is referred to as the "Fixed Pie" method as there is a set, limited, or … [Read more...] about Negotiate Your Way To Success
Identifying Your Skills to Revamp Your Résumé
Let’s say you’re craving something. Something more interesting, more challenging, more lucrative…just, more. Because YOU are capable of handling more, of pursuing more, of achieving more. You’re worth more, and you know it. Maybe you’re not sure what the next (realistic) step on your personal career ladder is, or maybe you’re debating switching paths altogether. Either way: how can you know what you want if you have no idea what you already have? Identifying your skills makes job hunting much easier and more effective: you’re aware of what you qualify for, what makes you a unique applicant and what you can tangibly offer to potential employers. Thankfully, a few thoughtful minutes of reflecting upon your experiences – past positions and present pastimes – can open up a multitude of professional possibilities for your future. Generally, you have three types of job skills... Professional Skills – these are skills specific to certain positions, ones picked up only through experience … [Read more...] about Identifying Your Skills to Revamp Your Résumé
Why Deadlines Are Good
We all know them, we all face them almost every day, and we usually despise them passionately: deadlines. Deadlines begin chasing us in our early childhood — there are health check-ups and shots for babies, homework at school, dorm rent payments for students, all sorts of projects and grants on the job, loads of taxes and mortgages throughout working life, and many, many more.I experience deadlines almost every day myself, but I also have the chance to observe home buyers and home sellers in Toronto coping with various deadlines all the time. There are open houses, scheduled inspections, offers and counter-offers, and closings happening incessantly.An upcoming deadline means that one has to exert extra effort as it approaches in order to “make it” in time. This is because we know (or believe) that financial losses or personal costs resulting from missing a deadline are seldom negligible. Often we wonder, however, whether deadlines are really necessary and whether it could be easier to … [Read more...] about Why Deadlines Are Good
The Coffee Pot Wars: Creating Break Room Rules to Keep the Peace
The cherished workplace break room: a place to escape from challenging projects and catch up with co-workers over a fresh pot of coffee. However, while the break room can serve as a workplace safe haven, it can also be the site of fierce co-worker battles regarding proper etiquette. If break room wars are currently brewing in your office, here are 5 rules to consider implementing to keep the peace. - If you empty it, replace it – Each morning in workplaces across America, the rush to the break room coffee pot begins. Many a coffee fiend’s days have been ruined by going to fill a cup with the break room coffee pot only to discover a single drop remains. When someone uses the last of something in the break room, they must be expected to replace it as a courtesy to their co-workers. Whether coffee, sugar or other shared items regularly run short in your office, end the frustrations by implementing this rule. (Related: Coffee … [Read more...] about The Coffee Pot Wars: Creating Break Room Rules to Keep the Peace
I Am Scared I Will Die at Work
The toilet and my office cubicle, two places where I do not want to die. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to die anywhere, but just like you, one day I will cease to exist. Let it happen on the beach, or in my bed, or riding my bike through some random park - just not at work. Dying at work would suck. Here's why in no particular order. … [Read more...] about I Am Scared I Will Die at Work
The Importance of Accreditation Should Never be Underappreciated
Despite what you may think, the United States Department of Education is not in direct control of higher education accreditation. While the Secretary of Education is by-law required to provide the public a list of accredited post-secondary schools, the actual determining of a college's education quality is done by an array of private groups. Academic institutions contact “accreditation agencies” which, in turn, appraise the institution's quality of education regarding particular fields. Schools with satisfactory academic qualities are deemed “accredited.” Employers, in theory, care an incredible amount about accreditation. It's usually the only way they can tell whether or not the program you graduated from provided you with the preparation for particular responsibilities. The truth is most employers will not go to the trouble of checking to see whether or not the school you attended was accredited. That's because if you attended an unaccredited program it almost invariably … [Read more...] about The Importance of Accreditation Should Never be Underappreciated
Top 5 Qualities You Need to Become a Telecommuter
Between work, socializing and household maintenance, time can often run short. However, the solution many workers are discovering for time crunch dilemmas is telecommuting at least part-time for their employers. With Forrester predicting workplace telecommuting numbers to reach 63 million employees by 2016, this workplace revolution is here to stay. While telecommuting may solve many scheduling dilemmas, it can also present challenges to new remote workers. If you’re considering a transition from a traditional workplace to becoming a remote worker, it’s essential to understand those qualities held by the most successful telecommuters. By understanding these qualities and cultivating them, you’ll experience more success as a telecommuter. As such, here are the 5 qualities you need to become a successful telecommuter. Independent – The best telecommuters are those who don’t need their hands held through every … [Read more...] about Top 5 Qualities You Need to Become a Telecommuter
Introverts Unite in the Workplace…Uh, Probably Not
If someone asked you to define “introvert,” would you include words like “shy or anti-social?” Merriam-Webster defines introversion as, “the state of or tendency toward being wholly or predominantly concerned with and interested in one’s own mental life.” I’m not sure I even agree with the dictionary! Maybe that’s because I’m an opinionated introvert.So, what’s an Introvert?Most people make incorrect assumptions about introverts. Introverts like to spend time alone with their thoughts and become overstimulated by external data overload. That what happens to me at a big-box store. I buy weed-killer and a paint roller, then have to go home and decompress. It’s easier to tell you what an introvert is NOT. The following is my take on “10 Myths About Introverts.” 1. Introverts aren’t talkers – We just don’t like to make small talk and think there’s … [Read more...] about Introverts Unite in the Workplace…Uh, Probably Not