So you’ve decided to quit your job? Whatever the reason for leaving, it isn’t always easy to leave gracefully. Many of us don’t like endings, even if it is a ‘positive’ ending and it can bring up all kinds of emotions. So regardless of the situation, how do you leave your role gracefully and in a way that makes you feel proud? Resign Obviously, this is the first thing you need to do when leaving your job. You will need to put this in writing in the form of a resignation letter. Keep it short, professional and positive, whatever the circumstance. You may want to let close colleagues know informally, but ensure that word doesn’t get out before you have a chance to tell your boss personally! Notice Your notice period will obviously depend on what is written in your contract so if you need to leave earlier than your contract states you will need to negotiate with your boss and vice versa. Being fair to the company you are leaving and making an effort to help them with the … [Read more...] about How To Leave Your Job Gracefully
How to Stay Healthy at Work
Staying healthy is important, however many people put this on the backburner as something to do when they are less busy or maybe when they are able to work less. If you know that you could be healthier, start implementing better practices today. Small changes can have a drip-drip effect when employed over time. Being healthier will help you feel better and be more effective at work. Here are some ideas of practices you could implement: Take Breaks It sounds simple, but how many people regularly skip breaks at work? Make it a habit to take at least one break (if not more) during your work day. Contrary to what you may think, taking breaks will help you get more work done. It is amazing what half an hour away from the workplace can do for your productivity and general wellbeing. As well as having a break, try and do something that will make you feel better. Some form of exercise will help you feel much better when you return to work, even a short walk can do wonders. Sitting … [Read more...] about How to Stay Healthy at Work
The Hidden Costs of Your Job and How to Avoid Them
Have you ever thought about how much you pay to do your job? Many people think about securing a good salary when they start a job or getting a bonus each year and these things are important for your financial well being. However, have you thought about the about the hidden costs (financial and otherwise) of doing your job that impacts your bottom line? So what do I mean? Financially, I mean anything that you pay out for that you wouldn’t if it wasn’t for your job. I am also talking about the energy you use up because of doing your job, outside of what you are paid to do. For example: Buying work clothes Work clothes can be a real money drain. Can you mix and match what you already have? Shop in discount stores or charity shops? Or just cut back on what you buy? Be creative about dressing for work. Food and drinks Bringing your own food and drinks to work can be a huge money saver! If you don’t do this already, … [Read more...] about The Hidden Costs of Your Job and How to Avoid Them
How to Make the Most of Your Cubicle Space
It’s the space where you spend 8-9 hours per day—staring at the same three walls day in and day out. Why not make the most of it? Unless you're like some people who like to keep an empty cubicle! There’s a ton of ways that you can make your cubicle your own. If you take the time to personalize your cubicle by adding your taste in décor, such as wall art, and organize it in a way that makes sense to you, you can lead a much happier day-to-day work life. The following are some suggestions about how to make the most of your cubicle space. Stylish calendar: Calendars can help you add a personalized touch and organize your monthly tasks at the same time. DO: Hang a medium or small sized wall calendar with appropriate photos or images of your choice. Motivational calendars are a great touch for office spaces. DON’T: This is not the time to indulge in your guilty pleasures—so leave your Rebecca Black poster calendar at home. Dry-erase checklist: Hanging a dry-erase board is a great way … [Read more...] about How to Make the Most of Your Cubicle Space
Movie Clichés About the Workplace (add your faves!)
I recently saw “Bridesmaids” for the second time (yeah, it’s that good). The main character has a job in a jewelry store. Being unlucky at love, she goes on a rant about love never lasting while helping a cute couple select an engagement ring. I won’t spoil the rest for you, but it occurred to me that the scene was a fairly typical Hollywood version of life at work. Unrealistic workplace portrayals, often bordering on fantasy, are usually what we see represented in movies.The following have become standard movie clichés about the office: * The boss’s daughter is always a hottie – Not only is the daughter hot, she dresses slutty and doesn’t work because she drops by the office any time to see Daddy. It’s required that the new hire instantly fall in lust with her, resulting in career mayhem. * The boss is always rich – Because he likes you, he takes you to his prestigious country club where … [Read more...] about Movie Clichés About the Workplace (add your faves!)
Shoves & Tugs
One factor to being a successful leader is to find ways to inspire your employees to aspire to be great. Every employee has aspects of their job that they would love to change. They are those aspects that bring your employees down, drain them of their energy, and de-motivate them to give their full effort. On the other hand they also have aspects of their job that motivate them, make them want to give 100 percent, and keep them coming back day after day. Your job as a leader is to uncover these aspects that we like to call “Shoves and Tugs” and use them to help your employees aspire greatness. Shoves are those aspects that shove your employees out the door day after day. They may start small, but begin to build and eventually can drive an employee to quit. Tugs are the aspects that are tugging at your employee to stay with your company. Shoves and Tugs are not opposites and you definitely cannot fix a Shove with a Tug. No matter how many things are tugging at an employee to stay, if … [Read more...] about Shoves & Tugs
Where to Find Unemployed Astronauts
With NASA’s last shuttle launch, Andrew was worried about the fate of all those unemployed astronauts. So I offered to look into some new job opportunities for them. As we all know, in this uncertain economy, a lot of workers have to consider positions outside their areas of training and expertise.Requirements for AstronautFirst I had to find out what requirements you have to meet to be an astronaut so I could determine their skill-set. I have to admit, I really don’t know much about what they do besides go up, come down and do the weightlessness thing. I’m not in any way discounting their expertise, I’m just uninformed.According to NASA’s website info for students, you have to have good vision, good blood pressure and be between 62 and 75 inches tall. Oh yeah, you also need a bachelor’s degree in engineering, math or science. Under the specialist areas, like mission specialist, you have to do more stuff. Details, details. What are they going to do … [Read more...] about Where to Find Unemployed Astronauts
The Perfect Power Posture for the Job Interview
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. In a job interview, body language is worth an entire feature-length film -- especially a power posture. According to research by L. Huang and associates, of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and published in Psychological Science, your posture speaks volumes about whether you are a take-charge, in-control person--or a “yes” man or woman. This research validates what I have been teaching for many years in my executive presentation and media training programs: how you sit or stand produces behavioral changes in you and the people around you. For example, if you take up a lot of space when you sit, messages are sent to your brain that make you feel more powerful. Subsequently, those around you also perceive you to be more authoritative and powerful. But body posture alone isn’t the only thing that can help (or hurt) you in a job interview. Here are some body language tips to help you non-verbally ace the … [Read more...] about The Perfect Power Posture for the Job Interview
The 5 Best Traveling Jobs
Nothing broadens our horizons or is quite as fulfilling as travelling. Meeting new people, having exciting experiences and seeing foreign places is a deeply life affirming and confidence building thing to do and often gives our lives fresh perspective. However, travel needn’t be consigned to just your annual two week holiday or gap year before university. Working abroad lets you experience life in far-flung places at any age, while giving your CV some attractive, unique and transferable skills. If you want to live like a local, be part of a new culture and community and best of all, get paid for it, then say goodbye to dreary UK weather and check out our 5 best traveling jobs that will help you get up and go globetrotting… 1. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Teaching English is a great way to travel overseas. A TEFL qualification only takes a month to complete and gives you a better chance of finding work. Even without it there are many countries that require … [Read more...] about The 5 Best Traveling Jobs
Screen Casting on the Job: Boosting Productivity and Creativity Simply and Inexpensively
Everyday employers look for new and easier ways to boost their productivity and the productivity of their employees. Productivity issues can affect a whole range of industries, whether you work in a hospital, a school or a warehouse – there is always room for improvement and enhancements to create a better workflow and streamline daily tasks. One simple and cost effective way to boost productivity is using imaginative and creative training documents, collaborative design work, IT bug reports and how-to guides. This can all be done using simple screen casting tools that have editing capabilities. Employers can use screen casting to create professional and interactive tools and guides that will engage and instruct the staff instead of bore them, while saving time in the process. The first example of an industry that can benefit from the use of screen casting is the education system. Using screen capturing in schools is not only a great way to boost student’s productivity, but … [Read more...] about Screen Casting on the Job: Boosting Productivity and Creativity Simply and Inexpensively