Career Advice

When starting up a new enterprise, there are a number of considerations you're going take into account and make decisions on. Developing effective marketing strategies to attract customers is likely one topic that's at the forefront of your attention. When it comes to maintaining a new successful business, a huge factor that will affect your success is how your consumers perceive your establishment.  This isn't to say that you should mislead potential customers and market yourself as a reliable and  professional business if you're not, but you  should consider your company through  the eyes of your customers. Maintain a Professional Website First impressions matter. It's an undeniable fact that consumers often make judgments based on a business's online presence. If you have a limited budget that doesn't allow you to hire a web programmer, it would probably be beneficial to pay a professional developer to set up a polished website for your customers to navigate. … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Increase the Perceived Legitimacy of Your Business

When we think of moving, we often flash to an image of a large moving truck, stacks of cardboard boxes and a brand new house.  But moving is a fact of life at work too.  From reorganizations to relocations, everyday, hardworking men and women are asked to change their work location.  And while might not be as stressful as a house move (there should be a lot less stuff!), it can still be a royal pain in the butt.  Moving and storage doesn't have to be difficult!  Here are a few tips to prep for a cubicle or office move.PREVIEW THE NEW SPACE.  Before you commence packing, take a look at your future work area.  This is not always possible, but a visual can help you determine what you need to bring with you.  Obviously, the less stuff you schlep with you, the easier the move.  There's no point in moving something from Desk A to Desk B if you're only going to end up tossing it or taking it home since there's no room for it.UTILIZE PLASTIC … [Read more...] about Moving at Work? Tips to Shift Your Cubicle

A model of discreet efficiency, the well-known and often loved Chinese takeout place is too often taken for granted. In their quiet and humble way, these places provide many of us with the comfort food we crave and often badly need. The Chinese takeout has indeed spread its proverbial wings, and appear as often in Seattle and Savannah as in NYC and San Francisco. The appeal for affordable food, and the service that comes with it, is just about universal. It's become an icon of modern urban life, and deservedly so.More importantly, the Chinese takeout serves as a great business model, and not just for those of us who may one day hope to have our own business. The skills and talents that make even the most mediocre takeout successful can, and indeed should, be applied to where ever we work, or whatever we do. Knife skills are, after all, not required. Here are four characteristics of a Chinese takeout that can be applied to your job, irrespective of the size of your cubicle. … [Read more...] about 4 Career Lessons From the Chinese Takeout

This post is all about ways to get your boss loving you...in a platonic sense. That is to say, if you want your boss to appreciate, respect, value, and simply like you more, this article is for you. If however you’re looking for ways to get your boss to fall in love with you romantically, you’re looking for a completely different post altogether. Ask Questions Often people are afraid to ask their boss questions, especially when they are new to a company or have a low standing in the company hierarchy. Not wanting to come across as ignorant, feeling they are wasting their boss’ time, and fear of humiliation amongst their peers are all common reasons that prevent constructive questioning. However, it is also common for bosses to misinterpret this absence of questioning as lack of interest, lack of confidence, or even arrogance. No good boss expects those below them to know everything and most will encourage, if not request, that employees ask as many questions as … [Read more...] about Ways to Make Your Boss Love You

Gist.com, a new social media network that integrates all your email and social media account, and helps you in your worklife by creating a business profile for everyone in your network, recently espoused the virtues of a "new workstyle." The tenets of this workstyle, essentially, is that we are always connected, always in touch and ... always working. Sounds exactly like life as a business owner (and I'm not complaining about that!) -- but I don't see how this would fly for most employees. Employees who practice this new workstyle, according to the post, are, “always on and always aware,” “location independent,” and “Demonstrate resiliency in their ability to navigate and thrive in an increasingly ambiguous workplace (and world).” In spite of all this, the new workstyle is supposed to provide a better work/life balance. The theory is that employees can better balance work priorities and commitments with personal pursuits during the work day and after … [Read more...] about Could You Benefit from the "New" Workstyle?

Welcome to 2011, the year that you will actually stick to your career resolution!  Jobacle is here to help.  Each day this week I will share a career resolution that has been effective for me. As the human race, we tend to repeat behavior/emotions we have previously experienced.  For example, if you were to punch your steering wheel every time someone cut you off, you might repeat that behavior at a time when it could cause harm.  Or worse yet, what happens when you have the “feeling” of being cut off and there’s no steering wheel to punch?If you have a horrible day at work it can be therapeutic to espouse to your spouse.  But if you make a habit out of complaining about work, you will do it without even realizing it -and this is bad for you (and your relationship!).   You also are reawakening the negative feelings that occurred during the original event - why relive negativity twice?We all work for the money.  One way to leave … [Read more...] about Work Resolution #5: Leave Work in the Past

Welcome to 2011, the year that you will actually stick to your career resolution!  Jobacle is here to help.  Each day this week I will share a career resolution that has been effective for me. As much as you may hate wearing a skirt and holding pom-poms, like it or not, you are your best cheerleader.  Sometimes you are your only cheerleader!Today's resolution requires that you become a parrot.Repetition is one of the main ways we retain information.  It's the way we learn a language, improve at math, get six-pack abs, and so on.Your mission is to pick an item that will boost your career "street cred," and repeat it every few days to different people at work.You might want to talk up a skill that you haven't had a chance to tap into.  Or remind people of a past accomplishment.  The point here is to spread the word about something you have done or something you want to do.  You'll be amazed at how being a broken record can pay dividends. … [Read more...] about Career Resolution #4: Become a Parrot

Welcome to 2011, the year that you will actually stick to your career resolution!  Jobacle is here to help.  Each day this week I will share a career resolution that has been effective for me. By the end of January make a commitment to have your resume updated both online and on paper...even if you are not looking for a new job!You never know when an opportunity will present itself, and it is important to be prepared.  Happy at your full-time gig?  Congrats, but you're not exempt from this exercise.  With the turning of the calendar, many organizations will be beefing up staff and making personnel changes; your job is to be ready.  YOU are your brand!January is also a great time to take inventory of all of your social netowrking profiles.  From LinkedIn to Pandora - be sure that your information is work-appropriate, consistent, and accurate.   … [Read more...] about Career Resolution #3: Get Updated!

Welcome to 2011, the year that you will actually stick to your career resolution!  Jobacle is here to help.  Each day this week I will share a career resolution that has been effective for me. When it comes to vacation days, most people are like squirrels - they hoard their days for the summer and the end of the year.  While I can appreciate the pragmatism, I would like to offer a suggestion; treat yourself to a vacation day in January. Even though the winter holidays are a time for family and friends, if we're gonna be honest, they are also a time for stress.  Odds are that you did very little during the holiday season for yourself.  Rather than do something for someone else, take a vacation day and use it for YOU.  I don't know about you, but don't you hate it when you take a day off and later discover your boss was off too?   The odds of someone taking time off from work in January are slim (unless they are reading this too!).Use the day … [Read more...] about Career Resolution #2: Take a January Vacation Day