Career Advice

As an individual, you do not have to stand for being hit on. You don’t have to endure any sort of harassment in hopes of getting that next raise or keeping your job. Most companies have strict policies that try their best to keep relationships completely out of the workplace – where they belong. Some companies will even host seminars on just this sort of thing. Familiarize yourself, first and foremost, with how your office handles romance. Any sign of harassment is considered against company policy. Therefore, do not be afraid to put a stop to it! If you actually like the attention, be warned that getting involved in an office romance could get messy. On the other hand, many people meet their sweethearts in the office. After all, what better way to find something in common than at work? Understand the Risks: If you are actually considering dating someone in the office, there are a few things you should know. Before you start a relationship, look at the potential hazards. Are they … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Handle Someone Hitting on You at Work

I didn’t start watching Mad Men until the 2nd season, so I’m glad I've been able to recently catch the show from the beginning. I was all prepared to not to like the show, mainly because the 60’s portrayal of women in subservient secretary roles offends my feminist side. But, if you haven’t seen it, give it a try. I think it’s one of the best-written shows on TV.In honor of the Mad men finale, you should  “Mad Men-ize” your office. Now this will be risky, as your boss and colleagues might not be amused. Here’re some tips to get you started...* Bring at least a fifth of scotch and some rocks glasses to work. Place these in your bottom desk drawer or file cabinet. Wait at least until 10:00 a.m. to have your first drink. Remember, ice is for sissies. Leave the bottle and glasses out in case a co-worker stops by.* Buy a carton of Marlboros or even better, something unfiltered. Light up and offer the pack around to your cube mates.* Try … [Read more...] about Mad Men Finale: How to Mad "Men-ize" Your Office

America has seen a large degree of economic down turn in the past few years. Now that we are supposed to be out of the recession, the educational opportunities that are available to people are going to affect how quickly we are able to pull ourselves away from this recession. People are going to find that they need to re-educate themselves in new careers or they may need to upgrade their educations. As new job opportunities arise, we are going to need people to fill those positions and that will require a new attitude towards education. [Tuition Reimbursement Benefits: How to Get Your Employer to Pay] As the economy changes, the needs of employers change as well. In order for the labor market to keep up with the demands of the economy, it needs to re-educate potential employees. Since many employees have been unemployed for a long period of time, government will need to create incentives for re-education.There are many types of incentives that governments, educational facilities, and … [Read more...] about Undereducated and Unemployed: Getting America Back on Track

Keeping the “Biz” in the Family Business It’s glaringly apparent that my TV-show recording and watching indicates that I need to get a life. A new one I caught this week, “Lone Star”, was about a Texas family in the oil business. It was reminiscent of "Dallas," which for you youngsters was gorgeous rich people cheating, back-stabbing and drinking all while wearing fabulous clothes. At least “Lone Star” had several office scenes where people actually appeared to be making money to pay for those Armani suits.I grew up in a family printing business which my mother ran and she dressed up for work, but I don’t recall her wearing Donna Karan. Although my dad was a design draftsman for a local company, at one point he joined my mother’s business to help out. There were no big dramas, plotting or intrigue in the company as far as I know. The only excitement I remember was my dad bailing a drunken press operator out of jail on a Saturday … [Read more...] about The Family Business

You've received a job offer. It pays more than your current job. But for whatever reason, you have decided that you would prefer to stay put. You have, however, made a decision to use the offer as a bargaining chip. It's a dangerous game, and you should only engage in it if you truly can see yourself walking away and accepting the new position. Many articles on the Web make it sound like accepting a counteroffer to stay with your current employer is a kiss of death--but I'm not convinced.Yes, there was a reason you were looking to begin with (unless you were headhunted). And yes, once you reveal that you are even considering leaving your job, your "team-player" status will be in jeopardy. But truth be told, everyone considers leaving their employer at some point, and sometimes, another job offer is the ultimate bargaining chip.A wake-up call. Your experience is often what gets you hired, but the day after you start, the focus shifts to what you are going to do for the organization … [Read more...] about Accepting a Counteroffer – When to Stay With Your Current Employer

I had a very surreal experience recently related to my work life that has made me wonder about a so-called classless society. A good friend started a cleaning and concierge business, but with a full-time job, she has little time to grow her business. Since I freelance and have flexibility in my work schedule, I offered to do some marketing for her. Because this is a new venture, capital is tight and she can’t hire enough employees. So...she and I have been cleaning houses. I’ve never felt that any jobs were beneath me and I want to help out a pal, but my preference would be to not clean houses - I don’t even like to clean my own.The surreal experience happened shortly after I cleaned her best client’s home. Although I often dread attending women’s networking events, I know they are critical to developing business. So I quit writing at 5:00 p.m., foofed up to look like a grown up and went to the event. Coincidentally, the cleaning client is also a member of … [Read more...] about Classless Society? Aren't We All “Working Class?”

If you don't feel well, call in sick.  It's a simple mantra, one that makes a lot of sense.  But in reality, it's not always an option.  Sometimes a project requires your attendance.  Other times you might want to avoid calling in sick because you know you'll be out (cough, cough) next week for that "vacation" day you forgot to request.  Coughing and sneezing around the office is met with disdain.  I've seen people go as far as telling a coworker to go home - and absolutely meaning it.  As if you didn't already feel crappy enough at work (you would stay home if you felt you could!), now you have to try to mask your flu-like symptoms to avoid being lynched.It's a selfish act to show up to the office sick with a contagious illness, but it's reality.  After all, it's you that will have to deal with a pissed off boss, missed deadline, and worse yet - termination.  You might like your coworkers and hate the fact that you could be getting them … [Read more...] about Sickness at Work: When You Don't Call in Sick

When we work toward a certain career path or go to college to land that dream job, we envision a rewarding career and lifestyle. No one in their wildest dreams would ever imagine that feelings inside of themselves could actually make it a daily struggle to cope at work. I'm talking about panic attacks.When I was fresh out of college and working as an ICU nurse in a large teaching hospital in New York City, that's exactly what happened to me.  My first panic attack came out of nowhere and hit me at work one day when I was at the nurses' station. I excused myself and went outside the hospital for some fresh air. After a few minutes I felt better so I went back in. But the next day, I had three attacks at work. By the third day I didn't want to go back. My life literally went to hell in the span of 3 days.Unfortunately that scenario plays itself out everyday in workplaces all over the country. In fact, over 19 million Americans struggle with an anxiety disorder every day.  What … [Read more...] about Are Panic Attacks Making Your Job Hell?