For many office workers, the end of the year means annual review time, and if you're lucky, a raise. For most folks, these raises will be in the low single-digit percentages, usually between 1 and 3%. When you first do the math, it's hard to get excited about such a nominal increase. In fact, in my experience, many workers become angry and disappointed over such a "small" raise after an annual review. But once you step back, take a deep breath, and become grateful for what you have, you will see that this money can make a difference in your life. If you're making $50,000 a year and get a 3% raise, you're looking at around $40 more in your pocket per check. Are you getting rich, no. But if you have a plan to spend this new found money, you can help advance your career and put your finances in better order. Here are a few ways Jobacle recommends spending your raise after your annual review. … [Read more...] about Annual Review: Why You Should Be Happy With a 2.5% Pay Raise
Career Advice
Should I Call in Sick to Work?
Being sick is bad enough, but being sick and feeling like you still have to go to work can take it to another level. There is a lot of guilt and worry about taking time off work when suffering from illness. Pressure from the boss, an ever increasing pile in the in-tray, important meetings, and dead-lines to meet can all make a convincing argument that going in while you are feeling terrible is the right thing to do. In fact, going to work when you are not well enough can be counter-productive and potentially irresponsible. Before you take yourself in to work when you are feeling like death warmed up, consider the following: Can you do your job properly? Consider how well you can perform your duties, will you be physically able to do the tasks required and will you have the ability to concentrate. It's worth considering that, although you turn up for work, colleagues may still be doing much of the work for you to keep up the slack. You run of the risk of making mistakes through an … [Read more...] about Should I Call in Sick to Work?
Thanksgiving at Work
Thanksgiving is a time when you traditionally think about time spent with family and friends. Although this is true, there is no reason not to celebrate this wonderful time and show thanks with colleagues at work as well. After all, work is where you earn a wage to live on, and where and who you spent a large proportion of your time. And for some, having holiday from work at this time isn't possible. If this is the case, there are still ways to celebrate this festival, in the true spirit of being thankful. Potluck Potluck is a great way to share favorite thanksgiving foods with co-workers. A time is designated at work for the thanksgiving meal. Each member of staff brings in a food that is a particular favorite in their family, made following their own individual recipes. As the meal is enjoyed, each person shares with the others why their meal is special to them, sharing not only the food but the meaning and associations behind it. … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving at Work
How to Be Professional When Calling in Sick
Calling in sick is something most of us have to do from time to time but, for many, there are worries associated with calling in sick even when there is a genuine need to do so. The current economic climate has made job security a real concern for many, with a fear that taking time off due to illness may be seen in an unfavorable light by employers. This can result in many struggling into work ill, rather than resting and recovering at home. Knowing how to take a professional approach to calling in sick can take some of the worry out of informing your employer. It can also help you to take responsibility for doing what is in yours and your co-workers best interest i.e. getting better before returning to work. One of the biggest problems in this situation is deciding if your illness warrants you taking time off work. It may seem like the right idea to continue working, but there are several points you need to consider before choosing to take yourself into work if you are ill. Being a … [Read more...] about How to Be Professional When Calling in Sick
The Best Career Books for Coworker Gifts
Books are a great gift for coworkers. Even the worst book has something to offer, as it opens up our horizons and make us reflect on things we haven't thought before. There are books that even people who are not particularly fond of reading will enjoy. The key, when you are looking for a book to offer as a gift, is to find one that is well-written, relevant to your colleague's interests, easy to read in terms of font and short enough to be thorough and interesting but not too heavy. Following you will find a list of the best career books for coworker gifts. These books are motivational, inspirational and practical and they can help people improve their career, work-life balance and level of fulfillment at the workplace. When you get one for your coworker, don't forget to pick a copy for yourself as well! The 4-hour workweek by Timothy Ferriss Tim is an exceptional young man who, after going to Princeton, managed to start his own health supplement company and run it with the help of … [Read more...] about The Best Career Books for Coworker Gifts
The Longest Aussies Stay With a Job
Australians, like most other people, do not usually stay at one job—or even in one field—for the entirety of their working lives. But, as one might expect, the time spent in the same job varies from person to person, generation to generation, and age group to age group, among other things. This variation within factors is fascinating to observe, and thanks to Valued Opinions™ online surveys in Australia, we can see some trends. Here's what you need to know about job longevity for Australians. Initial Jobs The job landscape has altered dramatically over the previous years and decades in Australia. Australian workers decades ago would usually enter the workforce in a field that they hoped to build a career in. Slowly, over time—and due largely to innovation, technology, and the infinitely more diverse modern market—first jobs became more about getting your foot in the door, making connections, and saving money, and less about landing your long term job on the first shot. … [Read more...] about The Longest Aussies Stay With a Job
Practice What You Preach: Good Money-Management for Finance Students
There are certain expectations that come with life and one is the ability to manage personal finances a little better than your peers. Surely someone studying finance should know how to balance their own books better than a history, engineering or drama student? Well, when it comes to money management, book smarts don’t always translate into street smarts. Those opting for an undergraduate major in finance are just as capable of running into a personal budget crisis as anyone else. If you’re thinking of choosing finance course or already belong to this group, here are a few ways you can apply your macro knowledge on a micro scale. Determine Your Income As your finance professors will teach you, an income statement is one of the essential tools for determining a company’s financial health. There’s no reason you can’t apply this to your own life. Keep track of all your incoming funds - your monthly salary from that part-time pub gig, money from mum and dad, etc. - and balance … [Read more...] about Practice What You Preach: Good Money-Management for Finance Students
Should You Get a Master’s Degree While Working?
At some point in your career, you may begin to wonder if it is a good idea to get a master's degree. A master's degree can open up a lot of new career possibilities, allowing you to go significantly further in your career. However, earning a master's degree requires a lot of time, effort and money, and it can be a very challenging task for people who are holding a full-time job. If you are considering whether it is worthwhile to pursue a master's degree while working, the following information may be helpful to you. Pros of Getting a Master's Degree While Working Career Advancement If you have a master's degree, you will be eligible for a higher-level position in your company or elsewhere. Such a position is usually more financially and professionally rewarding. Getting a promotion will increase your decision-making power and make you a more important asset to your company. … [Read more...] about Should You Get a Master’s Degree While Working?
7 Bad Work Habits To Avoid
As our daily work routines become the norm, we develop habits that help us progress through the day. Many of these habits are beneficial to our work but some can be detrimental and often we may not be aware of, or do little to correct them. This in time can have a negative effect on our experience of work, lessen the possibilities for career development, and can even risk our employment. 1. Poor Planning Poor or lack of planning will result in disorganized working patterns. This can lead to missed deadlines, incomplete work and can create unnecessary stress. Simple measures such as planning a schedule for outstanding work in order of priority will create more efficient, productive and less stressful working conditions. 2. Putting Personal Life Before Work At times we all have to take time off work for unavoidable personal appointments that occur during working hours, and the occasional personal phone call or time spent on social media is overlooked by most employers. However, this … [Read more...] about 7 Bad Work Habits To Avoid
Organizing the Work Halloween Party
Halloween has been a popular celebration for children for many years, particularly in the United States, and in recent years has crossed over to adults and even become a good excuse for a work Halloween party! Done right, celebrating this occasion at work can be a great staff morale booster and team building experience, you'll get to see a different side to your colleagues, get to interact with staff members you would otherwise have little chance to meet on a regular working day, and an opportunity to show a side of yourself, away from your work persona. It's also a chance to demonstrate talents such as organizing, planning and creative skills, as well maybe hidden skills such as story and joking telling! Do and don'ts Do encourage creativity Part of the joy of Halloween is showing off your creative costume ideas. Do arrange games Choose games appropriate for your working environment. These could be judging the most creative or original costume idea, awards for best decorated … [Read more...] about Organizing the Work Halloween Party