Career Advice

When starting a career, many employees focus solely on impressing their employers with a diligent work ethic and an eagerness to learn. While those things are important, many new employees overlook other aspects of their careers that could actually harm their futures. The following are five actions taken as a new employee that can make or break your future. Selecting Benefits In college, you likely learned a lot about your chosen career path. Unfortunately, what may not have been taught in the classroom is the importance of things like selecting the right retirement fund and becoming properly insured with health insurance and life insurance. When starting a new job, meet with the company’s human resources rep as soon as possible to discuss the company’s benefits package. Review such topics as the cost of health insurance, whether a life insurance policy will be provided and whether an employer-sponsored retirement plan is offered. While you may think that your youth offers plenty of … [Read more...] about Starting a Career: 5 Actions That Can Make or Break Your Future

Your relationship with your boss is an important relationship. It may mean the difference between getting ahead in your chosen career or even being able to negotiate working conditions that suit you.  You don’t have to be best friends with your boss, but developing a good relationship with them makes life easier for you and them. Here are some tried and tested ways to make your relationship with your boss a good one: Do Your Job Well Ultimately, doing your job well is one of the best ways to develop a good relationship with your boss. The better you do your job, the less there is for them to worry about. Even if you are not close outside of work, by doing your job well you are more likely to earn their professional respect which is what matters at the end of the day. Put Yourself in Their Shoes It can be easy to pick fault with your manager or think “I wouldn’t do things that way if I were the manager” for example, but putting yourself in their shoes will … [Read more...] about How to Create a Good Relationship with Your Boss

  Most people want to be available every time our boss, coworkers, friends or family need something. It is great to be helpful and dependable, but it is also important to set limits on the times you are available so that you are able to be productive. It is important to be available in a true emergency, but these should only occur a couple of times per year, not on a daily basis. Emergencies Versus Interruptions Telling people to only call if they really need you is a good idea, but people have different views on what is a need. Some will only call if your mother died or your child was involved in an accident, while others believe that every 50 percent off sale is an emergency. Give people examples of things you feel are true emergencies so they will know when it is okay to interrupt your work and when they should wait to call until you are done working. It is also a good idea to let people know the hours you will not be working. It is a good idea to check your voicemail and … [Read more...] about Why You Should Not Always Be Available

You should always follow your dreams. Whether you want to start a business or land a job in management, do what it takes to achieve your goals. However, while working towards achieving a career goal, you may sometimes struggle, such as by working at a job you despise until better opportunities arrive. Since simply quitting a job you hate probably isn’t the best option for many reasons, you must find ways to stay positive in the job while you work towards making your future escape. The following are four ways to look on the bright side while working at a company you’ve come to despise. Take Action If you’re currently miserable at a job but aren’t taking steps to change the situation, you’ll only become more miserable. Begin thinking of the current job as a stepping stone towards something better. Whether you begin building a business on the side or take classes to further your education, any action you take now will bring you closer to leaving this job … [Read more...] about How to Stay Positive in a Job You Despise

Meeting life’s financial demands without a job isn’t possible for most people. As such, if you’ve been considering going back to college but also must work fulltime, you may be wondering how you’ll manage both responsibilities. Attending college while working fulltime can be stressful but it’s also possible and can offer many rewards. The following are five ways to balance college and work responsibilities while maintaining your sanity. Enroll for Reasonable Credit Loads A major mistake made by those attending college and working fulltime is registering for several classes each semester. While you may want to finish college as soon as possible, you must do so within reason. Before registering for classes each semester, review the course syllabi of any classes you want to take. Only enroll into the number of classes you know for certain you’ll be able to manage along with your work responsibilities. Learn Time Management Proper time management will save you a large amount of stress … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Keep Your Sanity While Working Fulltime and Attending College

There comes a time in many organizations when a manager quits, leaving an empty management position to be filled. If your manager has recently left the company or will soon be leaving, you may be considering putting in your application for the job. Many of your coworkers are likely thinking the same thing. If not carried out properly, the process of competing with coworkers for a management position can get a little messy. The following are four ways to apply for the company’s management role with grace to avoid coworker resentment. Be Honest While you have no obligation to inform coworkers of your intention to apply for a management opening, being vocal about the application may be beneficial. By being honest and upfront about applying for the job, you’ll leave fewer reasons for coworkers to talk behind your back as the competition heats up. Focus on your Assets You should never put other job applicants down in an attempt to build up your qualifications during a job … [Read more...] about How to Gracefully Compete with Coworkers for Management Positions

If you’re the most productive early in the day rather than later, you may find yourself frequently arriving at work before the official starting time. While arriving early to work can start the day off in a productive manner, it may actually also be harming your workplace relations. Here are a few reasons coworkers may not love your ‘go-getter’ attitude and what you can do about it. Causing Coworker Guilt Most people enjoy putting the minimum amount of effort into their jobs. As such, when coworkers begin noticing that you frequently arrive early to work, this can lead to those coworkers feeling guilty about not putting in more effort as well. This guilt can then quickly turn to resentment among those coworkers who feel you’re putting unfair pressure on them to increase workplace performance. Being a Brownnoser Often, those employees who arrive early at work every day are viewed as brownnosers. Even if you have a pressing project that requires additional hours … [Read more...] about Don't Get to Work Early!

Most people come alive when summer arrives. Extra winter weight is shed and the sluggish feeling that cold weather brings disappears when the weather warms. You may have anticipated summer for several months and may be very excited when it finally arrives. Unfortunately, many fulltime employees are so consumed with work projects that summer passes them by in a flash. If you’re tired of summer disappearing before you can get outside, here are five ways to still enjoy the warm weather even while working a full schedule. Wake Early Sleeping until the last possible second before work will start your day off in a rushed manner and will cause you to miss the best part of summer days. Rather than hitting the snooze button five times as you may do in winter, set your alarm for an early hour and wake to it. Then, enjoy breakfast on the patio in the morning’s calm weather or go for a walk while enjoying the crisp air and summer scenery. Avoid Overtime Be more than willing to work … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Still Enjoy Summer While Working Fulltime

Telecommuting offers many freedoms that in-office jobs typically don’t bring. From eliminating commutes to getting groceries in the mid-afternoon, you likely enjoy many aspects of your telecommuting arrangement. While telecommuting certainly offers more job freedom, it also brings more isolation. If you’re a natural social butterfly, you may have been unprepared for this increased isolation and may be struggling to overcome it. Since having a social life aids in life happiness and also increases work performance, here are five ways to continue socializing while working from home. Socialize Online Most telecommuters are required to maintain normal business hours even though they work from home. If your employer still requires an 8 to 5 work schedule, you may find it difficult to get out and socialize during the day and may be consumed by family obligations at night. One option for socializing even with a full schedule is to do so online. Online social networks offer great … [Read more...] about How to Maintain a Social Life While Telecommuting

Teaching is a rewarding profession, yet many teachers find that the constant challenges and the repetition of their daily routine can sometimes lead to burn out. When this happens, taking a break from teaching can lead to a new career path that offers the opportunity for personal and professional fulfillment. The skills that a teacher uses both in and out of the classroom are applicable to many different types of careers. Yet, knowing which career is best for them and how to get started is the first hurdle that teachers pursuing a break from teaching must overcome. Consider Staying in the Field  For some teachers, finding a different type of position within the education system can offer the break from teaching that they need. Teachers with years of experience might find that mentoring a new teacher can renew their love for teaching. Other teachers might find work in the administration department of their school district. Teachers who dream of starting their own business might find … [Read more...] about Alternative Career Breaks for Teachers