Career Advice

The task of contacting a customer service desk, particularly if there is a case of dissatisfaction involved, is usually considered an unpleasant one for many people. As a result, representatives at the other end must be capable of not only properly handling the problem to a full resolution, but also possess the necessary people skills to deal with a potentially angry customer. … [Read more...] about Kill ‘Em With Kindness: How to Ensure Awesome Customer Encounters

Work-life balance is a phrase that we hear a lot these days. In times gone by, if you had a job, it was the most important thing and that was usually the end of the story. Although this may still be true for some people, these days a lot of people want to strike that balance so that their work isn’t all consuming. There is an old adage: "Nobody says on their deathbed 'I wish I had spent more time at the office'" So, how do we strike that all important work-life balance? Disconnect One big reason that work–life balance can be hard to achieve, is if we have an inability to switch off from work. Advances in technology makes our lives easier in a lot of ways but it can also make it easier to stay “plugged in” to our work which can lead to imbalance. It is worth making it a habit to disconnect from work, in whatever way you need to, including via technology. Boundaries You could create some empowering rules for yourself and turn off your work phone, laptop etc … [Read more...] about Work-Life Balance (& How To Achieve It)

Presenting the perfect pitch can often be a daunting prospect, particularly if you’re making the presentation in an interview scenario. Luckily, many skills that are applicable to most business scenarios, such as the ability to present information in a concise and accessible manner, can be extrapolated to making a good interview presentation. Follow these five top tips to present a perfect pitch. 1 - The first rule of any good presentation is good preparation, and this is even more important in an interview, as you may not know in advance the constituents of your audience. The more familiar you are with your presentation, the more professional your pitch will appear. If possible, try to learn your pitch by heart rather than referring to notes, to encourage the impression that you really know your topic well. Make sure all your equipment and materials are ready, for example that you have a sufficient number of hand-outs, and that you know in which folder your presentation file is … [Read more...] about The Art of Presenting: 5 Tips for the Perfect Interview Pitch

Telecommuting is now an accepted norm in many industries. However, some employers remain behind the times by declining requests from their workers to develop telecommuting policies. If you want to begin telecommuting but are afraid your employer will turn down the request, the following are five ways to plead your case. Claim Your History of Work Independence If you have an independent working style and have displayed this during your years of working for a company, claim this as a reason why your employer should let you telecommute. Independent workers are often best suited for telecommuting since they don’t need a manager’s guidance with every aspect of a work project. Of course, you’ll need to show solid proof that you’re an independent worker for management to take this claim seriously. Cite the Company Cost Benefits Often, employers don’t want to know why an employee stands to benefit from a telecommuting policy, they want to know how the company will benefit from the change. … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Plead Your Case for a Telecommuting Policy

In today’s face-paced work environment, conflicts between employees and employers are on the rise. Job stress from daily living can make its way into a person’s work life. While conflict might be a natural part of life, maintaining a positive work environment should be every employer’s goal. April was Workplace Conflict Awareness Month, and across the country, companies planned events to bring awareness to this important issue. The goal is to teach companies that attempting to avoid conflict is a waste of time and resources. Instead, the goal should be have a structure in place to manage and deal with any issues. Secondly, that structure should include tactics to transform conflict into creativity. But every month needs to draw attention to this issue. There are several steps one can take to deal with conflict in the workplace. First you must establish exactly who is involved in the conflict and whether or not the conflict is interfering with their work. Once you have discovered the … [Read more...] about How to Hold a Meeting When There is Tension in the Office

Would you like to get more out of your work day rather than just seeing each day as one step closer to the end of the work week? Here are a few ideas: 1.       Start the Day Well How we start the day makes a big difference to how the day goes. For example, rolling out of bed at the last minute will make you feel unprepared and like you are catching up all day. Find a  way to start the day well that works for you. Could you get up earlier and meditate? Exercise? Or have enough time to exercise before you go to work. 2.       Create A Plan Having a plan for the day really helps you to get the most out of the work day. Without a plan we are like a ship without direction. Using a diary or a planner helps you to prioritise and be clear what needs to be done (and what could be dropped if necessary). 3.       Take Breaks Taking breaks at work is vital for your mental and physical wellbeing. If you … [Read more...] about 6 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Work Day

The allures of higher pay, a new city and new adventures often draw employees to give up their current jobs and relocate for opportunities with other companies. While relocating for work can offer benefits, it also often brings unexpected drawbacks. From higher living costs to personal life changes, workers must assess what job relocations may bring before making their final decisions. The following are four specifics to consider before accepting a job offer in a new city. Review the Pay Difference Relocating for work can be expensive. From paying for a moving van to putting down a deposit on a new apartment, the costs can quickly accumulate. Before relocating for work, review the pay difference between your current workplace and the new job offer. A new pay rate should typically be significantly higher than a current job to cover the costs of moving and settling into the new city. If you don’t think the new pay rate will be sufficient, negotiate for a larger salary with the new … [Read more...] about Thinking of Relocating for Work? Don’t Move Too Fast!

As youngsters, we learn the lessons needed to function in society. From parents teaching their toddlers not to whine to preschool teachers showing students the value of taking turns, each early childhood lesson is meant to carry individuals through the stages of life. Unfortunately, as people age and enter the workplace, many lose those important childhood lessons. From whining at employers to being impatient with coworkers, many employees revert to toddler-like actions when faced with workplace stress. Here are five preschool refreshers that double as career advice that most employees could use to improve their workplace relations. Don’t Whine No one wants to hear you whine incessantly about workplace issues. Employees who whine about projects to coworkers or who complain to managers about coworkers are viewed as immature and as unable to handle workplace stress. If you have serious issues with a particular workplace project, approach your manager in an adult-like manner and … [Read more...] about 5 Preschool Lessons Most Employees Could Use

How are your time management skills? Do you find yourself getting most of the things done that you plan to each day or does it always feel like time is slipping away from you? Most people could do with enhancing their time management skills to some degree, so if you want to polish up your time management techniques, here are some ideas for you: 1. Have A Simple Plan Planning is vital for good time management. Planning doesn’t have to mean that you spend hours making a detailed inventory of what you want to do – in fact, the simpler the better. Each day write down the two or three most important tasks that you need to do, and work on them first. Five minutes deciding on your key tasks is time well spent and will help you have a focus for your day.  2. Use An Alarm Clock When you have talks to get done, using an alarm clock is a great way to stop you procrastinating and get you focussed. If you have been putting off writing that report, set your alarm for half an … [Read more...] about The Basics Of Good Time Management

Monday mornings are a source of contention for a lot of people, especially if it means going back to a job they don’t like. So, whatever our work situation, how can we make the best of Mondays and even (gasp) start to look forward to them? 1. Do A Job You Love Do you enjoy your job? Does it feel like work or play?  No job will be fun all the time, but if the thought of going back to the office on Monday fills you with dread, then it is a good sign that something needs to change. You may decide to change jobs, go part time or it might be a change of perspective about your current job that makes the difference. 2. Make The Most Of Your Weekends  Working through the weekend or slobbing out on the couch because you are so tired every weekend won’t rejuvenate you. The odd weekend working or being lazy is no bad thing but if your weekends constantly feel like work time or recovery time, it is inevitable that Mondays will start to feel like hard work. Plan your … [Read more...] about How To Look Forward To Monday Mornings