Career Advice

I’m a firm adherent to the adage that the clothes make the man. Usually people see this in the sense that the clothes you wear mark your position in society (which is true, whatever), but MORE IMPORTANTLY I think that putting on a uniform somehow mentally prepares the wearer for the task they are about to perform. As such it pains me that right now, as I sit in my office chair and look around I am the only person to not be wearing jeans. Now don’t get me wrong, I love jeans. I just think that if you’re at work and your job doesn’t involve manual labor, then you have no business in denim. My father was a welder, my grandfather built ships, and family lore has it that my great grandfather immigrated west in a covered wagon—they could wear jeans to work. I spend all day having meetings about leveraging brand equity through social media engagement—I don’t get to wear jeans. If you are reading this at work then you (probably) don’t get to wear jeans; and if you are wearing jeans, my … [Read more...] about If You’re Going to Wear Jeans in the Office, At Least Do It Right

If you’re reading this article it’s probably because you’ve either been offered a job with the prospect of relocation, or you’re considering an offer. Relocation is often a complicated and long process – there are many rewards to be had, and many new and exciting opportunities that can arise as a result. The first reaction to relocation for most people is often fear or apprehension. First, you need to understand that this is completely normal – it’s a huge step to move away from an established routine, friends and family – so don’t feel ashamed or concerned if you’re feeling this way. It doesn’t mean the move is a bad idea. The key thing here is to chat about how you’re feeling – if you have a significant other, talk things out with them and concentrate on what you’re excited for rather than the things you’re going to miss. If you have children, encourage them to talk about it too, if they’re resistant to the move then look up some great activities in the new location that will spark … [Read more...] about Relocating for Work

Oh, Valentine’s Day – that over-commercialized holiday designed to pad the pockets of flower shops and jewelry makers. In the world of romance, Valentine’s Day is a chance to express your innermost passion, to charm your mate. However, in the workplace, it’s a day often resulting in coworker confusion and claims of sexual harassment. While many coworkers will see the lightheartedness and holiday spirit in office valentines, in today’s often oversensitive world, you simply can’t be too careful. The following are a few tips on what to give coworkers this Valentine’s Day and what to avoid. Keep it Platonic If you wouldn’t give it to your child, don’t give it to coworkers. While you may think that giving risqué valentines to coworkers would be a fun prank, the gesture would more than likely be misunderstood. When giving valentines to coworkers, remain platonic by passing out treats or by giving cards imprinted with fun, yet straightforward sayings. Give to One, Give to All Unless … [Read more...] about The Office Valentine: What to Give and What to Avoid

More Americans are pondering if going back to school could be their ticket out of unemployment, a way to transition to a new career field, or an enhancement to their chances of getting the salary they truly deserve. Fact is that this question does not have a hard and fast answer. According to the 2010 census, 18% of Americans have a Bachelor’s degree and only 6.9% have finished graduate school. Being part of that small percentage of Americans will help to set you apart from the rest of the workforce. Reasons for Going Back to School The idealistic argument for going back to school is that it shouldn't be undertaken solely for the purpose of career advancement. The reason for your return should also include the desire to want to advance in your life by taking the appropriate steps to keep moving forward. Understanding that returning to school can be a stressful time is important, but recognizing that that end is near will help you through this time. A positive attitude that … [Read more...] about Advance in Your Career – Go Back to School

Have you ever gone through a stage at work when your performance levels drop? Most of us have and no matter what industry you work in, it can be hard to turn things around. There is hope though, and the solution is easy to accomplish. By eating well and taking the right supplements you may find yourself improving, and efficiency can be higher than it was before you hit a slump. Helping Your Memory As you get older our brains won’t function the same way. Some people suffer from severe memory loss and Alzheimer’s can cause serious issues. But while we’re at work it’s the smaller aspects of memory loss that may cause our performance levels to drop. Forgetting that vital statistic when your boss is listening, or leaving your files on a hard drive at home may land you in hot water. To reverse this cycle of forgetfulness many doctors suggest a supplement that includes Folic acid. In a study of over 800 people, aged between 50 and 70, researchers found that folic acid significantly … [Read more...] about Improving Your Performance at Work with Supplements

A quiet consistency often trumps erratic enterprises. We’ve all heard the sayings: “Little by little does the trick” or “Little by little sinks the ship”; and they’re both wise allusions to the cumulative power of taking simple actions. This unapparent force can strengthen or erode our accomplishments each and every day, depending on how we relate with it. And yet we often neglect the power of doing a little every day, rather choosing to struggle to get things done - invariably getting caught up in procrastination. This article is an invitation to do otherwise. After reading this, you will hopefully be inspired to tap into the huge potential of action that is yours to command, by breaking down your goals into tiny minute steps. How to get things done without even noticing Do you know why so many people fail to accomplish their self-imposed goals? There is a fundamental motif to such scenarios: unrealistic expectations.  Most people just cannot manage to set up a manageable action … [Read more...] about The Power of Taking Bite-Sized Actions

Starting a new job can be a nerve-wracking experience. Given the lack of knowledge and familiarity, the first instinct you may have is to simply survive. If you are the ambitious type, however, this approach can at best be unproductive and at worst make a bad impression on your boss. Your first day should not be a time of survival but rather one of opportunity, a chance to convince your boss you are someone worthy of paying attention to. Here are 5 ways to impress your boss on your first day: 1. Be an Early and Well-Dressed Bird The first thing people will notice is what you are wearing and what time you clocked in. Showing up early and dressing professional will set the foundation for how your boss views you going forward. It fosters an impression of loyalty, service, and preparation that can be built upon by your actions in the office. From there you can create a habit of greeting your boss as they enter the office. Eventually you want your boss to conflate the picture of you hard … [Read more...] about 5 Ways To Impress Your Boss On Your First Day

"Nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so." William Shakespeare  1. Stop Complaining We all get into bad habits sometimes but consistently complaining saps our energy (and other peoples) and can drain our energy and affect our attitude to work. There is of course a difference between letting off a little steam and being a consistent complainer. It is worth noticing how much we complain about things at work and nipping it in the bud if it is a bad habit we have fallen into. 2. Be Proactive Following on from the first point, being proactive and doing something about those things we want to change at work is a healthier approach than complaining. We can turn complaints around by doing something about them. It is easy to complain when something isn’t how we would like it, but  taking the initiative and trying to make a change though harder, is more rewarding in the long term. 3. Stop Gossip Gossiping usually makes everyone involved feel worst at some level. Stopping gossiping … [Read more...] about 5 Ways To Cultivate A More Positive Attitude About Your Job