Career Advice

The resume of the future isn't coming. Sorry. I know this will disappoint the technologically-savvy, eco-friendly among you, but it's the truth. Before you rip my head off and start singing the praises of one of the many new resume-building tools available, I suggest you bookmark this post and come back to it every few years to see that I was right. Audio resumes? No chance. Video resumes? Nope. Never. Image resumes. A mere blip on the radar. Some things are just meant to be tangible. And sorry guys, a sexy infographic won't get it done either - at least not in most fields. Don't shoot the messenger. Personally, I think the entire resume thing is a joke to begin with.  Your entire professional life on a single piece of paper? Pul-lease. So for the time being, the debate rages on... Should I include a photo? An objective? Should I print it on funky-looking paper? Social media has changed the game slightly, but the majority of positions still call for a resume.  A … [Read more...] about The Resume of the Future is DOA

When you move away from your city, it’s tough saying goodbye to friends, neighbors and nearby family members. But it’s also difficult to leave your co-workers. After all, you spend as much or more time with them than you do your own family! Our relationships with our colleagues have sustained us through those bad Mondays and crazy deadlines. Sure, you pledge to keep in touch via social media and email, but that’s not the same as seeing them every day. Because your work pals are important to you, don’t forget to focus some of that energy you’re putting into moving on the workplace. Even if you’re relocating to a branch office of the company, it’s still important to maintain those ties. The following are some tips that might make these goodbyes and your transition easier. -  Let co-workers know as soon as possible – People need time to acclimate to unexpected news. If your colleagues know they have some time to say goodbye, it’s less stressful. - Carry your weight – Even though you … [Read more...] about Saying Goodbye to Co-Workers When You Move

The water cooler is an office staple with many meanings. Some use it for refreshments while others use it as a meeting place to dish. Rumors fly around the office as easily as they do a playground in kindergarten. Even though some of us have an addiction to juicy gossip and drama, it can prove to be counter productive, especially when we are the subject of it. There are very few ways to avoid office gossip without avoiding everyone you work with, but there are ways to minimize gossip and its affects. Here are a few tips to keep the clucking hens as quiet as possible. Find them before they find you: Learning who the gossipers are before they reach you is imperative to defending yourself from the mud slinging. When you start at a new office, keep your eyes and ears open. The queens and kings of gossip are rarely hard to see. They enjoy being the center of attention as long as they aren’t the subject. They especially enjoy getting their beaks into the new guy. They may actually approach … [Read more...] about How to Avoid Office Gossip

Whether you are being forced into a career transition due to a job loss, or whether you are taking the next steps in your career and are excited about the next stage, there is likely to be some stress associated with the changes happening in your life. It’s important to manage this stress, though. You will recover better, and improve your overall situation if you keep your anxiety under control. Here are 5 tips for keeping the stress at bay during a career transition: 1. Focus on the Positive One of the best things you can do to alleviate any kind of stress in your life is to focus on the positive. Try to find the positive side to your career transition. If it’s something you have chosen, focus on why you are making the change. If you are the victim of lay-offs, look for the opportunities that the situation might afford. Try to find the silver lining. You’ll stay positive, feel less stress, and be more likely to succeed as you look for a new job or start a new endeavor. 2. Create a … [Read more...] about 5 Tips For Managing Career Transition Stress

The world of business is dominated and controlled by networking. Companies which have the relevant skills and abilities for successful networking are often those which are most successful. However, networking is not all about big business events and traditional lunches. Here are five great examples of alternative networking: 1. Organize your own mini conference Conferences are one of the primary forms of communication between different businesses and companies. They are typically hosted by larger establishments, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a go yourself. Organizing your own mini conference is a great way to help you network with other businesses. Mini conferences offer the perfect platform for meeting new businesses, especially from within your local area. Invite businesses and make sure that you create a professional yet welcoming atmosphere. 2. Network during your commute A good tip to remember is that business networking can occur at any time, in any place. … [Read more...] about Five Alternative Networking Ideas

If your office has a Halloween party, you are likely Googling costume ideas while you are at work. For the record, I am not a fan of office Halloween parties. In my experience, people use the holiday as an opportunity to show something off. It could be large biceps or ginormous breasts; if you've ever been to an office Halloween party, you know what I'm talking about. In general, it is best to keep your costume simple and generic.  I know that doesn't sound like much fun, but we are talking about your livelihood, and in these troubled economic times, now is not the time to risk your job to get a laugh. Here are several of the worst costume ideas you can wear to Halloween party at work. Nun/Priest/Crucified Jesus: Bringing religion into your place of work is never a bright idea, no matter how innocent or funny the idea may seem. Don't Bring Sexy Back: Turning Snow White or Cinderella into a tramp, or showing off your Pimp cane during the 9-to-5 is a loser idea. No Twins:  Never … [Read more...] about The Worst Halloween Costumes for the Office

Office Halloween parties are becoming as popular office Christmas parties. Even though it's a time to celebrate, you don't want it to become that story that everyone's whispering about for months (the kind where they stop whispering when you come in the room). All office parties are a great time to mingle with your boss and co-workers and to have a little fun, but you should remember to remain professional at all times. It may be a party, but you're still at work. Here are 5 tips for how to navigate the office Halloween party: Be Festive Parties are a great opportunity to relax and get to know your boss and co-workers on another level. Take the opportunity to show that you're a team player and someone that people want to know. Be a full participant in the festivities: wear a costume, get out on the dance floor, and talk to a wide variety of people that you don't already talk to every day. Don't be that person standing in the corner with your drink and not talking to anyone. Show … [Read more...] about 5 Tips for the Office Halloween Party

People who are interviewing potential employees always have one single overwhelming concern: that the person across the table is out and out lying to them.  There's little worse than sinking thousands of dollars in taxes, fees, training costs, and materials into an employee only to have them turn out to be a dud.  Fortunately, there are lots of ways to find out if an employee is trustworthy or not -- some obvious, some devious. Get Your Facts If the candidate has passed a few rounds of interviewing and looks quite promising, you can (and should) take the time to contact their previous employers.  Get every bit of information you can about how they were as employees, why they left, and so forth.  Also, call their references and ask for details that might be less than perfect about them.  Then, simply ask them about their previous work experience. If they don't give you a perfectly honest answer, that's OK -- everyone has a tendency to remember the good and forget the bad -- but if … [Read more...] about 3 Tips to Determine if Your (Future) Employees are Trustworthy

Although the workplace bonus performed a disappearing act in many companies during recent tough economic years, it’s making a comeback. While caution may still be required with your workplace bonuses until profits return to normal, you may be eager to reward employees for their loyalty and productivity during these uncertain times. Bonuses can be effective means of showing appreciation for employee efforts and for enhancing worker loyalty to a company. Unfortunately, many employers aren’t using their reward systems in the best possible manner. When employers offer the predictable holiday bonus at the same time each year, their employees come to expect this gesture, which takes the excitement and purpose out of it. The following are a few tips for spicing up this year’s bonuses to effectively show your appreciation for employees and enhance their corporate loyalty. Change It Up While predictability is essential for many workplace processes, it has no place with the employee bonus. By … [Read more...] about Workplace Bonuses: Tips and Ideas