Career Advice

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

One of the hardest things about moving to a new city is leaving a job you love. Yes, there really are people who love their jobs! It’s especially tough if you’ve been with a company for a while and have established yourself as a valued employee. Starting over with a new company after you move can feel rather daunting. Increase in Remote Workers Many companies are switching to a less centrally-located working platform and having employees not just telecommute from their nearby home offices, but also work from anywhere in the country. So maybe you have another option besides leaving your job when you move. Why not explore the idea of working for your company remotely after the move? Your Company’s Culture If your company expects nothing less than constant face time, meaning you must have your B.I.C. (Butt In Chair) at the office, you may have to say goodbye to your job. However, if your company already has a percentage of telecommuters and people working remotely from different … [Read more...] about Is It Possible to Work Remotely After Moving?

I've been blogging for a long time, but I'm not sure I've ever told you about the view from my office. My cubicle. I see 41 bricks.  And this makes me grateful. These bricks let me know when it's raining outside. Or when the sun is shining brightly.  It's a reminder that a world exists outside of these grayish-blue-cloth-lined walls. Would I rather be staring out across a meadow? An ocean? A city skyline?  Of course.  However, when I look at all of the people in the office building who have no window view whatsoever, I realize that I am one of the lucky ones. Here's why you should covet thy window: Connectedness. Whether you are a writer, a manufacturer, or a salesperson, a key element to success is keeping your audience/consumer in mind.  A window gives you a portal, a constant reminder that the world extends beyond the project you are working on. Outside Elements.  When the dark clouds gather and imminent danger presents itself, you'll be one of the first to know. This can help … [Read more...] about My Office View: 41 Bricks

The professional world is a daring and daunting place. Survival of the fittest, some would say. Therefore, if you want to gain an edge on the competition you need to become the fittest! A warrior! A fierce mercenary of valor! A competitor who knows no fear! Are you pumped yet? Well, you should be. There’s hope for you. Here’s what I mean. Most hires, job promotions, and good relationships with bosses have less to do with expertise and absolute effectiveness as they do less tangible impressions. Supervisors appreciate confidence, tenacity, ambition, and a person who demonstrates some healthy pride by taking care of themselves physically. These attributes are forged in fire, so take some initiative and begin training…boxing training, that is. The boxing fitness regimen is the best in its class for building more than just muscle. This program of exercise, utilized by boxers, emphasizes a healthy physique, mental and physical endurance, and general toughness, all of which are useful in … [Read more...] about How Boxing Can Change Your Professional Life

Telecommuting is now common in many of today’s workplaces. While this flexible work option offers benefits for employees, it often requires major management changes. In particular, if you’ve recently begun managing telecommuters, you may find your communication patterns with them differing from those with traditional in-office workers. Since the bulk of communication between telecommuters and their managers happens via email, it’s essential for you, the manager, to understand how to use this communication medium effectively. To avoid miscommunications during your venture into managing telecommuters, here are three tips for using this communication medium in the most effective manner. Tend to Subject Lines An email subject line should briefly summarize the intent of an email message. If an email is urgent and should be read immediately, include the word URGENT at the beginning followed by the topic of the message. While this may seem like common sense, many professionals misuse … [Read more...] about Proper Email Communication Tips When Managing Telecommuters

Employers are facing an unprecedented challenge in today’s workplace – managing multiple generations of employees. From veteran workers volunteering with organizations to generation Y now entering the workforce in droves, this mix of attitudes, work ethics and life experiences sets the tone for intense workplace debates if not managed properly. Addressing the generational demographics of your employees is essential for operating a functional business in today’s diverse workforce. However, avoid approaching the management of an intergenerational workplace in a negative light. Too many employers attempt to change the inherent workplace mentalities of each generation – manipulating generation Y workers into accepting a 9 to 5 schedule or in making veteran workers become more computer literate. Ultimately, these employers are setting themselves up for failure. To truly be successful in managing an intergenerational workplace, you must adopt policies that cater to all generational … [Read more...] about How to Minimize Conflicts in an Intergenerational Workplace

September 29, 2011 is National Coffee Day. Ahead of the highly-anticipated day, CareerBuilder and Dunkin’ Donuts have released their second annual list of professions that "rely" on coffee the most to get through the work day. Considering the negative affect caffeine has on our bodies, the findings are pretty alarming.  In fact, I'm kind of frightened that the educators teaching our children, the physicians scanning us for cancer, and the politicos trying to fix our economy, are all addicts.  But wait, the word caffeine is conveniently absent from the press release. I'm sure these folks are all drinking decaf. Not!Am I calling for a ban on caffeine in the workplace?  Of course not.  While I admit I am a tea snob, and someone who is hyper-sensitive to caffeine, I am also a huge proponent of all things in moderation.  I don't like the fact that people feel they need to "rely" on anything other than oxygen to get through the work day. And if you think the … [Read more...] about Caffeine Nazi Says: Roast National Coffee Day 2011

Good communication skills are vital for us to thrive in (most) work places, but how well do we really communicate? Answering this question and working on the areas that need attention can pay big dividends. Self Assessment If you would like to enhance your communication skills, take some time to honestly assess yourself. This can be a difficult task and may involve a lot of soul searching however getting honest with yourself will give you the opportunity to transform the way you communicate at work and in other areas of your life. Some questions you could consider are: How good are you at really listening?  (Note: Real listening is not just waiting for other people to finish talking so you can say what you want to say) Do you ask for what you want or do you complain instead that you can’t get what you want? Do you answer other people’s questions directly or ramble off topic? Do you use positive or negative language? Do you over explain or give limited information to others? Do … [Read more...] about Enhancing Communication Skills at Work