Here we go again. The Christmas season lurks around the corner and just the thought of fighting off the hordes of shoppers raises our blood pressure. It's stressful enough to find the right gifts for family members and close friends, so why add to the stress by making buying gifts for the annual company grab bag an exercise in acute frustration. Buy coworker Christmas now and enjoy less stress later. And consider these bulk Christmas gifts! Why Now Is the Time to Buy Coworker Christmas Gifts Anyone that shops on Black Friday must love pain. Between the pushing and shoving lie a few good deals, but is it worth the stress to take advantage of saving a few dollars? At least Black Friday gives you plenty of time to buy coworker Christmas gifts before the office holiday office party. Many shoppers wait until the last minute to pick up gifts for the office holiday grab bag. Why endure undue stress from a simple task such as buying coworker Christmas gifts. It doesn't take a rocket … [Read more...] about Coworker Christmas Gifts: Buy Them Now, Less Stress Later
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Why Do You Want This Job? How to Answer…And Why It’s Really Asked
The words "why do you want this job" are uttered in 9 out of every 10 job interviews. And job interviews can make the most stoic poker faces turn into sweaty messes. After all, how often do we answer questions that determine our future career paths? It all starts with the "Tell Me About Yourself" question that although not really a question, sets the stage for the rest of the interview. In fact, many experienced job interviewers make up their minds after the first answer to interview questions. If you somehow manage to pass this question with flying colors, get ready for the next question that typically follows immediately or closely after "Tell Me Abut Yourself." … [Read more...] about Why Do You Want This Job? How to Answer…And Why It’s Really Asked
Top Ten Interview Questions (and answers)
Wondering how to answer today's top ten interview questions? Read on! Job interviews rank with trips to the dentist office as one of the most deplorable things that we face in life. Well, at least we know the dentist. Who wants to spend 30 to 60 minutes sitting under blinding lights and sweating out answers to questions that come from someone that we have never met? Let's make the job interview go smoothly by providing you with the top 10 interview questions and as a bonus, an idea on how to answer each question with professional aplomb. … [Read more...] about Top Ten Interview Questions (and answers)
How to Be a Great Manager
The 2011 World Series clearly presented the differences between good and great managers. For every move Tony LaRussa made, Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington had no answer. The stark differences in management skills between good and great managers are also readily apparent in the workplace. Legendary leadership guru Peter Drucker created several theories based on observation that defined great management skills. The Drucker Way on How to Be a Great Manager Drucker passed away in 2005, but his legacy endures in defining how to be a great manager. He maintained throughout his career and within the voluminous books that he wrote that leadership comprises only one-albeit, and important one-component of great management skills. Drucker never over-analyzed what made great managers. He predicted his theories on the axiom that successful managers demonstrated the professional skills to do things the right way. … [Read more...] about How to Be a Great Manager
A Guide on Self Assertion at Work
Self Assertion-the act of expressing or defending your rights, claims, or opinions in a confident or forceful way. Merriam-Webster has defined pretty much anything under the sun, including the sun. Self-assertion represents a recent entry into the venerable dictionary's ever growing list of words and terms that keep us not only informed, but also on the good side of diction. Yet, the definition of self-assertion by Merriam Webster doesn’t give us a road map on how to "self-assert" ourselves in the workplace. Outside of the bedroom, no other place has more importance for self-assertion than what takes place at work. Hence, we offer a guide on self-assertion at work. … [Read more...] about A Guide on Self Assertion at Work
How to Tell if a Coworker Likes You
The first time that we discovered that someone liked us took place within the walls of grammar school. As we dozed off during another trite lecture about American history, one of our classmates woke us up by shooting a spit wad directly into the middle of our forehead. The urge to retaliate immediately waned when we discovered that the reason for the spit wad was that the surly classmate wanted to pass us a note from a secret admirer. By the time we matured into our professional lives, we discovered countless other ways that secret admirers profess their interest in us that mean more than simply asking us out for a beer during happy hour. We now have like buttons on social media pages to remind us of our immense popularity. … [Read more...] about How to Tell if a Coworker Likes You
Tips to Consider When On a Video Interview Call
Hosting an effective web conference or taking a video interview call are a set of skills all its own. Learning to master the skills of running a large multi-location meeting or just a person-to-person interview can help your organization coordinating geographically distant teams or with sourcing just the right hire for that opening. Following these interview hacks will help you define your own style and get web conference savvy. F2F 101 Web conferencing with services such as Blue Jeans is a very distinct and separate type of conference from simple telepresence. Where telepresence allows the interviewer to ask and listen, it is typically a very mono directional form of communication. … [Read more...] about Tips to Consider When On a Video Interview Call
Want to Start a Business? Think About Puerto Rico
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Puerto Rico. All opinions are 100% mine. Ready to start a business? That can be the best way to shake yourself out of the doldrums of a ho-hum job and a go-nowhere career. Entrepreneurship can be the path that will lead you to the job of your dreams. The question is where to do it. Its Happening in Puerto Rico. The state you live in may not have the best tax and regulatory structure to start your own business. That’s why it makes sense to think outside the box (and look just a little bit outside the country). The beauty and cultural richness of Puerto Rico creates the ideal environment for investment and business growth. … [Read more...] about Want to Start a Business? Think About Puerto Rico
Low Stress Jobs That Pay Well
Low stress jobs that pay well? Sounds like an oxymoron, right? Is there a correlation between job stress and compensation? Do you have to set and ignite blasting caps on the side of a mountain to earn six figures? Most job seekers correlate compensation to both expertise and the level of stress that jobs induce. However, career information expert Dr. Laurence Shatkin conducted a research study that demonstrates job seekers have an abundance of job opportunities that ensure blood pressure remains low. A Little Background Info about the Study Shatkin compiled average salaries for 767 occupations that the United States Department of Labor officially recognizes. Then, Dr. Shatkin matched a stress tolerance rating to each of the 767 occupations, as issued by Bureau of Labor Statistics and Occupational Information Network. Stress tolerance measures from zero to 100, with factors such as criticism and workplace safety playing roles in determining the rating. Lower scores signal low … [Read more...] about Low Stress Jobs That Pay Well
HOW TO HANDLE A HOT COWORKER
Employee handbooks provide the blueprint for learning how to handle virtually every type of situation that arises in the workplace. You learn how to confront sexual harassment, as well as the proper way to file employee grievances. Pay periods, work schedules, and workplace grooming also comprise part of the comprehensive employee handbook. You even learn how to move up in the company by reading the employee handbook. For all of its information, employee handbooks leave out one crucial topic: How to handle a hot coworker. Avoid Embarrassing Yourself Outside of a drool cup, there really isn't anything physical that helps you learn how to deal with a hot coworker. Science has not yet developed a tool that prevents your eyes from bugging out like one of Hanna Barbara's cartoon characters. Yet, you can take steps to avoid embarrassing your self around a hot coworker. First, when you notice the hot coworker strolling through the office, keep your head down and count to 10. No, … [Read more...] about HOW TO HANDLE A HOT COWORKER