Journal of Office Workers
Archive for October 4, 2014
Networking: Get By With A Little Help From Your Friends
Looking to land a job but don’t know where to start? Networking is a crucial step in the job search process. If you’ve been reading about careers and jobs over the past several years, there’s no doubt you’ve read the best jobs never find their way to the newspaper want ads or online job boards. Why? Because they are filled by people who are referred by friends and colleagues.
Related: 10 Tips For People Who Hate Networking
Put yourself in the place of the person looking for a job candidate. If you place an ad in the paper or online, you may get hundreds of replies - only a few of which might be a fit for the job. But to find those few, you have to wade through all the others and that can take up a lot of your time. Even when you do find a resume that looks promising, that person is still a stranger to you, and you have no idea what kind of person or worker he/she might be.
On the other hand, what if a candidate is recommended to you by a trusted friend or colleague? Right away, you are more inclined toward that person because of who recommended them. (And you don’t have to do all that tedious reading of hundreds of unsuitable resumes.)
So, where does that leave you, the job seeker? Well, you want to be the candidate being recommended!
But here’s the catch - What if you don’t know anyone in the industry or company you’ve targeted? Does that mean you have to go back to the want ads? Not necessarily.
This is a classic opportunity to use your network. Now, even if you are quite young and only recently started on your career, you do still have a network. Think about it. Your network contains all those people you have gone through college with, any high school friends you’ve kept in touch with, your immediate and extended family, your friends, and more.
But the great thing about networking effectively is it can also give you access to the people in other people’s networks! So, maybe you don’t know anybody in the pharmaceutical industry who can refer you for a job there, but maybe someone in your network does.
How To Find A Friend To Help You Land A Job
Here are some ways to help grow your network so you can land a job:
Create A Spreadsheet
Here’s a good way to invest some time in your job search. If you don’t have an active network in some recorded form, such as a database or even a spreadsheet, start putting one together. Start by listing all the people you know in all the different areas of your life: family, friends, hobby clubs, political organizations you belong to, religious communities you are affiliated with, and anything else you can think of. Now, we’re not including people you haven’t been in touch with for years, but those with whom you have some kind of relationship with.
Let People Know You’re Looking
Next, let them all know you are looking for a new job. Tell them the type of work you want to do, what industry or even a specific company if you have selected one. Ask them if they know anyone in these areas and if they would be prepared to introduce you. You may be pleasantly surprised when you get a call from someone whose uncle is the vice president of your target company!
Search Your Online Networks
Next, think about your online network. Yes, I’m talking about LinkedIn, Facebook, and so on. If you surf around in your connections or “friends” at these enormous sites, you can often find they have connections that can be helpful to you. The best way of making use of these connections is to contact them directly, preferably by phone. Tell them what you’re doing, and explain you noticed they listed a certain person or company among their connections, and that you would very much appreciate an introduction. People who use LinkedIn, for example, are usually business/career minded and will readily help you meet others in their networks.
Join Relevant Associations Or Clubs
Another very effective way to make new friends who can help you find a job in a specific industry is to visit or join associations where they hang out. Let’s say, for example, you want to get into a pharmaceutical company. Are there any pharmaceutical associations in or near your city? Look for them online and read about what kind of people are members. Trade associations often allow people to attend a certain number of meetings as guests, so you don’t necessarily have to join right away.
Attend Meetings
Then of course, you must attend a meeting. Remember though, your purpose here is to meet people in the industry - not to ask people for a job. You might, for example, meet a senior executive in the industry and chat with them at the meeting. At a suitable point in the conversation, you might tell him or her that you are interested in working in the industry, and ask if they would be willing to meet with you - perhaps over coffee - to learn more about it. If you conduct yourself professionally, show a genuine interest in the person and their advice, they could decide they like you and be willing to help.
That could well mean you now have a friend in the industry who can help you land that job!
This post was originally published at an earlier date.
Related Posts
Top 5 Easy Tips For Making Your Resume Stand Out
60 Seconds Of Networking Advice
Top 10 People You Must Have In Your Network To Find A Job
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
The post Networking: Get By With A Little Help From Your Friends appeared first on CAREEREALISM.
from CAREEREALISM https://ift.tt/OGqLrw
via IFTTT
4 Tips For Avoiding Conflict In The Workplace
Sometimes, avoiding conflict in the workplace can be difficult. However, it’s extremely doable.
Related: How To Deal With Conflict In The Workplace
Here’s a personal example:
While at work one day, I received an instant message from a colleague.
It read, “Do you have a minute to chat?”
“Of course,” I responded.
Instantly, the phone rang.
To be honest, I assumed this would be a routine call pertaining to a joint proposal this co-worker and I were collaborating on, and so I was a bit blindsided by what followed.
“I came across a post you wrote recently about rolling your eyes in a meeting,” she said. “And I just wanted to ask if you were writing about me.”
Awkward silence.
The truth is, I did write a post about a meeting where I had behaved uber-immaturely and, yes, she was the voice on the phone.
I explained the situation: I was rolling my eyes at the characteristically bureaucratic nature of corporate decision-making and the post was about my mistake and not her.
She listened politely, seemed genuinely interested in the root cause of my ire, and we hung up the phone. But here’s the catch: rather than feel defensive or put on the spot, I felt fine.
No drama. No hurt feelings. No lingering doubts or suspicions.
Now, let’s contrast this to how she could have handled the situation, shall we? Upon reading my post, she could have…
- Silently sulked, but not said a word. (Of course, every time she saw me from that point on she would secretly have negative blog flashbacks.)
- Publicly sulked by trashing me to everyone BUT me.
- Forwarded the post to a few mutual colleagues with colorful commentary such as, “Who does this *$&^ think she is?”
To her credit, she didn’t choose any of the above (all-too-common) options.
In fact, I wanted to use this post to highlight exactly what she did right, so you’ll know how to handle it if you ever find yourself in a similarly sticky situation.
1. She Came Directly To Me
Most people don’t like conflict, and so they avoid it at all costs. Therefore, it takes an incredible amount of maturity to go to the person who has “offended” you and clear the air in person. (It’s obviously FAR easier to talk about them behind their back, and that’s why the majority go that route.)
2. She Reached Out To Make Sure It Was A Good Time To Talk
Since this could have been an emotional conversation (remember: she didn’t know how I would react), it was smart to make sure I wasn’t under a deadline or otherwise distracted.
3. She Approached The Call From A Standpoint Of Confusion
(“I wasn’t sure if you were talking about me”) versus accusation (“I can’t believe you said that about me.”) This subtle distinction made all the difference, i.e. rather than feel attacked, I felt camaraderie and we actually hung up the phone closer as team members than before.
4. Once She Got To Bottom Of My Issue, She Offered To Help
Can you imagine? Here she thought I was visibly disrespecting her (in front of her boss, mind you) and she ends the call by asking if there’s anything she can do to help make my life easier. Whoa!
In our reality-TV driven culture, where we are all so immersed in conflict, short fuses, and a general lack of civility, it’s nice to see some people still value and respect maturity. You would be wise to follow my colleague’s example. (And I’m not just saying that because I know she reads my blog now.)
This post was originally published at an earlier date.
Related Posts
5 Strategies To Deal With A Horrible Co-Worker
5 Ways To Build Relationships With Colleagues
4 Tips For Becoming The Co-Worker Everyone Loves
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
The post 4 Tips For Avoiding Conflict In The Workplace appeared first on CAREEREALISM.
from CAREEREALISM https://ift.tt/1j1Y7zf
via IFTTT
6 Tips For Managing Job Search Stress
Stressed out by the job search? Anxious about what’s on the other side? You’re not alone. Fear, frustration, and general tension (both physical and emotional) are common side effects of the effort to identify your next role. But there are ways to counteract them.
Related: 10 Creative Ways To Beat Career Stress
Fortunately, there are time-testing techniques for managing this stress, which I call the six P’s (not to be confused with the four P’s in the marketing world). They are planning, persistence, perspective, positivity, physical attentiveness and “phriends and phamily.”
1. Planning
Create a long-term plan for your search, recognizing that it may take several, or more months to land a role. Once you’ve set a goal for a reasonable period of time in which to obtain a position, estimate how many contacts, and interviews you may need to generate during this time to achieve your goal of at least one job offer.
Break this down into monthly and weekly figures, then even to a daily summary. You want to know how many calls, how many letters, how many networking contacts will be required on a daily basis to attain a position. Assume a conservative average “hit” rate of one interview per 15 resumes sent, and one interview per 15 contacts generated. On the positive side, assume that half that number-1 in 8-interviews may yield an offer (since you already made it to the interview stage).
2. Persistence
Stick with it. Don’t enthusiastically start the search by sending out a lot of resumes but then slow down due to lack of response. Remain consistent in your efforts to build contacts, pursue opportunities, and bring your best self to interviews. Just like a diet, these techniques only work if you keep on working them.
3. Perspective
Be realistic; statistics are on your side (even an unemployment rate of 6% means that 94% of eligible workers are employed). The unemployment rate is declining and, if you are reading this, you are likely a determined, focused job seeker. Believe in yourself and keep in mind that success favors the prepared job candidate.
4. Positivity
You’ve heard it a thousand times, but viewing your efforts from a positive perspective really makes a difference. Instead of criticizing yourself about a less-than-successful interview or a quiet month with respect to resume responses, encourage yourself with specific, positive feedback from mock interviews with friends or your college career center. Look for ways to find positivity in your life in general, too, like seeking out laughter (which has been shown to have stress-related healing properties) and continuing to pursue your favorite hobbies.
5. Physical Attentiveness
How many of us let our bodies go during the job search process? It’s critical to get enough sleep and to eat right during this time, including getting exercise (even going out for walks) and making time to treat our bodies well. Whether it’s getting a massage, trying aromatherapy or doing yoga, taking care of ourselves helps to relieve the tension that inherently accompanies the job search process. If we neglect our health, we are just adding to the stress we already feel. Tai Chi and meditation can work wonders, too.
6. Phriends And Phamily
While not technically a “p,” the support of friends and family can be life-giving during the pressure of the job search. Communicate frequently with those who care, being attentive to avoid isolating yourself due to not wanting to discuss the situation. Conversely, avoid those “toxic” types who may bring you down with negative comments or fatalistic thinking. Surround yourself with those who support and believe in you.
If you can keep these tips in mind, you’ll find the stress of the job search process to be significantly lessened. You may even identify a position sooner since you are more “phocused” than ever before!
This post was originally published at an earlier date.
Related Posts
Create A Stress Strategy BEFORE You Need It
5 Ways To Manage Work Stress (And Have Fun Doing It!)
7 Ways College Students Can Manage Stress Effectively
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
The post 6 Tips For Managing Job Search Stress appeared first on CAREEREALISM.
from CAREEREALISM https://ift.tt/NZBu08
via IFTTT
Shave Time Off Your Job Search By Being A Smart Shopper
Earlier today, I was speaking with a client who is finishing her bachelor’s degree and preparing to begin her job search. I asked her what she was looking for and she replied “Something in finance.”
Related: How To Approach Your Job Search Differently
This reply is a little like telling a friend you are going shopping and when asked, “For what?” you reply, “Something from a store.”
Is it any wonder it takes some job seekers months to land a job?
I love to shop, and on some days, I do it just to escape and wallow away the hours. I refer to this as “wandering aimlessly.” On the other hand, my husband hates to shop, so when he does, he knows exactly what he wants and which stores carry it. He’s a man with a clear goal and detailed vision of the item he is intent on buying. My husband is a “smart shopper.”
Successful job seekers follow the same approach. In the one hour of coaching time, I had set aside for my client, my goal was to turn her into a “smart shopper.”
First, we needed to take drill down to the specific aspects of finance that appealed to her. Collections? Payroll? AR/AP? Taxes? Auditing?
“Benefits!” she replied with enthusiasm.
Good, now we were getting somewhere.
Next, I asked her to tell me how she sees herself spending her day; what tasks does she see herself performing. She offered up the following:
Reviewing forms and data, maintaining spreadsheets, talking with employees, reviewing eligibility guidelines, making calls to gather information, and solving employee problems.
Now, I was getting a better picture. Maybe she was looking for work as a benefits administrator in an HR office?
Next, I asked her to describe the company. What do they do, who are their customers?
She shared that she likes the idea of working for a company that “helps people.” A human resources department of a large company might be the place to “shop” for the type of work she sees herself doing, but she had something else in mind.
With a little prodding on my part, she concluded that she really liked the idea of working for an organization that provides financial support (benefits) to people in need. “Like the social services department or unemployment office,” she said with even greater enthusiasm.
The picture was getting even clearer for me now: maybe she is looking for a position as an intake counselor or eligibility specialist for a service or government agency?
Next, we needed to clarify how far she was willing to travel to “do her shopping.” She identified a 25 to 50-mile radius from her home.
Great! “So, what service or government agencies are within a 25 to-50 mile radius of you home?” I asked. She quickly began ticking off names: Department of Social Services, Social Security Administration Office, City Housing Authority, County Health Department. Within minutes she had listed 15 places to “shop.”
Our hour was about up, so I asked her again, “What are you looking for?” She replied differently this time:
“I’d like something with a service or government agency where I am meeting one-on-one with clients to assess their needs, determining their qualifications for specific service benefits, and helping them fill out their claims. I also see myself filing those claims, inputting and tracking claims information on spreadsheets, and making follow-up calls to resolve problems. I’m targeting agencies within a 25 to 30 mile radius of Clinton, North Carolina.”
Perfect! Job tiles vary from one organization to the next, so searching by job title was not the best approach. On the other hand, searching by company type, location, and desired job functions/responsibilities makes “shopping” for a job so much easier
In less than an hour, she went from “wandering aimlessly” to being a smart shopper. Any job seeker can make this transition and when they do, opportunities will start appearing where they never thought to look.
This post was originally published at an earlier date.
Related Posts
Job Shoppers ALWAYS Get The Best Opportunities
What Shopping Habits Say About A Job Seeker
7 Tips To Make It Easy For Recruiters To Find YOU A Job
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
The post Shave Time Off Your Job Search By Being A Smart Shopper appeared first on CAREEREALISM.
from CAREEREALISM https://ift.tt/1e2cOxD
via IFTTT
How To Grow Your Leadership Skills
They say that some people are born leaders, but the truth is that anyone can hone their leadership skills even if they weren’t “born” leaders. Some people are born with better abilities in certain areas that lend themselves to being a great leader, but that doesn’t mean that these skills are impossible to learn or improve. Being confidant, brave, and being able to make hard decisions are a few of the traits of a good leader, but there’s no one-size-fits-all way to describe a great leader because history has shown us many incredible leaders who have all had their own unique skill sets.
Related: 6 Leadership Traits You (The Employee) Need To Develop On-The-Job
If you want to improve your leadership skills, whether it’s to help you get further ahead at work, or simply to improve other areas of your life, here are some tips and pieces of advice that will help you learn what it takes to be a great leader and you’ll be well on your way! What better way to improve your skills than to model them after the best?
Examples Of Great Leaders
Contrary to the famous comedy sketch from Blackadder, there’s a lot more to being a great leader than just shouting all the time. Let’s take a look at a few examples of great leaders…
Winston Churchill - What comes to mind when you think of Winston Churchill’s leadership style is “tough love.” Regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders in all of history, Winston Churchill knows what it’s like to make a tough decision for the greater good of your people.
Sir Richard Branson - Richard Branson is an example of the charismatic leader archetype. A successful businessman, he’s the CEO of Virgin, which is a company that’s known for making a big splash and disrupting things in any industry they’ve entered, from Cola to air travel to mobility and more.
Wayne Gretzky - Regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time, Wayne Gretzky lead to Edmonton Oilers to many Stanley Cup victories, broke countless records, and always stayed classy and respectful. He shows the importance of leading by example.
The Habits Of Successful Leaders
Now that we’ve taken a look at a few notable leaders throughout history, what do they all have in common? As we discussed in the introduction, there are certain traits that many successful leaders possess, but along with those traits also come habits that they practice. Here’s a look at some of those habits…
A successful leader is always looking for ways to improve. They recognize that they’re never perfect, and there’s always room for improvement. A successful leader is always working to improve their craft.
They listen to their people. The boss in the boardroom doesn’t know what it’s like on the floor first hand, that’s why it’s important for them to keep an ear to the ground and to always make sure their people feel comfortable approaching them with questions or concerns. They believe in themselves. If you don’t believe in yourself, why should anyone that you’re supposed to be leading? If the people you want to lead don’t believe in you, then they won’t follow you.
Final Thoughts On Improving Your Leadership Skills
Leaders aren’t forged in libraries but rather in the battlefield. That is to say, leadership is something that you’ll learn best through experience, however arming yourself with the right tools and perspective can be incredibly useful. Forget about “being born a great leader” because it takes time, experience and putting one’s self to the test to truly forge a great leader - it’s not as simple as either being born with it or not.
We’re all the product of our situations and experiences, but it’s up to us to decide what we do with those hardships. Will you let hard times break you, or will you let them shape you into a great leader? That’s a decision that all great leaders have had to face at one time or another. When the phone rings, will you be ready to answer the call?
This post was originally published at an earlier date.
Related Posts
3 Soft Skills Needed By Every Great Leader
5 Tips For Good Leadership Skills
The Key Qualities Of An Emerging Leader
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
The post How To Grow Your Leadership Skills appeared first on CAREEREALISM.
from CAREEREALISM https://ift.tt/1kkMQY1
via IFTTT
The Three-Step Retirement Plan
Originally posted on The Retirementalist:
Planning for our retirement is not an easy job. To help you with that dreaded task, here’s a simple guide that can be used by anyone at any age or any income level.
Before we start to plan, we need to decide on our goals. Retirement goals can differ widely, depending on your age and income level. You need to write your goals down, and revisit them every few years to keep them relevant.
Your retirement goals should answer a few important questions:
When would you like to retire?
The current minimum retirement age in Singapore now is 62. You might want to retire later, since the average life expectancy in Singapore is slightly more than 82!
How much money do you need to retire?
This can be a little tricky. You may wish to consult a financial planner to work this sum out. For those who prefer to DIY, the
View original 656 more words
Singapore expats anxious about rising cost of living
Originally posted on Expatsnews:
The rising cost of living in the world’s most expensive city is causing concern about saving among British and European expatriates, according to a Standard Life survey.
The second survey for expats by the leading long-term savings and investment company suggests that expats residing in Singapore “live like kings”, with 90% choosing to prioritise their current lifestyle choices over saving for retirement and their children’s education.
Meanwhile 47% of expats were said to feel nervous about their retirement financial situation, and nearly half of respondents set aside 10% of their monthly income on long-term savings.
Standard Life said despite a palpable anxiety amongst expats, the year-on-year decline in the number of expatriates making an effort to save regularly indicates that this has not translated into direct action.
The survey also said the climbing cost of living in the city was outpacing expat growth, with 50% of people saying their salary…
View original 91 more words
