Journal of Office Workers
Archive for October 24, 2014
15 Exceptional Ways to Kick Your Productivity Way Up
Originally posted on TIME:
This post is in partnership with Inc., which offers useful advice, resources and insights to entrepreneurs and business owners. The article below was originally published at Inc.com.
Being productive is a great thing. Not only does it increase your self-confidence and sense of well-being, it can also make you more effective and your company more profitable. The ultimate reward for keeping your focus and being productive is more free time for you. And who doesn’t want more free time?
Everyone hits productivity lows, which is OK as long as they don’t last too long. Here are 15 ways to kick your productivity into high gear.
Don’t know where to begin?
1. The first step is to create a to-do list. When is the best time to create a to-do list? At the end of your workday while everything is still fresh in your mind or Sunday night after (hopefully)…
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5 Tips for Getting More Out of Gmail
Originally posted on TIME:
Gmail is a comprehensive, powerful email program, but it can be confusing, even for those like me who have been using it since it launched in beta in 2004.
That’s because Google likes to add new features to improve the way it works. Some changes are welcome, like the tabs feature that sorts incoming mail into types of mail. Others may streamline the look, but hide basic options, like changing the subject on an email reply. So I’ve pulled together the five features I find most useful in the current iteration of Gmail.
Adding a calendar entry from Gmail
If you get a lot of invites in your email–whether they’re for social events or just plain old work meetings–it’s now easier than ever to add them directly to your Google calendar from an open email. Look for any dates or times in the email and you’ll see dashes…
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5 Rules For Celebrating Halloween At Work
It’s almost time for Halloween! The chill is in the air. The leaves are turning on the trees. Bags of candy of every description practically fall off the shelves into your basket as you wind your way through the grocery store. And everyone—especially the kids—has started to think about what their Halloween costumes this year will be.
Related: How To Throw An Amazing Office Holiday Party
Halloween isn’t just for children, however. Many adults enjoy having the opportunity to dress up in costume and celebrate “All Hallows’ Evening.” And many businesses feel obligated—or enjoy, as the case may be—decorating for Halloween the same way they decorate for Christmas.
The dilemma one faces as Halloween approaches is what sort of activity and what type of “costume” one should consider wearing to work? While you want to have fun, you also need to display good judgment.
Let me share with you an example of poor judgment. I was a teacher and librarian for a mid-size elementary school for many years in a past life. We celebrated Halloween by allowing the children to bring their costumes to school, dressing up after lunch, and going on “parade” through the school. Each class, then, had a party that consisted of cupcakes, popcorn, Kool-Aid, and party games. Everyone had fun, and the kids always enjoyed themselves. Some of the parents also got into the act and dressed up.
Imagine the horror of the teachers and the principal when one parent showed up one year in white jeans, a white tee shirt and “fake” dynamite sticks attached to his belt. In our book—in most people’s book, I would hope—that was the height of bad taste and insensitivity. The principal was placed in the awkward position of telling that father that he was not welcome in the school dressed in that manner. He was ticked off over being asked to leave the premises… but, let’s face it…that sort of costume for an elementary school was in extremely poor taste. He was the only one who thought he had been “clever” with his costume. And while that particular costume may have been appropriate for an adult party later in the evening, it was most inappropriate for a school setting and a school party.
Unfortunately, as time went on, the costumes even for the children got more and more outrageous and inappropriate. By the time I left that school, Halloween costumes even for the kids became a thing of the past. There might be a small party at the end of the day, but costumes were banned because they became increasingly ghoulish, grisly, and age inappropriate.
This week, I saw on the news that someone has already come up with the idea of selling a Halloween Hazmat costume. You know, some things just aren’t in good taste.
5 Rules For Celebrating Halloween At Work
So, when it comes to celebrating Halloween at work, my best advice is to keep these five rules of thumb in mind:
1. Check The Policy
If you are new to the company, check out what the policy is around the celebration of Halloween at work. It may not even be allowed, and you don’t want to show up as the only one in costume looking foolish or worse—having to go home to change.
2. Be Tasteful
If costumes are allowed or even encouraged, use good taste. Be clever but not ghoulish. Be original. Think of something you can put together from things you have at home. You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a clever costume.
3. Decorate Your Office
If you can add to the festivities by decorating your office (or your cubby) with something that is seasonally appropriate, do that as long as it falls within whatever guidelines there may be at work.
4. Don’t Go Crazy
Make sure you aren’t the one who goes “too far” in celebrating the season. Use good judgment around everything you say and do around the holiday.
5. Put Candy Out
If you are in a position to have candy on your desk or in an area where people can help themselves, it might be appreciated. Make sure the candy is the type that is individually wrapped, however.
At the end of the day, the main point to remember is that Halloween is one of those holidays that some people enjoy and appreciate, and others do not. Be prudent and do your homework ahead of time so that you know that whatever you choose to do is within the organization’s/company’s guidelines. The last thing you need is to be called to the boss’s office because you used poor judgment or displayed poor taste over a holiday.
Related Posts
4 Tips To Keep Your Holiday Job Search Moving
4 Tips For Staying Productive During The Holidays
How To Celebrate Holidays With Employees
About the author
Kitty Boitnott, Ph.D., NBCT is a Certified Life Strategies and Stress Management Coach and is an ICC at CareerHMO. Visit her coaching page here.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CareerHMO coach. You can learn more about coach posts here.
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Bucktile St Cafe In Faberhills Apartment Along Faber Drive
Originally posted on NAHMJ:
Bucktile St Cafe is cloistered in a landed property estate. The cafe is at the ground floor of Faberhills Apartment along Faber Drive and it is next to the AYE. According to the cafe, the name is an anagram derived from Bucket List.
I didn’t find it difficult to get there. Pretty accessible from the AYE bus stop, within 5 minutes of walk I arrived at the cafe.
The cafe offers beyond pastries and cakes. The menu is almost 20 pages thick though it is at A3 size, printed only on 1 side with only words and no photos. I think it is too complicated. If you are keen to view their menu, click here.
The cafe is very much simple. I like to think of it as some European, some vintage mixed, a little like a home too. You can view more of the cafe via Bucktile St’s Instagram account @bucktile.st
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4 Ways To Avoid Looking Like A Job Hopper On Your Resume
When an employer scans your resume for 20 seconds, what will they see? If you have had a series of jobs lasting 1-2 years, then you may look like a job hopper and these are big red flags on your resume.
Related: 7 Ways Your Resume Is Boring Just Like Everyone Else’s
Securing a candidate takes time and money for employers, so a candidate that has a record of job hopping does not leave a positive impression and sways employers to move on to consider other candidates instead. Short periods of employment generally indicate that you were terminated due to lack of performance and that is not the impression you want to convey.
If your resume contains several short employment stints, here are ways to avoid looking like a job hopper – especially if your situations involved layoffs, company mergers and temporary assignments.
1. Company Changes
When the reason you leave the job is because of structural changes within a company or the company closes down, these are situations that are not within your control and should not be cause for you to appear like a job hopper on your resume. Whether you were laid off, the company moved out of state, or went out of business, indicate that as a brief note on your resume next to your dates of employment.
Also, for company mergers, rather than relisting each company name and your position, simplify matters by listing the company’s current name and indicating in parenthesis, “formerly [previous name(s)].” An employer reviewing your resume will immediately understand and not assume the worst – that you’ve been job hopping.
2. Consulting And Temporary Assignments
It’s not a surprise to see more of today’s candidates resorting to consulting and temporary assignments. The market for jobs is not where it once used to be. Many in consulting and temporary assignments are offered short-term projects.
One way to handle this is to pull all these experiences together into one pool on your resume. You may indicate on your resume “Consultant” and specify the full length of time you were in the role. Underneath this section, highlight the companies and/or specific experiences and accomplishments in the role. An employer will view all the individual experiences and temporary assignments – and its significance in furthering your career experiences – as a whole.
If that doesn’t fit your situation, just make sure to indicate it was a contract position next to the dates so people will see right away the short tenure was planned.
3. Reformat Dates Of Employment
Rather than listing the specific month and year you were employed with an employer, indicate only the year. It can appear less obvious that you were only on the job for 16 months, and appear more like two years.
4. Demonstrate Contribution And Accomplishments
There is little you can do to change the amount of time you were on certain jobs, but what you can do is divert the focus to your contributions and accomplishments on the job. Even if you were on the job for under a year, highlight significant contributions you made to show outstanding performance on the job.
Employers care about and are impressed by candidates good at what they do and who are effective on the job; even if you only had a short period of time in the role.
Use these tips to make sure you are sending the right message to an employer and avoid being categorized as a job hopper.
This post was originally published at an earlier date.
Related Posts
4 Steps To Break Your Job Hopping Habit
4 Ways To Edit Your Resume Like A Professional Resume Writer
Are You A Job Hopper? 3 Reasons Why You Can’t Stick It Out
About the author
Don Goodman’s firm was rated as the #1 Resume Writing Service in 2013 & 2014. Don is a triple-certified, nationally recognized Expert Resume Writer, Career Management Coach and Job Search Strategist who has helped thousands of people secure their next job. Check out his Resume Writing Service. Get a Free Resume Evaluation or call him at 800.909.0109 for more information.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
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3 Reasons Why Your Dream Job Is In The New ‘For-Benefit’ Sector
Mike used to think it was all about money. Working hard. Moving up the ladder.
Related: 3 Modern Job Seeking Strategies You Need To Know
But after years of effort and achieving a 6-figure income - he was miserable. And at first, he couldn’t understand why.
He had a beautiful home. A new car. Everything he thought would make him happy.
Then, he finally pieced it together.
He discovered how to earn the income he desired and enjoy his life.
And that’s what you’ll find in…
The New ‘For-Benefit’ Sector
My blog post “The Ultimate Guide To Discovering Your For-Benefit ‘Dream Job’” goes into more detail on what makes this new sector so special. And it shares a couple examples of inspiring ‘For-Benefit’ companies.
For the purposes of this article though, let’s keep it simple.
Traditional companies have one job. Make a profit.
For-Benefit companies have two jobs: Make a profit. And make a difference in the world.
3 Reasons Why Your Dream Job Is In The New ‘For-Benefit’ Sector
Now that we’re clear on that, let’s get into the three reasons why your dream job is in the new ‘for-benefit’ sector.
1. The Perks
For-Benefit companies believe in empowering and engaging their employees.
And why wouldn’t they? Happy employees are more productive. More productivity = more profit and more impact.
Some of the more famous benefits include annual team retreats to paradise islands. Another example is having fun in the office with laser tag battles. Then there’s flexible hours, and the ability to work from anywhere in the world as well.
The perks vary from company to company, but one thing is certain. You won’t find many of these benefits at traditional organizations.
2. The Impact
In addition to contributing your time and effort to the inspiring missions For-Benefit companies have, there are also unique opportunities to go above and beyond.
Like Patagonia, who has an environmental internship program where:
Employees from all parts of the company are allowed up to two months away from their regular roles to work for the environmental group of their choice while continuing to earn their paycheck and benefits. This year, 29 individuals, nine stores and two departments (approximately 136 people) took advantage of this program—totaling 7,162 volunteer hours for 36 organizations. - Source: Patagonia.com
That’s a serious commitment to environmental and social responsibility, and an awesome reason to get your dream job with a For-Benefit company like Patagonia.
3. The Future
The For-Benefit sector is where the world is going - so you might as well jump on board now.
Environmental and social responsibility is here to stay. People care about it, a lot. And in order to attract staff in the future, organizations will have to become For-Benefit - proving they care about more than the bottom line.
91% of consumers would switch to a different brand of similar cost and quality if that brand stood for a good cause. So in order to make a profit in the near future, organizations will have to prove to the public that they’re socially and environmentally responsible.
Your Next Steps
All signs point to the For-Benefit sector as being the way of the future. Plus, with the amazing culture and perks, why wouldn’t you want to work in this new sector?
If you’re wanting to join this movement, you can check out the free video I put together for you to get started on finding your dream job. I partnered up with the founder of the GameChangers 500 list (of the world’s top For-Benefit companies) to create it.
In this video, you’ll get three tips you can apply today to get your dream job with a For-Benefit company.
Enjoy!
Related Posts
5 Exciting Career Moves That Will Change Your Life
10 Inspiring Quotes About Career Success
Beware: The #1 Myth About Getting Your Dream Job
About the author
Ryan Niessen is a keynote speaker and co-creator of The Gateway Method: a simple, proven way to gain inside access to the world’s best employers and get your dream job. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here.
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5 Reasons To Follow Up In Your Job Search
Many job seekers miss the one step that can land them an interview and the job they’re applying for. Sure, they send in their resume or application - they may even send the additional information requested - but many of the unemployed simply fail to follow up with the employers to whom they apply.
Related: How To Follow Up On Your Resume
Why follow up? Here are five good reasons:
1. Consideration
Care to guess how often an online resume or application is not received or mis-routed to the wrong person or department? I didn’t think so! Following up can ensure your resume was received and by the right person so you can be considered for the job you THOUGHT you applied for. If an employer doesn’t have your information, you won’t be considered. It’s that plain and simple!
2. Recognition
Any contact with an employer is a chance to stand out from the rest of the applicants. Following up will allow the employer to place a voice or face with the name. If everything else is equal, the employer will be more likely to call an applicant with whom he or she has interacted in some way than with one he or she has not.
3. Impression
Employers, regardless of industry, are looking for eager, proactive workers who go the extra mile. Follow up is a simple way to show you meet this expectation.
4. Information
Following up by phone or in person may allow you to obtain additional information about the job, employer, or interviewer that may give you an edge in an interview.
5. Interview
If you are able to speak to an employer contact you may be able to ask about when interviews are being scheduled and to ask to schedule an interview while you have him or her on the phone. Again, employers are looking for eager, proactive workers who go the extra mile – be one!
All this seems to make sense, so why don’t more applicants follow up on their resume? Usually it boils down to just one thing: Fear!
It may be fear of rejection. This is often the case; job seekers have to apply for so many jobs to get an interview and finally a job offer, they come to view even non-contact as rejection. Given they are rejected virtually every time they apply for a job, most are not inclined to stick their neck out only to be further rejected. Job search is partially a numbers game: The more you do to work to work toward your goal the better your chances.
Others feel a fear of failure and worry they will not be able to conduct themselves well in a follow up situation. What if they “flub up?” That will surely ruin any chance they might have had to be interviewed and potentially offered a job, they think. Job search is partially a numbers game: The more you do to work toward your goal the better your chances.
Some job seekers fear that they will look too pushy or bother the employer if they try to follow up. Not so!
If an employer is bothered by follow up calls or visits you will be blocked from doing so. A person following up will find out very quickly they are not able to reach anyone in any positive way that will be helpful. This may feed into those who fear rejection, but shouldn’t bother those fearful of looking pushy! Besides, job search is partially a numbers game: The more you do to work toward your goal the better your chances.
How To Overcome Your Follow Up Fears
Notice a recurring theme? A job seeker has to overcome his or her fears to apply for jobs and to follow up. So, how does a job seeker overcome his or her fears and follow up? Several things will help:
1. Target those employers for which there is special interest and/or opportunity.
2. Research those employer to the best of your ability – include an in person visit if this is possible. This site has comprehensive information about industries and some specifics about employers.
3. Develop a telephone script paying special attention to the goal of your call. Of course, make sure you are well situated and will not be interrupted.
4. Practice both in front of a mirror and with someone whose opinion you respect. Practice until you feel comfortable and sound natural.
5. Just do it. Jump in and start calling the employers on the list – it will get easier and more comfortable with each call. If you want, start with employers or positions that you’re not as interested.
6. If an employer does not respond by phone, try e-mail or in person – again take care to develop a script, practice and review with someone else prior to sending an e-mail or visiting in person.
Much like the application process, follow up will provide success the more often it is done. More follow up equals more interviews/job offer. Not that you shouldn’t be smart about what you apply for or follow up on, but you should actively do both. Remember, as a job seeker you are only looking for the one employer who is offering you the job – not those who aren’t!
This post was originally published at an earlier date.
Related Posts
How To Follow Up After An Interview
The Secret ‘Sauce’ to Any Job Search
Project Plan Your Job Search
About the author
Mary Sherwood Sevinsky is a career and occupational consultant who is masters-prepared and certified. She is a business owner with nearly 20 years of experience in Corporate Management, Career Assessment & Counseling and in writing Career Articles and Educational Materials. She has worked as a corporate manager experienced in hiring, firing, and managing a staff of professionals with a multi-million dollar budget. Learn more about Mary and her services: www.life-works.info.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
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How Can We Spur Innovation at Work — And in Ourselves?
Originally posted on TIME:
In order to innovate in a way that is both practical and effective you need to make “little bets.”
What’s a little bet?
A small experiment that tests a theory. It’s just big enough to give you the answer you need but not so big that it wastes too much precious time, money or resources.
Rather than going all-in on the first idea you have and risk losing everything, a little bet allows you to break out of your comfort zone and try something new knowing that if it doesn’t work out you can quickly recover and try something else.
Little Bets
The best book on the subject is the aptly titled Little Bets: How Breakthrough Ideas Emerge from Small Discoveries. Peter Sims explains why it’s such a strong concept:
Little Bets is based on the proposition that we can use a lot of little bets and certain creative…
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