Want a promotion? Read on... It always surprises me when I meet oh so clever university graduates who have read just about every book there is on salary negotiation and career advancement but don't have the slightest idea about how not to irritate their boss. Unfortunately, unless you open your own business, chances are high that you are going to have a boss for a rather large portion of your career. And chances are equally high that getting on the wrong side of said boss is not going to do your career any favors. While that certainly doesn't mean that you need to bring your boss a cup of coffee every morning, it does mean that you should probably avoid making any of the following mistakes. After all, you do want to be promoted, right? Attempting to Hide Problems When you've lost an important client or you're behind schedule on a big project, the urge is always there to try to keep the fact hidden, however, the chances of you keeping it a secret forever are incredibly … [Read more...] about 10 Mistakes to Avoid if You Want a Promotion
Archives for August 2012
Veteran Friendly Companies Help Veterans Transition into Civilian Workforce
When military personnel retire, it can sometimes be quite a transition to go work in the private sector. Luckily, there are veteran friendly companies, both large and small, who understands the value that veterans bring to their industry. Veterans bring a high level of training, certifications and experience to many different types of veteran friendly companies. Veterans have shown to have great work ethic, valuable skills, availability to free additional training, a one-time relocation benefit from Uncle Sam, and many come to the company with a valuable credential of existing military security clearance. Higher standard and work ethic Veterans tend to bring a higher standard and work ethic to civilian companies. Some of the skills that employers find more veterans excel in over civilian workers include a better-disciplined approach to work, great leadership skills, great ability to work as a team to bring together pieces of a project and very good communication skills with a wide … [Read more...] about Veteran Friendly Companies Help Veterans Transition into Civilian Workforce
How to Get Organized at Work
Being organized helps us to feel calmer and more in control. Working smarter and not harder makes sense. If you feel that you could do with getting more organized at work, here are a few tried and tested tips for you: 1. Use a Diary I haven’t always been a fan of using a diary, but I am now a convert! Rather than trying to keep and remember everything in your head, make it easy for yourself and use a diary. There are many different methods you can use; an old fashioned paper diary, a calendar on your PC or laptop or your phone’s scheduler. For me, a paper diary is easiest as I don’t have to turn it on like a laptop to use it. See what works best for you. Look at how you work and run your day to day life and use a method that is the easiest for you as that will increase the chances of keeping the habit up. Whatever method you decide on, it is important to get in the habit of using it each day. 2. Plan Your Day Once you have a diary or … [Read more...] about How to Get Organized at Work
10 Questions to Ask at an Interview
A job interview can be a scary and daunting process at times. This can be especially true if you are someone who is not experienced in interviewing. One of the absolute best ways of going into an interview feeling more prepared is to have some questions to ask during the interview. Oftentimes, many employers will also expect for you to ask a few questions during the interview, it is something that will show you have done a bit of research and are engaged in the process. Not to mention, keep in mind that when you go into an interview, not only is the company looking at you, but you should also be looking at the company. So, you should have some questions as to settle any thoughts you might have about how the process at the organisation works, or if the culture is something that will work for you. First, you will want to ask questions that are directed at the role itself. Having a conversation about the position with the interviewer will really be able to give you a grate perspective … [Read more...] about 10 Questions to Ask at an Interview
Optimizing Yourself for Employment
As the Internet has become a bigger part of everyone's life, it has emerged as a premier tool for job hunting. When you need a job, it makes sense to apply for openings online and to check out the online job boards. At the same time, finding a job has become a lot more complex than just checking out some online classified ads. With so much information available online, you now have to be able to proactively manage your reputation as well. Protect Your Reputation When you are in the job market, it is important to make sure that you go out and actively search for information about yourself online. Search for your name on the major search engines and see what turns up. There's a good chance that some of your social networking profiles will appear. Because of the availability of social networking profiles, it's important to make sure that you protect your reputation online and get rid of anything on your profiles that could cost you a job. For example, those pictures of you and your … [Read more...] about Optimizing Yourself for Employment
5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Lunch Break
1. Make Sure You Take Your Break Pretty obvious, but one that we've all been guilty of not doing at one time or another I'm sure! Get in the habit of taking your break. There's always more that can be done, but by actually taking a break you are much more likely to be efficient when you return.2. Eat Healthily It can be tempting to quickly eat a sandwich or whatever is easiest or graze on snack foods throughout the day whilst at work, but taking the time to plan a healthy lunch is important for your health. Be proactive and plan what suits your tastes, health and budget and ensure you take time to eat well during your workday. 3. Nap Not getting enough sleep? Getting enough sleep, but know you benefit from a nap? Either way, napping is a win-win. I know it isn't always easy to find somewhere to nap when you're at work, but with a little creativity there is often somewhere you can find. I used to take a nap in my car when I worked in my last office job. I would drive to a quiet road … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Lunch Break
Increase Your Job Search Success by Using Perfect Resume Sample
While determining the resume requirement, it is written to communicate your skills, qualifications, and interest to serve particular types of functions. Hence, it performs the function of a tool; it needs to be effective and powerful to gain the desired effect. Take coordinated efforts to define your profile summary well, and catch the employer's attention. Get online resume help to enhance the professional format and design equally well suited content matter. Increase your job search success: You can increase your job search success by using a perfect resume sample that will serve the resume writing requirements. To know, how to improve your job search success, go through the given guidelines or features. Communication tool: Handle resume as an effective communication tool, that will introduce you to the organization, for the first time. Create good impression by utilizing such opportunity in every possible aspect, and bring a close coordination in your career … [Read more...] about Increase Your Job Search Success by Using Perfect Resume Sample
3 Hobbies That Will Make You Stand Out to Employers
Should I put hobbies on my resume? There are a few standard principles that all employers demand from a new employee, like a positive attitude and a healthy work ethic, but how do you share your values with employers before landing an interview? By adding a single positive hobby to your resume, employers will glean that you are a well-balanced individual who is dedicated to self-growth. Traditionally, hobbies are omitted from the resume; and for good reason. Employers can get bogged down in too many irrelevant details. Instead of listing your hobbies and interests on your resume, dedicate a single sentence to your hobby within your cover letter. Research the values and community service projects of the company for which you are applying. Consider which of your hobbies will make you seem like a natural fit for the company. Making a direct connection between your personal interests and the goals of the company is a subtle way to promote yourself and to let employers know that … [Read more...] about 3 Hobbies That Will Make You Stand Out to Employers
Job Hunting? Stand Out With These Products
Whether you are newly entering the job market, or if you are looking to switch companies to further your career, you will find that competition is fierce out there today. If you have already sat through countless interviews, this is something you are already well aware of. Years ago, professionals with degrees were in demand in nearly every field. As the population has grown and flexible scheduling has allowed a broader spectrum of people to get an education in their spare time, suddenly golden positions are hard to find. If you are feeling discouraged, or you think that maybe you should just be satisfied with your current job, understand that you can land the career of your dreams; you simply need to do something to stand out from the three dozen other people interviewing for the same position. Business cards and flyers are the answer! Why Use Business Cards? The right business card will say a lot about you. This is something you should have on you at all times, even if you are not … [Read more...] about Job Hunting? Stand Out With These Products
Learning to LOVE the Job You HATE
We all need a job not just to earn for a living. Our job provides us with plenty of opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. However, some people just do not seem to find joy in their current job. In fact, they hate every aspect of their job that they always need to drag themselves to work every morning. Since leaving one’s job is not a better option in these trying times, an individual must learn to love his job. Otherwise, he can just choose to leave it and spend several penniless days while waiting for a new “lovable” job to arrive. Learn to love your job by doing the following tips: Find a good reason to become motivated each morning. Even if you do not love your job you really need to find at least one good reason to go to work each day. Without your current job, you will never be able to buy the things that you need. Your job makes you feel useful even if you do not like what you are doing. Most of all, without your job, you will never be able to pay your … [Read more...] about Learning to LOVE the Job You HATE