Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Under Attack What To Do When An Office Mate Is Out To Get You - Pathfinder Careers

Under Attack What To Do When An Office Mate Is Out To Get You - Pathfinder Careers Under Attack: What To Do When An Office Mate Is Out To Get You The other day, I was off on a bike ride around the city, pedaling away and minding my own business. It was a beautiful day and I was passing by some wetlands that I hadnt been past before. All of a sudden, something hit my helmet with such force that I thought that I had been attacked from behind by a bad guy. Freaking out, I looked behind and didnt see a soul.  Puzzled, I swung my head around and immediately connected the hit with a blackbird that just landed on a nearby post and was glaring at me. At first, my defensive hackles were up; on alert for more trouble, but once I realized the source, I let my guard down. A little, but not too much Just in case Mr. Attack Bird decided to come in for a second dive-bomb run on me. But in reality, this incident seems eerily similar to being attacked completely out of the blue at work.  You never see it coming and it leaves you completely off-balance as you struggle to understand exactly why it happened. While sitting in my bike saddle, I put two and two together about my current route past the wetlands. I realized that the likely underlying motivator for this bird to attack me was that it was likely defending a nearby nest. When someone attacks you at work, they usually feel threatened as well. The trick to understanding those motivations is to analyze what might make them feel threatened to hopefully cut them off at the pass. Ask yourself: Are you excelling to a point where your performance is making them look bad by comparison? Are you stepping on their toes? Are your actions threatening their authority or autonomy? Have you been treating them fairly and respectfully? Do you have something that they want? Are you standing in the way of what they want to have? No one can ever predict the precise reason as to why some people dive into the dark side of office politics and make the workplace a melodrama filled with conniving, back-stabbing tactics. But the key is to always remember what the motivating factors are, and start working from there to erase those defensive tendencies.  By acting as a shared knowledge base and a conduit helping everyone use the means to the end rather than a resolute silo, you might just avert an unforeseen attack and instead, win their trust. *Photograph  By Andreas Trepte  via Wikimedia Commons

Friday, May 8, 2020

Book review Microserfs - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Book review Microserfs - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog In Microserfs by Douglas Coupland, a bunch of geeks working at Microsoft (hence the title of the book), decide to change their predictable, stable, profitable yet somehow unfulfilling lives in Seattle for a leap into the unknown, starting their own company in California. Some things remain the same: They still work way too much. Theyre still geeks. They still obsess about small things, as geeks do. But something starts to change. They get lives. The fundamental isolation made possible by the corporate lifestyle at Microsoft is replaced by confusion, frustration, identity crisis, dating disasters, jealousy but also by friendship, community, loyalty, trust and most of all love. Re-reading this novel right before finishing Richard Sennetts book The Corrosion of Character made me see, that Microserfs can be read as a practical application of the themes in Sennets book, which deals with some of the same issues:How stable, long-term, predictable careers are being replaced with something much scarier. Heres a group of people, so lovingly and accurately depicted that you feel you know each and every one of them and all their talents, faults and idiosyncracies, each reacting to the changes in their own unique way. I have read Microserfs countless times, and I till think its brilliant. It is one of the most romantic books Ive ever read, showing some of the countless ways love can appear between people. It also has the best ending of any book Ive read and while Im not much of a romantic, I dont mind saying, that the last couple of pages brings a tear to my eye every time I read them. The book has extra resonance for me, because I used to be a geek myself. Ive gone through a journey very much like the ones taken by the characters in this book, and I can vouch for the accuracy of the description of the geek lifestyle and way if thinking. Yes, we can be that obsessed. Yes, we can be that dull. Yes, we can focus our lives around one thing (typically work) almost to the point where we don?t have lives. Yes, we can change. Yes, its worth it. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Monday, April 27, 2020

Finding a Work-at-Home Job

Finding a Work-at-Home Job Working from home is the goal of many people. I understand. I work from a home office as well. It is great when you dont have to dig your vehicle out of a foot of snow to get to work in the morning, or sit in traffic for two hours on the way home. There are lots of cons as well, but thats for another post. So, if working from home seems like the right choice for you and your family, what is the next step? From stay-at-home moms looking to supplement the family income to entrepreneurs hoping for a chance at a better life , work from home opportunities often seem like the perfect solution. Finding a position that allows you to work from home is possible, if you know where to look and how to apply. Cutting through the scams is just the first step. As a job seeker looking for an opportunity to work from home, you must be web savvy, able to articulate your skills online and tenacious work ethic. Finding the perfect online job means sorting through fraudulent offers and scams. Many of the most promising opportunities require you to invest money, sometimes several hundred dollars before gaining access to the details of the opportunity. In other cases, the opportunity, which ‘guarantee’s’ income in the thousands of dollars per month simply do not live up to the hype. The best way to avoid these types of false opportunities is to carefully search for opportunities. Instead of using keywords like ‘work from home’ use keywords and phrases like ‘telecommuting’ and ‘virtual.’ This will allow you to find real opportunities. While many online opportunities request a real resume, most simply request you start the process by filling out a form. This presents a problem for many job seekers who are concerned with safety. Avoiding giving sensitive personal information should always be foremost in your mind. Never send information such as your social security number via online form. It is also a good idea to set up a separate email address for the purpose of online job seeking. In general, be leery of any opportunity that requests personal information early in the process. For opportunities that request a resume, job seekers are encouraged to take advantage of all the tools at their disposal. Attaching portfolios or examples of your work is a great way to make your resume stand out. Youll also want to add or attach a cover letter to briefly and professionally introduce yourself to the reader. No matter what the job is, highlighting organizational skills and self-motivation throughout your resume is critical as it sets you up as an ideal independent contractor. In many cases the next step is a phone interview. Take this opportunity to highlight your personality, goals, ethics and belief system as they relate to working independently. Be sure to respond to all emails and phone calls promptly during the entire hiring process. Remember that once hired your primary contact with your employer will be via phone and email, so its critical to establish yourself as a prompt and courteous potential employee. Working from home can be a viable career choice for many people, but only if they carefully select opportunities to avoid scams. Be prompt, professional and courteous in all your online dealings to increase the likelihood that you will land a plum at home job.

Saturday, April 18, 2020

How to Prepare a Resume For Editing Writing

How to Prepare a Resume For Editing WritingIf you are applying for a job or simply would like to express your skill and experience, then a resume for editing writing is a must-have. A good resume is a great way to express yourself. A resume is like a direct-mail piece. It helps you to make a stand and to communicate what you have to offer.Resumes are written by specialists who are well-informed and versed in the particular field in which you are applying. You can begin your resume by outlining your previous achievements and knowledge and then you can ask for more details. The final stages of the resume are your final points. You can display your writing skills and thus qualify to a position. Do not rely solely on your education or skills.After putting your resume in the first stage, you have to write the closing statement. You must mention any skills that you may have that the employer is searching for. If you have some relevant experience that is not obvious from your resume, you ca n mention it here.A resume is put together by an expert, a writer, a thesaurus and other staff members. Your resume will have all these elements. So you should not make the mistake of not putting your best assets in your resume. You should also be able to write your resume in such a way that it will be of help to the employer.In order to be able to properly format a resume for editing writing, you have to take some time to look through different resumes of the companies that you are applying to. You should be able to find out what is important in a resume. You should also try to be as objective as possible while reviewing your work.When your resume is finished, you can go ahead and send it in to the companies that you are applying to. Make sure that you cover all the bases. Most of the time, you will not be asked for additional details but to simply state your accomplishments and your skill in the field.So while preparing your resume for editing writing, you should also keep in mind that the main purpose of the resume is to present you in a favorable light. So try to look for the flaws in the work and how you can improve on it.

Monday, April 13, 2020

Resume Writing Services in Kennesaw Ga Reviews & Guide

Resume Writing Services in Kennesaw Ga Reviews & Guide You're a personal services business. Doing this would require that you take ample time to integrate all of your important details into something which may be easily read by the prospective employers. The consequence of this method is the fact that it is wholly stress-free for you. I was in a very good place and equipped to compare offers, he explained. We have the time to assist your probability of 50 nation-wide service stations. Make the most of our resume expertise in a huge collection of career and employment places. If you observe closely the truly amazing number of resume examples, you will observe that a large part of those don't give only a summary of the candidate's background, but in addition add valuable details. We will be able to help you with these statements. If you are able to fit all your important and pertinent info on a single page, that's excellent, but don't be concerned if you've got to go on to a second sheet of paper. This information demonstrates that you've got a broad range of interests and abilities, and that you're an intriguing individual. For additional information, visit kennesaw.edu. You are going to be able to discover various resume samples over the web that may greatly help you. We'll understand your work search goals before writing your resume. Keep in mind, we will tailor the format for you and your requirements. Login today to set up your account and start searching and applying.

Sunday, March 15, 2020

How I Went from Macro to Micro Manager - Your Career Intel

How I Went from Macro to Micro Manager - Your Career IntelBeing a macro manager means two things. One, I expect you to beas accountable as I am. Two, you must be able to read my mind, or have a photographic memory, or both. I consider myself a hands-off managerjust ask my sales team. I want the role to come as naturally to you as it did for me.The long and the short of management is that it isnt one size fits all. In fact, the best managers and leaders I know can adapt their style to each team member. To me the thought of being micro causes me to break out in a rash or opt for a hot stick to the eyeuntil now. Recently I tried micro, and I liked it. In fact, I found that many successful managers are micro in their leadership to various extremes, and it does exist in the arsenal of all great leaders.Heres how I put my micro management style into action with my sales team and lived to tell about it.Take short and deep dives into activity, strategy, and technique. Before you guess where your team needs more help from a management standpoint, take a look at the data and metrics available. Is there an issue that can be solved by tighter planning with a solid prospect list? Do you need to help your employee create healthy habits (i.e. call blocks, eliminating distractions)? Is it as simple as some active role play to help them tighten their technique, close the gaps?Create a repeatable and logical process. It should follow the K.I.S.S. model. I see my team creating processes that resemble complex algorithms. Impossible to follow and tough to recognize where, if at all, they are winning. Simplify your dailyprocesses into three moves or less. Prospect lists are now active and Prospects. Thats it.Stop and Listen. . Listen to their calls and their interaction with clients. We all need immediate coaching and feedback related to improved communication. Use this as an opportunity to auto-correct schwimmbad habits and praise the attempts at good ones. Parenting 101 Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative. My team appreciates immediate feedback and they are applying the coaching I share with their peers to their own process people are listeningHelp your team recognize why they win. Connect with ten people? Thats a win. Help them recognize its the process, the plan and the execution that produces a win. The closed sale is really just the end result. Its NOT the win. Cement this new, winning behavior by meeting each week to talk about their success. Listening to them share their wins builds their recognition of why they win.Applaud. Applaud. Applaud. Believe it or not, this is the hardest part for me, because I personally dont need the praise and I am not a natural cheerleader. However, research says we must offer regular praise. This is where I have to adjust to meet the needs of my team. Everyone benefits from a pat on the back, a spontaneous note, recognition in a meeting or a thoughtful gift on their desk. Determine your style and stick with it . This small act produces some of the greatest and longest lasting results.If you made it this far and feel like it all seems daunting, Im with you. I thought so too, until I started building micromanagement in to my arsenal. I stick to allotted time for coaching, training and mentoring. I hold my team accountable to their side of the preparation. I give my energy to those who are benefiting and value the feedback. I pull back from those who dont. We celebrate when they are no longer in need of my micro focus. I secretly celebrate my return to my macro management style for a while. And we all get on with the business of winning.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

5 Good Reasons To Stop Canceling Plans, According To Experts

5 Good Reasons To Stop Canceling Plans, According To Experts For many people, canceling and rescheduling plans, whether in the workplace or in ones personal life, is a regular and seemingly-avoidable occurrence.Thanks to calendar apps and the popularity of texting and email, canceling has never been as easy as it is today... but many experts believe that we as a society would find more positive experiences in both our professional and personal lives if we resist the urge to put off that meeting for another week or to invent an illness to dodge a friends birthday party. Read on for five compelling reasons to stick to your commitments, backed up by experts from the Harvard Business Review, Stanford University, and the Wall Street Journal.1. Constant canceling causes guilt.Sometimes, rescheduling or canceling an appointment cant be helped last-minute changes of plans happen, and colleagues and friends will typically excuse the occasional so sorry, I double-booked...as long as it doesnt become a habit. But if you find yourself canceling commitments more often than you keep them, then you may discover some adverse responses to this behavior, both from others and from yourself. The thought process of canceling still isnt pain-free. We feel guilty about it. We waffle over what to do and the indecision is draining. Finally, we cancel, and we undermine our confidence in ourselves. It reinforces our conviction that we cant do it all that we cant control our schedule, or even our effort, cautions executive coach Whitney Johnson in the As we just mentioned, the consequences of canceling plans on the reg can affect your self-esteem and your interpersonal relationships. And, as you might imagine, it can also wreak havoc on your professional image. CNBC recently reported on Stanford Universitys policies for best business practices, and their outlook on employees who constantly reschedule is as follows Employees who consistently overcommit and then cancel eventually spiral d own a rabbit hole of skipping calls, not finishing assignments (or finishing them poorly) and being routinely late. Not only do they become unreliable, but they become a liability to their employers.3. Three strikes and youre out is a common (but unspoken) rule where rescheduling is concerned.If youre gearing up to reschedule a work meeting or a social hangout, consider this conclusion drawn by the Wall Street Journal three strikes, and youre out. By the third time I departure to get suspicious This is a brushoff, says Jennifer Pinck, president of a real estate advisory and project-management company in Boston. You may ascribe it to nefarious intent, but you dont really know. So she always gives a gracious reply Look, it sounds like youre really busy. Im still very interested in meeting with you. Let me know when you have time, the Wall Street Journal states.4. Breaking commitments can read as immature.Still wondering whats so wrong about canceling a lunch or rescheduling a budget m eeting? In addition to showing inadequate regard for other peoples time, this habit also reads as childish to outside observers. Keeping commitments is a sign of maturity. Employees who dont finish assignments, for instance, or finish them late or poorly, or are themselves routinely late, miss meetings, and cancel appointments, are an imposition on other gruppe members and a liability to their employers, explains the Harvard Business Review.5. A bit of planning (and honest self-awareness) can help you make commitments that youre willing and able to keep.Its easy to shrug your shoulders and tell yourself I guess Im just bad at sticking to plans. Nothing I can do to fix that However, the HBR has a few helpful tips for keeping yourself on-task and upping your reliability factor Commit yourself to not agreeing to do things unless youre going to follow through. Ask for time to think things over if youre unsure. Dont overschedule yourself. If youre truly overextended, you may require a tr ansition period to weed some things out after that, once you say yes to something, stick to the yes.--