How To Get The Sack

When you’re battling through a recession it’s not that hard to lose your job - many businesses are now asking employees to either leave or take a drastic pay cut - while these options are not very nice, sometimes there’s no other way to turn.

However, if you are going to lose your job, you want to make sure you don’t do it in one of the following idiotic ways!  Below is a list of some of the easiest ways available to lose your job so if you are thinking about keeping it try avoiding everything on the list;

Deadline?  What deadline?

Deadlines are in place for a reason - they aren’t guidelines, they are deadlines…if you are given a deadline make sure you don’t fall on the wrong side of it.

Other people, including your boss most likely, are depending on you to get your work in on time so if you let them down you will find your place securely in your bad books.  Once you get a reputation for bad punctuality then you might as well leave…

Surfin’ The Net?

Granted, there is nothing wrong with checking your personal emails now and again throughout the work day - however, social networking has become the latest addiction ripping society apart and some people can’t help but check their Facebook accounts every 3 minutes.

You are being employed to do work, not to Poke your mates when they don’t reply to your status’s.  You should be able to spend a suitable amount of time online for your personal business but don’t let it creep into your work time.

What Should I Do?

You are being hired to fulfil a specific role in the business - if you don’t know what the role is then how can you work properly.  Obviously you are allowed some time to fit in to the role in the beginning of your time in the office, but after a while you should be clear on what is expected from you.

If you find yourself lost in your job after a year then you are definitely doing something wrong - you won’t be able to do your job properly and you will effectively be deemed useless if found out which of course you will be in no time.

How Good Am I?

If you constantly need to be told that you have done a good job and that you are on the right track then you aren’t in the right job…you should really go back to school.

A craving for the limelight shows your boss that you are far more interested in boosting your own career and less interested in being part of a team - what better way to turn your employee off of you?

Looking to stay hired?

Are you hoping to keep your job?  Have you found our advice useful?  Do you do any of the issues listed above?  Let us know…

Keep Your Mouth Shut

No matter whether you like to chatter all the hours of the day or you like to keep yourself to yourself then you should remember that there are certain things that should be kept private in the workplace.

Talking too much about the wrong thing will not only give away too much about your private life, but you could also alienate your co-workers who probably didn’t want all the details anyway.  Below are some of the main things you should keep to yourself in the office if you want to stay happy…

Medical History - Although you have to tell doctors and your human resources colleagues your medical history you shouldn’t be telling anyone else.  If you have a medical issue you should remember to keep it to yourself.  If you’re looking for sympathy do it in the park or the café, not the office - people might treat you differently and you can regret you ever mentioned it.

Office Information - Stay away from rumours, they won’t do you any good.  If you get caught spreading an on-going rumour then you will not only look immature but you’ll also look like a bit of a deceptive person and you might even get the sack…

Quitting - Even if you’re thinking about quitting, you should never mention it to anyone.  If your boss finds out that you are searching for another job then they will know that your loyalties for the company are gone and they might get rid of you.  Even worse you can be quietly pushed out by co-workers turning their backs on you and you end up getting no work handed your way - ouch!

Social Networking - Social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace have gotten employees in trouble recently.  Some airline employees slagged off passengers through the networking site while other employees from business have been caught spreading gossip and bad words about bosses and other workers.  Don’t get caught doing this or you’ll be shown the door like the others caught before you!

Heart Ache - As soon as you come in to the office with tears streaming down your face your work life will change - for the worse.  Your private love life isn’t of any interest for anyone else in the office and the only thing you will achieve by including them in it will be to scare them off…

Politics - Leave political debates where they are supposed to be…at home behind closed doors.  Having a political debate with your co-workers will either end up in tears or a fight.  At least you will have a strong dislike with everyone afterwards because they don’t agree with you and vice versa - leave politics out of the workplace.

Keeping your business private?

Are you managing to keep your personal business private?  Have you found our advice useful?  Let us know…

Working Dads - The Unspoken Balancing Act

It’s a tough role being a working dad - you want to be able to split your family responsibilities equally with your professional ones, but unfortunately it’s not as easy as all of that.

The whole thing is a balancing act that you need to get right as a working father - fear not because below we’ve provided a few key tips to keep the balance a little healthier than normal allowing you to keep everyone happy.

Communication - We all know that an open dialogue is extremely useful when it comes to communicating with your boss, but the same can apply when communicating with your family.  Keep your family up to speed with the goings on at the office, explaining to them why you sometimes have to stay late for example - they will appreciate it!

Having a strong level of communication between you and your family will work to strengthen your family’s attitude to your work so you can enjoy a few guilt free evenings in the office because everyone will be on the same page.

Family Calendar - It’s a good idea to keep a calendar specifically set aside to list all of the family member’s upcoming events.  This is a great way to avoid booking a meeting on the same day as your son’s sports day for example.

Stay Away - Although you have all these tools now to keep you attached to your office, such as your Blackberry and your email, you should make sure that you close the door on the office for a few hours every night and take the time to spend with your family instead.  They shouldn’t be ignored!

Give as much attention to your family as you do to your work when you’re in the office - you don’t watch TV when you should be working through a project and the opposite goes for your home life.

Meetings - You spend your time making and holding meetings with work mates and bosses in the office - try making and holding a meeting with your kids.  Agree on a time that suits you both where you can play some football, or go to the park and make sure you stick to it!

Family Day - This of course depends on how family-friendly your place of work is, but if you think they welcome families then think about arranging a special family day where people bring in their families.

This is a much needed development particularly in the holiday months when children aren’t in school and parents want to spend as much time as possible with their children.  If you have any hand in the decision making process in your office try and get this happening and you’ll be a hero!

Working Dad?

Are you a working dad trying to get the balance right between home and work?  What do you think of our advice?  Let us know…

Job Hunting - A Name Game?

When searching for a job you need to remember that you can’t tell everything from a name - in fact most of the time you can’t tell anything from a name when it comes to employment.  If you are looking for a job it’s important to make sure that you look beyond the name and look closer at the explanation below.

A job title is pretty much worthless - you won’t be able to get a proper grasp of what will be asked of you by looking at just the job title in the same way that an employer won’t be able to explain what is being asked of you in the job in just a title.

In this light, you need to make sure you go beyond the title and look at the job description for a better insight into the job you are thinking of applying for.  However, when searching for a job you should really keep in mind the following issues;

A Work Of Fiction?

You should remember that job titles are often fictitious - you should look closely at what the job is demanding and not what it is called.  The company hiring needed someone to fulfil a role in the business, and to advertise for this someone they needed to create a name that would attract the best of the best.

This is a valid reason to back up the need for looking closely at what the job involves as the name may have absolutely nothing to do with the job itself.

Above One’s Station?

Some people like to beef up job titles to make themselves sound more important than they actually are - if you are working on a till in Asda you can essentially call yourself a Financial Supervisor, if you clean toilets you can call yourself a Sanitation Engineer.

It is the nature of human beings to want to give themselves the appearance of more importance than they actually have - therefore you need to make sure that the job you are applying for really is what you think it is.  The English language can be manipulate in many ways, make sure it doesn’t trip you up…

You should also not turn work down because you call yourself a Sanitation Engineer and the job application calls for a cleaner - the job is exactly the same…who cares what they call it?

One And The Same?

Different companies have different views when it comes to different positions - filling one role in one company doesn’t necessarily translate to another company and you can’t guarantee that you will be a director in one company and then move to another and keep the title.

You can still be doing the same job, but under a different title - that’s the way things go!

What’s In A Name?

Are you stumbling when it comes to job titles?  Do you look for the explanations?  Let us know…

Alone Time

You don’t have to deny it…if you like to spend time on your own then there is no need to worry about it.  There are jobs available for everyone out there, and there are even jobs out there for people that just like to be on their own and not chat the day away.

If socialising just isn’t your thing then you need not worry - the following list shows a few of the jobs your can take up where you don’t have to worry about impressing people, chatting or even talking with anyone else;

Mechanic

Mechanics spend most of their time inside the engines of cars - if they didn’t then they wouldn’t be doing a very good job.  Spending most of your day either in a car or under it doesn’t leave much time for chit chat - if you like to fix things then this is the job for you…you can get things fixed without having to chat it up…

Cost Estimator

Cost estimators tend to spend their time alone because they are too busy trying to go through paperwork like blueprints and proposals to decide how much projects will cost from the beginning to the end.  Cost estimators need to be on their own so they can concentrate - they don’t have the time or the need to engage in any conversation!

Librarian

If you have ever been told to “shhhh” in a library then you will understand how this job would suit someone who wants to keep quiet!  You can spend your days organising books that don’t talk back and you will very sparsely asked for advice or help because everything is automated these days.

Survey Researcher

A survey researcher goes about finding out what people think - they don’t interview people, instead they create surveys over the Internet and create questionnaires that can be mailed for example.  This cuts down any conversation time to nothing!  Survey researchers spend their time alone because they don’t actually need to be with anyone else when they are creating and preparing the questionnaires.

Translator

If you like being quiet then you don’t want to do any talking translating - you want to translate content from one language into another, usually from a newspaper or other text format.  You need to spend your time reading, researching, etc…  You can even have the chance to work from home as do nearly a quarter of translators around the globe.

Undertaker

A quieter job couldn’t exist - you are dealing with the departed, and they don’t talk.  You rarely have to deal with families for long and then you’re back with the dead people that don’t want to talk much either.  Be alone in the silence whenever you want to be.

Searching For Silence?

Are you looking for a career where you can work in silence?  Has any of the jobs listed above taken your fancy?  Let us know…

No More Cubicles

If you can’t bare to spend another day trapped in a cubicle prison then perhaps it’s time to look out for another career - you aren’t in the only career available, there are loads of jobs you just have to really want to make the switch!

If you have had enough of cubicles then read on to find out which careers involve anything but cubicles;

Fire-fighters

If you want to swap 4 cubicle walls for a fire engine and a team of fire fighting buddies all working together to save lives everyday then this is definitely the path for you.  However, it doesn’t end there - fire-fighters also have medical training and assist victims in emergencies - pretty exciting!

Truck Drivers

It can be just you and the open road - nothing more and nothing less.  Is that your perfect job?  You can set out in the morning and be in Germany at the end of your journey.  Change those cubicle bonds for a wide ranging road.

Messengers

The job of a messenger or a courier is to delivery documents and parcels across the nation or city - if you like to move and be outdoors then this is perfect for you!  You wont’ have to worry about the confines of the office anymore.

Elementary Teacher

Can there be a more fulfilling job than teaching young children?  Teaching can be a great way of providing a strong purpose to your life while sharing your knowledge with children who are hooked on your every word.  You won’t be sitting behind a desk, you’ll be standing in front of a class full of beady eyed children!

Security Guard

Acting as a security guard doesn’t necessarily have to be a dangerous task - usually if a security guard in a shopping centre or museum sees something dodgy then they will call the police or warn the big guys…if you like to wonder about casually all day then this is the position for you.

Vet

If you feel that you want to make a difference to a helpless animal’s life then this is the path you should take - it will take a lot of time in uni, etc… to get there but once you do you will have all the job satisfaction you could want in one lifetime.

You can work in your own practice or you can find employment in a zoo or a conservation for example - the latter will find you working out doors amongst nature!

Construction Worker

One day you could work on a house in a small village, the next day you can find yourself working on the tallest building in London - you will also be on the move as a builder and each job will provide different challenges to the last.

Cubicle Nightmare?

Are you bored of your dreary cubicle career?  Are you looking to take a different path for your career?  Let us know…

Cool Jobs

You can be pretty sure that there are cooler jobs out there than the one that you are in right now - especially if you are facing a cubicle wall right now!  Some jobs were created to just make everyone else jealous it would seem…don’t you wish you had a cool job?

You will at the end of this list - the following is a few of the coolest jobs out there that you can change to if you really want to - perhaps after reading this list you’ll email in to quit your job and change career…

Foley Artist

Foley artists spend their days looking for ways to make cool sounding sounds that they can record and then sell to film makers and production houses.  Every time you hear footsteps, thunder, rain or whatever it has most likely been created by a Foley artist.

Food Critic

This position is perfect for anyone who loves their food - if you have even gone into a restaurant and had an opinion about the food you have been served then you already have the training you need to be a food critic!

The best part of the job is that you’ll be fed for free - it’s like you are being provided with the means to both a happy existence and a happy career all in one!

Pet Psychologist

Who’s going to know if the pet psychologist is doing a real job or not?  Does your pet cry itself to sleep at night or does it have an eating disorder?  If you think it does then you need a Pet Psychologist to come in and sort its problems out.

However, don’t mistake the position for that of a pet trainer - to become a pet trainer you need to go through a large amount of training yourself to have the skills needed to teach animals how to follow your lead.

Shoe Designer

Millions of people around the world love only one thing - feet.  Feet fetishes are a big thing around the world so you can imagine how many people would be happy designing the homes for shoes on a daily basis.

Be responsible for what the celebs are putting on their feet down the red carpet - worst case scenario you’ll be designing Abidabs or some other knock off but you’ll still be having fun in the process.

Storm Chaser

Imagine spending your life living on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next tornado to swoop past you so you can drive after it and study their behaviour - yes these exciting jobs do indeed exist and you can get one!  Don’t forget that it’s a pretty dangerous job and people have died in the process - think hard before sending in your applications…

Going Cool?

Are you thinking about ditching your boring job for one that gives you a reason to get up in the morning once again?  Can you see yourself in one of these jobs?  Leave us a comment and let us know…

Job Searching Across The Globe

There is most certainly no rule that states that you have to look for a job in the same old city or town that you have lived in your whole life - by all means there is a wide world out there ready to invite you over…

You can apply for a job in the next city, in the next country or on the other side of the world.  It’s up to you to make the first step.  In a recession you may find that the jobs in your area are totally depleted and there has never been a better time to make the move.

Below are a few tips your should keep in mind when looking or a new job across the country, or abroad, to make the whole process a little easier;

Focus

The world is pretty big - the Internet can help you get a job almost anywhere in the world, but perhaps before you get too deep in a search you should focus your ideas and search to more of a specific place.

To help you trim down your options you should think about the cost of living in different countries and cities, interesting places and places where you have family and friends for example.  These factors will help you make a stronger decision.

Also think about the professional factors involved - which cities have the best prospects, is there any demand, what is the pay like?

Clarity

Be clear to your potential employers about your reasons for wanting to leave your current home town - explain your reasons clearly and honestly as they will most likely be attractive selling points.

Your reasons for leaving might show that you are strong and willing to take risks.

Phone Interview

Be prepared and ready for the possibility of a telephone interview - you probably won’t be able to get out to the new city or country for an interview and so you will have to work even harder over the telephone where you can’t win people over with your winner smile or smart dress sense.

Make sure you conduct the phone interview in a quite place and try and make sure you are relaxed throughout - try not to conduct the interview using your mobile phone as you can never guarantee quality of sound, and when speaking remember to smile as it will come over in your tone.

Flexibility

When looking to take a job in a new city or country you should remember that your best chance of doing so is by remaining flexible - this means you should think about working around your potential employers schedule when it comes to organising telephone calls and remember that you will probably have to pay for your own travel expenses, etc…You will have to be flexible to get what you want.

Moving?

Are you thinking about looking abroad for work?  Perhaps another city?  Let us know…

Social Networking - A New Employable Skill

If you spend your days floating around Facebook when you should be looking for a job, or getting some fresh air, or even living your life, then you probably get a mouthful from your friends, partner or parents.

However, no you have a come-back - Facebook is an employable skill!!

Just because you spend your hours in a social networking online world doesn’t mean that you are wasting your time - today employers are actually interested in social network addicts and the skills that they have gained from the practice.

Read on to discover what skills you have gained from 10 hours a day on Facebook;

Recruiter

You have probably been on something like Facebook or MySpace for years now, since the early days when MySpace actually launched musical talent and Facebook was simple and good because of it.

Social networking is said to now be a great place for recruiting - the conversations and information online is considered to be as real as it gets despite the hassle social networking sites receive from the press.

Strategist

Companies are on the look out for social media strategists that are tasked with providing an insight into the social media of the company.  Social networking users got such skills by spending their time sifting through the many pages and getting to know what impresses in today’s social media markets.

A social media strategist is supposed to grow band awareness, create buzz for a specific package, increase traffic and provide information whenever possible - if you feel you got these skills from your many years on the social networking scene then go ahead and apply for the position.

Enterprise Architect

When a company decides to totally revamp their content strategy where are they going to turn?  Perhaps they should turn to the social networking lovers out there who have spent their time networking, developing ideas, discussing political views and working through multiple platforms.  It may not sound like a day on Facebook or MySpace, but it is!

Director of Social Media

An online presence can’t be taken for granted any more, but the more modern companies out there are turning to even more modern ways of staying present online.

As a director of social media you will have to look after company blogging, viral marketing, podcasting and so on - you will be at the forefront of the company’s modern Internet direction.

To fit into a position such as this you should be able to understand new technologies and especially be familiar with blogs.  Other online tools, such as RSS feeds, Twitter and Facebook will also be extremely useful.  However, to keep the position you should be able to understand the difference between chilling on Facebook and working on it…

Social Networking Your Way Into A Job?

Do you believe that the hours you spend on Facebook and MySpace are actually making you employable?  Are you going to start putting your social networking skills on your CV?  Let us know…