Posts Tagged ‘office’

How To Put A Positive Spin On Your Age

You may be worried if you are creeping over 50 that you won’t be in a job much longer - the word over the recent years is that employers are less likely to either employ or retain employees over the golden age of 50.

However, over the coming years this isn’t actually looking like it is going to be the case.  As more and more jobs open up over the coming years, there won’t be enough younger workers applicable for roles and older workers will be in their element.

You need to start realising that your age can work to your advantage - below are a few of the main ways you can turn your age to your advantage and get ahead in your career once again;

Offensive

Being an older worker doesn’t mean you have to feel grateful that you are still in full time employment.  In fact it should be the other way around - you are not an old worker, you are a highly experienced worker - you aren’t passed it, you are it!  You need to make sure that when people see you they are seeing experience and confidence!

You have a powerful tool to your advantage against the younger generations and that is experience and knowledge.  Over the years you have gained a wisdom that just can’t be held by the younger generations so make sure you use it to your advantage.

Forget Age, Think Results

Don’t rattle on to either your boss or your potential employer about how many years you have under your belt - this is just boring…who’s to say these years under your belt weren’t wasted making mistakes and dragging businesses down.

You need to show how you have achieved success over the years you have been working and then you’ll be attracting the attention of the boss!  These results are a true weapon that will beat off the competition…

Focus On The Now

If you are applying for a job, make sure that you don’t rattle on about the different roles you have had over the years - instead focus on what will impress your potential employer and stay relevant.

Over the years you have undoubtedly filled a lot of roles, however only mention the ones that will make you look good for this specific job otherwise you will look like a rambler.  If possible remove any irrelevant roles from your CV and just focus on what will impress the potential employer.

Resume Revamp

You should review your CV and see whether it needs to be revamped.  Think if you would hire yourself for the position if given your CV.  If not then re-work your CV in a way where you would hire yourself.  Get your CV right…

Is Age A Problem?

Are you finding your age holding you away from some employment opportunities?  Has our advice helped?  Let us know…

Raise Time?

Although you may not see it happening in a recession, you should always be thinking about how to ask for a raise.  You might be hoping to keep your job now, but around the corner, when the recession has left our doorsteps, you should be prepared with a few weapons that will help you get more money.

Start thinking about it now and be prepared to take action as soon as your business starts to look positive again - read on to find out the best way to squeeze more money out of your business and into your monthly pay pack…

Building Up An Argument

If you want more money from your business then you need to provide a valid reason to your boss.  You can’t approach them with the argument that you can’t afford the 25 bottles of champagne you want each month, the reason needs to be valid.

You need to prove that you are deserving of a raise - to do this you need to build up a case that proves that you deserve more money.  Explain all of the responsibilities you have held while in the job and explain how you have managed to aid the business in achieving its goals.

Don’t use vague words and use specific data relevant to your job that shows how you have earned a larger pay packet.  You need your employer to be aware that you are a valuable asset in the business.

Research

You should make sure that you are aware of the average pay packet for people in your position around the country and area with similar qualifications and experience to you.

By doing this you can be sure that you aren’t asking for way below or above what you deserve and you have more of a chance of being taken seriously.

Build A Record

It is a good idea to build a record of your work over time - think about creating a weekly record of your achievements that you can present to your boss proving that you are deserving of a raise.

Nothing will be able to show how well you are performing than a record of your achievements and consistent performance.  Make sure you have as much proof as possible.

Time Is The Key

Don’t just decide to go for a raise and broach the matter with your boss with nothing to back up your request.  You should think about timing and go for it after completing a tricky assignment or important project.

This way you will be asking for a raise with a fresh achievement on your back, which will bolster your chances.  Also, as previously mentioned, don’t think about it in a recession, instead take the time to build up your case!

Gasping For A Raise?

Are you hoping to get a raise as soon as the recession goes away?  Have you found our advice useful?  Leave us a comment and 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…

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…

Jobs - Not Every Job Is The Best Job

Especially in a recession jobs can be great things to have - economic downturns such as these make us appreciate just how special having a job can be.  The main thing to remember though is that just because you have a job it doesn’t mean that it is necessarily a good job.

There are a few signs to keep your eyes open for when either starting out at a new job or even in a job you’ve been in for years - it is all right to understand that not every path you go down is going to be a correct one and once you come to terms with the fact that you are actually in a pretty lame job then you can go about looking for a new one.

Word Of Mouth

You should listen to people if they are warning you off working for the company you got a job with - so many times people hear from friends that they either heard of people working there or had worked there themselves and the whole process was a nightmare.

You might not want to listen to everyone that gives you advice but it’s a good idea to keep the warnings in mind - if you get into the job and have your fears reinforced then you can always leave.

Professional?

There is nothing more important than the boss taking control by leading by example - professionalism is one of the most important aspects of the workplace and if anyone has any hope of maintaining a professional attitude the boss needs to do so too.

If you find that the boss is the least professional person in the office then you can be sure that no one else is going to be professional either.  This will mean that the attitude to work will be unprofessional and you will find that your workload will be unpredictable and heavy.

Money

You should be aware of the money worries of your company - the company that you work for should be able to be in a position to look after the employees they have working for them…if they don’t then it’s time to bail!

There is nothing worse than getting a cheque at the end of the month only to have it bounce with little hope of getting paid at all.  If a company isn’t in a position to even pay you then the situation isn’t going to get much better in the future - you should keep your eyes open for any signs that the company might be struggling to pay the bills and if they are then you should look for another job fast!

In A Lame Job?

Are you stuck in a job that isn’t doing anything for you?  Are you draining yourself everyday going to work in a dodgy job?  Let us know your experiences by leaving a comment…

Clothes - Interviews and Workplaces

Whether dressing for an interview or dressing for the workplace you should understand that the clothes you wear tell a lot about your attitude and characteristics.

There are appropriate clothes to be worn and there are inappropriate clothes that shouldn’t be worn - how can you be sure about what get-up goes with what situation?  Easy…read on to find out what you should be taking out of your wardrobe for those business occasions.

Interviews

The interview is the first time you are meeting your potential employer - this is your opportunity to provide a lasting first impression that can hopefully go someway to give you a chance at a job.

You should dress to impress - however, you can’t be sure about what will impress at this company because the chances are you will never have been to the company before and you have no idea what kind of mindset the company is in.  For example you can imagine a job interview at a surf board company will call for funky clothes while an interview at a bank will probably call for a suit.

Professionals claim that it is a better idea to overdress slightly than to under dress at all - you can’t be sure what the feel and culture will be like in the place of work you are going to so your best bet is often a smart attire showing that you have a purpose and you are a mature thinker.

Try and feel out the company to the best of your ability - do some research online, get a feel for the company from your call-in for the interview and make an estimation of what you might think the company will be like.  There is only so much guessing you can do so don’t blame yourself if you get it a bit wrong.

Office

Dressing for the office can be just as much of a struggle as dressing for the interview.  The key for dressing at the office is to be smart-casual while making sure that you look like you have given the whole process some work and effort.

If you don’t look like you’ve put much thought into your clothing and appearance then you may not be taken seriously and you may even be avoided in extreme cases.

Take the opportunity when on your interview to take a look around and see what people are wearing - this is the best way to make sure you will fit in on the first day.  If people are wearing shorts and flip flops then you can be pretty sure that you can turn up in similar clothes and not look a fool.

Dressing Down?

Are you finding that you can’t get the clothing right for your workplace?  Are you going to rethink your clothing after reading our article?  Leave us a comment and let us know…

Holiday Hell?

The summer is here and more and more of us are taking the opportunity to leave our offices and our workloads to hit the beaches across not only the country but the world.

Unfortunately the black cloud hanging over all of our heads while on holiday is the workload waiting on our desks for our return - we all love going on holiday but you can never really switch off because you know it’s going to be a nightmare upon your return.

However, don’t let this stress turn you off holidays altogether - there are a few methods you should think about to make the transition from beach to cubicle a lot easier!

Plan

Not enough can be said for planning - if you can manage to plan before and after you leave for your holiday then the whole thing will run so much smoother.  Make sure to get specific work done before you leave for your trip and guestimate what will be waiting for you upon your return so you won’t be shocked when you arrive.

Work with those around you and you might be able to delegate some of the work you will be missing so you aren’t greeted with a mountain of paperwork on your desk when you get back.  You should also try and get ahead with your work before you leave so that it doesn’t seem like you are just starting from scratch when you get back.

From The Plane To The Office

It is much easier to make sure you give yourself at least a day at home before going back to the office - this is a great way to get back into the mindset of home living and break away from tropical ‘you’ that you met on the beach.

Use the time to unpack, feel comfortable at home again, catch up on any jet-lag and missed sleep, catch up on emails and give yourself a good home cooked meal if you’ve been eating out a lot recently.

Refresh Yourself

You may have lost touch with the work that you were doing before you left - a good idea is to spend the first couple of hours back in the office reading through the work to make sure you are back in the know about the work.

If possible have meetings with team mates to make sure you are fully sub-merged into the work and you are in the right mind set.  Once you are clued up once again you can then spend some time prioritising work and focusing on the more important work that requires your attention.  The key is to find your way around the office again slowly but surely.

Not Looking Forward To Coming Back?

Are you going on holiday this summer?  Do you struggle with relaxing because you’re worried about going back to the office?  Leave us a comment and let us know…

Bad Work Habits

When the sun is shining as it has been over the last couple of weeks, and you have spent the warm weekends at the park with your friends soaking up the rays, one of the last things you want to do on a Monday morning is step into your office.

Unfortunately for you I’m afraid you have to if you want to continue earning a salary.  But do you know why you don’t want to go to work on a Monday?  Apart from the obvious “can’t be bothered” feelings we all get on a Monday morning, it also has a lot to do with the weird work habits that you have to deal with on a daily basis.

Let’s take a look at some of the worst work habits that can’t help but get on our nerves everyday - see if you notice some that get you upset and try and break some of your own…

Sloppy Emails

Today people send emails with a few clicks and button taps - sometimes even to the person sitting next to them in the opposing cubicle.  However people have started to throw in mobile phone text speak in to their emails and instead of a proofread letter we are now throwing around abbreviations and slang filled with bad grammar and missing apostrophes.

Before you know it you’ll be throwing in your relaxed etiquette to an important client and you have gone from the smart office worker to the unprofessional child.  Proof read your emails!

Refusal to Socialise

Some people don’t like to spend time with their office mates - for some reason they think that spending all day every day of the week with them is enough - unfortunately this is not right.  Refusing to spend time with your work mates will do precious little to help your career and as you might have expected it will actually hurt it.

Don’t be scared - go out with your work buddies and make new friends and get closer to the people you spend the most time with.

Constant Tardiness

Being late is one thing - being constantly late is something that will ruin your career.  If you are constantly late for the working day, for meetings and for projects then co-workers, managers and clients will associate you with the annoying trait.

Instead plan ahead and make sure you are early rather than late.  If you continue to be late then no one will trust you when it comes to promotions for example and you will be overlooked without a second thought.

Badmouthing

With the recent media coverage with regards to the airline employees slating of their company on Facebook we can all be a little paranoid as to who is watching us on Facebook - the biggest thing to remember is to not talk about your work online.  If you get caught you’ll probably be fired so it’s best to leave the subject alone!

Bad habits?

Do you have any of these bad office habits?  Do you notice any of them when at work?  Let us know…

Are you a sheep or a wolf?

A lot of people are satisfied taking orders and doing their duties to the best of their abilities - for others this is torture.  Others like these dream everyday about being in control and taking the lead in the office - well don’t worry…your dreams aren’t as far away as you’d think…

You might not have the “Director” label on your desk just yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t position yourself as a strong leader in your office already - follow these simple yet powerful steps and make your boss start worrying about his/her own job…

One Step Further

In large offices there is the obvious possibility that you will just get lost amongst a sea of names and faces - don’t let this happen because if it does you could get comfortable and be there forever.

Break away from the normal duties your job entails and distinguish yourself as a strong worker who deserves and can handle more.  Take on new challenges and assignments and get a better understanding of how the business works in the process.

Start small and don’t find yourself out of your comfort zone and then work your way up from there.  The more you prove yourself to your bosses the more work they will entrust in you and the more you will get noticed.

Be The Best!

Be the person that people come to for information and plant your position in the office as the person who can help with feedback and opinions - be the person that people seek out for help and you won’t go far wrong.

But if you aren’t there already you will need to look into developing your expertise into a certain area of the business - it might take a fair bit of time and effort but this will pay off eventually when people start understanding that you are the person in the know and people start spreading the word about your expertise and knowledge.

Listen

You can’t lead if you don’t know what those beneath you are saying - you need to listen to lead!  Just because you one day find yourself in a position of power doesn’t mean you know everything that needs to be know…President’s and Prime Minister’s don’t run countries without advisers.

When talking to co-workers listen intently and be aware - don’t be fake as people will see straight through you.  Be interested and take everything on-board and you will find out that everyone has a good view point.

What makes a good leader?

People may be natural born leaders, but most people don’t always know what makes a good leader.  Don’t expect to go from sheep to wolf over night and don’t expect to know everything that needs to be known to be a leader overnight.

Spend time understanding what it takes to be a leader and try hard to get what you want!  Let us know if this advice has helped you or if you have other advice that you could pass on for potential leaders!