making the most out of your career choice

Please join me in welcoming our guest writer for today, Paul Taylor. I think this article is very relevant for modern-day professionals, seeing as you really need to put as much into your online presence and professional branding than what you put into your CV. Thanks for sharing Paul!

Although the market for your specific skills may be lacking, there are still plenty of ways to make the most out of your chosen career. You don't have to bind yourself to a specific commitment if you are able to expand in other areas. While you may have a degree under your belt, you shouldn't let it go to your head. There are millions of people out there who have degrees but are doing menial jobs in order to pay the bills. This doesn't make them any less of a person. The problem with most of them is the lack of motivation to keep putting as much effort as they can into what they want to do.

1. Locations - If the opportunities involving your specific career choice is limited in your locale, maybe it is time to move on. The world is larger than you may realize, and moving to a new location in order to practice your specific skills may be lucrative beyond your imagining. A fresh start in a new location could be the best thing for you in nearly every aspect of your life. It is a way to erase the proverbial slate and try things in a new way.

2. Freelance - While working those menial jobs in order to keep your lights on, offering your skills to those who need immediate help without hiring a full-time employee could have great benefits. Freelancing for businesses could give you the needed experience in your field to help your resume rise above others. In today's world, it's not enough to have a degree if you don't have experience to back it up in most cases. The more work experience you receive, the more your resume will shine.

Many people will offer their skills online using freelance assistance programs such as oDesk.com. This will connect you to a client who is in dire need of your specific education and skills to accomplish a task he or she may have. As this doesn't intrude in your regular full-time job, you can further your abilities by offering them online as a freelancer.

3. The Internet - For less than $140 per year, you can build your own website surrounding your chosen career path. From this website, you can offer a wide range of valuable information and promote yourself as a freelancer. It is a way to market yourself as a professional in your field and could also look good on a resume. This is completely aside from how you can monetize your website if it's built well enough.

You don't have to become a website designer in order to market yourself online, however. If you have a web designer build the site with Joomla or Wordpress, you could add your own content very easily. Even becoming a guest blogger on sites tailored to your specific career choice could emphasize your professionalism in your field. Tools like Google+ Authorship could open a variety of opportunities as others see you as a reliable source of information. Regardless of your method, it is all about proper marketing of yourself in order to make the most out of your career.

The market for your specific talents may be quite competitive. You may not get your foot in the door of your career choice until later in life. You shouldn't be discouraged by being held to a job that is of lower quality than what your goal is. As long as you keep vigilant about doing the best you can and keep an eye out for opportunities that better fit your choice career, you will eventually become what you are meant to be.

Paul Taylor started www.babysittingjobs.com which offers an aggregated look at those sites to help families find sitters and to help sitters find families easier than ever. He loves writing, with the help of his wife. He has contributed quality articles for different blogs & websites.

5 key characteristics of successful professionals

Please join me in welcoming guest writer Karen Smith today. Because we all wannabe successful businessmen and -women throughout our careers, I'm sure you'll enjoy her article. Who wants to learn these 5 characteristics with me??

There are a host of wildly successful people in this world. Even though no two individuals are designed exactly the same, many of the most successful business minds share a handful of personality traits. In the modern business world, in fact, there are a number of required characteristics it takes to become successful, accomplished businessmen and businesswomen. For years, I've seen many people attempt to move up the ranks in business only to fail because they haven't cultivated the traits it takes to climb up the ladder. For those of you who are trying to succeed and grow in business, here are five key characteristics you should try to nurture and embrace in your career.

1. Start the day early

Waking up early in the day increases your production tremendously. The most successful businessmen and women rise early not only to get work done and arrive at the office early, but also to check off an agenda list of items, such as exercising, eating breakfast, writing out to-do lists, reading the newspaper, etc. By getting these menial tasks out of the way, individuals are better able to focus their attention on the work day ahead of them. If you're at work and thinking about getting to the gym, picking up the dry cleaning, or reading the news online, you're not going to be able to devote your full attention to the work that needs to be done in the moment.

2. Do things now, not later

A little procrastination from time to time never hurt anyone. Yet when it becomes a common, habitual behavior, procrastination can ruin your ability to produce consistent, stellar work. For the sake of producing the best work possible, go ahead and get your work done now and not later. In the moment, it may seem tempting to push something a day back, but doing so will inevitably come back to haunt you and your productivity. Not only are you delaying other projects, you'll be more likely to rush your work, which leaves room for low-quality, sloppy work. Therefore, if an agenda item needs to get done, go ahead and do it right away.

3. Avoid distractions

Distractions present themselves in various forms throughout the work day. Early in the morning, you may have a desire to read the news online as opposed to responding to work emails. Later in the day, your colleague may want to pull you aside to chat about the latest office gossip. The most successful businessmen and women avoid distractions at all costs. Distractions are something we all must face, and even though they are hard to avoid, the only way to reach your highest productivity potential is to do away with any distractions. A fifteen-minute break to grab a cup of coffee or go for a walk outside can't hurt, but if it gets in the way of your productivity or daily goals, your work is inevitably going to be affected.

4. Make friends with colleagues
Team players are some of the most respected individuals in the office. Let's face it: everybody can appreciate someone who works hard and plays well with others. I've seen one too many people try to pit themselves against fellow employees for promotions and raises, only to find that they are doing more harm than good to their office reputation. If you want to be respected by your bosses and colleagues, make an effort to get to know each of them on a personal, friendly basis. You don't have to invite them over to your home for family affairs, just try to get to know a little more about each and every one of them, such as their personal hobbies, favorite sports teams, the names of their intermediate family members, etc.

5. Have a vision

If all you can stomach about your job is putting in the bare minimum amount of work required, it's not likely you'll climb your way up the career ladder. In order to be successful, you have to love the work you're doing in your career. Alas, it's not always easy to love your work, especially when there is so much pressure and expectation encompassed in it. Yet as long as you have a passion for the work you're doing, you should be able to find some fulfillment and pride in your career. If you haven't done so already, go ahead and think about where you see your career five to ten years down the road and cultivate an ambitious vision. If you want to get that big promotion, start planning out what you'll have to do to achieve it. As long as you have a strong vision, you should be on your way to a number of successes.

No two successful people are the same, but many of them share a number of key traits and personal habits. If you wish to become a successful businessman or businesswoman, try adapting these five habits into your endeavors.

Karen Smith, a former newspaper reporter and globe trotter, now freelances for various publications and websites. She hopes to bring her readers the latest in business education at onlinebusinessdegree.org, as well as up-to-date, informed advice on everything from careers to parenting to health and more. Karen welcomes your comments below!

standing out without grandstanding

Welcome to first-time wannabe | employee guest writer Samantha Gray! This is one of my favorite topics to read/write about - being an AMAZING employee - for real. Enjoy her post!

There's probably not one single employee out there, who, at one point or another, wanted to impress their superiors at work. It's only natural that you want to stand out, make a good impression, and be considered for a promotion or raise in the future. If anything, you want your ego stroked, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. We all seek praise, and we all want to be rewarded in whatever way for a job well done.

Of course, part of getting noticed at work is excelling at your daily tasks. But there are other strategies you must employ for people to really pay attention to you. At the same time, you don't want to be the office grandstander. Remember those annoying people in class who would raise their hands constantly and talk just for the sake of hearing their own voice and getting noticed by the professor? Don't be that kind of employee. Here are a few tips:

1. Be sincerely helpful

When taking on extra tasks while at work, don't make it obvious that you are doing so just to get ahead. Develop a sincerely caring and curious disposition in which you take on extra work the sake of helping others who are overloaded with tasks. Asking for too much extra work just for its own sake can backfire, especially when you overload yourself and can't deliver as you promised.

2. Don't try to get noticed simply by bringing down other coworkers

Many employees try to get ahead by surreptitiously highlighting their peers' shortcomings. You might even be guilty of this without even knowing it. Instead of focus what others aren't doing, focus on what you are and aren't accomplishing. You'll get a lot more work done that way, I promise.

3. In order for people to notice you, notice others when a job is well done

In any pursuit to be noticed in any office around the world, likeability plays a big part, whether or not that's fair. But trying to be likeable to get ahead will always come off as insincere. Instead of slamming your coworkers, bring up morale by praising your peers even if it doesn't get you anywhere. When someone you work with does an excellent job, don't just congratulate them but tell your boss, too. It's in raising up and praising others that others notice you and your drive to make your team motivated and cohesive.

4. Be consistent with your work in both quality and quantity

Many who try to get noticed at work do so sporadically. They think, if I just really work hard today and the rest of this week, I'll get considered for a raise or a promotion. When employers are figuring out raises and promotions, however, they're doing so based on their overall impression of your work over the course of several months or a year. Instead of slaving away every few days, turn in quality work consistently, every single day. This tortoise approach is a much better ticket to getting noticed than working your butt of right before yearly reviews.

In the end, however, getting ahead can sometimes be race that's tedious and sickening. I don't think any employee should motivate himself solely for the purpose of being noticed by others. Just do your job, enjoy it as much as you can, and care about others with whom you work. You'll reap the rewards without even trying.

Samantha Gray is a freelance writer based in Houston, Texas, who offers college advice to those interested in furthering their studies and careers. She can be reached for questions or comments at samanthagray024@gmail.com

embracing criticism at work

Oh, how we all know the feeling of receiving criticism. Not my favorite thing, but I have learned that being open to criticism can really give your career a boost. Showing that you are open to the suggestions of others sends the message that you know you aren't perfect, creating the space for honest feedback and sincere conversations.

So here are a few do's and don'ts to help you when receiving criticism at work (especially from your manager):

DON'T get defensive. It's OK to disagree with what is being said about you or your performance, but when you kick into defense mode automatically it will send the message that you are not interested in his opinion and that you are not willing to reflect on your shortcomings. You don't want to come across as immature.

DO thank them for their opinion. "I didn't realise that I was coming across that way, thanks for telling me. My thinking in that situation was (explain your perspective)"


DON'T break down or explode. Big emotional reactions to work-related discussions are never a good idea. Work-related criticism is seldom personal, so try not to react emotionally.

DO listen to the facts and respond accordingly. "I see what you mean. My understanding of the assignment was (explain how you interpreted it), so I must have made the wrong assumptions. It wasn't my intention to (whatever you did wrong), so I will rectify it as soon as possible."


DON'T shrug it off without discussing the details. If your manager has come to you with comments regarding your performance, responding with "Fine!" doesn't show much respect.

DO investigate some of the details and show that you are willing to take action. Discussions like these create ideal opportunities for you and your boss to understand each other better, so try to make use of it


I am due for a performance appraisal myself, so I will definitely be using some of my own tips. I've been at my new job for just over a month, so I am expecting a good dose of constructive criticism. On the flipside, receiving feedback this early in my new position gives met the opportunity to get things right from the start. So despite the nerves, I am actually looking forward to it!

What are your tips for keeping your cool when receiving criticism!?

top 10 tips for being a rock star employee

We talk about this all the time - there are so many things you can do to improve your performance and engagement at work. And regardless of who you work for, the same characteristics are praised and desired by all employers.

So instead of over-complicating things, here are my top 10 tips (and posts I wrote about them) for wannabe AMAZING employees:

1. Be on time
2. Be nice
3. Be teachable
4. Keep your promises
5. Respect everyone
6. Build your personal brand
7. Do your homework
8. Do more than the bare minimum
9. Take ownership of your job
10. Smile and wave - enjoy the ride!

Starting with the basics is always the best way to reach the top, so be sure to identify and try out a few at a time. What would your short list look like?

tips for jugglig multiple jobs

Some of us do it because we need the extra cash, others do it because we want to build our careers into more than just a nine-to-five job. Whatever the reason, we see more and more professionals juggling multiple jobs at the same time.

But regardless your situation or the reason for having more than one job, it can still be tough to manage your time effectively and live a balanced life. Here are a few tips from the experts:

• Are you a slasher? 5 tips for juggling multiple jobs (CommPro.biz)
• Having more than one job (Mind Tools)
• Job jugglers on the tightrope (NY Times)
• Six career tips for job jugglers (Monster)
• Making multiple jobs work for you (Vault Careers)

Career blogging/coaching is a great second "job" for me because it adds to my Human Resources career, so most of the time it really doesn't feel like a job. I enjoy it so much that I don't mind investing extra time into it. Working for myself is rewarding in other ways, and in the end I feel more motivated every morning when I get ready for my day.

If you are juggling jobs at the moment, what are the things you like (or don't like) about it??

a young pro’s guide to working from home

Modern careers are different from traditional ones in so many ways, but perhaps the biggest difference is the way modern professionals are not necessarily bound to one office or desk or set of working hours. A lot of what we do can be done from the privacy of our homes if we have a decent laptop and Internet access.

Do any of you have jobs that allow you to work flexible hours or from the location of your choice? If you do, here are a few tips to keep your relationship with your employer in tip-top shape regardless of how often you see each other face to face:

• Know what is expected of you: Whether you work in or out of the office, not having a clear understanding of what you need to achieve and produce can cause a lot of ambiguity. Have a look at your job description or have a discussion with your supervisor to ensure you have are on the same page.
• Do more: If your employer allows you the flexibility of working on your own time and at your own home, be sure to show them that you are productive and proactive. If they can see it pays off they are sure to put their trust in your time management and see you as a professional.
• Get the gear: Be sure to have the equipment and connection you need to do your work without interruptions or technical problems. If you work from home it would usually be on the condition that you be available via phone or email during regular working hours.
• Designate your work space: Working from home can be very distracting if you try to do it in the kitchen or in front of the TV. Have a spot designated for work where you can focus and concentrate on your work.
• Create boundaries: (for yourself and those around you). Be sure to plan how much time you want to spend on work and try to stick to the plan. Also inform those close to you how much time you will need daily so they know not to interrupt you just because you're there. If it helps, close your personal email accounts when you need to get your head stuck into your work.
• Regular updates: Keeping in touch and providing others with regular updates is a powerful tool that helps maintain your work relationships despite the distance between you all.

Working from home can be very rewarding! In many cases it helps you to focus on projects until they are finished instead of wasting time because you need to hang around the office until 5pm. If done correctly, you can easily juggle multiple projects or jobs and grow your career at a faster pace.

Any stories on how working from home hasn't really worked for you?

the best ways to disagree with your boss

Depending on how much you and your boss have in common you are bound to have days when you disagree with something he says. There is nothing wrong with having different opinions, but many of us get anxious when we need to talk to our bosses about it. Sure, it might not always be easy, but doing what you can to maintain an open and honest relationship from your side will make all the difference.

• Be the difference - Yes, instead of just listing what bothers you, see if you can suggest alternatives. Employers love problem solvers.
• Be respectful - Regardless of your opinion of or regard for your boss, see that you find ways to show respect while discussing the issue. Making sarcastic remarks in front oof your team regarding your boss's decision doesn't show much character from your side. Why not see this as an opportunity to build your personal brand at work.
• Check the attitude - Wild accusations and pointing fingers are sure to steer the discussion in the wrong direction. Sticking to the facts and discussing it in the most neutral way possible shows that you can handle yourself in a potentially sensitive situation without making things personal. Whatever you do with your tone of voice and body language may just rub off on whoever is with you,.
• Express it clearly - Take some time to formulate how you want to describe what is bothering you. Until you have a clear way of describing it, keep it in the back of your mind. Find ways to state simple facts and break it down into a couple of points/items for discussion.
• Ask questions - Instead of coming into the discussion with an accusing attitude, try to ask questions in order to better understand your boss's point of view. Maybe he has good reasons for making certain decisions you don't agree with.
• Agree to disagree - Sometimes we can discuss the issue as thouroghly and respectfully as possible and still not agree. Even though the outcome hasn't changed you may have had valuable discussions with your boss by now, so agree to disagree and do whatever is required of you according to his lead. Show that you are flexible and commited to company goals.

These tips work great at work but it can be useful in any conflict situation. Have any of you tried any of these approaches before?

maintaining a healthy work-life balance

Guys and girls, you know that I am passionate about maintaining a balanced lifestyle ☺. I am always thinking of new ways to prevent myself from becoming a work-a-holic. I enjoyed reading what others have to say on the topic, so I selected a few great links to keep you balanced this week:

• Strive for work-life integration, not balance (Fast Company)
• 7 Tips to manage your work-life balance (Get-It-Done Guy)
• Work/life balance - a tightrope for entrepreneurs (the Innovation Rainforest)
• 10 Ways to manage your time better (Classy Career Girl)
• Work/life balance in the home office (Diversity Journal)
• Don't forget the beach: the value of vacations (Movin' on Up)

Do you ever feel like your job is trying to swallow you whole!? No more! I hope these tips have been helpful!!

Enjoy your Monday and have a fabulous week!

how blogging has boosted my career

I wish I had started this career blog earlier. For years I have been reading other popular career blogs in order to stay current and stretch my knowledge. There were always so many handy tips to choose form, that if I read one post per week it made a difference in my performance and/or personal brand at work. 

But then I remembered that I enjoyed writing just as much as reading, I always have.

Many of my friends know that I work in HR and love asking me career related questions, and having a group of employees to service means I can see and hear first-hand what people are frustrated with in their careers. I always aim to help or advise, and so it hit me:  If I can help one person, why can't I help many? 

And then I just started! I asked a motivating mentor of mine for a few blogging tips and she allowed me to feature a guest post on her blog. I have loved every moment since! And even though it hasn't been that long, it has given my career a subtle (but powerful) boost in a few ways:

• Confidence - When someone gives positive feedback or I see someone sharing a post from my blog I know that the content is relevant and that people can relate. It's great to know that the things I am sharing are worth reading. Sharing your thoughts and getting people's feedback is a great way to measure your own progress.
• Snowball effect - Because I am more confident of my career knowledge and influence, it comes across when I network with other professionals. I get questions and interviews with people I would never have connected with otherwise.
• Career ownership - I no longer just have a day-job, I am an HR Professional with a Career Coaching blog on the side. I hold the steering wheel for this part of my career and I can decide the route I want to take with this project, whether it be speaking engagements or individual coaching sessions. So many new things are possible now...

My blog is still pretty new, so even though it hasn't landed me a new job at Forbes, I have discovered a whole community of career bloggers and I consider them all to be peers and mentors. Most of all, it adds a creative/fun aspect to my career that wasn't there before and I love every minute of it!

a young pro's guide to cultural sensitivity

Working in a multicultural environment is one of the best things that have happened to me career-wise. Getting to know people from different cultures and discovering our differences and similarities really adds to the satisfaction in my work every day.

Respecting others despite your differences is a crucial skill you'll need if you want to make it in the big leagues or work for a global organisation. Here are your weekly performance links to get you tuned into workplace diversity:

• The Importance of Appreciating Other Cultures in Business (by BigGovSoc)
• Becoming a Global Employee (by Chilli Breeze)
• Listening is Critical in Today's Multicultural Workplace (by Harvard Business Review)
• Diversity Culture (by Refernce for Business)
• Cultural Awareness in the Multicultural Workplace (by Kwintesential)
• The Importance of Diversity in the Workplace (by weLEAD Online Magazine)
• 23 Powerful Tips for Working in Multicultural Teams (by the Project Shrink)

Enjoy your brand new week!

there is no substitute for good manners

It doesn't matter where you come from, what language you speak or what your cultural background is - good manners will open doors for you. People will connect with you more openly, co-workers will respect you, seniors might just recommend you more often - all because you take the time to show respect to those around you.

Do you consider yourself to be someone with good manners? Or do you tend to shove them to the background when you're in a hurry or a stressful situation? We often justify our own rude behaviour when the pressure is on and "there's no time" to think about being nice. But there is really no excuse to be rude to others, even when you're having a bad day. In fact, showing respect and courtesy towards others when you aren't feeling up to it may just be an opportunity to show your character and build your personal brand (I don't want to be known for being rude when I'm under pressure, do you?)

Obviously this is easier said than done. We all grew up in different settings, with different parenting styles and values, and ways to show respect may differ entirely between different cultures. So here are a few things you can do to improve how you show respect to others at work:

• Working in a multicultural environment will give you wonderful exposure to people from other cultures and backgrounds. Once you get to know people who are different it becomes easy to value and acknowledge them, and you can see the unique contribution they bring to the workplace more clearly.
• Think about how you would like to be treated. If you would appreciate someone holding the door for you, why not try doing the same for others. Placing yourself in someone else's shoes is what drives acts of kindness, and your ability to do so will strengthen your relationships at work.
• Check your ego at the door. When you walk into your office, make an effort to view yourself and your co-workers as equals. Treating all groups with the same amount of respect says a lot about your character and is sure to leave a positive lasting impression with others.

Forget about the rat-race and getting to the top for just a moment and think about how you are getting there. Reaching your goals and getting that promotion is bound to be much more satisfying if you didn't get there by stepping on others.

Have a look at these posts on Why Manners Matter at Work, Good Manners in the Office and Why Good Manners Mean Less Work for Everyone.

romance at the office

What a hot topic we have here today! Do you think it's a good idea to get romantically involved with someone from work? I'm sure there is no way to completely avoid it as we spend the biggest parts of our day with our co-workers, but what are the effects it can have on your career growth?

So many people, so many different opinions - let's have a look at a few of them:

• Office Romance: How to Handle a Work Romance (video by howdini.com)
• Monster's Guide to Office Romance (by Monster.com)
• Office Romance Survey 2010 (by Vault.com)
• Think Twice Before Dating a Coworker (by Alison Green of AskAManager.org)
• Office Romance 101 - Relationship Advice for Managers (by ITworld.com)
• How Companies Should Handle Office Romance (by Forbes.com)
• Office Romance Etiquette (by Life123.com)

You are certainly not breaking any laws by getting romantically involved with someone at work, but it's important to calculate whether it is worth the risk. If you do fall in love with someone at work, there are many ways to go about it in a professional manner.

The one thing I would always try to keep in mind is how a romantic relationship at work will affect my personal/professional brand:

• Does it look like I am giving my partner preferential treatment?
• Are we known for our public displays of affection and advances around the office?
• Are we creating the impression that we bring our personal problems to work everyday?
• Does tension or friction between us affect how well our team works together?

What are your thoughts?? Yay or Nay?

career blogging: adventure is out there!

Before planning my posts for 2012 I am taking a few moments to look back at my first 3 months of career blogging, and I have so much to be thankful for!

I successfully posted 3 times per week without ever falling behind, phew! I have received wonderful compliments and comments on my blog, so thank you to each one of you who took the time! Writing requires a lot of reading which means I have learned a lot by just working through other career blogs I love, there are so many interesting writers I admire. I have had regular readers from 30 countries in under 3 months' time - how AMAZING is that!? I have written and featured my first guest posts - what a cool way to connect and share with others in the industry! And even though Twitter wasn't my main focus when starting to write, I have gathered 150 twitter followers in just under 2 months and I really appreciate each follow, re-tweet and reply!

All these little milestones really excite me about what lies ahead. So many career related topics and questions to be explored! Many more guest posts to feature and write. And most of all - more job satisfaction and career growth in each new year of writing about it!

Am I sounding like Buzz Lightyear? "To Infinity and Beyond!"

So anyway, this is my last post for 2011 and I will be back "in the office" on 2 Jan 2012. You can find me on twitter during this break for some sweet and short updates!

I really look forward to the journey that lies ahead and I hope that you are gathering all your witt and ideas to seriously boost your career in the new year!

Au Revoir!

'tis the season to update your online profile

Many of us in the southern hemisphere are on our way to enjoy a well deserved summer break after a jam-packed year at work. I can't wait to go to the beach and have an ice-cream (while leaving my watch and smart phone at home every now and then)! For folks in other countries it might not be summer time, but things still tend to slow down during the holiday season.

Some readers might still be looking for a job and feel anxious about going on holiday while there may be jobs to apply for. Many people slow down their search thinking that hiring will also be slowing down, but actually this is a time when companies still advertise, and you might have less competition if you keep tabs on what's being advertised!

Here are a few tips for you to go on holiday without losing out on potential employment:

• Update your online profile - If your LinkedIn profile is current and detailed, your name will be found when recruiters search for candidates. You never know who might be searching for a candidate of your caliber.
• Let the job-boards do the work -  Update your resume on any job boards you are registered with to ensure you don't fall off the radar. Be sure to indicate how recruiters can get in touch with you even while you're away.
• Stay current and stay motivated - If you have been discouraged during your job search this year, have a look at this cool free webinar on accessing the so-called "hidden job market".

So, even though you may still be on the lookout for a job, remember to take it easy, do things you love doing and enjoy a well-deserved break!

do you have a b.f.f. at work?

Most of us connect and build friendships at work. We spend the biggest part of our day with colleagues, and so it is natural to get to know each other on a social level. But how many of you have a BEST friend (not just a friend in general) at work? If you do, do you find yourself being enthusiastic to go to work each morning? And do you perceive yourself as being more committed to your employer's goals and values than others around you?

According to Gallup's Q12 Employee Engagement Survey employees who have a best friend at work are more likely to report that:

• they receive praise or recognition for their work.
• a colleague encourages their development.
• colleagues are committed to quality.
• in the last six months, a colleague has talked to them about their progress.
• the mission of their company makes them feel their job is important.
• their opinions seem to count at work.
• they have the opportunity to do what they do best at work every day.

Can you believe that having a best friend at work affects so many aspects of your job? This suggests that your overall performance at work will be higher, leading to better appraisals and possibly more significant growth in your career path. Who wouldn't want that?

So do you have a best friend at work? Would you agree with the outcomes listed above? How has it affected your attitude and performance at work? I found some more posts on having a best friend at work by Forte Consulting Group and USA Today - enjoy!

networking: how to make a great first impression

Today's post is written by Anna, wannabe|employee reader and publisher of one of my favorite career blogs: Classy Career Girl. Anna has great tips on networking and will be sharing a few with us today:

Did you know that you only have five seconds to make a first impression when you are introduced to someone?  Here are my five tips to promote yourself and network so that the people you meet will never forget about you.

1. Have a one-sentence introduction prepared and ready to go.  Usually, when you first meet someone, you may not have time for a long pitch about what you do.  But, you do have time for one sentence that says your name, what you do or what you would like to do.  This will help the other person remember you and give them an idea of what you can help them with or what you are interested in. 
2. Networking is about how you can help others, not what others can do for you.  If you think for a second that you should go to dinner with a certain person because they can introduce you to their contacts, you are doomed from the start.  Think instead about what you can offer other people and what knowledge you can provide to them.  When others see how valuable you are to know, they will immediately trust you enough to introduce you to their contacts.
3. Look the part before you get it.  Spend some extra time to make sure that you look professional and comfortable.  Do you want to stand out by being the only person with jeans on in the room or the person that looks the best dressed? 
4. Don't leave home without your business card.  Don't be the person who forgot to bring their business card with them.  The people you meet will never remember you if you don't give them something to remember you by.  Even if you don't have a job, you can make your own business cards.  You can easily search online to find a great business card template and make your own.  The card should say your name, phone number and email address and your current job or the job that you are looking for.
5. Know what networking is and what networking is not.  Networking is not about business cards, bothering people, emailing people and waiting for them to reply.  Networking is about building a wide array of connections that can put a face with your name and resume.  These connections are resources for providing guidance, support and employment opportunities for your future success.

Classy Career Girl provides advice to young professionals on how to be classy as they climb the corporate ladder.  Her blog covers topics such as business chic fashion, career motivation, personal development, networking and office etiquette. Connect with her at http://www.classycareergirl.com/

conflict management at the office

Welcome back at the office! I hope your new week is filled with new opportunities to excel at work!

Something we are confronted with on a regular basis is conflict with co-workers. We are all so different that we are bound to have conflicting opinions and beliefs on a regular basis. The trick is to try sticking to the facts and not allow a misunderstanding or difference of opinion to cause damage to your relationships at work.

Here are some handy posts to help you in this area:

• Workplace Conflict (video clip by the Ninja Leadership Academy)
• 7 Tips for Resolving Conflict Quickly and Peacefully (by PickTheBrain.com)
• Office Conflict Resolution: 11 Communication Tips for a Healthy Workplace (by MedicineNet.com)
• 8 Tips for Handling Workplace Conflict (by Boston.com)
• The Do's and Don'ts of Conflict Management and Resolution (by FernandoTarnogol.com)
• Why Avoiding Office Conflict is not an Option (by CNN Money)
• Squelching Office Conflicts (by Inc.com)

Is there one thing you can take out of these pointers and implement in the way you respond to conflict? The biggest (very simple) lessons I am learning at the moment are:

1. To keep my tone calm even though someone else might be raising his/her voice.
2. To avoid taking it personally when someone throws a tantrum in my face. The only reactions I have control over are my own, so that is what want to focus on.

Have a wonderful new week at work!

communication at the office

Happy Monday everyone!!

This week we're starting with a new series called performance pointers. Each week I'll gather a selection of useful links on a specific topic to help you "up" your game at work, one theme at a time.

To kick things off, this week's pointers will focus on communication at work. We're always talking and sending emails, but are we really communicating effectively? Have a look and see if you can identify just one thing you can do to improve your communication at work this week:

• 8 Steps to Better Office Communication (by SVR Communicatios)
• Better Communication with Employees and Peers (by Inc.com)
• How to Improve Communication in the Workplace (by eHow)
• 10 Ways to Make Difficult Conversations a Little Easier (by TechRepublic)
• Rules for Effective Email Replies (by EmailReplies.com)
• Email Etiquette 101 (by 101 Email Etiquette Tips)
• 10 Things to Never Say in a Business Call (by Microsoft Business)

investing in someone else's success

If you're all about being positive (like I am), you will most likely share my belief that it is very rewarding to give to others. And while there are many ways to give, you can also do it in your professional capacity by sharing whatever knowledge you already have.

We tend to think that we need to be rich first in order to give something to the poor. Similarly, I used to think that I will need to be an expert in my field before I can start mentoring or coaching. But the truth is that whatever I have in my hands, right now, can add great value to someone else's growth.

I have decided to start investing in the success of others, here's how:

• Mentoring: Even though I am still young, there will always be someone younger an less experienced than me, and I happen to know someone in my community who is currently studying towards an honours degree in Human Resources. I remember all the work-related questions I used to have when I was still studying, and how clueless I felt in my first real job. So (similar to my bi-weekly meetings with my own manager) I offered to check in with this eager newbie once a month for a career chat. Without it being my intention, it has evolved into a mentoring relationship and is proving to be very valuable for both of us. Knowing that I can help someone make informed career decisions is a very rewarding experience, and all I need to do is be available and invest a little bit of time every now and then.
• Blogging: By writing about the lessons I learn, I can keep track of how I'm progressing and growing, both as a professional and as a person. Some work related lessons can be valuable life lessons (and vice versa), and small changes I make in my career can change my job satisfaction and success in big ways. So by sharing what I learn, hopefully I can also inspire others. I like to compare my learning to a dam, with one stream coming in and another flowing out. If I were to keep everything I learn to myself it would be like closing off the outgoing stream, and the water would become stagnant and just plain smelly ☺.

Have you ever considered mentoring someone even though you might still be at an early stage in your career? For those of you who are in need of someone to invest in your career growth, here's a post on how to find a mentor.