Top 10 Tips in Communication at Work

 

By Brigid Corby, Managing Director, CPL Jobs – CEE Region

Prague, Brno, Bratislava, Budapest, Warsaw, Wroclaw, Sofia

 

“.... I have worked in international executive positions for 20 years and dealt with a lot of cross cultural teams.

Communication at any job is the hardest thing to master - good communication wins all the way -  in sales, in management, in leadership, in results or just a good work atmosphere. Bad communication leads to bad things - grumpiness, lack of motivation, disgruntled team, lost sales, attrition and and and......................read the lessons I have learnt over the years!

 

 

1. Listen to the two sides of a story: when a team member gives out about another colleague, say in a different department, don’t jump right in and take a one sided bull in a china shop approach. Try and investigate calmly the nature of the other person’s alleged offence and see things through a referee’s eyes. Remember, most people are well intentioned. We all make silly errors. Learn for the future from this mistake as opposed to getting into the nasty blame game in which no one wins.

 

1. Leaving a Job: When leaving a job, always pay respect to the colleagues and managers you have left behind. You never know when you will meet those people again  - they might end up being your future boss! Remember, you may need a reference. Respect the opportunity and colleagues past, and look to a bright future. You will be better off for it, and you will earn respect. The world is a village! I don’t know how many people I have seen in 20 years working leaving with some disrespectful email or lashing out on a leaving do.  The only one that loses by doing that is you.

 

1. Communicate in advance:  Everyone is busy. There is nothing worse than catching a customer or colleague at the wrong moment. Set up a time and date politely in advance and tell that person you need x amount of time. An agenda follow through to go with a call or meeting  is always a way to look professional and keep the call or meeting on track.

 

 

1. Professional communication: jokes can be dangerous. Banter with swear words or impolite phrasing can be offensive, even deadly. Remember there is a time and place for everything. You want to be remembered as a professional communicator. It will help you on the career ladder. Professional behaviour is one of the key attributes in anyone’s career. We can all name some brilliant individuals whose behaviour or communication has really cost them and that’s a shame.  Losing one’s temper or being abusive just gets the other guy’s back up. Is that what you want or do you want a positive outcome even if a compromise?

 

1. Communicating outside the office: We all probably heard the phrase “loose lips sink ships”. Leaving in the elevator of a customer, at reception of a customer office, or in a crowded canteen or lunch place is no place for “internal” communication about clients, suppliers or colleagues. Best to keep quiet and talk about something generic. Leaked chatter can be lethal. And who wins?

 

1. Email versus  Phone? Email is a fabulous tool but really should not be used for communicating contentious issues where you want a peaceful resolution. Words in email can be misinterpreted and made bigger than what you mean when writing and gives the recipient time to get more resentful and maybe that’s not what you intended. Always try and solve conflict on a face to face or phone. Then by all means follow up with actions by email.

 

 

1. Tell the Truth: We all make mistakes but the truth will almost always out. Even if you have made a mistake, tell your manager or colleague or customer and apologise. Don’t be afraid of the truth or the circumstances. Your truthfulness usually garners respect regardless of the misdemeanour.  Your manager, customer or colleague is more likely to see a way past the situation for everyone’s benefit, particularly yours.

 

1. Communicating with non-native English: The world is a village yet those of us who are native English speakers expect everyone to understand us. I have worked for 18 years with cross cultural non native English speakers. Think if you had to deliver in their language – what would you be like?  Try and lose the clichés and metaphors that can derail understanding. Use pictures, ask questions, and interact, don’t talk at people. And most of all, SLOW DOWN! Non native English colleagues or customers may need time to process what you are saying in order to memorise or react to it.  Raising your voice two notches is not going to make you better understood!

 

1. Email is brilliant?  While email or instant messaging is wonderful,be careful with the written word. Save an email and write to yourself first if you are drafting something important.  This gives you time to review and edit, and spell check. Poor spelling and grammar looks at best, sloppy, and at worst can tarnish the service or product you represent. Don’t let yourself down.  Have someone else read it to see if your pointsare  clear.  Be careful what you write on email. It can be so easily made viral and copied to the “world”. Think of who might read this potentially before you send it. Finally, make sure it goes to the right recipient. Take some seconds to complete the send process!

 

1. Social media is a revolution: There is no doubt that the world is gone viral. And no doubt that these media and technologies have made communication easier, and better whether for personal or professional use. Remember though, employers can access a lot about your background even in a few clicks.  I work in a pan European employment agency. You would be surprised what lengths employers, HR departments and agencies alike are now implementing to complete background checks. Be careful what pictures and social titbits say about you.

 

Students JULIA GOLLUB and Susanne GRAATRUD SCHIAGER – from Germany and Norway respectively – explain what they have learned about Ireland during their first three months in UCD.

BEING A foreigner in Ireland can be tough. Unknown words, pronunciations and cultural peculiarities have led to a lot of confusion in our first three months in Dublin.

On arrival, we took a bus from the airport to the city centre. There were no announcements informing about the next stop – quite unsettling when you are used to being told not only which stop is next, but also on which side of the train to get off.

When we gave up trying to figure out where we were and accepted that we would miss our first apartment viewing, a compassionate old man advised us to ask the bus driver to tell us where to get off. As we finally got off at the right stop, we were surprised at the driver’s politeness; in Germany you grow up with signs exhorting you not to speak to the driver while he is are driving.

This wasn’t the last time we were surprised by Irish politeness. When entering one of the typically small Irish supermarkets, the teller greeted us with a friendly smile and a warm “How are you doing?”. Overwhelmed by his mindfulness, and not knowing that no answer was expected, we told him that we had just moved to Dublin and asked him questions back. He gave us a sceptical look.

On our first night out in Dublin we didn’t have a clue where to go, and ended up in one of the most expensive places in Temple Bar. It did not take us long to get to know the presumably only Irish people in the whole pub, Fiachra and Siobhán from Graiguenamanagh. The conversation went well, we understood most of what they said and they did not seem to notice that we refrained from calling them by their first names throughout the whole conversation, only things got complicated when we wanted to exchange numbers and had to admit that we knew neither how to pronounce or spell their names correctly.

Language problems continued when we caught a taxi home and told the driver to take us to Dún Laoghaire. Judging by the confused look on his face, we had pronounced it incorrectly again.

But we’re learning. Now, three months on, we sometimes still feel like aliens in Ireland, but it didn’t take us long to get accustomed to typical Irish evenings with tea, milk, biscuits and Father Ted or Tommy Tiernan on TV. And now we always carry an umbrella with us, no matter how sunny it is.

Pedestrian lights are a recommendation, not a rule Everyone can tell you’re a foreigner when you’re the only person waiting at a red light for ten minutes.

Irish people are generally very polite Don’t be surprised if people apologise when you accidentally bump into them – even if it’s your fault.

Snow is an unusual occurrence Public transport breaks down, Schools and universities close and people keep slipping. If you’re from Norway, 10cm is not heavy snow.

TV commercials can be shocking It’s not unusual, when you are eating while watching TV, for a really bad road accident to appear suddenly on your screen, telling you not to drink and drive.

Irish words and accents can be difficult to get “Craic” is actually not a drug, “gas” is a positive description and “grand” can be used in nearly every sentence. And “tea-shock” is not an overdose but the title of the prime minister.

Doctors are obsessed with pregnancy It doesn’t matter whether you consult a doctor because you have a stiff neck or a really bad cold; they will keep asking you questions about the possibility of being pregnant.

Food you’ve never heard of If a menu gives you the choice between dishes you’ve never heard of – such as rashers, bangers and mash or boxty – try them. It’s worth it.

Be noticed for your talent, not your tailor

Whether it's how to look good naked, how to look younger or how to look stylish in an old sack, it seems these days you can't turn around without a fashionista offering advice on what to wear. So as the HR talent pool becomes stronger and competition for jobs intensifies, how should you dress for interview to ensure you're noticed? How much thought should you put into choosing the perfect attire?

At Bullet, we've seen our fair share of fashion blunders, and understand that now more than ever you need to be in the best position to stand out at interview. We all know that clothes create an impression, so how important is the outfit you wear? We've got some top tips to help you prepare, so you're remembered for the right reasons. 

Do your research

Planning your outfit is key. Firstly, find out what the dress code is. Phone ahead and ask what you will be expected to wear.

When you've established what the dress code is, take it one step up. This way, you'll never be too dressed up or down. For example, if the dress code is a suit and no tie, wear a tie. If it's jeans, go in smart chinos. And if it's smart casual, wear a jacket and no tie.

Decide what you're going to wear well in advance. You shouldn't have to think about your outfit on the day; everything should be planned so you and your interviewer can focus on those all important competency questions.

The outfit

If you're wearing a new suit, remove all labels and extra buttons. And don't forget to unpick that annoying bit of cotton that keeps the pockets shut too.

Wear the right size - that skirt that fitted eighteen months ago might have looked great back then, but your waistline might need something a bit more generous now. Similarly, shirts that bulge over your chest are not a good look - keep that new Bravissimo number to yourself.

Ladies: Skirts need to cover your thighs when you're seated. Guys: avoid skirts at all costs.

Patterns and garish colours are a no no. Your interviewer shouldn't be distracted by trying out their magic eye technique on your jumper. Keep it plain and demure.

Outerwear

The first thing your interviewer will see. A shell suit top or a ski hat teamed with a suit is simply not appropriate. Harmonise your clothes to create your look. 

Be remembered for what you bring in rather than what you've got on. We met a senior Comp and Bens professional recently who arrived wearing a suit and a pink sparkly pashmina. He did remove it during the interview, but by then it was too late. In fact, when I first saw him I didn't even see his face; I was totally transfixed by the pashmina.

Tip: Don't let your outfit eclipse your abilities by wearing something that will distract your interviewer.

Accessories

Comedy ties: Just don't do it. In fact, anything that you term as being 'fun' or 'innovative' is not 'fun' for interview. Be remembered for your professional expertise not the cartoon on your tie.

Jewellery: Don't deafen your interviewer by dripping yourself in jangly beads and bells. If you're an accessoriser, this is not a time to show off your range. Go for minimal.

Sunglasses: Another potential distraction. One candidate who interviewed with us arrived with sunglasses on, put them on her head, then took them off and fiddled with them throughout the interview. Don't wear items that are unnecessary; keep things simple. Put accessories away before the interview begins, especially if you're inclined to fiddle when nervous. 

Bag: Backpacks, bumbags, bags with logos are out. Choose a bag that is compact, sedate and compliments your outfit.

Shoes

If you want to walk tall, make sure you can actually walk. One of the worst faux pas is wearing heels when you can't walk in them. To stand proud, wear polished, closed toe shoes that co ordinate with your outfit. Heels are fine if you can manage them, but avoid the spikes/studs/bells/pom poms.

Important: if you're wearing new shoes, score them or wear them beforehand to avoid any unnecessary tripping disasters! And remove those labels; you might be overjoyed that you managed to make a credit crunch busting investment, but the 'Now Half Price' sticker is not something you want to be flashing to your interviewer as you cross your legs.

Hair and make up

Ensure your hair is freshly washed and looks neat. If you're a twiddler, grip your hair back or put it up. This way, you won't be tempted to play with it when you should be concentrating on how you're going to implement a new ER strategy. Oh, and zany colours are definitely out.

Your make up should be subtle enough to look like you're not wearing any. Apply soft, natural tones that blend with your outfit avoid bright colours that make it look like you're heading for a night on the town afterwards.

Refrain from bright nail polish - and make sure it's not chipped.

Guys - shave. We've all drooled over him, but an interview's not the time to show off your George Clooney designer stubble.

The interview

On the day, arrive well in advance so you have time to freshen up.

Make sure you're clean and presentable:

• check the print from the newspaper you were reading on the tube/train hasn't accidentally made its way onto your face
• remove any stray bits of lunch from your teeth
• change into a clean shirt if you're prone to sweating.

Don't over scent yourself - you don't want your interviewer to be distracted by coughing rather than hearing about that project you ran recently.

Be comfortable

Comfort is key - for both you and your interviewer. As soon as you do something to make your interviewer feel uncomfortable, you've created a barrier. The last thing you want is for your clothes to do that for you.

If you're female, wearing a low cut top could not only be distracting but down right offensive. The interviewer is there to assess your talent not your bra size. If you're male, your interviewer does not want to see your chest wig; you want them to focus on you and what you have to say. If you've got to hold your tummy in the whole way through, you'll distract yourself from giving the best answers.

Whilst many celebrities deliberately wear outfits to ensure they're remembered, a job interview for an HR Manager is hardly the place to debut your new little black number. In fact, you need to ensure what you wear isn't even noticed, whilst making sure you definitely are noticed. Give yourself the best chance to prove your worth, fit and ability through what you say, not what you are wearing.

Harsh world

Despite a number of legislations that have been introduced insisting that interviewers cannot discriminate, we still live in an ultimately judgemental world - it's human nature. Some of our clients make up their minds within the first five minutes of interview; not giving enough thought to your outfit could stand against you on the day.

Strive for crisp, clean and professional. Your outfit is what your interviewer sees first - get just one bit wrong and they could make up their mind without you even having to utter a word.

source: http://www.bulletsearch.co.uk/hr-discussions/what-not-to-wear/

Tell me about yourself. What are your strengths? How about your weaknesses?

Maybe those questions sound familiar. Maybe you hear the same phrases come out of your own mouth every time you conduct a job interview. And maybe you’re missing something.

Traditional vs. behavioral interviewing techniques

If you’re frustrated by the lack of helpful and reliable information you get from job applicants when you ask the most traditional interview questions, you might want to hone your behavioral interviewing techniques. Behavioral interviewing has been growing in popularity for decades now, and many swear by its effectiveness. It’s based on the premise that past behavior is likely to show how someone will behave in new situations.

If you start a conversation with a job applicant by describing the job and your expectations and then follow with a question like “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” you’ve clued the applicant in on what you want to hear. Anyone halfway paying attention will know to in some way parrot back what you’ve said. But if you prepare a little more and devise questions that get at the heart of the kind of information you really need to know to fill the position with the best candidate, you’re likely to see superior results. “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” becomes “Tell me about a time when you had to anticipate a problem and take preventive action” or “Give me an example of a time when you had to motivate others.”

Getting to those insightful questions requires thinking about what information you need. Speaker Mel Kleiman, the founder of recruiting firm Humetrics and an author of books on hiring, says of course you want to hire the best, but do you know what the best looks like? When planning behavioral interview questions, decide what qualities and skills you need for the position and tailor the probing, behavioral questions to find that information.

Beyond interviewing
Hiring goes beyond just interviewing. If your organization attracts top applicants, you’ll need to be ready to sell them on the idea of coming to work for you. Kleiman advises taking time to come up with a written list of at least 10 reasons a star player should sign on with your organization. Know what you want from your employee — what knowledge, skills, and qualities are necessary for the job — and plan questions to get you that information.

Also, you need to remember that applicants may be more prepared than you are. Advances in technology have made it easier for job seekers to research companies, find open positions, and submit applications. With the number of websites offering job postings and advice for applicants growing, you should be seeing increasingly better prepared candidates.

The people you interview are likely to be well schooled in behavioral as well as other types of interview questions. For example, the website About.com offers advice on how applicants should handle behavioral interview questions. Examples of questions to expect include:

Applicants also are warned that follow-up questions will be detailed. The site advises job seekers to be prepared with stories that show how they have successfully solved problems in the past. They’re also advised to review the job description to understand what skills and behavioral characteristics the employer is seeking.

The Quintessential Careers website advises job applicants to frame their answers in a three-step process called S-A-R, P-A-R, or S-T-A-R: (1) situation (or task, problem), (2) action, (3) result/outcome. Following the process means the applicant would first describe the situation, task, or problem, then tell what action she took to deal with the problem, and then describe the result of the action.

Take-home point
Interviewers always need to keep in mind that hiring smart prevents many workplace problems, such as issues with productivity, morale, and employee lawsuits. Carefully planning your interview questions can put you on the right track to hiring the best.

source: http://hrhero.com/hl/articles/2009/10/16/behavioral-interviewing-getting-the-best-answers-from-job-applicants/

As Alan Sugar's Apprentice showed us, job interviews are no piece of cake these days. Thankfully, your average HR interview won't involve running round the streets of Camden selling old skeletons, mixing up perfumes or creating 500 corporate canapés from a couple of old tomatoes and a bread roll.
 
But, we all know that competition for jobs is even fiercer than before. When we present 5 candidates that are top drawer on paper, the interview is even more crucial now in assessing who's the best for the job. So how can you stand out from the crowd? What should you keep in mind during interview to ensure that you're hired?

Be prepared

Do your research. Make sure you know about the company you're interviewing with, who's interviewing you, and what their job title is. Where does the company sit in the marketplace? Who are their competitors? Don't try and wing it - have some stats and facts to hand.

In this technological age, there's no excuse for not doing your research before you go in. Utilise tools that are available to you - Linked In, the net, the company website, your feet. Go to the venue and do a trial run, so it's one less thing to worry about. Plan to arrive 10 - 15 minutes early, so you've got time to gather your thoughts.
 
One of our clients starts all his interviews by asking, "What's the square route of a thousand?" Not something you'd expect from your average HR interview! If you're faced with something random, don't be put off by it. After all, the interviewer is probably trying to make you relax.

Be prepared for anything and everything. You might go in expecting an informal chat, and be faced with a long list of competency questions.

Your personal brand

Personal impact - it's established as soon as you step into a room, so get it right - there are no second chances. Your CV has worked hard to get you this far, so follow up with great personal impact.

Look the part. Tight, wrinkled, creased, stained, scuffed, old or fun items of clothing are a no no. Strive for fitting, ironed, pressed, clean, new, polished, conservative and comfortable.

Your outfit's sorted - what about the rest? Make sure your hair's freshly washed and in an appropriate style (the mullet, wet perm and bouffant all went out years ago). If you're prone to dandruff, check your suit before you go in - having a snowstorm on your shoulders hardly screams 'professional' and 'attentive to detail'.

Excellent communication skills help you deliver great personal impact. You need to impact on the interviewer by stirring up their emotions like no other candidate before you.  We're not talking Paul McKenna tricks here, but you want them to be sufficiently compelled to hire you!

Your non verbals

It's not just the answers you give that your interviewer will be assessing, it'll be the way you deliver them, and the way you conduct yourself too.

Your eye contact: Your eyes often speak louder than the words you're saying. Maintain eye contact, but try not to go for the: intense 'axe murderer' eyes, the 'vacant teenager' eyes, the 'sultry' eyes (best reserve this one for Saturday night in the pub). Any of these might just put your interviewer off! Be relaxed, sincere and continuous - it needs to be natural. Practice with a friend if you need to.

Your gestures: Don't wave your arms or gesture wildly to emphasise your speech. As well as looking like an utter drama queen, too many gestures may negate the importance of what youre saying...dahling.

Your posture: Make sure your posture collaborates what you're saying. Don't slouch or fidget. You're interested in the job; you're focused on the interviewer. But remember, you're not re-enacting a Mills and Boon novel so there's no need for leaning in. Remember personal space - for both you and your interviewer - is important too.

Smile! Show your interviewer that you're friendly and approachable.

Your verbals

What do you want? Where do you see yourself fitting into the organisation? Be clear and focused - if you're too vague or placid you might come across as having a lack of direction. But don't confuse focus with arrogance or desperation!

Questions about your current job and reasons for leaving are bound to come up. Be open and honest but avoid being negative about your current employer.

Avoid using bad language or slang (even if your interviewer does it). Don't pepper your sentences with 'erm' and 'uh' - you show lack of focus. Don't be afraid of silences! If you're tactical with your pauses, you will show confidence and authority.

Don't answer questions with one word. Explain your answers - this is a chance to demonstrate your skills and ability. But don't waffle for the sake of it. Develop a lyricism within your speech to keep the interviewer engaged. Answer the question that's been asked; dont try and trot out something you prepared earlier. 

Don't mention your personal life. Your interviewer doesn't want to hear about the row you had with your wife last night (yes, one of our candidates went into an interview and opened with exactly that). Detach yourself from what's happening elsewhere in your life. If something happens and you think it will affect your performance, then cancel the interview.

The little things that get you noticed

We know you need to dress smart, hold your posture and answer in a clear and concise manner. But those additional things might just be what it takes to sway your interviewer's decision.

You're on show as soon as you walk in - you don't know who is watching you. Remember, the receptionist might go dancing with your interviewer on a Friday night.

Take a couple of copies of your CV with you - even a skills sheet, so you can leave it if necessary. You might think you're 'being green' by re-using your Tesco carriers, but splash out on a nice folder to take your documents in - it gives a much better impression, and the paper won't get crumpled.

Ask for your interviewer's business card at the end of the interview - this shows thoughtfulness and interest. Make sure to take it with you though!

Listen, listen, LISTEN!

Listen to your interviewer and to yourself. Don't just say the first thing that comes into your head. One candidate, when interviewing with a high street retailer, was asked what they thought of the brand. "Well I like your brand but I wouldnt shop in one of your stores" was the answer. Needless to say, they didn't get the job.

Don't try and second guess what your interviewer's asking. When asked what he liked most about work, one candidate replied, "I love everything about Manchester United." Need we say more?

Remember, your interviewer's human and they understand that you are, too. So if you make a blunder, take a deep breath and begin again. Acknowledge that you've made a mistake; "That wasn't a good answer, what I meant to say was..."

How did I do?

Don't try and close the interview by asking for feedback. Even if you've got great vibes from your interviewer, it's just not professional.

Let your interviewer close the interview and end with something positive such as, "I have really enjoyed our meeting today; thanks for taking the time to meet with me" or "Is there anything else you need to know from me at this stage?"
If they invite questions from you, ALWAYS have some! Be creative - show interest with your questions and be curious. Never say you don't have any questions.

It's crunch time...sell yourself!

Remember - an interview is a time to sell yourself. You need to get the interviewer to buy into your brand, by convincing them that you can do the job, you will do the job well, and you're a great culture fit.

Expect the unexpected; be prepared for anything; convey comfort at all times. Rarely will you get to interview stage if you're not potentially right for the role, so take confidence from that.  The interview is an opportunity to really demonstrate your worth, fit and ability. Take a deep breath and go for it!

Oh, and the square route of a thousand? 31.62 of course.

source: http://www.bulletsearch.co.uk/hr-discussions/how-to-give-your-best-at-interview/

You can tell your colleagues, coworkers and employees how much you value them and their contribution any day of the year. Trust me. No occasion is necessary. In fact, small surprises and tokens of your appreciation spread throughout the year help the people in your work life feel valued all year long.

Looking for ideas about how to praise and thank coworkers and employees? Here are ten ways to show your appreciation to employees and coworkers.

• Praise something your coworker has done well. Identify the specific actions that you found admirable.

   

• Say "thank you." Show your appreciation for their hard work and contributions. And, don't forget to say "please" often as well. Social niceties do belong at work. A more gracious, polite workplace is appreciated by all.

   

• Ask your coworkers about their family, their hobby, their weekend or a special event they attended. Your genuine interest - as opposed to being nosey – causes people to feel valued and cared about.

   

• Offer staff members flexible scheduling for the holidays, if feasible. If work coverage is critical, post a calendar so people can balance their time off with that of their coworkers.


• Know your coworker’s interests well enough to present a small gift occasionally. An appreciated gift, and the gesture of providing it, will light up your coworker’s day.

   

• If you can afford to, give staff money. End of the year bonuses, attendance bonuses, quarterly bonuses and gift certificates say "thank you" quite nicely. TechSmith staff receive a percentage of their annual salary for their end of year bonus.

   

• Almost everyone appreciates food. Take coworkers or staff to lunch for a birthday, a special occasion or for no reason at all. Let your guest pick the restaurant.

   

• Create a fun tradition for a seasonal holiday. ReCellular employees draw names for their Secret Santa gift exchange. Alison Doyle, About's Guide to Job Searching, also works in Career Services at Skidmore College where they do a "gift grab" at their holiday party.
  
  LuAnn Johnson who works in Human Resources at the Schaller Anderson Mercy Care Plan says, "We celebrate Treat Tuesday, every Tuesday between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We match up departments or people who don't normally work together as a unit and assign a day to provide gooey, healthy or scrumptious treats for the other groups. It's a great mixer, an opportunity to show off our culinary skills and a morale builder - to say nothing of the sugar high!"

   

• Bring in bagels, doughnuts or another treat for staff and coworkers. Offerings such as cookies or cupcakes, that you've baked personally, are a huge hit. (Have you tried baking cupcakes in ice cream cones? People love them.) Another hit? Bring chocolate - chocolate anything.

   

• Last, but not least, provide opportunity. People want chances for training and cross-training. They want to participate on a special committee where their talents are noticed. They like to attend professional association meetings and represent your organization at civic and philanthropic events.

These are my top ten ways to show appreciation to employees and coworkers. Stretch your imagination. There are hundreds of other employee and coworker appreciation ideas just waiting to be found. They'll bring you success in employee motivation, employee recognition and in building a positive, productive workplace.

zdroj: http://humanresources.about.com/cs/rewardrecognition/a/appreciation.htm

Being realistic when looking for seasonal work

With the holiday season coming many people will be looking for work. Extra holiday jobs will mean extra income for these people. But when looking for seasonal work over the holidays it is important that you be realistic in your goals and expectations.

Your Goals

When you are looking for holiday work, you should have some goals in mind about a few things beforehand:

·         The basic amount of money you want to get

·         The type of work you will be looking for

·         When and where you will start looking

These goals need to be addressed before you search so that your efforts are efficient and effective. Here are a few tips to help set your goals:

·         Most seasonal jobs will pay minimum wages; expecting more than this is ill advised

·         Know your skills and what you can accomplish; this will help you find suitable work

·         Start looking at least one month before the season begins; most jobs are filled within the first two weeks ahead of holiday shopping to ensure training and readiness

·         Have preparations such as child care, transportation and time considerations planned out before searching

·         Most larger companies take applications online today, while smaller firms still use paper forms

·         Be ready with needed information such as employment history, residency requirements, medical and emergency contact information and background check.

It's Still a Job

The main consideration when looking for work during the holidays is that a seasonal job is still a job. With this in mind employers will ask that you follow the same rules for regular employees.

·         Be on time

·         Don't use employee discounts or bonus's to excess

·         Do the job properly

·         Don't take time off

·         Learn the job

The Timeframe

One thing that many people forget when looking for work over the holiday seasons is that seasonal jobs have a set beginning and ending, depending on the type of work.

·         Postal jobs - most postal jobs are for a short duration of under 30 days

·         Retail jobs - most retail jobs, especially during Christmas will end almost immediately after the holiday has passed

·         Warehouse jobs - like retail jobs, most temporary warehouse jobs will end once the need has been fulfilled

·         Package delivery - while the amount of days for this type of temp work may be greater, so will the hours; most UPS and other parcel services require drivers to remain on the road until all deliveries are completed.

Another consideration dealing with time is the hours of the shift. While most regular jobs may follow a set shift, seasonal workers are fill-in positions and may find their schedules changing as needed.

If you treat your search for holiday employment as you would regular employment, looking for suitable work will be much more rewarding when you find the work you want.

 

Are You Being a Fussy Job Seeker?

 

The Great Recession has revived a theory that younger job seekers are "fussy" when looking for work. Could've fooled us at CV Tips. We see so many younger job seekers trying desperately to find anything they can, that it's a real stretch of the imagination to call them fussy, or anything like it.

This theory assumes that you can load up your CV for years with a lot of irrelevant jobs that have no relationship to your qualifications, and later sail off and get your dream job. Then all you have to do is compete with highly qualified people with lots of current experience. How hard could it be?

It could be impossible, or at least extremely difficult. Getting a career back on track after a derailment is tough enough, let alone getting one started after a few years detouring through minimum wage country. Maybe this theory had some sort of practical application in the Stone Age, or for unemployed dinosaurs, but not now.

This is the toughest job market in history. Add the massive numbers applying for every job and it's much tougher. No job seeker can afford to take their eyes off the road. Being 'fussy' has a lot going for it, because it can help avoid making serious career mistakes. There is absolutely nothing to be said in favor of expecting younger people to put their lives on hold for years, and not use their expensive, valuable skills to their best advantage.

Too fussy?

The definition of being too fussy boils down to quibbling over details when it's a job you could reasonably hope to get. It doesn't mean having reservations about jobs you wouldn't normally touch. Some jobs involve getting too far off career tracks. The Babes in the Woods tried that, and it didn't work out very well.

Being selectively fussy and making career moves as well

If you're a biologist, you may not be overcome with enthusiasm looking at a job that involves herding burgers and fries. Fair enough, but you might also be missing something. All of these low end jobs have upscale jobs related to them, jobs where you might be able to do some career work if you go looking for it.

The opportunities aren't obvious, but they're there if you think about them. With burgers and fries, you might be wasting your time. But not in food technology, administration or management parts of the fast food business, where a six figure career is quite possible and puts your skills to work in a meaningful way. The burger and fries might just lead you to the sort of work you want. You could be working for a major corporation, too, which is very useful in the career moves area.

By looking at a couple of rocks, you may be able to figure out how to make fire. Be fussy, but also be thoughtful. A particular job might not appeal, but the upscale jobs in that area can be cold canvassed and investigated. Don't be superficial when looking at any job. Look at the industries, the employers and the career prospects.

 

5 Factors to Consider when Choosing a Career

There are many factors to consider when choosing a career, whether it is your first job or you are in the middle of changing careers. While this can be a difficult decision, it is certainly not an impossible choice to make when you have the right tools and resources. Fortunately there are many helpful ways of determining if a new career is the right one for you. Factors such as interests, attitudes, skills, training and availability of work are all important to consider when searching for a new career. Read on to learn more about these factors.

What Interests You?

Before selecting a career, it's advisable to start taking an inventory of the things that interest you in terms of work. Start by taking a look at the things you do well and compare them to work you've done in the past to identify key skills that can be used in a new career. If you have trouble deciding what you like to do, be sure to take an interest assessment offered by a career development resource or find one on the Internet. You may be surprised to find that some of the things you enjoy doing daily can actually be components of a future career.

Evaluate Your Skills

Everyone has unique talents that can be used in a career of some type. For many, these talents have been present since childhood; for others they are learned over time. Skills can be broken down by types and matched up with specific career paths. In order to determine what career you should choose, begin by looking at skills that can be used on the job or look at career paths that compliment your current skills and talents.

Work Attitudes

Whether many people realize it or not, how they feel about work can have an affect on the types of careers that they eventually find themselves in. Having a positive attitude about working can result in being able to manage high levels of stress and responsibility in addition to being self-motivated. In addition, attitudes can contribute to the factors that drive people to work in certain careers; such as those attracted to high earnings, wanting to work with specific groups of people or needing independence.

Training and Education

In order to land certain careers, an industry expected level of training and education is a general requirement. That means for each job type, you will need to attain a certain degree or level of experience before you can begin work in that area. Be sure to choose a training program that is within your means to achieve to avoid setting yourself up for failure.

Availability of Jobs

When choosing a career, a big factor is how many jobs will be available at certain levels. If you are a new graduate or are trying to switch careers mid-life, this can be a determining factor as to what type of work you settle on. Local industries can play a large part in what work people do, so if you are looking for something that is outside of available work, you can expect to have to relocate to find a job.