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7 Ways to Make a Difference on the Job
Tweet Share on Facebook June 30, 2011 Comment (2)Do you want to make a difference in your career? Would you like to feel that the world is a better place as a result of your work?
Most people would say yes to those questions, but many are at a loss to figure out how. They’re not in a job that’s obviously making a difference, and they can’t or have no interest in changing to one that does.
If that sounds like you, here are several ways you can think about the difference you make with your work:
1. Having a direct impact
This is the option that typically comes to mind when we think of making a difference with our work. My Passion Catalyst work falls in this category (helping people create richer and more energizing lives for themselves). Other examples include social entrepreneurs, teachers, and activists.
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New Monster App Ties Facebook to Job Search
Tweet Share on Facebook June 29, 2011 Comment (2)Deciding which social networks are most worth your professional connecting time isn’t always easy. No one has unlimited time, and many job seekers wonder where to put their online efforts. Even though it’s known primarily as a personal network, Facebook, with 750 million monthly active users, is an important contender for job seekers.
You’ve likely heard of more people who have lost jobs using Facebook than people who’ve found jobs, which prompts many of us to worry that information on our Facebook profiles may actually hurt our chances to find work. But nearly a quarter of job seekers around the world use social networking to search for work, and research shows that Facebook, when used professionally, can help more than hurt job seekers of any age.
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Scan Your Way to a New Job with QR Codes
Tweet Share on Facebook June 28, 2011 Comment (6)Quick Response codes, better known as QR codes, are two-dimensional barcodes that can serve an important role in your job search. While not a replacement for an online resume or a professional business card, QR codes can be an excellent complement to your overall get-a-job marketing campaign.
Don’t let the QR code’s high-tech look scare you; the technology has transitioned into the mainstream and is on track for exponential growth. If you write off the QR code as a mobile marketing darling that will fade out fast, you will be left behind. QR was originally used by factories in Asia to decode warehouse items and have been around since the mid-90s. By all accounts, they’re here to stay.
Read up on the basics so you can start using QR technology in your job search today:
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Should I Interview for a Low-Paying Job?
Tweet Share on Facebook June 28, 2011 Comment (4)In a crowded job market, companies can be picky. They can also offer low salaries to candidates, saving money in the short term.
But since many job seekers are simply looking to solve the out-of-work problem, any offer would be a solution, right?
Depending on your financial situation, accepting an offer that pays less than you want might be the right decision. But more often I advise job seekers not to settle on the wrong job or job offer. If you’re facing this situation or think you might face it down the road, check out this question I received a few weeks ago:
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It’s Time for a Job Seekers’ Bill of Rights
Tweet Share on Facebook June 27, 2011 Comment (33)As the job market continues to favor employers, job seekers are increasingly reporting poor treatment—from employers who never show up for scheduled interviews to inappropriate demands for private information on online job applications.
Employers may feel they don't have to pay much attention to the candidate experience in such a flooded market. But this is short-sighted, because the best candidates have options and will turn elsewhere. It's also unkind to people who are in a vulnerable and anxiety-producing spot.
It’s time for a job seeker’s bill of rights, to improve the hiring process on both sides!
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How to Successfully Change Careers
Tweet Share on Facebook June 24, 2011 Comment (2)Unhappy on your current career path? Ready to move on to something different? Although it can be tough, changing careers is possible—as long as you have the passion, drive, and patience to do it right.
Here are a few tips on successfully changing careers in a tough job market:
Know exactly what you want to do. Match up your skills and passion to decide what career is best for you. Be sure that this new career path lines up with your values, mission, and goals—both short term and long term. Learn about the type of job you’d ideally like to work at by job shadowing and interning at organizations in the field.
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Are Men Better Than Women at Online Networking?
Tweet Share on Facebook June 22, 2011 Comment (2)Men are savvier online professional networkers than women, according to an online-networking “savviness” ranking developed by LinkedIn, the social network that's known for professional networking.
The study was based on two findings:
- The ratio of connections that men have to connections that women have
- The ratio of male members on LinkedIn to female members
Interestingly, when broken down by industry, more male LinkedIn network in traditionally female fields, such as the cosmetics industry. But in tobacco and ranching industries, which are normally considered male-dominated, women are the predominant networkers. Why? LinkedIn suggested the “minority sex has to network harder than the dominant sex to break into those industries.”
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7 Ways to Motivate Yourself
Tweet Share on Facebook June 21, 2011 Comment (3)Whether you’re looking for a new job, trying to make your current one better, or planning a career transition, you’ll need a healthy dose of motivation. Without discipline and will, your dreams and ambitions never come to life, turning even the best intentions into dust.
Here are seven ways to motivate yourself, so you can pick and choose the ones that work best for you:
Find the why. When we set out to do something, it's important to keep the why in the front of your mind. Are you looking for a new job because you dislike your boss? Need more money? Want a shorter commute? Getting where we want to go can be a long journey, so never forget what set you out on the road to begin with. Write down why you’re motivated and refer to it often.
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6 Tips for the Hopeful Entrepreneur
Tweet Share on Facebook June 21, 2011 CommentDown economies tend to give rise to great ideas, and this one is no exception. As the job market continues to be tight, the option to start your own venture sounds pretty good.
We all have fantasies about becoming filthy rich and super independent, and being able to take vacation whenever we want. But let’s leave those dreams in the fantasy drawer for now. Entrepreneurs have freedom, yes, but most work constantly and awfully hard.
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How to Manage Your Boss
Tweet Share on Facebook June 20, 2011 Comment (5)Frustrated with your boss? Or finding your boss frustrated with you? Here are 10 tips to manage your boss and hopefully end up with a far easier, pleasant, and more productive relationship:
1. Make sure you’re aligned about expectations. Talk explicitly with your manager about your goals and priorities for the year and what success would look like for you, as well as what decisions she should be consulted on and what kinds of things you should handle on your own without her input. This might sound obvious, but often explicitly discussing these topics can bring conflicting assumptions to the surface—and solve them.
