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Preserve and Advance Your Career |
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When you are employed When times are good is the best time to
prepare for when they are not. Look over these tips to advance and
preserve your career. Be prepared for the possibility of an outside offer or
a possible lay-off.
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Diagnose Your Financial Health Be Aware
of Workplace Personalities Keep a Job - Tips for Improving Job
Performance Want a Raise - Don't Make Mistakes How to
Win Under a Terrible Boss Resigning Gracefully and
Effectively |
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Ensure You Always Have a Job |
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businessworkforce.com http://www.businessworkforce.com/career-resources/continuing-education/career-magazine-resources.htm |
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Did you
ever notice that there are certain people who have great jobs? People who are
always working on a consistent basis, even in shaky industries and uncertain
times? And then there are those who are either constantly unhappy in their
careers or who go for long periods of time without work. They blame the world
and wonder why bad luck always seems to happen to them. You make
your own luck. Your career is great when you focus on making it great. This
means not waiting for things to happen, but making things happen instead. It
means being proactive instead of reactive. Rather than blaming others, you
are passionate about new possibilities. You are excited about what you do and
what you contribute every day. So, how
do you make sure you are never without a job? Follow these five steps: Tell Yourself That You Will Always Be Employed What you
say matters. Your words have power, meaning, and intention. When you tell
yourself something bad will happen to your job, something bad will probably
happen. If you tell yourself that you are marketable and confident and that
you will always be working, your words can make this true. Anticipate Trends in Your Industry If your job is being eliminated or outsourced, you will want to know
about it before you are in the room with the human resources person telling
you that your job is going away. Research your industry. Know what's
happening and what the experts say will happen. This way you can make
informed decisions. Look for trends. When you find them, start to train
yourself in these areas. Knowledge is power. Having the right skills at the
right time ensures that no matter what is happening around you, you will be
needed and employable. |
Have an Updated Résumé Your
résumé showcases your skills and abilities to the world. It is a selling tool
that outlines your unique qualifications so an employer can see, at a glance,
how you can contribute to the employer's workplace. When you are looking for
work, prospective employers know immediately whether or not you are a fit for
a position. Even if you are not looking for work, your résumé reminds you of
the contributions you make on a regular basis, something you can easily
forget when you are immersed in the day-to-day. Whether you are looking for a
job, or you already have one, an updated résumé is essential for your career. Network on a Regular Basis If you
start to network only when you need something, you will have a lot of
catching up to do. Therefore, network every day. Wherever there are people,
there is an opportunity to network. You do not always have to go somewhere to
network successfully. You can network within your own company. Are there
opportunities for you? Ask people and find out. People are your best resource
for information. Invite co-workers to lunch. Take the time to walk by
someone's office to say hello. Beyond the Workplace In addition, who can you tap into outside of where you work? Every
industry has an association. When is your industry's association meeting in
your area? Check the date and go. Get involved in this group so more people
can get to know you. That way, if something happens to your job, you'll have
people to reach out to. Lastly, send an e-mail to or call people you already
know on a regular basis. If you are always keeping in touch, then you will
not feel bad that you are bothering someone when it's time to reach out and
ask for help. |
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Recession Proof Jobs |
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Kristina Cowan http://blogs.payscale.com/content/2007/12/recession-proof.html |
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In the wake of the
housing crisis, news abounds of a looming recession, with regular reports of
financial gloom. It's no wonder workers are fretting over finances and the
employment outlook for the coming months, as a recent Hudson Employment Index
shows. Workers shouldn't worry, experts say. Jobs
in some industries do have good potential for weathering a financial storm.
It's more important, though, for employees to focus on making themselves
recession proof Best Businesses During a
Recession Even during boom times no job is fail-safe.
But some industries are safer havens than others, experts say, such as
healthcare, the federal government, clean technology, information technology,
and sales and marketing. "I think the recession proof jobs are
where people need the goods and services regardless, like healthcare and
pharmaceuticals. People are getting older, people are getting frailer, and
demographics of the population are aging. Biosciences, physical therapy,
occupational therapy-those are jobs that are as recession proof as they come.
They also require specialized skills," says Jon Bender, managing partner
with PrincetonOne, a New Jersey-based recruiting
firm. Sales and marketing positions and others
supporting them are fairly sturdy, according to Kevin Donlin,
author and creator of The Simple Job Search system. Anyone who makes or saves
money for a company will be relatively safe, he says. Federal government jobs
also may be worth considering. “Uncle
Sam hires approximately 2 percent of America's total workforce and the pay
and benefits are outstanding. Few feds lose their jobs during a recession and
most downsizing in the federal government is based on attrition, not filling
vacant positions. I know firsthand; from 1969 through 2004, I worked for
Uncle Sam and went through |
a number of recessions and reorganizations during that time," says retired federal employee
Dennis V. Damp. “With baby boomers leaving government, there are
opportunities to land these positions, noting the best time to act is before
a recession.” Surviving
a Recession - What to Do if a Recession Hits During a recession isn't
the best time to take charge of your work life and make drastic decisions,
experts agree Marc Karasu, a career
coach and former vice president of advertising and marketing at Yahoo! HotJobs, says workers should concentrate on their current
job and highlight how they've exceeded expectations. "Self-promotion is a
fine thing, and there's nothing wrong with letting your superiors know in a
professional and intelligent way that you're adding value. If you can, start
demonstrating the value you add to a company through your annual performance
review," Karasu says. "Also, meet with your boss and say where you
are doing good, where you can improve. Bosses like to see people come to them
proactively. The key is to do it today before a recession, so you don't look
desperate." Career expert Les McKeown
says it's more difficult to identify recession proof industries, so workers
must establish their own individual security. To do that, McKeown says,
they must prove that it would cost their employer more to let them go than it
would cost to keep them. Ultimately the employee is seen as someone who would
flourish no matter where in the company he or she lands. "At the end of the day the only way to make yourself recession proof
is to make your opportunity cost as high as possible. [You want employers to]
say, 'We can't let Jane go because we can put her anywhere,'" explaing.
"You must have a personal ability to add value. If you can do that, then
you're as recession proof as anyone." |
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Diagnose Your Financial Health |
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Selections from: http://www.wealthinformatics.com/2011/01/01/diagnose-your-financial-health-do-an-annual-wealth-checkup/ |
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Financial resolutions can be made at any time. We need to know the
problem areas. Success comes from knowing what needs to be fixed and what the
plan of attack is. See how you did last year and collect data for proper
goals. Retirement: Do you know how much you need to retire? Now would
be a good time to discuss the lifestyle you want in retirement and calculate.
Check if you are saving enough. Increase your contribution by 1-2% until it
starts hurting. Emergency Fund It is recommended to save 3 to 6 months expenses in
liquid savings. If you are self-employed or where it is difficult for find
another job, experts recommend up to one year living expenses as an emergency
fund. Having $1000 or even one month’s living expenses, can help avoid going
into further debt. Talk finances If you are married TALK. It will be difficult to get
ahead if your goals/beliefs don’t align during stressful times. Spending: Are you spending less than you earn? Do you know
where your money goes? Using an automated service like Mint, Yodlee or Thrive is an easy way of doing this. You can
always track your expenses with Excel or with just a notebook. If are not
comfortable with Excel you could try software like Quicken. Insurance: Coverage for Health, home owners, renters, auto, disability,
life and long-term care insurance – Do you have enough and is it applicable?
If an insurance product is applicable and you don’t have enough coverage, do
you have the money set aside to self-insure? If you already have enough
insurance, consider evaluating the cost and amounts of home owners’ and auto
insurance annually; also review the home inventory annually. Diversify: Do your investments match your retirement goals? Are you near your
retirement but unable to retire on a stock market downturn? Does your
portfolio require rebalancing? Estate
Planning: If your will/trust is more than
a few years old, review them and make sure they are accurate. Is your
beneficiary information up to date? |
Health Care directive/medical power of
attorney documents? Maybe you have an emergency financial file that you need
to review? Does your spouse know all the places you have accounts, where your
safe deposit box and estate planning documents are? Credit: Starting from renting a house, connecting utilities
to buying a car or a house, everything is based on credit. It is extremely
important to keep our credit pristine to get a competitive mortgage or a
loan. Have you checked your credit report? Credit score? Do you know they are
accurate? It is a good practice to check all your credit reports once a year.
You can check all the reports free at the same time or request one report
from each bureau every 4 months. You can get your credit scores for free as
well. If you have a low credit score, develop a plan to improve it – that may
be by accelerating your debt payments or fixing any errors. Debt: Do you have consumer debt? Have a plan to pay it
off? What is your debt to income ratio? By retirement, it is ideal to have
zer0 debt/liabilities. Net Worth: Net worth is not the only way to determine your
wealth; there are other measures as well. But net worth is one of the easiest
and most intuitive. It can give you a quick and clear idea of what you own,
what you owe and generally how you are doing. Do you know your net worth?
Simply put, net worth = value of your assets – value of your liabilities.
Calculating the value of certain things can be a bit difficult, like valuing
a house – it fluctuates a lot. But more than the raw number, we are
interested in seeing if our net worth is improving every year. So getting an approximate value using Zillow or any other
valuation tool will work. You can include the mortgage in the liabilities. If
your net worth decreased this year, do you have an explanation for that and
have a plan to improve it? Outlook about life: It is
more important to be happy than to be rich. Ask yourself what you want to
change in your life; then change it. |
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Good Workplace Habits |
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www.beyond.com/articles/workplace-habits-that-will-impress-your-boss-and-benefit-your-career-planning-17176-article.html |
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Every boss wishes to have employees who can do their jobs well and can
contribute to the growth of the company. Even in a highly competitive
workplace, there are things you can do to make sure you stand out. Below are
some tips you can use to be considered among the most valuable members of
your department. Always Communicate Especially during the initial stages of your
relationship with your boss, see to it that you communicate on a consistent
basis. But then again, you have to be extra careful not to ask and offer too
much information to him. Ideally, you should update him about the progress of
your work or your assigned project. And don’t hesitate to ask important
questions that have something to do with your job. Be an Active and Responsive Listener Bosses appreciate employees who respond to them
appropriately. It is not enough that you nod or shake your head in response
to whatever he tells you. Acknowledge what he’s saying to let him know he’s
heard and understood. Collaborate Every
boss likes it when someone offers good suggestions on how things can get done
at work. During meetings, you can present your own ideas on how to resolve
certain issues or how to enhance systems in the office. This will make your
boss think of you as a source of great and useful ideas. |
Know How You Can Fit In The personality of your boss is an important
consideration when you try to figure out how you should conduct work in the
office. Is he detail-oriented? Does he want things well organized? Looking at
his habits and tendencies will give you an understanding of what he expects
from his workers, and this is exactly what you should give him. Anticipate What Your Boss Needs If you have been working with your boss for quite
some time, you should be able to know what types of information he needs,
when he needs it, and how he wants to receive it. Giving him something before
he actually asks for it will definitely make you stand out. Be Engaged in What You Do Yes
you took your job to have money, but you should also learn to love what you
do. This means that you have to put your heart into it, and always think of
ways you can be useful to your boss and the company. You don’t have to argue
with your boss all the time, though, but neither should you just agree with
whatever he says and asks you to do. Be proactive and show enthusiasm at
work. Employers are always willing to give promotion to those whom they know
care as much for the company as they do. At the end of the day, this will be
beneficial to your professional growth and career planning. |
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Be Aware of Workplace Personalities |
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areer Assessment Site https://careerassessmentsite.com/strong-interest-inventory/careers-jobs/strong-test/strong-theme-code-careers |
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When entering a new position pay attention to the various roles of
your colleagues and the characteristics they exhibit
in doing their job. While all individuals
should be considered unique, it may be helpful to have a framework available
to help you understand and assess their internal and external
characteristics. If you are mentored or
asked to ‘shadow’ a particular individual in learning part of your new
assignment, pay attention to how they get the job done, The six categories at the
right may provide a tool for evaluating the personal ‘style’ and the
appropriateness utilized in performing a task. |
Realistic "The
Do-ers" They are known to be physical, rugged,
and hands-on. Investigative "The
Thinkers" They are known to be analytical, theoretical, and inquiring. Artistic "The
Creators" They are known to be expressive, imaginative, and idealistic. Social "The
Helpers" They are known to be caring, supportive, and insightful. Enterprising "The
Persuaders" They are assertive, self-confident, and highly energetic. Conventional "The
Organizers" They are known to be practical, careful, and efficient. |
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Keep
a Job : Tips for Improving Job
Performance |
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Bridget Quigg http://blogs.payscale.com/content/2009/03/five-ways-to-keep-a-job-during-a-recession.htm |
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Who hasn't seen a helpful, smart, hard-working
person get laid off? Being let go is not for last place performers, everyone
is at risk. You can try toavoid the pink slip. Here
are five ways to keep a job in a recession and improve your job performance. Talk directly to your manager about improving
performance Lay it on the table and sincerely ask for advice
from your boss about your situation. You're not asking for a butter up or
paint a rosy picture. You're asking for the truth. Ron Mitchell, career coach, advises on some good
questions to ask your boss regarding job performance, "You should take
control of this process. In this meeting you should ask two questions. First,
what can I improve upon? Second, what additional things can I do to help you
do your job better?" Is asking your boss about performance considered
kissing up? Maybe but your manager is under a lot of stress, too; finding
ways to help them and make them look better makes you less likely to be let
go. Learn other people's jobs It sounds calculating, but it's true. One of the
best ways to keep your job is to increase your value to your employer. If you
can do the work of two, you have a better chance of out-staying your peers.
With any worthwhile fitness program, you must cross-train for greater
strength and resiliency. This
productivity makes a difference, so that two people would have to replace
your work effort, not just half of a person." Once you pick up new job
skills or strengthen old ones, let people know. Executive coach Peggy Klaus
says, "Connect the dots for people and show them how your strengths can
be utilized in other departments, capacities, or fields." Be profitable If you're not clear how your work makes the company money, costs -
or both -you'd be wise to figure that out soon. Talk to friends, co-workers,even your boss. Letting |
your boss know you're
trying to improve your performance and contribute to the bottom line can't hurt. Plus, it reminds them of how essential you are. Be certain that the results you are focusing on and
producing are ones your company values most. Translation: efficiency,
cost-cutting and revenue." Toot your own horn – loudly! No one likes arrogance, but staying quiet about your
job performance and contributions isn't wise. Whatever you do to move the
company forward - stay late to complete a project, have a great call with a
client, train someone in a new skill or improve your output - make sure your
boss knows about it. Your resourcefulness and willingness to work hard are
attributes most managers want to keep in-house. Rise up and take command With the devastation that layoffs leave behind, you
have a unique opportunity to collect the remaining pieces and move quickly
into management. As Allison Hemming, founder of The Hired Guns agency says,
"This could be your opportunity to rise to the top." When
departments are combined, "Take advantage of a re-shuffled deck.
Management is looking for new leaders to prevail. When the company is back on
its feet, you'll be a tested veteran who helped lead through the worst of
times. Your job could be more secure and well-paid than ever. Are Some Layoffs Simply Inevitable? Many experts agree that you can only do so much to
protect yourself from a layoff. Sometimes, even your best won't be enough. So stand proud should that moment come.
One thing this current job environment teaches us is that no one is
immune to layoffs. Companies have for the past few rounds of layoffs been
cutting bone not fat. They are laying off people that have been doing a good
job. |
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Ways
to advance |
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Joe Weinlick http://www.businessworkforce.com/articles/7-steps-to-blow-your-boss-s-mind-17564-article.html |
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A good
relationship with your boss is key to setting your career on the fast track
and increasing your chances of being promoted. Developing this relationship
means being a good employee while working to make your boss's life easier.
Showing some initiative may impress your boss, but these seven steps can help
you blow him away. Immerse Yourself in the Company A
dedication to your company and your industry is a sure way to impress your
boss. Go beyond professional development by keeping up with industry trends, learning
about competitors and understanding the challenges to your company. Learn
about the company's long-term goals, and share your interest, with your boss. Anticipate Your Boss's Needs Instead
of only finding information or providing updates when asked, impress your boss by
putting yourself in his shoes and sending him regular updates on information
that would interest him. This type of dedication makes your boss's
professional life easier while creating a sense of trust. Identify Your Own Mistakes Rather
than simply admitting your mistakes when they're found out, go a step further
by being the first to point them out to your boss. Explain the actions you've
taken to remedy the issue, showing genuine remorse while maintaining a
professional tone. Your boss is sure to remember your honesty. Update Your Skills Keeping up with the
responsibilities and technologies your job requires is a sign of a good
employee, but if you really want to impress your boss, engage in self-training,
participating in workshops, taking courses and attending seminars in your
field. Don't be afraid to share your participation with your boss so he sees
your initiative. |
Update
Your Skills Keeping up with responsibilities and
technologies your job requires is a sign of a good employee, but if you
really want to impress your boss, engage in self-training by participating in
workshops, taking courses and attending seminars in your field. Share your
participation with your boss so he sees your initiative. Be
Proactive Impress your boss by being the first to
volunteer for challenging tasks or projects, demonstrating your eagerness and
enthusiasm. Don't take on more than you can handle since a failed project
speaks louder than your original eagerness to help out. Additionally, take
steps to fix problems you see in the workplace, talk to your boss about
changes that could benefit the company. Make
Connections Blow your boss's mind by
making one-on-one connections with workers in other departments or even in
partner companies. When your boss needs help or input from outside the
department, you can bring up your connection, telling your boss you know
someone who can help solve the issue. Demonstrate
Problem-Solving Skills When a problem arises, be vocal about
potential solutions, and take any necessary steps to solve the problem
without going over your boss's head. Maintain a calm, calculative demeanor to
show your boss that you know how to handle issues. Being a
team player is important when trying to impress your boss, so maintain a good
relationship with your co-workers, avoiding actions that only make you look
good at their expense. Demonstrate your strong work ethic, integrity and
enthusiasm every chance you get to impress your boss a little more every day. |
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Want
a Raise – Don’t Make Mistakes |
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Sallie Krawcheck https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/want-raise-2017-I-make-mistakes-sallie-krawcheck |
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Because I’ve worked with a lot of people, one
of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen is that they treat “getting a raise” as a
once-a-year exercise. As a result, they don’t properly set the groundwork for
their raise in advance. That means having a conversation with their boss,
early in the year to discuss: what your success looks like, what your team’s
success looks like, what your department’s success looks like, what your
company’s success looks like, what is key to your boss in the coming year,
and what (s)he will want to see from you over the next quarter and the next
year. Not just vaguely. Instead, if something can be quantified, it should be
quantified: x number of new clients, y% revenue growth, z customer
satisfaction score, x new hires, y% expense reduction, x level audit scores. This conversation should not be a
one-and-done for the year, instead it should be an on-going dialogue, updated
quarterly. Keep careful notes, as memories shift over time. Other mistakes I’ve seen: You don’t know how much you should be
earning, so you don’t even know what the heck to ask for. This used to be a
tough one. Maybe you had to interview a bit outside of your company to get a
read on how much you should be paid; or you would take a co-worker out for
drinks to pump him / her for information. But mostly you would just guess.
Today, you can visit GetRaised, Payscale,
Ziprecruiter and Comparably to get salary
information, just to name a few. Hired.com takes it one step further and is
actually a marketplace in which companies bid for talent. None are perfect,
but taken together, you have a lot more information than you could
historically get from a few boozy evenings. When told NO You
don’t have a back-up plan when you’re told no to a raise. So much of the “get
a raise” advice starts and stops with “get the raise.” But what if you’re
told no? |
(And you can be told no for a lot of
reasons that have nothing to do with your performance; maybe this year, there
simply is no budget for raises.) Then why not immediately follow up with
another ask, one that may not be dollars in your pocket today, but that has
its own form of value? Think a special rotation in marketing, a coding class,
an assignment in Hong Kong, being mentored by the new executive hotshot,
flexibility to work from home, flexibility to get an executive MBA, partial
payment for an executive MBA, full payment for an executive MBA, a language
class, becoming part of the recruiting team, representing your company at an
industry conference, a promotion, a recommendation for an advisory position
at a start-up. You simply don’t ask, Don’t expect karma to take care of you. I
can’t tell you how often in my experience women (men too, but really women)
simply never asked for a raise. Newsflash: karma doesn’t care about you and
likely won’t deliver you a raise. And not asking is a reason – not the
reason, by any means, but a reason – that women continue to earn less than
men. You spend the raise You spend the raise. You should invest it
instead. Or at least some good chunk of it. I mean it. I know I’m a broken
record on this topic, but I firmly believe that investing is the best career
advice that women (and everyone) are not getting. That’s because, by putting that raise to
work in a diversified investment portfolio, you give yourself the opportunity
to earn a higher return than in cash – and, of course, a higher return than
spending it. Not investing as much as men (the “gender investing gap”) has
historically cost professional women hundreds of thousands – for some even
millions – of dollars over the course of their lives. Investing can better
help you retire, of course; but as you build bank outside of the office, it
can also give you more confidence in the office. |
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Play
Salary Catch-Up |
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http://insights.dice.com/2017/08/23/underpaid-6-ways-play-salary-catch-up/ |
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If you stay at one company for
too long, or accept a low salary to break into a new specialty, you may find
yourself where you are paid below market value. In fact, companies frequently
pay new hires more, resulting in salary inversion. Since many companies are
unlikely to dole out big raises, and a future employer may base an offer on
what you made at your last job, the only viable solution is to play salary
catch-up in your current position. Here are some ways to get your
compensation back up to market value (or even beyond). Request
a ‘Hot Skills’ Bonus Employers are willing to pay
cash premiums to professionals for specific hot skills and certifications.
These payments typically range between 5 percent and 15 percent of base
salary and last for a period of one to two years. Having the latest skills
will also grab the attention of recruiters and competing firms. If you decide
to test the market, you’ll be able to leverage your higher pay when
negotiating a new offer. Reinvent
Your Personal Brand Updating your brand and online
profiles increases your perceived value, and proves you’re in high demand.
This psychological phenomenon is referred to as social proof. When your boss
sees your updated profile, he will become more aware of what it would cost to
replace you; that a rival company may try to recruit you away. Until you update your brand and
profiles, your boss may not realize that you’ve taken on tasks or
responsibilities that entitle you to a higher-level position or pay grade.
Using social proof to showcase your skills and contributions can make your
employer more receptive to a pay or position change. Ask
for Supplemental Wages Because
worker wages are a fixed cost, many companies cap cost-of-living raises |
and monitor salaries closely.
However, variable compensation receives less scrutiny, and there are many
ways to earn extra money in addition to your base salary. Examples include
performance or tenure bonuses based on cash or stock, project completion
bonuses, payments for accumulated sick leave or comp time, retroactive pay
increases or discretionary bonuses and salary supplements. While incentive pay isn’t
guaranteed, it can more closely align pay with market-competitive levels. And
you can always leverage your total cash compensation to negotiate a better
deal with another company. Lay
the Groundwork for Your Next Job 42 percent of employers expect
tech employees to job-hop, so they’re building turnover into their hiring
plans. If you work for one of these firms, your manager may be willing to
help you prepare for the next step in your career by tapping discretionary
budgets to pay for employee training and professional education If you can’t get more salary,
ask your company to pay for skills training or other things that will raise
your profile and your long-term earning power. Request
More Frequent Reviews If your boss is constrained by
the organization’s salary structure, the best way to handle a salary deficit
may be to chip away at it. Some companies say they review the salaries of
underpaid but highly skilled employees more than once a year. Agree on a target salary with
your boss, as well as a series of raises or salary premiums over the next year.. Be sure to grt any oral
salary agreements in writing. Leverage
Another Job Offer Leveraging
another job offer may be the most effective salary adjustment. For a subtler
approach, mention during discussions you’ve been talking to recruiters to
validate your value. Having other options may increase your perceived desirability.. |
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Looking
Beyond Your Company |
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Leslie Stevens-Huffman http://insights.dice.com/2017/05/17/avoiding-landmines-job-interview-rivals/ |
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It’s quite flattering when a direct competitor notices your work and
expresses a strong interest in hiring you. But your exciting opportunity
could turn into a legal nightmare if you accidentally disclose confidential
information or trade secrets during a casual lunch or job interview. You have
to police yourself. It’s not uncommon for a rapidly growing company to outgrow its compliance
apparatus. Sometimes, the interviewer hasn’t been properly trained on the
questions they can and can’t ask. Here are some tips for avoiding landmines
when interviewing with a direct competitor. Be Aware Occasionally, a competing startup or firm may use an informational
interview to fish for proprietary information about your current or former
employer. To figure out if a competitor’s intentions are honorable, make sure the
position they want to discuss is legitimate. Ask to see a copy of the job description, or if it’s a newly created
position, ask about the duties and the reasons why the company is adding to
staff. If the purpose of the meeting is exploratory, and the manager asks about
your employer’s future plans, funding strategies or products in the pipeline,
that’s a red flag. Before you go on an interview or fill out an application, take a fresh
look at your employment agreement or any other documents you may have signed
that containrestrictive covenants such as
non-disclosure or non-compete provisions. Although enforceability varies by state, even non-managerial employees
are bound by a duty of loyalty that can cover a wide range of competitive
actions. |
Having the terms fresh in your mind can keep you
from saying something you might regret over coffee or drinks. To be on the
safe side, don’t bring any code samples, design drawings or company documents
with you to your meeting. Don’t share baseline information For instance, if you helped develop a platform for
processing mortgages, don’t disclose the number of banking customers your
company started with, or how many customers are purchasing the loan-servicing
module. Instead, talk about how your team beat projected revenue growth by 20
percent, or achieved 30 percent growth in the number of lenders using your
product. Describe processes, not data. For example, talk about how you cut release
time in half by implementing continuous testing, but not that you’re
considering offering new services or buying another firm. Engineers have to be very careful when they meet
with each other. Avoid granular
discussions about what you’re currently working on or who else is involved. Better still, use examples from previous jobs, side
projects or community service endeavors to respond to behavioral interview
questions or to demonstrate passion and creativity, as you’re less likely to
run into problems that way. If the interviewer seems intent on fishing for
insider information, simply explain that you are bound by a confidentiality
agreement. Then add that you’re sure he wants to hire an honest and ethical
person (like you). Continually probing outside the bounds
points to a lack of control at a company. Think carefully, because that may
not be the type of company you want to work for.” |
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How
to Win Under a Terrible Boss |
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Former U.S. Navy SEAL Jocko Willink
understands what it's like to have a bad boss. He's had his share but was
also a micromanager himself on the battlefield." Given his unique perspective, Willink
offers one key piece of advice: Don't focus on what you wish you could change
about your boss. Instead, focus on being your boss's ally. "Great boss
or horrible boss, my goal is to have a great relationship. Here is Willink's advice
on how to build a better relationship with three types of difficult bosses. If
your boss is a micromanager Micromanagers will try to control your every thought
and action. Bosses who do this likely have a trust issue, explains Willink. When he found himself with a micromanaging boss,
Willink had a straightforward strategy: he did
exactly what his boss asked. He gave that boss all the information that was asked
for and more. "I'm going to give them the most detailed report of
everything that I'm doing so that they realize: Yes, I am engaged. Yes, I am
walking a good path. And yes, they can begin to trust me." Eventually, Willink said
his boss would look at him and say, "Hey, you don't need to give me all
this information. Go out. I trust you. Do what you have to do." If your boss is an egomaniac Defensive bosses who won't take ownership for their
decisions might be insecure. With these managers, Willink
suggests you massage their egos. |
Make them realize that you respect them. "Make
them feel good". With these types of leaders, it's critical to make
it clear that you aren't looking to take credit from them. You'll build a better
relationship with your boss by ultimately proving that you're "actually
there to make them look good." If
your boss is too laid back When a boss fails to provide
guidance and leaves you in the dark, it's easy to feel lost and discouraged.
Instead, Willink recommends that you think of your
manager's hands-off leadership style as an opportunity to forge your own
path. "If my [bosses don't] want
to tell me what it is they want me to do, guess what? I'm going to figure out
what it is I'm supposed to do," says Willink.
"I'm going to come up with my own plan and I'm going to move forward
with it." To avoid any surprises, keep
your boss in the loop as you craft your goals. Make sure you present your
plan to your manager for any feedback. This simple move will create space for
your boss to give you guidance or, better yet, a simple thumbs up. Whatever you do, keep your relationship with your
boss top of mind. The strength of your relationship with your boss will shape
the work you and your team can get done. "What I'm trying to do is build
a relationship," he says, "so that I can effectively go out and
accomplish the mission with my team." |
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Work
Problems - Don't Quit Yet |
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Dawn Rosenberg McKay https://www.thebalance.com/dont-quit-your-job-yet-526132 |
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If you are having problems at
work, you may be tempted to quit your job. There are certainly good reasons
to leave. Some problems, though, can be resolved without quitting. If you
would rather stay at your current place of employment, it may be worth trying
these solutions. Here are some common workplace problems and possible fixes
you should consider before you resort to quitting your job: Your Job is Interfering
with Your Family Responsibilities If you are having trouble
achieving balance between your career and your family, you may find yourself
stressed out. You may have even
considered taking a hiatus from your career altogether but don't know if that
is the best thing to do. Here are some alternative work options that can help
make your work schedule more bearable. For example, you can see if your boss
is amenable to letting you work a flexible schedule. This may mean working
four 10-hour days each week or working non-typical hours, like 8 to 4 or 10
to 6. Other alternative arrangements include telecommuting or working part
time. Some employers even allow their workers to job share, which involves
sharing a full-time job with another worker. Your Commute is Getting
to You Many of the alternative options
mentioned above can help you if your commute has gotten to be too much.
Working a flexible schedule may give you a break from traveling to work one
day a week or may at least take you off the road during rush hour.
Telecommuting can keep you from having to commute at all or may cut down on
the days you have to travel to the office. Your Work Place
Relationships Are Bad If
you don't get along with your boss or one of your coworkers (or any of your
coworkers) your work life can be extremely difficult. Given the amount of
time you spend at work, it |
can be as hard as a bad
marriage. Before you get a divorce .. umm ..quit your job, see if you can improve your
relationships with your boss and coworkers. That sometimes means looking
inward and doing things to change your own behavior. Also, consider asking
the human resources department to intervene. You Received an
Unsatisfactory Performance Review A poor performance review may
leave you staggered and wondering if your best bet is to quit your job.
Unless your boss has something else in mind, you don't necessarily need to
leave. The first thing you should do is look at the review with an open mind.
If you conclude that it is fairly accurate, find out what you can do to
improve your performance. This probably requires a serious talk with your
boss. If you think the performance review was unfair, then you should also
talk to your boss but wait until you can do it calmly. You Are Unhappy About
Some New Policies at Work We all get stuck in our ways and the familiarity of
consistent work policies can be very comforting. When your boss decides to
change things it can be disconcerting. Often it
isn't that the changes are bad, it's simply the fact that they were made at
all. When your boss makes changes to policies at work, the best thing you can
do is give yourself some time to get used to them. Take a few weeks to figure
out whether your unhappiness stems from your resistance to change or if you
truly feel the new policies are bad for the company. If after a while you
come to the conclusion that the changes are truly not working well, turn your
negativity into something positive. Set up a meeting with your boss. Be
prepared to present a clear rationale along with suggestions for improvement. |
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Acceptable
Reasons to Quit |
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https://www.indeed.com/prime/resources/talent/5-perfectly-acceptable-reasons-to-quit-your-job
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Life is too short to stay at a
job that isn’t working for you. Search your feelings, and consider these 5
perfectly acceptable reasons to quit your job. You
Feel Stuck The global workforce is not
engaged in their work. This happens when individuals perceive that their job no
longer offers opportunities for advancement and growth. This can mean
anything from insufficient pay to limited promotion opportunities to
stagnation in developing new skills or learning new things. It doesn’t take long before
stagnation leads to a total standstill—to feeling stuck. Before quitting a job employees should talk to their bosses about what they
really want. It’s a-frequent occurrence, that employers find out what
employees want in the exit interview, when they would have been amenable the
whole time. If you’ve talked to your boss, however, and she or he says that
want you want—a raise, a new position, a new challenge—isn’t possible, then
it’s OK to move on. You’re
Just Not Feeling It Anymore The problem may be your company
doesn’t offer more opportunities, or those opportunities, though ample, have
lost their luster. Companies change just like individuals. Maybe your
employer has shifted its mission to something you don’t believe in. Maybe you’re
not enthusiastic about the mission anymore No one did anything wrong, but
sticking around when you’re no longer feeling it can lead to apathy and make
it hard to keep going. Passion about what you do is an important component of
developing personal “grit,”. Without it, perseverance at work is much harder.
The occasional boring day is nothing to worry about. But, if the boredom
lingers for weeks and months at a time, take a leap in a new direction. You’re
Feeling it Too Much Your
issue might not be apathy, but its equal, opposite reaction: over-investment.
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Instead your job is all you can
think about all the time: you’re addicted to your work email; you worry about
your job; and you’re stressed out about it all the time. You feel your job
too much—and you don’t like it. You might want to try some
’mindfulness’ practices—working on one task at a time, cultivating gratitude,
etc.—to help develop a healthier relationship to your job. If you’ve tried
these, with no improvement, it’s time to do something else. Your
Job Gives You “Bad Feels” You’ll know a toxic work
environment when you experience it: people are fighting all the time; members
of company management are at odds with each other; employees are treated
poorly; and morale is low. Maybe management allows a culture of
discrimination and misogyny. Whatever
the specific conditions of your job’s toxicity—its ‘bad feels’—might be, this
kind of persistent negativity is unlikely to change quickly, if at all. You
don’t have to live this way: feel free to leave! You’re
Literally Feeling Sick Perhaps the most important
consideration of all: can you do your job and be healthy? Occasional stress
at work is to be expected, and the right kind of stress can fuel
workplace creativity. Chronic, long-term stress, however, causes significant
health risks. Your job can make you feel sick. According to a study by the American
Psychological Association, work stress is one of the top contributors to
long-term health problems, and only 37% of Americans believe that they manage
their stress well. If you find yourself feeling these symptoms on a
regular basis, it’s time to find a new opportunity. Your health—and
happiness—must come first. What
Now? |
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Resigning
Gracefully and Effectively |
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Resign
to the right person It is tempting to tell your
co-workers first that you are leaving. They are more familiar to you and
having their support or validation that your exit is justified can make you
feel better. Resist the urge to take the easy way out. Resign to the right
person – your manager. Here's why: First, for the rest of your career, both
directly and indirectly, potential employers are more likely to want to speak
with a former manager than a former co-worker. While having excellent
relationships with your co-workers is important, it is the opinion of the
person who paid your salary and oversaw your performance that holds the most
weight. It is both a sign of respect and display of business savvy that you
speak to the person who hired you first when you have decided to leave. The second reason it is better
to resign to your manager first is that she is in the best position to decide
the right next steps. Should the rest of the team be notified immediately?
Who will take over your responsibilities? Should you attend an upcoming
planning meeting? The management team is responsible for creating and
implementing the transition plan, so the extra time to strategize is both
helpful and appreciated. The key is to tell whoever hired you first, and then
collaborate with that person on the communication flow from there. Timing
is everything Select
the day and time to resign by factoring in what is required for your new role
and what is the best for your current one. It is not that you need to give
more than two weeks' notice, but think through the most ideal day and time to
quit. For example, is it preferable to resign first thing Monday morning
before your manager begins going to meetings, or is requesting a meeting at 5
p.m. on Monday after fires have been put out more helpful? An unexpected
resignation is always painful for a manager, but time selection can give your
boss a few more options when it comes to managing your exit. |
Give
a reasonable notice Again, remember that if you
exit professionally, you stand to gain a strong reference for life. Asking
your new employer for a few extra days so that you can honor a two week exit
commitment or wrap up that strategic project will go a long way. It's rare
that a manager will insist someone rush their exit out of their old job to
start the new one. How you treat your former employer is a prediction of how
you will treat the next. Be
productive during your notice period You may have been a model
employee for 10 years, but if you are a negative distraction during your last
two weeks, that is how you will be remembered. You have a choice in how to
wrap up your relationship – make it a good one. Show up early, work full
days, offer to train someone else or write training notes if a replacement
employee has not yet been identified. Take time to thank your teammates,
clean your desk and, in general, work diligently. As long as you are being paid,
you should be a productive employee. Accepting a new role is
exciting. It is easy to let your zeal for your new role overshadow the
significance of maintaining professionalism at your current role. Many
employees are rehired by former bosses later down the road at different
companies, especially when they prove to be talented, professional and
trustworthy in good times and bad. There is much to gain from rising to the
occasion when you resign. |
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Leave
a Job on Good Terms |
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Clinton
M. Sandvick, JD, PhD Adapted from:
https://www.wikihow.com/Leave-a-Job-on-Good-Terms |
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If you are considering leaving
your job or have already been offered a new position, it is important to
leave on good terms. Leaving on good terms will increase your chances of
getting a favorable reference in the future. Preparing
to Announce Your Departure It is customary to give an
employer two weeks’ notice before leaving a job. If you are in a professional
or managerial position, you may need additional time to transition out of the
organization. Avoid setting a firm start date at the new job to remain
flexible. Avoid giving too much notice. Telling
the company of your leaving, you will be perceived as an outsider. Your
continued presence could make people uncomfortable. Try not to leave at an
inconvenient time. Don’t burn bridges by leaving at an inconvenient time.
Read your employment contract. The contract might spell out the steps you
must take before you leave the company. Ask Human Resources for a copy if you
don’t have one. Organize your files. As you
prepare to leave the company, you should make sure that your physical and
electronic files are properly maintained and in good order. Good organization
will make it easier for your replacement to hit the ground running. You should finish important
projects. If you train a replacement, that replacement will lack your depth
of knowledge. If you can realistically complete an important project in your
time remaining, then do so. The work you in your final weeks should be of top
quality. Do the work your employer has come to expect from you. Announcing
Your Departure You should inform your supervisor
first you will be leaving the company. You do not want your supervisor to
hear second-hand that you are leaving. Set up a meeting so that you can
inform your boss that you are leaving. Meeting with your boss will allow |
you to discuss how the rest of
the organization will be informed of your departure. Let colleagues know. Unless
your boss wants to inform of your departure, you can let coworkers know
individually after telling your boss.
Also make sure that you tell a consistent story about why you are
leaving. People gossip. Avoid a company-wide “farewell”
email. One way to ruin your relationship with your employer is to send an
email on your last day with sarcastic remarks. You should also think
carefully before sending a positive email to the entire company. If you want
to thank people, you should do so individually. Even supposedly positive
emails could be misinterpreted or seen as insincere. Draft an exit memo to outline
the status of any projects or matters that you have been working on. It would
include contact information for clients. An exit memo is particularly helpful
if your employer has not yet hired a replacement. Offer to train your replacement. to assure
that they understand the job and projects. Participating
in an Exit Interview Larger employers tend to
schedule an exit interview for individuals leaving the company. If you are
offered the chance, you should agree to participate in one. If no exit interview is offered
at your company, then you should ask for one anyway. But request one only if
you are confident you can be positive. Sharing what you’ve learned and
expressing gratitude during an exit interview is a great way to leave a
positive final impression. Criticize the company
sparingly. Whatever criticism you offer should be constructive. Always focus
on what’s best for the company. Types of advice companies want
to hear include anything that will allow employees to be more engaged in
their jobs and tips for improving the workplace culture. |
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Possibility
of Lay Off |
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Anna Prior Excerpt: The Wall Street Journal Possibility of Lay
Off |
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What's the worst that can happen? We put that question to the expert -- Joshua Piven, author of "Worst-Case Scenario Survival
Handbook" series. His answer is not pretty: You lose your job, you run
out of savings, have to sell [your] home, it's a down market and you can't
sell your house, you move, pull the kids out of school, it's not easy to get
another job and your whole lifestyle has to change. When jobless rates go up, duration of the job search
usually follows. Conventional wisdom has long called for you to have up to
six months of living expenses to carry you through an emergency or job loss.
When a job hunt lasts longer than half a year, backup funds can dwindle; you
will have to make more tough financial choices. It may be painful, but you have to make sure you are
budgeting appropriately and living below
your means. Here are some things to keep in mind, starting now: While You're Working Double that emergency fund. Begin living frugally
with the savings applied to emergency savings. Consider downsizing your
living quarters if you are renting, or taking in a roommate. Since it's easier to get credit while you're
employed, open another credit card or a home-equity line of credit in case
money becomes tight if you are unemployed. Use this credit only as a last
resort. When the Word Comes Down File for unemployment benefits immediately. A severance package from your
employer can delay your eligibility. Call your landlord or lender if your
layoff results in
financial instability. Ask about deferred-payment for rent or
mortgage restructuring. |
If you're financially stable, you may still want to
alert your landlord or lender to your employment situation in case you have
trouble making future payments. Look into all your health-insurance options. The government
made some modifications to the federal COBRA law, which allows people to
extend their previous coverage, but know that this isn't always the most
affordable plan. Young and healthy? A high-deductible plan might still be
more affordable. The First Six Months Develop a bare-bones budget, stick to it, so your
severance or emergency funds last as long as possible. Prioritize your debts.
When the bills come, pay the big ones -- such as rent or mortgage, utilities
and car payments -- before making minimum payments on credit cards. Consider
further downsizing your home or selling any nonessential cars, electronics,
jewelry or other valuables. Six Months and Beyond De-invest. Start by looking for securities you might
liquidate in non-retirement accounts. Potential tax write-offs could help
make the losses easier to stomach. If you have a capital loss, you can write
that off against any gains.. Or you can write off up
to $3,000 of a capital loss against any other income." Then tap your Roth IRA. This money grows tax-free,
and you can usually withdraw contributions with no tax liability. This should
be a measure of last resort, we want that money to
remain in that tax shelter. Keep your hands off your IRA or 401(k) until the
very last moment. You'll have to pay taxes on those withdrawals, and you'll
also pay penalties. You'll lose compounding interest and yield. The
probability of you replacing those dollars is remote, the tendency for most
is to spend, and not replace." |
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