Making a positive impression is important when establishing any relationship. Impressing your boss is essential if you wish to be successful in the workplace. There are no shortcuts to making a lasting positive impression. Hard work, respect, and sincerity are key factors. You will be sure to impress a boss in any work setting by following these steps.
Meet deadlines. An employee who delivers high quality products or services in a timely manner will always be on the boss's good side.
Respect your boss's time. A good supervisor reduces red tape and provides employees with the tools they need to perform their jobs. This respects your time and contribution to the business. Your boss will be impressed if you return the favor and value their time as well. You can do this by asking "is this a good time?" before starting a discussion, combining small matters into a single conversation, and choosing email or a note to resolve a matter that isn't time sensitive and requires advance consideration.
Bring solutions along with problems. When an unexpected problem arises and you need to consult with your boss, think of one or more solutions to the problem in advance of the meeting. Start the conversation by saying something like "I think I know the answer, but..." Briefly discuss the problem and offer your solutions as possibilities, not ultimatums. The boss will appreciate your ability to think for yourself and your respect for their opinion.
Be positive. Employees expect the boss to maintain a positive attitude, even during stressful times. Bosses hope for, and are impressed by, employees who do the same. For every two complaints or suggestions for improvement you make to your boss, be sure to point out eight positive things. Avoid petty gripes entirely.
Be sincere. No one enjoys being manipulated, especially your boss. Undeserved flattery, performance or behavior change near evaluation time, and feigned interest in the boss's family or extracurricular activities will not impress. Your boss will be pleased if you are honest and consistent in your performance and only ask a question when you are truly interested in the answer.
Say thanks once in a while. All employees, including supervisors, appreciate recognition for a job well done. In many organizations, recognition systems are geared towards front line employees. Middle managers are often in the position of recommending awards, but rarely receive them. If this is the case in your organization, a well-timed thank you or small gesture is sure to be appreciated.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Saturday, April 5, 2008
How To Make Family Your Number One Priority
Juggling the responsibilities of being wife, mother, and career woman is a tough act. So just how can you do it?
Every one says that family should always be your number one priority. Unfortunately, many parents fail in this endeavor simply because... IT’S NOT EASY. Other things could easily get in the way, or could just leave you lost in plain confusion. What you probably need is a clear thought of what your priority is, and how you could work on it and stick with it.
The first and most important step is to look after your physical well-being. Try to be healthy at all times. If you’re not healthy, that’s when problems arise. You don’t get to maximize your time at work because you’re absent with illnesses, while at the same time, you don’t get to take care of your kids (and hubby) well because you’re sick. So try to sleep well and eat well. Take your vitamins regularly.
Have the right perspective on work. When you’re in the office, focus on your work. BUT, also keep track of what’s going on at home and with your kids. Make sure that they can reach you anytime if there’s a problem.
If your work demands you to be on call even on weekends and holidays, believe that for as long as you can get all your work done in the office during these away-from-the-family times, then there is no need to give up these moments you could have been with the family. It’s absolutely okay to ‘work your ass off.’ Just remember that you can (and will) make up for family times once you get home.
Reserve (at least) one special day for your family. Try to keep these days with the family sacred. Be a hands-on mom when you’re at home as much as you can. You can (and you should) delegate with your husband when it comes to taking care or giving extra time and attention to your kids.
Share some ‘pal-time’ with your husband. Treat each other as very good friends. Keep the communication flowing no matter what. You can stay connected each day through phone calls or text messaging. In the car on the way home from work, that’s when you could share stories and updates. At home, after work, make sure that you focus attention one each other.
When you’re away from your job, try to spend most of your time with your husband and kids. It’s okay to admit that you leave almost all the yard-work or house-work to helpers. In fact, doing this sets you clear on what your priority really is.
The best thing that you could probably learn is how to make family your number one priority. Friends and colleagues in the workplace will come and go, but it’s your family that will always remain constant – hence, you should always make them number one in your life
Every one says that family should always be your number one priority. Unfortunately, many parents fail in this endeavor simply because... IT’S NOT EASY. Other things could easily get in the way, or could just leave you lost in plain confusion. What you probably need is a clear thought of what your priority is, and how you could work on it and stick with it.
The first and most important step is to look after your physical well-being. Try to be healthy at all times. If you’re not healthy, that’s when problems arise. You don’t get to maximize your time at work because you’re absent with illnesses, while at the same time, you don’t get to take care of your kids (and hubby) well because you’re sick. So try to sleep well and eat well. Take your vitamins regularly.
Have the right perspective on work. When you’re in the office, focus on your work. BUT, also keep track of what’s going on at home and with your kids. Make sure that they can reach you anytime if there’s a problem.
If your work demands you to be on call even on weekends and holidays, believe that for as long as you can get all your work done in the office during these away-from-the-family times, then there is no need to give up these moments you could have been with the family. It’s absolutely okay to ‘work your ass off.’ Just remember that you can (and will) make up for family times once you get home.
Reserve (at least) one special day for your family. Try to keep these days with the family sacred. Be a hands-on mom when you’re at home as much as you can. You can (and you should) delegate with your husband when it comes to taking care or giving extra time and attention to your kids.
Share some ‘pal-time’ with your husband. Treat each other as very good friends. Keep the communication flowing no matter what. You can stay connected each day through phone calls or text messaging. In the car on the way home from work, that’s when you could share stories and updates. At home, after work, make sure that you focus attention one each other.
When you’re away from your job, try to spend most of your time with your husband and kids. It’s okay to admit that you leave almost all the yard-work or house-work to helpers. In fact, doing this sets you clear on what your priority really is.
The best thing that you could probably learn is how to make family your number one priority. Friends and colleagues in the workplace will come and go, but it’s your family that will always remain constant – hence, you should always make them number one in your life
How To Screw Up a Job Interview
Your interview for that new position starts before you sit down in the uncomfortable chair. It begins with the submittal of an application or resume and includes communication to schedule an interview, the interview itself, and post-interview conversation. Each interaction tells your prospective employer about who you are and what type of employee you will be. If you want to be sure you do NOT get the job you are looking for (or a future opening at the company), follow these steps:
Apply for jobs you aren't qualified for. Submit an application for every opening at an organization, regardless of your qualifications. An employer who sees your resume every time there is a position available will believe that you are: a) discontented; b) unsure of your goals; c) spending a lot of time at work applying for other jobs; d) unable to read a job description; or e) all of the above. In addition, your familiar presence in an applicant pool may result in your application being overlooked, even for a position that you are eventually qualified for.
Don't proofread your resume and cover letter. Make spelling errors and use poor grammar to suggest to the employer that you are uneducated or sloppy. A poorly written application is especially effective for losing jobs that require accuracy or good writing skills.
Use poor telephone manners. Your first verbal contact with a prospective employer will usually be over the telephone. If you want to make a bad impression, try answering the telephone with a sleepy voice in the middle of the day, with a greeting of, "Hey dude," thinking that your best friend has just called you back, or while driving or otherwise occupied. If you aren't available, that casual or off-color voice mail message that is so hilarious to your friends or family can make the bad impression for you.
Show up late or really early. Showing up late demonstrates that you are disorganized and don't respect the interviewer's time. Announcing your arrival more than 15 minutes early will inevitably rush the interviewer and may make him disorganized, hungry, thirsty, or needing to go to the bathroom during your interview.
Dress and act like a slob. Wear clothes that are more casual than those worn by employees of the company, or anything that is wrinkled, torn, or ill fitting. Carry your paperwork in a disorganized manner. Slump down in the chair or lean forward on the table. Avoid eye contact and forget to shake hands or thank the interviewer for his time.
Complain. Gripe about the traffic or weather coming to the interview, the driving directions you were provided with, the time it took for interviews to be scheduled, or your current employer or co-workers. Doing this, even a bit, during the interview will be sure to suggest to the employer that you will be a constant complainer if hired.
Don't answer the questions you don't like. If the interviewer asks you a question that doesn't highlight one of your strengths, ignore the question and take the opportunity to talk about something else entirely. (Look how successful this strategy is for politicians!)
Use the interview as a soapbox. If you are an internal candidate, take the opportunity to speak about everything that is wrong with the organization and indicate why you are the only one who can fix it. If you can find out who the other internal candidates are, be sure to mention them and their shortcomings.
Talk too much (or not enough). Choose one of the following two approaches: 1) Answer each question in as few words as possible. Yes and no answers will ensure that the interviewers won't get to know you very well; 2) Keep responding to each answer until you cannot think of anything else to say. It will be helpful if you then point out that you went on way too long, in case the interviewer didn't notice.
Say or do any of the following things. Confess that you don't remember applying for the position you are being interviewed for; describe how you fell asleep at a previous job; indicate that you work too hard at your current position and are looking for a job where you can relax; when asked what interests you about the position you are applying for, mention the salary, 401K plan, or vacation before mentioning the nature of the work; ask how big your office will be; suggest ways that the company can improve on work that you have never done; acknowledge that you are overqualified for a position and indicate your expectation that it will be a stepping stone; ask how many other people applied for the position and whether or not you are the leading candidate; demand a yes or no response by a certain date.
Don't say thanks. Don't express at the end of the interview or in a follow-up letter that you are grateful for being selected for an interview, appreciate the interviewer's time, and respect his judgment and need for time during the decision-making process.
Question the employer's judgment if you don't get the job. If you are not the selected candidate, put the interviewer on the spot by asking him exactly why you weren't selected and what made the other candidate so much better. If you disagree with the answer, argue with him. This will ensure he will never want to interview you again.
OK, so if you actually want the job, maybe you shouldn't do any of these things at all. Instead, try to:
Apply for jobs you are both qualified for and interested in. It is OK to apply for jobs you are marginally qualified for. The quality and number of applicants often varies for similar job openings and a bright person who is willing to learn occasionally emerges as a top candidate.
Have a friend with good writing skills proofread your resume and cover letter. Highlight your strengths and skills, but don't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. A recent graduate does not need a 3 or 4 page resume.
Make sure you answer every phone call as if it is a prospective employer. Replace that silly phone message with something that sounds more professional.
Show up exactly 15 minutes early. This shows you are punctual and like to be prepared, but fully understand that the world doesn't revolve around you.
Dress one level above what you would expect to dress as an employee. If you don't know how that is, call the receptionist and ask. Make sure you iron your clothes.
Be honest, straightforward, and positive in all of your responses. When answering questions that may not play to your strengths, display a willingness to learn and always see the glass as half full.
Respond fully so that the interviewers can get to know you. Add additional information when it is pertinent or is following up on a comment by the interviewer.
Make at least one comment that shows you have researched the company prior to the interview. This never fails to impress a prospective employer.
Express your sincere thanks and follow up with a letter if you believe the interview went well. It's just good manners.
If you aren't selected, acknowledge that it must have been a difficult decision. Repeat your thanks for the opportunity to interview, and request to be kept in mind for future openings.
Apply for jobs you aren't qualified for. Submit an application for every opening at an organization, regardless of your qualifications. An employer who sees your resume every time there is a position available will believe that you are: a) discontented; b) unsure of your goals; c) spending a lot of time at work applying for other jobs; d) unable to read a job description; or e) all of the above. In addition, your familiar presence in an applicant pool may result in your application being overlooked, even for a position that you are eventually qualified for.
Don't proofread your resume and cover letter. Make spelling errors and use poor grammar to suggest to the employer that you are uneducated or sloppy. A poorly written application is especially effective for losing jobs that require accuracy or good writing skills.
Use poor telephone manners. Your first verbal contact with a prospective employer will usually be over the telephone. If you want to make a bad impression, try answering the telephone with a sleepy voice in the middle of the day, with a greeting of, "Hey dude," thinking that your best friend has just called you back, or while driving or otherwise occupied. If you aren't available, that casual or off-color voice mail message that is so hilarious to your friends or family can make the bad impression for you.
Show up late or really early. Showing up late demonstrates that you are disorganized and don't respect the interviewer's time. Announcing your arrival more than 15 minutes early will inevitably rush the interviewer and may make him disorganized, hungry, thirsty, or needing to go to the bathroom during your interview.
Dress and act like a slob. Wear clothes that are more casual than those worn by employees of the company, or anything that is wrinkled, torn, or ill fitting. Carry your paperwork in a disorganized manner. Slump down in the chair or lean forward on the table. Avoid eye contact and forget to shake hands or thank the interviewer for his time.
Complain. Gripe about the traffic or weather coming to the interview, the driving directions you were provided with, the time it took for interviews to be scheduled, or your current employer or co-workers. Doing this, even a bit, during the interview will be sure to suggest to the employer that you will be a constant complainer if hired.
Don't answer the questions you don't like. If the interviewer asks you a question that doesn't highlight one of your strengths, ignore the question and take the opportunity to talk about something else entirely. (Look how successful this strategy is for politicians!)
Use the interview as a soapbox. If you are an internal candidate, take the opportunity to speak about everything that is wrong with the organization and indicate why you are the only one who can fix it. If you can find out who the other internal candidates are, be sure to mention them and their shortcomings.
Talk too much (or not enough). Choose one of the following two approaches: 1) Answer each question in as few words as possible. Yes and no answers will ensure that the interviewers won't get to know you very well; 2) Keep responding to each answer until you cannot think of anything else to say. It will be helpful if you then point out that you went on way too long, in case the interviewer didn't notice.
Say or do any of the following things. Confess that you don't remember applying for the position you are being interviewed for; describe how you fell asleep at a previous job; indicate that you work too hard at your current position and are looking for a job where you can relax; when asked what interests you about the position you are applying for, mention the salary, 401K plan, or vacation before mentioning the nature of the work; ask how big your office will be; suggest ways that the company can improve on work that you have never done; acknowledge that you are overqualified for a position and indicate your expectation that it will be a stepping stone; ask how many other people applied for the position and whether or not you are the leading candidate; demand a yes or no response by a certain date.
Don't say thanks. Don't express at the end of the interview or in a follow-up letter that you are grateful for being selected for an interview, appreciate the interviewer's time, and respect his judgment and need for time during the decision-making process.
Question the employer's judgment if you don't get the job. If you are not the selected candidate, put the interviewer on the spot by asking him exactly why you weren't selected and what made the other candidate so much better. If you disagree with the answer, argue with him. This will ensure he will never want to interview you again.
OK, so if you actually want the job, maybe you shouldn't do any of these things at all. Instead, try to:
Apply for jobs you are both qualified for and interested in. It is OK to apply for jobs you are marginally qualified for. The quality and number of applicants often varies for similar job openings and a bright person who is willing to learn occasionally emerges as a top candidate.
Have a friend with good writing skills proofread your resume and cover letter. Highlight your strengths and skills, but don't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. A recent graduate does not need a 3 or 4 page resume.
Make sure you answer every phone call as if it is a prospective employer. Replace that silly phone message with something that sounds more professional.
Show up exactly 15 minutes early. This shows you are punctual and like to be prepared, but fully understand that the world doesn't revolve around you.
Dress one level above what you would expect to dress as an employee. If you don't know how that is, call the receptionist and ask. Make sure you iron your clothes.
Be honest, straightforward, and positive in all of your responses. When answering questions that may not play to your strengths, display a willingness to learn and always see the glass as half full.
Respond fully so that the interviewers can get to know you. Add additional information when it is pertinent or is following up on a comment by the interviewer.
Make at least one comment that shows you have researched the company prior to the interview. This never fails to impress a prospective employer.
Express your sincere thanks and follow up with a letter if you believe the interview went well. It's just good manners.
If you aren't selected, acknowledge that it must have been a difficult decision. Repeat your thanks for the opportunity to interview, and request to be kept in mind for future openings.
How To Quit Your Current Job
One of the difficult parts of being an employee is quitting your job. There are a lot of preparations that need to be made before deciding to quit your job. It's not as easy as 1-2-3. A job gives a person the chance for growth as well as earning money for survival and for some for luxury. However, before thinking of quitting your job, you have to have a valid reason to quit, so that at the end of the day, you will not regret your decision.
Here are some indications that would help you decide when to quit your job:
The job becomes mundane. If the current job that you have becomes boring for you and you feel that there can never be personal growth, then it is time to think twice about sticking with your job. You are not a robot, but rather a human being who strives to earn a living, but it does not stop there. You need to see whether your job will aid you in your quest for personal growth, or will only be a matter of going to the office, working full time and going home after the shift. This will make working a burden and source of stress for you, as well as something that could cost you your identity in the process.
The working environment is undesirable. Your workplace is very important. It is where you consume your 8-12 hours of the 24 hours you have everyday, and so it's best that the place is conducive for working. This is to ensure that you are going to be productive during those hours, rather than time being wasted on some other unrelated matters. If you think that the working environment is dragging you down, you might consider quitting your job. Remember, you are being hired for a job because you are the best resource a company will have and furthermore, you will become an asset. If the workplace will affect your productivity, for sure sooner or later you will become a liability to the company and not an asset. If the management considers it necessary, they will have to terminate you. This will be a hard one on you, getting fired. Before leading to this worst scenario of getting fired, when you already know that the workplace is affecting you, then might as well quit your job.
Call of being a mother. This is applicable to all you moms out there, who feel guilty when working and leaving your kids at home and not being there to see them grow. If you see there is a need to be a stay-at-home mom and you can afford it, then go ahead and quit your job. Nothing beats the call of being a mother to your kids. What good would life be if you are successful in your career and have lots of money, but your kids are at their worst?
Not being compensated for your best performance. Getting paid for the job is the bottom line. It's why you go to office and work. But what about when you do well for the succeeding months or years and performance has improved, bringing in more profit to the company, yet your position and compensation have not changed? It is already evident that there is something wrong with the management or the company itself -- how it was structured to compensate individuals who worked their best. It does not mean that you excel and are working hard just because you expect to get a raise, but it is incumbent upon the company to reward those who worked hard. This motivates them to reach even greater heights. If this has been the case for you -- same old job and still no raise or promotion -- why stick with that company when you could seek greener pastures and even be on top of your career?
Discrimination. This is the worst thing that could ever happen to an employee. If this has happened to you within your current company (for example, if you did not get a raise or promotion because of your sexual orientation, race or gender, then why stay when you can leave and work for a company that promotes equality?
This list highlights some very valid reasons for quitting your job. These are not, however, the only considerations. Always remember that working will be a lot of fun when you love what you are doing. If you do not love what you are doing, then you ought to examine within yourself if staying with your current job is all worth it.
Here are some indications that would help you decide when to quit your job:
The job becomes mundane. If the current job that you have becomes boring for you and you feel that there can never be personal growth, then it is time to think twice about sticking with your job. You are not a robot, but rather a human being who strives to earn a living, but it does not stop there. You need to see whether your job will aid you in your quest for personal growth, or will only be a matter of going to the office, working full time and going home after the shift. This will make working a burden and source of stress for you, as well as something that could cost you your identity in the process.
The working environment is undesirable. Your workplace is very important. It is where you consume your 8-12 hours of the 24 hours you have everyday, and so it's best that the place is conducive for working. This is to ensure that you are going to be productive during those hours, rather than time being wasted on some other unrelated matters. If you think that the working environment is dragging you down, you might consider quitting your job. Remember, you are being hired for a job because you are the best resource a company will have and furthermore, you will become an asset. If the workplace will affect your productivity, for sure sooner or later you will become a liability to the company and not an asset. If the management considers it necessary, they will have to terminate you. This will be a hard one on you, getting fired. Before leading to this worst scenario of getting fired, when you already know that the workplace is affecting you, then might as well quit your job.
Call of being a mother. This is applicable to all you moms out there, who feel guilty when working and leaving your kids at home and not being there to see them grow. If you see there is a need to be a stay-at-home mom and you can afford it, then go ahead and quit your job. Nothing beats the call of being a mother to your kids. What good would life be if you are successful in your career and have lots of money, but your kids are at their worst?
Not being compensated for your best performance. Getting paid for the job is the bottom line. It's why you go to office and work. But what about when you do well for the succeeding months or years and performance has improved, bringing in more profit to the company, yet your position and compensation have not changed? It is already evident that there is something wrong with the management or the company itself -- how it was structured to compensate individuals who worked their best. It does not mean that you excel and are working hard just because you expect to get a raise, but it is incumbent upon the company to reward those who worked hard. This motivates them to reach even greater heights. If this has been the case for you -- same old job and still no raise or promotion -- why stick with that company when you could seek greener pastures and even be on top of your career?
Discrimination. This is the worst thing that could ever happen to an employee. If this has happened to you within your current company (for example, if you did not get a raise or promotion because of your sexual orientation, race or gender, then why stay when you can leave and work for a company that promotes equality?
This list highlights some very valid reasons for quitting your job. These are not, however, the only considerations. Always remember that working will be a lot of fun when you love what you are doing. If you do not love what you are doing, then you ought to examine within yourself if staying with your current job is all worth it.
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