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Falling Back into a Routine

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

The evenings are getting cooler. The days are getting shorter. Not to mention we are being bombarded with back to school commercials on TV, in magazines and on the internet. You know what this means… the summer is coming to an end. As students return to school, we fall back in to our normal routine. No more light traffic on the way to work, extended lunches on a patio or weekends at the cottage.  All this sounds quite depressing if you ask me. How can you expect to be motivated to go to work let alone get out of bed when it feels like the walls are coming down on you?  (Ok…a little dramatic I know).

For the more optimistic crowd, many see this time of year as a fresh start… a time when you put away the summer clothes and bring out a new fall wardrobe. Children begin a new year of school with new teachers and new curriculum. Many return to the gym after a nice long summer break.  And for you it can mean a new focus at work…

For many this is the time of year is when their workplace starts revving up for its peak season.  This means long hours, often stressful situations and countless lunches at your desk.

To ensure you are ready to handle the demands of a hectic workplace consider these….

  • Evaluate your work–life balance – Are you able to dedicate time for your family or do you consistently bring work home with you? The last thing you want it to disrupt your positive family dynamic.
  • Schedule personal time with your significant other to ensure he/she is not being over looked. Pulling an “Ari Gold” and making empty promises can be lethal to a relationship. Eventually enough will be enough.
  • Take a look at your job – Are you putting in 110% effort into it every day? Are you bored with your role? Is it so demanding that it is running you ragged?  Be honest with yourself and your supervisor.
  • Motivation – What keeps you going?  Is it the thought of the big fat bonus come December or personal recognition of contributing to the overall success of your organization?  A pat on the back is always a nice gesture even if it doesn’t come with a monetary reward.

As Labour Day quickly approaches, and we will continue to reminisce about the Saturdays at the beach or weekends spent camping. Remember that with the change of seasons comes a whole new chapter. Instead of focusing on everything you have accomplished or enjoyed this past summer, think of everything that you have yet to experience as we approach the Fall, not to mention we are only 110 days away from Christmas. And who doesn’t love the holidays!

Follow Sandra on Twitter @sandragallacher

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Going out with a BANG!

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

We all have our bad days. Whether it is having to deal with that annoying co-worker who keeps stealing your pens or an overly aggressive customer who is disappointed with the product or service you have provided. The reality is most of us don’t have the courage to tell them exactly how we feel, let alone the capacity to show them. That is, unless you’re Steven Slater.

Steven Slater, a flight attendant frustrated with a passenger getting out of his seat while taxiing to the terminal and before the seatbelt fasten sign turned off, decided that this was the final straw. I guess he realized that life as a Flight Attendant was no longer the career path for him. He didn’t wait until his shift was over to go home and type up a letter of resignation to submit to his Supervisor like a logical person would. Instead, Slater went on a rant on the plane’s intercom, decided to grab a couple of cold beers, open the exit door and barrel down the emergency slide into freedom. Oh so he thought, until hours later the police show up at his door step to arrest him. His abrupt actions apparently prompted after a passenger cursed at and shoved or hit him when he was told to sit down. What a way to go out!

Have you felt such a level of frustration in your job that it took every ounce of you not to run out the door or fly off the handle? Were Slater’s actions completely overboard?

In the heat of the moment, Slater dealt with his job stress in a very unproductive manner in which has resulted in the loss of his job, and his freedom as he once knew it. From a professional perspective, he has instantly burned bridges with his long standing employer and demolished his airline career. I hope he isn’t counting on a glowing reference from JetBlue any time soon.

Some may say Slater’s actions may have enhanced his job prospects by giving him new found fame and a legion of supporters on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter.  With a Fan Page consisting of more than 140,000 followers in a few short days, do we have a celebrity in the making?  Possibly a future Survivor contestant? Not only is Slater resourceful and brash, he has proven he can survive in a land of harsh conditions, and roaming wildlife all while remaining hydrated … All the makings of a  Survivor winner.  It remains to be seen if Jeff Probst and the team at CBS feel the same way. Stay tuned.

Follow Sandra on Twitter  @sandragallacher

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Can Working Out Make You a Better Employee?

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Given the technological advances of the past few decades we are now feeling the impact socially and physically on our day to day lives. We find that people are relying more on emails to communicate in the workplace instead of walking over to their colleague’s desk to ask a question – even if they are in the next cubicle. Children are glued to their computers or are spending their free time in front of the TV playing videos games instead of outdoors playing catch. Not only is human interaction suffering, our health is slowly deteriorating. As concerns about an inactive population run rampant, it is more obvious then ever that the positive consequences of physical activity go beyond what you see in the mirror. Not only does it effect your personal life, it can impact your professional life as well.  Physical activity can make the difference between a mediocre employee and an exceptional employee. The choice is yours.

A physically active person typically enjoys:

  • Increased awareness, more alert
  • Reduced stress
  • Improved sleep patterns
  • More stamina and increased energy
  • Positive attitude
  • Improved health and wellness, including reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and other ailments
  • Enhanced quality of life

 Are these benefits alone enough to get you started on a workout regime?

Studies have shown that organizations where employees are active typically experience the following benefits:  

  • Lower stress levels and job related tension
  • Improved productivity and overall confidence
  • Lower turnover rate
  • Decrease in absenteeism, or sick leave time
  • Reduced health insurance costs

Companies are looking for ways to control soaring health insurance costs while maintaining the same coverage their employees have come to expect. Some organizations have gone as far as to create and implement health and wellness programs for their employees to encourage physical activity. This includes on-site fitness facilities, reduced gym membership fees, and the creation of corporate sports teams, to name a few.  Has your organization taken up this cause?

We all know that keeping the body moving has positive consequences in all faucets of our lives. So the next time you decide to sit yourself in front of the television after a long day of work, think of how much better you would feel if you just stepped out for a 20 minute stroll around your neighborhood. A little effort for a life long investment both personally and professionally.

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Sun, Fun or Opportunity?

Monday, May 31st, 2010

With the sun beaming and air conditioners blasting, you can not deny that summer is just around the corner. And with the change in weather comes vacation season. Summer can be the optimal time to land a role that just may lead to that full time permanent dream job you long for.  It is time to put your vacation on hold and ramp up your job search.

This time of year is traditionally slow when it comes to hiring on a permanent basis as Hiring Managers gear down to go away or find themselves leaving work early to take advantage of the warm and sunny conditions or to simply avoid the cottage country traffic. The hiring process is often lengthened to accommodate the time off taken by individuals who participate in the screening, interviewing as well as those who make the final decision. Some organization use students to fill in over the summer and aim for September to step up their hiring for permanent opportunities.

On the other hand, temporary placements soar as organizations, small and large alike; try to find a solution when their core staff such as Receptionists or Customer Service Representatives are out of the office. These opportunities give candidates a chance to go in and show a potential employer exactly what they are made of. Sometimes you will complete the assignment and that will be the end of it. Other times, you may leave such a great impression that your Manager finds a way to keep you around for the long haul. Either way, you gained some experience and earned some cash while others missed out.

If you find yourself in the market for a job, don’t be quick to discount temporary placements or seasonal roles as it is here that you will find some of the greatest success stories to date. Many associates who choose to say yes to temporary assignments have gone on to exciting permanent opportunities within the same organization, often climbing the corporate ladder to management roles in their area of expertise. Or they use this experience to build their resume ultimately assisting in their journey to land a fabulous role.  And for all those who say “I am just going to take the summer off “when it comes to their job hunt, be prepared to lose out as you may be missing the boat…

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Keeping Your Personal Life Separate from Your Work Life – Harder than it Sounds if You’re Tiger Woods…

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

After being the punch line of many jokes, care of late night hosts Jay Leno and David Letterman, sneered at by wives (and girlfriends!) across the globe and shuned by all those who once adored him because of mistakes he made in his personal life, Tiger has returned to the one thing he always excelled in – his career in golf.

After a brief hiatus from golf and a stint in rehab to deal with his “affliction”, Tiger has officially made his return to work. Will all the publicity surrounding his return affect his on the job performance? Well he did choose one of the most reputable venues to return to … the Masters where tight security will ensure there are no surprises from the spectators including impromptu visits from some of the women from his past. 

This kind of pressure would have an effect on anyone’s game; even the greatest golfer of all time. Constant attention from your peers (and in this case his spectators) can cause a disruption to your focus therefore undercutting your productivity at work. It is similar to the average person being micromanaged by an over bearing supervisor who is watching and waiting for his employee to make the slightest mistake so he can pounce on him and catch the employee in the act. Do you call that a productive working environment? Not so much.

Tiger, like many employees, go to work and put their personal lives aside to concentrate on the task at hand whether it is winning the Masters or closing that sale. In this case, thanks to the media attention and his celebrity status, Tiger’s personal life is out in the open. No hiding that! It is common knowledge what Tiger has done (15 was it at last check? I have lost count) while the average person is likely to keep their personal situations to themselves to avoid being judged by others . Will all this negative attention affect Tiger’s success?

In any event, whether he won or lost the masters (he didn’t win incase any of you non-golfers were wondering), his image has been forever tarnished. Few of Tiger’s sponsors decided to stick by him during this ordeal which has reduced the buying power his persona will bring. Although what he did in his personal life did not directly affect his performance on the course at the time, it has affected his image as a clean cut family man.  And image is everything when you are in the public eye.

As one of the many wives internationally who’s perception of the one time sweet and innocent mentor and role model to many has been forever changed I believe that regardless of how well he does going forward, his career (and marriage I am sure) will never completely recover.  Sounds like your personal life can have more of an effect on your career then you think.

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Where do I sign up?

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

You’ve just lost your job. A position you’ve held for the past 5 years. Now what? You tweak your resume, brush up on your interviewing techniques and start applying to postings you have found on the internet.  Weeks later… still no response. Finding a new job is not an easy feat in any economy especially one that is only just beginning to recover from a global recession.  Why not search for a reputable staffing firm to give you a hand with your job search?

A staffing organization gives you access to a slew of positions ranging from temporary to permanent to contract that are likely not advertised elsewhere. Many organizations turn to their trusted “Recruitment Specialist” when a new opening up because they know that their Recruiter of choice will have candidates in mind that fit their requirements. Why waste time and effort posting on job boards? Having a relationship with a Recruiter as a candidate keeps you top of mind as those exciting opportunities arise.

Meeting with a Recruiter gives you all access to FREE advice and feedback regarding your resume, interview skills and insights on your job search. For example, if you are unsure if you should include positions from your high school days or if your 5 page resume isn’t receiving the attention you think it deserves (could it be too long?), speak to a Recruiter who will guide you in the right direction. After all, they spend their days working with organizations and getting to know what Hiring Managers are looking for. Recruiters can help you prepare for that panel interview with their eyes closed as they tend to build relationships with their client base and know what it is they are expecting from a potential employee.

Ultimately the goal of a Recruitment Specialist is to find an opportunity which matches your skill set. It is all about finding the right fit; for you and for the hiring company.

Did I mention the service is free? In that case…where do I sign up?

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Overcoming the First Day Jitters

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

You made it through the lengthy interviews, detailed assessments, countless references and tough negotiations. Congratulations. Here you are …the first day at your new job.

Although you may have already landed the job, it doesn’t mean it is time to sit back and kick your feet up. First impressions count especially when it comes to the people you are working with. Here are a few key points to remember for your first day to ensure you are off to a good start.

Be Punctual

Arrive a few minutes before your scheduled shift to ensure you are not late on your first day. Keep in mind that you may have traffic to contend with or parking to find; all which may have been easy during the interview process when you were visiting outside of peak business hours.

Smile

A new environment can be scary. New faces, new surroundings, and new job duties. Introduce yourself. Make an effort to smile and say hello to your colleagues. After all you will be spending a better part of your time at work so takes steps to ensure that it is a positive working environment. 

Take Lots of Notes

No one wants to see a new hire who thinks he or she can memorize all the training material without writing a word. Taking notes demonstrates your interest in your role and desire to do the job right.

Ask Questions

If something does not make sense or you are unsure, ask. Without stepping up and make the query you will never know the right answer. Plus, this demonstrates that you take you role seriously and you want to do a good job. Most will be more than happy to help.

Keep an Open Mind

Although the function of the role may be the same, the processes are likely to be completely different. Don’t let this intimidate you. Most organizations have their own procedures to follow. Keep an open mind and go with the flow. With a positive attitude and willingness to change, you will adapt in no time.

Your first day has come to an end and you are finally at ease. You may not be 100% comfortable with your duties but you have overcome the stress and nervousness associated with starting a new job. Continue to build upon this each day by demonstrating your enthusiasm for your job and you will be climbing the corporate ladder in no time. 

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Looking Beyond Your Resume…

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Resumes on 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of paper are the norm however with the growing popularity and use of social media venues such as You Tube, LinkedIn and Facebook, companies are looking for other ways to make sure that they are hiring the best person for the role. More and more organizations are visiting these social websites and plugging in a candidate’s name to find out more about the individual. Hiring Managers are using these social websites as screening tools for weeding out potentially undesirable candidates.

With the magic of Google, potential employers are able to get a real view of who you are apart from the embellished resume and glowing reference from your previous Supervisor (who just so happened to be a family friend). Employers are able to access a wealth of information about you with one click of the mouse. Do you know what type of image you portray online?  If not, I suggest you Google yourself to find out what others are seeing. It may be the reason you weren’t chosen for the ‘perfect’ job or why you didn’t get a call back after that interview with the Recruiter.

It is important that as an individual you ensure you maintain a consistent image. That means paying close attention to what type of information (including pictures, and videos) is available about you on the internet – whether you posted it or your friends did, it is your image and your personal brand that’s at stake. So the next time you are posing with a beer in one hand and a cigarette in another, it may be more than just your friends who are viewing those seemingly harmless photos. Other people are paying attention as well. You just never know who’s looking.

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Preparing to Make a Great First Impression

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

A job interview can make your palms sweat and heart race but it doesn’t have to. Making a great first impression is critical; unfortunately most of us make a judgment about someone within the first few minutes. Being prepared is the key to a successful interview and will ensure you make that critical first impression a positive one.

With an uplifting economic outlook and if you are in the market for a new job, chances are you will find yourself preparing for an interview at some point in the near future. Here are a few tips to consider to ensure you don’t bomb that important first impression.

Who’s doing the Hiring?

Research the organization by visiting their website.  There you can find information about their history, product lines, size of the business, and position in the marketplace. This demonstrates your interest in the company and allows you to prepare for potential questions in the interview process.

Know your Role

Gear your answers to the areas covered in the description of the role for which you are applying. For example, if the role calls for a candidate who can handle escalated calls from unsatisfied customers, you might highlight the time you went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure your customer was satisfied with the service you provided. Not only will this demonstrate your ability to do the job, it will provide a real life example of your capabilities in this specific role and what the company can expect if they hire you.

Dress the Part

There is nothing worse than someone going to a job interview wearing ripped jeans, and oversized snow boots!  If you are unsure about the dress code of the company, ask the HR Representative who coordinated the interview. When in doubt, dress to the nines as chances are no one will be offended if you are over dress. At the very least dress pants and a sharp shirt will demonstrate that you are confident and are ready to do business.

Be Natural

At the end of the day, if you try to be someone you are not you will fall flat. Hiring Managers are looking for the total package – presentation, technical experience and interpersonal skills. Be yourself. By being prepared you will shed a lot of the stress and nervousness that typically surrounds a job interview. Knowledge is power … the more you know the better of an impression you will deliver. Remember you only get one chance to make a first impression, so make it a good one!

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Jumping Ship in 2010

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

With the new found optimism for 2010 and a promising economic forecast, are you contemplating whether this is the right time for a career change? Is now the time to jump ship for a better opportunity?

Amidst restructuring and countless layoffs in 2009, employees were thankful to be working. Disengaged and unsatisfied, employees were more likely to suck it up if they felt taken advantage of in their position.  Employees had no choice but to pick up the slack, quite often taking on a heavier workload resulting in a sea of overworked and underpaid workers. Ultimately employees accepted the unpleasant circumstances if it meant they still have a job in a dire economy.

With the tide turning and the economy set to head in a positive direction in 2010, companies have begun to hire again, translating to an increase in opportunities for job seekers. This shift will mean the end to company wide hiring freezes and salary caps that we all came to know in 2009. Employers will be looking to add staff to handle the bounce back in demand and fuel the rebound expected with an increase in business as the economy battles back. 

With new job prospects in 2010, employees will begin to look around and research what other opportunities are out there. Could 2010 be  the year you are finally recognized for your ability to adapt to under less than ideal circumstances in 2009? If not, does this mean you will reconsider your current position and move to a better opportunity in 2010? Will your loyalty be rewarded? Are you prepared to walk away if it isn’t? 

These are questions you need to consider before making your next career move.

Some will play it safe and stick it out to see what the future holds before deciding to test the waters. Others have already used the downtime over the holidays to update their resumes and brush up on their interviewing techniques. It appears that 2010 will bring a calming effect to the harsh economic conditions we came to know in 2009. Optimism is in the air and change is evident. Whatever you decide to do with your career as a result of these changes; ultimately lies in your hands. There are risks with any big decision but there are also potential great rewards; we can help minimize your risk and maximize your reward but it is you who must take the first step. Just remember we’re ready when you’re ready, so think it through and when you’re ready to jump we’re here. Best of luck in 2010!

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