How To Prepare for a Layoff Before it Happens

How To Prepare for a Layoff Before it Happens In 2009 I wrote this post: Prepare For A Layoff Before It Happens. I think this was another great post (I was such a good blogger in those early days of JibberJobber!). Here are my points: Get your resume in order. Start getting your network in order. Start NETWORKING. (with three networking tips to do right now) Understand your finances. I was pleasantly surprised to see some of my friends share their ideas five from Twitter and six from Facebook and of course, excellent comments. Hey, happy new year! Im not here to put a damper on things but if you arent planning for a layoff this year, you might get caught in a very sad and serious situation! Better to plan now than to be surprised later! Read how to prepare for a layoff before it happens here. How To Prepare for a Layoff Before it Happens In 2009 I wrote this post: Prepare For A Layoff Before It Happens. I think this was another great post (I was such a good blogger in those early days of JibberJobber!). Here are my points: Get your resume in order. Start getting your network in order. Start NETWORKING. (with three networking tips to do right now) Understand your finances. I was pleasantly surprised to see some of my friends share their ideas five from Twitter and six from Facebook and of course, excellent comments. Hey, happy new year! Im not here to put a damper on things but if you arent planning for a layoff this year, you might get caught in a very sad and serious situation! Better to plan now than to be surprised later! Read how to prepare for a layoff before it happens here.

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Shopping Online During Conference Calls

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Shopping Online During Conference Calls Its always a little disconcerting to be speaking with someone on the phone about a business matter, and you hear this tap-tap-tap that you know means the person on the other end is checking e-mail. (OK, the reason you know this is because youve done it once or twice)But how would you feel to know that the person who is doing that sneaky e-mail check is not keeping up with the deluge of messages but really checking out the latest 50 Cent CD or buying that darling Coach purse or even ordering a refill of heartworm medicine for a pet?That kind of puts a different spin on things, doesnt it? I mean, theres one thing about checking e-mailbut shopping?According to a recent survey, some 12 million Americans shop online during business conference calls at least once in the last year and one million of them admit to being caught doing it.The reaction to being caught? They report being embarrassed but also to discussing the items they were purchasing and asking for second opinions.And, just in case some of you out there thought it was obviously women who were the biggest transgressors, consider this: The survey found more men were likely to engage in this behavior, as were college-educated, aged 35-54 and earning more than $50,000 a year. Further, 23 percent admitted that they had done it five or more times in the past year, and 12 percent admitted that they had done so 10 or more times in the past year.For those of you engaging in this behavior, stop it. Not only is it extremely rude to everyone else, it is just the sort of thing that ends up being put into your personnel file and pulled out for a performance evaluation or mentioned the next time you ask for a pay raise.Further, its embarrassing to your boss to try and explain why you would display such immature and selfish behavior (others are obviously not deserving of your time or attention if youve got to shop), but its a clear indication that youre wasting company resources and time. As more employees are fired for misusing company e-mail for personal use, do you honestly believe that your shopping forays during conference calls will be overlooked? Is so, maybe its time you started shopping for an job interview suit because youre going to need it. Save This Page

Why Managing Remotely Is So Toughand Eight Ways to Make It Easier -

Why Managing Remotely Is So Toughâ€"and Eight Ways to Make It Easier - Managing remotely has quickly become the norm in today’s work world. And yet, it’s not easy. With more employees working remotely or on flex schedules, it can be tough to create the kind of connection you need to help people do their best work. You can’t pick up on non-verbal cues. You can’t tell if they’re having a good or bad day. You can’t have those quick, informal interactions needed to form comfortable, cooperative relationships. This is why you must be intentional about projecting to your remote workers the kind of environment and team culture you want. You must ask more, listen better,  clarify more, explore challenges together, and engage on personal stuff in addition to work stuff. The best managers are able to do these things in a way that builds loyalty and connections that endure the ups and downs of corporate life. The best managers seek to intentionally shape work environments. Managers who excel at creating the best environments, where people thrive and great work gets done, are “self-determined managers.” This is challenging and relentless work even when everyone works in close quarters. So, when distance is a factor, a great manager must push even harder to build a positive culture and get the most out of their team. Here are eight things the best managers do to successfully lead remote teams: They keep in touch. Great managers connect with their people by email, Skype, or phone conversations. This isn’t an occasional event either; it’s a regular and predictable conversation that they look forward to. They focus on more than tasks. The best managers know they need to show that they worry about everyone’s successes and challenges. It’s not only about the project or job at hand. They talk about personal stuff and professional stuff. Being remote doesn’t mean treating people like distant relatives. Good managers master the art of chatting and also take time to discuss and share information about what’s going on. They even talk about themselves a little. They know that managing well is personal, and they don’t forget this just because their team member isn’t in the room with them that day. They listen more carefully. The greatest managers listen more when they are talking with people who aren’t in the room with them. They are more attentive, more alert for signs and clues, and more conscious of the need to understand what is really going on. They get really clear about what they need done. They know the goals their employee needs to achieve and what standards need to be met. They know it’s harder to course correct along the way when everyone is remote and that less time together requires more clarity up front.  They ask more questions too. Great managers ask questions about context, about things that get in the way, about local relationships, and about resources. They make fewer assumptions that they know how things are or what would be best, so they inquire more and assume less.  They do more coaching. They do so not because remote employees need more coaching than other team members, but because there is a ton of value in exploring alternatives and options, and that’s what coaching is. As a result, a large part of the conversation is the manager and the remote worker together coming up with great solutions given the environment the employee is working inâ€"talking about priorities, and resources, and opportunities, and possible pitfalls, and choices. Bad managers do the opposite of these things. They listen less, not more. They make assumptions and do not offer help. They gather information they need but do not share. They give tasks without offering support. They take little interest in the person on the other end of the line. And they do not look forward to the conversation but see it as a chore. Managing Remote Teams Summary To steer clear of these mistakes, grab a post-it and write out the following checklist. Refer to it before you connect with your remote team. When you’ve covered all five of these items, you’ll have had a really good call with them. Inquire more, much more Get really clear about goals and standards Explore options together Shareâ€"personal and professional Support well by assuming less It takes a conscious effort to avoid the pitfalls of managing remotely. You can get the best out of your remote workforce by showing up for your team and projecting a supportive environment to them. Anything less and you’re missing a valuable opportunity to get the very best from your people. This guest post was authored by David Deacon   David Deacon is the author of The Self-Determined Manager: A Manifesto for Exceptional People Managers. He has been a human resources professional for over thirty years.   David is and passionate about how managers manage.    He has worked for a variety of the world’s leading companies, including Credit Suisse and MasterCard.   David has lived and worked in the US, the UK, and Asia. A thought leader in the fields of learning and development, talent management, and leadership development, Deacon has influenced leaders and teams around the world and created better-managed companies as a result. Recognized by the Best Practice Institute as a “Best Organizational Practitioner” in 2014, he continues to drive impact through leading world-class talent management approaches in the companies where he works. For more information, please visit www.selfdeterminedmanager.com.

Hair Care Tips for Career Women

Hair Care Tips for Career Women While it might not be your top priority all the time, your hair deserves your attention. It is understandable to neglect your hair care regime when you have other responsibilities. However, it is crucial to find a way to take care of your tresses even in a busy lifestyle. Working women can often find themselves in high-stress environments which can be a serious cause for concern for their hair. Why Is Hair Care Important? Demanding environments can cause unwanted damage to hair, such as discoloration, thinning hair, hair loss, dandruff, brittle, and broken hair. There are many factors of a career woman’s life that can negatively affect their hair. Even if you generally have healthy hair now, without taking the proper precautions, you could be looking at a future full of hair issues. The pollution from cities, sun exposure, unhealthy eating habits, even a lack of the right amount of sleep, can all have detrimental consequences. These elements can easily provoke dry, damaged, brittle hair, lacking in melanin and the right nutrients to keep hair healthy. Fortunately, there is a range of cosmetic products available that can help prevent these damaging effects. Often, working women do not have time to dedicate to slow-acting hair masks and trips to a hair salon for treatments. However, it is vital to maintain a well-groomed appearance for your career given that impressions on personal hygiene are often paramount to success. With a hectic life full of family commitments, work-related responsibilities and maintaining a social life, women can frequently suffer problems with their hair at different stages of their lives. This is why it is key to find a balance between care for your career and self-care. A How-To Hair Care Guide for Busy Women Take a look at these suggestions for ways to manage your hair to keep it looking and feeling healthy and full of life: ?       The Importance of Cleansing Using shampoo on a daily or alternate basis is fundamental as a first step to ensuring a healthy head of hair. Keeping your hair clean and clear of dirt and excess oils is vital. It is, however, also very important to ensure you use the right kind of shampoo for your hair and scalp type. For example, dry hair should always be cleaned using a mild shampoo without herbal additives. As well as using an apt shampoo, it is equally important to condition your hair on a frequent basis. Conditioning products help hair to retain moisture and prevent tangling hair which causes it to break or fall out. They also close the cuticles opened by shampoo in order to seal in nutrients. The actions of shampooing and conditioning your hair can be done in the shower or bath when you are preparing for your day or before sleeping in the evening. It need not take much time out of your busy day. ?       The Power of Protection Keeping your hair safe from future damage is an excellent method to ensure the best defense against possible harmful effects. Using hair serums and sprays can safeguard against exposure to UV rays and excessive heat. On your next shopping trip, make sure to look out for products that have built-in SPF. Often these same products offer various other benefits to tame and nourish your hair. Additionally, taking inspiration from certain ancient traditions from around the world, many successful protective products include specific beneficial oils. What we can learn from this and try to take advantage of is that you should aim to apply coconut oil to your scalp and hair strands before shampooing. This will help to protect the hair from chemicals in shampoo that remove moisture. It should only take a few moments before washing your hair and will have drastically positive results. ?       Notable Nourishment It is recommended for working women to take note of their diet. It is common for busy, career-driven individuals to eat unhealthy, fast food that does not need much preparation due to the lack of time. This means that the body is not receiving enough of the necessary vitamins and minerals required to properly look after the hair. That is why career women should try to find a way to maintain a balanced diet.   Including foods that contain proteins, iron, and nutrients. It is advisable to incorporate foods such as nuts, eggs, dairy, leafy green vegetables and whole grains. Often working women can benefit from planning and preparing their meals in advance to save time and maintain a healthy, balanced diet that will strengthen and promote vigorous hair. These tips are based on actions that can be done quickly or easily combined with a hectic lifestyle. This makes them ideal to benefit working women who need a little extra to keep their hair healthy.

The Joy of Learning CareerMetis.com

The Joy of Learning Few years ago, I had a brief meeting with an elderly gentleman and that moment changed my perspective on learning and about life.I was attending a seminar in Toronto â€" It was after the lunch break, and we were all standing in a line waiting for the doors to open. As I was standing there, I noticed this elderly gentleman standing alone in the corner of the room . I looked at him and he gave me a genuine and warm smile , there was something about this gentleman that prompted me to go talk to him.I found out that he was 81 years old at that time, and he had driven by himself from Hamilton I asked him “Sir, I can’t help but to ask you. It sounds like you have had a very successful life, and you are here on this day to attend this seminar, I am curious, why?”.He gave me a warm smile and said “You can always learn new things, and learning makes life more interesting”.“What we know is so small compared to what is out there that we can learn”” I just learnt to buy and sell few things on eBay, my son taught me how to do it” he added proudly. I also noticed he was very enthusiastic about attending this seminar.His comments really struck a cord with me,and has had a positive impact on my life ever since.I have always enjoyed learning new things â€" new skills, new languages, new routines,etc. But I felt so small compared to his dedication to continuous learning.He inspired me on a path of continuous learning and self-improvement ever since.evalI was sold, and I want to sell you on the idea of continuous learning Science has proven that by learning new things you improve your brain’s Neuroplasticity . This means that the growth of the brain never stops For instance, I am in the Sales Profession â€" it is important for me to learn about the important skill-sets a Salesperson must possess 4. MAKES LIFE MORE INTERESTINGI would not limit learning to just your career or your job. I encourage you to also learn things that you will get enjoyment from.Few mon ths ago, I enrolled in a boxing class- though I don’t have any aspirations to fight Floyd Mayweather/Manny Pacquiao- I wanted to learn boxing to improve my fitness, and also because I always thought boxers looked bad-ass. Though I was physically exhausted after each class, it was so much fun. It significantly improved my energy levels focus throughout the day.Last year I decided to spend couple of months in Central America. Once I arrived there, I realized that most people did not speak English. In order to navigate the city I had to learn Spanish â€" so I forced myself to learn the language (it wasn’t easy) . But the efforts paid off, I was able to travel with more confidence and make lots of new friends.Even though I learnt it for recreation,knowing to speak a foreign language, now gives me the confidence to travel to other countries and explore the world further.You never realize where learning something new could take you. It definitely expands your horizons.CALL TO ACTION1 . Write your Career Vision â€" It is important to know where you want to go. Once you have clear definition of where you would like to be ideally in your job/career, you are able to build on the skills you need to get there. This also gives your greater focus.2. Make a list of skills â€" Once you have decided on your ideal career, find out what are some of the skills you need to get there, eg. selling, public speaking, Android Development, managing people,etc. And then make a game plan to learn those skills . Fortunately, most employers provide training programs â€" for you to learn the skills to advance your career.3. Learn something recreational â€" Life is short, make the most of it. Yes it is crucial for your career survival and growth to learn work-related skills â€" but also make sure you are giving yourself more perspective. It might be learning a new language, a musical instrument, a classical dance, etc.- make sure to add them to your to-learn lists.Thanks to sites like Me etup and Chillwall, you are able to find local places events where you can go to learn new things.Few weeks ago, I decided to learn how to write articles â€" I started publishing on my blog and LinkedIn. Though I am not a great writer(no even close to being good enough; I also know my grammar sucks) â€" I am enjoying the process. I find that my brain is working round the clock to find me new ideas to write about â€" it has become a fun habit, infact a hobby that I truly enjoy.I am not sure where this habit will take me but I am enjoying this (trust me â€" this is better than binge watching Netflix).What are you learning today?I hope I have given you a different perspective on Learning, and have given you some ideas to start your learning process. Just because you graduated from school does not mean your learning should stop too.Life is short. Make the most of it!How has learning something new, had a positive impact on your career and and your life?

The Joy of Learning CareerMetis.com

The Joy of Learning Few years ago, I had a brief meeting with an elderly gentleman and that moment changed my perspective on learning and about life.I was attending a seminar in Toronto â€" It was after the lunch break, and we were all standing in a line waiting for the doors to open. As I was standing there, I noticed this elderly gentleman standing alone in the corner of the room . I looked at him and he gave me a genuine and warm smile , there was something about this gentleman that prompted me to go talk to him.I found out that he was 81 years old at that time, and he had driven by himself from Hamilton I asked him “Sir, I can’t help but to ask you. It sounds like you have had a very successful life, and you are here on this day to attend this seminar, I am curious, why?”.He gave me a warm smile and said “You can always learn new things, and learning makes life more interesting”.“What we know is so small compared to what is out there that we can learn”” I just learnt to buy and sell few things on eBay, my son taught me how to do it” he added proudly. I also noticed he was very enthusiastic about attending this seminar.His comments really struck a cord with me,and has had a positive impact on my life ever since.I have always enjoyed learning new things â€" new skills, new languages, new routines,etc. But I felt so small compared to his dedication to continuous learning.He inspired me on a path of continuous learning and self-improvement ever since.evalI was sold, and I want to sell you on the idea of continuous learning Science has proven that by learning new things you improve your brain’s Neuroplasticity . This means that the growth of the brain never stops For instance, I am in the Sales Profession â€" it is important for me to learn about the important skill-sets a Salesperson must possess 4. MAKES LIFE MORE INTERESTINGI would not limit learning to just your career or your job. I encourage you to also learn things that you will get enjoyment from.Few mon ths ago, I enrolled in a boxing class- though I don’t have any aspirations to fight Floyd Mayweather/Manny Pacquiao- I wanted to learn boxing to improve my fitness, and also because I always thought boxers looked bad-ass. Though I was physically exhausted after each class, it was so much fun. It significantly improved my energy levels focus throughout the day.Last year I decided to spend couple of months in Central America. Once I arrived there, I realized that most people did not speak English. In order to navigate the city I had to learn Spanish â€" so I forced myself to learn the language (it wasn’t easy) . But the efforts paid off, I was able to travel with more confidence and make lots of new friends.Even though I learnt it for recreation,knowing to speak a foreign language, now gives me the confidence to travel to other countries and explore the world further.You never realize where learning something new could take you. It definitely expands your horizons.CALL TO ACTION1 . Write your Career Vision â€" It is important to know where you want to go. Once you have clear definition of where you would like to be ideally in your job/career, you are able to build on the skills you need to get there. This also gives your greater focus.2. Make a list of skills â€" Once you have decided on your ideal career, find out what are some of the skills you need to get there, eg. selling, public speaking, Android Development, managing people,etc. And then make a game plan to learn those skills . Fortunately, most employers provide training programs â€" for you to learn the skills to advance your career.3. Learn something recreational â€" Life is short, make the most of it. Yes it is crucial for your career survival and growth to learn work-related skills â€" but also make sure you are giving yourself more perspective. It might be learning a new language, a musical instrument, a classical dance, etc.- make sure to add them to your to-learn lists.Thanks to sites like Me etup and Chillwall, you are able to find local places events where you can go to learn new things.Few weeks ago, I decided to learn how to write articles â€" I started publishing on my blog and LinkedIn. Though I am not a great writer(no even close to being good enough; I also know my grammar sucks) â€" I am enjoying the process. I find that my brain is working round the clock to find me new ideas to write about â€" it has become a fun habit, infact a hobby that I truly enjoy.I am not sure where this habit will take me but I am enjoying this (trust me â€" this is better than binge watching Netflix).What are you learning today?I hope I have given you a different perspective on Learning, and have given you some ideas to start your learning process. Just because you graduated from school does not mean your learning should stop too.Life is short. Make the most of it!How has learning something new, had a positive impact on your career and and your life?

Weekend YouTube Update Ben Stiller, Ryan Seacrest, Twitter, and you.

Weekend YouTube Update Ben Stiller, Ryan Seacrest, Twitter, and you. 0 Flares 0 Flares Ben Stiller is a god in my opinion, and after coming across the below video Im man-crushing the guy even more.  Corn Heads not on Twitter wont understand the humor, but my Tweeple will agree when I say this video is completely spot on in emulating a needy, annoying, and desperate Twitter user.  Under the video youll see my comments. Comments: There are hundreds of actors that would be funnier than Ryan Seacrest in a bro-mance comedy.  Dont scare me Ben. Ryan Seacrest now has almost has 2.5 million followers.  Ben Stiller only has a bit over 500K.  Terrible. Lesson A Never ask someone for a shout out on Twitter.  That also goes for RT (re-tweets), recommendations, #FollowFriday, etc.  Desperation smells awful.  Write solid tweets and promote other users that have similar interests and  your name will surely be tossed around in other tweets.  Just dont ask for it, be better than that. Lesson B Dont make false claims.  In social media, your reputations all you have. Is Seacrest out still funny?

The Importance of Formatting a Resume in Chronological Order

The Importance of Formatting a Resume in Chronological OrderA resume that is written in a chronological order is different from the same resume in a non-chronological order. The differences are actually apparent when considering resumes from individuals who do not know how to work a resume properly.The primary reason why this occurs is because the content of the resume is carefully constructed with the intent of providing the prospective employer with the most relevant information. Having a resume that can be easily found by searching on any of the major search engines will greatly affect the ability of a person to get a job. This is the result of the resume being structured in a way that the job seeker feels comfortable and confident to the potential employer.Before the resume can be formatted, it must be organized to provide the best results. When the resume is organized the same way for all positions, the results will be better because they will reflect a more accurate view of the candidate. For example, if the job seeker was to have a letter with their name at the top with an address of the employer in the middle it will be impossible to find the letter if the address is incorrect.In order to properly format a resume a person should take into consideration the specific position in which the person is applying for. Then the resume can be designed in a chronological order. For example, if a person is applying for a job as a housekeeper in the resume can be formatted to show the applicant that they would be able to get the job. The format should include the candidate's desired job title, what position they would be working in, how long they are expected to be working in the position, and the dates that they expect to begin and end their work.The resumes should also include all necessary contact information, such as a phone number, an email address, and a home or work address. Since a person does not want to be contacted before they apply for the job, this info rmation should be included on the resume as well.Once the resume is formatted properly it should be prepared for submission. An applicant should consider putting the resume into a Word document or MS Word file format. The resume should then be sent to the recruiter in the correct chronological order.The applicant can go online and search for samples of the job opening that they are applying for. They can also browse through a website that provides free samples. These websites offer many sample resumes that can be used to easily create a sample resume.After the resume has been submitted the recruiter should receive the completed resume. If the applicant sends the resume out without spelling the correct information, it may be considered incomplete. The job seeker is required to send all documentation to the hiring official in order to be successful in securing the job.