How to earn extra cash in the tough economy
Adapted from "Career Building: Your Total Handbook for Finding a Job and Making It Work" the Editors at CareerBuilder.com
Here's the bottom line: You have to get a job, you have to go to work, and someday, you'll probably have to change jobs. "CAREER BUILDING: Your Total Handbook for Finding a Job and Making It Work" (Collins Business) is a one-stop guide for navigating all those times in your career.
If you worry about every possible way you can blow a job interview -- from mispronouncing the boss's name to babbling incessantly when you don't know what else to say -- you're going to walk in there feeling like you're destined to fail. True, job interviews are rife with opportunities for you to embarrass yourself, but hiring managers are more forgiving than you might think. We consulted some hiring experts about what is really going on inside their heads when interviewing job applicants. They offered the following insights:
They like you. They really like you.
Most hiring managers come to the interview wanting to hire you. They are hoping you are the best person for the job and can start when they need you. After all, you made it to the interview didn't you?
Show you are confident, even if you have to fake it.
Most hiring managers come to the interview wanting to hire you. They are hoping you are the best person for the job and can start when they need you. Have confidence. If you are frustrated with your job search, don't let that negativity show to the employer. Your pessimism can be a turnoff. Even if it's a temporary attitude brought on by rejection, the hiring manager might think it's your overall attitude. After all, you made it to the interview didn't you?
Don't apologize for being out of work.
A layoff can happen to anyone. What do you do if it happens to you? Don't be ashamed -- in today's climate, layoffs occur (unfortunately) daily. Many job seekers are in your shoes. Don't apologize. Instead, focus on the job you are interviewing for by showcasing your skills and exhibiting how you are the best fit.
Target your job search.
While you don't need to possess every single skill listed on a posting, you should at least be qualified for the position and prove that you have transferable skills. Your targeted résumé will help prove you're a serious candidate and have the right qualifications for the position. If you're spending time applying for jobs you're not qualified for, you're wasting valuable time you could be devoting to a position that's a better fit. If you recognize where your strengths lie and what transferable skills you possess, you'll see better results than if you apply to any posting you come across.
Get primed.
"Tell me what you know about the company" or "Why would you fit in well here?" have become staple interview questions, so don't be caught off guard. Shrugging your shoulders and saying, "I don't know" isn't going to score you points. Look at the company's Web site and read press releases and newspaper articles to see what's going on with your prospective future boss. In addition to prepare for the interview, you'll learn whether the company and its culture are a right fit for you.
They don't want to hear what you think they want to hear
Interviewers have gotten very smart to picking up if someone's spewing something they've memorized from a book. By only saying what they think the employer wants to hear, job candidates are simply putting on an act, and employers can see right through that. You have to be yourself in an interview and you have to be sincere.
They don't expect you to have all the answers
Employers are more interested in how you find answers to things you don't know than if you pretend to know something you don't. In some cases, the interviewer may ask a question that he or she doesn't expect you to be able to answer simply to see how you handle it. If you ever find that you don't know the answer to an interviewer's question, the best thing to do is to admit that you don't know, but either add that you could give an educated guess or provide a way you might go about finding the answer. Most important, if you don't know, don't try to fake it. Not knowing is OK. Making something up or pretending to know is not.
They want you to want them
You need to express genuine interest in the job or the company. As much as the recruiter wants to sell the candidate on the position and company, the recruiter also wants to know that the candidate actually wants to work in that position or for that company.
From the editors of CareerBuilder.com, CAREER BUILDING is filled with the statistics, tips and priceless information on job-hunting and working in the digital age, including good and bad résumé samples, using social networking, searching online, résumé "keywords" and e-mail mistakes to avoid. In today's unstable economic climate, CAREER BUILDING is the guide you can't afford to go without.
Every day, more and more people are searching for work. And every day, there are fewer and fewer jobs available -- or so it seems.
If your job search is coming up short, it might be time to start exploring other options. Expanding the job search to another city, for example, is one thing many job seekers don't think about when trying to land a new gig. While it's not ideal to have a longer commute or to pack up and move altogether, the stark truth is that some cities just don't have the same opportunities as others.
So how do you go about landing a job in a new locale? Here are some ways to broaden your job search to a different city:
1. Target your search
The first step in broadening the scope of your job search is determining where you want to look. You won't do yourself any good if you search all jobs in every location. Try two things: First, search for the type of work you're interested in and see what cities come up first in your results. On CareerBuilder.com, for instance, if you search for "nursing," Phoenix, Dallas and Houston are listed as the cities with the most job postings for that keyword.
Or, if you know what city you'd like to work in, but are open to any line of work, search for jobs by location. If you know you want to move to Indianapolis, for example, use that as the starting point for your search. Your results will show you the industries with the most job postings, which you can narrow down yourself.
2. Expand your network
By now you know that when it comes to finding a job, it's not what you know, but who you know. But what happens when you want to relocate and you don't know anyone where you are job searching?
If you don't know anyone in the city where you are job hunting, turn to your social and professional networks for help. Clue your network in on where you are searching for work and ask anyone and everyone you know if they have any leads for you. Chances are that someone you know has friends or family in the area; or a contact of yours might have an old boss who relocated to the place you're looking. Perhaps someone you know knows someone else who can help you -- you get the picture. The point is, everyone in your network has a network of their own so don't be afraid to turn to them for help.
3. Update your résumé
The fastest way to get eliminated for job consideration in another city is by not having a local address on your résumé. List your current address as your permanent residence but also include a local address of a friend or acquaintance until you get one of your own. Don't know anyone in the area where you're moving? Rather than listing a local address, include your targeted moving date on your résumé to let employers know you are serious about making the move.
4. Utilize your cover letter
Your cover letter is the perfect place to discuss your plans to relocate. Explain why you are looking for work outside your current area, when you plan to move and any days you'll be visiting the area before relocating. Tell them you'll be in town for X amount of time and you hope you'll be able to meet with them during that period.
5. Register with a local staffing firm
Staffing firms are extremely helpful in your job search -- especially when you're conducting it from hundreds of miles away. Many recruitment agencies have offices in cities nationwide and therefore, have knowledge about hundreds of job openings you might not know about otherwise. Register with a local staffing firm and let them know the other cities where you are interested in working. Your representative will be privy to the job markets in other cities and can share your résumé with colleagues in other places.
6. Plan a visit
It's very hard to score a job from afar, so make plans to visit the area where you're relocating and set up an interview while you are there. If you can give employers a time frame of when you'll be available to meet in person, they'll be more likely to take your application seriously.
Keep in mind that before you're asked for face time, it's likely that a hiring manager will want to talk to you over the phone for an initial screening. When this happens, choose a quiet place and have a copy of your résumé handy, plus the job description and any details you can disclose about your move.
Although a long-distance job search can be trying, expanding the scope provides you with new opportunities, new contacts and will hopefully move your career in the right direction.
Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer
If your job search is coming up short, it might be time to start exploring other options. Expanding the job search to another city, for example, is one thing many job seekers don't think about when trying to land a new gig. While it's not ideal to have a longer commute or to pack up and move altogether, the stark truth is that some cities just don't have the same opportunities as others.
So how do you go about landing a job in a new locale? Here are some ways to broaden your job search to a different city:
1. Target your search
The first step in broadening the scope of your job search is determining where you want to look. You won't do yourself any good if you search all jobs in every location. Try two things: First, search for the type of work you're interested in and see what cities come up first in your results. On CareerBuilder.com, for instance, if you search for "nursing," Phoenix, Dallas and Houston are listed as the cities with the most job postings for that keyword.
Or, if you know what city you'd like to work in, but are open to any line of work, search for jobs by location. If you know you want to move to Indianapolis, for example, use that as the starting point for your search. Your results will show you the industries with the most job postings, which you can narrow down yourself.
2. Expand your network
By now you know that when it comes to finding a job, it's not what you know, but who you know. But what happens when you want to relocate and you don't know anyone where you are job searching?
If you don't know anyone in the city where you are job hunting, turn to your social and professional networks for help. Clue your network in on where you are searching for work and ask anyone and everyone you know if they have any leads for you. Chances are that someone you know has friends or family in the area; or a contact of yours might have an old boss who relocated to the place you're looking. Perhaps someone you know knows someone else who can help you -- you get the picture. The point is, everyone in your network has a network of their own so don't be afraid to turn to them for help.
3. Update your résumé
The fastest way to get eliminated for job consideration in another city is by not having a local address on your résumé. List your current address as your permanent residence but also include a local address of a friend or acquaintance until you get one of your own. Don't know anyone in the area where you're moving? Rather than listing a local address, include your targeted moving date on your résumé to let employers know you are serious about making the move.
4. Utilize your cover letter
Your cover letter is the perfect place to discuss your plans to relocate. Explain why you are looking for work outside your current area, when you plan to move and any days you'll be visiting the area before relocating. Tell them you'll be in town for X amount of time and you hope you'll be able to meet with them during that period.
5. Register with a local staffing firm
Staffing firms are extremely helpful in your job search -- especially when you're conducting it from hundreds of miles away. Many recruitment agencies have offices in cities nationwide and therefore, have knowledge about hundreds of job openings you might not know about otherwise. Register with a local staffing firm and let them know the other cities where you are interested in working. Your representative will be privy to the job markets in other cities and can share your résumé with colleagues in other places.
6. Plan a visit
It's very hard to score a job from afar, so make plans to visit the area where you're relocating and set up an interview while you are there. If you can give employers a time frame of when you'll be available to meet in person, they'll be more likely to take your application seriously.
Keep in mind that before you're asked for face time, it's likely that a hiring manager will want to talk to you over the phone for an initial screening. When this happens, choose a quiet place and have a copy of your résumé handy, plus the job description and any details you can disclose about your move.
Although a long-distance job search can be trying, expanding the scope provides you with new opportunities, new contacts and will hopefully move your career in the right direction.
Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer
Employee 1: "I think I'm coming down with something."
Employee 2: "Yeah, something's been going around. Everyone's got it."
Never mind how annoying it is that something's always going around, thereby robbing you of much-needed sympathy. Every flu season it does seem that at least one employee comes down with something and, by spring, everyone will have suffered from it.
Did you ever wonder why no one can seem to shake that ailment? One big reason is the constant stream of under-the-weather employees reporting to work. Yes, punctual, dependable colleagues are making you sick.
In fall and winter, expect to hear a symphony of sniffles, sneezes and groans from employees who refuse to stay home. At first you might admire their tenacity to get the job done despite their own health. Then you realize their presence might make you and everyone else feel just as bad in a few days -- suddenly they're not so admirable.
They'll be better off without you ... really
Employees have several reasons to go into work even if they're sick: a limited amount of personal days, a big project to finish, unpaid sick leave or the desire not to let down co-workers. In some instances, when you weigh the pros and cons of going into work, you might decide to clock in and hope for the best. These instances are probably rarer than you think.
Tania Hall works for 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, a service that removes unwanted items from people's homes. Although the company doesn't have an explicit policy on sick employees coming into the office, the prevailing attitude is that germs belong at home, not at the office. As bad as one sick employee is, an empty office is even worse.
"The biggest problem is when a person comes to work sick and others in that same department catch it -- if there are only three of you in a small, though important, department and you're all away, it's a concern," she says.
Camille McCaleb, vice president of operations and human resources at Creative Business Resources, cautions sick workers to think about their reputations when they groggily march into work, determined to get the job done.
"[If you're] working from home while sick [and] trying to stay on top of pressing issues, [then] making phone calls, logging in to respond to e-mails or checking voice mails could be viewed as admirable," McCaleb explains. But showing up with a runny nose and puffy eyes? "A walking germ fest."
Explore your options
Of course, simply staying home isn't an easy option for many workers. Physicians, construction workers and retail salespeople can't do their jobs from home, and during a busy season, their absence affects many people.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, ask yourself if you can perform your duties without negatively impacting others. If you come in contact with a constant stream of customers, clients or patients, you're not only exposing them to illness but you're also presenting yourself as a red-nosed, coughing representative of your business -- an image your employer probably doesn't want.
"If you're contagious, stay home," begs Mike Gugliociello, a senior account executive for The Sherry Group.
Also, from a health standpoint, can your body afford to keep working without some down time? Sick leave is a chance to sleep and rest, not just an opportunity to lie in bed pondering how scientists got moisturizer into the tissues. If your body suffers, then your job probably suffers, and you're back to harming the business and your own career.
Here are some tips for working during flu season:
If you get sick, take the day off. Give your body a chance to recover so you can return to work as quickly as possible.
Work from home if your boss and job allow it. You won't use any sick leave and you don't leave anyone else picking up your slack.
When you can't stay home, try to limit your contact with others. No one wants to get too close to the sniffling person, even if you're not contagious. Plus, you probably aren't in the best mood and would rather not make small talk anyway.
Make the appropriate arrangements if you will miss work. You know to call the boss, but don't forget to let your co-workers know if they're depending on you. If a colleague is expecting a project from you, send an e-mail to save a headache later on.
By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Search more than 100,000 Jobs by CLICKING HERE!
The episode makes clear that Bradshaw, the representative for singles everywhere, has no personal rift with her married friends. Her beef is with the culture that unjustly rewards one group of people over another.
For many single workers, that issue follows them into the workplace.
Different rules for different people
A recent CareerBuilder.com survey found more than 21 percent of workers who have never been married believe their companies show favoritism to married co-workers over single ones. Even more workers who have never been married (nearly 30 percent) claim their company provides more flexibility for married co-workers over single ones.
Ken Wisnefski, president of marketing company WebiMax.com, says that you don't have to make the same rules for all workers as long as you're appreciating the circumstances of everyone.
"All workers are different," he reminds. "If you have the means, approaching all workers as an individual can have a positive impact on your business." Because he has a moderate amount of workers compared with larger firms, he can give individual attention to his employees.
"For instance, I understand parents with schoolchildren may need to drop them off [or] pick them up from school. I know that employees living further away are concerned with the morning and afternoon rush hour. I know that it may be easier to call a single worker with an emergency rather than one with a family," Wisnefski says. But he also understands that his writer might want to go surfing in the morning, so as long as it doesn't hurt the company, the option is available. "Understanding them and their lives outside of work makes it easier to manage them and to get more production out of them."
Parental rights
Some workers think preferential treatment arises not from your marital status, but rather from your parental obligations. Jennifer Wakefield, director of public relations for the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, remembers a situation that irked her when she was a bank teller in college.
"I've not noticed a disparity between single versus married, but several years ago with a previous employer, employees with children received four hours of [personal time off] per month to attend school plays and functions," Wakefield recalls. "However, as an employee without children, I was not allocated time to see my nephew in school plays and functions."
John Welton of Voce Communications agrees that the system is set up to accommodate workers with children, though he took a step to equal the playing field. In his office of young professionals, he's seen over half of his colleagues take maternity or paternity leaves at one time or another. They've also incorporated flexible work-from-home days into their schedules. Welton isn't bothered by the demands of his co-workers' lifestyles and realizes that everyone's situation is different.
"Unless my cat gets sick, I don't have the same requests they do as far as motherhood, fatherhood or sick children," he explains. But he also realized that in his midsize company, every absent worker puts more stress on others, so he decided to ask for a much-needed rest.
"I spoke with my boss, saying that after covering for over three paternity and maternity leaves over the course of almost a year, I needed one of my own," Welton explains. "I was granted leave -- we called it 'John's leave.'" He was able to turn his regular vacation time into an extended break. He came back from his break refreshed and ready to jump back in. Perhaps more importantly, Welton felt that his boss had displayed a great amount of trust and appreciation for his work. And that's something all workers, regardless of their situations, look for in an employer.
By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Search more than 100,000 Jobs by CLICKING HERE!
The freedom to listen to the music of your choice without being tethered to a stereo changed the way people listened music. Consequently it also changed the way they performed daily tasks. Teenagers stuck in the backseat of the family van on vacation weren't forced to listen to oldies, and jogs through the park now came with a motivational soundtrack.
Today, those clunky players have evolved into credit card-sized digital music players, and you can't go two minutes without running into someone listening to their headphones. You're probably one of them.
Workers of all fields have embraced headphones in order to inspire them and to make their days pass more easily. Each of these workers, it seems, has their own approach to incorporating music into their workday.
Online radio
Many of today's jobs take place in front of a computer screen in and in a room full of cubicles. Although lack of privacy means you have to keep singing aloud to a minimum, access to a computer means you have every available genre of music available to you in the form of online radio stations.
Vincent Paciariello, an account executive at D M Public Relations, has become an Internet radio aficionado who knows the pros and cons of various stations. He likes Sirius for certain talk programs, AOL Radio for its extensive catalog of genres and Pandora Radio to discover new artists.
"I would strongly recommend everyone listen to music at work, if possible," Paciariello says. "It really lightens up the day and makes the time go by a bit faster. And most importantly, you are entertained for a long stretch of time doing a job that may not be so entertaining."
The science of music
Listening to music at work can be more than just fun for some people. According to Peter Quily, adult Attention Deficit Disorder coach, music can have a physiological effect on his patients who suffer from adult ADD. According to Quily, listening to music boosts the levels of neurotransmitter dopamine, a brain chemical that can help people focus.
Some of Quily's clients listen to music when they can't focus or when they're performing a task they find boring. People who have ADHD often have dopamine levels that are low or quickly used up, and the music is a welcome help.
For some of his clients, music is just another distraction that they don't need. And while many workers can't imagine a day without music, plenty of people, such as Jay Levitt, prefer to leave the tunes outside of work hours.
"I took a break from my technology career to study music production at Berklee," Levitt says. "Now, when I'm working, I can't have any music playing at all; I'll get distracted because the bass player's out of tune, and I wonder which microphone they used on the singer."
A song for every mood
For music lovers, however, deciding what songs to play for certain tasks can be an involved process that goes beyond simply picking any random song.
Alex Greenwood of EventPros, a communications and events services company, is a bona fide music fan whose workday has a constant soundtrack in the background. Chances are you'll find him listening to his iPod, which has playlists for various times of day and different activities.
"I find music to be a great motivator at work," Greenwood says. "It makes a slow day go faster and often really does help me in the creative process."
For research, he chooses listens to jazz, such as Miles Davis and Jaco Pastorius. When he wants to tap into his creative side, he relies on what he refers to as "mature pop," which includes artists like Shawn Colvin, Colin Hay and the Police, among others.
Ted Kendall is another music lover who relies on the right song to keep him productive. He sees music as a necessity more than a luxury. Rather than tuning out noise, he's tuning out silence.
"I have my own market research company. Much of my work is in writing reports and analyzing data, so I am often in quiet solitude working on the computer," Kendall explains. "So if it wasn't for the music options, I would be going crazy as I crunch numbers." When he travels, he takes his headphones with him so that he can listen to music if he has to work in someone else's office -- anything to avoid concentration-breaking silence.
Kendall attributes his reliance on artists like Pink Floyd, Manfred Mann and Genesis to his 1970s upbringing. The music, he says, is rock that doesn't distract you from doing your job. Classic jazz helps is good for unwinding and relieving stress when work gets overwhelming, so he relies on Pandora's Thelonious Monk station to ease his nerves.
"As the day winds down and my need to concentrate lessens, sometimes I crank up the three-chord rock classics to get the blood pumping and stay awake," Kendall says. "And I know this will sound strange, but I really enjoy Chicago and Beach Boys at times like this as well."
Listen responsibly
If you like to listen to music at work, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Use headphones if you share an office. If you have enough personal space to use external speakers, make sure the sound doesn't carry into other people's workspaces.
Keep the volume low enough to hear if your phone rings or someone calls your name.
If you use speakers, remember to pause the music when talking on the phone.
Don't sing aloud. In all likelihood, you're a bigger fan of your voice than your co-workers are.
Keep the dance moves to a minimum.
By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Search more than 100,000 Jobs by CLICKING HERE!
You can find this mind-set at work. Double standards aren't anything new to the business world, and neither is sexism, for that matter. Women have overcome many hurdles to be taken seriously in the business world and to achieve roles as leaders. The downside to this success is that echoes of past prejudice can still be heard in conference rooms today.
A female boss who is every bit as assertive and goal-oriented as the archetypal businessman will be deemed by some employees as mean and ruthless. If she's not as aggressive as the male stereotype, she's an emotional pushover. Essentially she can't win.
But times are changing, and the youngest generations of today's work force grew up in households with two working parents. Female bosses aren't new or distracting to workers these days. But are they more or less preferred than their male counterparts?
A creative side
Neil Gussman works in communications at the Philadelphia-based Chemical Heritage Foundation and has experience with male and female bosses. In his experience, he has found women more qualified for the specific roles as leaders of a communications team than men.
"In communications, the women I know in the top jobs get there through the creative route -- being an artist or writer who is also a leader -- whereas men get there through the account exec route, bringing in the money," Gussman says. "I prefer to work for a boss who knows the work and appreciates creative talent, so I have come to prefer working for women."
Therefore his preference for women isn't related to gender as much as it's related to answering to a competent leader. Like Gussman, Rachel of New York has also found a better creative vibe among women than men. She prefers female bosses and has a better time relating to them.
"I have found them to be more relatable, more kind and generous and better to brainstorm with (because I feel more comfortable with them)," she says.
The good, bad and ugly
BJ Gallagher, author of "Everything I Need to Know I Learned From Other Women," doesn't have a gender preference for her bosses. She worked full time at the University of Southern California before becoming a full-time writer. During her time at USC, she worked under three female bosses, each with her own personality and work style.
Her first female boss was Sharleen, a boss whom Gallagher refers to as "the very epitome of evil." What did she do to deserve such hyperbolic condemnation?
"She ran her office like Stalinist Russia -- keeping her staff at odds with one another by planting seeds of suspicion and doubt in each of our minds, instilling a fear that others in the office had been complaining to her about us," Gallagher recalls. "She encouraged tattletales, backstabbers and gossips."
On the flip side was Terry, Gallagher's next boss and the antithesis to Sharleen.
"Terry was bright and talented, and she was also kind, caring, thoughtful, gracious, compassionate and a good listener," Gallagher says. Perhaps most importantly she cared about her staff and demonstrated it through her actions. But Terry was not a weakling, either. "She was also firm and had a definite vision for where our organization was going. She was no pushover. She had principles and integrity."
Unlike the nightmarish Sharleen, Terry had the respect and trust of her employees, men and women alike.
The third boss, Liz, was somewhere between the previous two, which meant a new set of pros and cons.
"Liz was a good person -- she had worked for many years with the Girl Scouts of America and had that nice Girl Scout kind of energy -- perky, peppy, outgoing and friendly," Gallagher remembers. "She was a wonderful person, but a lousy boss."
While Liz had the skills to address any issues after the fact, she lacked the foresight to prevent them from happening. Gallagher also laments, "She rarely took the time to provide coaching or feedback to her staff, as she was always running off to some meeting somewhere. She was very frustrating to work for!"
No better or worse
Gallagher's experience proved to her that blanket statements about anyone, female bosses included, aren't accurate.
"Just as there are many kinds of male bosses -- the good, the bad and the downright ugly -- there are many kinds of female bosses." In Gallagher's opinion, when employees have a definitive stance on whether female bosses are better or worse than male bosses, she thinks they're being too presumptuous.
"I think Golda Meir, the former prime minister of Israel, summed it up nicely," Gallgher says. "'Whether women are better than men I cannot say ... but I can say they are certainly no worse.'"
By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Search more than 100,000 Jobs by CLICKING HERE!
Siblings and sociologists John and Catherine Walter have researched how a person's image is affected by his or her hair part. Whether you part your hair on the left or right side of your head -- or not at all -- influences how others perceive you and possibly even how you perceive yourself. The idea behind their theory is that your hair part alters how others interact with you, thus altering how you interact with them, and so on.
You know a bad hairstyle can haunt you for years to come (as anyone alive in the 1980s will attest), but you probably didn't expect it to have a lasting impact on your career.
This is the hair-part breakdown, according to the Walters:
Men who part their hair on the left are often popular and successful. People perceive them as strong.
Women who part their hair on the left are considered reliable and intelligent. It's a smart move for those who work in politics or business.
Men who part their hair on the right are seen as radical and open. These men should be strong enough to overcome the stigma against men with this part.
Women who part their hair on the right are viewed as gentle and feminine. Because it is a more traditional style, it can affect how seriously they are taken.
People who don't part their hair, can't part their hair due to baldness or use a center part come across as trustworthy and wise.
With that in mind, here are some examples of famous faces and characters with a variety of hair parts. Let's see if the theory holds up to their job roles.
Who: Rod Blagojevich
Job: Indicted Illinois governor
Hair part: Right
Verdict: While you wouldn't consider scandal-ridden Blagojevich an open person, you can't deny that he fits the description of a right-parter who makes people uneasy and sparks negative reaction.
Who: Condoleezza Rice
Job: Secretary of state under President George W. Bush
Hair part: Right
Verdict: Although Rice had to be cordial to the heads of state she met with, she was probably not overly concerned with coming across as nice and fulfilling a traditional feminine role. Her need to be aggressive and confident when the time came probably means she makes a better candidate for a left part.
Who: Queen Elizabeth II
Job: Queen of the United Kingdom
Hair part: None
Verdict: The Walters' theory suggests that no-parters might "lack the flair" of the other parters, but they can still come across as trustworthy and wise. If you're the queen, you probably want to be perceived as someone people are willing to follow and listen to -- making Queen Elizabeth's tendency not to part her hair a good choice -- athough you rarely see her not wearing a hat or her crown, both good choices for distracting from your hair part.
Who: Jack Donaghy (played by Alec Baldwin) on "30 Rock"
Job: Vice president of East Coast television and microwave oven programming for GE
Hair part: Left
Verdict: Donaghy is the epitome of the all-American guy whose charisma and charm help him become a beloved leader. Although he's a little eccentric, his success as a corporate big shot makes him a model left-parter.
Who: Milton Waddams (played by Stephen Root) in "Office Space"
Job: Collator
Hair part: Left
Verdict: The bumbling, lovable loser of the film "Office Space," Milton Waddams does not evoke any of the traits of a left-parter. The thick-spectacled worrywart feigns assertion, but ultimately is a pushover who exudes no strength.
Who: Oprah Winfrey
Job: Talk show host, radio host, business owner, avid reader
Hair part: Versatile
Verdict: Winfrey's hairstyles change daily, though she tends to favor no part and a right part. As a no-parter, she definitely fulfills the description of trustworthy and wise. When she declares an item one of her favorite things of the year, people storm retailers to get their hands on her recommendations.
As a right-parter, she definitely supports the theory that these women are perceived as gentle -- after all, viewers need to feel comfortable with her. Though you'd have trouble arguing that Winfrey isn't taken seriously.
If you find that your hair part does seem to correlate with how you're perceived, consider changing things up a little. Maybe you can impact how people perceive you. Or you can just have some fun, because they'll probably notice something about you has changed, but not exactly what. Just something to think about when you're standing in front of the mirror tomorrow morning.
By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Search more than 100,000 Jobs by CLICKING HERE!
Securing a job means you can stop sending out résumés and waiting for responses. You can take that energy and focus it on worrying about the new job. Will you be good at it? Will your co-workers like you? Can you wear jeans on Fridays?
More often than not, your fears are allayed within the first week on the job. Aside from a few growing pains, everything goes well (and you can wear jeans when the boss is out of town). But sometimes the job that was an answer to your prayers turns out to feel more like penance.
In the first few days, you won't necessarily know if you'll love the job, but you can often tell if you'll hate it. It isn't hard to find plenty of workers who saw ominous signs of a bad job soon after accepting it.
Run, don't walk
Before you even show up for Day One, you might receive all the warning you need to stay away from the new position.
Sophie Martin went on six interviews with the company before being offered and accepting her new position -- news she happily shared with friends via e-mail.
"Within five minutes of that e-mail going live, I got a call from a business associate telling me that I should try to get out of the new job," she recalls. "The words 'founder syndrome' and 'chew people up' came up in that call, and truer words, as they say. I lasted six months -- the last three were spent looking for a new job."
Mistina Picciano, president of Market It Write, ran into a similar situation when she accepted a job.
"One week before I started my first corporate job, I went to a party and mentioned that I was starting work at this company as a staff writer. A woman stared at me with huge eyes and said she had interviewed for that job two years earlier," Picciano says. "She had received an anonymous phone call at home, telling her to run away."
The warning wasn't unfounded.
"Sure enough, when I started work, my manager was taking me around the building, introducing me to people. At least two people smiled, shook my hand and explained that they probably wouldn't bother learning my name; people in my position typically lasted no more than two months."
Professionalism, or a lack thereof
Even the most laid-back employee expects a semblance of professionalism at work -- not necessarily a corporate uniform of suits and pantyhose, but common courtesy and respect from colleagues. Of all people, the boss should be setting a good example for you and your co-workers.
"Well, the first sign that my new state university academic adviser job was a bad move was the fact that my future boss arrived 35 minutes late for our interview, breezing in after taking two of my future co-workers to lunch," recalls Carmin Wharton, founder and CEO of e-BlackWomenNetwork.com. "She never acknowledged she was late, and of course, you can't apologize for what you don't acknowledge."
Sherri Bergman, director of marketing for St. Andrew's-Sewanee School, had to wait a little longer to get a glimpse of her boss's unprofessionalism during a previous temp job -- but it still didn't take long.
"Within the first week of the job, the boss -- who managed a staff of probably 30-40 -- was coming into my office to tell me how glad he was that I was there because the rest of his employees were so incompetent," she says. "I didn't take that as a good sign -- not because of my colleagues' potential incompetence, but because of the unprofessionalism of any manager who would confide this sort of information to a temp." Bergman chose not to stay with the company and took a permanent position elsewhere.
Money woes
Everybody experiences a money shortage once or twice. That's a reason many people look for a new job in the first place. For that reason you'd like to think your employer is a reliable solution to your financial concerns. Unfortunately, that's not always the case, and it's often a sign that something worse is afoot.
Mike Wright was a disc jockey whose friend offered him a job, which he accepted. The husband and father of a 1-year old knew quickly that he made a mistake when his first paycheck bounced. Shortly thereafter the radio station went bankrupt.
Marketing consultant Jenny Tallis had a similar experience, only her paycheck was the problem for a different reason.
"I was hired as a marketing director in the year 2000 and after I got settled, I asked the accounting person for the marketing budget so I could plan next year's expenses. His reply? 'There isn't one. We spent it all on your salary,'" she remembers. "He wasn't kidding."
And the rest ...
Given the chance to tell about warning signs that their new jobs were lousy, workers offered a bevy of stories. Here are more clues that you should be wary of a job:
"Someone was always crying in the office."- Anonymous
"You get yelled at for not knowing the format for a document and scolded for not paying attention to the training session. My response: 'There was no training session.'" - Anonymous
"The computerized system consisted of three-by-five cards." - Joni Daniels, Daniels and Associates.
"Your new boss comes in Monday morning on your first day and tells you she gave notice on Friday. [And] your predecessor left without a new job on the horizon." - Gaea L. Honeycutt, president of G.L. Honeycutt Consulting.
"On my first day, they showed me to the reception desk and said, '...and this is your new office.'" - Mary K. LaFrance, founder of marketing agency HELP Virtual.
"I took a job as an operator in a call center. Only to find out it was a big room full of phone sex operators!" - Christine Haynes, owner of Fezelry Jewlery Designs.
Remember to be on the lookout for red flags in the interview, offer or salary negotiation. Hopefully any first-day snafus you experience are minor hiccups. But if they resemble the stories above, you might want to start sending out résumés again.
By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Search more than 100,000 Jobs by CLICKING HERE!
Vacation guilt syndrome, afternoon flu, procrastination blues and take work home disorder. You may not have heard of these conditions, but chances are you've suffered from them. Though fictional, these "illnesses" could have a big impact on your career.
Here are a few examples of common workplace ailments and prescriptions for recovering from them:
Ailment No. 1: Vacation guilt syndrome
Diagnosis: This syndrome doesn't discriminate, keeping countless workers at the office five days a week, 52 weeks a year. It's all too easy to come up with a reason you can't take a vacation. Excuses include having too much work to do, not wanting to ask someone else to take on your assignments or worrying that you'll forget to complete everything before you leave. Any of these can cause you to feel guilty and forgo some necessary days away from work.
Prescription: Plan ahead. It helps to notify manager as early as possible, so you can work prepare for your time away from work. Together, you can determine who will take on your assignments while you're gone and which projects can wait for your return. Also, use your out-of-office functions so people who call or e-mail you know that you're away, whom they should contact in the interim and when you'll return. With preparation, you'll be able to take a much-needed break and come back to work refreshed.
Ailment No. 2: Afternoon flu
Diagnosis: After a long day, the afternoon rolls around and suddenly you feel your energy wane. Tackling another assignment seems impossible. Instead, you're thinking about heading home and hoping the clock will suddenly speed forward a few hours.
Prescription: Reorganize and rejuvenate. If you're consistently dragging toward the end of the day, you might need to organize your schedule differently. By taking on urgent and thought-intensive tasks in the morning, you can focus on low-priority assignments that don't require as much concentration later in the afternoon. Don't forget to take a break, go for a short walk or eat a light snack to keep your energy level high. If a last-minute emergency arises, you'll be better able to tackle it.
Ailment No. 3: Procrastination blues
Diagnosis: You most likely get the blues when a particularly tough project looms, rendering you unable to tackle it for days, if not weeks. You're convinced it will take too long, involve work that doesn't interest you or prove too difficult. Whatever the reason, your tasks continue to pile up.
Prescription: Break projects into smaller portions. Instead of allowing an assignment to remain unattended, break it into more easily accomplished parts. For instance, if you're indexing a box of documents, separate them into small, manageable piles. Tackling the piles one at a time will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed and allow you to make gradual progress. Before you know it, the project will be finished and off your desk.
Ailment No. 4: Take work home disorder (TWHD)
Diagnosis: This malady seems to strike at the busiest, most stressful times. When afflicted, you've fallen so far behind in your assignments that you're forced to take work home with you at night and over weekends.
Prescription: Develop a game plan. Preparation and focus are the keys to efficiency at the office. At the end of each day, invest some time in identifying the next day's tasks and ranking them in terms of priority. Review your to-do list in the morning to ensure you start the day by focusing on the most important projects. By taking care of pressing tasks early in the day, you have a better chance of being finished with everything by the time you go home. If you find yourself with chronic TWHD, you should talk to your manager about re-evaluating your workload.
Informing yourself about these ailments will give you the tools needed to fend them off and keep working as efficiently and effectively as ever. If only avoiding a common cold were as easy.
Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.
Search more than 100,000 Jobs by CLICKING HERE!
Here are a few examples of common workplace ailments and prescriptions for recovering from them:
Ailment No. 1: Vacation guilt syndrome
Diagnosis: This syndrome doesn't discriminate, keeping countless workers at the office five days a week, 52 weeks a year. It's all too easy to come up with a reason you can't take a vacation. Excuses include having too much work to do, not wanting to ask someone else to take on your assignments or worrying that you'll forget to complete everything before you leave. Any of these can cause you to feel guilty and forgo some necessary days away from work.
Prescription: Plan ahead. It helps to notify manager as early as possible, so you can work prepare for your time away from work. Together, you can determine who will take on your assignments while you're gone and which projects can wait for your return. Also, use your out-of-office functions so people who call or e-mail you know that you're away, whom they should contact in the interim and when you'll return. With preparation, you'll be able to take a much-needed break and come back to work refreshed.
Ailment No. 2: Afternoon flu
Diagnosis: After a long day, the afternoon rolls around and suddenly you feel your energy wane. Tackling another assignment seems impossible. Instead, you're thinking about heading home and hoping the clock will suddenly speed forward a few hours.
Prescription: Reorganize and rejuvenate. If you're consistently dragging toward the end of the day, you might need to organize your schedule differently. By taking on urgent and thought-intensive tasks in the morning, you can focus on low-priority assignments that don't require as much concentration later in the afternoon. Don't forget to take a break, go for a short walk or eat a light snack to keep your energy level high. If a last-minute emergency arises, you'll be better able to tackle it.
Ailment No. 3: Procrastination blues
Diagnosis: You most likely get the blues when a particularly tough project looms, rendering you unable to tackle it for days, if not weeks. You're convinced it will take too long, involve work that doesn't interest you or prove too difficult. Whatever the reason, your tasks continue to pile up.
Prescription: Break projects into smaller portions. Instead of allowing an assignment to remain unattended, break it into more easily accomplished parts. For instance, if you're indexing a box of documents, separate them into small, manageable piles. Tackling the piles one at a time will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed and allow you to make gradual progress. Before you know it, the project will be finished and off your desk.
Ailment No. 4: Take work home disorder (TWHD)
Diagnosis: This malady seems to strike at the busiest, most stressful times. When afflicted, you've fallen so far behind in your assignments that you're forced to take work home with you at night and over weekends.
Prescription: Develop a game plan. Preparation and focus are the keys to efficiency at the office. At the end of each day, invest some time in identifying the next day's tasks and ranking them in terms of priority. Review your to-do list in the morning to ensure you start the day by focusing on the most important projects. By taking care of pressing tasks early in the day, you have a better chance of being finished with everything by the time you go home. If you find yourself with chronic TWHD, you should talk to your manager about re-evaluating your workload.
Informing yourself about these ailments will give you the tools needed to fend them off and keep working as efficiently and effectively as ever. If only avoiding a common cold were as easy.
Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.
Search more than 100,000 Jobs by CLICKING HERE!
But how can that be, when either you or someone else is cleaning your desk every day?
For starters, workers who diligently wipe down their desktops are essentially just giving germs a free ride, says Dr. Charles Gerba -- aka "Dr. Germ" -- a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, who conducted a study on germs in the workplace. Instead, you have to kill them on the spot using a disinfectant or sanitizer.
Workers are also spending more time at their desks. According to a recent survey by the American Dietetic Association, 57 percent of workers snack at their desks at least once a day. More than 75 percent of workers "only occasionally" clean their desks before eating and 20 percent never do.
"As people spend more time at their desks, germs find plenty to snack on," Gerba says. "Desks are really bacteria cafeterias. They're breakfast buffets, lunch tables and snack bars, as we spend more and more hours at the office."
Your desk isn't the only thing harboring germs. Essentially, your entire office is a petri dish of viruses, bacteria and other germs. Your phone, mouthpiece, keyboard, light switches, buttons on the elevator, door handles, right down to the papers you drop off for approval at your boss's desk -- each of these things is loaded with countless microbes that you come in contact with every day. In one study, Gerba and his researchers found that an infected person can leave a trail of viruses on every surface he touches -- and viruses can survive on surfaces for up to three days.
For his study, Gerba and his team collected samples from private offices and cubicles in Tucson, Ariz., and Washington, D.C. The study, funded by The Clorox Co., tested more than 616 surfaces in the office and deduced which harbored the most germs. Then, they studied surfaces in the workplaces of people in different professions to determine which were the "germiest."
Here are nine of the germiest jobs, in order from most to least germy, and how they stacked up to each other.
1. Teacher
Average amount of bacteria per square inch: 17,800
Why it's germy: Kids' desktops are probably the dirtiest object in a classroom. Additionally, when children turn in tests and assignments, they hand in germs, too. Teachers had 5 1/2 times more germs on their phones, nearly twice as many germs on their computer mice and nearly 27 times more germs on the computer keys than other professions studied in a survey done by researchers at the University of Arizona.
Salary*: $44,137/year
2. Accountant
Average amount of bacteria per square inch: 6,030
Why it's germy: Accountants tend to spend a great deal of time behind their desks, which as previously mentioned often retain the most germs. Accountants' desks and pens ranked No. 1 in the study as most germy, averaging 12,600 and 2,350 bacteria per square inch, respectively.
Salary: $46,171/year
3. Banker
Average amount of bacteria per square inch: 5,400
Why it's germy: Everyone knows how dirty money is. When you think about the one core duty of bankers -- handling money -- it's no surprise the germs bankers come in contact with. Surfaces used by bankers came in third behind teachers and accountants as having the most bacteria. Compared with other professions, however, bankers had the least germy computer keyboards.
Salary: $22,099/year (as a bank teller)
4. Radio DJ
Average amount of bacteria per square inch: 3,323
Why it's germy: Radio DJs often work in shifts, with several people coming in and out of the station a day. It's doubtful that each of these people disinfects every button, switch, control and headset in between their shift and the next person's. As we said before, an infected person can leave a trail of viruses on every surface he touches -- so many people using the same equipment is bound to garner a lot of bacteria.
Salary: $42,707/year
5. Doctor
Average amount of bacteria per square inch: 2,620
Why it's germy: As professionals who serve sick people, it's no surprise doctors are their own source of germs. Likely culprits for carrying germs are the medical charts that switch so many hands each day, which is why many health care facilities are pushing for electronic medical records.
Salary: $123,147/year
6. Television producer
Average amount of bacteria per square inch: 2,460
Why it's germy: Television producers tend to spend their days overseeing writers, directors and editors, while also conducting meetings and editing TV segments. All of these responsibilities add up to lots of physical contact with humans and items that cart around germs. In Gerba's study, TV producers had the least germy computer mice, averaging only 375 bacteria per square inch.
Salary: $65,930/year
7. Consultant
Average amount of bacteria per square inch: 1,250
Why it's germy: Consultants work in a variety of environments but most share the goal of defining problems and providing solutions for companies. To do so, they need to conduct studies, surveys and interviews. The problem is, as a consultant, you work with so many companies and in so many offices, you never really know the environment you're working in -- or what kinds of germs you're coming in contact with.
Salary: $152,423/year
8. Publicist
Average amount of bacteria per square inch: 1,020
Why it's germy: Publicists have multiple clients with whom they keep in contact every day. As a result, they spend most of their time at their desks, communicating via telephone and on the computer -- the top three places that harbor the most germs. Surprisingly, out of all the occupations, publicists had the least germy telephones.
Salary**: $49,800/year
9. Lawyer
Average amount of bacteria per square inch: 900
Why it's germy: Though many people picture lawyers as sitting behind their desks all day, lawyers had the least germy desks, averaging just 263 bacteria per square inch. This is probably because lawyers tend to be everywhere but their desks; instead, they spend their times in courtrooms, jails, interrogation rooms and other germ-infested environments. Plus, they probably shake a lot of hands.
Salary: $90,414/year
*U.S. national average salaries according to CBSalary.com
** According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Search more than 100,000 Jobs by CLICKING HERE!
In school, you don't want to be the kid playing alone during recess.
At a party, you don't want to be the only person standing in the corner with a drink in your hand and a sad expression on your face.
In the office, you'd like to have people talk to you during the day. Or at the very least, not actively dislike you.
When you put groups of people together, not everyone is going to be best friends. Even if co-workers aren't fighting, one person can feel like an outsider and grow to dread heading into work each morning.
People don't fit in for a variety of reasons. Personalities don't click. Your gender, ethnicity or age make you stick out from everyone else. Or maybe preconceived notions of you or of your colleagues -- however inaccurate they may be -- prevent relationships from forming.
The gender gap
Vicky Oliver, author of "Bad Bosses, Crazy Co-Workers and Other Office Idiots," worked for an ad agency where she was one of few women on the team, and those women were significantly older than she. She couldn't change or hide her age and gender, so she decided to use it to her advantage.
"I took it as a challenge," Oliver says. "I recognized that, by nature of my gender, I would be giving a different perspective to the team and that was a good thing." More importantly, she recognized that not only did she feel better, but she was making a valuable contribution that others would notice. "The trick is to accept that maybe you won't be let in to every single social activity -- I don't recall ever being invited for a beer after work -- but hopefully, for the things that really matter, your input as an outsider will be appreciated. You are like a tiny focus group of one. You are broadening the group knowledge and your input really matters!"
It's not them, it's you
Sometimes a rift between co-workers is less about what they don't like and more about what they don't know.
Consider the performance review Vickie Pynchon had as a young attorney. Pynchon's boss told her that colleagues who knew her well really liked her, while those who hardly knew her or had never met her didn't like her at all.
"I realized that the people I knew the least were people who I disliked for no reason other than the fact that they were insurance defense attorneys and I was a commercial litigation attorney," Pynchon remembers. "I was young and arrogant and disapproved of their work for the insurance industry. I still had a bit of a hippie-who-sold-out chip on my shoulder."
As a result, she changed her attitude toward the people that she thought didn't like her and became open to getting to know them. She found out that she admired and respected her colleagues very much, once she knew them. Her review the next year was a huge turnaround, and the feedback from her colleagues was overwhelmingly positive.
The lone ranger
Try as you might, you can't force anyone to be your friend or to like you. In fact, trying too hard is likely to earn more enemies than friends. Still, when you don't fit in, you can't help but feel dejected.
Michael Soon Lee, author of "Cross-Cultural Selling for Dummies," has often found himself the odd man out because of his ethnicity. He's found that being an Asian-American male in predominantly white workplaces often set him apart from everyone on day one.
"It's a lot of work sometimes, but I've found that the key to fitting in is to make people feel comfortable around me," Lee says. "I know if they are, I will feel comfortable around them."
After years of struggling to fit in, he's developed some methods for forming good relationships between himself and his colleagues. Here are some tips he's garnered:
Do some cultural anthropology
Lee realizes that part of fitting in to his surroundings comes from observation. He studies the company culture for clues on how to adapt. "How do people dress and how formally or informally do people interact with each other? Then I mirror the culture but still try to maintain my own sense of uniqueness because I feel strongly that this has led to my success over the years."
Boost an ego
Rather than wait for someone to befriend him, Lee makes the first move when he's new on the job. He suggests inviting someone to sit with you at lunch or participating in some social activities.
"I make them the center of attention by asking questions about them. Again, this helps to break barriers and they think I'm a fabulous conversationalist because I engage them in their favorite topic ... them."
Be flexible
Lee knows that his direct, high-energy work style isn't suitable for everyone, so he does his best to accommodate other people. "I try to be aware of other's work styles, which may be more indirect, subtle and detail oriented, and [I] endeavor to interact with them in their preferred mode."
Give credit
"I make an effort to share my success with my team regardless of the amount of their contribution. After all, no one can be successful alone," Lee says.
By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Search more than 100,000 Jobs by CLICKING HERE!
Similar to when you're looking for a mate, you want to find a career that complements your character, not conflicts with it. For example, if you're active and outgoing, you might not do well sitting behind a desk all day. By the same token, if you're shy and soft-spoken, you might not do well in a job that requires a lot of social interaction, and if you like working alone, you wouldn't thrive in a team setting.
Here we have six personality groups that seem to encompass the majority of people. From there, we've listed what jobs might best fit your needs.
Here are several vocations that are sure to complement your temperament. Please note that each requires different education, training and qualification requirements.
Personality: Artistic
What you're like: Artistic personalities are creative by nature, with imaginations that stretch further than others can conceive. These people like to express themselves through their work versus completing structured tasks. They like to work without rules, and enjoy working with forms, designs, colors, words and patterns.
Job matches:
Editor ... $47,811*
Graphic designer ... $48,891
High school drama teacher ... $52,856
Landscape architect ... $53,241
Perfumer ... $21,791
Producer ... $79,310
Personality: Conventional
What you're like: Conventional people like conventional things: Rules, procedures, schedules and instructions are all things that appeal to them. They prefer working with details and data versus ideas; they are practical and like routine and order.
Job matches:
Accountant ... $46,171
Actuary ... $97,354
Building inspector ... $47,735
Cost estimator ... $53,413
Financial planner ... $63,837
Technical writer ... $55,747
Personality: Enterprising
What you're like: Enterprise people are leaders. They like to see projects through from start to finish, business ventures in particular. They are doers more than thinkers and are more interested in the "big picture" than the small pieces that make it up.
Job matches:
Advertising sales agent ... $39,103
Financial officer ... $77,019
Management analyst ... $63,610
Program director ... $48,382
Sales representative ... $44,784
Sales manager ... $85,091
Personality: Investigative
What you're like: Investigative people prefer to work alone. They like using logic over imagination, solving problems and mysteries, putting together pieces of a puzzle, precision and science, and they pay extreme attention to detail.
Job matches:
Computer systems analyst ... $61,549
Librarian ... $48,025
Optometrist ... $95,058
Science professor ... $73,532
Software engineer ... $75,850
Statistician ... $59,830
Personality: Realistic
What you're like: True to their name, realists are ... well, realistic. They are results-driven, hands-on people who like problems and solutions. They like working outdoors, as well as with machines, tools and jewelry.
Job matches:
Diagnostic medical sonographer ... $56,603
Electrician ... $35,158
Highway patrol pilot ... $69,098
Locksmith ... $34,148
Nuclear engineer ... $84,044
Orthodontist ... $271,373
Personality: Social
What you're like: Social people like helping others and working with teams. They communicate well and thrive on human interaction, and they'd rather talk than work with machines or data. The best jobs for them are ones that let them be with other people.
Job matches:
Family practitioner ... $160,264
Personal coach ... $64,523
Personal trainer ... $24,881
School psychologist ... $49,622
Student affairs director ... $71,093
Teacher ... $44,137
Are you interested in learning more about the career path you're suited for? Check out all our career tests at www.careerpath.com.
*Salaries according to CBSalary.com
By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Search more than 100,000 Jobs by CLICKING HERE!
What’s Your Style?
No, I’m not talking about a 2-piece vs. 3-piece suit, but your communication style. Everyone falls into one of four dominant communication styles. The key to great communications is being able to identify both your perceived style and the other person’s dominant style.
How can having this knowledge help you in your job hunt? Well, in those face-to-face interviews not all interviewers are created equally. In fact, there is a better chance than not that the person who will be interviewing you for your next position has never had any formal interview training, but rather they are just wearing the “interview hat” for the next 30 minutes or so. Many organizations submit to the “peer interview” process which consists of employees from various departments taking fifteen to thirty minutes each interviewing prospective candidates and then submitting a standardized feedback form consisting of both their “opinion” and some type of numerical ranking of the candidate based on pre-screened questions. This is then submitted to management with them undertaking a “subjective” review of the data. The problem is…it is hardly objective.
Most untrained interviewers have a tendency to rank more highly those candidates that they “liked” as opposed to objectively comparing the candidates backgrounds, skill-sets or achievements. Untrained personnel end up hiring folks who are, "just like them” as they relate to their own styles. They recommend and hire those candidates who got into their comfort zone. Often times the choice is the wrong decision because it was based on the “like factor” rather than how the person’s background fits the requirements. Eventually the candidate and/or the organization come to realize they’ve made a poor decision costing them both. The organization failed to use “Targeted Selection” techniques to objectively compare the candidate’s background, achievements, organizational fit, etc. and how all of it fits the required skill sets as outlined by the job description.
Having said that; even if a candidate is interviewed by a skilled interviewer it is imperative that a candidate present him or herself in a manner in which the interviewer feels comfortable with them as a person and not just a candidate. They have to “like” them. In my book I define “like” not as literally liking someone in the manner they’d like to hang out with the person, but rather liking them because they got into their communication comfort zone. How do you do this? You do it by understanding how others view or perceive YOUR style most of the time AND by being able to identify the other person’s communication style and then taking the appropriate actions in which to make them feel comfortable. Remember this RULE: Perception IS Reality. What someone believes they see…they see. So it does not matter what YOU think your style is, it only matters what someone else believes. I’ll repeat this for the folks with an ego who believe they can change someone to adapt to them…It does not matter what YOU think, it only matters what THEY think.
The Four Basic Styles:
A or “Analyzer”
B or “Buddy”
C or “Challenger”
D or “Demander”
Each style comes with its own set of dominant traits. For example, the Analyzer tends to be quieter, contemplative, data-oriented, less animated, whereas the Buddy tends to be more focused on personal needs and less on business. They may be involved in lots of social activities and it’s hard for them to say no. They will say yes immediately compared to the Analyzer who needs time to contemplate and analyze.
The Challenger is like a rubber ball in a room. They are involved in all kinds of activities and always seem to have way too much on their plate. They may seem aloof because they are simply too involved in everything else to take time out to listen to you. They love new ideas and will take one and run with it. If you make a statement, they will challenge it. The Demander is someone who may seem overbearing. They may not have much time for you, but when they will make a decision and they stick with it. They may not get caught up in the details although they will require them so be prepared to provide them. They will probably be the person who everyone goes to for their advice, even if they really didn’t want it as much as to appease the Demander’s perceived ego.
So, what’s the key? The key is to understand, objectively and honestly, how others perceive you. Why? Because you cannot make others change their style, but YOU can, however, alter your style. For example, if you’re a “Buddy” style (think about the traits you exhibit) and you’re communicating with the “Demander” you’re going to have to get focused! The Buddy has a tendency to wander off the highway and if they don’t immediately get back to the on-ramp with the Demander the conversation is likely to be a short one because the Demander doesn’t have time for small-talk. Likewise, if you’re an Analyzer and you’re communicating with the Buddy you’re going to have to be more expressive. You’re going to have to take a personal interest in them, and not what you’re selling. You’re going to have to take more time than you anticipated because the Buddy will, eventually wander. The trick will be to get the Buddy back to the on-ramp and onto the conversational highway without offending them.
Remember this…not all interviewers are created equal so it will be important to understand their style within minutes by utilizing and observing the three key components of communication identification: Verbal, Non-Verbal and Environmental. The third is one that I venture to say you have never been asked to consider until now. I go into more detail about environmental signals in my book.
So, what is your style? Whatever it is, if you know going in and you can identify the other person’s style you’ll be in a position to get into their comfort zone more quickly and increase the “like factor.” You’ll also be way ahead of your competition who choose to lead with their style rather than adapt to the interviewer’s.
This information is drawn from Bob Kinnison’ upcoming book: “What Are You Selling?”
Bob Kinnison is an author and Blogger and has been involved in recruiting and interviewing for more than twenty five years. He authored the book, “Interview Experts” and owns several successful web sites and Blogs serving up more than 10 million page views annually. He owns JobFairUSA.NET. You can reach Bob at jobfairusa@rockfordlink.com
Search more than 100,000 Jobs by CLICKING HERE!
No, I’m not talking about a 2-piece vs. 3-piece suit, but your communication style. Everyone falls into one of four dominant communication styles. The key to great communications is being able to identify both your perceived style and the other person’s dominant style.
How can having this knowledge help you in your job hunt? Well, in those face-to-face interviews not all interviewers are created equally. In fact, there is a better chance than not that the person who will be interviewing you for your next position has never had any formal interview training, but rather they are just wearing the “interview hat” for the next 30 minutes or so. Many organizations submit to the “peer interview” process which consists of employees from various departments taking fifteen to thirty minutes each interviewing prospective candidates and then submitting a standardized feedback form consisting of both their “opinion” and some type of numerical ranking of the candidate based on pre-screened questions. This is then submitted to management with them undertaking a “subjective” review of the data. The problem is…it is hardly objective.
Most untrained interviewers have a tendency to rank more highly those candidates that they “liked” as opposed to objectively comparing the candidates backgrounds, skill-sets or achievements. Untrained personnel end up hiring folks who are, "just like them” as they relate to their own styles. They recommend and hire those candidates who got into their comfort zone. Often times the choice is the wrong decision because it was based on the “like factor” rather than how the person’s background fits the requirements. Eventually the candidate and/or the organization come to realize they’ve made a poor decision costing them both. The organization failed to use “Targeted Selection” techniques to objectively compare the candidate’s background, achievements, organizational fit, etc. and how all of it fits the required skill sets as outlined by the job description.
Having said that; even if a candidate is interviewed by a skilled interviewer it is imperative that a candidate present him or herself in a manner in which the interviewer feels comfortable with them as a person and not just a candidate. They have to “like” them. In my book I define “like” not as literally liking someone in the manner they’d like to hang out with the person, but rather liking them because they got into their communication comfort zone. How do you do this? You do it by understanding how others view or perceive YOUR style most of the time AND by being able to identify the other person’s communication style and then taking the appropriate actions in which to make them feel comfortable. Remember this RULE: Perception IS Reality. What someone believes they see…they see. So it does not matter what YOU think your style is, it only matters what someone else believes. I’ll repeat this for the folks with an ego who believe they can change someone to adapt to them…It does not matter what YOU think, it only matters what THEY think.
The Four Basic Styles:
A or “Analyzer”
B or “Buddy”
C or “Challenger”
D or “Demander”
Each style comes with its own set of dominant traits. For example, the Analyzer tends to be quieter, contemplative, data-oriented, less animated, whereas the Buddy tends to be more focused on personal needs and less on business. They may be involved in lots of social activities and it’s hard for them to say no. They will say yes immediately compared to the Analyzer who needs time to contemplate and analyze.
The Challenger is like a rubber ball in a room. They are involved in all kinds of activities and always seem to have way too much on their plate. They may seem aloof because they are simply too involved in everything else to take time out to listen to you. They love new ideas and will take one and run with it. If you make a statement, they will challenge it. The Demander is someone who may seem overbearing. They may not have much time for you, but when they will make a decision and they stick with it. They may not get caught up in the details although they will require them so be prepared to provide them. They will probably be the person who everyone goes to for their advice, even if they really didn’t want it as much as to appease the Demander’s perceived ego.
So, what’s the key? The key is to understand, objectively and honestly, how others perceive you. Why? Because you cannot make others change their style, but YOU can, however, alter your style. For example, if you’re a “Buddy” style (think about the traits you exhibit) and you’re communicating with the “Demander” you’re going to have to get focused! The Buddy has a tendency to wander off the highway and if they don’t immediately get back to the on-ramp with the Demander the conversation is likely to be a short one because the Demander doesn’t have time for small-talk. Likewise, if you’re an Analyzer and you’re communicating with the Buddy you’re going to have to be more expressive. You’re going to have to take a personal interest in them, and not what you’re selling. You’re going to have to take more time than you anticipated because the Buddy will, eventually wander. The trick will be to get the Buddy back to the on-ramp and onto the conversational highway without offending them.
Remember this…not all interviewers are created equal so it will be important to understand their style within minutes by utilizing and observing the three key components of communication identification: Verbal, Non-Verbal and Environmental. The third is one that I venture to say you have never been asked to consider until now. I go into more detail about environmental signals in my book.
So, what is your style? Whatever it is, if you know going in and you can identify the other person’s style you’ll be in a position to get into their comfort zone more quickly and increase the “like factor.” You’ll also be way ahead of your competition who choose to lead with their style rather than adapt to the interviewer’s.
This information is drawn from Bob Kinnison’ upcoming book: “What Are You Selling?”
Bob Kinnison is an author and Blogger and has been involved in recruiting and interviewing for more than twenty five years. He authored the book, “Interview Experts” and owns several successful web sites and Blogs serving up more than 10 million page views annually. He owns JobFairUSA.NET. You can reach Bob at jobfairusa@rockfordlink.com
Search more than 100,000 Jobs by CLICKING HERE!
Additionally, the unsightly job market is making college students rethink their entry into the real world. Instead, many students are continuing their education -- but they don't know if the extra credentials will help or hurt them when they do join the work force.
"The role that education level plays in your salary depends on the nature of the job and the relevance of your education," says Jim Brennan, senior associate at ERI Economic Research Institute. "A Ph.D. in physics won't earn you more money as a cab driver, but it will probably put you at the high end of the starting-pay scale for physical stress measurement technicians, and it may be merely an essential entry requirement for rocket scientists."
All else being equal, more formal education or advanced credentials in the specific field of work or occupational area will carry some weight in starting-salary offers -- how much difference will depend on the employers and their practices, Brennan adds. It's also important to remember that in this economy, the job market is more competitive than ever. While it may not boost your salary much in some cases, having higher education on your résumé certainly won't hurt.
Here's a look at how starting salaries can differ based on the degree type and level,* according to CBSalary.com.
Degree type: Accounting**
Bachelor's degree: $45,893
Master's degree: $50,468
Related careers: accountant, auditor, bookkeeping clerk, tax examiner, budget analyst, loan officer
Degree type: Art
Bachelor's degree: $34,460
Master's degree: $43,112
Related careers: art director, illustrator, animator, multimedia artist
Degree type: Biochemistry
Bachelor's degree: $38,511
Master's degree: $46,921
Related careers: agronomist, forensics specialist, geneticist, pharmacologist, environmental scientist
Degree type: Chemistry
Bachelor's degree: $45,385
Master's degree: $56,617
Related careers: waste management specialist, technical writer, science technician, food scientist
Degree type: Computer programming
Bachelor's degree: $50,985
Master's degree: $72,515
Related careers: computer systems analyst, computer programmer, computer scientist, computer systems designer
Degree type: Economics
Bachelor's degree: $47,326
Master's degree: $63,429
Related careers: economist, loan officer, financial manager, reporter
Degree type: Elementary teacher education
Bachelor's degree: $33,242
Master's degree: $43,997
Related careers: Any position within an elementary school
Degree type: Engineering
Bachelor's degree: $54,181
Master's degree: $69,752
Related careers: engineering technician, sales engineer, civil engineer, architect, drafter
Degree type: Finance
Bachelor's degree: $41,446
Master's degree: $50,468
Related careers: insurance underwriter; budget analyst; securities, commodities and financial services sales agent
Degree type: Foreign languages and literatures
Bachelor's degree: $37,113
Master's degree: $43,112
Related careers: teacher, writer, interpreter
Degree type: History
Bachelor's degree: $37,340
Master's degree: $43,112
Related careers: archivist, curator, librarian, researcher, political aide
Degree type: Human resources management
Bachelor's degree: $37,874
Master's degree: $56,094
Related careers: compensation and benefits; training and development; employment, recruitment and placement specialist
Degree type: Science management
Bachelor's degree: $49,116
Master's degree: $70,668
Related careers: operational researcher, investment analyst, market research analyst, transportation planner, systems analyst
Degree type: Mathematics
Bachelor's degree: $50,582
Master's degree: $57,471
Related careers: statistician, mathematician, actuary, cost estimator
Degree type: Philosophy
Bachelor's degree: $34,163
Master's degree: $43,112
Related careers: professor, lawyer, policy analyst, lobbyist, critic
Degree type: Physical sciences
Bachelor's degree: $31,258
Master's degree: $69,842
Related careers: animal scientist, hydrologist, meteorologist, engineer, fish and game warden
Degree type: Psychology
Bachelor's degree: $35,085
Master's degree: $37,528
Related careers: probation officer, correctional treatment specialist, career counselor, health educator, outreach coordinator
Degree type: Sociology
Bachelor's degree: $36,905
Master's degree: $38,749
Related careers: social worker, sociology teacher, market researcher, school counselor, public policy analyst
* The 2008 Starting Salary by Degree: Bachelors vs. Masters Index"explores salary offers for graduating students. The data in this index are broken down by type of major and type of degree (e.g. bachelors in engineering). Data are taken from CareerBuilder and SalaryExpert research, and represent starting salary offers for recent graduates in 2008.
**Please note that some majors are general and can be narrowed down to more specific areas of study.
By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Search more than 100,000 Jobs by CLICKING HERE!
I'm not sure I believe that. Try going on a diet and I guarantee that a freshly baked pizza will break your willpower whether you're on the second or the 45th day. Or maybe I'm just weak, and 21 days is all most people need.
I'm convinced, however, that workplace habits take a little longer to break. The little annoyances -- like the guy who picks his teeth with your letter opener -- aren't what I'm talking about. I'm thinking of the bigger offenses that require a complete change of your mindset. They're annoying to everyone else and they're actually damaging your career.
Here are eight work habits you need to break now.
1. The bad habit: Confusing casual with disrespectful.
Why it's bad: Feelings get hurt and reputations get damaged.
How to fix it: Ask yourself if what you say or do to your boss undermines his or her authority. Bosses aren't infallible, all-knowing creatures who can't be questioned. If you and your supervisor have a casual relationship filled with humor, you already know this. Nevertheless, he or she is your boss, and at the end of the day that's who makes the final decisions. When you begin to think of yourself as your boss's workplace equal, you cross a line that could damage your relationship.
Also, your boss probably has a boss, too. This means that calling him or her a nickname, or not being supportive of ideas in front of other people suggests you're the one running the show. It's important to remember that showing respect doesn't mean you need to be a "yes" man or woman who goes along with everything; it just means you should know what's appropriate for private conversations and what's appropriate for group settings.
2. The bad habit: Always doing the bare minimum.
Why it's bad: Anyone can just skate by, so you'll be easy to replace.
How to fix it: Not overextending yourself is admirable because not only do you preserve the quality of your work, but you also keep your sanity intact. Very few employers, however, want C+/B- workers. If you have a project due in one week and you're not particularly busy, moving at a snail's pace just because you can doesn't give a great impression.
Those clichés of going the extra mile and giving 110 percent are sometimes worthwhile. You're not likely to get promoted, get a raise or earn a glowing recommendation if your most notable accomplishment is just being there. Come up with new ideas, improve existing procedures and improve the quality of your work -- anything to assure that you're not just showing up for the paycheck.
3. The bad habit: Not budging from your job description.
Why it's bad: Obedience is great, but flexibility is better.
How to fix it: Job descriptions are rarely all-inclusive, so look at job postings with the understanding that your duties will shift over time. Ask anyone who's fortunate enough to be working today; this recession has redefined job titles in every industry. Yes, you were hired to do a specific job, but over time you could be asked to take on additional tasks or to transition into an entirely new role. Of course you don't have to, but realize that the job you were hired for might not be needed anymore, and asking you to adapt could be the company's way of keeping you around.
4. The bad habit: Forgetting what your job is.
Why it's bad: If you're not doing your job, then why are they paying you?
How to fix it: This is the flip side to the previously mentioned bad habit, and I know it's a fine line to walk. Being flexible to the company's needs is admirable, and others will notice. But if you spend more time doing things that distract you from getting relevant work done, you're just not doing your job. For example, if your company's e-mail policy is lax and you're allowed to receive personal messages, don't abuse it and spend more time planning tonight's party than doing your job. Hours on Facebook also don't count as work for most employees.
5. The bad habit: Ignoring the chain of command.
Why it's bad: You make people look bad, and come off as a brat.
How to fix it: Go through the proper channels to address concerns. Let's be clear -- if you're dealing with a serious, legal issue and your boss can't be trusted, then by all means get help however possible. But if you're griping about some personality conflicts or just want things done your way, address them with your boss before escalating your issues. If it's an HR issue, speak with your rep, not with the head of HR. If you go to higher-ups about an issue, they'll immediately wonder why your boss couldn't handle it (thus making him or her look bad) and why you had to make such an ordeal about it.
6. The bad habit: Operating on your own clock.
Why it's bad: Not everyone can work around your schedule.
How to fix it: Be punctual and dependable. Although deadlines and meeting times can be bothersome, you're probably not the only person they affect. Therefore, your tardiness inconveniences other people. It also gives you the appearance of an unreliable person, and no one really wants to work with that kind of colleague.
7. The bad habit: Badmouthing your colleagues.
Why it's bad: You never know who's listening.
How to fix it: You already know gossip is a no-no, but spreading negative opinions about a co-worker is just as bad as spreading hearsay. First, negativity gets old. Second, your opinion can get back to the people about whom you're talking. It might even get back to the boss, who may disagree with you or at least disagree with your attitude and hold it against you. If you need to vent, do it away from work.
8. The bad habit: Flaunting your connections.
Why it's bad: It's annoying, and they're not guaranteed to last forever.
How to fix it: Don't make a big deal about your enviable inroads. Bragging is tacky, and that's what you're doing when you keep namedropping the CEO's name. Plus, the person you're talking about might not want the relationship to be widely discussed since it could make others think favoritism is at play. More importantly, the CEO could move on to a new job, and suddenly that sway you thought you had with people is gone.
By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.
Search more than 100,000 Jobs by CLICKING HERE!
Your career isn't exactly like having a significant other, but some of the same rules apply. Coasting through your professional life without asking any questions of yourself or taking into account your ambitions can limit what you achieve. And it doesn't matter if you're at your first job or you're about to retire, you should always be thinking about where you are and what you want out of your job.
With that in mind, we put together some suggestions for workers at every stage of their careers. Many issues you face as a high school student aren't the same as what you'll face midcareer. But you'll also notice that some advice is relevant to you no matter what your age is. So here are some topics to think about as you navigate your career when ...
... you're still in high school:
Pick a job that doesn't interfere with school. First jobs can teach you about the value of work and earning a paycheck, but the real benefit is learning how to balance personal and work lives. At this age, you should be more focused on getting your education and a diploma than on climbing the corporate ladder.
Take your job seriously. Don't become a teenage workaholic, but don't shirk your responsibilities, either. Show up on time, perform your tasks and treat your boss with respect. It never hurts to have a good reference and a boss willing to have you back, maybe during your summer breaks during college or full-time when starting your career.
... you're still in college:
Find a job that relates to your major or your interests. Working and going to school isn't easy, and you'll be even less inclined to enjoy your job if it bores you. While you may not find your dream job right now, any opportunity to see if you enjoy working in your ideal industry is a good learning experience.
Look for internships. Now is a prime opportunity to get experience that can build into a full-time job after graduation, and it's also the one time in your life when you can live very cheaply. Internships don't often pay well or anything at all, but they often count for course credit and always build your résumé, so take advantage of them while you can.
Start job hunting a semester (or more) before graduation. Every May, the job market is flooded with new graduates ready and eager to find work. If you start sending out résumés, going on interviews and networking ahead of your classmates, you can have a job lined up before you even get your diploma. You can really enjoy walking across that stage even more when you've already accepted an offer.
Remember that you're a working student. Although a lot changes from high school to college, some things stay the same, namely, the need to remain focused on school and taking the job seriously. Don't forget to study for an exam because of work. (And don't forget to show up for work because you were having too much fun.)
... you're at your first "grown-up" job:
Learn from others. You're a sophisticated, likable person with great ideas; you're also the newbie. Don't be afraid to speak up and contribute to the team, but remember that you have a lot to learn from colleagues and your boss. They can teach you what to do and what not to do at that particular company and in the professional world.
Look for a good foundation. For the average worker, an entry-level job does not mark the beginning of a lifelong relationship with that particular employer. You're likely to have several jobs throughout your career, so don't look at a first job as if you're going to be there forever. Look for a job that interests you, offers networking opportunities and, most importantly, lets you develop skills that will help you down the road.
Don't burn your bridges. When you move on to a new job, do not e-mail your boss with a diatribe about what an incompetent fool she is. Don't tell your colleague how sorry you feel for him because he's still stuck in that prison of a company. Peaceful partings can ensure you have good references and a good reputation. (This advice is good for everyone, regardless of age.)
... you're in the middle of your career:
Assess your life goals. For a second, forget about your career and think about what you want your life to be, both now and in the future. Are you on track to achieve what you want? This isn't just about a work/life balance, but also an opportunity to see if your job situation helps you achieve the personal goals and lifestyle you want.
Take stock of your professional worth. Midcareer is a vague period because it comes at different points for many people and not everyone's professional life progresses at the same pace. So, this period isn't about your specific age as it is about the status of your career.
At this stage, you've had at least one job, if not several, and are accruing experience and expertise in a field. Ask yourself what your résumé would look like if you were to job hunt right now. What are your strongest skills? Where do you need improvement? What career opportunities would be available to you? Now is the time for you to decide if you need to change directions or if you're happy with your situation.
... you can retire:
Decide what you want your golden years to look like. The template of what retirement should look like is long gone. Today, mature workers are taking different paths when it comes to their careers, and you can decide what works best for you.
Because people are living longer, many older workers have no desire to leave the work force and spend another 10 or 20 years at home. Instead, some are scaling back to part-time jobs with their current employers. They still get a paycheck and the company retains their expertise. Others are switching professions entirely and venturing into their dream jobs now that they have the time and money to do so.
Decide what you need to have the life you want: Some mature workers can't afford to leave their full-time jobs, even if they wanted to, due to financial needs. As you get older, you have to plan for the cost of health care, medicine and other living expenses, none of which is cheap. Deciding what your future looks like should account for your ideal situation and inevitable factors.
By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Search more than 100,000 Jobs by CLICKING HERE!
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