5 Things to Quit to Make You Happier at Work

5 Things to Quit to Make You Happier at Work If you want to be happier at work, quit doing these 5 things. Yes, really! Forests have been demolished with the amount of paper that has been taken up by books written about things to do to be happy at work, and in your life overall. My opinion? I think it has been an awful waste! I would say that 10% of those books have been great, 50% are pretty ok, and the other 40% absolute rubbish!  However, I have not come across too many that talk about things NOT to do! Maybe it is just me, but I learn best by not just knowing what I should do, but also by what I should not do!  So, in the interests of those like me, here is a list of 5 things to quit doing â€" and I promise you that not doing these will make you happier at work: 1) Being fearful: By: Piernicola Fear is something that is so prevalent, but no one wants to talk about it. People fear losing their jobs, not getting their targets, not getting that promotion â€" and even, people finding out that they are not as good as they think they are. They are afraid to start that new business, go for that new job, change their career, and what happens? They do nothing!  They do not take that first step today because they are afraid that this is not the right moment, the right time of the year etc. Now is the right moment â€" take the first step today! 2) Moaning: Moaning about anything only makes you feel worse â€" along those who have to listen to you.  There will always be something that is wrong or not to your satisfaction, but don’t moan â€" do something to correct it! Focus on doing whatever it takes to make it right. Also, don’t participate in general moaning â€" be the one who demands that you all do something about it. Show real leadership! 3) Interrupting: Let others speak! Yes, I know you have loads of pearls of wisdom to share with all in sundry, but remember the golden rule â€" if you want to be listened to, you must first be a good listener. No one listens to the orator on the soap box! So, practice the art of listening, and then you will become the person whose opinions are valued. Strange, isnt it? Also, just so we are clear â€" being silent is not the same as listening! For most, when they are silent they are not listening, just thinking of what they are going to say next! 4) Lecturing: There is nothing worse than being that boring “know it all” who keeps telling others what they should know, and, by definition, what he or she knows! I have seen it far too often as people progress in their careers. They take on the air of the pontificator and the fountain of all knowledge. Very often it is well meaning, but it just doesn’t work â€" you sound like a bore! The sad thing? Even when you do have something to contribute, no one is taken a blind piece of notice! Share knowledge with humility, don’t lecture! 5) Not letting go: Last, but not least, and this one is a biggie! Let’s be honest this challenges us all! Not letting go creates such a bad atmosphere and destroys the culture you want. We all work in teams, and not letting go destroys any hope of that team growing and flourishing. We all make mistakes, we all get things wrong â€" so forgive and move on. If you don’t you will let this become a cancer in your business â€" and I don’t say that lightly or glibly What would you add to this list?

Key Skills Resume - Writing Your Key Skills Down

Key Skills Resume - Writing Your Key Skills DownOne of the most important things you can do when writing a key skills resume is to write your skills down. There is nothing worse than waiting for someone to call and ask for more information about you. If you've written up all of your key skills you should be able to present them in front of anyone who wants to talk to you.You'll want to be sure that you write down all of your key skills. There are numerous free online services available that will help you in this process. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the company or you can search for your key skills by using one of the many websites that provide this information.Writing down your key skills should take you no longer than fifteen minutes. However, writing down your key skills can take you hours if you have many different skills to cover. Using a pen and paper will cut the time in half. If you are planning on taking some time out of your busy schedule to write your ke y skills down you should do it right away.When writing your key skills you should write down each of your key skills as it comes to you. You'll want to use more than one skill at a time, but don't put everything down in one day. You'll want to combine different skills into groups to save time.The process of writing down your key skills will also make it easier to organize them when you are reviewing your resume. If you're going through a lot of information you might start to see the same phrases over again. Don't worry, you'll be doing this throughout the process of writing your key skills resume.As you review your resume keep in mind that there are two different types of resume formats. Most people do not realize that they can make their resume the way they want it to look. The first type of resume format is what is known as a chronological resume.The second type of resume format is known as an objective resume. In order to make a chronological resume you'll want to create a sequen ce of items and then put them into one section of your resume. Using this type of format will allow you to have only one page to review before sending it in.If you're unsure which format to use on your resume, try both out and see which one you like the best. Most people prefer the chronological format but sometimes it's good to see what other people are using so you can determine how it looks. So when you're writing your key skills resume, don't be afraid to experiment with different formats.

Five ways to feel less guilty quitting and why Gen Y feels guilt giving notice

Five ways to feel less guilty quitting and why Gen Y feels guilt giving notice I write posts about how to quit because so many people ask me for advice, but I marvel that this is such a big issue. I have no memory of any of my Gen-X peers having this problem. Maybe because when we were in our twenties there were not jobs to consider quitting. But I think the real issue is that Gen Y is one of the most loyal generations to come along in a while. Just because young people job hop constantly doesnt mean they are not loyal. In fact, the reason they job hop is undying loyalty to the values their parents raised them with: Value your time (remember those overscheduled after-school superstars?) and always learn new things (Gen Y is the most educated generation, ever). So Generation Y leaves a job when there is not great personal growth. But in each job they have, they are great at asking people to help them, so they generally feel guilt when they leave one of those people for a new job offer because Gen Y feels loyal to people who help them. And, one more guilt factor: Gen Y are great team players. Team players in a way that Gen X and the Baby Boomers cant touch. So quitting a job to Gen Y is jilting the team, and they feel bad. Mangers need to understand these issues when a young person is quitting. That young person probably has a lot of guilt, and you could make their life better by congratulating them on their new move and thanking them for their work and assuring them things will be fine when they leave. If you are a young person worrying about quitting, though, heres a reality check. The company is going to be fine when you leave. Theres no need for guilt. And heres why: 1. Money talks. And at the entry level it says: Easily replaced. If you are paid a low salary then the office is not going to be disabled if you leave. If you are so important and so difficult to replace then they can pay more and hire someone quickly. Thats why essential people are highly paid. 2. If you have a good boss, your boss knew you were looking. Most people under 30 are job hunting at least passively all the time. It should not be news to your boss that you are in an entry level job and would quit if someone offered you a better job. And if you are entry level then most jobs are better than what you have, so the odds of you leaving at any moment are huge, no matter how nice your boss is to you. 3. Your company has little loyalty to you. If your company laid you off, theyd give you two weeks notice. Thats how the work world works. Play by the rules. Give two weeks notice. If your boss is so desperate without you she can double your salary to keep you there, right? And she probably wont do that. The two weeks rule is there because once people know about an upcoming separation, the workplace dynamic changes, and the less time you have to deal with this dynamic the more productive everyone will be. 4. Good mentors care about you and want to see you grow. If someone has been a good mentor to you then you owe it to them not to screw them. This means, dont let them go to bat for you to like, get you a raise if youre quitting the next day. But if someone has been a good mentor and you have been a good mentee, then you dont owe the person more than telling him or her when you have a new job. Two weeks is fine. 5. A dont-ask-dont-tell approach works. Do not tell your boss you are looking for a new job when you do not have a new job. There is nothing she can do in response to that. She cant hire someone new yet, because youre not gone and you have no idea when youll actually get another job. So telling her doesnt help anyone, it just adds tension at work.

How to be a Successful Career Woman

How to be a Successful Career Woman The past few years have seen a huge focus on women: their rights, their voices, their ambitions and their importance on societies around the world. So it is no surprise that 2016 marked a year when a woman was a serious contender in the elections for the US President. Although every woman has her own definition of success, certain traits tie the most successful women together. The first thing those women do is surround themselves with other ambitious women who also share the same ambitions and strive to succeed. If you are an aspiring career woman, here are certain traits you should possess and nurture: Be Passionate About What You Do If you are not passionate about what you do, no amount of skill or work will make you hugely successful. If you do not love what you do, you will not feel motivated to put in the extra work that is needed. However, when you put passion, drive and zeal into your work, you will do the extra work effortlessly and move up the company ladder fast. People who love their careers go to work with a smile and that is the foundation for success. Do Not Expect Perfection Do not demand excellence from yourself or anyone around you. Wasting your valuable time trying to achieve the ever-elusive perfection, will only cause frustration, dissatisfaction and confidence loss. Beating yourself up over your shortcomings will only dampen your ability and willingness to work, and also affect your mental health. Successful women know they cannot do everything right all the time; they accept it and learn from it. Be Your Own Boss The most successful women have figured out that being the leader allows them to set their own rules. As you rise higher in a workplace, you will get more control which will ultimately lead to success. When you are in control, you can create a happier, more organized and more balanced workplace for yourself as well as your employees. Believe in Yourself Believing in your success is an integral part of achieving it. No matter how crazy your ideas might seem right now, believe in your abilities and fight to get your voice heard. Doing so will give you the confidence and the drive you need to carry out your idea. Do not be Afraid to Take Risks As a woman who wants to go far in life, ask yourself how far you would go if you were not afraid of anything. If you want to affect change in your career, you need to steer clear from the safest path towards a steady income and choose the path less traveled. Successful women do not make careless decisions, however, they take calculated risks after careful planning and research. Know That To Succeed, You Must Fail ‘In order to succeed you must fail, so that you know what not to do the next time’ is the perfect mantra you should embrace. Failure is a stepping-stone to success, especially if you are trying something new. Prepare yourself that you will not make it in life without taking a few tumbles. The important thing to remember is to get up after each fall, learn from your mistakes, devise a new plan and go at it again. Take Care of Yourself If you hope to succeed, take care of your health and body. Regular exercise can help relieve stress, increase energy levels and release endorphins. Instead of taking out your stress on everyone at work, work it out of your system through exercise. By getting rid of all the negative energy will provide room for fresh, new energy that you can harness and transfer into your work. Schedule Some Alone Time Most women tend to put housework and domestic responsibilities above their own needs. However, make room in your hectic schedule for some alone time to recharge your batteries and stay motivated for achieving your goals. Taking a mini vacation during your not-so-busy days would be a perfect outlet. While you are at it, treat yourself to some luxury by researching online and maybe finding empty leg flights on a private jet to take you to that vacation spot or scheduling a spa day in that 5 star hotel you booked for your vacation. Sometimes living a luxury lifestyle even just for a week or ten days can put you in that mindset necessary for great success.

Writing a Good Resume For No Experience

Writing a Good Resume For No ExperienceWriting a good resume for no experience is difficult, but it doesn't have to be impossible. Many companies are looking for people who have some kind of experience that will help them make a decision about hiring a person. For example, if you don't have much work experience, you might have to write a lot of material that goes over what you have done before in your past jobs. You can even highlight how you got along with others, which will show your background of different kinds of relationships.It doesn't matter what kind of experience you have. As long as you can prove that you can perform the duties that are asked of you. There is nothing wrong with being more specific than you have been about the type of work you have done in the past. Some people feel that they must write everything they have done, which takes up too much time and energy. However, having to write a certain amount on your resume means that you are already demonstrating that yo u know how to do the job.So how do you write a good resume for no experience? One way is to add sections that focus on each job you have had. You can use all of your past jobs as references, and this can help you show that you have done well at all of them.Think about how your work has been compared to that of your previous employers. Was there anything that stood out that caused your current employer to want to hire you? These examples will be excellent references that can help you when you are writing your current resume.Also, do not forget to use the previous job as a springboard to explain how you can excel at the job that you are applying for. If you wrote a good job description, then you might as well continue to build upon that with your resume.In addition to the sections about your previous experiences, also consider including information about your interests and hobbies. You can show how your personality has made you a good candidate for a variety of roles.As long as you in clude each section from your past employers, you will be able to showcase your strengths. However, if you have no prior work experience, you may be surprised by how the employers of the future will see you. This could actually help you land the job that you are looking for.A good resume for no experience will require you to know what to include, but with a little preparation, it is possible to get the job that you want. Try to ensure that you include as much of your skills and personality as possible, but don't worry if you don't have anything to offer.

How to perfect the lost art of the job-hunting email - Debut

How to perfect the lost art of the job-hunting email - Debut Email gets a bad rep these days. From disruptors like Slack trying to kill email dead and recruiters increasingly using tech and social channels to listen to the kids, bro, it seems that the ol job-hunting email doesnt have a place in this world. Brenda (our community manager) and I are pretty prime examples of that whole phenomenon, having got our jobs through Twitter and Facebook respectively. But is it really time to put a fork through email and just have recruiters Snap us instead (like this university did)? The answer is no. Like CVs, emails are an archaic but vital part of the job hunt. Youll have to send one to your potential recruiters at some point during the process. That said, here are some tips courtesy of careers author Jon Gregory to ensure you dont fall at that all-important first hurdle. Get the structure right Weve called this an art in the title but truthfully, its more of a science. It was never going to be as simple as bashing in some variation of erm yeah, I want a job. As Jon says, When you respond to a job ad, the company is trying to recruit a professional, so be that person. When youre putting together the meat  per se of the email remember to focus on two things. Why you want to work for this company rather than anyone else What you can do for them  that no-one else can Seems formulaic, but its more efficient to deal with a communication built around a predictable format and your potential employer will thank you. Theres still plenty of room to express yourself. And bear in mind, the person youre writing to doesnt know that you can fully grasp this. Show them you can be concise, yet informative, and youll immediately have their attention. Format on fleek As celebrated philosophers OutKast said in the year 2000, your job-hunting email needs to be so fresh and so clean format-wise. You can’t be sure what device, operating system and email client the recipient will be using, so complicated fonts and styles is an unnecessary risk. A good rule of thumb, according to Jon, is to format for easy reading on a mobile screen as it will cover all of your bases. And so we say unto you, Debutants: use white space, bullets and bold typeface to your benefit, just as you would on a CV. Correct punctuation, spelling and grammar, it goes without saying, is absolutely crucial too. Related: 11 email hacks for busy people that actually work Watch that tone Remember: no-one has to do anything for you, least of all reply to your email. The right wording and the proper addressing can do things for your application that your content cant. To get this right, its important to again air on the side of convention. You have no idea what the person on the end of your email is like. You have no idea what their pet hates or deal-breakers are. Its best to be cautious rather than take a risk and put your foot in it The advice Jon Gregory gives is If you imagine how nervous and conservative you’d be, meeting your prospective in-laws for the first time, you’ll be in the right frame of mind when drafting that door-opening email. So basically, be calm and courteous on the surface, with the fear of Gods furious wrath underneath it all. Nail your first (and last) impression Speaking of pet hates and deal-breakers, there are so many things that can go wrong on the way in or on the way out of a job-hunting email. Before you even get to the content, making sure your email address is set for the gruelling task. If youre using the old Bebo e-mail from your teens for formal business messages STOP. YOU ARE NOT READY. What potential employer wouldnt be terrified to receive an email from MCRmyvampire69@btinternet.com? While were still on intros, using Sir/Madam when you have the name of the person youre writing to? Not a good look. As for the sign off, stay away from abrupt or overly colloquial phrases like cheers or thoughts? if you like gainful employment. Make it yours       To make your brand bankable, you need to make yourself distinctive, genuine and interesting, advises Jon, and hes got a point. Crucially, email gives you the space to do that, unlike many social media and messaging apps. Express yourself as much as you can within the structure. When youre communicating all the information to an employer, dont be dry about it. Get as much personality in it as you can. What do you believe in? What are your goals and how do they apply to the company? Look to answer these questions to your job-hunting email and  dont be afraid to include links to work youve done and social media profiles. Those quirky things you include could make all the difference. Download the Debut app and connect with top graduate employers in an instant. Connect with Debut on Facebook and Twitter

Summary Sunday Modernize Your Career Job Search

Summary Sunday Modernize Your Career Job Search If you plan to look  for a new job anytime soon, you will want to modernize your career and job search techniques! Online visibility happens to be too important to ignore. Here are five  popular posts you dont want to miss. There are some common  problems we all try to tackle throughout our career. How can we get promoted, how can we get noticed for our achievements, how can we build career stability and a myriad of other day-to-day challenges like allocating time efficiently (otherwise known as time management), hating to network (or schmooze), and feeling good about who we are and what we do. Yep, there are  even  more problems that get in our head and slow us down. Thats why I write about this stuff and share what I share. CAREER Never Forget A Name Again: 7 Tricks by  Jessica Stillman (@EntryLevelRebel) | Inc. JOB SEARCH The New Process for Landing a New Job  by Susan Joyce (@JobHuntOrg) | Huffington Post BLOGGING ONLINE VISIBILITY Why Having A Blog Can Jumpstart Your Career | CareerCloud (@Career_Cloud) 6 Dos and Donts for Promoting Your Blog and Using Social Media  by Ted Rubin (@TedRubin)  |  Dynamic Signal ONLINE REPUTATION You Are Your Google Search Result by Ryan Rhoten (@RyanRhoten) This is a post AND a podcast.

Sc-sc-scary Resume Mistakes

Sc-sc-scary Resume Mistakes **I am a member of the Career Collective, a group of resume writers and career coaches.   Each month, all members discuss a certain topic.   This month, we are talking about scary career or resume mistakes. Please follow our tweets on Twitter #careercollective.   You can also view the other member’s interesting posts at the end of the article. +++ Executive or senior level positions are a different animal when compared to others. More than a simple experience, those applying for senior or executive positions have to be better, faster and more creative than the competition. Even the smallest of errors can quickly become roadblocks to future success. Understanding how to avoid scary resume mistakes is critical for those that hope to land a plum position. Luckily, the scariest of these mistakes are also the easiest to avoid…if you simply know what you are looking for. Grammar: Sounds simple, but grammar and spelling errors can be the worst resume mistake. Poorly written resumes do not advertise the applicant as a qualified individual; instead, they advertise you as lazy, unobservant and possibly illiterate. This mistake is the easiest of all to avoid. Do not rely on spell check alone; instead ask a qualified friend or professional to review the resume for you as well. Poorly written objectives/career summaries: The career summary portion of a resume is often easy to overlook. Job seekers erroneously assume that those reading the resumes often ignore the section. Instead, the summary is your first and best chance to not only state your objective, but to add a sense of whom you are. Avoiding a poorly written career summary starts with putting in the appropriate amount of time writing it. Remain clear and focused on what you want to do, what you excel at, and what you can do for the reader. It is also a good idea to personalize summaries for specific jobs or positions. Hiding crucial information: Functional resumes sometimes seem like they are hiding information about the job seekers accomplishments and skill sets by ignoring the standard chronological format. If functional is still your choice, consider creating a hybrid functional/chronological resume that will please all types of readers. Being too general: Creating a generalized resume to use for every new opportunity is a mistake. Today, a general resume isn’t enough. Instead, develop a well written, grammatically correct base resume and personalize it for each new position. Carefully tweaking skills, highlighting different accomplishments and other critical areas more maximum impact is the best way to optimize your exposure to specific potential employers. Honest and Accuracy: “Everyone embellishes their resumes a little bit â€" right?”  While that may be true for some people, inaccurate statements or outright wrong information is a mistake and not smart to do. Today’s employers are choosing from a pool of potential employees that is bigger than ever. Be sure that the information contained in your resume is accurate. Be honest and forthright in your answers. Honesty does matter. Don’t be one of the fools who use embellishment to make their resume stand outâ€"and then get caught later. Creating resumes that make an impact doesn’t have to be difficult. Spending adequate time, making use of a proofreader, being honest and carefully choosing your format and the information you present is the best way to avoid scary resume or career mistakes. ++++++++++   Read below for more resume and career advice from the Career Collective!   Where Are the Wild Things, Anyway?, @WorkWithIllness Is Your Job Search Making You Feel Like a Smashed Pumpkin?, @DebraWheatman Hiding in Plain Sight, @WalterAkana, Dont make these frightful resume mistakes, @LaurieBerenson How Not to Be a Spooky Job Seeker, @heathermundell A Tombstone Resume:Eulogizing Your Experience, @GayleHoward The Top Ten Scary Things Job Seekers Do, @barbarasafani Oh, Job Search Isnt Like Trick or Treating?, @careersherpa A Most Unfortunate Resume Mistake No One Will Tell You, @chandlee Oh no. Not the phone!, @DawnBugni Halloween Caution: Job Seeker Horror, @resumeservice Boo! Are you scaring away opportunities or the competition? @MartinBuckland @EliteResumes Your Career Brand: A Scary Trick or an Appealing Treat?, @KCCareerCoach How to avoid mistakes on your resume, @Keppie_Careers Sc-sc-scary Resume Mistakes, @erinkennedycprw A Flawed Resume is a Scary Prospect, @KatCareerGal Job Search Angst: Like Clouds Mounting Before a Storm, @ValueIntoWords Does Your Career Costume Fit You?, @expatcoachmegan