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Tackling Costly Celebrations at Work

By Job Journey on Friday, April 22, 2011

Adding celebrations like birthdays, wedding or baby showers, and other milestones into the mix of regular office life is a balancing act. Celebrating special moments together is an important part of team building. But, such festivities can sometimes cause stress, distractions, and even a financial burden. With wedding season just around the corner, keeping the following tips in mind will ensure you not only survive celebrating in the office, but truly enjoy yourself during the process.

Don’t make it a competition.
Believe it or not, your work ability will not be judged based on your involvement in planning work parties and giving the best gifts. Although you may receive accolades for a generous donation of time, most likely you won’t be receiving a raise or promotion for your input on your co-worker’s wedding shower. Set realistic boundaries regarding what time and energy you can devote to the planning process. Consider other obligations including work, family, and life. Don’t feel the need to devote more time than necessary, neglecting more important duties, for the perfect company celebration.

Remember, work comes first.
Although these parties are a great way for the office to unwind and escape the daily grind, work tasks still take priority. Never allow parties to come before finishing a project, meeting with a client, or completing necessary duties. Learning to balance work, along with your other responsibilities, will show your boss that you deserve the occasional break!

Have a budget and stick to it.
Occasional splurging is quite understandable, but with all the different festivities at work, spending large amounts consistently is unrealistic on your wallet. Talk with your co-workers and see who is interested in giving a group gift. Consider shopping sale aisles, discount stores, or even making your own presents. The old saying, “it’s the thought that counts,” still holds true.

Company celebrations can be a time of fun and relaxation, or a time of stress and financial strain. Remember to realistically set boundaries regarding your time, work, and money and you could be the life of the party!

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7 Perks to Embracing a Positive Attitude

By Job Journey on Friday, April 1, 2011

Enjoy your job, feel healthier, and improve your relationships. These goals aren’t out of reach. In fact, the power to achieve each one lies with you.

Your outlook on life impacts the way you see the world and how the world sees you. Revamp your attitude, and reap the rewards of greater personal and professional satisfaction.

Come on, get happy.
When you focus on what’s good in your life – instead of what’s missing – you’re more thankful and fulfilled. Need help looking on the bright side? Try spending more time with positive people, listening to upbeat music, and reading motivational books. Whenever it’s up to you, avoid situations and individuals who bring you down. Even small tweaks to your routine can lift your spirits.

Beat stress.
When you commit to a positive outlook, the worries of the day don’t seem nearly as overwhelming. Focusing on the silver lining keeps daily nuisances like traffic jams and computer problems from ruining your day. If you start feeling frustrated, take a quick time out to close your eyes, count to 10, and take a few deep breaths.

Improve your health.
Stress wreaks havoc on your physical and mental well-being. A sunny disposition may not be the cure-all for every ailment, but studies consistently show that a positive attitude promotes better health. If you’re having a difficult time managing your stress, look for ways to get relief. Join a gym, take up a relaxing hobby, or find someone you can talk to about your tension. Make reducing stress and positive thinking a priority in your life, and you’ll see results.

Strengthen relationships.
Upbeat people are easier to get along with and more fun to be around. Strive to make your co-workers’ day brighter and your boss’ job easier. As an added bonus, your efforts will pay off with a more enjoyable workplace filled with happier colleagues.

Boost your career.
As motivational speaker Zig Ziglar once said, “It is your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude.” Another way to say it is: positive people are more likely to get ahead in life. When you’re excited about showing up for work each day, you’ll inspire co-workers and impress your supervisor. Even if it feels insincere at first, resolve to smile, quit grumbling, and encourage others. Soon, you’ll find cheerfulness comes more naturally.

Increase your job satisfaction.
Every job has rough patches. Instead of focusing on what you don’t like, concentrate on what you do enjoy. You may not have the job you’ve always dreamed of, but with a change of perspective, you may find that your current position has a lot to offer. A brighter outlook will allow you to make the most of any situation and improve your overall contentment.

Experience a greater work-life balance.
When you’re constantly complaining about work, it detracts from your personal life. Venting every now and then is okay – just don’t make a habit of it. Try to keep your shop talk limited to topics such as your future goals, interesting projects, or light-hearted events of the day.

While you can’t control everything in life, your outlook is one thing you do have power over. When you commit to seeing the glass half full, the world suddenly seems brighter. Not only will you experience less, stress and better health, you’ll also benefit from improved relationships and greater career satisfaction.

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How to Save Face When You Make a Ghastly Mistake

By Job Journey on Tuesday, December 21, 2010

As 2010 comes to a close, various “Top 10” lists start making the news. Top 10 Headlines. Top 10 Influential People. Top 10 Sports Memories.

There is even a Top 10 Public Relations Blunders List issued by a prominent San Francisco PR firm that features botched product recalls, free speech fallout, and one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history. These blunders indicate that ghastly mistakes happen on the job everyday and everywhere.

But what happens when you make a ghastly mistake at work? How will you recover, especially when you are the new kid on the block? When you make a mistake, here are four tips that will help you save face and possibly your job.

Admit your mistake. This might be the hardest step, but admitting you made a mistake is necessary. When you own up to your oversight, your co-workers are more likely to forgive you. They will probably even pitch in to help you correct your error. Blaming others won’t correct the situation nor will it make the problem go away. Instead, playing the blame game will only waste precious time and will most likely upset your co-workers.

Regain your composure. You won’t be able to logically correct your misstep until you regain your composure. Remain calm and try to retrace your steps. This will help you identify where things went wrong.

Tell your supervisor. It’s imperative to inform your supervisor of your mistake first. It is better that your supervisor hears the news from you than a co-worker or a customer.

Develop a corrective action plan. Work with your supervisor to develop a plan to help change or fix the situation. Despite your blunder, working on an action plan will demonstrate to your supervisor that he or she made the right decision in hiring you. Pay attention to details as you work through your action plan and offer to be responsible for carrying out the plan.

Because we’re all human, mistakes are bound to happen. The key is to take responsibility for the mistakes you make, and most importantly, learn and grow from them. As someone once said, “If you aren’t making mistakes, you aren’t doing anything.” So the next time you mess up at work, take it in stride and see it as the opportunity it is, to learn from the mistakes you make.

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All Onboard! Wow Your Employer In 90 Days or Less

By Miranda Wilson on Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The first day on a new job can re-ignite the feelings of the first day of school. Your nerves are jittery. Your heart is beating fast. Your breathing is shallow. Thoughts race through your head like, “Will my co-workers like me?” or “What if I mess up or don’t know what I’m doing?” After you’ve been through all the interviews and reference checks, you finally have landed the job. Now, it’s all systems go. It’s time to show your new employer what you’re made of and reinforce the reasoning behind why you were hired.

From the minute you walk through the door on that first day of your new job, your onboarding process has begun. Traditionally, it’s during the first three months of employment where you’re expected to learn the ropes and become familiar with your job and the goals of your company and department. This is your chance to shine, so here are a few tips to help win over your new employer in 90 days or less.

Stay calm. As easy as it is to let the newness of everything overwhelm you, try to remain calm. Instead of dwelling on “what ifs” think about what you can do. There was a reason why you got offered the job over other potential candidates. You have the skills, so just remind yourself of that fact.

Have a positive attitude. Not only will your employer be watching you during these first 90 days, but your teammates will be too. It’s important to have a positive attitude at all times. When you first meet your co-workers, extend a confident handshake, make eye contact, smile, and let them know how glad you are to be part of the team. These signals will help break the ice and communication barriers, letting others know you’re approachable. Continue to remain positive as you go about your daily job. Know that every new job brings challenges. A good attitude is contagious – it just takes one person before it starts to catch on with others.

Also, get to know your co-workers. These individuals can help you learn the ropes at your new job and answer any questions you may have, so start now by developing a good relationship with them.

Familiarize yourself with department processes. You’re joining a team that already has a work plan outlined. What is that plan and how do you fit into it? Learn how the team functions. Some basics include discovering if there is a clock-in/clock-out process, designated times for going to lunch or taking breaks, safety procedures, codes for using the printer, and more. Ask questions early on so you can quickly get up to speed and not accidentally step on anyone’s toes because you didn’t know the rules.

Learn your responsibilities. What is your job description? Ask your manager if you can have a copy for your personal records so you know exactly what’s expected of you. The tasks on your job description will play a major role in determining whether or not you’ve achieved your goals when it comes to review time.

Have regular meetings with your manager. Your supervisor can provide you with great feedback as he or she helps you learn the laws of the land around the office. Seek out your supervisor’s guidance. If your manager doesn’t normally meet one-on-one with employees, ask if it’s a possibility. Knowing what you’re doing right or what you need to correct can help you keep moving in the right direction. Come to each meeting prepared with any questions you may have or achievements you would like to celebrate. Doing this shows your boss that you have initiative and you want to do your job well.

After the interview’s over, employers have a whole new set of expectations they need from you as an employee. The 90-day trial period is the time for them to bring you up to speed and gradually immerse you into your new career. It’s a test to see what you can do – but you can ace it with flying colors with these helpful tips.

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Tough Conversations with Your Boss: Surviving the Uncomfortable

By Brie Hobbs on Thursday, July 15, 2010

You agonize over it. You try to prepare for it. You put it off. And then you worry some more. Having conversations with your boss about sensitive subjects like admitting a mistake or requesting a raise is sometimes uncomfortable. And, gearing up for a difficult conversation can be a little bit like preparing for battle. It’s hard to know what you’ll face.

See Dwight Schrute’s action packed effort to get ready to ask for a raise on The Office.

But, tough conversations are an inevitable part of the workplace. At one time or another, you will probably be faced with an awkward conversation with a supervisor or co-worker. By choosing to address your concerns – instead of ignoring them – with your manager, you could open the door for big progress in your career, like improvements in your relationship with your boss, broken processes, your attitude, and even your paycheck. Plus, how you handle a difficult conversation with your boss now can be a great learning experience for future conversations you could have as a leader or supervisor in the future.

To help you effectively handle a tough conversation with your boss, Express is excited to share a free podcast training series on difficult workplace conversations. So, before your next uncomfortable conversation with your supervisor, gear up with these tips and advice to make discussions a little bit easier.

Clarifying Priorities
When your workload is overwhelming and your task list seems endless, things can quickly get out of hand. Having a clear understanding of your work priorities and deadlines is important. When you need direction on your responsibilities, have a conversation with your boss to keep things from falling through the cracks. Knowing exactly what’s expected of you will allow you to do your job as efficiently as possible. When you meet with your manager, be specific and honest about your concerns. Together, come up with a solution that works for you both. Check out this podcast for tips and advice on having a tough conversation about priorities with your boss.

Admitting a Mistake
Admitting that you’ve made a mistake can be one of the most difficult conversations to have. It’s always hard to swallow your pride and tell someone you messed up. But, instigating a conversation about a mistake you made is far better than being confronted about it later. If you’ve made an error that could affect your company or co-workers, don’t try to hide it. Be proactive and take responsibility. Be honest with your supervisor no matter how difficult it may feel and admit your mistake. The longer you put it off the bigger the issue could become. Together you can come up with a solution to help prevent a future mistake from occurring. Listen to this podcast for the right way to admit a mistake at work.

Requesting a Raise
Asking for a pay raise can be uncomfortable no matter the economic environment. But, if you feel your diligent work merits a pay raise, don’t be afraid to talk to your supervisor about it. Most employers want to retain top talent and understand that having competitive wages is necessary to keep their employees. Before you talk with your boss, be sure you’re prepared to explain the reasons why you feel you deserve a raise and be able to give evidence to support it. If you want a pay raise, listen to this podcast before you meet with your boss.

Difficult conversations don’t have to feel like a battle. You can make your tough conversations with your boss easier by following the advice of the Tough Conversations podcast series. For more information on having difficult discussions with your supervisor or leader, visit jobs.expresspros.com.

Please note, the video clips herein and their sponsors do not necessarily represent the views of Express and are used for educational purposes only.

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How Bad Are Awful Co-Workers?

By tiffany monhollon on Friday, April 30, 2010

You’ve heard about bad bosses. They can stunt your career and make work miserable. But bad co-workers can do their damage in the workplace, too, by spreading gossip, causing drama, and piling work up on teammates.

So now we want to know, just how bad are bad co-workers?

Do you have a story of a bad employee that’s truly unbelievable?
We’re helping best-selling author Jim Stovall, who wrote 100 Worst Bosses, collect stories for his latest book, 100 Worst Employees. You can submit your story now – all names will be changed to protect the identity of those involved. If your story is selected for the book, you’ll receive a signed copy of the book when it’s released!

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Could Your Cubemate be Your Next Boss?

By Brie Hobbs on Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Eight hours a day, five days a week, you share workspace with your co-workers and peers. During the work week, you discover their habits and quirks, and they discover yours. You go to lunch together. You celebrate birthdays and company milestones. You discuss office politics and swap stories about your boss. You develop routines and adjust to the customs and dynamics of the team. And, you learn to like – or dislike – your co-workers, depending on their personality and yours. Either way, you all learn to work together. But, what happens when the dynamics change and your office comrade – or worse, your office enemy – becomes your boss?

When a peer or co-worker is promoted above you, the adjustment can be difficult, no matter how amiable your rapport has been. Following these tips could make the transition smoother for yourself, your new boss, and your entire team.

Be Respectful. Choosing to respect your superiors and co-workers alike is always a good idea. It may not always be the easiest task – especially if you’ve seen them at their worst, like during an out-of-hand office Christmas party. But, showing respect to everyone you encounter is well worth it. When you demonstrate respect, they’ll often give you the same respect in return. And, respecting your co-workers from the start will help prevent any awkwardness should one of them become your boss in the future. Even if you feel a new boss doesn’t deserve your respect, their new position demands it. So, demonstrate your respect by being conscious of your speech, habits, and attitude when you’re at the water cooler or break room, during meetings, in the cube, and throughout the day.

Be Patient. Remember that your newly appointed boss is new to their job, so cut them some slack. Even the most experienced managers and executives make mistakes. Just like you, they’re only human, and errors and oversights will happen. So, be patient while they’re figuring things out.

Your manager may feel the need to institute some professional distance from peers once they’ve been promoted. Follow their lead and allow the relationship’s dynamic to evolve. Understand that your new boss may need to establish some clout and influence with the team in the beginning. Patience is a virtue and an asset your supervisors value, so don’t sweat the office politics, changes, and adjustments. Instead, take it in stride.

Feel like you’re losing your patience? Check out these tips to regain your serenity at work.

Be Flexible. Employers want and need flexible employees because life and work often require it. Be a flexible employee who’s willing to take on tasks and projects even when they don’t fall within your job description or title. You may not be accustomed to taking orders from your co-worker-turned-captain, but be a team player and go with the flow when plans change.

When problems arise, help be the solution instead of just another roadblock. Being a flexible employee will make your boss’ job easier, which can make your job easier too! With so many work-life headaches to handle, being a helpful and flexible employee your employer can trust will help you standout from the rest.

When work relationships change, the transition can be difficult for the team. But, by being a respectful, patient, and flexible employee, you can help calm rough waters and get noticed as a valuable employee your company and your new boss can’t do without.