Here’s what you had to say.
People like to hack things. If you don’t change your passwords often to protect your information, you’re putting yourself (and your company) at risk.
But changing passwords and keeping up with them is tough. And, honestly, more than a little annoying.
To find out whether our readers are changing their passwords enough, we put out a two-question survey earlier this month. Here are your responses:
There’s an art to balancing work life with personal life, and it’s not easy for everyone. In fact, a recent study from Good Technology revealed that finding balance for workers has either become less of a priority or more of a struggle. The study found that an alarming 80% of people continue working after they leave the office each day. This includes half of respondents who check their email in bed, 78% who check it before 8 a.m., and half who believe they have no choice but to work after hours.
According to the study, the average amount of work occurring outside normal working hours is seven hours per week, almost a full day. This equates to nearly 30 hours a month or an additional 365 hours per year. At a salary of $10 an hour, that’s $3,650 in unpaid wages for hours worked.
By far, the biggest culprit for working outside of office hours is email. According to the survey, 57% of respondents checked email on family outings, 38% checked it at the dinner table, and 40% checked it after 10 p.m. Perhaps the most alarming figure, 69% reported that they can’t go to sleep without checking their email.
Women in the Workplace
According to Forbes, women are particularly prone to lacking work-life balance. Data from McKinsey research reveals that women hold 53% of corporate entry-level jobs, a number that drops to 37% for mid-management roles and 26% for vice presidents. Further, men are twice as likely as women to advance through career stages, which McKinsey Research suggests means men are more likely than women to be in positions that allow them less workplace burnout. In fact, men are 25% more likely to take breaks throughout the day for personal activities, 7% more likely to take a walk, 5% more likely to go out to lunch, and 35% more likely to take breaks in order to relax.
A Shift for the Future?
Brian & Company recently released a study that suggests the tides may be turning. According to their research, work-life balance is no longer just a women’s issue. When asked if they plan to prioritize non-work commitments over career progression, 50% of men and 51% of women currently in an MBA program said they do. Similarly, 42% of men and 40% of women reported the biggest obstacle to reaching their career goals is keeping some balance in their lives.
Since these MBA students report anxiety over derailing their careers for the sake of their families and personal lives, it may be time to rethink work culture. Julie Coffman, author of the report, points out that 80% of women and nearly 70% of men reported that they intend to have a joint parenting role in their family. “That starts to raise the question: Is it really feasible to parent and have a big job?” she said.
Time to Take Action
The struggle with work-life balance in the workplace can be remedied if all parties are willing to take action. Schools should offer more courses or programs that address the challenges of having a family and a powerful career, and companies should shift the way they reward employees. Harvard economist Claudia Goldin suggests that instead of rewarding those who work long hours outside of the office, employers should develop flexible career models that allow people to work their way to the top via different paths. Additionally, instead of rewarding tangible accomplishments, they should recognize those who work behind the scenes or go above and beyond to make the workplace enjoyable.
Employees can also do their part to make work-life balance less of a career stumbling block. The following steps may help those who experience workplace burnout:
How do you unplug from the office? Let us know in the comments section below!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
The big job interview you’ve been stressing over and preparing for is done, and now you can breathe a sigh of relief. However, if you think your part in the interview process is done and you’re just waiting to hear back, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to shine.
As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s important to think about how you can show gratitude in all areas of your life. For example, giving thanks after an interview could be the deciding factor in a job offer. According to some studies, only 10% of job candidates follow up after a job interview with a thank-you letter. Don’t assume the interviewer knows you are thankful – take the time to actually express your gratitude. If you’re among that 10%, you have the perfect opportunity to stand out.
So, how do you handle this important post-interview correspondence? Give thanks by using these six tips below.
1. Follow up quickly.
As soon as your job interview is over, send a follow-up email or letter to the company. Following up is a critical step in showing your continued interest, but don’t pester the recruiter. A carefully written thank-you note or email will help keep your name at the top of recruiters’ lists.
2. Make the message personal.
Don’t send a standard thank-you template to every person who interviews you. Find the significant points you discussed in the interview and mention the little details you learned about the company and the interviewer. This shows that you not only paid attention during the job interview, but remembered what the company thinks is important.
3. Always say thank you.
The first line of your message should always start with sincere gratitude for the time and interest of the interviewer. After that, be specific about how your experience and skills can benefit the company. Add any other skills that you didn’t get a chance to talk about during the interview, and end the message with another heartfelt thanks.
4. Fit into the culture.
When crafting your message, consider the company culture. If the company is more traditional, craft your thank-you letter in a more formal manner with a hand-written thank-you note or business letter. In some instances, an email may be more appropriate.
5. Proofread and proofread again.
Before you send your thank-you note, proofread it. Then proofread it again. Have a friend or family member proofread it after that. A well-written thank you falls flat if your note is full of errors or if you spelled the interviewer’s name wrong. Be conscientious when crafting your thank-you letter.
6. Follow up, but don’t pester.
Once you’ve sent your first thank-you message, allow for a week to pass before contacting the company again. During your interview, you may also ask for a general time frame as to when to expect an answer. If you didn’t get the job, request feedback on how to improve your interview skills, and follow up any feedback with another thank-you message.
You can’t go wrong by expressing thanks. Whether you aced the interview or bombed it, you at least had the chance to show off your potential. Interviews are stressful for both the job seeker and the employer, but a well-crafted and sincere thank-you note can ease the agony of waiting to hear back.
What tips do you have when following up after a job interview? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
