It’s the time of year when many people will take time off from work. If you haven’t had the chance to practice work-life balance in a while, unplugging from work for the holidays may be a great way to end the year. We hope to encourage you to take some time off successfully and be proactive about doing so with a few helpful tips. (more…)
It’s that time of year again when the holidays have arrived. As we prepare to celebrate all of the end-of-year festivities, let us reflect on all we have to be grateful for. (more…)
Many people take time off work to spend time with loved ones during the holiday season, and one topic of conversation that might come up is your job.
We want to help you navigate the conversation about your job during the holidays so you can enjoy your time off without spending the majority of it talking about work. After all, you’re on vacation, so make the most of it. (more…)
Happy holidays! Here at Job Journey, we talk a lot about resumes. Which makes sense, since it’s one of the things job seekers ask us about the most. We love chatting about formatting, ways to stand out, and how to make sure your resume makes it to the HR manager.
Now, it might just be our passion for resumes showing, but wouldn’t offering to look over your friend’s resume be an awesome gift? You could even exchange resumes and give each other feedback, all in the spirit of the holidays!
If you’re not sure what to look for when reviewing your pal’s resume, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few things to keep in mind: (more…)
‘Tis the season, after all!
Boughs of holly are great, but a stellar resume makes for the ultimate holiday decoration. What better way to celebrate the season than with a shiny resume revamp? If you find yourself with a bit of downtime as this month draws to a close, take a look at your resume and see if there’s anything you might want to change. 2021 is fast approaching, and you want to be prepared! Here are a few yuletide-inspired tips for wrapping your resume just right.
It’s November, which means the holiday season is about to begin. Odds are you’ve already seen commercials and advertisements full of happy families joyfully carving turkey, co-workers chatting while wearing festive hats, and children politely opening presents.
Unfortunately, real life is often a whole lot more hectic than that. While Thanksgiving and Christmas can be delightful and full of happy memories, getting there can be a struggle, especially at work. You have to worry about requesting time-off, schedule changes when co-workers go on storybook vacations, buying gifts for work pals, and, of course, the frequently awkward company holiday party.
We want to know what stresses you out the most at work during the holiday season. Let us know by voting in our poll!
Share more: What’s your craziest holiday story?
The do’s and don’ts of workplace present exchange
Who doesn’t love the holidays? Delicious eggnog, shimmering trees, and, of course, presents bound in cheerful wrapping paper. This time of year provides a wonderful opportunity to bond with your coworkers. Exchanging gifts that are a bit more personal enhances your workplace relationships
But not too personal. A happy occasion can be ruined by an inappropriate or strange gift.
DO: Office Supplies
Unique and fun office supplies make great gifts. If you have a friend who loves bulldogs, spring for a dog-shaped eraser, pen, or calendar. If someone’s a writer, maybe they would appreciate a typewriter-shaped pencil cup or a calligraphy pen. The gifts don’t have to be particularly quirky. If you want to get April from accounting something but aren’t sure what she wants, you really can’t go wrong with a numeric keypad!
DON’T: Anything Offensive or Inappropriate
Stay away from anything that includes swear words or lewd images. Even if you have an inside joke with your buddy Bob, giving him an inappropriate gag gift in front of the entire office is a bad idea. It makes you look unprofessional, and could even put Bob in a bad spot when he has to figure out what to do with your gift. Also, take care your gift won’t be offensive due to an individual’s religious or personal beliefs.
This is all still true even if the actual gift exchange isn’t happening at the office. People talk, and your boss is sure to hear about it one way or another.
DO: Personalized Items
It’s inexpensive to order customized items online these days. You can get a coffee cup made with an inside (and safe-for-work) joke plastered on the side for a few dollars, or a few pens monogrammed with someone’s initials for a similar price. Some Etsy sellers even create custom keychains or stickers for under $10. Search online and use your creative flair to design something memorable.
DON’T: Jewelry, Perfume, Flowers, Cologne, Etc.
Steer clear of any gift that could be romantic. Although your intentions might be entirely platonic, you have no idea how your coworker might feel upon receiving such a gift. Not to mention the gossip that could start because of it.
And personal items like perfume and cologne are a bad idea anyway. You don’t really know a person’s scent preferences, and could end up giving them something they don’t like or are even allergic to.
DO: Gift Cards
Although gift cards can be a bit impersonal, they are by far the safest workplace gift idea. It’s hard to get offended by a gift card to your favorite restaurant or retailer. Just ask around beforehand to make sure they don’t have a vendetta against any one chain or supermarket. A fun holiday card can add a personal touch.
DON’T: Alcohol
Although there’s nothing wrong with bringing a nice wine to a dinner party, it is usually frowned upon to bring such libations into the workplace. It might be alright if your gift exchange is happening at a restaurant or coworker’s home, but consider your company culture before deciding.
Looking for more workplace gift ideas? Let us know in the comments below!
