At Work

To Rock or Not to Rock: Music and iPods at Work

By on Monday, April 7, 2008

As of January 2008, over 140 million iPods have been sold. With the portability of mp3 players, employees are more frequently bringing them into the workplace. Workers with internet access can even stream music files at their computer. Research shows that 80% of technical and creative workers listen to music at least 20% of their work time. While some employers find iPods a distraction, many are discovering they can be a valuable workplace tool. Here are a few tips employees should keep in mind when listening to music while on the job.

Choose the right genre.
For increased productivity, think about song selection. Poor song choices can cause you to lose focus or impact your mood. Choose music with easy beats and light melodies, such as classical music or modern music that’s light on lyrics, to increase concentration. The steady beat will help you focus and keep pace with work. According to a study published in the Neuroscience of Behavior and Physiology journal, rock music can have a similar effect as classical music and improve a person’s ability to recognize visual images, such as letters and numbers.

Be courteous to others.
Blaring music can annoy co-workers and can lead to tension if they become disgruntled and complain to management. To avoid disturbing others, turn the volume of your stereo down or use headphones. Even when using headphones, it’s important to have the volume low enough to allow co-workers to get your attention. Keep in mind that drumming, dancing, or singing along to songs can be a distraction as well.

Do not download music.
Downloading music on the internet from work can be a very sticky situation. While some services provide totally legal methods of download, many people attempt to download free music through other websites from work. This can unintentionally infect your computer’s network with a virus. It can also make your employer face copyright issues if you illegally download songs. It would be best not to download music online at all. There are various alternatives to downloading music. Streaming radio or streaming audio web sites, such as www.imeem.com, allow you to listen to music through your computer without the security risks connected to downloads. Check your workplace policy on streaming music though, because many places forbid it since it takes up bandwidth. You can always bring a CD or mp3 player if that is OK with company policy.

Whether you want to increase productivity or block out distractions by listening to music at work, it’s important to be courteous to others. So, remember these tips the next time you turn on your radio or plug in your iPod.

Do you think iPods are a distraction or helpful at your workplace? Do you or your co-workers listen to music at the office?

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Career Options The Job Search

7 Tips to Jumpstart your Job Search after Graduation

By on Friday, April 4, 2008

graduationWith college graduation around the corner, now is the right time to start looking for an internship or even possibly a job. College graduates are entering the workforce at a time when Baby Boomers are reaching retirement age, and companies are being left with vacant positions that need to be filled. To ensure that your transition from college student to full-time employee is a smooth one, try out these seven tips below.

Visit Career Services. College campuses offer a number of resources to help their students search for jobs and internships as well as assist them with their résumés and cover letters. Use these services while you’re still in school because it can be costly paying for them on your own.

Build a Network. Though college life can be busy, it’s important to make time for networking. Social clubs, career-related organizations and job fairs can help you connect with prospective employers. Networking at every opportunity will link you to individuals who can help you in your job search.

Land an Internship. Internships give you more than just on-the-job training; they often lead to a permanent position within the company. Even if you don’t land the job at your company, your experience will help your résumé stand apart from other applicants.

Practice Interviewing. Interviews can be nerve wracking – but you can gain confidence by practicing with friends. Practicing interviewing equips you with what to expect and how to act in a professional setting.

Be Flexible. Don’t limit yourself in your job search. You could miss out on a great opportunity if you focus too much on a specific job title or company. Some companies may offer you the position you want and maybe even the pay but no growth potential. And the prestige of working for some companies may come with little incentives such as low benefits and little pay. Smaller or lesser known companies may offer opportunities for growth, flexibility and benefits. So make sure you keep your options open so you can see the full value of what each job opportunity has to offer.

Prepare for interviews. Once you land an interview, make sure you research the company and its industry. Also, make sure you know where the company is located. It is equally important to dress appropriately. When in doubt, call the company and ask a receptionist or HR rep what the dress code policy is. Being prepared will give the employer a great first impression of you.

Show your personality. During the interview, let the interviewer see a little bit of your personality. Tell them a funny story about when you were younger, or share about your interests or hobbies outside of work. Letting prospective employers see a little bit of who you are differentiates you from other candidates. But, make sure you stay focused and professional during your interview, don’t reveal too much information or details that would make potential employers uncomfortable. Be sure to highlight your credentials and qualifications above anything else.

Finding a job after you graduate can be difficult, but with these seven tips, you can increase your chances of landing a job and decrease your stress level.

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The Daily Grind

5 Ways to Recharge During Your Lunch Break

By on Thursday, April 3, 2008

With so many of us commuting farther to work these days, it’s often impossible to go home, eat lunch and relax during a one-hour lunch break. But so many of us need some time to step away from our desks to just take a breather. Here are five ideas for your lunch hour to help you escape the stresses of work and refresh midway through your day.

Nap. If you drive to work, slip away to your car and take a short nap. If you don’t drive to work, find a quiet place nearby, such as a coffee shop or library, to catch a snooze. You’ll feel refreshed and won’t be sleepy-eyed as you finish out your workday. Just remember to set an alarm, such as a cell-phone, so you won’t sleep too long and return to work late.

Walk. Catch some fresh air and take a walk in a nearby neighborhood, stroll along the sidewalks near your office, or head to the nearest shopping mall or outdoor track. Make sure you wear walking shoes so your feet won’t hate you later. Walking can lower your stress level, prevent depression, and relieve arthritis and back pain.

Read. Reading can help take your mind off your daily routine. Find a quiet place to read within your building, or even better, find an area outside to sit while you delve into your favorite book or magazine.

Explore. Check out a store or eatery you’ve never visited, and experience something new in your community. Or, visit a local library, museum or park. A break from your normal routine will energize your day or even your week. Changing your habits can also pep up your outlook and brighten your attitude.

Volunteer. Visit a nearby school, community center or non-profit organization, and donate your time. Whether it’s reading to children, working with senior citizens or organizing special projects, these groups always need volunteers. You’ll be giving back to your community and gain improved self-esteem.

Try napping, walking, reading, shopping or volunteering the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed at work or just need to get away from your desk. You’ll feel recharged and be able to finish out the workday strong.

How do you spend your lunch break? What are your favorite lunchtime escapes?

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At Work The Daily Grind Workplace Relationships

Job Stress: 3 Signs You Need to Chill Out at Work

By on Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Job StressSome people are more relaxed than others. These easy-going types tend to handle stress well and keep a level-head even when things get crazy. But, maybe you’re not one of these mellow individuals. Perhaps, you tend to be a little more high strung and get worked up more easily. That’s OK – it doesn’t make you a bad person, but it does mean that you’re probably more stressed out than others. If you think you may be bringing too much tension to the workplace, check out the three signs that you’re stressing too much at work.

You have zero patience for delays.
Do you go a little nuts when a vendor puts you on hold or you have to wait behind a slow-moving co-worker at the fax machine? If you always feel like you’re in a rush and just can’t stand to wait, you’re probably lacking patience.

While there’s nothing necessarily wrong with wanting things done quickly, the problem comes when your expectations clash with reality, causing unnecessary stress for yourself and others. Accepting that you can’t control how quickly others get things done and that delays are a part of life can help reduce the amount of pressure you place on yourself to always be moving forward.

You’re wound tighter than a pocket watch.
When things don’t go the way you planned, do you get upset? Do you hate surprises and have a strict schedule for nearly every moment of every day? If so, you most likely find yourself frequently overwhelmed by life’s unpredictability.

There’s a saying, “Blessed are the flexible because they won’t break.” Having rigid expectations can lead to a lot of frustrations when plans change or go awry. Life is full of surprises, and it’s just not possible to always anticipate the future. Instead of getting upset by the unexpected, take a deep breath and try to be flexible. Learning to appreciate life’s little surprises can make your life much easier and your stress level much lower.

Your office nickname is “the ticking time bomb.”
Do you work with a bunch of people who drive you bonkers? Do you have to bite your tongue daily to keep from snapping at them? If you find yourself getting irritated with those around you on a regular basis, it’s probably not them causing the tension. Sure, people can be annoying and grating on the nerves, but that’s only if you let them.

To stop the cycle of aggravation, work on accepting your co-workers’ flaws. Remember, no one is perfect, including you. When you feel your blood start to boil, remind yourself that you need to calm down and not take things so personally. Instead, make an effort to discover your co-workers’ good traits and focus on those aspects when you’re feeling annoyed.

Next time you’re feeling all wound up, take a moment to calm down and think about what upset you. Chances are, it’s not as big of a deal as you originally thought. Striving to reduce your stress level will improve your on-the-job outlook and your relationships with others.

Let us know how you deal with work stress in the comments section below.

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Job Interviews

Interview All-Star: 3 Tricks to Tone Your Interview Skills and Find a Job

By on Monday, March 31, 2008

Improve interviewProfessional athletes must spend many hours working toward their goals in order to succeed. The same is true for job seekers. If you’ve been on the hunt for a job for a while, you’re probably well aware of how intensive the job search process can be. Applying and interviewing for jobs takes a lot of time, energy, and dedication. To land the job you desire, focus on beefing up your interviewing skills.

Stretch Your Small Talk Skills
In sports and in job interviews, sometimes you have to stretch yourself beyond what you’re comfortable with. You may not like making small talk, but your ability to converse well with interviewers plays a big part in their impressions of you. If you find yourself clamming up or stammering through chit chat with prospective employers, you need to practice your conversation skills. To perform well at the “big game,” rehearse answering common introductory questions such as: “What do you think of this weather?” and “Did you have any trouble finding the place?” Practice will keep your answers from being too abrupt or rambling.

Exercise Self Confidence
Star players don’t become MVPs by putting themselves down or being pessimists. When you believe in yourself, others are inclined to do the same. Even if you’ve been through 50 job interviews that haven’t resulted in a job offer, keep a smile on your face and maintain a positive attitude. Remember, successful athletes have to keep playing their best even when they’ve lost a few games. So, refrain from making self deprecating remarks or using sarcasm. Instead, convince employers that you’re the right person for the job by demonstrating self assurance and optimism.

Strengthen Your Post-Interview Follow Up
When athletes are weak in a particular area, they train hard to become stronger. If your post-interview follow up is lacking, you need to focus on pumping it up. What you do after the job interview is nearly as important as how you act during the job interview itself. You can’t win the job offer without having a good follow-up game. Keeping in touch with the employer by being available for repeat job interviews and sending a thank you note are important steps in receiving the coveted job offer. Make post-interview follow-up a top priority, and you’ll be rewarded by becoming a candidate employers can’t wait to draft.

Do you ever feel like your job search skills are in need of a work out? What type of “training” do you do before a job interview?

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Reader Surveys Workplace Goofs

April Fools’ Day at the Office – To Joke or Not To Joke

By on Thursday, March 27, 2008

Does the idea of April Fools’ Day get you pumped up for office pranks? Do you plan for weeks on end to perform the prank that will be talked about for years to come? In order for office pranks to go over well, they must be in good taste. If you’re a jokester who lives for April Fools’ Day, these five tips can help you ensure your pranks won’t get you or anyone else into trouble.

1.  Check the office policy. Check with your boss to find out if office pranks are acceptable. You don’t want to perform a trick if it won’t be tolerated in your workplace. Inappropriate pranks could result in a reprimand or worse, losing your job.

2.  Know your target. Make sure you have a relationship with your target – and know them well. Performing a prank on someone you don’t know could make them feel discriminated against and get you in hot water.

3.  Be politically correct. Steer clear of offensive jokes. Don’t make fun of protected classes, socioeconomic status, or someone’s education. These do more than cause embarrassment – they are often illegal in the workplace, especially when you use violent or sexually explicit jokes.

4.  Run the prank by your boss. Before pulling off your prank, make sure that your boss is aware of your plan. You want to make sure your bases are covered before executing the joke. You don’t want to get the OK to perform a trick only to find out later that the prank you picked is inappropriate.

5.  Put yourself in the situation. Ask yourself if this particular joke was pulled on you how you would take it. The idea of a prank is to make everyone laugh, even the person who is on the opposite end of the joke. If you think there might be a chance you could offend someone, make other plans.

Pranks should be lighthearted and enjoyable for all involved and done in good taste. A mean-spirited joke can harm someone’s career and reputation as well as hurt them emotionally.

more at twiigs.com…
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The Daily Grind

5 Ways to Get More Sleep and be More Productive

By on Wednesday, March 26, 2008

productive sleepAre you getting enough sleep? Most of us aren’t, and it’s hurting our workplace productivity. According to the National Sleep Foundation, over 80% of American adults say that not getting enough sleep leads to poor job performance.

On top of decreasing your output at work, sleep deprivation also causes irritability, lack of concentration and a lowered immune system. To improve your performance at work, try the following five tips to get a better night’s rest.

Avoid caffeine late in the day. A cup of coffee or can of cola may get you going in the morning, but it can also keep you up at night. To ensure caffeine doesn’t disrupt your sleep, refrain from having caffeinated beverages after lunch time.

Get unplugged. Do you find yourself staying up late watching TV or surfing the Internet? If technology is keeping you from getting the sleep you need, remove TVs, computers and other electronics from your bedroom and set time limits on their use. It takes a while for your brain to wind down from entertainment. So, watching TV, playing video games or working on the computer late at night can push your bedtime back even further.

Stick to a consistent schedule. You’ll sleep best when you have a predictable sleep pattern. Make an effort to go to bed and wake up at approximately the same time each day. Drastic changes in your sleep schedule can throw off your body’s natural rhythms, creating an effect similar to jet lag.

Establish a relaxing routine. If you have trouble winding down at the end of the day, develop a soothing bedtime routine. Things like taking a warm bath, drinking chamomile tea and listening to calming music can help. You can also help your mind calm down by avoiding watching or reading anything too stressful or scary at bedtime.

Get comfy. A relaxed sleeping environment is essential to a good night’s rest. If pets or young children are interfering with your sleep, move them to another room or at least into a separate bed. If things that go bump in the night keep you awake, try adding some white noise, such as a fan or white noise CD. Also make sure your bedroom is a comfortable temperature – getting too hot or too cold can disrupt your sleep.

Do you get enough sleep? How do you think sleep affects your performance at work?

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