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Join the Fight Against Frostbite

By Jared Cole on Monday, December 17, 2012

Protect Yourself from Frostbite With winter in full swing and the days of blistering heat behind us, you may think that harsh weather conditions at work are gone until next year. The fact is, extreme cold can be just as dangerous as extreme heat.

When working in freezing conditions, you are at risk of developing frostbite – localized damage to your skin when it freezes. While frostbite initially isn’t permanent, it can lead to permanent nerve damage, amputation, and even gangrene if left unattended. Here are ways you can avoid getting frostbite this winter season.

Signs and Symptoms
When working long hours in the cold, if you start to feel itching followed by pain, immediately get out of the cold and check the affected skin. If the itchy, painful area is white or grayish-yellow, feels unusually firm or waxy, or is numb, seek medical attention immediately. Those symptoms are the first stage of frostbite called frostnip. While not permanently damaging, it can lead to more severe complications if left unattended.

If immediate medical assistance is unavailable, get to a warm room as soon as possible, immerse the affected area in warm, but not hot, water, or warm the skin using your own body heat until you can get treatment. It’s best to avoid using major heat sources like heating pads, and fireplaces since the frostbitten skin is generally numb and can easily be burned.

You Got a Friend in Me
Often an individual is unaware that he is affected by frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb. It’s best to have a partner so you can monitor each other for signs of cold stress. Most of the time, it’s difficult to determine danger signs when you only rely on yourself.

In and Out
Just because you work in a freezing environment doesn’t mean you have to stay there the entire time. Take periodic brakes during your shift and spend them in a warm room or near heat sources. Even if schedules are tight, taking 15 minutes off your feet in a heated break room could save you from losing your feet forever.

Layer After Layer
When it comes to staying warm, less is definitely not more. When you wear several layers of thin clothing, you are actually staying warmer than if you wear one or two thick layers of clothes. The first layers touching your skin should be made from synthetic fabrics, like polypropylene, that absorb sweat. Outer layers should have fabrics that are waterproof and wind resistant.

It’s also important to wear proper equipment like warm gloves, boots, and a hat. If you become too warm, open a layer or two of your clothing, but not your gloves or hat. Also, make sure your gloves and boots are loose enough that they don’t cut off your blood circulation, which could speed up the frostbite.

Warm Eats and Warm Drinks
While coffee and hot coco are delicious and warm, the high caffeine concentration dehydrates you faster when cold conditions already put you at risk of dehydration. Instead, try sweeter beverages like sports drinks or orange juice. The natural carbs will give you a steady stream of energy and keep you hydrated longer. You can also bump up your carb intake by eating hot pasta dishes, soups, and other calorie-dense foods, which will keep your body fueled while its burning extra calories trying to stay warm.

Frostbite isn’t deadly, but can lead to amputation where you are unable to work if unattended. Stay warm this winter season with these helpful guidelines and avoid the silent but hazardous condition of frostbite.

At Work The Daily Grind

2-4-6-8 Here’s How to Motivate!

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, December 5, 2012

At some point in our career, we’ve fallen into that rut. That mysterious slump that can drag our productivity down to a near halt. Our brains check out and we do the minimum amount of work needed to avoid getting in trouble. Some workers hitting a slump might not get that bad, but the temptation and desire to slack off can slowly grow into a career problem sooner than you think.

Sometimes seeing the fruits of your labor takes longer than expected. Success takes time, which is often longer than you’d like. Because success doesn’t happen on your time, it can be easy to get discouraged, making it harder to achieve the success you deserve.

The key to motivation is to find small achievable goals that will help keep you consistently on track. You will have to look deep inside yourself and discover what you want to accomplish at work and how you are going to do it. Here are some things to ask yourself that will help jumpstart your motivation and get your workplace mojo back.

What Are You Doing?
The most important thing you can do to get motivated is to define your purpose, and figure out why you are working. While some workers look for jobs that are fulfilling or enjoyable, others are just trying to find something that pays well or just enough to feed their family. There isn’t a purpose that is better than the other, it’s a matter of finding the one that works for you. Once you find your driving factor, the prospect of accomplishing that purpose helps set up your career goals and keeps you motivated.

What Does That Have to do With Your Employer?
Now that you’ve found your workplace purpose, take a moment to think about what your employer sells, makes, or provides. Take what the company does to sell or serve its product and figure out how you can use that purpose to fit within your role. The more closely you associate your goals with your company’s goals and services, the better you’ll be able to motivate yourself to do what’s necessary to get your job done.

If you are unsure about your employer’s goals and motivations, ask your manager to set up some time to discuss the company. If possible, include an upper-level director who can give a different perspective. You can get some direction and a possible boost of motivation when talking to upper management.

What Does That Have to do With Your Team?
Odds are, you work with other people. They rely on you every day to get the job done. Your team has specific goals and purposes that fit into your employer’s goals. If your team hasn’t already defined their goals, ask to layout your team’s key objectives and goals that will drive sales, increase awareness, or whatever purpose your employer has. Hearing from your co-workers about what needs to be done and why it’s so important can be the extra kick you need to find motivation.

Another way to find motivation beyond focusing on goals is to ask for extra tasks or minor projects to be completed. Taking a break from your daily tasks can give your brain and body a chance to recharge while still being productive.

What Are You Going to do to be More Ambitious?
You’re bored with the normal, right? That’s why you’re in this slump. That’s why you need to break away from the safe and secure. Find out what you can do to contribute to your team’s objectives and be daring. Don’t choose anything that is too risky, but give yourself a challenge that is exciting and inspires you.

Motivation starts from within. Once you find your inner drive, you can work to overcome the challenges that you could face. What are some ways you’ve found motivation at work? Let us know in the comment section below.

At Work Salary and Promotions

Infographic: Do You Live Paycheck to Paycheck?

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Living paycheck to paycheck has been the norm for many in the past few years, especially those entering the workplace for the first time. Now that the economy is recovering, are workers still more focused on keeping the lights on and water running or are they looking to save and invest in their retirement?

Take a look at this infographic from CareerBuilder that sheds some light on how Americans are saving for the future, compared to three years ago.

Job Interviews The Job Search

7 Must-Dos Before a Job Interview

By Movin On' Up on Monday, November 5, 2012

Acing an interview isn’t magic that only certain people possess or a skill that only experts can attain. You can become a pro at interviewing too, but just like anything else, it takes practice. So, to help you master the skill of interviewing, here are seven must-dos to practice every time you’re invited to an interview.

1. Research the company and the position.
No employer wants to hire a candidate who doesn’t know anything about the company or the position. Make sure to research the company and get familiar with their mission statement, goals, products, services, and news. Check out the company’s website, the Internet, magazines, newspapers, and your local library to find this useful information. By knowing these facts, you’ll be able to answer two commonly asked questions: “What do you know about my company?” and “Why are you interested in this position?”

2. Review your resume.
Employers will often refer to your resume and ask you to expand on a point you included or explain a project you listed as an accomplishment. Be familiar with the information you listed on your resume. You need to be able to talk about every line of your resume with why you included it and how it makes you qualified for the job.

3. Make a list of talking points.
Your resume and cover letter can’t always include every piece of information you want to share with an employer because you should limit it to one page each. But, an interview gives you the opportunity to share details you couldn’t fit that are relevant to the job. If you left something out of your resume or cover letter, or thought of another strength, experience, or skill you possess, this is the time to bring it up. Make a list of the topics you want to discuss in the interview, and you’ll be better prepared to answer the interviewer’s questions and ask your own.

4. Practice answering questions.
Being able to answer questions articulately will show that you’re prepared and serious about wanting the job. You don’t want to practice so much that you sound like a record stuck on repeat, but you need to practice enough to be comfortable answering questions. Have a friend or family member ask you questions for a mock interview. Since it’s a practice session, use your list of talking points. Try to relate each answer to something on your list.

5. Prepare questions for the interviewer.
Toward the end of your interview, the employer might ask if you have any questions for him. If you don’t, it may seem like you’re unprepared or uninterested in the position, so make sure you have several questions ready ahead of time. A few strong questions you might ask are, “What is the biggest challenge someone in this position might face?” and “What are the opportunities for career growth in this organization?” Some of your questions may be answered during the interview, so it’s best to come up with several to choose from.

6. Dress to impress.
Appearance is noticeable and memorable, so dress to create a positive first impression. When you research the company, don’t forget to find out about the company’s dress code so you can dress the part, or one step up. It’s OK to call ahead of time to ask. If you can’t find this information, it’s better to dress up than to dress down, so choose a professional look. Make sure your outfit is wrinkle-, stain-, and odor-free, and that your clothes aren’t worn through or holey.

7. Decide you want the job.
One of the most important aspects of an interview is your mindset. Before you go to the interview, decide that you want the job and that you’re determined to get it. Think positively, and give the interview your all. You may decide later on that the job is not the right fit for you, but you don’t want to blow an interview by appearing unenthusiastic or uninterested.

No one wakes up knowing how to master the interview, but anyone can learn the skills it takes to land a job. Practice the seven must-dos for every interview you’re a part of, and your interview techniques will become stronger and stronger each time.

Inside Express Reader Surveys

What do You Look For Most in a Job? Take Our Poll

By Jared Cole on Friday, November 2, 2012

A recent Monster global poll showed that employee loyalty isn’t driven just by pay and benefits. While 27% of those surveyed cited good pay and benefits as the top reason, having a great boss and co-workers, challenging/interesting work, and gaining recognition each recorded results at 20% or above. This indicates that many employees find loyalty in aspects other than financial rewards.

If salary and benefits are taken out of the equation, there are many different aspects of a job that that could be important to a job seeker and someone developing their career. This makes us wonder, aside from compensation, what is the most important factor you consider when choosing a job? If none of the options match your most important criteria, let us know in the comments below.

At Work Dress for Success Salary and Promotions The Job Search

Workplace Fashion Police – Just the Facts

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Workers and job seekers, the advice you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to protect the improperly dressed.

It was Friday, Oct. 26, and sultry day at Fashion Police headquarters. I was getting reports of neglected promotions, missing job offers, and lacking professionalism. I didn’t know why it was happening, but I had to try to stop it. Appearances can be deceiving, especially in this workplace-fashion lineup. According to Southwest Florida Business Today, 93% of executives across the country admit a person’s work attire influences his or her chances of earning a promotion.

This is a video. I carry a badge. I am the Fashion Police – I tell the difference between who gets hired and promoted, and who doesn’t.

At Work Cube Life

Don’t Clock Out Until You’ve Done These 3 Things

By Jared Cole on Thursday, October 18, 2012

Have you ever been at work when you notice there’s only 30 minutes left in your shift? It’s usually not enough time to start a new project, but it’s also too early for you to go home, so you watch your clock as it slowly ticks away until it’s time to leave. This happens more often than not, but what can you do to finish out your workday on a positive and productive note?

How you finish your workday is critical as it holds a large impact on your work, productivity, and attitude. Take time at the end of your shift to get you ready for tomorrow. So here are three ways you can end your workday better and stronger.

Review and Plan
The first thing you to do is look over your to-do list to find out if you’re where you need to be. There might be some assignments you’ve overlooked or a reminder of what needs to be finished before you leave. If you don’t like your progress, plan what you need to do and when you’ll get it done so you don’t get further behind.

This is your chance to reflect. Think about what you’ve accomplished and how good it feels to be productive. If you’ve fallen short on some tasks, take the time to make a new to-do list. Determine what needs to be finished tomorrow and how you’re going to do it. If you have a new to-do list, you’ll have a head start the next day and be more productive.

Check-In and Check-Out
Depending on the type of working relationship you have with your manager, visit with one or all of your supervisors to discuss the progress of any tasks you’re working on. This way, you can get caught up on any updates or changes that need to be made. Check in with co-workers to get any updates from them and to make sure everyone is one the same page.

Talking to your boss and colleagues will not only help everybody stay on task easier, but there are real emotional benefits from saying goodbye to people before leaving. Most people think it’s important to say hello in the morning, but it’s just as vital to say goodbye instead of silently heading out the door. By giving proper farewells or even an honest compliment, you are showing co-workers and managers that you care and can improve everybody’s mood throughout the day.

Tidy up and Shut Down
It’s rather defeating to walk away from a big mess after a busy day, which confronts you in the morning or after a fun weekend. Before leaving, clean your workplace by organizing your desk, throwing away trash, or cleaning and storing your tools. When you come to a clean workplace in the morning, it gives you a feeling of starting the day off fresh.

If you work in an office setting, you can use the last of your time to clean your email inbox of forwards, newsletters, and any other old messages. Emails can back up quickly increasing your chance of missing important information.

It’s also important to shut down when leaving. Leave your stress and worries at work. Turn everything off and disconnect yourself from your network. Turn off your smart phone or disable email alerts and enjoy your time off to recharge.

If you use your last few minutes to end your workday right, you’ll be more productive and will be less likely to feel drained and burned out. What are some ways you have made the most out of the end of your workday?