Stay Competitive in Your Industry: The Basics

Posted on July 22, 2018July 22, 2018 by Edna Crane

It’s not hard to see that industries are competitive. As such, they are looking for the best talent to make staff, and openings for those running their own business are potentially lucrative if headed by someone with the wit and will to apply their talents and kindle the fire.

Staying a competitive player in your field of choice can be a difficult process, but it’s absolutely necessary if you hope to enjoy a long and storied career. Thankfully, with the freedom of information and opportunity afforded today, and with vastly growing economies all over the world, this effort might not be as difficult as you had originally envisioned. Consider the following to ensure you stay ahead of your field at all times:

RSS Feeds

When you’re trying to absorb the most information possible in order to routinely stay informed regarding the matters of your work, you need the easiest method of collating multiple resources. RSS Feeds can serve as an excellent resources as far as this is concerned, as most online publishing platforms will offer one you can subscribe to. From podcasts to news articles to home blogs, or even the minutiae of updates that a website develops, you can stay in the loop. Be sure to sync a competent RSS reader (of which there are many) across multiple devices so you can stay in the loop at all times, and filter the information that is most important to you every morning.

Placement Jobs

Placement jobs while in education can help you gain a competence and a level of access to a field that might not be offered to those studying alongside you. The competitive edge begins the moment you begin pushing yourself towards a certain profession, meaning that staying on top will require some outside work. From there you might secure the best trading information for someone starting out, access to the most interesting IT jobs or the most beneficial transitions straight out of graduation. It’s worth keeping this mindset no matter what job you hope to land.

Enjoy More Flexibility in Your Career

Posted on July 19, 2018July 27, 2018 by Edna Crane

Why should you want more flexibility in your career? Well, this is something more and more people wish they had. Freelancers and contractors tend to enjoy a lot of flexibility, but it can be tough for those in full time employment.

People who want flexibility believe that other areas of their lives would thrive because of it, such as their relationships. People want to be able to do the work they really love and enjoy while tending to their personal needs, too. A study has shown that 1 in 10 people actually believe their situation in terms of flexibility is “terrible.” Are you one of these people?

Use the pointers here to figure out how you can enjoy more flexibility in your career:

See If You Can Compress Your Work Week

One way people are enjoying more flexibility in this day and age is by opting for a compressed work week. This might be totally possible for you if you’d only ask your boss. The gist is this: instead of working five, eight hour days, you’d work four, ten hour days, which could give you the opportunity to enjoy a three day weekend, or perhaps even have a day off in the middle of the week.

You won’t know if this is possible unless you ask!

Do Your Research on Locum Opportunities

Doctors and physicians can make the most of locum opportunities. A locum doctor can still earn a great income while doing the work they love. You will be able to set your own schedule, enjoy your chosen lifestyle, and do it all without having to give up your career. You can get a good idea of the staffing opportunities available to you if you check out locum tenens staffing. It’s not for everyone, but for those who would love a more flexible career and lifestyle, it can really work!

Consider Going Part Time

Take a look at your finances and your lifestyle. Could you afford to go part time? Some shudder at the thought of not earning as much as they are right now, but do you really need that money? Many people come to the conclusion that more time and flexibility is worth a lot more than the money to them.

Plus, it’s always worth remembering that while you have more time, you could perhaps look into ways of creating your own business or side gig.

Work For Yourself

If you have a particular skill that you know people would pay for if you were a freelancer or a contractor, it could be time to work for yourself. This is becoming more possible than ever now with all of the free resources available, so take a look and see if this is something that could be suited to you.

Are you ready to enjoy more flexibility in your career? Which one of these options will you choose? Leave your thoughts, experiences, and any of your own ideas below.

Stay Safe at Work

Posted on July 13, 2018July 13, 2018 by Edna Crane

When it comes to your safety, the workplace is the one area you should be safest. You know how you can keep yourself safe at home, and you know how you can keep yourself safe in public, but at work, it’s not just your responsibility to be safe. Your employer has to have certain measures in place so that you and your colleagues are able to work comfortably, safety and with the right help when you need it. This means that there has to be more to it than just the policies in the staff handbook and the procedures that you signed against on your first day at work.

A safe environment at work has to be balanced between the people, the management and the conditions of the workplace. Successful workplaces have been known to encourage their staff to identify the behaviors and traits of an unsafe work space themselves. There has to be a level of independence in workplace safety, sure, but your employer has a responsibility to you to ensure that you arrive and leave your workplace in one piece every day. Below, you’ll find five ways that you can stay safe at work:

Surroundings

Your surroundings in the workplace have to be noticed. You’re in charge of knowing the risks and hazards in your workplace and your employer is in charge of training you on these. If you aren’t paying attention, you’re going to risk a slip, or a fall, and you’ll be the one to find a lawyer to help you with a claim when you can’t work. Always be alert of your surroundings including any machinery that may be around.

Ergonomics

You need to have a workplace assessment when you are in the office. If you work at a desk, work on your posture and request supportive footrests and chairs to keep you feeling comfortable while you’re working. Your posture matters and you can stop risking long term spinal issues if you don’t look at the furniture situation.

Breaks

You are entitled to statutory breaks as part of your contract, but you need to think about the times you move away from your screen or grab a glass of water. Stay safe in the workplace by caring for your own wellbeing for a minute at a time.

Training

If you don’t know how to use a piece of workplace machinery, ask to be trained on it. You need to know the proper precautions and shortcuts that you should and shouldn’t take. Using the machinery, the right way will enhance your safety and reduce your injury chances.

Related Posts

Stress

Work is stressful, we all know that. Your employer isn’t going to be responsible for your stress levels, but your employer is responsible for recognizing if they are piling it onto you too much. If it becomes too much, take the initiative and speak out.

Your safety at work will impact the rest of your life outside it. Take your time and be as safe as possible.

Quick Tips for Handling an Accident or Injury at Work

Posted on July 6, 2018July 6, 2018 by Edna Crane

If you have an accident at work and are injured, keep your wits about you. You may have trouble figuring out what to do next. While the steps might seem obvious when you’re not panicked or in pain, in the moments after an injury, you may need simple reminders of what to do.

Here is a quick guide for what to do after an accident at work:

Fill In The Incident Book

Every company and business is required by law to have an incident book. This is a record of all accidents and injuries that occur in the workplace. Other incidents such as heated disputes between colleagues should be recorded in here too. It is very important that you fill in the book with details of your injury as soon as it happens. This can then be used as evidence at a later date if needed by a third party.

See A Doctor

Even if you don’t think your injury is particularly bad, you should still book an appointment with a doctor to get checked out as soon as you can. That way, the injury will go onto your medical records which can also be used as evidence in the event that you do go onto claim for compensation or take your employer to court.

Consider Claiming Compensation

If the accident was not your fault, you should receive an apology and some compensation from your employer. More often than not, they will settle this privately. However, if they do not and refuse to pay anything to you, then you might want to think about contacting an accident attorney to see if you could take your case to a compensation court. The lawyer will take a look at your case and all the evidence you have, as well as any statements from witnesses, to see if they think you have a chance of winning. If so, they will represent you throughout the process.

Don’t Rush Back To Work

You might think that it is better to try and get back to your job as soon as possible, even if you haven’t completely recovered. Unfortunately, though, doing so could work against you in your claim for compensation. A compensation payout is normally to cover any losses you incur from not being able to work – if you are seen to be fit and able in the workplace despite your injury, your whole claim might fall through. So, be sure to take the full amount of time off that your doctor gives you, or else you could lose out on all your compensation!

7 Things to Do to Move Ahead in Your Career

Posted on June 28, 2018June 28, 2018 by Edna Crane

If you feel like you are stuck in your career and would like to boost your promotion prospects, it’s time to start creating a plan. You career is too important to leave it all up to chance.

There might be several reasons why you are unable to advance your career at the moment. You can be in a crowded job market and struggling to stand out from the crowd. There may be a shortage of simply higher-level jobs in your industry. Or, you may need to gain new skills and perspective to start positioning yourself for the next step in your career.

As you start drafting your plan to revive your career, think about these things you can do to move ahead in your career:

1. Gain More Work Experience

To enhance your job prospects, you need to show that you are an experienced and skilled professional. If you’re just out of college, you should list your internships on your resume as your work experience, and be very specific about the tasks and duties you performed as they relate to your career industry. If you’re further in your career, you may need to rework your resume with keywords from the job applications you’re answering.

If you have no work experience that relates to the jobs for which you are applying, you need to take action right now and find internships, externships, volunteer work, or entry-level jobs that will give you the experience you need to show employers you’re ready for the job you want. Yes, this might mean working for free or for a low salary for awhile, but it’s not forever. Even a three-month internship will help you get your foot in the door, and the networking you can do during an internship is invaluable.

2. Be Visible

Even if your work is the best in the business, if you’re hiding in a corner, no one is going to give you a promotion. You have to make yourself visible to your supervisors if you want to move up the corporate ladder.

Visibility in the workplace can mean that you volunteer for extra or challenging projects, offer to arrange a night out or charity event, or simply come up with ideas and approach the management with solutions that solve a problem. Always do more than the minimum asked of you, and show yourself as a creative-thinking problem solver.

3. Network

No matter where you are in your career journey, you must always be networking. You should be meeting new people in your industry and talking about important issues all the time. You can’t slack on your networking, not even if you have the perfect job right now. You never know when you’re going to need another job, and your network is, by far, the best way to find another job when you need one.

To network, you should attend conferences in your industry, join professional organizations, or at the very least, join online networking communities built around your industry. Don’t just join, though—actually talk to people. Ask questions about the kind of jobs you want, and what employers are wanting. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to recommend you for a job, just remember to return the favor later, when you’re in the position to help someone in your network.

4. Market and Brand Yourself

Crafting your personal brand means more than just having a LinkedIN account. You need to present your work at conferences, enhance your online presence with an online portfolio, published papers, or blog, and collaborate on projects with other people in your industry. You want to brand yourself as an expert in your field, so employers see you as someone they must hire.

Marketing yourself in your career is a lot like playing the dating game. You want to be attractive to potential employers, but human, too. Be proud of your accomplishments, and keep them visible for all to see.

5. Redo Your Resume

One thing that might be holding you back is your resume. If you’re still using a 90’s style, text-only, 2-page resume, no one is reading it. Instead, craft an attractive, one-page story that shows employers that you are the best candidate for the job.

Related Posts that Will Help You with Your Resume

6. Update Your Skills

Take a long, hard look at your skill set. Is it outdated? Do other people coming into your industry have stronger skill sets? If so, you might want to check out the current courses offered at places like Adelphi University to find out whether it is possible to update your knowledge and get extra credits that your future employers will value.

You should be in a constant state of learning throughout your career. Never stop taking small courses, attending conferences, and studying literature about your career industry. Always be on top of the latest and greatest things happening in your field. If the thought of “studying” for your career feel like a drudgery, you don’t have a career, you have a job. You should feel passionate enough about your career to feel energized by learning new things. If you don’t, start looking for another career.

7. Enter Competitions and Win Awards

If you have been working in your field for a long time, and believe that you are worth much more than you are paid and what it says on your business card, it might be time to push yourself further. Entering competitions and award programs is a great way to show off your skills and make your employer realize your value. Search for opportunities to show off your talent in the charity or government sectors. Those who win awards are more likely to gain promotions.

If none of these actions seem like they will help you in your quest to revive your career, be sure to read our post on the 9 Reasons I’m not Hiring You, where Katie lists, in great detail, the reason hiring managers pass on potential employees.

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7 things to do to Move Ahead in your Career - #promotion #career #careeradvice

8 Tips to Help You Climb the Corporate Ladder

Posted on June 22, 2018 by Katie Evans

If your career goal is to climb the corporate ladder, you can succeed easier than you think. A growing number of people have little interest in climbing the corporate ladder, and instead focus on work-life balance and lifestyle design. This leaves big opportunity for those who want to move up to management roles.

If you want to rule the corporate world, here’s a few tips to help you on your way up the ladder:

1. Show Up

‘Just showing up’ might sound simple, and that’s because it is. Woody Allen famously said, “80% of success is simply showing up.” What he means is that if you show up, you better your chances of being in the right place at the right time. You also increase your chances of having your work seen by the right people.

Showing up means don’t be the person that calls out to go to the movies. It also means being the person that goes to conferences, interviews, networking meetings, and any other extras. It means showing up early, and sometimes staying late. You can’t win the corporate game unless you are there. Show up!

2. Don’t Wait To Be Told

Follow-the-leader might get you out of the mailroom, but it won’t help you climb much further up the corporate ladder. Take the initiative by looking at what’s coming and preparing for it. Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do—figure out your next step and start doing it immediately.

Is your boss going to need a sales update on Friday? Have it on her desk before she leaves on Thursday. Is your team running low on supplies? Fill out the order form and get it to purchasing, then CC your boss on the correspondence. Show that you’re not only a team player, but you’re a born leader who wants to succeed.

3. Don’t Complain and Don’t Gossip

Whatever you do, don’t put yourself in a situation where anyone can cast you in a negative light. That means not complaining at work. If you’re given a task you hate, remember the bigger picture: It’s a step toward your goal of climbing the corporate ladder. If you hate a coworker, treat the coworker with kindness and respect—be the bigger person. Your coworkers will respect you for it.

Never gossip at work. It’s not high school, and there’s no reward in it for anyone. Gossiping makes you look small minded and like you don’t have enough to do. Plus, in the right situation, it could get you fired.

4. Get A Coach Or A Mentor

Mentorship can be a very helpful tool for those who want to make their way up the career ladder. They can be your guide and help you to navigate the corporate landscape effectively. Make sure you do your research, and try to ensure that your coach or mentor has experience in your specific industry or niche so that they can give you appropriate advice.

Perfectly Employed offers career-coaching services too. Our coaching focuses on helping you construct a plan to reach your goals and figure out your next steps. We help people from all walks of life and in all industries.

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5. Earn Extra Credit

The best way to ensure your ladder-climbing success is to do more than your job description says. You can speak at conferences, write research reports, write for blogs in your industry—you name it. Work on crafting your personal brand and making a name for yourself in your industry.

When you take on extra tasks in your job, make sure your employer doesn’t take advantage of you. You can learn more about your employee rights by visiting HayberLawFirm.com. Take a look so you know where you stand.

6. Help Others

Some people think that they have to have a cut throat attitude to get to where they want to be, but what goes around comes around and that rarely brings with it the positive energy you need if you’re going to advance up the ladder. Instead, aim to help others. They will begin to see you as a leader and this can be very effective for you. Your colleagues won’t resent you when you get the promotion over them, either!

7. Be Willing To Do What Others Won’t

If you really want to get ahead at work, you need to make sure you’re willing to do the things that others aren’t. This will help you to stand out and you’ll be given the chance to further your career. Make sure you are willing to go the extra mile.

This may mean creating boring spreadsheets or working with a problematic client. Remember your end goal and power through it!

Related Posts that Might Help You:

8. Chat With Your Boss

Your boss is not a mind reader. You need to have discussions with your boss about your career goals. Your boss can help you reach your goals by giving you tasks that align with your aspirations, and recommending you when a superior position opens. Your boss can be a great ally in your climb up the corporate ladder, so whatever you do, don’t be afraid to let him know that you have your eye on the corner office!

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How to Get Back On Your Feet After A Career-Risking Injury

Posted on June 19, 2018June 19, 2018 by Edna Crane

Sudden changes to your health, and the costs that can come with them are some of the greatest risks facing employees and self-employed people in today’s society. An injury could cost you not just your sense of security, but your income as well. If you do find yourself coping with the damage that would risk your career, knowing how to react is crucial. Here are a few tips worth remembering:

Report and Recover

If you are injured at work, you need to let your supervisor know as soon as possible. This is the first step in getting the ball rolling on workers compensation. Similarly, you should see a doctor even if you don’t feel like you need to. Should an injury exacerbate itself further or be worse than you thought, you have an informed basis to seek further treatment. What’s more, should you need to make a claim, the more evidence you have that an injury occurred and of how much pain it caused, the better your chances of seeing justice.

Find some Accountability

Some people are hesitant to make a claim when they are injured. For instance, if they skipped our first step, their chances might not be as favorable as they should be. What’s more, people feel guilty about costing others. But the truth is that, if you don’t, you are taking on all the costs that weren’t your fault by yourself. Team like Dolman Law Group can help you proceed responsibly while ensuring that you’re not left handling it all by yourself. A measure of accountability is crucial, or else people will continue to get away with hurting others without any checks to stop them.

Scale Back Your Budget

Even if you make a successful claim or get workers compensation, any injury or illness can introduce a level of financial uncertainty to your life. It’s a good idea to rein in your finances and take full control of them, cutting costs and putting aside savings where you can. You never know if other costs might come up in future. Even if you have a means to recoup them, you might have to wait some time for them to bear fruit.

Rally the Troops

Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. If your family is on hand and willing to lend assistance, don’t let pride get in the way. If you’re in severe need, there are organizations like the Healthwell Foundation that can help you deal with your essential costs while you’re on the road to recovery. Besides government assistance, there are nonprofits and charities on the local, statewide, and national level that could provide some assistance. Some provide help based on specific circumstances, such as financial support for those injured on the road, and so on.

Dealing with an injury is never pleasant and it’s certainly not made any better by the implications it can have throughout your career and your financial life. Hopefully, the tips help you adapt and overcome the adversity that those sudden health costs can bring with them.

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6 Small Actions that Will Help You Feel Less Stressed

Posted on June 14, 2018June 15, 2018 by Katie Evans

If you are feeling stressed with work, or balancing work and family obligations, you may feel too overwhelmed to think about changing your situation. To feel better, try thinking about small actions you can take today. It can make a big difference.

The biggest thing remember is not sabotage yourself with bad habits like drinking, smoking, or overeating. Instead, focus on small positive actions you can take to handle everything in front of you and combat the side-effects of stress.

1. Exercise

Exercise won’t help your stress to vanish instantly, but it will help you to reduce some of the emotional intensity that comes with it. Exercise can help you to clear your thoughts and it can also help you to deal with your stress more efficiently. When you exercise, you release endorphins and this can cause you to feel better about yourself. You’d be surprised at what a difference this can make to the outlook you have on your life.

If you’ve never exercised before, try walking around your block in the morning before you start work, or walk around a park on your lunch break. Getting outdoors can help, too.

2. Take Control

There really is a solution to every single problem. Lack of control is one of the main contributors to stress, so take a step back and figure out what you can control, and get to work taking actionable steps to change the situation.

If you are drowning in a stack of work or working long hours with few (if any) breaks, then it’s time to talk to your boss. Let him know that you want to do your best work, and you feel your current workload is not allowing you to do that. You can ask your boss to extend deadlines, or assign a coworker to help you. You can ask you boss to consider outsourcing some of the small administrative tasks that take up a good chunk of your time. The point is, have options to offer your boss so you’re not dumping your stress on him, but rather helping him help you find the help you need.

It may even be worth asking your boss if they have looked into hiring EAP providers, Peninsula Group to help give the other employees you work with the support they need as well. An EAP can make a huge difference.

3. Connect with Others

If you’re stressed, make time to do small, simple things with your friends and loved ones. Go get a pedicure with your best friend. Meet your significant other for coffee on your lunch break. If you can find just a half hour to connect with your loved ones, you will feel some stress relief.

4. Take some “You” Time

I can hear all the mothers of the world laughing at once at the idea of taking “you,” time, but it’s important when you’re feeling stressed. Find little ways to sneak in time for yourself, even if it’s just a few minutes. Take a bubble bath. Flip through your favorite magazine on the Zinio app, or close your eyes and savor a rich dessert.

The point is, take a few minutes to have a mental vacation. When I worked in the city, I would spend my lunch break walking around an art museum. It’s a quiet place where you can feel inspired by the creativity of others. Plus, you have to silence your cell phone, so no one can bother you.

5. Welcome a New Challenge

When you’re feeling like you can’t handle even one more thing, thinking of a new goal can be tough. But, if you can think of something that inspires you, setting a new goal can help relieve your current stress.

Try something small, like saving a specific amount of money or planning a fantastic vacation. Just the act of planning a vacation is often enough to make you feel better about life.

If things are truly bad in your current job, set a goal of finding a new one. Redo your resume, improve your LinkedIN profile, and start thinking about how great it will be to find a new job with new opportunities.

6. Give to Others

Stress can make us forget how wonderful it feels to give to others. Even though you feel like you don’t have a lot of time right now, look around you for ways you can help someone in a small way. Maybe you can pick up a neighbor’s groceries while you’re picking up your own. Maybe you can do a load of laundry for your equally stressed teenager. You don’t have to do something epic—just small, thoughtful favors are enough to help you feel less stressed and help someone else feel less stressed too.

RSS Feeds

Placement Jobs

Further Reading

See If You Can Compress Your Work Week

Do Your Research on Locum Opportunities

Consider Going Part Time

Work For Yourself

Surroundings

Ergonomics

Breaks

Training

Stress

Fill In The Incident Book

See A Doctor

Consider Claiming Compensation

Don’t Rush Back To Work

1. Gain More Work Experience

2. Be Visible

3. Network

4. Market and Brand Yourself

5. Redo Your Resume

6. Update Your Skills

7. Enter Competitions and Win Awards

Save to Pinterest

1. Show Up

2. Don’t Wait To Be Told

3. Don’t Complain and Don’t Gossip

4. Get A Coach Or A Mentor

5. Earn Extra Credit

6. Help Others

7. Be Willing To Do What Others Won’t

8. Chat With Your Boss

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Report and Recover

Find some Accountability

Scale Back Your Budget

Rally the Troops

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1. Exercise

2. Take Control

3. Connect with Others

4. Take some “You” Time

5. Welcome a New Challenge

6. Give to Others

Save to Pinterest