Is my new job right for me

Is my new job right for me by Michael Cheary Starting a new job brings with it a mix of emotions.Excitement, optimism, anxiety. But what happens when the excitement fades, the novelty of a new employer wears off and you find you’re not quite as happy in your new job as you thought you’d be?If you’re still wondering whether your new job is right for you, here are some things to consider:How long has it been?No matter what industry you work in, there is one universal ‘new job’ truth: The first day/s will be tough.There’s a multitude of new rules and regulations to learn, new people to meet and new names to remember. And that’s before you even start learning the basics necessary for your new role.Arguably much of the first few weeks will be taken at a whirlwind pace, leaving you very little time to take everything in. Something that’s always worth bearing in mind if you’ve started suffering from ‘second-thoughts-on-the-second-day’ syndrome.With this in mind, always be careful not to base any rash decisions on gut instinct alone and leave an adequate amount of time to let your surroundings sink in, stop learning and actually start working.Have you given it a chance?If you’re already having negative thoughts about your new job, it can be hard to break the spell. Often this will lead to over-analysis and your worries only start to fuel your negative outlook.Try and be as positive as possible in the first few weeks. It can be easier said than done, but approaching each day with a bright and optimistic outlook could work wonders when it comes to how you feel about your new position.Are the people the problem?Ok, so maybe it’s not you… it’s them.If you’re uncomfortable with the culture of the company or feel you’ll clash with your colleagues, it can be a cause for concern. Being ‘the newbie’ is tough, but if you don’t click right away, it doesn’t have to be the worst thing in the world.Try reaching out to your colleagues and getting more involved in the social aspect of your new role. If this doesn’t work, it’s always important to remember that it can take a while to build up rapport. It doesn’t come easily to everyone, so don’t be too hard on yourself (or your colleagues) if things are awkward at first.Were you mis-sold?Feel like the job drastically differs from the job description?It may be that your new job doesn’t exactly meet your expectations. Whilst cultural concerns and how you get on with your colleagues can be controlled, if the problem is purely professional you should tackle this sooner rather than later.If you feel as if the job’s not what you signed up for, speak to a member of the HR team or your line manager and express your concerns. It may be that you’re still being eased in or some elements may be added later. It may be that your responsibilities are not actually as advertised.But without asking, it’s easy to reach the wrong conclusions.Are you getting bored?It may be that the job is exactl y as described, but still differs from your expectations.If boredom is a problem, this is also something you may wish to discuss with your line manager. It may be another case of being introduced to the role slowly.If not, requesting a bigger workload will only serve as a positive reflection of your attitude and work ethic.Are you ‘out of your comfort zone’?If you’re used to feeling on top of the situation, finding yourself somewhere new can often make you feel uncomfortable. You may have taken the knowledge you’d acquired through your previous role for granted, but when you don’t have anything to fall back on, a new situation can seem scary.Even something as simple as knowing where certain things are kept or what the correct protocol is in different scenarios, can go a long way to making you feel out of the loop and out of place.Were you just running from the problem?Finally, try and evaluate why you really wanted this job in the first place.Was it for career progression or because you wanted a more challenging role? Or perhaps it was because you wanted to work for a well-respected company or in an area you were really interested in?Whatever your reasons, think long and hard about whether your new job ticks all the boxes. However, if you’ve only found yourself doing something different because you couldn’t stand working for your previous employer any longer, it might be that your knee-jerk reaction has led you to take a role that isn’t right for you.Think about where you want your career to go, not just about moving on from where you’ve been.If you’ve answered all of the above and still feel like you’re in the wrong role, it’s important to be honest with yourself. Sometimes it just won’t be the right job for you.If you feel as if you’ve made your mind up already, speak to your employer as soon as possible. It’s better to be open and honest with them early on than to string them along.And if your heart’s not in it, people will s oon notice. Not giving 100% in your job isn’t fair on you or your employer. So if you’ve really given the role all the chances you feel you could and you’re still unhappy, it may be time to be brave and move on.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Features

Writing an Email to Go Along With Resume Submission

Writing an Email to Go Along With Resume SubmissionWriting an email to go along with resume submission is easier than you think. It can be done from a personal computer, but usually just the resume is sent through email. This is to save on the cost of postage and sending out paperwork.When submitting your resume, you will need to have a personal email address, preferably your business or company. So, all contact information should be included. You can include it as an attachment to your resume, or as a separate document. Either way will work just fine.On a side note, if you are sending your resume to someone else, for instance a potential employer, make sure you include business cards with your letter. To get this done, go to the company's website, or to any other web site they provide for doing business. There should be a section where business cards are available to purchase. You can also request that they send them to you.Along with the personal information for your resume, you wi ll also need to include any references. Make sure to write these down in a separate document or mail them to the company. The references should be located in your resume. If they are not, you should go back and do this. Make sure the references are complete and correct.Have your cover letter ready to go. Again, the information you include should be accurate. Do not ask for references to go with your cover letter. This is the least informative and most generic way to get them. Instead, include them with your resume.It is a good idea to add your byline on your email. This is a very important part of your email that will help your resume get into the eyes of the hiring manager. Also, have a signature block at the bottom. This will make it easier for the person reading your email to know who wrote it.Lastly, and this is very important, include your name, phone number, and address in your email. Put this in all emails that you send. With this information, your resume can be mailed in env elopes, sent by post, and placed in the inboxes of your prospective employers. This will increase your chances of being contacted for an interview.Writing an email to go along with resume submission will only take a few minutes of your time. You'll save money and be more organized, too.

13 Ways to Help Your Employees Boost Productivity

13 Ways to Help Your Employees Boost Productivity HR professionals can boil their role down to three main elements: the welfare, productivity, and all-round excellence of their workforce. But with so many people talking about the middle one, productivity, these days, it’s easy to spread misinformation about what the best productivity tips really are. In tandem with out-and-out bad habits such as procrastination or hiding under the desk, following counter-productive productivity advice can seriously reduce the quantity and quality of work your team produces. So when you advise your staff on how to be the best they can, take care to warn them of the things they should avoid doing â€" and not just the tips and tricks that they should be doing to be more productive. For example, just look at multitasking. It is thought to be the grand skill of our age (excluding, perhaps, coding and self-branding!). With so many demands on our attention, and more and more workers expected to complete diverse tasks that push their job descriptions to the limit, it seems natural to try to do more than one thing at once. The younger generations even claim to have evolved to do this, since they grew up with the inherently multitasking-led environment of the internet. Unfortunately, the truth is that the younger generations, like the rest of us, maybe capable of doing many things at once â€" but not doing them well. “Our brain cant do two things at once. It turns out multitaskers are terrible at every aspect of multitasking.” So says renowned Stanford University professor of communication Clifford Nass. “Theyre terrible at ignoring irrelevant information; theyre terrible at keeping information in their head nicely and neatly organized, and theyre terrible at switching from one task to another.” According to Nass, multitaskers are like file cabinets that have been filled to bursting point. They may hold everything, but you can’t find anything â€" and the paperwork is getting crumpled! Nass firmly encourages workers to concentrate on one thing at a time to be more efficient and productive. Encourage your team to shut out distractions. To close down the email and switch off non-urgent notifications when possible. To clearly allot periods of their schedule to single tasks. To keep a ‘ticky’ list so they can cross off jobs as they get them done instead of starting a new one while still putting the finishing touches on the previous one. If this is a shock to the system â€" especially for those ‘born with 12 tabs open’ â€" encourage meditation to help employees train to focus, extend their attention span, and get their mind working more effectively. Let’s look at things another way. As employers, what are the bad habits that you should cut down on to make your team more productive? Well, for one thing, stop blasting them with aircon (or, if you’re a Dickensian kind of employer, make sure to switch the heating on before it gets cold!). A Cornell University study showed that increasing the office temperature from 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit can reduce typos by 44 percent and boost typing output by 150 percent. Quelle surprise: when you invest in your workforce, it pays off in spirit and in revenue! Anything else? Yep, about those coffee breaks: don’t just allow them. Enforce them. Workers should get a 15-minute break every 50 minutes. And they should move away from their computer when they do so. Countless studies have shown that taking breaks is good for productivity. They may differ on the precise schedule your crew should follow, but they’re united on the principles that exercise, a change of scene, and no screens, are the ingredients for a productivity-boosting break. The well-rested but terribly productive folks over at Quid Corner have produced an excellent new infographic guiding you through 13 things your team should not be doing if you want them to be more productive. How many of these do you need to fix in your workplace? About the author:  John Cole writes on behalf of NeoMam Studios. A digital nomad specializing in leadership, digital media, and personal growth topics, his passions include world cinema and biscuits. A native Englishman, he is always on the move, but can most commonly be spotted in the UK, Norway, and the Balkans.

TOUCH ON THESE 9 TOPICS IN YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW

TOUCH ON THESE 9 TOPICS IN YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW The following is a guest post by Sharon Schweitzer.  Her bio follows.  Everyone knows that overwhelming feeling of going to a job interview. It’s exciting yet nerve-racking because you are under the microscope and the attention is on you and your abilities. Don’t forget, though, that while the company is trying to determine if you are a good fit for them, you are also there to see if they are a good fit for you.  Manners are key, but don’t shy away from the important elements. Address the following topics in your job interview to get a holistic picture of your potential job and work environment. Culture When you go for the interview, take note of your surroundings. Feel the energy in the office. You will notice a lot about the culture by just walking into the space. Find out if it is a fit for you. Interviews are for you and the company to see if you are mutually a good fit. Discuss the mission, philosophy, and dynamics with your interviewer to determine office culture. This will best help you determine how to integrate once you are hired. Then you can be prepared from day one. Flexibility If you work best in a 9 to 5 job, five days a week environment, way to go. But in the modern workplace, flexibility is important to many. Ask about the flexibility with hours and payments. Is it an hourly wage or salaried structure? If possible, when can you work from home? Be sure to ask about hours on evenings and weekends. Some jobs have busier seasons that require more hours, but become more flexible during the slow period. Position Type Put a hold on the celebratory jewelry purchase. There are various forms of positions that this new job might offer. A temporary position is only for a short amount of time and is often to fill a full-time employee’s shoes. The temp-to-hire job contains a probation period to see if you are worthy of the full-time position. The independent contractor is often an hourly wage individual that gets a higher rate. However, they don’t receive benefits and pay more in taxes. There are part-time jobs offered with near full-time hours. Be sure to ask for the specifics. Strengths Weaknesses Question your prospective team’s strengths and weaknesses to determine what you can bring to the table.  When their weaknesses are mentioned, offer your take on possible improvements for the situation. It will be good to see what you can contribute. Turnover It is critical to ask about the turnover rate for your job. That single question will tell you more than anything else. If many people have held the job before you and fled, you might need to do the same. Conduct research before the interview, and cross check with the interviewer’s response. If the answers are inconsistent this could be a red flag. Growth New jobs are a fresh start. Be sure to ask about the potential for advancement within the company. Stagnation can take a toll on your attitude towards work. In the interview, ask about opportunities for growth. You will need to ask perceptively as to not look like you are gaming for any job except the one at hand. Employers often like to hear this, because it shows you are willing to invest and commit to the company. Raises Bonuses Keep etiquette in mind when addressing raises and bonuses. There is a fine line between sounding greedy and inquisitive. Most raises are given either annually or based on merit. Ask in the interview to see where the company’s policy stands. While discussing this, you can bring up the perks and benefits included in the job as well. Moving Ask about expectations of permanent travel, such as relocating. Some jobs offer the option to join other offices around the globe. This could be great if you are up for the adventure. Not to mention it could land you the job over others. Regardless, it is best to find out up front if you will be asked to relocate and where the potential relocations would be. If so, be sure to inquire about a moving reimbursement policy. Expenses You don’t want to be the one stuck with more expenses than income. Ask up front for details about the expense reimbursement policy. Many companies offer expense accounts to employees if their job includes taking clients out. Others have a self-reported or receipt-reported reimbursement protocol. Know where your potential company stands. Follow the above guidelines to help you best assess if the position is right for you. Keep these tips in mind for all future interviews, and hone your interviewing skills. Being polite and informed will get you far in your career and life. About Sharon Schweitzer Sharon Schweitzer is a business etiquette expert, author, and the founder of Protocol Etiquette Worldwide.   For more information, visit http://www.protocolww.com/ . . . . . . . . Interview ahead?  Ace it with the great tips in the videos below! . Image credits. Job interview.

What Is MWR? Resume Writing Help

What Is MWR? Resume Writing HelpWhat is MWR? If you're looking for professional resume writing help, then it's time to look at what is MWR. Here's some information on this process and how it can be effective in your employment search.MWR is an acronym for 'Multicultural Youth Workforce.' This is a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. This program has been around for several years now, and it works by creating a wide-range of diverse job positions for high school and college students to choose from. These job positions include internship, working directly with and providing support for larger organizations, and even training for career opportunities in areas like government, finance, marketing, and business. As a whole, these positions are aimed at helping students in their quest to find a great job after high school or college.MWR offers resume writing help. It was founded by R. Dottie Wilson and Christine Buelter, two women who also founded MWHE, or Mentoring Women Emp loyers, to help the Department of Labor to find more role models in the field of education. They recognized that many of their former students would be trying to apply for jobs in different industries, so they started the MWR program.MWR provides resume writing help through a variety of different programs. It can often help a student by ensuring that the writing is 'multicultural' in nature. The best students are those who write in their own language, and they often know the structure and format of the language that they want to write in, which often means being able to write in a first person perspective and in writing a bit about their career goals.It can also be useful for students to get their resumes reviewed before they apply for jobs. Students can fill out an application for a resume review with the person who reviews their applications. This review will cover various aspects of the student's application including the content of the cover letter, the grammar and sentence stru cture, and how well the students' essay has been structured and executed. The main goal of these reviews is to determine if the content on the resume is aligned with MWR's mission of making diversity part of every aspect of society.The most common reason that MWR students receive help with resumes is through their job placement representatives. These representatives are usually the ones who work with students on a one-on-one basis, and they do some of the resume writing help themselves. When students have questions about their applications, they usually go to the MWR representative who works on a one-on-one basis for assistance.Students can also get help with resumes through companies who provide this service. These companies typically have interns that can give them some of the initial help. They may also be able to review their resumes for them as well, and be able to give them the advice that they need.MWR offers resume writing help to students who are looking for a better chance at getting hired. The program is unique in that the organization's goal is to find talented students who do not necessarily have a great writing background, but who will use their skills to write a strong resume. This makes MWR especially helpful for students who want to find a way to enter the workforce, but who do not have the talent or experience to be able to do so without assistance.

I Just Earned the Certified Master Resume Writer (CMRW) Credential - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

I Just Earned the Certified Master Resume Writer (CMRW) Credential Despite the impact of the digital age on executive job search, career professionals  will tell you that a targeted, value proposition-driven resume is still one of the most critical elements in any successful search. The resume is NOT dead. You still need to have one. But the Internet, social media and the new world of work have had a major impact on executive resume content and formatting. No longer merely a career history outlining jobs, responsibilities and achievements, these days a resume is a career marketing document that positions you as a good-fit candidate for your target employers. Pull together a branded resume with content and format designed to resonate with your target employers, and you up the odds that youll generate interest and get interviews. A great resume is also the foundation for an interview-generating profile, and other online profiles and personal marketing materials. But do you know how to pull all the pieces together to create your branded, value prop-driven resume? Most job seekers dont know enough about todays strategic resume writing to best position themselves to land. I can help. And heres where I discuss what my new CMRW credential is all about. Awarded by Career Directors International (CDI), the Certified Master Resume Writer is the careers industrys oldest master-level resume credential and the only one endorsed by a professional association. Only the 17th person worldwide to have earned this distinguished credential, I join a select group of elite resume writers who have proven themselves by submitting a portfolio of work that has been judged by a panel of CMRW peers. Professionals who themselves are Toast of the Resume Industry (TORI) Award Winners and worldwide leaders of the industry. The portfolio submitted must stand out for its innovation, for advanced formatting that grasps the attention of the reader, and for superior command of the language that makes every bullet point an unfolding story. Are you thinking you may need help with your executive resume? Review my contact page   and get in touch with me to discuss whether we may be a good fit to work together. Related posts: 4 Reasons You Can’t Write Your Own Executive Resume The Biggest Executive Resume Writing Mistake What’s Wrong with Copying an Executive Resume Sample? 00 0

Summary Sunday Addressing Pesky Job Search and Career Issues

Summary Sunday Addressing Pesky Job Search and Career Issues Your career and job search are riddled with issues- whether they are situations thrust upon you or ones you bring on yourself.  This weeks roundup touches on rejection, self-promotion, perceptions about networking, assumptions about LinkedIn and how you interact with your boss.   We all have issues! The first step in resolving your issues is to face them head on. Whats causing the issue? I hope this weeks collection of articles helps you look at things differently. AND resolve some of your issues! JOB SEARCH 9 Scary Reasons Overqualified Job Seekers are Rejected by Jacob Share | The Job Mob You will not land every opportunity you pursue. (You already knew this). But, what you probably didnt know is that the information YOU provided got you eliminated. Learn why recruiters reject candidates and what you can do differently. LINKEDIN The Death of LinkedIn by Jaakko Paalanen | The Observer This article may change the way you think. Is LinkedIn the best tool for the job (no matter what you use it for?) Maybe not and the better social media tool may surprise you! CAREER How to Promote Yourself Without Looking Like a Jerk by Dorie Clark | Harvard Business Review Follow these 4 pieces  of advice so you can learn how to take credit without looking like a braggart! How to Manage a Micromanaging Boss by  Katie Douthwaite Wolf  | The Muse Are you annoyed by a boss who hovers? Here are 4 things you can do to shoo your boss away! Heinekens  World Apart Ad on Fast Company You may have seen this in you Facebook feed, but in case you didnt. This ad has a powerful message (and it isnt about alcohol). Take 3 minutes and watch what happens when people with very different views are put together in a room. It is a powerful message for all of us. NETWORKING Improve Your Career Prospects: Become a Master Networker [Infographic] on YouTern Networking doesnt have to be ugly or self-serving. This infographic will help you look at it differently. Infographic by Business Insider

7 Steps for Writing a Bio that Pops

7 Steps for Writing a Bio that Pops New business bosses sometimes have a major case of procrastination when it comes to writing their bios. Something about feeling pressure to validate themselves (â€" scary word alert!) feels big, tedious, and important, which often translates into stress. I get it. But, let’s fix it. First: Do not think of it as a place where you must legitimize yourself. Think of it as a place to shine! Plus, a compelling bio will ultimately help your clients find you and get the help they need from your business and offers (a.k.a, what this whole shebang is about)! Look at it as serving your client base, not bragging about yourself. Writing your bio is one small piece of the bigger business pie, but it is a critical ingredient. A strong bio will tell your potential clients all about the yummy goodness from your past experience, your personal passions, and your kick-butt skillset that led you to your work. (This is a ‘don’t worry be happy!’ kind of article, so before you get nervous thinking about all the credentials you *don’t* have, read on!) Here are my top 7 steps to writing a bio that pops sans the anxiety. Step 1: Start with your elevator pitch. This is the nitty gritty of who you are, what you do, and who you do it for. As an example, my bio could start with “Michelle Ward is a business coach who works with creative women to help them discover, build, and launch their dream business.” This is the one-stop-shop sentence anyone new to you and your work will appreciate. (It also ensures that skimmers get the need to know info up top!) Step 2: List your experience and/or credentials (however that applies to your business in the moment!) This piece can/should include but is not limited to any of the following info: relevant certifications, training, schooling, awards, accolades, client testimonials, past experience, and relevant work you’re proud of. If you are new to your business or industry and feel like there isn’t much to put here, do not worry (be happy, remember)? This section only needs to be about three sentences long, and even if you put “her passion for [insert business topic] started at age 11” and go on to talk about how your obsession with making your Barbies look great led you to be a stylist, that is a great start! Step 3: Add a personal detail. This may or may not relate back to your work. Finding a way to incorporate organic details about yourself (family, geographical location, interesting past life experience) adds a personal, human touch to your bio and will help your clients connect with you on a deeper level, too. As an example, I love to bring up my background in musical theater as an intro into why I adore working with creative people and strive to infuse passion in my day-to-day business happenings! Step 4: Explain how you found yourself in your business and what you love about it. This is my favorite part! Here is your opportunity to really underline what makes you the perfect person to do your job and gush about why it lights you up. Take a minute to identify what led you to your business and what excites you the most about it. It might read something like, “My experience working as a camp counselor helped me tap into my desire to work with young people…” This is extra icing on the cake for those who read this far and are excited to work with you. It’s also a neat way to tie everything you’ve already discussed together. (Your elevator pitch + experience + passions = one perfect business woman to work with.) Step 5: End with where people can find out more about you… …which can be as simple as a sentence that reads “Find her at [insert your website and/or social media handles.]” This is particularly useful when outside sources are sharing your deets! Step 6: Write your bio in the third person (where as your “About” page will be in the first person)! Imagine a friend or contact spreading the word about your business â€" how would they talk? What would they say? Hint: This is it! Your bio is intended to be shared outside of your own business platform, meaning outside sources and publications will have the most use for it. Therefore, it should sound like someone else is talking about you rather than you talking about yourself! This is as simple as swapping out your ‘I’s for ‘She’s. Step 7: Craft a long, medium, and short version to cover your bases. Depending on who needs your bio and/or where you’re putting it, it might behoove you to write three versions: 1.) A long version including all of the above details 2.) A medium version including just  your elevator pitch + experience and 3.) A short version that should be 3-5 sentences max. This way, you’re able to hand off whatever’s needed at a moment’s notice. Check out my examples right here. And boss: that’s it! No panic required. Remember, your bio is meant to help you glow and grow! You can update it whenever you have new, more relevant or better info to add and forget about it the rest of the time. You are one kick-butt business lady and your clients (and the world) gotta know. And hey, Build Your Client Base is designed around all the ways you can reach more of the people looking for you and your work (bio feedback included). Applications are closing this Friday and early bird pricing ends today! which means you have a limited amount of time to snag your spot ( the discount)! Pop over to my program page to fill out an application and keep an eye out for me in your inbox! I’ll be the one wearing bells and whistles.