advice
Workplace advice for any issue, problem, or concern; from changing careers to co-working advice and decorating needs.
How to Effectively Give Constructive Criticism
Honey is bound to catch more employees than vinegar. A person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected. This saying has a level of truth when it comes to the business world. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of examples of corporations that don't follow this belief. Let's call her Joan. She's a secretary at a Los Angeles digital media company and, frankly, she's a problem. "My workers are complaining to me," relates Kim, Joan's boss and the content manager of the company. "They don't want to ask her to do their typing, but that's Joan's job—distributing important documents and sending emails in and out of the office. Even paperwork is backlogged. The department is in chaos."
By Richard Owens7 years ago in Journal
Writing and Onion Peels
A majority of writers, of any genre, continually tell interviewers that they consistently struggle with their craft. They are always looking for new ideas, new takes on old ones, and struggling to keep their message within the context of their audience. This problem is neither old nor new. Rather, it is a continual dilemma that affects the novice and professional, and in teaching college composition classes I have often used the analogy of a yellow onion to convey the writing process and purpose of a target audience. The onion represents the writing process because its layers and outer skin are symbolic to steps used to achieve clarity and consistency within an author’s text. These techniques and analogies are plausible for the new freelancer, as well as the advanced and professional writer, because everyone gets “stuck” or can not see past the surface of their subject matter. Accordingly, an onion analogy proves most poignant to the writer’s craft because its potency, pungent odor, sensual pull, and strong flavor conjure images and mental sensations that pull the mind and senses toward the central subject. Hence, the onion acts much like the words of a refined writer.
By Annessa Babic7 years ago in Journal
Things You Don't Owe Your Boss
With an uncertain job market and less full-time work available than ever, it can be difficult to know how to find the right work-life balance. There is a myth in many industries and specific jobs that in order for someone to be successful, they need to dedicate absolutely everything to their work. This can lead to long work hours, emotional burnout, and health impacts. Our boss is our primary source of professional feedback, and often the gatekeeper to new opportunities and positions. Unfortunately, some employers will take advantage of eager workers and an unstable job market, and push you into doing more and spending more time at your job. As a result, the onus is on you to make sure you strike a work-life balance that makes you happy. It can be hard to know where to draw the line and where to set boundaries, but there are certain life priorities that work can’t supersede, and we’ve put together a list of things that you don’t owe your boss in your quest for success.
By Leila Parker7 years ago in Journal
Most Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
Searching for a new job can be exhausting. Just getting to the interview can be difficult enough, but once you’ve landed one, you want to be sure to do all you can to prepare and make the best possible impression. Get started by reviewing the job posting, information about the company, and anything you can find online about what is happening that is big and exciting for that company. Then, review your skills and your resume so you are prepared to be positive about why you’re the perfect employee.
By Patty Ramsen7 years ago in Journal
Reasons Good Employees Quit
Many managers struggle to figure out the reasons good employees quit and why their staff turnover is always so high. This is because most of these employees do not explain themselves as they walk out the door, saying only that they have decided to move on or have been offered a position elsewhere, which only adds to the problem. Managers will most likely blame others for the constant outward flow of good people, but they should really be looking at themselves and what they are doing to add to the reasons good employees quit, since the majority of the time, it is their own actions causing it.
By Patty Ramsen7 years ago in Journal
Signs You’re A Unicorn Employee
What are the signs you’re a unicorn employee? Or could you spot one amidst the long humdrum line in the labor force? Once in a while, someone will present himself out of the dark recesses of the office, a mythical creature brought in by luck or providence. Don’t bother to find this person. He or she will most likely find you, and with him or her, all the innovation and clarity needed to bring your company to the next level. The unicorn employee will not only refine your business model. He will redefine it, and even break it all together. This could be you, or someone close to you. When you spot one, don’t be afraid to learn as much as you can. An encounter with a beautiful anomaly needs to be studied and emulated. Excited to know of the signs you’re a unicorn employee?
By Leila Parker7 years ago in Journal
The Winter Break Woes
If you're anything like me - an overworked, underpaid college student - you haven't done much but work, sit on your ass, watch television, and catch up on your sanity since the end of the semester. Now this was obviously not the intention as finals came to a close and I praised the universe for giving me the strength to make it to the end of the single most stressful few months of my life. Realistically I was excited to take advantage of the free time that had recently been held hostage by studying U.S. history, keeping up on contemporary issues in the media, and learning how to be a soulless PR professional. I was going to get back into great shape, write every day (I'm a journalism major, soon to be English lit.), do some pleasure reading, maybe get back into some painting and crafts, or come up with a new recipe. Ahh, how optimistic I was. While I have been working on a script a friend asked me to tackle (slowly but surely), I've been overwhelmed with the amount of goals I have yet to accomplish. It's been roughly two weeks and I haven't put myself on any exercise or health regimen, this is the first writing I've semi accomplished, I've done zero pleasure readying, painting, or crafts, and I sure haven't felt creative enough to invent a new recipe. Though I do still intend on mustering up the motivation to pursue the aforementioned, the fact that I haven't was really started getting to me. When I woke up I took that frustration to a search for freelance writing positions, and when I of course couldn't think of anything to write about, I got to thinking.
By Brittany Plante7 years ago in Journal
11 Films You Should Watch if You Want to Work for Microsoft or Facebook
This is the second part of the article 11 Films You Should Watch if You Want to Work for Satya Nadella or Mark Zuckerberg in an ongoing series about films you should watch if you want to work for the most powerful people in the world.
By Alejandro Guillú Mendoza7 years ago in Journal
Habits of Self-Made Millionaires
If you are looking to pursue your wildest dreams and live an opulent, luxurious lifestyle, it is important to cultivate the habits of self-made millionaires. The wealthiest of individuals in the world worked behind the scenes of their success to acquire their wealth. They understood that one must do something different from the masses to become wealthy. These habits became a non-negotiable for them and eventually became a natural part of them. Aristotle definitely said it best when he said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is an act but a habit.” If you want to live life on your own terms where money is no option, you have to mirror the habits of self-made millionaires.
By Lindsie Polhemus7 years ago in Journal
Unhealthiest Jobs In America
Not all jobs are equal, and some have huge risks compared to others. You may feel a lot better about your job after reading about some of the most unhealthy jobs in America. Or maybe worse, if your job is included. You could probably put 20 different occupations in the health sector on this list, as they are exposed to the most germs and diseases by a long shot. However, there are a variety of factors that are taken into account when considering how unhealthy a job is. The possibility of injury, exposure to germs, and hazardous conditions are some of many.
By Richard Owens7 years ago in Journal