job & interview

5 Words to Avoid Saying During a Job Interview

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5 Words to Avoid Saying During a Job Interview</h1>
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Banish these five words or phrases from your vocabulary during a job search.</h2>
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Be careful. Uttering these five words or phrases will hurt the hiring manager's ears.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Picture it: You’re on a job interview meeting the hiring manager and upper management. It couldn’t go any better. You’re hitting the ball out of the park with specific anecdotes to illustrate your skills and relevant experience as a spot-on match for the position you’re pursuing. And then, suddenly out of nowhere, things take a turn. You blurt out one or two keywords that curtail the momentum and makes them wonder, and then you have to back track only to realize the best way to handle the situation is to not murmur another word relevant to that topic.</span></div>
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That’s right, we’re talking about several words to avoid at all costs during <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-abcs-of-interviewing" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-abcs-of-interviewing">any stage of interviews</a>.</div>
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<b>1. “Obsessed.”</b> Yes, obsessed can connote an intense, passionate emotion, but when you say it in a prospective job situation, hiring managers might immediately think about "Fatal Attraction." Considering the word technically means to talk or think about something too much, there’s another angle to it, too. Most hiring managers want to feel like they can hang out with the candidate in a job situation, that you fit well with the team and have something to shoot the breeze about aside from work. If you only live, breathe, eat and sleep work, you're not a very well-rounded individual.</div>
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<i></i><i>Words to use instead: </i>You can get the message across by saying you’re passionate, captivated by, immersed in or hooked by the industry.</div>
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<b>2. “And whatnot.”</b> Here’s the thing about fillers like “whatnot” and “you know” – <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2012/05/24/4-job-skills-to-leave-off-a-resume" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2012/05/24/4-job-skills-to-leave-off-a-resume">they’re just that</a>. They don’t explain anything further and don’t demonstrate anything of substance. They merely add empty words. Hiring managers want to see that you're articulate in a meaningful way, which sometimes means less is more. Think of some sentences as a tweet. Do you need to articulate what you’re saying in more than 140 characters aloud? Instead of saying, “I was responsible for leading a team of 10 people during year-end accruals and whatnot.” Simply delete the last two words and you’ll sound a lot more intelligent.</div>
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<i></i><i>Words to use instead</i>: Nothing. <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/04/15/3-ways-to-avoid-resume-buzzword-banality" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">Silence is your friend</a>. Try to visualize the sentence and simply cut out unnecessary words; this is particularly simple to do at the end of a sentence. Don’t stop there – try eliminating fillers when you’re immersed in casual conversations with family and friends. Ask yourself if those words help illustrate your point. Get into the habit of doing this casually and it will feel normal to no longer rely on fillers in interviews<strike></strike>.</div>
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<b>3. Curse words.</b> What’s a little F-bomb here and there, right? Just say no! Even if the interviewer is casual and speaks with a dirty mouth, you shouldn't go there whatever you do. It may be tempting if you’re caught up in the moment and accustomed to dropping a less obscene word here and there – it may even seem innocent. But there are certainly enough words in the English language to get your point across without having to swear. Again, practice reducing your swearing, even if it sounds corny: “When travel schedules got rearranged at the last minute and it was incredibly stressful, I remember thinking, ‘Fudge, how is this going to get done?’ I came up with a plan overnight and implemented it with my team.”</div>
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<i>Words to use instead</i>: Sometimes you can simply eliminate the profane word altogether; in other instances, feel free to go with a squeaky-clean substitute since it still gets the point across. That’s right – the rated G-version. Ask yourself if you would feel comfortable with your seven-year-old niece hearing the words you're saying, or if you'd feel comfortable with a transcript of your interview being published on the front page of The Wall Street Journal. Keep it clean, just like you wouldn’t necessarily swear in a work-related email.</div>
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<b>4. “No.”</b> Any form of this word just comes across as closed off. Even using a phrase like, “That wasn’t my job but it was hard to say no …” <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/09/20/the-proper-way-to-say-no-in-the-workplace" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/09/20/the-proper-way-to-say-no-in-the-workplace">can be dangerous</a>, as the hiring manager may lose sight of what you’re saying and just hear the word “no.” And sure, in some instances you may need to describe where you pushed back or had to stand up for yourself by using the word, but you always want to turn the situation into a positive.</div>
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<i>Words to use instead:</i> You can often turn negative situations and descriptions into more optimistic, positive ones. If you’re explaining how something couldn’t be done because you were inundated with work, or that it wasn’t your job yet it was difficult to say no, you can say, "I really wanted to take on the additional work and say yes to a colleague, but I had to remain fixated on my main priorities so I had a discussion with my manager. We decided the solution was to hire a temp to help out for the season so I could get the top priorities accomplished for the department while the temp was able to handle paperwork and answer phone calls.”</div>
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<b>5. Describing a victim mentality</b>. If you’re tempted to dwell on the recession or the tight job market or the abundance of competition or the temperature of the weather outside as a reason why you haven’t been working for a while or why you haven’t gotten ahead, think again. Employers don’t want to <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/04/02/the-5-feeblest-excuses-for-failing-to-job-search" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">hear excuses</a> even though they may valid. Sure, you can say something like, “I graduated from college in the middle of the recession and as you can imagine, competition for few jobs was fierce.” You’re stating a fact and then coming up with a solution.</div>
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<i>Words to use instead</i>: “I decided that was the ideal time to pursue a graduate degree and now that I’ve completed it and worked in retail for two years just to make ends meet, I’m ready to put my knowledge to good use.” Don’t play victim to your circumstances; employers want to see how you thought outside the box and took initiative even when economic situations or external factors may have played a role in telling your employment story.</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/17/5-words-to-avoid-saying-during-a-job-interview" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

5 Words to Avoid Saying During a Job Interview

5 Words to Avoid Saying During a Job Interview Banish these five words or phrases from your vocabulary during a job search. Be careful...

How to Quit Your Job in Style

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How to Quit Your Job in Style</h1>
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There's a right and a wrong way to leave your job.</h2>
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<img src="http://www.standard.co.uk/incoming/article9092855.ece/alternates/w620/29iquit2901a.jpg" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.234001159668px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">There are many different approaches to quitting a job. Some people are so fed up and don’t care if they burn bridges, and may simply say “I quit!” and walk out. Others put a lot of thought and consideration into it before saying goodbye to ensure positive references in the future. Then there are people who are extremely loyal and</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/06/12/congrats-your-new-job-is-a-nightmare" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/06/12/congrats-your-new-job-is-a-nightmare">afraid to quit</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">, producing enough anxiety that they decide not to quit at all. Where do you fall?</span></div>
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The ideal spot is in between. It’s important to recognize that if you’ve gotten to the point of just high-tailing it out the door, you may have waited too long to go. One way to remedy this situation is to stay on the lookout for new opportunities. Yes, it’s time consuming and isn’t fun, but you don’t want to get so bitter that you cause yourself harm. There are professionally acceptable ways to behave, and you can damage your career by causing a hostile display at work, quitting or not. Post your résumé on major sites like Monster and CareerBuilder; if you're afraid your human resources department will see that you just posted your résumé, then you could sign up for daily or weekly <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs">job alerts</a> tailored to your interests instead. Most major job sites offer them.</div>
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You also don’t want to fall in the latter category, i.e., you don't want to stay to the end of your days to avoid the resigning process. While many employees feel a great sense of loyalty to their firm, it’s not reciprocal. In truth, all of us are replaceable in our jobs and companies will move on long after we’re gone. And when you’re really gone, do you want your gravestone to read “Sean was a loyal worker who did everything for his company?” Hopefully there are other things you’d rather be remembered for.</div>
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So, quit in style.</div>
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<b>1. </b><b>Timing.</b> People always ask, “Should I give <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/03/05/do-you-always-have-to-give-two-weeks-notice" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/03/05/do-you-always-have-to-give-two-weeks-notice">two weeks' notice</a> or longer before I leave?" Take a look at your contract and follow what it says; two weeks is the usual. While it may help your boss more to have a month or more notice, it’s not necessarily going to help you. You may find colleagues start treating you differently or excluding you from projects, and you’ll be ready to leave long before a month is up.</div>
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<b>2. </b><b>People.</b> While it can be very exciting to announce to friends and co-workers that you got into graduate school, you’re moving or you accepted your dream job, wait. Even among your closest colleagues, these things can slip out unintentionally in casual conversation. Your boss may find out long before you intended to tell her. That will make things – and you especially – very uncomfortable.</div>
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<b>3. </b><b>Paper.</b> Even if you're not required to submit a written notice of resignation, do it. Type up a simple note that states you're resigning from your position and request that your last day of work be whatever date you’ve chosen. You don't have to go into detail about where you’re headed or why <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/08/12/8-ways-to-graciously-quit-your-job" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/08/12/8-ways-to-graciously-quit-your-job">you’re leaving</a>.</div>
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<b>4. </b><b>Exit interview.</b> Your company may schedule an exit interview with HR. You're not obligated to tell them everything about why you’re leaving. In fact, if you really feel like trashing your boss, save that for close friends and family. HR may get a call from your future employers asking about your personal qualities.</div>
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<b>5. </b><b>Email.</b> Pay attention to the norm at your office. Have other people who’ve left the company blasted an “I’m leaving! See you at the beach!” message to all company employees, or only sent it to a select group? You should follow suit. If your boss or HR asks you specifically not to send something out, you should only send a note to your closest colleagues with your contact information, or do it in-person.</div>
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<b>6. </b><b>Old-fashioned notes.</b> A really nice touch is to compose handwritten notes for your close colleagues and boss. These should touch on why you’ve enjoyed working with them and include your contact information. This is something that people don’t easily forget.</div>
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Quitting is not easy, but it’s a given in life, and there is an appropriate and <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/10/25/9-frightful-ways-to-quit-your-job" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/10/25/9-frightful-ways-to-quit-your-job">inappropriate way</a> to do it at the office. While you will be moving on to a new adventure and out of sight, you won’t be out of mind if you follow these guidelines. Most companies ask for contact information for past employers and you want the feedback to be positive. You’re in control – don’t let their comments be otherwise.</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/10/how-to-quit-your-job-in-style" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

How to Quit Your Job in Style

How to Quit Your Job in Style There's a right and a wrong way to leave your job. There are many different approaches to quitting ...

How to Get Your References in Tiptop Shape

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How to Get Your References in Tiptop Shape</h1>
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Pointers for first-time job seekers on picking the best professional ambassadors possible.</h2>
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<a href="http://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/b98989f/2147483647/thumbnail/418x278/quality/85/?url=%2Fcmsmedia%2Fd5%2Fb3%2F0f6a66b84616a5660d46a7c4cf84%2Fresizes%2F500%2F140219-jobinterview-stock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/b98989f/2147483647/thumbnail/418x278/quality/85/?url=%2Fcmsmedia%2Fd5%2Fb3%2F0f6a66b84616a5660d46a7c4cf84%2Fresizes%2F500%2F140219-jobinterview-stock.jpg" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.234001159668px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Excited about your first job interview? You should be! It’s your first step toward getting a “</span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs">real adult job</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">” after college. And while you’ve polished up your résumé and practiced interview questions, you may not have given much thought to references. After all, if you’ve had little to no experience in your industry, they can be a challenge to gather.</span></div>
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<b>Leveraging References With Little Work Experience</b></div>
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Employers know you just graduated and don’t expect you to have pages full of professional references. In fact, they might not expect you to have any references at all, so wow them by providing a list of quality people who can vouch for your skills, enthusiasm and passion.</div>
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If you haven’t worked much, consider your professors or career counselors <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/10/04/10-common-and-corrosive-job-reference-mistakes" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/10/04/10-common-and-corrosive-job-reference-mistakes">viable reference options</a>. Ray Bixler, CEO at SkillSurvey, a company that uses confidential, science-based reference assessments to help employers make better hiring decisions, says how you conduct yourself in class can be a good indicator of your potential at a company as an employee. “We know based on thousands of reference reports that some key behaviors that spell success in the workplace – such as showing up on time, completing assigned projects, working and communicating well with others, and paying attention to detail – will be evident to your professors and can convince hiring managers that you’ll be successful.” he says.</div>
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If your references aren’t sure what to put in a letter about you, guide them. If you ran your biology club for four years, encourage your biology professor to talk about your leadership skills there.</div>
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<b>Matching Up With What Employers Seek</b></div>
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Ultimately, an employer wants to get a sense that you will be <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/04/29/avoid-accepting-a-job-thats-a-bad-fit" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/04/29/avoid-accepting-a-job-thats-a-bad-fit">a good culture fit</a> and succeed at the role. That means your references should vouch for you coming to class/work on time, taking initiative and going the extra mile.</div>
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But Bixler says employers are also looking for red flags – indications that a candidate will not succeed. “We’ve found that when references mention that a candidate has a temper or is moody, or something along those lines, those candidates typically do not succeed on the job,” he says.</div>
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If you know you didn’t show up to class on time frequently, don’t ask that professor to be a reference. If you didn’t put your all into a volunteer position, hesitate before using your supervisor as a contact.</div>
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So before jotting down personal references, consider what that person would say. Would she first remember your hard work on a project, or that time you stormed out of class?</div>
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<b>Creating Your Reference Page</b></div>
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This should be a separate file with three to five references (the potential employer may specify a number, so go with that if they do). It should include the person’s name, job title, company, email, phone number and a brief note on your relationship.</div>
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Don’t include your reference sheet with your résumé when first applying. You can save your references until you're asked to provide them.</div>
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<b>Choose the Best References for the Job</b></div>
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As you get more work experience your reference list may change. As you develop more contacts, you may be able to zero in on ones that speak best to the job for which you’re applying. <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/05/31/mastering-the-art-of-giving-a-job-reference" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/05/31/mastering-the-art-of-giving-a-job-reference">Professional references</a> trump personal references.</div>
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You'll want to provide references who have worked with you recently and who can provide specific insight into how you work. Most employers will want to speak with a manager or two and a colleague who has worked directly with you. If your position will entail managing people, the company will most likely value speaking with a previous direct report.</div>
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Keep your reference list updated to better reflect the right contacts who can help you get <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-10-best-times-to-switch-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-10-best-times-to-switch-jobs">your next job</a>.</div>
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<b>Managing Relationships With Your References</b></div>
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Before you mention a reference to a potential employer, ask the reference if it’s OK. There’s nothing worse than being blindsided by a call from a potential employer and your reference isn't prepared. If you get the sense that the person is uncomfortable being asked, find someone else. You want people who will gush about you and help you get the job.</div>
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Stay in touch with those contacts, as you may need them down the road for future jobs. Keep them in the loop on what’s happening in your career, and be sure to thank them for helping you get there. An easy way to stay in touch is through LinkedIn. That way, your reference contacts can see where you are professionally with a glance at your profile.</div>
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<b>Lindsay Olson</b> is a founding partner and public relations recruiter with Paradigm Staffing and Hoojobs, <a class="" href="http://hoojobs.com/" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://hoojobs.com/">a niche job board</a> for public relations, communications and social media jobs. Hoojobs was voted as a Top Career website by Forbes. She blogs at LindsayOlson.com, where she discusses recruiting and job search issues and is chief editor of the HooHireWire – The Hoojobs Guide to Hiring & Getting Hired.  </div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/26/how-to-get-your-references-in-tiptop-shape" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

How to Get Your References in Tiptop Shape

How to Get Your References in Tiptop Shape Pointers for first-time job seekers on picking the best professional ambassadors possible. ...

4 Ways to Ace the Exit Interview

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4 Ways to Ace the Exit Interview</h1>
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How to make a lasting impression and leave all bridges intact.</h2>
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Your reputation will follow you everywhere, so be professional to the end. Stay calm, cool and collected during your last meeting.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Ah, the exit interview. It’s often overlooked by eager former employees looking to</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/10/how-to-quit-your-job-in-style" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/10/how-to-quit-your-job-in-style">get the heck out</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">and start their new employment elsewhere. At some companies, the interview may be via an automated phone call or website. At other places, it's a good old-fashioned sit-down meeting.</span></div>
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Whatever the format, you’re making one lasting impression on your employer. In turn, there’s always the possibility you may end up returning to work for the company at some point in the future. Boomerangs, as they say in the human resources world, aren’t uncommon. While there aren’t statistics to reflect the number of rehires, it’s not entirely surprising to return to a former employer.</div>
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For starters, the grass is always greener. Your new job may seem like rainbows and ponies at first, only to quickly become worse than your former role. Also, new jobs, roles and responsibilities may emerge at your former employer as people move on. Plus, if you were <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/04/30/how-to-move-on-from-a-dead-end-job" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/04/30/how-to-move-on-from-a-dead-end-job">stuck in a dead end</a>, perhaps new opportunities will emerge going forward. In any event, it’s not unheard of to return to your old stomping grounds.</div>
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With social media, it’s easier for recruiters to track down and contact former employees. For employers, it’s considerably less money to bring rehires on board, because they presumably only need to quickly relearn the corporate culture and new role. Plus, it may be in the best interest for a former employee to return for a better role and bigger salary.</div>
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Whatever the case, when you leave, keep in mind that you’re not shutting the door forever. You’re just shutting it for now. Here are four tips to keep in mind during that last official interaction.</div>
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<b>1. Be professional.</b> If you feel like you’ve been wronged by the company – whether <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/11/19/4-bounce-back-steps-to-take-after-being-laid-off" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/11/19/4-bounce-back-steps-to-take-after-being-laid-off">you’ve been laid off</a> during a downsize or you’ve decided to leave on your own terms – maintain utmost professionalism, even if this means gritting your teeth as you express thanks for working there. Your reputation will follow you wherever you go, so don’t let this last interaction tarnish it. That means no profanity, no threats, no ill will and no vengeance.</div>
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There’s no need to get overly emotional either. You wouldn’t break down into tears or be overly exuberant during a job interview, would you? Treat this the same way. Be calm, cool and collected.</div>
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<b>2. Use your judgment.</b> If the former employer asks about why you’re leaving or if you would have changed anything, put the situation in perspective. If you encountered a situation with an unfair boss or a <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/05/05/how-to-deal-with-a-bad-performance-review" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">ruthless performance review</a> that you already addressed with human resources, you can simply say: “previous unresolved issues.” There’s no need to re-explain it in detail.</div>
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On the other hand, now is the chance to feel liberated, too. If there was a minor issue, make a suggestion like: “I wish the help desk was more responsive, because it was challenging when unresolved tech issues interfered with my work.”</div>
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<b>3. Pick your battles.</b> When speaking up, you may feel like a weight has been lifted or that you’ve finally been able to articulate a major shortcoming at the organization. But that said, keep in mind that it’s highly unlikely anything will change if you try to help your former colleagues in the same dire situation that prompted your resignation. (<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-things-only-bad-bosses-say" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">Unethical boss</a>, anyone?) Sure, there are exceptions, but on the whole, the issue you bring up will be overlooked. That’s the harsh reality.</div>
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In fact, the employer may view your note as a complaint or grievance, which won't help you in your career. Just know that you’re moving onto brighter and better pastures. Keep the exit interview short and sweet, and keep looking forward.</div>
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<b>4. Be positive.</b> End on a high note, and make a point to say how much you learned and grew in the position. You can talk about where the company is heading and its philosophy (if you’re on board with it). You can also mention a few things you will fondly remember, whether it’s projects you enjoyed or amazing co-workers. </div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/09/4-ways-to-ace-the-exit-interview" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

4 Ways to Ace the Exit Interview

4 Ways to Ace the Exit Interview How to make a lasting impression and leave all bridges intact. Your reputation will follow you everyw...

Combating the 'My-Boss-Is-a-Jerk' Blues

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Combating the 'My-Boss-Is-a-Jerk' Blues</h1>
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It's still possible to find fulfillment at work when your supervisor is a moron.</h2>
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Cheer up, hard worker, and change your perspective on your boss and work environment.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Two common mantras in our culture today are: “I hate my job” and “My boss is a jerk.” While both statements may be true, hating your job because your boss is a jerk isn’t going to lead anywhere good.</span></div>
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According to Gallup, more than half of the U.S. workforce (or about 70 million employees) either are just<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/06/12/congrats-your-new-job-is-a-nightmare" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/06/12/congrats-your-new-job-is-a-nightmare">enduring their job</a> or actively hate where they work. With that level of dissatisfaction, it's no surprise that we hear so many negative comments – either in personal conversations, through social media or the mainstream media. In other words, If you don’t like your job, welcome to the club.</div>
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Here are two reasons why concluding “My boss is a jerk” (or even “major jerk”) won’t help things for you at work.</div>
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<b>1. I</b><b>t's easy to label others and be vague.</b> When we label others with vague pejorative terms – which seems to be common in our culture – it absolves us of any responsibility to do anything. “She’s an idiot” and “What a _____ [fill in the term]” are similar. You’ve called the person a name, but now what?</div>
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Let’s assume your boss <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-things-only-bad-bosses-say" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-things-only-bad-bosses-say">acts like a jerk</a> at times. What does that really mean?</div>
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What has he or she done that you disagree with?</div>
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<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">Is it the decisions he or she has made?</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">How he or she makes decisions?</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">How he or she communicates with you?</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">How he or she treats others?</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">How decisions are implemented (or not)?</li>
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Only when we identify the specific actions or behaviors that irritate, offend or hurt us can we then develop a plan of action to deal with them. If another person’s actions affect you negatively (especially repeatedly), then it may be good for you to figure out how you're going to respond. Options may include ignoring them, talking to them or minimizing contact. But leaving it at "he's a jerk” gives you no plan of action.</div>
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One of the problems in talking together with others about this without identifying the specific action is that you know where you are coming from, what you have been thinking about and the purpose of the conversation. However, the other person often has no clue. When you start talking, it can take the other person a while to figure out why you're sharing what you have and what you want from him or her in response.</div>
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<b>2. You can still enjoy your work even if your boss is difficult and has significant weaknesses</b><b><i>.</i></b>While we know that a person’s relationship with his or her direct supervisor is influential, it's not the only factor. <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-25-best-jobs-of-2014" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-25-best-jobs-of-2014">Your job</a> also entails one or more of the following:</div>
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<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">the tasks you're supposed to accomplish</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">customers</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">potential customers</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">co-workers</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">vendors or suppliers</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">other interactions with the community at large</li>
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So focus on these aspects of your work. Do the best at what you do. Learn and grow in your skills. Figure out what your customers need and want and do your best to serve them well. Find positive co-workers and hang out with them. Be positive and energetic in the interactions you have with others.</div>
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Also, remember that your boss almost certainly has some <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/08/21/5-sales-skills-everyone-needs-in-the-workplace" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/08/21/5-sales-skills-everyone-needs-in-the-workplace">beneficial skills</a>, strengths, knowledge or character qualities – it is unlikely that he or she is a total moron that has evil intent. He or she is probably quite different from you in many ways, but those differences can be beneficial to your organization.</div>
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Bringing a positive attitude to your job actually helps you enjoy your work more. So, do what you can to see some positives in your current job. If you can’t think of anything, compare yourself to those who don’t have safe water to drink and whose sole task each day is getting food for themselves and their family.<i></i></div>
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The single best thing that you can do<i> </i>to improve the likelihood of having a great work day is to have a daily attitude of gratitude.<i> </i>Research has repeatedly shown that people who have a positive, grateful attitude for their work actually enjoy their work more.</div>
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Yes, your boss may be a jerk. But you can only make <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-10-best-times-to-switch-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-10-best-times-to-switch-jobs">your daily experience</a> at work better if you get past that vague conclusion and begin to focus on what you can do in the situation. (And remember: he or she may be saying the same thing about you.)</div>
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<br />
<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/17/combating-the-my-boss-is-a-jerk-blues" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

Combating the 'My-Boss-Is-a-Jerk' Blues

Combating the 'My-Boss-Is-a-Jerk' Blues It's still possible to find fulfillment at work when your supervisor is a moron. C...

8 Things New Employees Should Never Do

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8 Things New Employees Should Never Do</h1>
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Complaining about your old boss or taking long lunches may be fine later – but not now.</h2>
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Telling bawdy jokes, asking for vacation time and spending time on Facebook are bad moves for newbies.</div>
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<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5;">When you’re</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/06/12/congrats-your-new-job-is-a-nightmare" style="color: #005ea6; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/06/12/congrats-your-new-job-is-a-nightmare">new to a job</a><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5;">, you’re subject to a whole different set of rules than you are once you’ve been there longer. Co-workers don’t know you well yet, so small behaviors can carry more weight. Actions that might go unnoticed six months down the road can raise concerns about your work ethic, reliability and judgment.</span></div>
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Here are eight things that you shouldn’t do when you’re new to the job – but that are OK to do later.</div>
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<b>1. Asking for vacation time during your first few months. </b>In most cases, taking time off soon after starting a job will raise eyebrows. Your manager is likely to think, “She just started, she’s still being trained and she already wants time off?” Exceptions to this are if a close family member is seriously ill or if you cleared the time off before accepting the job.</div>
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<b>2. Complaining to your co-workers about your new boss.</b> Frankly, it’s not great to <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/03/05/how-to-complain-about-a-co-worker" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: null">complain to your co-workers</a> about your boss no matter how long you’re been at your job – but when you’re new, it comes across as especially tone-deaf. Even co-workers who aren’t your manager’s biggest fans are likely to be put off by it, simply because complaining so early on signals that you’re likely to be a prima donna who doesn’t even settle in before finding fault. Similarly …</div>
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<b>3. Bad-mouthing your old job or old boss.</b> Once they know you better, your new co-workers might be thrilled to hear your war stories about your crazy former boss or your nightmare cubicle-mate at your old job. But if you share that stuff when you’re new, you’ll just come across as someone willing to bad-mouth colleagues. People are more likely to think, “Wow, that’s going to be us she’s talking about one day.” Wait until you know each other better before you break out the work horror stories.</div>
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<b>4. Taking long lunches before you know the lunch culture of your new workplace. </b>This sometimes trips up people coming from a workplace where hourlong lunches were the norm and are moving to an office where people take half an hour or simply eat at their desks. When you’re starting a new job, it’s smart to observe the <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/15-activities-to-try-on-your-lunch-break" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">lunch culture</a> for a few days until you have a feel for your new office’s norms. It’s also fine to ask a co-worker, “What do people normally do for lunch?”</div>
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<b>5. Pushing the envelope on business expenses. </b>As the new guy, there’s no faster way to torpedo your reputation than asking to stay at a more expensive hotel during business travel or rent a nicer car. Once you’ve established yourself as a great employee, you might be able to get away with arguing the merits of these things – but if you try it as a new employee, it will define you in a way that will hurt you.</div>
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<b>6. Using bawdy humor. </b>It might never be OK to do this in your workplace, but there are certainly some offices that have a higher tolerance for risqué humor than others. However, if you plunge right in without getting to know your new co-workers better, you risk alienating and offending people if you’ve read them wrong. Wait until you have a much better feel for your new <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/06/10/how-to-tell-if-a-company-culture-will-be-a-bad-fit" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/06/10/how-to-tell-if-a-company-culture-will-be-a-bad-fit">office’s culture</a> before breaking out even borderline jokes. Even at that point, proceed with caution. Just because you’ve seen one person doing it doesn’t mean that everyone else is comfortable with it.</div>
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<b>7. Spending time on Facebook or other social sites.</b> Once you’ve proven yourself as someone who works hard and produces high-quality work, it might be entirely fine to take the occasional Facebook break. But when you’re new on the job, being spotted on time-wasting sites is likely to make your co-workers – and especially your manager – worry about your work ethic.</div>
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<b>8. Calling in sick during your first month, unless it’s truly dire. </b>Rightly or wrongly, if you <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/02/21/7-reasons-to-fight-the-flu-from-your-bed-not-your-cubicle" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: null">call in sick</a> while you’re new on the job, your manager is likely to worry that it’s going to be the start of pattern and that you’re not reliable. Of course, if you’re truly sick and especially if you’re contagious, you might have no choice. In that case, you should make it clear that it’s an unusual occurrence. It doesn’t hurt to add, “I’m mortified that this happened during my first month.” The idea is that you want to reassure your new manager that this isn’t the first of many absences.</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/18/8-things-new-employees-should-never-do" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

8 Things New Employees Should Never Do

8 Things New Employees Should Never Do Complaining about your old boss or taking long lunches may be fine later – but not now. Telling...

Want to Bolster Professional Relationships? Ignore Social Media

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Want to Bolster Professional Relationships? Ignore Social Media</h1>
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Why a face-to-face discussion trumps a tweet.</h2>
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Unplug! Social media is important, but in-person interactions go a long way toward building meaningful connections.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Of course that got your attention. For a fleeting moment, let's imagine a world without Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. It's a predigital age, if you will, in which emails didn’t rule the roost, and fax machines – the type with shiny paper bound to curl after a fax was sent – were heavily relied upon. A world full of typewriter ribbons, Wite-Out and snail mail résumés sent to personnel departments …</span></div>
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OK, now let’s get to the <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/04/how-to-become-a-networking-superstar" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/04/how-to-become-a-networking-superstar">brass tactics of networking</a>! Emails and tweets are fine, but when you want to crank relationships up to several levels deeper and gain more meaningful connections for the long-term, nothing beats old-fashioned face time. Here are five strategies to accomplish this:</div>
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<b>1. Go offline.</b> Yes, you can and should still update your profile on LinkedIn and "like" relevant posts on Facebook. But if you’re relying entirely on technology for self-branding and networking, you’re missing the boat. Go offline, and attend industry events and professional mixers. Even if it’s not work-related, get out of the office, car or home and into the gym, place of worship or book club. Dust off those social skills, and get a sense for someone’s body language, energy and <i>joie de vivre.</i> And most importantly, get a sense of your own. Let’s repeat: Go offline.</div>
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While technology is excellent in many ways, it’s also a false sense of security regarding interaction. You may have connected with 20 people at the office before noon, only to realize you didn’t actually speak to anyone – including that co-worker in the next cubicle. And when there’s a disagreement about budgets, <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/03/19/10-annoying-email-habits-to-break-today" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/03/19/10-annoying-email-habits-to-break-today">squabbling over email</a> won’t nip it in the bud. Whether you want to propel relationships, look for a new job or resolve an outstanding issue, nothing beats speaking in-person or on the phone.</div>
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<b>2. Take initiative to meet.</b> Let’s say you connect with a new industry professional on Twitter who lives only 30 minutes away and is in the same line of work. You write: “We should grab coffee someday. It would be great to meet in person!”</div>
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Guess what? "Someday" is this month! Reach out and have a conversation, even if you’re not <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/27/how-to-get-the-job-by-thinking-like-a-hiring-manager" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/27/how-to-get-the-job-by-thinking-like-a-hiring-manager">looking for a job</a>. Extend that branch, make a new friend and expand upon your budding relationship. Building it can include social media, but in order to solidify a foundation, nothing should replace face time. And if geography is an issue, schedule a call via Skype or phone, so you at least connect a voice to the person’s name and avatar.</div>
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<b>3. Make a plan, and commit to it.</b> Whether it’s two coffee meetings per month or one lunch and two phone calls, it’s all good. Set realistic goals, and stick to them. Yes, we’re always busy, but the best time to build relationships and foster them is when we’re not frantically looking for a job. Simply check in to see how someone’s doing and how you can help him or her. Even if it’s reconnecting with a former boss internally, contact him or her to schedule a lunch date. It’s so easy and simple, and yet it's often overlooked.</div>
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<b>4. Set a timer.</b> It’s going to be challenging to ignore social media altogether, but you can always set limitations with a timer. Figure out what time of day you will go online, whether it’s a quick break <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/15-activities-to-try-on-your-lunch-break" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/15-activities-to-try-on-your-lunch-break">during lunchtime</a> or right before you head out of the office at night. Be consistent and fast. Devouring blogs for 15 minutes is one thing, but two hours and 15 minutes of it is quite another.</div>
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<b>5.</b> <b>Evaluate relationships.</b> If you and a former colleague consistently comment on each other’s Facebook updates and send each other articles on Twitter, ask yourself when you last had an actual conversation with that person. Even a text message to say "hello"? You don’t have to stop tweeting articles, but you do need to revive that relationship.</div>
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The best way to do so is on the phone or in person. Even if it’s just 15 minutes, check in with him or her. Evaluate your online relationships as they exist – or don't, in many cases – in offline situations. if you crossed paths on the street, would you recognize this person's face but not his or her name? You know what he or she reads and comments on, but do you know what he or she does <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: null">for a living</a> and how you can tap into his or her network? Be selective. You don’t have to connect with all 200 of your followers (and certainly not 2,000), but even two is a start in the right direction.</div>
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Yes, potential employers and you evaluate each other's online profiles. But typically, leaders decide to hire candidates after they met with them in person. They want to find out: Will you fit in with the team, do you have fire in your belly and do you lead by example?</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/23/want-to-bolster-professional-relationships-ignore-social-media" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

Want to Bolster Professional Relationships? Ignore Social Media

Want to Bolster Professional Relationships? Ignore Social Media Why a face-to-face discussion trumps a tweet. Unplug! Social media is ...

7 Ways to Deal With a Toxic Co-Worker

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7 Ways to Deal With a Toxic Co-Worker</h1>
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Don't let anyone bring down your workplace productivity or happiness.</h2>
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Shut down a perpetual pessimist by explaining that you like your job and are happy at the company.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Do you feel exhausted the second you walk into your office in the morning? Do you sometimes come home from work feeling completely and utterly</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/11/27/the-best-cures-for-workplace-stress" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/11/27/the-best-cures-for-workplace-stress">emotionally drained</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">?</span></div>
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If it’s not the work itself or the job that’s bringing you down, it could be one of your co-workers. Let’s be honest: All of us at one time or another have brought personal issues into the office. The problem starts when personal issues affect the person’s work or the work of colleagues.</div>
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There is another type of co-worker: one who is unhappy with his or her job and shows it in a negative way each and every day. This fosters an extremely negative work environment. The question becomes: How can we handle toxic co-workers so that our work is not interrupted and we are not emotionally taxed at the end of every day?</div>
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<b>1. Set time limits. </b>Offer a moment of sympathy – and no more than that. Unless “psychiatrist” or “psychologist” is in your job title, it’s not your responsibility to boost someone’s mood at work. You can offer to listen for five minutes or simply explain that you’re <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/16/6-signs-you-have-too-much-on-your-plate" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/16/6-signs-you-have-too-much-on-your-plate">overloaded with work</a>, trying to meet a deadline or that nature is calling (even if it isn’t).</div>
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<b>2. Don’t engage.</b> It can be hard, but try to refrain from offering advice on a personal matter or comparing it to something you’ve been through. This will only encourage further discussion. You can simply say: “I’m sorry to hear that.” If you’re talking to a colleague who is dissatisfied with work, try not to agree, because that will likely egg him or her on.</div>
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<b>3. Keep it professional. </b>If you must interact regularly because you work closely together, develop clear agendas for meetings and have a set end time. Otherwise, you run the risk of having a gripe session. Stay on professional topics only. If it veers off course, change the subject back to the work topic at hand.</div>
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<b>4. Dive into work. </b>There are those who like to come to your office or desk and chat incessantly. <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/10/01/8-ways-to-destroy-workplace-distractions" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">This is distracting</a> and can add time to your day. Politely tell your colleague that you need to finish work on time, and you must get back to the grind.</div>
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<b>5. Throw it back.</b> When you are dealing with the perpetual pessimist, tell him or her why you like your job and why you are happy at the company. Eventually, he or she should get the hint that you’re not on his or her side and therefore not the best person to complain to.</div>
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<b>6. Create deterrents. </b>If you have a door, close it several times a day, and place a sign on it that simply states: “Please do not disturb – tight deadline” or “On an important call.” You can have several prepared that you rotate. It’s tougher if you’re in an <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/12/04/how-to-survive-in-an-open-plan-office" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/12/04/how-to-survive-in-an-open-plan-office">open plan office</a> or have a cubicle. If you work well listening to music and can get away with it at your office, wear headphones. There are many co-workers who will still think it's OK to come up and tap you on the shoulder, but it should deter some. You can also consider putting a sign and letter holder on your desk or cubicle wall that explains you’re busy with work and asks people to leave a note for you to respond to later. Again, this is not going to solve the problem completely, but it could save you some drama.</div>
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<b>7. Confront the problem head on.</b> If you feel comfortable doing so, it may be worthwhile to tell the person you cannot listen to his or her issues anymore. Explain why you cannot engage with him or her on personal matters anymore, perhaps because chatting a lot at work translates into <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/17/how-to-set-boundaries-at-work-so-you-can-have-a-life" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">longer hours</a>, disruption of your concentration or missed deadlines. This probably won’t work well with someone you work very closely with all the time. In that case, it would be preferable to involve a superior in the conversation. </div>
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These co-workers are in every office of every profession, and we will probably never be able to escape them. However, there are ways to lessen and possibly eliminate the burden. Many people could be more productive during the workday and not work long hours if it weren’t for personal chats or complaint sessions. If you want to be at work to work and hightail it out of there on time, limit your interaction with toxic co-workers. It is completely exhausting to deal with your own workload, your co-workers’ job issues and their personal life. </div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/10/02/7-ways-to-deal-with-a-toxic-co-worker" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

7 Ways to Deal With a Toxic Co-Worker

7 Ways to Deal With a Toxic Co-Worker Don't let anyone bring down your workplace productivity or happiness. Shut down a perpetual ...