• 2-minute read •
First, I think it’s great that you’re interested in looking for a new job because countless people would say, “My job is exhausting,” and then be miserable and do nothing about it. So bravo to you!
Second, with the end goal of landing a laid-back job, we need to work backwards from this point.
Why is your job exhausting? Is it because the tasks are menial and boredom inducing, or, is your job exhausting because it’s labor intensive and you’re on your feet all day? Or are you mentally stretched and your brain is fried each and every day? Combination of the above?
Showing posts with label back. Show all posts
Showing posts with label back. Show all posts
Beat the Post-Vacation Blues Before They Begin Strategies for Getting Back to Work After Going Away
Summer vacations -- or vacations taken at any time of year -- are good for business. Workers get to recharge their batteries with rest and relaxation, and their employers usually reap the benefits. But no matter how much you love your job and how much you unwind on your vacation, you still may feel anxious about your initial return to work.
Why? Blame it on a backlog. According to a new survey from The Creative Group, one third of respondents claimed to dread getting back to the daily grind because of "the work awaiting their return." However, half of those surveyed admitted that vacations made them feel happy and refreshed. So how can you keep your post-vacation afterglow upon re-entry to the professional world? Use the tips below to reduce the work that will accumulate in your absence and enjoy the lasting effects of your time away.
Help Someone Else Step Up
Do you know someone who's waiting for an opportunity to spread her wings? Maybe a junior team member or an assistant has been chomping at the bit for a chance to move up. Megan Slabinski, executive director of The Creative Group, reveals, "High-potential employees who are being considered for management roles may welcome the chance to prove themselves while their supervisors are away."
To help your new protege be most effective, she advises professionals to "ensure their second-in-command understands the resources available and has a good framework for making decisions." Take time to bring your charge up to speed so she will succeed in your stead.
Spread the Word
You can put out fires and lessen your load while you're out of town with the push of a button (or two). Says Slabinski, "Leave outgoing messages on your email and voicemail to let others know you are away and whom to contact in your absence." Not only will this immediately direct people to connect with your newly named second-in-command, but, adds Slabinski, it "will reduce the number of calls and messages you must attend to on your return."
(Enabling an auto-response with Yahoo! Mail takes only a few moments and a couple of clicks. Learn how here.)
In Case of Emergency
If there's a pressing issue or pending deal that you need to be involved with even if you're away, say so. Addressing a problem as it arises could save you time and heartache when you're back at work. However, warns Slabinski, "Clearly communicate if and when you want to be contacted about business matters while you're away to help minimize disruptions and ensure a peaceful break." Setting boundaries ahead of time will make sure you're not being bothered unnecessarily.
Hire Extra Help
You're probably not the only person in your department or even on your team who's taking a vacation this summer. So why not make life easier for everyone by bringing in some hired guns on a temporary basis?
"Hiring freelancers to augment your team during staff vacations can prevent remaining employees from becoming overburdened," says Slabinski. It will also keep the work that awaits you to a minimum.
Six Ways to Get Back in the Job Market
If you have been out of the job market for a while, you may feel intimidated by a job search. But don't be. Whether you have been comfortable in your current job for a long period and want a new challenge or even change career, or you are retuning to work after spending time away raising a family, you can make a smooth transition back into the into the job market.
Here are some tips and tricks that will prepare you to look beyond the obvious when searching for a new job.
1. Have a plan
The old adage "fail to plan, plan to fail" is as true today as it has ever been. Ensure you have a clear understanding of your career plans and ambitions.
If you are just embarking on your career it is important to join an organisation noted for its training. Some organisations have built up reputations as excellent training providers or promoting from within, for example, and are industry-recognised as leaders in their field.
2. Become Internet savvy
Most online job boards offer job seekers the opportunity to register their details and CVs onto a database that can searched by potential employers, recruitment consultancies and head-hunting firms.
This puts your details in the public domain and increases your visibility in your chosen marketplace. And, most job boards will allow you to block your current company from seeing your details, so you don't have to worry if your boss discovers that you are actively looking for another job.
Create your own blog. Writing a blog gives you the opportunity to become a leading authority on your business. It also gives potential employers an insight into your character and -- if you keep it updated -- dedication.
Blogs can act as a personal PR tool too because you can link your blog to other blogs to create a network and this will further enhance your credibility and profile.
3. Become an expert in your field
One of the most effective ways of getting noticed quickly is by attracting media attention.
I am not suggesting that you have to go the extremes of appearing on "60 Minutes" or "Newsnight." But, writing articles for your trade publications or running seminars and presentations to business leaders will position you as a leading authority. The media will know you and so will potential employers.
4. Put it about and open some doors
The power of networking cannot be underestimated. Think of it like speed dating for workers -- self-promotion to impress a potential suitor (employer). Admittedly not everyone is comfortable schmoozzing with a room full of strangers.
But, networking can enable you to gain access to the hidden job market and it can take place at industry functions, breakfast meetings, online or even at the bus stop.
From a self-marketing point of view, networking can increase your chances of getting your next job by as much as 33 per cent, according to Richard Bolles, author of "What Color is Your Parachute?"
Keep your conversations short to give yourself the opportunity to speak to as many people in the room as possible. The more business cards and contacts you make the better.
5. Ask questions
If you are considering changing your career, ask someone who does the job that you want how they got where they are. People love to talk about themselves, it's human nature. And, the more people that you talk to, the more you will identify the key traits needed to achieve your ambition - and know what pitfalls to avoid.
6. Phone a friend
Personal recommendation and word of mouth are one of the most effective forms of advertising. Some career analysts suggest that 80 per cent of vacancies are not advertised.
After Y2K, a new school of marketing thought emerged that questioned the effectiveness of advertising in the modern age -- when did you last see Starbuck's advertising? They don't. But everyone has heard of Starbuck's.
So, contact ex-colleagues to unearth potential opportunities, and get client testimonials to add to your CV. And, increase your chances of being found by posting your CV on the job sites and let potential employers find you.
Here are some tips and tricks that will prepare you to look beyond the obvious when searching for a new job.
1. Have a plan
The old adage "fail to plan, plan to fail" is as true today as it has ever been. Ensure you have a clear understanding of your career plans and ambitions.
If you are just embarking on your career it is important to join an organisation noted for its training. Some organisations have built up reputations as excellent training providers or promoting from within, for example, and are industry-recognised as leaders in their field.
2. Become Internet savvy
Most online job boards offer job seekers the opportunity to register their details and CVs onto a database that can searched by potential employers, recruitment consultancies and head-hunting firms.
This puts your details in the public domain and increases your visibility in your chosen marketplace. And, most job boards will allow you to block your current company from seeing your details, so you don't have to worry if your boss discovers that you are actively looking for another job.
Create your own blog. Writing a blog gives you the opportunity to become a leading authority on your business. It also gives potential employers an insight into your character and -- if you keep it updated -- dedication.
Blogs can act as a personal PR tool too because you can link your blog to other blogs to create a network and this will further enhance your credibility and profile.
3. Become an expert in your field
One of the most effective ways of getting noticed quickly is by attracting media attention.
I am not suggesting that you have to go the extremes of appearing on "60 Minutes" or "Newsnight." But, writing articles for your trade publications or running seminars and presentations to business leaders will position you as a leading authority. The media will know you and so will potential employers.
4. Put it about and open some doors
The power of networking cannot be underestimated. Think of it like speed dating for workers -- self-promotion to impress a potential suitor (employer). Admittedly not everyone is comfortable schmoozzing with a room full of strangers.
But, networking can enable you to gain access to the hidden job market and it can take place at industry functions, breakfast meetings, online or even at the bus stop.
From a self-marketing point of view, networking can increase your chances of getting your next job by as much as 33 per cent, according to Richard Bolles, author of "What Color is Your Parachute?"
Keep your conversations short to give yourself the opportunity to speak to as many people in the room as possible. The more business cards and contacts you make the better.
5. Ask questions
If you are considering changing your career, ask someone who does the job that you want how they got where they are. People love to talk about themselves, it's human nature. And, the more people that you talk to, the more you will identify the key traits needed to achieve your ambition - and know what pitfalls to avoid.
6. Phone a friend
Personal recommendation and word of mouth are one of the most effective forms of advertising. Some career analysts suggest that 80 per cent of vacancies are not advertised.
After Y2K, a new school of marketing thought emerged that questioned the effectiveness of advertising in the modern age -- when did you last see Starbuck's advertising? They don't. But everyone has heard of Starbuck's.
So, contact ex-colleagues to unearth potential opportunities, and get client testimonials to add to your CV. And, increase your chances of being found by posting your CV on the job sites and let potential employers find you.
How to bounce back from a sacking
Being fired is one of the facts of working life, and it can happen to any of us. If it happens to you, the first thing is to be sure of why. Was it a personality clash? Did you hate the job and show little enthusiasm for it? Were you just out of your depth? Reassuring yourself of the reasons and coming to terms with that is a key part of bouncing back.
What now?
If you feel that, on balance, the dismissal was fair, get on with finding a new job. If not, consider what options are open to you, such as a claim for unfair or constructive dismissal. Talk to a specialist employment lawyer if you can afford it, or go to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau if you can’t.
It might be appropriate to take your case to an employment tribunal, but you’ll need professional advice to assess whether you have a case. Whatever happens, try not to brood and get positive as soon as you can: get out there and start looking for your next job.
Learning the lessons
Getting fired is no crime, but failing to learn from the experience is a serious oversight. As you come to terms with your sacking, be as honest with yourself as you can. Put your resentment in the sock drawer for the time being, and look closely at what went wrong. How much of it was down to you? What might you have been able to do differently? Did you somehow provoke the sacking?
The answers you get to these questions will be invaluable as they will help you increase your own self-knowledge and make you a more resilient and effective person. Use your findings as a source of energy and insight when it comes to getting your next job. For example, if you really weren’t happy where you were, ask yourself why and make sure you don’t get into a similar situation again. Be as objective as you can and don’t look to apportion blame. Take it on the chin, learn from it, and move on.
Explaining a sacking
It never looks good, but it can still be turned to your advantage if you’re smart. Potential employers are bound to be unsettled by a candidate who has been fired from a previous role, but you can turn this round by being totally honest and up-front about it. Honesty is a powerful weapon. It’s both disarming and affirmative, and can win you brownie points with a potential employer.
Because there are so many forms of sacking, there is no textbook answer that can explain your own situation. Describe precisely what happened and offer your analysis of why things went wrong, but never point the finger of blame at your former employer. Accept that you clearly made some mistakes, but that you feel they have helped you become a more rounded and confident individual. Show that you have learned from the experience.
Job applications and your CV
There’s no need to say you were fired on your CV – you may choose to say that your last position was ‘terminated’ or some similar phrase – but you should definitely put in on any application you make. It’s bound to come up in interview, and you don’t want your potential employer to think you’ve been trying to pull the wool.
Again, tell the truth and confront the issue openly. Your potential employer will respect that, and it will help you come to terms with what has happened and move on.
What now?
If you feel that, on balance, the dismissal was fair, get on with finding a new job. If not, consider what options are open to you, such as a claim for unfair or constructive dismissal. Talk to a specialist employment lawyer if you can afford it, or go to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau if you can’t.
It might be appropriate to take your case to an employment tribunal, but you’ll need professional advice to assess whether you have a case. Whatever happens, try not to brood and get positive as soon as you can: get out there and start looking for your next job.
Learning the lessons
Getting fired is no crime, but failing to learn from the experience is a serious oversight. As you come to terms with your sacking, be as honest with yourself as you can. Put your resentment in the sock drawer for the time being, and look closely at what went wrong. How much of it was down to you? What might you have been able to do differently? Did you somehow provoke the sacking?
The answers you get to these questions will be invaluable as they will help you increase your own self-knowledge and make you a more resilient and effective person. Use your findings as a source of energy and insight when it comes to getting your next job. For example, if you really weren’t happy where you were, ask yourself why and make sure you don’t get into a similar situation again. Be as objective as you can and don’t look to apportion blame. Take it on the chin, learn from it, and move on.
Explaining a sacking
It never looks good, but it can still be turned to your advantage if you’re smart. Potential employers are bound to be unsettled by a candidate who has been fired from a previous role, but you can turn this round by being totally honest and up-front about it. Honesty is a powerful weapon. It’s both disarming and affirmative, and can win you brownie points with a potential employer.
Because there are so many forms of sacking, there is no textbook answer that can explain your own situation. Describe precisely what happened and offer your analysis of why things went wrong, but never point the finger of blame at your former employer. Accept that you clearly made some mistakes, but that you feel they have helped you become a more rounded and confident individual. Show that you have learned from the experience.
Job applications and your CV
There’s no need to say you were fired on your CV – you may choose to say that your last position was ‘terminated’ or some similar phrase – but you should definitely put in on any application you make. It’s bound to come up in interview, and you don’t want your potential employer to think you’ve been trying to pull the wool.
Again, tell the truth and confront the issue openly. Your potential employer will respect that, and it will help you come to terms with what has happened and move on.
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