When is it time to go? Five make-or-break factors
If you’re sitting in your office bored, ticked off or feeling down you may be thinking it’s time to go. BUT, you’re not sure. You are rationalizing staying because there is one more great thing you can contribute or you feel obligated in some way. We all go through this kind of mental tug-of-war at one time or another. Knowing when it’s the right time to give yourself permission to move on is one of those big life changers and with it comes anxiety.
There are some indicators of satisfaction that you can examine that will help you make that decision. Let’s review some of them to help you move that decision making along.
- Salary – I’m almost embarrassed to mention money. Not because “it shouldn’t matter”, it’s because I know it isn’t one of the top 3 issues. I mention it first because everyone does and I want to get it out of the way. What you are paid as it turns out are not the top 3-5 satisfiers for your career. It is something, however. If it is out of line or doesn’t pay the bills it is a big DISsatisfier and you do need to move on. If your pay is appropriate for the job you do, area you live in and meets most of your need, then you’re probably doing fine and this isn’t a big enough deal to make you leave.
- Boss – This one is the big one. The person that you immediately report to is the number one top item that will make work life great or bad. You don’t have to love this person or even be buddies but you do need to respect this person and feel that it’s mutual. Also, you need to be realistic about this person. Bosses will never be perfect. They are like the rest of us; they have bad hair days and also have their own quirks. The question you need to ask yourself is: “Can I be successful doing work with this person in the picture?”
- Job Content – This is all about the kind of work you perform. You need to feel like you have the skills, talents and background to perform the job. At the same time you should feel like you can make a contribution and grow. Job growth is not necessarily about being promoted. It is learning new tasks, taking on new responsibilities and making new contributions. The content of your job should be something that continuously stimulates and interests you. If you have reached a point where everything is pretty much the same, you need to move on before it impacts your self esteem.
- Work environment – This is both the physical space you do the work in and what is in the environment such as people, building and location. You can have a great job, great boss but have to commute 2 hours each way. Your life is potentially impacted too significantly. You may like the job but the environment you are in is too toxic because of interoffice relations. The people you work with could be your source of dissatisfaction and you may not even realize it. We form friendships and alliances with the people we spend so much time working with. At the same time they may feel freedom in complaining and pointing out all the things that are bad. This will have a negative impact on you. You need to examine this situation and determine what you can control and what you can’t. At the same time, you need to determine if you were to design the perfect work environment, would it be like this?
- Something else If all the stars are aligned and the items listed above are all working well enough for you, you may be tugged by “something else”. The something else could be a lifelong dream of being a nurse or something completely different than what you’re doing today. The something else could be a deep desire to move and live somewhere other than where you are today. It’s ok to give yourself permission to move toward something as opposed to away from your current career. This category of “something else” may turn out to be your calling.
Life is too short to spend too much time working at a job situation you don’t love and doesn’t nurture your soul. Your career should feel shamefully fun and more like a vocation. Making a decision like this can be tough but it is not a sign that you’re doing the wrong thing. It’s tough because it is a big part of how you spend your life. It’s tough because you want to make sure you enjoy the next thing. It’s tough because it’s a change.
source: atlantacareerpath
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In: On The Job Advice · Tagged with: Anxiety, Background, Bad Hair Days, Bored, Boss, Break, Buddies, career, job, Life Changers, Love, Money, Pay Bills, Quirks, Respect, Right Time, Salary, Satisfaction, Talents, Tug Of War
Good News for Bad References – How to Fight Back
Picture this scenario: you’ve been seeking new employment at a hospital or private practice, but without success. Your employment credentials are excellent and while you’ve been able to land the interviews – sometimes more than one with a prospective employer – that job for which you’re well qualified, continues to elude you. Even more ominous, you may have been assured that the job is virtually yours and that completing the hiring process is a mere formality, and then…the trail goes cold, and the call-backs cease.
Sound familiar? If it does, you likely have a negative reference that is making your employment life difficult. What can you do about it?
The first step is to confirm that you do indeed have a problem with at least one of your references. Do an honest self-assessment of your references that are most likely to be called by prospective employers. Did you depart on good terms with them? Is there anything unflattering that may have made its way into your personnel file, accessible by an HR representative? Very possibly you already have a good idea of who may be making your employment search a miserable one. And while you might be able to keep some former associates off of a prospective employer’s radar, it is unlikely that a former supervisor or HR department will be overlooked. The HR department is a traditional venue for reference checks, and HR reps of your most recent employers are almost certain to get a call from potential employers. Your former supervisors will be high on an employer’s list as well, as they know you better than HR and may also be willing to offer a more revealing profile about you.
Then, consider having a reference check(s) conducted on those business associates from your past who might be problematic. Avoid the temptation to have a friend or associate call and pose as a prospective employer – this could backfire on you, also any unfavorable input obtained in this manner would be inadmissible for legal purposes. Instead, have a reputable third party (e.g.Allison & Taylor) conduct these reference interviews on your behalf to best ensure that any negative input obtained can be legally addressed and neutralized.
If negative input from a reference is uncovered, what steps can you take? Your options will depend on the nature of the negative input. Where your reference’s communication was inaccurate, malicious, or wrongful you may have the ability – through an attorney – to pursue legal recourse. When a reference’s negative input is not unlawful but is nonetheless restricting your ability to secure future employment, it can sometimes be addressed through a Cease-&-Desist letter which is typically issued by your attorney to the senior management of the company where the negative reference originated, alerting the management of the negative reference’s identity and actions. Typically the very act of offering a negative reference is against corporate guidelines, which normally state that only a former employee’s title/dates of employment can be confirmed. The negative reference is cautioned by management not to offer additional comments and – out of self-interest – will usually not offer negative commentary again.
Whether through a Cease-&-Desist letter or stronger legal measures, the prospects for neutralizing further negative input from a reference are excellent. Also, the “peace of mind” a reference verification brings to an employment candidate unsure of what their references are really saying, cannot be underestimated. If concern about your references is causing you some sleepless nights, it’s never too soon to document – and address – what they are really saying about you. The career you save, may be your own.
source: Health eCareers
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In: Job Search Advice · Tagged with: Business Associates, Call Backs, Credentials, Employment Search, Formality, Hiring Process, Hr Department, Hr Representative, Hr Reps, job, Private Practice, Prospective Employer, Prospective Employers, Radar, Reference Check, Reference Checks, Self Assessment, Supervisor, Temptation, Traditional Venue
The Proper Handshake
Business professionals, students, entrepreneurs and savvy networkers know the importance of making a good first impression. Whether you are interviewing for a job position, meeting the top directors of your company, making a formal presentation for clients or doing business with colleagues, your professional approach is key. Individuals and companies invest a lot of time and money developing and perfecting their skills for business and social etiquette.
Although there are several ways to make a great first impression, the handshake is the strongest and most viable element. It is the greeting call and the platform for a great conversation which leads to a great relationship.
Listed below are helpful tips that individuals can use to improve their first impression with others, gain the right attention and develop excellent social and business relationships.
First Come, First Serve
At networking events, meetings, conferences and interviews, individuals should not wait to be introduced. We encourage you to take initiative, step up to the plate and introduce yourself first. Being proactive is a great way to show that you are eager to meet the other person, passionate about building a great relationship and are not shy or intimidated. There may be situations where you are being accompanied by someone, and must wait for a formal introduction. But in most cases, it is socially and professionally acceptable to introduce yourself first and get the ball rolling.
The Right Hand
The right hand is key to making the best handshake ever. The right hand is the symbol of power, authority and order. Business professionals, students and entrepreneurs should not use their left hand to make handshakes. It is considered a faux-pas and very offensive in various foreign cultures. Also, when you are expending a handshake, always make sure that you are standing up and making direct eye contact with your business counterpart. This is a clear sign of respect and shows that you have manners and understanding.
Firm and Confident
The proper protocol for a handshake goes as follows:
1. A firm grip that is not too tight. Women should also have a firm hand grip which conveys confidence and respect to their business counterparts. Having a limp or weak handshake is offensive and not very inviting.
2. The handshake motion should be up and down and not back and forth. The grip should be two short but firm pumps. Both individuals should make sure that they are doing the motions at the same time. So it is courteous to wait for your counterpart, in order to make the right handshake motions.
3. The initial handshake is just as important as the release. After shaking your other person’s hand, make sure to do a proper hand release. A proper hand release is a gently release of the other person’s hand without dropping their hand or quickly letting go of their hand.
These tips are very practical and simple to master when networking and building relationships. The proper handshake is an extention of or character, credibilty, loyalty and trust. It is a strong statement and image that can really set you above the bar.
source: biznik
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In: On The Job Advice · Tagged with: Business Professionals, Business Relationships, Counterpart, Eye Contact, Formal Introduction, Formal Presentation, Good First Impression, Great First Impression, Great Relationship, Handshake, Helpful Tips, Interviewing For A Job, Making A Good First Impression, Networkers, Networking Events, Proactive, Professional Approach, Several Ways, Social Etiquette, Step Up To The Plate
