Cures for Workplace Negativity

Cures for Workplace NegativityCures for Workplace NegativityAs a manager, supervisor, or staff member dealing with a workplace that is seething with hostility and negativity can be a major challenge. You usually dont control the situation that is causing the negativity, and no matter where the bad vibes came from, its up to you to help make the atmosphere more positive, productive, and supportive. How you effectively and appropriately address negativity depends on whether you control it and identifying how it started in the first place. The timeliness of your intervention also has an impact. Addressing negativity prevents workplace violence, promotes workplace safety, and creates positive employee morale. When You Can Control or Influence the Negativity This is a best-case scenario Youve received feedback about negative rumors and you know that the underlying cause of the negativity is based on faulty information, incorrect assumptions, or deliberate misinformation. For example Y ou may receive feedback that a new policy or procedure is elend understood correctly.People may be misinterpreting a corporate memo.An industry newsletter might have referenced an industry problem your company does not share.You may have fired an individual who is circulating false information about the company.In each of these circumstances, you have some control over the information, the situation, and communication. You can solve the problem and communicate effectively to overcome the negativity. When you can control or influence the situation, use a systematic problem-solving process with the affected employees to improve the identified areas of negativity. Do this as quickly as you determine that negativity exists. (Many Human Resources offices launch a complete investigation, and by the time the facts are gathered, the negativity is out of control.) Here, a few recommendations on how to address the negativity quickly. Form a problem-solving team. Include the employees who are closest to the negative situation in the problem-solving process.Do a good cause analysis so that all possible causes of the negativity are identified. It isnt enough to say, We have low morale. You need to identify exactly what is causing the low morale to have any chance of improving it.Developan action plan and solicit widespread input to each step of the plan so that solutions are owned across your organization.Involve as many people as you can inthe development of the action plan and particularly in its implementation. At each step of the problem-solving process, communicate as much information as you have about the negativity and the solutions. When the solutions selected in the action plan are rolled out, people in the organization are not surprised. They have participated in the information exchange as each step or opportunity was discussed.Implement the chosen solutions quickly.Then, periodically assess that the plan is working. When Employees Cant Control the Circumstan ces Causing the Negativity Negativity often occurs when people experience the impactof decisions and issues that are out of their control. Examples of these include Corporation downsizingUnderstaffing that requires people to work mandatory overtimeHiring freezesEmployee furloughsBudget reductionsUpper-management decisions that adversely impact members of your staff Under these circumstances, try some of the following ideas. Identify any aspects of the situation that you can impact including providing feedback in your organization about the negative impact that is occurring. (Sometimes decisions are made and no one understands or predicts their outcome.) Sometimes you can influence an issue or a decision if you practice personal, professional courage and speak your mind.Listen, listen, listen. Often people just need a sounding board. Be visible and available to staff. Proactively schedule group discussion sessions, town meetings, lunches with the manager, or one-on-one blocks of tim e. Challenge pessimistic thinking and negative beliefs about people, the company, and the work area. Dont let negative, false statements go unchallenged. If the statements are true, provide the rationale, corporate thinking, and the events that are responsible for the negative circumstances. Share everything you know about a situation to build trust with your team.Ask open-ended questions to determine the cause and the scope of the negative feelings or reaction. Maybe its not as bad as people think maybe their interpretation of events is faulty. Helping people identify exactly what they feel negative about is the first step in solving the problem. You cant solve a fog of unhappiness. Help people create options, feel included, and feel part of the communication and problem-solving.

The Requirements of Working From Home With TeleTech

The Requirements of Working From Home With TeleTechThe Requirements of Working From Home With TeleTechBased in Englewood, CO, TeleTech is a global BPO that hires 50,000 people in 17 countries. While much of its worldwide workforce is office-based, its TeletechHome division hires virtual (or work at home) call center agents in the U.S. and U.K. to services its clients. Types of Work-at-Home Positions at TeleTech TeleTechHomes call center agents are employees, not independent contractors. ansicht call center agents perform sales, customer service, and technical support. Agents bilingual in Spanish, German, French, Catalan, Dutch, and many other languages are hired. Pay is said to be $9-10 per hour.* An agent must commit to working at least 20 hours a week, but hours are typically 20-30 per week. Weekend and holiday work is required. Paid online training is provided. There are also positions for home-based quality assurance specialists. These agents monitor the calls of other agents to be sure customers are satisfied and that agents are adhering to client and company procedures. Work-at home-agents are required to provide their computer, Internet andtelephone service. There may be other required equipment purchases. Requirements As with most home call center companies, employees are required to supply their hardware. Agents need a PC (not Mac) with a DSL or cable internet connection,and a USB/VOIPheadset. (See mora of the typical office requirements for home call centers.) However, most of the time a phone line is not required, as customer calls come in through the internet, but a dedicated cell or landline phone is needed for contact with the company. The nadir requirements for hire are you must be at least age 17 and have a high school diploma or a GED. However, many positions would require more than the minimum, such as experience in customer service or a call center or a second language. Applying In order to apply, go to the TeleTechHome career pag e. Run a system check to see if your computer meets requirements. Fill out an online application and take a skills assessment. Within two days you should receive an email stating whether, based on your application and assessment, TeleTech would like you to interview for a position. If you are successful at the interview, another computer test is performed and an offer will be made. Drug testing and criminal background screening are required but TeleTechHome pays for the cost of it. Locations Although TeleTechHome hires a virtual workforce it does hire its agents from everywhere. Depending on the client and the position, TeleTechHome agents must live in the U.K. or certain U. S. states. United Kingdom EnglandNorthern IrelandScotlandWalesIreland United States (Click state for more call center companies in that state.) AlabamaArizonaArkansasColoradoConnecticutFloridaGeorgiaIdahoIllinoisKansasKentuckyLouisianaMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew MexicoNew Yor kNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming Your state not listed? Find a Call Center Job in Your State or a Call Center Job in Canada. Industry Business process outsourcing (BPO) or outsourcing company *SourceGlassDoor.com

Why I Chose Finance at Mayer Brown LLP

Why I Chose Finance at Mayer Brown LLPWhy I Chose Finance at Mayer Brown LLPByAlex Righi, Finance AssociateI chose to pursue practice as a Finance attorney with a specialty in private equity fund financing at Mayer Brown LLP practically by accident. As a summer associate at the firm, I, at first, pursued litigation projects under the assumption that the skills I, like virtually all other law students, had learned in law school predestined me to join the firms litigation practice group. I also had majored in political science (again, like virtually all other law students) and was objectively terrible in mathematics, so I naturally assumed that I would need to steer clear of the firms practice groups (like Finance) that I thought were likely centered around quantitative analysis and similar, terrifying substantive areas. Little did I know at the time that simply having an open mind toward the firms culture and unique philosophy toward practice group selection would guide me in a wholly different and unfamiliar- yet hugely rewarding and beneficial- direction.The best decision I made as a summer associate (other than taking advantage of the great social events, of course) was to keep an open mind toward, and to take on various work assignments in, a wide array of Mayer Brown practice groups. The firm closely and holistically adheres to the free market system, a philosophy toward specialty selection that allows summer associates and attorneys alike to explore a wide sortiment of practice groups and sub-groups in the hope that each attorney will ultimately find an ideal fit. Summer associates, in particular, are encouraged to expose themselves to, and gain experience in, practice groups that might be outside their initial areas of interest in order to either cement or challenge their original expectations and assumptions about the firms numerous practice groups. Fearful as I was to deviate from my deeply held belief that I was destined to be the firms next star appel late litigator (and perhaps equally concerned that my inexperience in transactional law and glaring deficiencies in my quantitative reasoning and corporate sector knowledge would be major obstacles), I nevertheless kept an open mind about subscribing to the firms free market system and decided to wade into the legal deep end that summer- exiting my substantive comfort zone and cozy familiarity with litigation to take on projects in the firms transactional law practice groups- to see whether I could swim or whether I would sink.Much to my surprise, I swam. My first exposure to Mayer Browns transactional practice was, fortuitously, with the Finance group, and my initial reluctance toward (and fear of) practicing law in a non-litigation setting quickly gave way to an unexpected discovery that transactional law- and mora specially, the firms Finance group- was where I belonged.The dawning realization that I belonged in the Finance practice group, and the underpinnings of my continuing r eaffirmation of that belief, hinged on the reality of what a Mayer Brown Finance attorney actually does in day-to-day practice. Instead of being buried in quantitative analysis and spreadsheets, each Finance attorney with whom I worked spent most of their days interacting with clients, solving oftentimes complex and esoteric legal issues, and negotiating bespoke transactions for a range of clients from all sectors of the market. The key traits of an excellent Finance- and transactional- attorney, I learned, were less rooted in mathematics and quantitative analysis (though those skills are undoubtedly useful) and more centered around fostering and reinforcing close client relationships (and, in turn, understanding each clients unique needs and goals for every transaction).More important, however, in my ultimate decision to become a transactional attorney at Mayer Brown was the collaborative approach the firms attorneys took toward each deal. Law school curriculum, focused almost sole ly on training students to become litigators, fosters a belief that practicing law- and being a zealous advocate for clients- should be combative the best attorneys, we are all told, are those who are willing and able to unrelentingly fight for their client, whatever the cost and regardless of how much ill will is created in the process. Opposing counsel, we come to believe, is the enemy.But practicing transactional law contrasts sharply with that philosophy. Most deals require a collaborative approach whereby opposing counsel solve problems by finding answers that are mutually acceptable to their respective clients, with the ultimate goal of helping clients close deals that contribute to fueling the global engine of commerce. This collaborative approach was the difference-maker for me I quickly realized I wanted to spend my legal career working with others to create and to build instead of searching for ways to fight and undermine.This realization as a summer associate has been rea ffirmed time and time again over the course of my career. My specialty, assisting private equity funds with obtaining liquidity for purposes of acquiring assets and making investments in locations around the world (a practice that other firms oftentimes label Corporate), provides a daily opportunity for me to help clients create and build their businesses. Each financing transaction has its unique challenges and obstacles, but the focus on collaboration and working toward a mutual goal shapes and guides every day of my practice. Whether I am negotiating a credit agreement, addressing issues in a limited partnership agreement, or simply working with opposing counsel to tackle open items in a deal, the focus on cooperation as a driving force behind every transaction is always at the forefront of my mind.I oftentimes look back on my experience as a summer associate and consider the fact that, had I not kept an open mind and taken the risk of exploring different practice groups at Mayer Brown, my life and career would be entirely different. The firms Finance and other transactional attorneys with whom I work continually reinforce my belief that transactional- and especially Finance- law offers a unique opportunity to create tangible benefit and to drive the wheels of commerce, all while approaching the practice of law with a focus on collaboration and cooperation. Yes, I practically stumbled backwards into my career as a Mayer Brown Finance attorney, but my decision and journey ever since are ones I have never regretted.This is a sponsored blog post fromMayer Brown LLP. You can view Mayer Browns Vault profilehere.Follow Vault Law on TwitterVaultLawand follow Vault on InstagramVaultCareersandFacebook

5 Ways to Make Your Personal Brand Work for You, Not Against You

5 Ways to Make Your Personal Brand Work for You, Not Against You 5 Ways to Make Your Personal Brand Work for You, Not Against You Im looking for candidates who not only have experience but also know how to present themselves professionally, and Im not the only one. As a job binnenseeker, its mora important than ever to be intentional about creating your personal brand - not only in terms of what you think your brand stands for, but also in terms of how hiring managers and recruiters see it.Developing and presenting your personal brand shows recruiters youre serious about the job. And in a world where 71 percent of workers are currently on the market, youre facing tough competition for the best positions. Personal branding is the key to standing out in the crowd.What Your Brand Says About YouWhether you know it or not, you already have a personal brand.It isnt just a blurb on your resume describing your interests its how you carry yourself, the steps you take in your career, your so cial media presence, and your online visibility. How you position yourself across all of these areas will either strengthen or weaken your personal brand.In this respect, social media has leveled the playing field for job candidates. Now, you can take control of your brand and establish yourself as an expert in your field through consistent, relevant posts on LinkedIn and Twitter. Then, you can link to your online presence on your resume.Your social media presence will inevitably have an impact on your job search. A survey from ExecuNet revealed that 77 percent of recruiters use search engines to find background data on candidates. Despite this fact, I still see many candidates who simply fail to connect the dots between inappropriate social media posts and their inability to land a job.Take Control of Your Personal BrandIn todays market, the trick to landing your dream job lies in using your personal brand to identify and capitalize on your strengths. Here are some tips to get you started1. Take a Look in the MirrorA critical analysis of what you bring to the table will help you understand where you fit into a particular company. Once you determine what you have to offer, youll be able to present yourself in a way that showcases your strengths.2. Talk to Past EmployersAsk your former bosses and managers what made you stand out on the job. Their feedback will help you get a better grasp on your value, and having external viewpoints to balance out your own opinions will provide a well-rounded picture.3. Take a PersonalityTestThere are many personality tests that can help you define your personal brand. Tests like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator arent foolproof, but they can point you in the right direction.4. Google YourselfYou need to look at your online presence from an outsiders perspective. Google yourself to see what prospective employers may find, and always post, tweet, and share online content as if the hiring manager of your dream job were scrutinizing it.5. Carefully Craft Your ResumeIf you incorporate a personal statement into your resume, it should be placed front and center in your professional summary section. Then, you should build a strong areas of expertise section to complement your message.As a job seeker, understanding your personal brand is the ultimate aha moment. Once you see how youre projecting yourself, you can make changes to highlight your strengths. Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for candidates who have their act together with strategic career documentation and strong personal branding. It means less work for them and more potential for you, which is a win-win for everyone.

A Startling Fact about Resume Styles 2018 Uncovered

A Startling Fact about Resume Styles 2018 Uncovered Resume Styles 2018 Features Its particularly important to use a great template when making an infographic resume. With a well-crafted resume, you are going to be poised to begin lining up interviews. With so many resume styles to select from, it can be tricky to understand where to start when it has to do with creating your own. Follow the hyperlink to locate a multitude of resume examples in a wide range of fashions. Employers care much more about your successes, and the way youre able to mirror them at their company. Not only are you going to look bad, but it is going to haunt you down the line with other future possible employers. Just take the opportunity to come up with a strong functional resume. Write about your career thus far. Too many folks make the error of thinking that a resumes purpose is to receive them a job. If personality is an essential part of the job, like in a sales position, a video resume can be a good way to land an interview. Its cool that youre trying to find a job to have some money, but you need some difficulties with resume. When youre working at your existing job youre not stressed, seems like everything goes smooth and with no troubles. Each level focuses on unique abilities and experience, placing the fruchtwein significant front and center. 1 way to make a positive impression boost your general on-line reputation is by producing a LinkedIn profile that highlights your key career achievements. In close connection to the very first point above, value has to be aligned with employer requirements. You may read more about the procedure for producing your value known inside my latest article. Be specific, and offer relevant statistics wherever you may. Bear in mind employment gaps, career trajectory, where youre in your industry, and where you intend on going. To begin with, perhaps its time to evaluate your current resume to remember tore not committing any cardi nal sins. As you already knew, or perhaps its the very first time you opted to locate an intriguing opportunity a normal job search project can take you around six months. The Tried and True Method for Resume Styles 2018 in Step by Step Detail You can readily get rid of fruchtwein of them should you use Grammarly or similar software. It enables users to incorporate a number of experiences into a single document. You can place a tremendous quantity of power and punch into your resume by including a human voice. Part of creating an effective resume is selecting the most appropriate format to inform your private story. Possessing a great resume format is crucial to organizing your info in a manner which will help you become noticed. You ought to understand, that resume format is crucial, since it can boost your odds to get invited for an interview. The absolute most hard step here is to choose which resume format is suitable for you. When you format your resume you need to en sure your leave enough margin space to permit for printing. The Fundamentals of Resume Styles 2018 Revealed The hiring manager will search for the candidates with the core skills necessary for the particular job. Plenty of job seekers even dont understand where to begin. Simply because youve got zero experience or its your very first job. There are a number of different trends of resumes used to make an application for job openings. Recruiters have a job to do and will need to do it quickly, which is the reason why it is vital that they be in a position to rate your experience, education, and skills in merely a couple of seconds. Its crucial that you dont simply apply these resumes verbatim. Organizing your resume is at least as crucial as formatting it. Massive businesses dont have enough time to parse through the several resumes they get for every open position. There are various portfolio resume styles, so select the one thats most effective for your job search.

4 Reasons You Aren#8217;t Advancing Professionally

4 Reasons You Aren8217t Advancing Professionally There are costs and risks to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction, John F. Kennedy Allow me to preface this article by saying that when I talk about advancing professionally, Im not referring exclusively to getting a promotion or starting your own company.Climbing the corporate ladder is, of course, a form of professional advancement, but there are other forms as well. Growth can mean mastering (and applying) new skills, introducing new systems that benefit the company, increasing your contribution to the bottom line, and so much mora.If you feel that youve stopped growing (or never started), then you might fall into one or more of these categories.You do the bare minimumYou know your job description by heart and will not lift a finger beyond what you were hired to do. Perhaps you see it as unnecessary to go above and beyond, perhaps you dont know you should, or perhaps youre just inspired in your current role. Whatever the reason, this approach will jeopardize your learning and prevent your from establishing yourself as the go-getter/leader type. The result? Youll stay exactly where you are professionally.Youre surrounded by mediocrityQuotes and studies abound about how we are who we surround ourselves with. This is true on both personal and professional levels. If youre part of a company or department or team that is characterized by mediocrity, not by excellence, then it will be all too easy to fall into a complacent mindset, keeping you exactly where you are.Youre afraid of failureMany people who dream of starting their own business dont because theyre afraid of failure, and many people who dream of advancing professionally dont for the exact same reason. You might be afraid to ask for more responsibilities, afraid to shake things up, or afraid of stepping o n someone elses toes. Forgive me for this, but lets take a moment and step back into high school lit. In the wise words of William Shakespeare, Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose to the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt. Unless youre in an environment that will unjustly punish you for trying and failing, push past your doubts and attempt new things.You Wont Switch Jobs, Even When Its TimeThere usually comes a time when changing jobs is necessary to advance your career. As with any major life decision, it can be intimidating. First you have to get a job you want, then you have to leave behind your colleagues, job security, and day-to-day comfort to which youve grown accustomed. At your new job, you start all over again, trusting from your interviews that youll enjoy the work, get along with your new coworkers, and be moving up in the professional world. Even with all of this in mind, there comes a time when its necessary to push beyond your resistance to change.The moral of this story? If youre uninspired, surrounded by mediocrity, in a job that punishes you for trying, or have maxed out your potential in your current position, then its time to search for a new job.

How to Use Social Networking To Boost Your Career

How to Use Social Networking To Boost Your CareerHow to Use Social Networking To Boost Your CareerSocial networking can be an integral parte of your job search or career building - if you use it correctly. If you dont, even information you consider private like a photo posted on Facebook or a random comment on Twitter, could cost you your job and unexpectedly damage your career. Below are great resources to help you learnhow to use social networking to boost your career. Youll also find tips on what you shouldnt do when it comes to social media and your career - and thats just as important as what you should do. What Is Social Job Searching? Social job searching involves using social media sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter for job searching. Social media is used by both job seekers who are looking for employment opportunities, and companies looking to hire. How to Use Social Media in Your Job Search Its important to build a social network in advance of when you need it.You should be prepared to be found on social media, whether it is a recruiter viewing your profile or an employer who you reached out to first. That being said, youll need to do more than just have an online presence. Its fruchtwein important to make sure your LinkedIn is built out comprehensively with your most recent employment information, and take responsibility to keep it up to date. Being proactive when it comes to social media can position you, so you are prepared to job search at any time - when you need to find a job or when youre are looking for a change. Its equally important to ensure your social profiles remain work-appropriate if they are public. Its common for employers to Google candidates, so make sure your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest dont contain anything that could hinder you from getting a job. Beyond keeping your profile fresh and professional, you should also make an effort to stay active online. Talk to your connections on Twitter or the oth er networking sites. Join Groups on LinkedIn and Facebook, post and join the discussion. Be engaged and proactive in your communications. How Employers Use Social Media to Recruit Its very important to consider your online presence, as more and more employers have been expanding their hiring procedures to incorporate social networking sites. Hiring managers and recruiters use social media tosource candidates, to post jobs, and to accept job applications. Social media job searching sites can help hiring managers to get a more clear sense of their qualifikation employees and their backgrounds before they have even interacted. Social media makes it easy for recruiters to understand you better your likes, dislikes, and how you might fit within the company. Using Social Networking to Boost (or Bust) Your Career 10 Reasons Social Media Should Rock Your WorldSocial media participation is an essential tool in networking with potential professional contacts, staying in touch with cur rent and former contacts, recruiting employees, advancing your career, and keeping in touch with the world from Susan Heathfield. Your After-Work Behavior Can Harm Your Job or CareerYour behavior after work can harm your job or career. Find out what things you should refrain from doing from Dawn Rosenberg McKay. Using Social Networking in Your Internship Search Social networking sites are great for keeping up with friends across the globe and can also be advantageous in the internship or job search. Protecting Your Privacy OnlineAlthough social networking sites offer many advantages, they can also pose a threat to protecting an individuals privacy online. Using Social Media in the WorkplaceShould you be accessing Facebook or Twitter while on the job? Research suggests a good number of workplaces are banning employees from visiting social networking sites for any reason while on the job from Patricia Pickett. The Best Social Networking Sites for Job SearchingUse these top social and professional networking sites to enhance your career and boost your job search, and learn how to use social networking sites for job search. Using LinkedIn for Recommendations, Networking, and Recruiting How to Use LinkedInHow to use LinkedIn as part of your job search, including how to increase your visibility and connections, so employers and recruiters can find you. Use LinkedIn for Recruiting EmployeesAre you looking for a new job or to advance your career? LinkedIn is a critical career networking tool for todays savvy professionals. Heres how employers are using LinkedIn to develop relationships with and recruit potential employees from Susan Heathfield. Tips for Requesting LinkedIn RecommendationsWhen applying for a technical job - or any job, for that matter - that you found on LinkedIn, you may notice that the posting says Applicants with recommendations are preferred. Heres how to ask for a recommendation from Patricia Pickett. Resources for Using Facebook as a Profe ssional Facebook and Job Search Privacy TipsIf you are a Facebook user and are concerned about employers (or others) seeing the personal information that you have on Facebook, you can change your privacy settings so only certain people, like your friends or other students, can view your profile. How to Use Twitter for Your Job Search and Business Twitter Tips for Music IndustryTwitter has become more and more important to themusic industry, but to get the most bang for your buck, youve got to be smart about how you use it. This tips from Heather McDonaldwill help you maximize your Twitter success factor. Twitter Job Search TipsWhen youre seeking employment, Twitter can be an effective part of your job search strategy. Used in conjunction with LinkedIn, job search engines, and other job sites, Twitter can help you make connections, find job listings, and build a personal brand that will help boost your career and expedite your job search.

Intuits Raji Arasu Shares Her Best Career Lesson - The Muse

Intuits Raji Arasu Shares Her Best Career Lesson - The MuseIntuits Raji Arasu Shares Her Best Career Lesson When I was in high school, my mom started banning phones from the dinner table. To this day, whenever I pull out my cell to check my inbox when were eating, my mom shakes her head and tells me to put it away.And as much as I resent it in the moment (But this, I swear, is really important), Im usually grateful that she called me out. As a working adult whos being pulled in multiple directions at any given time, I rarely get to enjoy my time with friends and family. Im sure you can relate. My mom, in fact, lives thousands of miles away, so when she forces me to pay attention to her its because we only have so much time together. And I listen to her, because I know Ill regret not making the most of this time.(If this isnt the case for you and yur parents, feel free to substitute mom with someone you enjoy being around.)Its so silly, but being present during our time with loved one s is one of the best gifts of self-care we can grant ourselves- and one that we tend to neglect the most often. But dont take it from me, Im just your average working gal. Take it from someone whos higher up- who has 10 times more responsibilities than I, and yet follows the same philosophy.I spoke with Raji Arasu. In addition to being Intuits SVP of CTO Dev, shes also an advisory board member for Code.org and the CTO Forum and serves on the board of directors at NIC Inc.One of the most important lessons I learned in my career was to drop the guilt and be present in the moment, whether its at work or at home. For that reason, I prioritize quality time with my family and colleagues. Being present in those delightful moments is what keeps me from reaching for my phone, and helps me to remain truly present. As a leader at Intuit, I try to set the example of making eye contact, actively listening, and participating in every interaction. I try to carry that appreciation for moments of tr ue connection, whether at work or at home.What I love most about Arasus advice is that she doesnt just apply it to your time away from work. Practicing being present outside the office ultimately makes you better at it when youre in the office. And this makes you a better employee (actively listening helps you better understand direction and take note of important social cues), and a more enjoyable co-worker to be around (actively paying attention makes people respect you and trust you to care for and support them).And, like I said above, its good for you. It encourages you to truly unwind, take in and appreciate your breaks, and connect with people you love, all of which are crucial for anyones happiness. Its almost as if its a form of mindfulness- crazy how that worksSo, what does being present look like? It starts with putting your phone away when youre out with people (Fun fact Doing so can start a chain reaction). And not looking at your computer when a colleagues talking to yo u (a.k.a., not bringing one to meetings). And its about setting an intention to give someone your full attention. Our minds are full of distractions- to-dos, worries, conversations were overthinking. Make the effort, for just a few minutes, to push those thoughts away (or, write them down for later) and really focus on whats happening in front of you.You wont regret it. And if a SVP of a major company can do it, it doesnt hurt for you to try, too.

Theres No Such Thing as a Right Career Decision - The Muse

Tzu siches No Such Thing as a Right Career Decision - The MuseTheres No Such Thing as a Right Career Decision I recently received a call from a distressed former graduate assistant who welches working in a new full-time job. In a downtrodden voice she told me, I made a huge mistake accepting this job. Among many concerns, she wasnt doing what she was hired to do, and she was- understandably- unhappy. Even so, I didnt see her decision as a mistake, and I told her as much. I reminded her that she made the best decision she could with the information she had. She was able to get to the geographical area where she wanted to be, and she had the opportunity to learn and build her experience in the role. Meet people, try things, and learn everything you can, I told her. But keep looking for the next opportunity. This is just the first stop in your careerI frequently encounter people struggling with a career decision they believe they have to get right or disaster is surely imminent.What if I take this job and I hate it?What if I select this major and later figure out I want to do something different?What if I take an opportunity with this company, while my friend takes an opportunity with another company- and her life is way better than mine?But this idea of right and wrong in your career path is a fallacy. There are only choices, and with every choice comes an opportunity. Deciding to join a committee could give you an opportunity to network. Deciding to apply for another position with your current company could give you an opportunity to advance faster than staying in your current role. Deciding to apply for a position with a new company could give you an opportunity to move to a great new geographic location. Deciding to get an MBA could give you an opportunity to increase your earning potential. See? Whatever decision you have to make, the fruchtwein important thing is that you make the most of it, rather than focusing on making the right decision. So how do you c apitalize on this no right or wrong philosophy? Here are four ideas to get you started.1. Accept That Not Everyone Has a Linear Career PathCareer Chaos Theory (sometimes known as Happenstance Theory) posits that many people follow non-linear career paths due to the unpredictable circumstances that influence our paths. You are probably familiar with many examples this the accountant who gets laid off and becomes an entrepreneur, the corporate CEO who follows a lifetime passion to become a minister, or the museum curator who moves home to care for an ailing parent and finds a niche in the business world. These twists and turns can look chaotic on the surface, but if you dig a bit, youll often find that the partie was able to take lessons and skills from one circumstance and transfer them successfully to another- by being flexible and open to change. A great foundational document to learn more about this is John Krumboltzs The Happenstance Learning Theory, which contains one of my favo rite career-related quotes of all time So if you are undecided about your future (as indeed every sensible person should be), dont call yourself undecided call yourself open-minded. Another powerful read is You Majored in What? Mapping Your Path From Chaos to Career by Katharine Brooks. The book is geared toward liberal arts majors whose career paths are often less obvious than some of their counterparts who majored in engineering or nursing. Regardless of your background, however, the book can help you recognize how to combine and capitalize on varied interests and skills. These works will help you shift your mindset away from panicky thinking about career decisions to an adaptive mindset that recognizes and builds on opportunities- no matter what choice you make.2. Incorporate the Word and in Your ReasoningWhen you are thinking or talking through a significant decision, stop using or and but- words that limit your options. Instead, try substituting the word and, which opens up pos sibilities. For example, lets say youre trying to decide if you should apply for a new position. With a limited mindset, you might think, Im interested in this new position, but I have security where I am. I can apply for that job or I can stay where I know I have a steady paycheck and am on track for a raise next year. When you substitute and, it sounds like this Im interested in this new position, and I like the security of my current position. From this shift, you realize youd need to ask some pointed questions about salary and prepare to negotiate if you pursue the new position. Suddenly, considering the role doesnt have to mean sacrificing stability.This simple change in the way you think and talk about your options strips away limitations and opens your eyes to new possibilities. 3. Make the Absolute Most of Any Decision You MakeWhenever you make a decision, throw yourself into it full-force. After all, a decision that required so much thought and energy is one that deserves o f a high level of commitment. For example, if you join a new committee, make a point of meeting everyone else on it. Make friends and share ideas. Aim to showcase your abilities among the committee members, but also try to learn from these new contacts. Maybe your specialty is communication, while someone else is an established project manager. Collaborate with that person to learn more about project management, which can help you in your future assignments- both with the committee and in your full-time role. This is also applicable when you decide not to do something. Maybe you decline joining a committee because of your current obligations. Throw yourself wholeheartedly into those commitments. Learn everything you can from the work you are doing and the people you are doing it with. Capitalizing on your decisions is the only way to move forward and continue to create opportunities for yourself.4. Keep in Mind That a Single Choice Doesnt Have to Define Your Entire CareerIf you purs ue something that ends up making you unhappy, dont panic. Tell yourself that its simply a stepping stone to something bigger and better. Think about it as a level in a game You have to earn as many points (e.g., knowledge, contacts, or skills) as possible to move to the next level. Then, look for an opportunity to make your move. The only mistake in a less-than-ideal situation is giving up. Everything is an opportunity to learn and grow, if you choose to learn and grow. You cant control everything in your environment, but to paraphrase Viktor Frankl, who survived Nazi concentration camps to become a renowned psychiatrist, you control your response to your environment. No one can stop you from learning. No one can stop you from building relationships. No one can stop you from promoting yourself. So, what happened with my unhappy former graduate assistant? She recently interviewed for a new job. She asked more and better questions during the interview process because of her previous e xperience. She was more discerning in evaluating the company and making a decision. Ultimately, she went for it. She has been in her new role about a month, and she absolutely loves it. Even though she disliked and was eager to leave her former job, she is adamant that she would not have been considered for her current role without the experience she gained in that role. Her previous job wasnt the wrong job for her. It was the right job at the time, which later opened the door for a better opportunity. There is no right and no wrong. There are just choices and opportunities.Photo of directional signs courtesy of Shutterstock.