Tag: career

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Career Career & Education

How To Build A Better Relationship With Your Boss?

How To Build A Better Relationship With Your Boss?

Maintaining a respectful and productive relationship with your boss is important for your growth and the company’s success. When you intend to initiate a relationship with your boss, you should be aware their goal. One of the most important goals of any boss is to work with hardworking employees. If you help your boss with this goal, they will appreciate your efforts.

Build a Better Relationship with Your Boss

Let’s be honest, you want to have a better relationship with your boss, and here is how you can do that:

1.     Give Your Boss Value

Keep in mind that your boss hired you for a reason. They want you to add value to their company. Bosses want their employees to agree with them as well as solve critical problems and challenges. Thus, you can win their heart by giving reasonable suggestions, showing confidence, and speaking facts. When your suggestions and ideas will result in the company’s growth, your boss will have confidence in your capabilities.

2.     Anticipate Their Challenges

You need to understand the challenges your boss faces every day. You can find solutions for their problems and make their tasks simpler. Sometimes, you have to anticipate their challenges before it occurs. So, when your boss will ask a question about the problem, you have a thoughtful answer supporting a solution. Thinking ahead to help your boos will make you a valuable team member.

Your boss undergoes a plethora of challenges every day. Reducing their problems will make them like you. They have a lot of work that you don’t know about. So, why not simplify the tasks that you know of. Also, if your boss has rude behavior, they might be under a lot of pressure. You should understand their position and make things easier for them.

3.     Learn to Communicate Well

You should learn how your boss wants to communicate with you. Whether they like to receive detailed or one-liner emails, you should keep the communication the way they want. If they ask you to send an outline for a project, you should always send them an outline to give them an overview. You should try to mimic their style and improve your communication skills according to their preference.

4.     Make Your Boss Look Good

Everybody wants to maintain a good reputation in the workplace and this includes your boss as well. So, if you want to make your boss happy, make them look good. Remember, when your boss is happy, they will make you happy. This means that you shouldn’t correct your boss when other employees are around. Making your boss embarrassed in front of others by pointing at their mistakes will make them angry.

5.     Ask for Feedback

Always share feedback about your tasks with your boss. Never think that your manager doesn’t have time for your feedback because they are busy with their tasks. Sharing feedback and progress about your tasks will remove the burden from their shoulders. As a result, they can think straight and stay focused on other tasks. A feedback email will do the trick.

Conclusion

In the end, if you want to build a better relationship with your boss, try to gain their trust. Consider your boss as a mentor and go-to person. Creating a better relationship with your boss will result in business success and rewarding for you as well.

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Career Career & Education

7 Work Hacks To Implement This Year

7 Work Hacks To Implement This Year

If you have the motivation and will to succeed in your new job, then all you need is guidance. Sometimes, work can get very exhausting and overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to do your level best. There is no need to stress out if you feel like you’re falling behind. Continue to read further below and go through some of the work hacks you must implement this year.

1.    Formulate a Work To-Do List

If you have a lot to take care of at work, prepare a to-do list. This way, you won’t miss out on any tasks and will feel a sense of achievement once you check each item off your list.  Try making your to-do lists as attractive as possible.

2.    Choose what’s important and what’s urgent

To narrow down which task to complete first, allocate which ones fall under important and urgent. Start by giving more importance to urgent tasks. Then, you can start moving on to the important ones. You can draw out a diagram and start plotting all your tasks in it.

3.    Switch Off Your Notifications When At Work

Our phones are one of the biggest distractions whether it comes to working, studying, or reading. When working, you need complete focus, and unless you want to be distracted by who commented on your Instagram post, it is best to switch off notifications. This will give you time to concentrate on work, so you get everything done much faster.

4.    Enable Email Batching

If you’re bound to get countless emails, then you should try out email batching. This will allow you to read and respond to emails at a given time frame. So you can read about two to three emails per day at particular intervals. With this method, you’re not constantly checking your inbox, allowing you to work and worry about other things.

5.    Create Templates

If you have a repetitive job that requires you to do the same tasks again and again, start creating templates. This will help you save so much time and ensure consistency. For example, if you have to keep sending the same response to certain emails, or give it the same contracts, keep these templates ready as they will make life at work so much easier.

6.    Make Time for Yourself Outside of Work

As much as you need to get work done on time, it’s important to remember that breaks are important. This means taking a day off and engaging in something relaxing and refreshing. This could be going to the gym, dinner, or a spa day with your best friend. If you have a hectic job, you need to keep yourself maintained to take the workload.

7.    Use the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro technique is a way of time management that sets a specific amount of time on how long you work and when to take a break. This technique is very effective for those who have jobs where you have to constantly sit in one place.

Takeaway

With the help of these work hacks, you can easily complete any work task you want, no matter how difficult you might find it. All you have to be is confident and make use of these hacks.

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Career Career & Education

The First Thing To Do When Becoming a Manager

The First Thing To Do When Becoming a Manager

Are you excited to become a first-time manager? There are a few things that you should follow as ground rules. When you have a team to manage, you can easily make mistakes. The key to success is to realize and prepare for the mistakes beforehand. Here are some tips for new managers so they can succeed and set an example for their team.

1.     Always Research

Walking into the first day blinded can be embarrassing. You have to stay prepared and understand your new role before joining. Learn your training opportunities and keep your head clear. If you have tools and resources from the new manager’s training program, go through it multiple times. Also, read HR documents and manuals and understand the business process. When you are aware of the company before starting the first day, you can make a good first-time impression.

2.     Shift Your Focus

Many new managers struggle to shift their focus. They cannot understand their new role and help people with their tasks instead of performing their job. Keep in mind you have to prepare your team to perform the tasks. Also, your focus should be to achieve team goals. Thus, you have to prepare a team that can handle tasks according to their capabilities.

3.     Manage Relationship Shifts

If you got a promotion in the same company you were working for before, you have to understand the power shift. This can be uncomfortable since you were already closer to your team before. But, it is important to succeed as a team. You must forget closed-door chats and one-on-one after-dinner drinks. That way, you can equally treat your team members.

You need to separate your work relationship from friendships. If your friends can’t understand the relationship shifts, you should honestly explain. They may not agree, but you have to make things clear for the success of your team.

4.     Set Clear Goals

When your goals are clear, you can focus on your employees and handle tasks. Becoming a manager is a tough job with extensive tasks. You can focus on your goals by removing subjectivity while considering performance reviews.  

5.     Stay Consistent

When you have to boost the confidence of your team, you must stay consistent with your decisions. Change in decisions will loosen your team morale. Also, never let emotions rule your decisions. Emotional control will help you become consistent. Another thing that helps to improve consistency is patience. Don’t make rapid decisions. Instead, take a coffee and make informed decisions.

6.     Set an Example

When you are a manager your team will look at your action. They will see how you behave. They will learn to tackle challenges from you. So you shouldn’t complain about your boss and deadlines and spew personal opinions. You need to be the master of the game.

Conclusion

When you have clear goals, appropriate research, and consistency with decision-making, you can become a successful manager. Keep in mind that you have a team to manage, if you let your emotions control your decisions, you will let your team down. So, follow these steps and set an example from the first day.

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Career Career & Education

Getting The Most From Your Employer 401k Match

Getting The Most From Your Employer 401k Match

We all want to maximize our money coming in each week. With our jobs and savings, we have more options now than ever to increase profits. Savings accounts accrue interest and our employers supply 401k programs.

But did you know that most employers also have a 401k match program? A 401k is a great way to plan for retirement. Since many employers now offer a match program, growing your retirement fund has never been easier.

A 401k match program is essentially free money. Every time you put money into your 401k, your employer puts money into the account as well.

How To Start A 401k Match Program

Not all employers will offer a 401k match program. But it is never a bad thing to reach out to HR and ask if they do. Ask your employer what options they have available for your 401k.

Some employers will offer a full 100% match, while others offer a 50% match. Depending on the company, you may be able to work up to a 100% match after a few years of employment.

Are There Limits To The Programs?

The most simplified answer to this is, yes. There are limits on 401k match programs depending on the rules set by your employer. No two companies are exactly the same, so your new employer may differ completely from your old employer.

Most employers match up to a certain percentage of your income. For example, let’s say your employer will match 100% of 4% of your income, and you contribute 5% to your 401k. Your total amount contributed would be 9%.

On the other hand, let’s say that your employer will match 50% of 3 percent of your income, and you contribute 1% to your 401k. Your total amount would be 1.5%.

The higher amount you put into your 401k, the higher the match will be. It is always best to put in at least the minimum percent of what they are willing to match. If they match 5%, you should put in 5%. Anything less is essentially losing money that could be offered.

Are Their Caps On My 401k Investment

Yes, there is a cap on your investment. The only drawback to a 401k in my opinion is the limits set on how much you can earn each year.

For 2022, the maximum amount you can contribute is $20,500 for the year. If your employer has a 401k match program, the limit increases to $61,000. If you want to save more money for your retirement you may want to consider an IRA account.

Don’t Exceed Your Limits

Since there are limits on how much you can contribute to your 401k each year, you have to be aware of how much is going into the account. You do not want to exceed your allowed amount because you may be taxed twice on the amount earned. Reach out to HR before tax day to fix the issue and avoid double taxation.

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Career Career & Education

Got Stood Up in a Job Interview? Here are 3 Lessons

Got Stood Up in a Job Interview? Here are 3 Lessons

Getting stood up should be no big deal. People get stood up at dates, friend meet-ups, and even awards. A lot of people also get stood up in their final job interviews. While it is not at all uncommon and completely okay, we should try our best to avoid it.

When you fill out a job application and send in your resume, you feel like you’re the best fit for the job. Most people are very sure that they would get selected and ace the interviews. However, most of these people clear all the steps and get rejected at the very last step: the interview. If you’re someone who got stood up at the final job interview, we’re sure you had a lot to learn from that.

Let’s have a look at what lessons you can learn from getting stood up at a job interview and how you can improve.

Notice the Red Flags

This may sound very cliché as you obviously can’t ignore the red flag of getting stoop up. However, for most people, it is the only red flag that they notice. The truth is, you might be ignoring a lot of other warning signs that are becoming an obstacle in the way of your success.

Oftentimes, we think we are the perfect fit for a certain job position. While it may be true, a lot of people start to blindly believe it. In reality, you may not really think that and might have just convinced yourself to believe it. Being overconfident about getting the job can lead to a massive downfall. There are also a number of other such red flags that become part of our personality.

Get a Control of Whatever You Can

If you get stood up at a final job interview, how would you react? A lot of people freeze in such situations and find it a hard challenge to exit the situation sensibly. People start to panic, send impulsive texts, or even get angry when they are disappointed.

One lesson to learn is that you cannot change the circumstances. It is completely out of your control to reverse things. However, there is still something that you can control. It is the way you react to the circumstance that you’re in. Your response can make a significant difference in what happens next. Try not to let your emotions get the best of you and understand that the job might just not be the one for you.

Look at the Good Side Of The Job Experience

You may have already experienced and know that every experience comes with lessons and a chance for betterment. While you may feel overwhelming emotions about the rejection, the experience may have taught you something valuable that will stay with you your entire life. Look for it, and you will find the value in your experience.

You will realize that when you look at the experience sometime later, it will only bring you gratitude. You might have learned big lessons like not taking the job search process as seriously, or you may have found out that you just dodged a bullet when you lost the opportunity. We think you may have gained more than you lost.

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Career Career & Education

7 Phrases To Stop Saying At Work

7 Phrases To Stop Saying At Work

If you’ve got an opportunity to work your dream job in this economy, consider yourself lucky! But if you want to make the best impression possible, there are a few words you should avoid saying. When working in a competitive environment, certain words can hinder your performance and confidence. The worst part is that you may not even be aware that you said them. It’s normal to use negative phrases at work, but it’s time to start using alternatives instead. Mentioned below are 7 phrases you need to stop saying at work now!

1. “No Problem”

Using the phrase “no problem” to reply to a “Thank you” is quite common, but it’s something you should stop doing. Whenever someone thanks you for doing a task at work, you just simply say “you’re welcome” instead. When you use this phrase, it will give you a sense of recognition and appreciation.

2. “This might be wrong, but…” Phrase

It’s okay to doubt yourself when given the opportunity to showcase your workplace with a new idea. But, this can turn out to be a great success if you avoid opening your presentation and conversation in general with negative phrases. These negative phrases often involve self-doubt and go like “I’m no expert but…” or “This is probably a bad idea, but…”

When you use such phrases, you steer the audience to see flaws that don’t even exist. Your audience can react positively or negatively, but don’t influence their decision by using phrases to highlight your flaws.

3. “I Feel Like” Phrase

When you’re not sure talking about a certain idea, you tend to use phrases such as “I feel like” as an act of self-protection during anticipated criticism. When you stop using these words, the people you work with will start taking you seriously. Instead of dragging the conversation, cut to the chase, and show them what you really mean.

4. “Just”

There’s no harm in using the word “just” in all your emails, but notice the times you use it in your emails. Using “just” is a very respectful phrase as you’re putting the other person in a position higher than you. You tend to use this phrase when you’re nervous and not sure what to say next. If you want to have the upper hand in decisions, then avoid using the phrase “just”!

5. “How do I…”

If you have to ask your boss a query, phrase it, so you seem like you want to learn. Don’t straight up start with “How do I…”? That just going to make your boss start questioning your capabilities, and that’s the last thing you want.

6. “Let me Know” Phrase

When using the term “let me know,” you’re being considerate towards others’ availability and time, but you’re not actually getting the job done. Think of other questions that provide a distraction, and use a phrase that confirms their availability but in a polite way. Don’t let them leave you hanging.

7. “Does That Make Sense”

After conducting a proper meeting or presentation, you want constant feedback to reassure that you made sense or were clear enough. In a frenzy, you may ask coworkers, “Does that make sense?” Using this phrase suggests you’re preemptively not coherent, and that’s not necessarily true. Feedback and clarity are not necessary for you to succeed, but you should have faith in your capabilities.

Conclusion

Once you stop using these seven phrases at work, you will notice a change of confidence and strength in whatever work you do. Start practicing now So you can communicate at work confidently.

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Career Career & Education

How to Stand Out At a New Remote Job

How to Stand Out At a New Remote Job

It is very interesting to get a new remote job. While the opportunity feels exciting and big, it can also bring feelings of confusion and nervousness. It is completely okay to feel nervous in new work settings, especially when it’s a remote job. If you are wondering how to grow and stand out while you’re at it, we have a few ways that will help you. Let’s see what you can do to excel in a remote job.

Tip #1 For Remote Jobs

It is as simple as this: if you avoid introductions, you miss out on opportunities at your job. The main reason behind people avoiding introducing themselves is the rejection of fear. However, it is important to understand that introductions specially make a huge difference in remote job settings. This is because remote or hybrid settings do not allow face-to-face interaction opportunities.

The best way to go about it is to practice and continue to introduce you even in days after the first week. You can just practice your opening lines and let the rest of the introduction flow according to the situation.

Remember to make use of the opportunity to introduce yourself whenever a meeting involves new people. Doing so will increase your chances of building relationships that can support you later.

Tip #2

The most you can do during formal meetings is to give an introduction. While it is good and makes a positive overall difference, they are still not sufficient. It is best that you try to build a connection with each of your colleagues.

For this, you can try to plan informal meetings as you can’t really talk to them outside of the formal setting of your remote job. Not only will such post-meeting interactions help you create relationships, but you will also feel more connected to your job and become more knowledgeable this way.

What’s more? Along with feeling connected and gaining knowledge about your job, you can gain knowledge about other opportunities outside of your job. For instance, you can ask your colleagues about what projects they’re working on and what companies they’re connected with.

Tip #3 For Remote Jobs

This tip is all about keeping your manager updated and briefed on what you’re doing. If you want to excel and be the best employee, ensure that your manager knows how hard you’re working. You can do this at the end of each week by contacting them through email or chat, whatever feels more convenient for the both of you.

What’s most important about this tip is that you remind your manager of how things are going. This will also act as a reminder of all your achievements and improvements as an employee. However, first, ensure that you’re not doing it unexpectedly.

Try to build a connection first and ask for permission to talk about your performance. Chances are, they would like to be on board with how well you’re doing. Also, don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek help.

Conclusion

If you strictly follow the tips, you will surely see a difference in how well you connect, even with a remote job. Not only this, in a matter of just a little time, you will also begin to experience the benefits.

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Career Career & Education

The Great Resignation: Why Americans Are Quitting?

The Great Resignation: Why Americans Are Quitting?

Introduction

Millions of Americans are deserting their jobs in record numbers. The American workforce has never seen an exodus from employment quite like this.

According to the US Labor Department, little under 4.3 million people left their employment in August. Employees all over the country feel that they have the ability and the right to leave their jobs if employers aren’t meeting certain requirements or treating them right. Indeed, workers have found that they have leverage for the first time in American history. Employers now require them more than they require a certain employer.

But why are Americans leaving their jobs in droves? What is causing this enormous shift away from certain businesses?

Who Is Quitting?

Service Industry

892,000 people who left their employment worked in the food service and hospitality industries. 721,000 retail workers quit, while 534,000 healthcare and social support professionals left their careers too.

When you examine the types of industries hit hardest by these resignations, you can start to see why they are happening. The pandemic definitely has had a huge impact on these sorts of jobs and it is causing many to reconsider what they are doing and who they are doing it for.

From food service to retail to healthcare – these are jobs that are directly impacted by the dangers and anxiety of the coronavirus pandemic. They are all high-stress jobs, since they deal with a public that is ever-coarsening, impatient, and furious in the post-pandemic age.

Other Job Industries

However, they aren’t the only employees who are packing up and saying goodbye to their bosses. Workers are departing at or near record levels in practically every industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Is it a case of individuals being dissatisfied with their work, or are they just confident in their ability to locate new ones? That’s what many experts believe.

Why Are They Quitting?

It seems like many employees are fed up with their current jobs and the pesky customers they serve. However, they also know that they have a wide variety of choices they can move onto. This is likely what is driving the mass resignations.

Labor Need is Driving Resignations

Currently there is a significant need for labor in the United States. Employees have the confidence to move on because of the high demand for work. Most people are aware that they may find a better job in their industry, one that pays more and provides more of the benefits they desire. There has never been a better moment for anyone wishing to shift careers totally, with plenty of opportunities available.

Essentially, America is in an endless loop of people quitting because they are unhappy. Those resignations cause a demand for labor and that demand for labor makes more people quit because they see opportunity. People feel like now is the time to change careers and the possibilities seem endless.

Conclusion

The pandemic has made many reorganize their priorities and that involves what they do for a living too. Eventually the job market will stabilize but, for now, millions are looking for employment in new, exciting places because they believe they can – and should.

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Career Career & Education Health & Home Recreation & Leisure

Try These 5 After-Work Routines

Try These 5 After-Work Routines

Are you happy/satisfied with your performance at work? Do you often feel tired and want to improve productivity? Are you fed up with a 9-5 routine that makes you exhausted?

Even when you are doing well at your job, being an employee is not easy. Besides, lack of motivation, focus, and energy can affect your performance. Incorporating the below-mentioned activities may help boost your mood and energy. Make sure that your post-work schedule does not have an overwhelming and unrealistic plan. You can keep it simple and balanced.

The after-work routine will energize you for getting success and improving your work. Here are five after-work routines that will make you better at your job.

5 After-Work Routines

After a busy day at work, the first thing you should do when you reach home is change your clothes. Rather than flopping down on the couch, wear something you like and do what makes you happy, like listening to your favorite music. Also, you can pick any of the best activities from the below list.

1.     Follow Your Passion

You may have an interest in activities outside your office routine. Hobbies are a practical way to transform your mood and following your passion is one of the best ways to enjoy your time after work. You can set your schedule for each day by discovering your hobby.

It’s all up to your choice what do you choose after work. You can select something you are genuinely passionate about, like painting, singing, dancing, volunteering for a cause, etc.

2.     Socialize with People

Socializing with people is one of the best ideas to keep you away from stress and re-energize your mood and energy. Plan a movie night with your friends or head on to an impromptu date. Go out, socialize with family and friends and have fun.

You can do multiple activities with your family and friends, all depending on your preferences.

  • Go to watch a movie to refresh your mood.
  • Go for an outing or to a restaurant
  • Join any meetup group to have a conversation

3.     Carry out any Activity

If you work in an office, you likely sit in the same place each day from 9-5. You can make a plan to burn off some energy.

  • You can go for a walk.
  • Go to the gym and take a yoga class
  • Listen to music and dance to your favorite beats

Moreover, you can pick an activity as per your choice. You need to keep your body moving to lift your spirit and release stiffness in your sore muscle.

You can visit an art museum or gallery with your friends. If you are interested in art, you will feel happy exploring the great art pieces at the gallery. You can get inspired by creative art and see things from a different perspective. Not to mention, visiting a museum during the evening will be a completely different experience.

5.     Share your Skills and Talent

You can share your skills and talent in different productive ways. You may act like a mentor, lecture about a career at an institute, share your part at community events, and explore new ideas to help people. Sharing your skills and talent will make you feel inspired and bring a motivational change to your life.

Bottom Line 

It will be a great idea to pick any activity from the above five after-work routines that will improve your job. So, are you ready to transform your daily activities after work? Let’s shake up things to bring an inspiring change in your life.

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Career Career & Education

This Resume Trick Will Help You Switch Industries

This Resume Trick Will Help You Switch Industries

There are times in your career you might feel like you’re doing something wrong or might start questioning your industry. The moment you start doing that, it’s time for you to trust your gut and change your industry.

While it’s not easy switching into different industries, and the same time it’s not possible. It’s never too late to change your industry; all you need is confidence and the right guidance. Mentioned below are a few resume tricks that will help you switch your industry.

1. Have Good Teamwork Skills

No matter what industry you choose to work in, teamwork is an important quality to have. Teamwork knows how to work with a big group of people and how to communicate with each other in order to achieve the same goal. If you want to switch to a new industry, you have to show them how you want to make that change. The best way to show them that is by showcasing your team player skills. You should be adaptable in every team setting and work with different types of people.

2. Maintain Critical Thinking Skills

Any industry you want to work in, treasure one thing the most, and that is critical thinking. Without critical thinking, it’s impossible to solve difficult issues or queries. You must showcase on your resume you have previously solved different cooperate issues. You should also show them what other things you had to deal with on the way. By looking at this, the interviewer will understand how you think when trying to solve issues.

3. Have an Organized Attitude

When it comes to being organized, you have to know how to manage your time and multitask. You can have an organized attitude by showcasing the different internships or activities you have taken part in. This also shows the different skills you have and how you apply them to different fields at one time. When jumping from one industry to another, you must also showcase what made you do that and how you were so successful.

4. Good Communication Skills

Good communication skills are a must, no matter what type of industry you’re working in. That is the only way you can deal with issues and successes around the company. It is not easy to communicate with totally random people, but that’s a skill you need to have. This is why you need to have good communication skills. If a company knows you have that, they will instantly want you no matter what industry you’re transferring from.

The Takeaway

Now that you have these simple resume tricks in front of you, it’s time for you to start applying them from now on. These are the few skills you must have, and they will always help you in everything.