Experts in generational diversity in the workplace would say that unlike other generations Generation Y has a desperate need for a pat on the back and encouragement along the way in the workplace. How would these same experts explain a woman in her sixties to seventies, working as an administrative assistant, weeping because she feels that her work is unnoticed and unappreciated? What about the middle aged individual on a temp assignment who calls in on her first day on the job just to find out if her new supervisor has offered any feedback on her performance?
FREEDOM is one of the most prized human ideals, and as
Americans, we are blessed to live in a nation where we enjoy unparalleled
freedoms. Throughout the great history of this country we know that people
have fought and given their lives to be liberated and to remain free of the
shackles that many in our world experience daily.
The rights and privileges we enjoy today have come at an awesome price
that we should remember always. As we celebrate the 232nd anniversary of
our founding fathers signing the Declaration of Independence, we should be
challenged to know and understand the history of this great country, to be
wise and watchful of what is happening in our society and as we make
choices may we not just lean on our own understanding but to prayerfully
seek guidance and direction from above.
Here are some reflections that may be of interest to you as you think about
July 4th, 2008:
George Washington, our first President, said this, “It is impossible rightly to
govern the world without God and the Bible.”
Andrew Jackson said, “The Bible is the rock on which our republic rests.”
William McKinley, former President, said, “The more profoundly we study this
wonderful Book and the more closely we observe its divine percepts, the
better citizens we will become and the higher will be the destiny of our
nation.”
Rosa Parks said, “The church was and is the foundation of our community,
It’s our strength and our refuge and our haven.”
In the book of 2nd Chronicles 7:14 it says, “If my people, who are called by
my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from
their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and
will heal their land.”
What do these reflections have to do with the celebration of July 4, 2008?
Simply this; there are certain principles that mankind has been given to live
by. When we deviate from those principles we are off track and sometimes
are derailed. We just need to have each American adopt right principles to
live by and be loyal and dedicated to those principles. We can start with
ourselves knowing that one person can make a difference.
So let us embrace the freedom we have been given and be thankful that by
the grace of God we are living in America, the land of the free and home of
the brave.
May you and your family have a safe, enjoyable and wonderful July 4th
holiday.
Ben
I was reading through one of my favorite blogs, TheJobBored, and found a post up about the protocol of following up on an interview–stuff like “how long should I wait to hear back?” His advice reminded me of the conversations we have nearly everyday with job seekers. It’s a common concern–what is interpreted as disinterest, what creepily looks like stalking?
Back in the day–and I can say that because I was there!–a job seeker would politely wait for the company to contact her in their own good time. You know, the same polite way we would also wait for salary negotiations to be started by the interviewer, usually on the second or third interview…not the second or third question from the applicant!
I recently had an opportunity to work with a group of college grads who basically said an employer has 5-7 days to follow up with them or they’re no longer interested. Syonara. CULater.
But back in the day, from what I can remember, jobs weren’t nearly as plentiful as they are today. Businesses weren’t working 24/7. There wasn’t an enterprise on every corner. And gas cost 89cents a gallon. (not sure that’s relevant, but I’m still in shock over paying $3.74 today and thinking I got a DEAL!) I think I actually felt lucky to be selected, to get a job.
Things change–and so has the hiring process. Some companies get it. Some applicants get it. Lots of folks, on both sides of the desk, are wondering what’s expected.
If I were looking for a job in today’s market here’s what I think I would do in order to stay current on my available opportunities:
First of all, I wouldn’t leave the interview without an idea of what the next step is supposed to be. It’s okay to ask when the guy thinks the decision will be made. If he can give you a firm date, that’s fantastic. If it’s the “in one or two weeks” routine, that’s okay, too. Just wait about 7-10 days and if you haven’t heard, feel confident that it’s not wrong to followup.
By followup I mean an email or a phone call. I wouldn’t show up on his doorstep at this point. If your email or phone call nets you a response, superb. It might not be more than letting you know there will be another delay in the decision, but at least you know what to expect. Sit still for another 7-10 days and followup again.
As long as you’re in the communication loop, this cycle could possibly repeat itself a couple of times. My advice is to hang in there as long as you’re comfortable, or possibly financially able.
However, on the flip side, if you hear nothing for 2-4 weeks, safe to say move on. It’s pretty much 20th century thinking for a company to be that behind in its communication practices and possibly that slow in its decision making. �
Vocabulary is known to change over time and with the culture. There are words that we use today that are completely different than their original definition would suggest. A prime and often used example is that Southern delight, ‘fixin’ to.’ Of course in
I’m sure years ago if someone referred to something as being “defanged”, everyone would let out a great sigh of relief. “Thank goodness,” your Mother would say. “I always hated the fact that you insist upon having a snake in the house. At least now it’s not dangerous.” Now we see this term used when referring to e-mail attachments that come to our inbox and beckon our click. I’m sure there are other non-technical folks such as I that see the “defanged message” and wonder what exactly this could mean. After digging around online I have determined that it must refer to a message that has been quarantined because it is suspicious of carrying a virus. So much for vicious animals and dangerous procedures; it has now morphed into a technical term.
What about spam? Back in the day kids would come running when spam was in the kitchen. Gone are such innocent times when spam had such a delectable connotation. Now when the term spam is mentioned, people cringe in pain. “Not another e-mail trying to sell a designer watch,” says the business man, just trying to read his e-mails after hours of travel. “I can’t stand those e-mails asking me to meet some person online for a chat,” says one gal after being assaulted by another useless e-mail. Spam has been forever changed.
The web has long been stolen from the spider to become an interconnected internet galaxy. What once was a gooey group of string used by spiders for rest and relaxation is now much more technical and used by folks all over the globe. It would seem that this homonym could become confusing. Fortunately as a culture we’ve become assimilated to the double use of this word and now can easily differentiate between a spider’s habitation and the information super highway.
As our culture changes, so do our vocabulary words. The question is; are we becoming more sophisticated with our vocabulary or are words simply being shifted around into different niches of our society. It’s too easy to simply surf the net looking for topics to blog about while picking through spam to find e-mails that have been defanged by your virus detector. Maybe it’s time we shut down our computers and allow creativity to develop our vocabulary.
Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. . . . [I]f the next centennial does not find us a great nation . . . it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.
[James A. Garfield, The Works of James Abram Garfield, Burke Hinsdale, editor (Boston: James R. Osgood and Company, 1883), Vol. II, pp. 486, 489, “A Century of Congress,” July, 1877.]
With the results of Super Tuesday arguably somewhat inconclusive, the significance of the Texas Primary Election March 4 grows ever larger.
Be prepared. Be knowledgeable. VOTE.
Don’t think your vote doesn’t count. One argument commonly made is that it makes little sense to vote because the odds of you or your neighbor casting the deciding vote in an election are miniscule. In recent state-wide elections, approximately 4.5 million votes were cast. The chances that the leading candidates would get exactly the same number of votes, out of so many cast, are very small.
But in local elections—for, lets say, school board—the odds of a single vote deciding the outcome go up significantly. Consequently, a small group of like-minded and determined voters (friends, family and neighbors) have a greater chance to affect the outcome.
But you know what…in any election, your vote counts. There are many times in history where a handful of votes had a significant impact:
In Florida, a state similar in size to Texas, the 2000 Presidential election came down to a difference of only 537 votes out of almost 6 million cast. In New Mexico, for that same race, the difference in votes for the two major-party candidates was only 366 votes.
A very close election further back in Texas history gave one of the state’s best known politicians, Lyndon B Johnson, a victory that was probably a critical step in his path to the WhiteHouse. In 1948, Johnson was elected to the Senate by a scant 87 votes…that’s why you might have heard him referred to as Landslide Lyndon.
But if everyone decides not to vote because no one believes an election will be close enough to be decided by any one vote, then one vote will indeed decide the election. If you don’t vote because you think it won’t matter and others who share your politcial preferences think that way, the candidates and policies you least prefer will most likely be victorious. Widespread belief that “my vote won’t make a difference” leads logically to circumstances in which one vote may make all the difference. Essentially, your vote NOT cast is a vote for the opposition.
Wherever you are in the argument about the value of one vote to turn any election, you may, like many of us, vote anyway. Some people are proud of the effort they put in to being informed and involved. Others vote out of a sense of duty or because of their belief in the value of democratic participation. They believe that there is something inherently good for the community and for themselves in participating in elections. Standing up and being counted—showing that you care about what happens in the political system—is one of the benefits of voting.
And for many, people vote in the belief that broad and sustained participation is critical for the legitimacy of a democratic system. Elections would not be democratic without their own and others’ participation.
By now there’s a really good chance you’ve blown the diet, found 500 excuses for skipping the gym and returned to that favorite vice. All those best intentioned New Years’ Resolutions have come and gone. Another common resolution is to search for a new job in the new year. And you can find tons of advice on looking for a new job here on our site and all over the internet. But what about those of us who actually like the jobs we have now? How can we make sure we keep the gigs we’ve got?
Also, you need to speak so that you can be heard and understood. You need to speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard, but not too loud so as to appear that you are angry or trying to show authority over your co-workers. If you do this, it is more likely that you will be understood, and others, including your employer, will have more respect for you and more likely to listen to what you have to say.
Get Along With Others
Second, you need to get along with others. You spend more time at your workplace than you do at home, so you might become very close friends with some of your work mates. You also might not like some of them. This could lead to complaining or gossiping about some of your co-workers, or worse yet, your job and your employer. A piece of advise, “..make it your aim to live quietly and to mind your own business.” This not only makes for better working conditions but you will avoid wasting your employer’s time and possibly causing needless friction with your co-workers.
Go the Extra Mile
Thirdly, do more than is expected. if you want to keep your job, you can set yourself apart from the “pack” by doing each task assigned the very best you can. The greatest man who ever lived said, “If someone under authority impresses you into service for a mile, go with him two miles.” If you have a reputation of being a hard worker–one who will go the extra mile–you will be more likely to keep your job, even if others may lose theirs.
Be Honest
Fourth, be honest. In a survey of over 1,400 companies, the majority of employers “ranked honesty and integrity as qualities that impress them most in job candidates.” Of course that would include the obvious things like not stealing money or materials from the job. But even more important is not stealing your employer’s time. An employment agency conducted a study that revealed that time theft averaged over four hours per employee per week. These employees tended to be late, leave early, and socialized with other employees while they should have been working.
Even if your boss is not looking, chances are someone is, and that person just might be your next supervisor or a person in a position to decide if you keep your job. If you have a reputation for working well–even when not supervised–you are an employee to be trusted, and one the company will want to keep.
Be Organized
Fifth, be organized. If you are organized and keep your workspace neat, you are less likely to lose time looking for things you need, or more importantly the things your employer might need. A neat workspace is a time saver and saves your company money. And you can be sure others will notice. Besides, if you organized and know how to quickly locate things, you will have less stress and enjoy your work more.
Bottom Line
Things change quickly. Mergers and mismanagement cause businesses to close every day. Other companies, due to economic downturns, are forced to reduce their number of employees either temporarily or possibly even permanently. Then your employer will be forced to decide who will go and who will stay. If you have made the above suggestions your personal habits as an employee, you are more likely to be one of the ones your employer considers to be a “keeper.” When pay increases are considered, these same habits will bring you more increases than others with your same job skills
So, enjoy your work and use it to build a reputation as the one your employer can always count on to take direction, work well with others, be organized and not a time-waster. That will make your day at work much more enjoyable and help you keep your job when others are losing theirs.
Have you ever been searching for one thing on the internet and end up reading an article on something completely different and two hours later not been able to figure out where you are on the world wide web–how you got there and where to go from here? Happened to me just a few minutes ago. And, somewhere I lost a good two hours. But in all that I stumbled upon an article (darned if I’d be able to track back and give credit where credit is due!). Anyway, this article argued the virtues of putting personal information on your resume. Personal stuff like your ferret racing hobby, your rank in the Klingon navy or your special interest in guns…that kind of thing.
I suppose I could have posted a comment there and called it a day, but decided to come back to our home site and share my opinion on the subject. My thoughts are pretty basic. In general… don’t. Real estate on your resume is fairly precious and should be used for items that directly demonstrate your value to your potential employer–how you can save them money or make them money. And, I’m just not sure how your new-found interest in bullfighting is going to make you a better candidate for any position I’d ever have.
That said, I could make an exception and encourage the mention of your hobby if it would directly translate to the position for which you’re applying. If your hobby or interest clearly demonstrates relevant knowledge, skills, abilities or accomplishments, it’s only right to include. For instance were you an applicant for a position in training/development and you had written articles published on training-related topics, you should list your writing hobby and the associated accomplishments because of their relevance to the job.
But, in general, your resume isn’t your myspace profile. This is about business and unless the content is business related, it doesn’t really belong. Save your love of travel tand trips abroad for the interview icebreaker.
Our Christmas Awards Banquet/Christmas Party was last night. Several of our staff worked so very hard to pull off a great night. The decorations were beautiful, the food was great, the coffee bar was spectacular, and the presentations were well orchestrated. Safe to say, a good time was had by all.
…and all were very well behaved. Thankfully.
I hate to tell you how many years I’ve been in the workworld. Alot. That means alot of holiday parties. “Company Holiday Party” sounds like it should be a fun time, right? Fun, but not too much fun…
Helpful holiday hints are everywhere these days. But you’re here right now. So, I have a few tips to make sure you only check your coat–and not your career–at the door to the party hosted by the people who write your paycheck:
Do I have to tell you not too drink too much–at the party, or anywhere for that matter? But, no matter how many times we say it, somebody doesn’t listen. Getting blasted with your boss can’t be good for your career. Alcohol alters your judgement and all too soon you no longer have any good judgement left. It’ll make you do things that you’re going to regret. And, to avoid the judgement of others, you might consider limiting your number of trips to the bar–even if the alcohol has little effect on you. Pace your punch. Perception is everything and you don’t want to look as though you drink too much. Besides, it’s not your imagination, that dude from accounting is actually watching the bar tab.
By the way, don’t treat the bar at the office party like a singles bar. At closing time, the girl in customer service might look alot different out from under the glare of fluorescent bulbs. But on the main, workplace romances very rarely enhance anyone’s career image. And I have yet to hear of a one-night-stand that ever moved someone up the corporate ladder.
And a note to the girl in Customer Service. If you wouldn’t wear it to the office, don’t wear it to the office party. Puleeze, I know you wouldn’t wear sequins and sparkles from 9-5. You wouldn’t, would you? That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about too low, too short, slit too high, that sort of thing.
You know, at an office party you’re around people you’re with probably more than you’re with your own family. And, it’s mixed with that party atmosphere. It’s easy to relax, to let your guard down. But don’t. You’re at a party, but it’s a work party. For all intents and purposes, you’re still at work. So don’t tell that funny but dirty joke, make that off-color comment, use profanity or talk about the guy in production. Don’t complain. Keep the shop talk to a minimum so they won’t think that you’re as boring in real life as you are at work. Don’t talk about people at the party. Don’t talk about people not at the party. It’s not nice.
To make sure you and yours aren’t the ones being talked about, be thoughtful of the guests you bring. Choose wisely and give them a copy of this blog.
So, I’m walking through the lobby of one of our branch offices the other day. There was an applicant awaiting an interview. No news there.
I could get over the fact that she wasn’t dressed appropriately. Unfortunately, we see that too much these days. But what made me stop–and made me post this blog–is that she had her laptop out and was emailing/IM-ing while she was waiting. But wait, there’s more. She was talking–out loud. And, not to anyone in the office. I clearly thought the girl was crackers until I saw the little blue light flashing through her hair near where her ear should be…So here she is, dressed too casually, talking on her Bluetooth, emailing her buddies while she awaits our interview.
Now, before you go all 21st century on me and award her MultiTasker of the Year, hear me out. Is it really a good use of the few minutes you might spend in the lobby awaiting an interview? Wouldn’t it be better to recap your thoughts and run through your questions/answers in preparation for the interview? Reminding yourself why you are the best candidate for the opening? Reviewing the facts and figures that you’ll be asked to recall in the meeting?
Not only that, but her actions already tainted my first impressions. Remember when I thought she was talking out loud to herself, that wasn’t a good thing. I quickly realized I was wrong, but still…I mean, it’s days later and I still remember my initial thoughts. Mama always said you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
If I hadn’t had to leave the office for a meeting, I would have stayed to watch how she handled the handshake when the interviewer came to collect her in the lobby. The picture I have is that first she had to tell the person on the phone “Hey, gotta go. They’re ready to talk to me now. Okay. Okay. See you then. I love you. Bye” –all while she is motioning to the interviewer to “hold on a sec.” You know, the talk-to-the-hand pose. Then that darn laptop. Whatever was she going to do with that? Finish typing her missive. Log off. Shut down. Close it. Put it in the bag. Pick up the bag. Pick up her purse. THEN, she would be prepared to shake the hand of the interviewer and walk down the hall. And, I suppose she could take the Bluetooth off and throw it in her purse while she’s walking behind the interviewer to the interview room…
The first meeting with the hiring manager is likely to make the most vivid impression. Here are some basic guidelines you can follow to make sure the foot in the door is the right foot.
Don’t underestimate the power of your professional appearance. This is the first time the interviewer will see you and, like it or not, what you wear could affect your chances of proceeding to the next round of interviews. Your goal should be to blend in. Whether you’re applying for a position at a bank or as a webmaster, dress appropriately for the job you want.
Remember this: the interview begins as soon as you arrive at the company. Most businesses have a reception area where you’ll wait to meet the person conducting your interview, and this is when many job seekers let their guard down. You may be evaluated just as much in the waiting area as in the interview itself. Make sure you are friendly to the receptionist, assistant, or anyone else who may greet you before and after the interview. It’s becoming common practice for managers to inquire about candidate’s behavior with everyone who meets them. If you are discourteous to a receptionist or anyone else at the company, it will negatively impact your chances of getting the job.
Unbelievable that some of this has to be said, but:
- Don’t ask the receptionist to make copies of anything for you. Be prepared. Besides, you don’t work there yet. She’s not your assistant.
- You can accept a beverage, if offered. But think simplicity. Don’t order a double soy latte decaf with two sugars.
- Don’t eat while waiting for the interview. Imagine having to shake hands with someone who has orange cheeto dust and goo all over his hands.
- And, don’t talk on your cell. That’s simply annoying.
Use your waiting time wisely. Review your experiences and contributions to past employers. Remind yourself of your best qualities. Remember the questions that you need to ask about the job, the company and the culture. If nothing else, use the time to relax and calm your nerves. You’re about to make a presentation. An important presentation. A potentially life-changing presentation. Don’t underestimate it. You need to be prepared.
The more you prepare for the interview, the better impression you’ll make on the people you meet — and the more you’ll increase your chances of securing the job offer.
