I live by a set of Guiding Principles that have attributed to an enjoyable life that I would consider successful. They are simple and to the point but can have a huge impact on your career and personal life. I’d love to share them with you today. [Read more…]
Ways to Improve the Morale at the Office
According to research from Gallup, only 31.5 percent of U.S. employees were engaged in their jobs in 2014. That means nearly 70 percent of your staff is disengaged or unhappy with their work. Meanwhile, other Gallup research found disengaged employees costs the U.S. between $450 and $550 billion in lost productivity each year.
Don’t wait until poor morale and dwindling productivity tank your office. It’s time to create a long-term strategy to boost morale while giving your employees the perks and recognition they deserve. It won’t just make your employees happier, it could improve your bottom line and give your profits a boost too. Here’s how to get started. [Read more…]
There is Something to be Said for Endurance
JJ Villar, Lauren Birchmeier, and Jasmine Freeman. Who are they and what do they have in common?
JJ Villar is one of the best dancers and choreographers in Las Vegas. JJ is only 1 of 8 of the original performers in the Michael Jackson ONE Cirque show. He has endured several injuries, tough workouts 5 days a week, having to stay perfectly physically fit, and mentally alert. He is in the show 5 days a week and they do 2 shows per night. It is not unusual for JJ to go to the gym at midnight after performing in 2 shows! JJ has endurance and he has endured. There are about 90 performers in the MJ ONE show and only 8 of the originals are left. Think about that statistic for a moment. [Read more…]
Have You Reached A Career Plateau? How to Regain Control
Author: Shelagh Donnelly
Have you paused lately to assess where your career is going? Are you making progress, or have you plateaued? Think about it. Plateaus are generally flat expanses of terrain, and you’ve made either a descent or a climb to reach one. There’s little variation in the landscape unless you want to go downhill or make the effort to move upward.
The same is true for career plateaus. We may feel under-appreciated, wish our job was more challenging, or have lost out on a promotion. Other times, we’re simply drained after being tapped for a major undertaking or high-stress project. You’re glad you were able to contribute, but feel as though you’ve run a marathon.
If you’ve hiked to a plateau, you know it can be a great place to rest and soak up the surrounding scenery. Career-wise, plateaus can be good for us – for brief periods of time. You can regroup, collect and focus your thoughts, assess prospects on your own horizon and generally recharge.
You just don’t want to stay on that plateau too long, because that can imply a period of minimal growth or even a decline. If you find yourself still on that plateau months after arrival, ask yourself why – and how you can build momentum to move forward and upward. How so? Well, that depends on how you reached your personal plateau. [Read more…]
How Administrative Professionals Can Prepare for the Office of the Future
by Brandi Britton, district president, OfficeTeam
This article was originally published in Executive Secretary Magazine and shared with permission by OfficeTeam and it’s author.
Today’s administrative professionals have anything but an easy and boring job. Over the years, their roles have moved well beyond circulating memos and taking dictation. They are being asked to become involved in and even take charge of areas such as social media and corporate responsibility.
In recent Office of the Future research from OfficeTeam and the International Association of Administrative Professionals, 50 percent of survey respondents feel they have skills that are not being tapped at work. Let’s take a look at three areas where admins say they would like to play bigger roles. You’ll see how you can get involved and grow your administrative skills. [Read more…]
Are You Making These Social Media Mistakes
HR Managers Say Posting Negative Comments Is Most Common Deal Breaker
MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — The advice “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all” holds especially true in today’s digital age, suggests new research from staffing firm OfficeTeam. When asked about the most common social media mistakes that take job seekers out of the running for a position, 45 percent of human resources (HR) managers cited writing negative or inappropriate comments. About one in three (35 percent) said posting or being tagged in questionable photos is the prevailing digital faux pas.
According to an OfficeTeam survey, 45 percent of HR managers said writing negative or inappropriate comments is the most common social media mistake that takes job seekers out of the running for a position. About one in three (35 percent) cited posting or being tagged in questionable photos as the chief digital faux pas. (PRNewsFoto/OfficeTeam)
View an infographic of the survey findings about social media mistakes.
HR managers were asked, “In your opinion, what is the most common social media mistake professionals make that reduces their chances of being hired?” Their responses:
Posting negative or inappropriate comments | 45% |
Posting or being tagged in inappropriate or risque photos | 35% |
Not posting regularly; having incomplete, dated or no social media profiles | 17% |
Other/don’t know | 3% |
100% |
“People often believe posting on social media is just harmless fun, but in reality, employers frequently look online to learn about prospective hires,” said Brandi Britton, a district president for OfficeTeam. “Professionals should think beyond eliminating unflattering content from their digital accounts to how they can wow hiring managers by showcasing career accomplishments and industry involvement.”
OfficeTeam identifies five types of professionals who commit social media faux pas and provides tips to help avoid these monikers:
- The Cranky Critic isn’t shy about sharing off-putting remarks with the world. No subject is off limits, including former colleagues and politics.
Advice: Exercise discretion when posting on social networking sites, blogs or online communities. You never know who might see your comments. - The Superfluous Selfie Poster has no shortage of social media photos, but they’re not exactly always office-appropriate, and there are enough of them to suggest an inflated ego.
Advice: Remove or untag yourself from any images that may raise eyebrows. Use a polished profile photograph. - The TMI Transgressor posts every detail when attending a party, playing a game or taking an online quiz, whether you care to know or not.
Advice: Be aware that certain topics may make you appear unprofessional. Use your best judgment when sharing status updates and check your privacy settings to control who in your network has access to what information. - The Connection Counter invites just about anyone to join his or her network. When it comes to social media contacts, this person favors quantity over quality.
Advice: Be selective about who you connect with and focus on fostering meaningful professional relationships. Having the right people in your network can help advance your career, and potential employers may also reach out to these individuals to learn more about you. - The Nonchalant Networker takes a lackadaisical approach to social media. This individual’s online profiles are sparse, and updates are few and far between.
Advice: Highlight your work history and accomplishments on sites like LinkedIn. Consider including key terms that describe your skills and experience to help employers more easily find you. Show an interest in your industry by participating in relevant Web groups and forums.
About the Research
The survey of HR managers was developed by OfficeTeam. It was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from more than 300 HR managers at U.S. companies with 20 or more employees.
About OfficeTeam
OfficeTeam, a Robert Half company, is the nation’s leading staffing service specializing in the temporary placement of highly skilled office and administrative support professionals. The company has more than 300 locations worldwide. More information, including online job search services and theOfficeTeam Take Note® blog, can be found at officeteam.com.
Photo –http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160104/318939
SOURCE OfficeTeam
For further information: Cynthia Kong, (650) 234-6298, cynthia.kong@officeteam.com