On my way to a business meeting yesterday I was listening to ‘talk live’ radio and the subject of ‘McJob’ was being discussed.

Basically a new word ‘McJob’ has been established and it is ‘ slang for a low-paying, low-prestige job that requires few skills and offers very little chance of intracompany advancement’.

I disagree with the definition.

A professor had completed a piece of work to see if the definition was accurate. His findings showed individuals with McJobs were:

• on the first rung of the career ladder
• enjoying their role (mostly)
• happier being employed rather than not

When I was 16 I had 3 McJopbs:

1. Petrol Pump Attendant (in those days there was no self service!!) – 70p per hour
2. collecting Littlewoods Pools Coupons – commission based
3. working in a DIY store – 90p per hour

I loved the jobs (and money of course!). I was dealing with the public, having responsibility and built long-term relationships. In fact, through my relationships, I was offered another role as a gardener for one of my regular petrol buyers. My McJobs were the start of my successful career. Building relationships and dealing with people is a skills we all must have if we want to be successful in our careers.

Tesco’s chief executive Sir Terry Leahy, started stacking shelves in his local branch of the supermarket chain, during the summer holidays, when he was 15. What a career he has had starting with a McJob!

Any of you started with a McJob? How was it? Did it provide some fundamental basic skills?

Let’s start the conversation!!

Article source: http://www.greatmanagement.org/blogs/6/McJob-to-Management.html

McJob to Management is a post from: Free Career Advice

My wife had the opportunity to interview a person for a position in her company and she told me this wonderful turn of phrase used by the person in the interview:

“I helped the company to …” and then the person described what had been done for the work.

Now, this person was an employee of the company in question. Not a contractor. Not a consultant. No, an employee.

If you think about it, being serious about your personal brand, your focus too would be on the skills you bring to a position that would help a department or company meet their goals.

Note how this positions the person and their work:

• The company did not drive this person’s work; instead this person helped — implied: was asked — to come in and work on this thing that was not working.
• The company couldn’t figure out how to do the stuff in question — so they turned to this person for help. Just think of a billion dollar company asking a Cubicle Warrior for help and there you go.
• Most importantly, this person realized that there were skills that were needed in the marketplace and it wasn’t about the company; instead, it was about the skills that a company could use to get something done.

The next time you’re asked what you’ve been working on, instead of saying that you were given this important whiz bang project that needed a bunch of work to be completed, change your answer.

Instead, say that your company needed some help in your (personal brand skill set) area and you were able to help them reach X, Y, and Z objectives.

The difference between being assigned work and being asked to help a company achieve their objectives is subtle.

And not subtle at all. I’d rather be the Cubicle Warrior that placed the billion dollar company into its rightful position: where I could help them out.

Wouldn’t you?

Article source: http://cuberules.com/2007/10/19/i-helped-the-company-to/

I helped the company to… is a post from: Free Career Advice

Have you been promoted recently? Is some of your staff also your friends? Do you know how easy it is to loose all respect when you show favoritism?

Managing employees at the workplace can be a challenging process. But what do you do when you are suddenly promoted and some of the employees you are managing are also your friends?

Here are 7 quick tips that will help you manoeuvre your way around this potential minefield:

1. Lay down the ground rules right from the start. Speak to each one of your friends privately and inform them that friends or not, business is still business. Inform them you expect them to continue to work, as they have been; professional at all times. Keep your tone pleasant but firm, and let them know that they are still required to follow the rules just like everybody else.

2. Treat your friends the same as the other employees. No better, no worse. If you don’t, the other employees will take notice that you’re showing favoritism and you will quickly lose their respect.

3. Don’t have lunch or take breaks with your friends too often, unless other employees are also included in the group. Remember, people are watching and appearances are everything. Others will think you are sharing confidential ‘secrets’ and company / knowledge.

4. When evaluating your friends for raises and/or promotions, make sure the aforementioned raises and promotions are warranted and based solely on job performance, not friendship.

5. Do not discuss other employee’s behaviour or performance with your friends at any time.

6. Outside of the workplace, do not discuss job-related issues with your friends.

7. At office parties, celebrations, etc., be aware of seating assignments. Do not associate solely with your friends. Again, make sure other employees are included in the group.

As you can see, managing your friends can be quite a balancing act. However, remember to treat all employees equally and you will be respected.

Article source: http://www.greatmanagement.org/blogs/63/7-Quick-Tips-For-Managing-Your-Friends-At-The-Workplace.html

7 Quick Tips For Managing Your Friends At The Workplace is a post from: Free Career Advice

If you are after a pay rise and career advancement it can be better if you decide to stay in your current employment and get promoted.

But don’t just sit there!

That’s not going to get you promoted.

Don’t expect your boss to come along and say ‘Hey you, I am promoting you to the next level. Here’s a 10% pay rise’.

You have to take action.

Being good at your job might get you a promotion eventually.

Get that job promotion faster by raising your profile and being seen.

So let’s assume you are good at your job, otherwise you have no chance of job promotion.

First task is to let your boss know you are looking for a job promotion.

Discuss it with them.

Be prepared to be told ‘you are not ready yet’.

If so, ask what you have to do, to have a chance of promotion.

Next, take on high profile tasks.

Bosses and companies like individuals who take on special projects. These individuals are often promoted on the back of the successful delivery of one project – make sure it’s you.

Network.

I recently detailed how you can get a job promotion through networking, right here at my good friend, Donald Latumahina’s blog:

Networking Can Get You A Job Promotion

When you have your one-to-one with the boss mention the projects you are involved in and the concrete results which have benefited the company, as a result.

Shout About It

When you have the opportunity, stand up in front of people and publicly speak about the special project you are working on and the benefits it will bring.

So if you want more income, go for promotion in your current job.

It can be easier than you think.
Article source: http://www.greatmanagement.org/blogs/160/How-to-Win-That-Job-Promotion.html

How to Win That Job Promotion is a post from: Free Career Advice

‘Training is overlooked’ for most workers

Training needs at work are overlooked believe almost 50% of employees and 33% would like to use the extra day in the leap year for training, according to a recent survey.

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) questioned over 1,000 employees to ask what they would most like to use the extra working day for, with training coming top.

A Way To Get A Pay Rise…

LSC’s previous survey has shown that employees can increase their salary by $4,000 to $6,000 per year by getting the right training.

Employers overlook training because:

1. Everyone is too busy and can’t find the time for Training and Development

1. During hard times the Training and Development budget is slashed
   

So what’s the alternative?

To develop and enhance your skills you have to take accountability and put the effort in yourself. The days have long gone, whereby employers provide Training and Development on a plate. You are much more alone these days.

So what can you do?

1. On the job. Learn new things as you actually carry out the job.
2. Get yourself a mentor.
3. Visit your local library
4. Find free resources on the web
5. Invest in yourself with self-help material

I do all five because I believe there is a direct connection between how much you learn and how much you earn. Successful individuals are constantly learning, hungry for more knowledge to better themselves and attract more money.

I have a great mentor who helps, advises and directs me so I stay on track to meet my goals and dreams.

I go to the library every month to see what new self-development books there are. I love reading.

Also check out the big sellers on Amazon and then see if you can buy the book cheaper on eBay.

LSC Link reference:

http://www.jobserve.com/News/ED3AFDE54.news

Article source:http://www.greatmanagement.org/blogs/165/An-Easy-Way-To-Get-A-Job-Payrise.html

An Easy Way To Get A Job Payrise… is a post from: Free Career Advice

In the UK, job seekers are facing major competition for vacancies from as many as 50 other applicants, market research recently revealed.

The number of unfilled vacancies has fallen by 58% over the past 4 years, as well.

And on top of all that, the number of people without jobs is growing by 100,000 per month.

The worst economy since 1946

The next 12 months will see the UK economy suffer its largest contraction since 1946 and predicts unemployment will soar to 3.4 million by 2011.

The job queues are getting longer

These figures show the very real challenge of unemployment across the UK today.

And it’s not just the UK. Many other countries across the world are experiencing the same turmoil.

Redundancy…

Of course, there will be some individuals who will welcome the redundancy (getting resonable payouts) but they will be few. The vast majority will not.

And many will not get much support form the companies that are now letting them go.

It may be the first time they have had to write their own resume or go for an interview or, maybe, even start their own business.

They will feel alone, scared and wondering what to do first.

There is an abundance of free information to help you through the torrid times right here on the internet, from your local library or from numerous employment agencies.

What will you do?

You have many options open to you but you must take action.

Go to your local library and take out a book to help you write your resume.

If you are in the unfortunate position of being without a job, don’t waste time. Spend your next morning or afternoon researching the job market, writing your resume or joining a few employment agencies.

Article source: http://www.greatmanagement.org/blogs/181/Fifty-Job-Seekers-For-Every-Vacancy.html

Fifty Job Seekers For Every Vacancy is a post from: Free Career Advice

In the UK, job seekers are facing major competition for vacancies from as many as 50 other applicants, market research recently revealed.

The number of unfilled vacancies has fallen by 58% over the past 4 years, as well.

And on top of all that, the number of people without jobs is growing by 100,000 per month.

The worst economy since 1946

The next 12 months will see the UK economy suffer its largest contraction since 1946 and predicts unemployment will soar to 3.4 million by 2011.

The job queues are getting longer

These figures show the very real challenge of unemployment across the UK today.

And it’s not just the UK. Many other countries across the world are experiencing the same turmoil.

Redundancy…

Of course, there will be some individuals who will welcome the redundancy (getting resonable payouts) but they will be few. The vast majority will not.

And many will not get much support form the companies that are now letting them go.

It may be the first time they have had to write their own resume or go for an interview or, maybe, even start their own business.

They will feel alone, scared and wondering what to do first.

There is an abundance of free information to help you through the torrid times right here on the internet, from your local library or from numerous employment agencies.

What will you do?

You have many options open to you but you must take action.

Go to your local library and take out a book to help you write your resume.

If you are in the unfortunate position of being without a job, don’t waste time. Spend your next morning or afternoon researching the job market, writing your resume or joining a few employment agencies.

Article source: http://www.greatmanagement.org/blogs/181/Fifty-Job-Seekers-For-Every-Vacancy.html

Fifty Job Seekers For Every Vacancy is a post from: Free Career Advice

Most resume-writing guides focus on “power words” — words that promise to grab the attention of recruiters as they scan hundreds of resumes — but few tell you what words to avoid in your resume.

Below is a list of words and word types that your resume would be better without.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

AFPCA, CHIGFET, FIPL, MRSRM, ZWE: Looks like a fresh game of Scrabble, doesn’t it?

Too many abbreviations and acronyms in a resume make it unreadable.

As a rule, avoid using abbreviations and acronyms unless they are commonly recognized. If you work in an acronym-heavy industry, such as technology, use acronyms sparingly.

Personal Pronouns

It seems odd to avoid personal pronouns (I, me, my) in your resume — a document that is all about you.

But, it actually does make sense.

Since your resume is all about you, the addition of “I” or “me” is redundant. Since a resume should contain no unnecessary words, there is no place for the personal pronoun. Your resume, after all, is not a memoir but a concise summary of your skills and experience.

Negative Words

These words spell death for a resume.

Words like “arrested,” “boring,” “fired,” “hate” and “sexist” catch a recruiter’s eye like to a two-ton magnet catches a paper clip.

If there are difficult issues you want to raise, save them for the interview.

Keep These Words to a Minimum

There are other words that are sometimes necessary in a resume, but that should nevertheless be kept to a minimum.

Among these:

• Abused words: a, also, an, because, the, very
• Any word you can’t define: You may think using these words make you sound smart, but if you use them incorrectly they could kill your chances of landing the job.
• Words that can be embarrassing if spelled wrong: assess, skills

Article source: http://ca.hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-words_to_avoid_in_your_resume-763

Words to Avoid in Your Resume is a post from: Free Career Advice

Every word on your resume counts in today’s competitive job market. But some words count more than others — especially those that refer to soft skills.

Soft skills are increasingly important in the workplace. In fact, 86 percent of employers considered soft skills to be among their most important hiring criteria in a recent survey by two University of Massachusetts economists.

‘Teamwork’

Teamwork is more important than ever in the workplace.

The ability to work well with others to accomplish a common goal is vital for a harmonious workplace.

Employees are often organized into teams to manage projects. And many employers believe collaboration increases the quality of work and improves productivity.

A team player is an attentive listener, a cooperative colleague and is willing to help others.

‘Flexibility’

Employers value workers who are flexible and able to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. In other words, it’s sometimes just as important to be a jack-of-all-trades as a master of one.

You can show that you’re flexible by demonstrating a willingness to take on new and varied projects and an ability to handle changing priorities and deadlines.

Ultimately, being flexible doesn’t only increase the odds that you’ll get a job — it also improves your chances of keeping it should layoffs occur.

‘Detail-Oriented’

Employers want to know that they can trust workers to handle a project down to the last detail.

Being “detail-oriented” means being organized and meticulous about your work. It also implies that you can work without constant supervision and act independently.

‘Self-Motivated’

Employers value employees who are self-starters. These workers can generate their own ideas and follow them through to fruition.

A self-motivated worker goes the extra mile. She regularly takes on tasks that may not be part of her job description. She’s inspired to work hard not just to reap rewards but also for personal satisfaction.

Article source: http://ca.hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-words_every_resume_should_include-761

Words Every Resume Should Include is a post from: Free Career Advice

How to Get Hired or Get Ahead, Even When the Economy is Getting Worse? Thanks to the generosity 28 contributing authors,  you can learn about the best strategies for your job search. Get your free copy of this eBook: The Best Career Strategies of 2009.  Each contributing author answered the question:“What do you feel is the single most important career strategy people should use in 2009?” This free eBook will answer that question for you.

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Article source: http://www.interviewchatter.com/the-best-career-strategies-of-2009/

The Best Career Strategies of 2009 is a post from: Free Career Advice