Love is in the Office Air

Love is in the Office Air Attitudes and expectations in the workplace are changing in a number of ways. One of the most notable areas in which change is occurring is the topic of office relationships. As younger generations continue to fill a larger proportion of the workforce, they bring with them a new set of beliefs and judgments. This is resulting in a re-evaluating of the subject of office romance in workplaces across the country. For HR employees and policymakers, there are a few key takeaways as you look to adapt your organization’s policy. Office romances are becoming more common Once heavily frowned upon in the office, relationships with colleagues are occurring with more regularity today than ever before. According to a recent study from Viking, 68% of people in the workplace have been involved in an office romance. It’s a trend that’s continuing to grow Generation Z and Millennials make up a greater proportion of the workforce. Almost three-quarters (74%) of 24-35-year olds said they’d been involved in an office romance, compared to just 62% of over 55s. Some of these flourishes into legitimate relationships, but sex with colleagues is also on the rise. 29% of 24-35-year olds have had a one-night stand with a colleague, compared to just 13% of over 55s. The evidence points to a more liberal outlook from younger generations when it comes to office romance. Those in HR must recognize this trend and act upon it. Policies aren’t well communicated The best way that can be done is with a workplace romance policy. This would highlight acceptable behaviors and considerations staff need to take into account before engaging in a relationship with a colleague. It should also cover subjects such as dating a manager. 15% of those who have had an office relationship did so with a manager. More stringent policies might be needed here if businesses are to avoid any negative outcomes. At present, it’s an area where businesses are found lacking. More than two-thirds (67%) have been left unaware of an office relationship policy, or without one altogether. 36% of people said they are unaware of their employer’s policy on relationships in the office. A further 31% said their organization doesn’t have one at all. They can hit productivity Without clarity on the acceptability of office relationships, those considering engaging in one can fall into some damaging pitfalls. It can lead to a drop in that employee’s ability to complete their role â€" as evidenced in the statistics. 37% of the workforce said it decrease productivity and creativity, 26% said it becomes a distraction and 22% said it increases stress. The best way to alleviate these problems is by introducing a policy that recognizes and addresses these complications. Reduce distractions by clearly outlining where the company stands on the issue and have a policy that can hold employees to account if their performance suffers. Once you do that, a reduction in stress and productivity can be avoided. There is still a stigma attached Despite employees becoming more likely to engage in an office relationship, the lasting stigma and question marks that arise from the topic do lead to deception. 59% of people who said they’d engaged in an office relationship said they hid it from people in the office, and a third (33%) said they had kept it from the HR department. Again, this is an indication of a lack of clarity and communication from the business. 42% of those in office relationships said that the worst thing they experienced was being the subject of gossip. The modern workforce should be more accepting of office relationships. Businesses that don’t respond only serve to maintain that taboo and increase the likelihood of unwanted gossip. It’s clear that the workforce is becoming more liberal about the idea of relationships in the office. For HR teams, it’s time to meet the trend head-on and create a policy that fits with modern expectations of workplace romance. About the author: Will Hinch is a freelance writer based in the North of England. Writing on all topics related to business, Will specializes in how the modern workplace is changing.

Writing a Resume For a Management Position

Writing a Resume For a Management PositionIf you're thinking about writing a resume for a management position, then you need to have a very good idea of what you are writing. When people read your resume, they have to be able to know whether or not you are the type of person who will do well in a management position.The first thing you need to do when writing a resume is to write it with care. While it's easy to throw together a resume for a management position with no real thought, a poorly written resume will not help you in the long run. Your resume is the first impression that others get of you, so if you want to get the job you have to make sure that you have created a resume that is easy to read and which includes all of the relevant information that potential employers are looking for.First of all, be sure that you use all of the appropriate fonts and layout on your resume. It doesn't matter whether or not you have an eye for design if you don't include the proper fonts and de sign to represent your abilities. You also want to make sure that your resume has enough spaces between the headings to show clearly that you are capable of doing the job. Be sure that the names of your supervisors and colleagues are all clearly legible on your resume.Your resume should also have a good cover page, so make sure that you have enough space between the cover and the body of your resume. Make sure that you give your most important qualifications on your cover page and that you place them on separate lines from your duties and responsibilities. Also, remember that your cover page is your first impression to prospective employers, so you want to make sure that it doesn't contain any small talk or filler. Make sure that you don't put information like your favorite color on your cover page, or any other personal information.Covering letters are a great way to demonstrate the nature of your personality, but this isn't the best method to use when writing a resume. If you have a little bit of experience in a specific area, you can use this experience to make your resume stand out from the rest. Don't forget to take a look at the list of personal references that you've created, and list any people that you know and really trust. Remember that if you need to get a recommendation from a professional for your resume, you can include their name on your cover page as well.A good idea for a cover letter is to write a cover letter for a manager that you are applying for. Remember that your resume is going to be completely different from someone who wrote a cover letter, so take the time to think about your resume before you start writing a cover letter. If you are applying for a management position, your cover letter is your first opportunity to show your strengths and weaknesses in a career as a manager.Use your previous work experience and education on your resume, but don't make this a distraction from your management position. Make sure that you include your current responsibilities and any awards you may have won. The most important thing that you should include on your resume is a good list of achievements and accomplishments. Don't spend a lot of time on your work history or education unless you feel that this information is relevant and necessary for the position that you are applying for.Finally, don't forget to take care when formatting your resume. Make sure that you type correctly and include all of the proper punctuation and font styles. By including all of these things in your resume, you will be well on your way to becoming a successful manager.

Five Flavors of Impostor

Five Flavors of Impostor Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'0koO2Wp1RKd-mUQReyauaw',sig:'v2Xgv1otIqlXaqIBXxVy4A-j32HaNNtofXZsvKAFX6k=',w:'509px',h:'338px',items:'621514888',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Valerie Young is the author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It. In a previous post, I wrote about how women are much more likely to think of themselves as impostors. Men, on the other hand, tend to think that people underestimate them â€"  a quote from someone Young interviewed for the book stated “My husband is a nice guy who is successful and pretty far up the executive ladder. Last night at dinner, I was telling him about the impostor syndrome. He said to me completely sincerely and non-arrogantly that he could not relate at all because he feels like he is genuinely smarter than anyone gives him credit for. LOL!!:-)” Impostor Syndrome, defined by Young as the feeling that you’re somehow faking your success, occurs for women (and some men) at every level, from beginners to highly successful executives and creative artists. Leonardo Da Vinci once wrote: “I have offended God and mankind because my work didn’t reach the quality it should have.” But not all of us who feel like fakes feel so for the same reason. There are at least five flavors of Impostor Syndrome, according to Young. She identifies the types as: The Perfectionist The Natural Genius The Rugged Individualist The Expert, and The Superwoman/Man/Student Your sense of being an impostor, Young says, comes from a rigid set of rules that have been planted in your head. REAL successes, you think, are different from you because they (fill in the blank with a strict rule here.) Great speakers never get nervous before a presentation. If I were really a gifted designer, I’d never have to pitch work â€" commissions would come to me.  Competent writers never miss errors. I’ll know I’m good at this when I get a million followers. Young offers this assessment to determine which kind of competence style is holding you back. Take a moment to complete the following sentences with the first thing that pops into your head: I’ll know I’m competent at____________ when____________________________________________. If I were really smart, _________________I should always___________________________________. If I were really qualified, I would________________________. Young writes: “Each sentence represents one kind of erroneous thinking about what it takes to be competentâ€"your inner competence rule book.” Your answers reveal what kind of self-defeating thinking might be causing you to feel like a failure. Read about the Perfectionist here. Read about the Natural here.

Not Getting Any Feedback at Work Heres How to Seek it Out -

Not Getting Any Feedback at Work Heres How to Seek it Out - Are you the kind of girl who gives 110% to a work project?    Do you expect your supervising managers will notice and acknowledge your effort?   Or are you the kind of girl who needed additional resources to complete a project and wondered why your VP did not come to you with a recommendation of how she could provide the needed assistance?   Or are you the kind of VP who cut many millions from your budget only to have your next budget cut by your SVP in the next fiscal quarter?   If you are that kind of girl, you are probably also the kind of girl who will quit without having the situation resolved.    Gallup reported this week  that voluntary turnover (read: employees who quit) can cost U.S. companies 1 trillion dollars. One trillion dollars saved could finance a lot of resources for a lot of new projects and probably stop a lot of exiting employees from leaving.   If  52% of “the exiting employees  say their manager or organization could have done something to prevent them from leaving,” it is time to find out what that “something” is and make it a part of a manager’s performance criteria.   For that to happen managers and leaders need to do better at inquiring about an employees’ job satisfaction throughout the course of a year. Annual Reviews Arent Enough Leaders of all forms need to stop using the ‘garbage can approach’ to annual reviews, using one time a year to cover all the good, the bad and the ugly.   Informal, but consistent, casual conversations focused on an employee’s personal satisfaction and well-being about their job and the organization may go a long way in reducing unwanted employee exits.   When  only 51% of exiting employees had such a conversation in the 3 months before they left, there is a lot of room for leadership improvement. Its Up To You Here is the really bad news. Whether or not you end up with a great manager or leader who values your satisfaction and well-being is outside your control. Sure, managers and leaders can prevent these losses by checking in with their staff.   But the unhappy employee could also have also taken the responsibility to speak up, share feedback, and initiate the conversation about their job satisfaction. The problem is, as much as we think we want to be asked how we are and how we are doing, we really only want to report neutral to good information.   We know how to have a ‘Facebook’ conversation. A ‘Facebook’ conversation is the equivalent of answering ‘fine’ when someone asks how you are.     More than one research study has shown we avoid feedback because we’re afraid of feedback and feedback does not work anyway. A recent  Harvard Business Review  cover went so far as to declare feedback a failure.   We don’t like getting feedback.   And we avoid delivering negative information because we don’t want to be seen as unsupportive of the organization’s goals. Reality Check Now for the very good news.   When those 52% of voluntarily exits are leaving, they are not leaving because they did not get feedback.   They are leaving because they did not feel supported.   They, their satisfaction and well-being were systemically ignored.   Being ignored is something you can control and in so doing breakdown your fear of feedback You can take control and actually take the fear out of feedback and have the conversations you want to have with your managers by initiating the conversations yourself.   Here are five steps to getting started. Step 1:   Know thyself.   Knowing what brings you satisfaction and enhances your well-being and performance is an internal job.    Start by knowing your top strengths.   A quick trick to satisfaction on the job is making sure you get to use your top strengths at work. Step 2: Initiate it. Armed with the knowledge of your strengths, use them often in conversation with your manager.   Being specific such as, “I am really challenged with the project because I am not getting to use my natural leadership skills,” gives information she may be able to help correct. Step 3:   Don’t wait Dont wait for your manager to come to you with a criticism. Instead, set a personal calendar to initiate feedback sessions with peers and supervisors once a quarter. Step 4: Structure it. Tailor the session to something specific, like your work on the current project, your ability to collaborate within a team, or your capacity to think creatively. Step 5: Acknowledge It. The key to making feedback sessions work is to acknowledge the advice, develop a plan to improve, and schedule a follow up to track your progress. Remember the grass will not necessarily be greener at another organization.   Because the same person (YOU) with the same habits will be mowing the grass.   No matter where you go your grass goes with you.   So consider adding a little fertilizer before you go looking for greener pastures. This guest post was authored by  Dr. Andrea Goeglein Often called a “Success Sherpa,” Andrea is the Founder of ServingSuccess and specializes in helping individuals, entrepreneurs, CEOs reach their goals while increasing their levels of happiness, productivity, and satisfaction. She’s been interviewed by  The Rachel Ray Show, CBS News, The Huffington Post, Forbes,   and many others. Connect with her on Twitter or Facebook.

Making Your Resume Stand Out

Making Your Resume Stand OutA good combination resume template should be free of spelling and grammatical errors. You want to make sure that the first letter of every word is capitalized as well as every word on the second line. If you make a mistake in this area it will ruin your entire resume and you should always check the grammar for errors before sending your resume off.Another mistake to avoid is to fill out a short paragraph with all of the information for the entire resume on one line. In most cases, you want to divide your paragraphs into two or three sections for each section you want to emphasize. It will be easier to read if your paragraphs are of equal length instead of having to flip from one page to the next looking for the information you want.Your word count is another thing to consider when choosing a combination resume template. While a mixture of proper grammar, punctuation, and free form is needed, you want to be sure that there is enough room for you to get your point across. Having too little space will make your resume appear like a hand written paper which will not help you with your job search.The time that you need to fill out is up to you. Most will only require the first and last name of the person you are applying to and a personal contact number. Others may be more detailed such as a name, job title, company, and a current and previous employer. This way you can focus on these specific areas and use the resume as an application letter for each.When reading a resume, it is best to read it in chronological order. This will allow you to see the key points in order and follow them up with an appropriate summary. Using a combination resume template will help you by giving you specific instructions to follow in order to create a well formatted resume. Instead of the basic style you would use if you were writing the resume yourself, you will be using the templates specifically designed for this task.A resume should be easy to read. Using a combination resume template will make this process a lot easier for you. It will not take much time to sit down and write your resume once you have all of the necessary information for it. You will be able to focus on what you need to know and avoid writing a resume that will look like you wrote it by yourself.A resume will also make a statement about you. Knowing that you have successfully completed your past work history and created a portfolio of your work is very important for you to get an interview. You want to make sure that your resume has all of the relevant information. You want to make sure that you are using the word 'successful' because a successful person is someone who has done things they were proud of.Remember that the combination resume template can make your job hunting experience much easier than if you were to write the entire job search on your own. You will be able to focus on one section at a time instead of getting lost. It will make the entire job search much easier for you to get to the next step.

Using a Computer Science Reddit Subreddit to Find a Resume Writing Service

Using a Computer Science Reddit Subreddit to Find a Resume Writing ServiceWhen looking for a computer science resume writing service, keep in mind that there are thousands of online forums where people share their experiences with computer professionals. These forums can be a great source of information when trying to determine which of the many resumes that are posted in forums are legitimate and which aren't.Just like any other niche, a resume writing service is going to have many scam artists posting fake resumes that they hope will get them into the door for a job. This isn't difficult to do because anyone who has an internet connection and some time on their hands can put together a resume. They have to make money somehow so most of the scam artists will simply use the resume they have written to post it in some of these online forums.People in the computer industry want to hire a resume writing service, not the other way around, so do your homework and research the company you are considering hiring. Check to see if they have experience in writing resumes for computer professionals, have any testimonials from their customers and have a website that shows their expertise.With all of that in mind, then you can go ahead and create your resume. Your resume should be tailored to the position for which you are applying and should only include the information that the company requests for. Make sure that the work you submitted is up to date and no longer than two pages because some companies will request that you submit a longer resume for the same position.Write about your professional experience by using an outline that includes sections that should tell about your qualifications and skills that will help them decide whether or not you are the right candidate for the job. Do not copy past your work, but give them a rundown of your experience. Make sure that you put in some references that can verify what you have written, such as your job duties, client names and contact information.The employer will then take the resume on a long list and review each section for errors, if any, and request additional information to corroborate the information that you have provided. You may also be asked to provide a cover letter, if necessary, that should be used as a summary of your previous work and cover letters are generally required when applying for jobs at non-tech companies.In addition to this, the employer is not going to hire you based on what you write on your resume alone. You will also be asked to present them with an example of your work and explain why you would be a good fit for the position. They are also interested in hiring a resume writer that does an excellent job of following the job description.Finally, take the advice that is passed down from veteran professionals on the internet and use the resume writing service that is offered on some of the bigger online computer science forum. These forums often have suggestions and tips fo r writing your resume and some will even offer advice on how to write your first cover letter as well. When you follow this advice, you will not only be able to increase your chances of getting a callback, but will also increase your confidence and self-worth as a professional.

How to Convert an Informational Interview into an Application Interview - Hire Imaging

How to Convert an Informational Interview into an Application Interview - Hire Imaging When you have an informational interview, you may well come upon encouraging openings for permanent positions, temporary assignments, consulting contracts, or internships. If you want to apply for one of these opportunities, you should apply for a change in status. In other words, you should get permission to convert from an information seeker to an applicant for an opening. To be a good informational interviewer, you are a respectful and novice learner seeking access to insider information. As an applicant, you are a confident provider of needed skills, seeking an appropriate fit or match. These are very different conditions. They are different presentations of self. So, you have to convert your status as a rookie information seeker into a competent potential contributor. Also, managers who grant access to you on the basis of providing information are doing you a favor. They may really resent it if you suddenly start applying for an open position. This is not polite. What you must do is apply for permission to apply for one of the opportunities that became known in the conversation. Request a change in status by saying: That sounds like a very interesting opportunity. How would I go about formally applying for that position? By saying something like this, you are acknowledging that you are not at that point a candidate for anything but information. You are asking them for their advice about whether you can or should apply for the opening, and how to proceed if they grant you permission. Then, follow their instructions precisely. The very best response you can get is something like: “Well, I know the guy who’s doing the hiring for that position. I’d be happy to forward your resume to him now and see if he can meet with you.” True, this won’t happen often; but it’s the desired outcome. More often, you’ll hear some version of: “Just apply online.” To which you should promptly say, “Great! Thank you! May I mention your name as a referral?” Repeated analyses of employer websites and sorting of applicants reflects a strong bias toward candidates referred by current employees. Employee referrals go right to the top of the queue, often when they don’t exactly match the skills or experience requirements for the posted opening! Bottom line: You always want permission to be referred! I always love to hear from you! Please comment below.

13 Smart Questions to Ask at Your Interview

13 Smart Questions to Ask at Your Interview During the interview process, candidates tend to forget that the interviewer shouldn’t be the only one asking questions. You want to really get a sense of the job you’re applying for, the work environment and whether you think this is going to be the place for you. Asking the interviewer quality questions can make you seem enthusiastic about the job, and it shows that you did some research and planning for this interview as well. The next time the interviewer asks if you have any questions for them, don’t be afraid to speak up! Here are 13 questions your interviewers are going to love to answer: Why is this position available? This can tell you a whole lot about the position you’re applying for. If it’s a new position, you should probably expect to be doing a lot of things on your own since there’s likely no one there who’s done this exact job before. Another thing to keep in mind is, according to a LinkedIn survey, the number one reason why people change jobs is for a greater opportunity for advancement. If someone who moved onto another position within the company previously occupied the job, it shows there’s good upward mobility in the company. However, if that person left to go somewhere else, it could mean they got a better offer from another company with more opportunity for them to grow. How would you describe the company’s culture? This is a great question for showing that you want to fit into the company as well as getting a feel for whether or not you’re going to be happy working there every day. After all, you want a work environment you’ll enjoy being a part of. Can I get an example of how I would collaborate with my manager or supervisor? Managers have the biggest impact on employee engagement, so it’s important they’re the type who will work with you and encourage you to succeed. Employees who work for engaged managers are 59% more likely to be engaged with their own jobs. This question will help you get a feel for how your manager is going to interact with you. Where do you see the company in three years, and how would I contribute to that if I got hired? 40% of HR professionals say their biggest challenge is employee retention and turnover. They’re looking for workers who want to be in this for the long haul. If you ask this question to your interviewer, it shows that you want to be with the company long-term â€" and that’s something they’re going to respond to. It also shows that you want to leave a lasting mark on whatever company you work for and that you want to do big things. What’s your employee turnover rate, and how are you addressing it? This goes hand in hand with the last question. It’ll let you know what kind of company you’re working for if they can’t keep anyone employed. It shows again as well that you’re looking for something long-term and you want to know if they’re the kind of company that’s going to give you that. Additionally, remember that a lack of opportunity for advancement is a prime motivator for changing jobs? It’s also the second biggest source of work stress for employees, coming in at at 44%. It’s not healthy for you to be in a work environment where you feel stuck. What do you like most about working here? Can you tell me more about your experience with the company? People really do like to talk about themselves. A study shows that talking about ourselves activates the reward areas in the brain â€" ones that are also connected to sex and food. This will likely make the interviewer think positively of the conversation you’re having. This question also gives you a chance to learn more about the company. If your interviewer has been there for a while, there’s obviously a reason why they’ve chosen to stay for so long. Find out what that reason is and if it’s something you value in a job as well. Is there anyone else you think I should meet with? If they want to bring in potential coworkers or the person you’ll be working under to see how you get along, that’s a good sign they value teamwork. They won’t want to hire someone who doesn’t seem to mesh with the people already working there. This also gives you a chance to see if you have more interviews you’ll need to complete, and hopefully whom they’ll be with so you can prepare. What are the biggest challenges I’ll face in this position? This question helps you get more of a sense of what you’re going to be doing on a daily basis. It’ll also let you know what you’ll have to work on to ensure you succeed should you get this position. If they say there aren’t any challenges in this job, they’re likely not being honest with you â€" and it’s probably not a position you’re going to enjoy. Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications for the position? Yes, this is definitely a terrifying question to ask. It leaves you vulnerable, and you have to be willing to listen to what they have to say. However, it also shows that you’re confident enough to discuss your weaknesses so you can work on them and become better. What can I do between now and my next interview that would help me hit the ground running if hired? This is a more subtle way to see what, if any, qualification gaps exist. Asking shows you take initiative and youre willing to learn. Of course, you have to actually follow through on their recommendations, but your interviewer will be impressed at your next interview when you come having read the book, gotten the certification, or practiced the skill they recommended. When your staff comes to you with conflicts, how do you address  them? Asking this shows that you know conflict resolution is a necessity and needs to be dealt with in a professional manner. It also gives you a bit more info about the company and how it works, too. You want problems to be discussed and dealt with, not just ignored and brushed to the side. If I’m hired, what should I prioritize in my first few months besides learning the ropes of the company? This question gets you to the specifics of what they’re going to expect from you as a new hire. Along with showing that you’re eager to accomplish big things, this can help you set up a plan for if you get the position. If you know what they expect from you, then you can take the proper steps to ensure you accomplish that. What are the next steps (Timeline for making a decision, more interviews, etc.)? This is something you want to make sure they don’t forget to tell you. Getting a flowing conversation going is good, but you need to know this information so you aren’t lost when the interview is over, wondering what to do now. This should let you know how and when to follow up with them and what to expect going forward. Also, it should give you an idea of how long you should wait around for a phone call from them before moving on and looking for something else. Bonus: Think of a question tailored to what your interviewer is saying. You want to show that you’re actively listening and paying attention throughout the interview. There’s no better way to do that than to ask specific questions pertaining to what the interviewer has been saying. It shows that you’re quick at picking up details as well, which is a good quality in an employee. Bringing some questions to ask your interviewer shows that you’re engaged and interested in the company, but it also gives you the information you need to make your final decisions as to whether this particular company â€" and job â€" is somewhere you’d like to be. Have at least a few of these questions prepared before you go into your interview â€" enough to have backups in case they answer something you were planning to ask. Do you know of some other good questions that should be on this list? Let us know in the comments! While you’re here, be sure to  subscribe to the PC newsletter  for  more tips to help you ace your interviews!