ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2006 > May
May 2006
Does height influence decisions?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Tall or short, we need good workers!” Tell that to someone who’s small or average height! Right?
The taller people were always more popular in school and it just carries over into the workplace, doesn’t it?
Being tall carries so many advantages: they’re seen as being more capable, commanding more respect, looked to for leadership, and they seem to end up being more successful!
What do you tall folks say?
But hey! What about use employees that aren’t tall? We can get the “short end of the stick” when it comes to opportunities at work!
Question: If you’re not a tall employee, have you been discriminated against?
Don’t mean to leave you out … what’s been your experience with workplace bias as a taller person?
We’re influenced by people’s height and we make workplace decisions accordingly, even if it’s just who we hang with!
Are we “big enough” to tell it like it is? Where do you stand?
Workload crisis on the way?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
According to a recent survey by Randstad, more Americans are skipping lunch breaks and working longer hours.
In my consulting work, I have also heard the rumblings of employee protests getting louder. Cries for work/life balance are coming up high on company surveys.
Is the competitive corporate culture too heavily entrenched in long hours to switch directions at this point?
Some say yes, it is only getting worse as talent shortages increase. Others point to encouraging signs like companies that are closely examining how the work gets done to see what tasks can go or be reassigned.
A combination of better time and workload management may help.
That does no good, however, if the organization you work in does not model sane workloads. My former boss sent email’s at 2 a.m. and expected replies by my first cup of coffee.
Do you see any signs of push back and change out there? Are people afraid to speak up when their job future is uncertain? Is your job consuming your personal life?
Georgia 100 revealed
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The list is in! The Georgia 100 rankings were just announced.
Analysts in the Atlanta office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were asked to formulate the rankings by reviewing five variables per company:
- Annual revenue
- Year-over-year revenue
- Annual percent change in profit margin,
- Return on equity
- Total return for calendar 2005.
Both large and small companies within the state of Georgia were all considered. Read here for more information about the measuring process.
Check out 10 new firms that are breaking ground or read the full report and see the updated rankings of 146 firms.
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Friends in low places?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In today’s workplace, commute times, business travel and long hours force young professionals to rely on coworkers to fill the role of friend and provide a social life.
Relying on friendships in the workplace can be deadly in the continuing game of office politics.
They can shatter easily when corporate layoffs affect one friend and not the other.
Confidences among friends shared over drinks or in an unguarded moment can be less than confidential when one friend tells all to supervisors or others in the office.
When a friendship dies or when one of the friends is promoted, secrets can be deadly to a career.
The change from co-workers to supervisor-subordinate may strain or break the ties of friendship.
Upon retirement, if you have a pattern of relying on workplace friendships, you may find yourselves at a loss when your social circle disappear and you are forced to build new networks.
Another problem with on-the-job friendships is that co-workers can never get away from the politics of the office.
Conversations may become toxic when workplace events are hashed and rehashed at home, over drinks or at dinner.
Do you rely too much on the office for your social contacts and friendships? Have you learned a hard lesson when a friend in the workplace violated your confidences? Can supervisors and subordinates really be friends?
Somebody’s got to be a clown
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I am convinced there is a job for everybody and for everybody there is a job.
Year after year in the career management industry I am amazed at the number of different types of jobs that are available to individuals who are committed to finding the right job for them.
I remember one client who wanted assistance in writing her resume who had made her profession within the funeral industry.
That’s right! A Crematorium needs an Embalmer. A Funeral Equipment Supply Company may be seeking a new sales manager. A church has to hire a Pastor who will reside over funerals.
If you are looking for an industry with longevity, the funeral industry is certainly not going to be outsourced!
In fact, I remember one unique client who had worked in the nutrition, hospitality, automobile, and funeral industries. Now that client was versatile.
He understood his skills were transferable and kept adapting them to the demands of the marketplace.
So many people don’t open up their imagination, think outside the box, or adapt quickly when it comes to their professional lives.
Without actively exploring your innumerable career choices, you may never know which one best suits you.
Start simple by asking the people you meet what they do and how they found that career.
Search ajcjobs right here from top to bottom, not just in the categories you are most familiar with.
You would be amazed at how many kinds of jobs are available that you haven’t heard of or thought of before.
One person decides to pursue a job as a banker because that’s what her dad did.
Another brave person pursues a career as a clown because that is how he can earn money and make others laugh at the same time.
Remember somebody’s got to be a clown. Life is short so live your dream, even in your career!
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iluvjagerbombs@ inappropriate.com
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It seems obvious, but many do not consider that email addresses have to be considered when placing them on a resume. Think through the eyes of an employer.
Here are a few examples:
You: Use your work email address. It says to employer: Lack of commitment to current job and e-mailing on corporate time.
You: Have a risque email address on your resume. It says to employer: Professionalism in question. You’ll be the one telling dirty jokes at the water cooler and taking away from productivity in the office.
You: List anything that speaks to your political affiliation, religion or ethnicity. It says to an employer: I am going to talk politics, race or religion in the office rather than work. You’ll get other employees involved in this type of banter in the office and potentially cause problems.
Consider the e-mail address you use really carefully, what does it say about you?
How much do you really love your boss?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
She is a manager, he is an administrative assistant, she is fired when caught romancing him at his desk.
There have been a many a couple caught kissing and cuddling in the cube and the outcome is not always a joyous occasion.
Spending eight to ten hours a day with co-workers can make you develop special relationships. Even companies that have a strict policy against managers and subordinates dating have a difficult time keeping cupid from doing his work.
Here are some pros and cons to dating your boss:
Pros:
- Spending time together
- Car pool
- HOV lane
Cons:
- Co-workers uneasy about the cube kissing
- Boss-subordinate favoritism
- Home arguments carried over to work
- Relationships gone awry leading to potential discrimination or sexual harassment
There are even a few states that prohibit employers from taking action against employees who date. Georgia is not one of them.
If you do find someone you would like to get to know better, tread lightly.
Understand your company’s current policy and past practice. Make sure the person you are asking out has mutual feelings.
Ensure your approach is not going to lead to a sexual harassment claim.
If you are not interested, clearly let the other person know. No should always mean no.
Be prepared to ask yourself, what working together will be like one to five years from now.
Have you ever had a crush or relationship with the boss? Did you face any obstacles or dire consequences? Did you or your boss get fired or have to quit? Or have you been playing it safe by keeping things on the down low?
Note: Keep the comments coming and pick up the Sunday Jobs section. You might see your comments in it!
Gender-bender or mind-bender?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What do you say when Jack goes on vacation for two weeks and comes back as Jill?
For a transsexual who has elected to go through what is termed ‘gender reassignment’, the adjustment can be very tangible, and no less so than at work.
How will your co-workers react when Jack is now dressed as a woman and begins using the women’s restroom?
The men may not want him/her in their restroom, and the women may be very reluctant as well.
If Jack deals with the public or clients, how will it affect the business relationship?
Transsexual operations are becoming more common, and if it hasn’t happened at your place of business, don’t think that it never will.
Will discussion early on mitigate any of the anxiety from either the fellow co-workers or the new she-male?
How does this enter the mix of developing a diverse workforce?
Speed Networking
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You’re thinking of looking for a new job. So far, your plan of attack involves looking online for job openings and calling a few of your friends to see if they know of any opportunities in your field.
Unfortunately, there isn’t an ideal plan of attack. Suddenly you’re regretting that you haven’t been networking more actively.
The truth is that the easiest way to network is by doing many of the things you do every day.
Make a genuine effort to get to know the people you interact with regularly and start building those relationships now.
For your professional network to be most effective, you should be networking while happily employed in your current job.
Need to jump start your networking? Then Speed Networking is a great opportunity to make additional contacts!
Speed Networking is not unlike the concept of Speed Dating, but it’s strictly business and a fun, easy way of making many different professional contacts in a short amount of time.
What’s more, this structured event puts both outgoing and more reserved “networkers” on a level playing field.
In most social and business situations, once people get past the polite small talk, they are able to determine within minutes of meeting someone whether or not they have a connection.
Speed Networking events are designed to get right to the point, while giving everyone an equal amount of time to interact with others, share career and networking objectives and exchange contact information.
Afterward, you’re free to follow up with only those contacts with whom you have a mutual connection!
At most Speed Networking events, a moderator will lead you through the process and explain all the details.
To learn more and to find a local Speed Networking event in your area, visit local websites like: High Speed Networking - Atlanta or Re: focus on Careers
Trendy new jobs emerging
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Have you considered that your next job may be one that was just invented? Many of these positions haven’t made it onto the radar screen of most job boards.
A recent CNN Money article named a few ‘new hot jobs’ that I thought made sense. There aren’t a lot of stats yet on how many of these opportunities exist.
Think about these emerging possibilities for contracting or consulting opportunities!
I do know that if you are keeping up with emerging trends in the workplace, you can find some clues that might even lead you to your next dream job.
Here are a few snapshots drawn from that list as well as my own.
- Director of Mobile Computing: Keep all those BlackBerries and cellphones operational.
- Company Concierge: Helps employees and customers with transportation needs, tickets and even dry cleaning, pick up and delivery!
- Computer and Video Game Artist: The artist takes a game’s concept and converts it into 2D or 3D computer art.
- Blog Editor: Manages and moderates blogs. They are now heavily used by companies as a vehicle to promote their products and do PR for them.
- Human rights professional: Works for places like Amnesty International and write position papers.
- Parent Coordinator: Helps negotiate disputes between parents to avoid court battles.
- Household managers: Help overworked parents run their homes and businesses too.
Do you have a new and interesting profession? Invent your own job? Share any new jobs you have discovered or created for yourself with us.
Office romances: good or bad?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ever dated a co-worker? Known couples in the office?
Some companies have open policies when it comes to office relationships, while others absolutely forbid it.
In Access Atlanta’s dating blog, Laney discusses ‘love at work’. It’s not her cup of tea but has it worked out for you or any of your coworkers?
How do your employers feel about this?
Sizing up overweight employees
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There can be, and are, many forms of discrimination in the workplace. One issue that often goes under the radar is overweight employees. Right?
Well, if you’re an employee who is overweight, it may not seem under the radar at all. Right?
Question: Are overweight employees discriminated against?
The media bombards us with ‘beautiful’ people around the clock. There are more and more entertainment news programs that show us the beautiful people.
Of course we’re influenced and make workplace decisions accordingly. Are we discriminating, even if it’s unwittingly and unintentionally?
Who has and gets the jobs that show the “face” of our company? What do the sales people look like who have in person contact with customers?
What do most of the people look like at the top of your organization or that have the “important” positions?
We hear all kinds of things said about overweight employees. They’re not as healthy. They miss more work. Insurance costs can be more for overweight employees. They may not be as productive.
Are these misconceptions and stereotypes?
As an average weight or thin person, what’s been your experience in the workplace with this issue?
As an overweight person, what’s been your experience in the workplace?
As a manager, what have you seen and how have you dealt with or addressed such issues in the workplace?
Note: Keep the comments coming and pick up the Sunday Jobs section. You might see your comments in it!
Honoring nurses of excellence
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Earlier this week, ajcjobs and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution held an event called Celebrating Nurses.
The first annual Celebrating Nurses awards honors Georgia nurses and their contributions as caregivers. It was an emotional and rewarding event.
Ten finalists were chosen out of 237 nominations by judges and the top three honorees won special prizes.
Visit the Celebrating Nurses site to learn more about nursing, the finalists and see video and photos.
ajcjobs and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution congratulate the top three honorees: Ann Bonislawski, Todd Crim and Cynthia Shell.
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Super mom to the rescue!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With Mother’s Day around the corner on Sunday, I always spend the day with mom reflecting on the love and kindness that she has showered on me over the years.
She is a huge role model for me because I often wonder how she had the time to work, take care of my sister and I and cook and clean, always with a smile.
Quite frankly, the prospect of settling down, working full-time and having kids terrifies me.
I can barely stay on top of things now and only hope to be as caring as my mom.
An Access Atlanta blog on ajc.com, asks how do moms do it all?
Do you have a ‘Super Mom’? What kind of bond do you share with her?
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Interview Preparation 101
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Being prepared for a job interview can be make or break for getting that job you really want.
According to Mark Rowe, Director of Recruitment for WellStar Health System, “On a day to day basis, probably the most significant issue I see is the lack of preparation candidates have coming into the interview. Too many candidates are ‘winging it’ during the interview.”
Rowe finds that many applicants clearly have not researched the company or the position.
More importantly, he says, “They haven’t prepared themselves to be able to talk about themselves. I’m amazed by the number of interviewees that have trouble with the ‘what are your strengths’ and ‘what are your weaknesses’ questions.”
Rowe says candidates should take time before the interview to formulate answers to questions such as: What they are good at, what they need to work on, why they are interested in the position and why they are considering leaving their current position.
Rowe also finds that a candidate who focuses on results has an edge over candidates who do not.
Rowe says the successful candidate should “give specific examples of what you’ve done in the past to either save money, make money, save time or to be more efficient.”
Managers want to see examples of past behaviors that have resulted in a return on investment for the company. “They want to know that you have done it before and can probably do it again.”
Have you ever ‘winged’ it in a job interview with disastrous results? If you’re a hiring manager, what preparation would you recommend?
Fibbing to get ahead
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Remember Jed Clampet? You know from the Beverly Hill Billies.
What if his professional story had been retold in a new way?
Something like … Jed is a highly skilled and resourceful marksman who demonstrated unparalleled commitment to reversing his dramatic financial challenges and leveraged his in-depth knowledge of the hunting profession to generate millions of dollars in recurring income.
Would this be a lie or a fib? I think a fib is just a politically correct way to say someone lied.
With that in mind, I may have been called the Spin Doctor, Leonardo Davinci of Resumes, and an Ego Massage Therapist but I never have been called a liar.
With thousands of resumes having been spawned from my keyboard as a professional resume writer, I can honestly say that lying (or fibbing) on your resume is not a good idea.
Positive words that portray your skills with significance are a “must” in this competitive world.
Using false statements to improve your career is always a bad idea.
If you have to misrepresent your credentials to get the job, you don’t deserve it and in all likelihood can’t keep it.
The question is have YOU ever fibbed on your resume, and if so do you regret it?
Love or hate your boss?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bullying, incompetence, power hunger, harassment and privacy invasion are just a few characteristics of a bad boss.
Sometimes bosses bully their employees in the hopes of achieving better results. Little do they know, that they could be doing more harm than good.
How do you deal with this? Be professional not emotional.
Have an unemotional discussion with your boss about disagreements rather than a confrontation.
Be sure to get a clear objective from your boss on tasks that are ambiguous.
Handle a tough boss with professionalism, document everything, have an objective eye on your performance and use positive reinforcement for positive behavior.
These actions should stop the behavior and allow a change to occur.
Are you constantly having to prove yourself, then not getting any credit for your hard work? Or does your boss reward your best efforts?
Is your boss an impossible tyrant or saint?
Note: Keep the comments coming and pick up the Sunday Jobs section. You might see your comments in it!
Why so many illegal workers?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This is a very hot and sensitive subject. How did there get to be so many illegal workers?
I know my 1,300 home subdivisions were built within four years. Most of the workers were Mexican’s who worked Monday through Sunday. Work ethic has never been a question.
I served a few years as the Workforce Compliance Manager for brown. We would fire HR supervisors who could not properly administer the U.S. Department of Justice’s form, I-9, properly.
Initiated by Congress on November 6, 1986, the I-9 requires employers to check an applicant’s identification to ensure they are authorized to work in the U.S. Failure to do so will result in significant fines to the company. When you hire nearly 200,000 employees a year, you have to get it right or you pay the Feds dearly.
Well, for those who did not comply with the law, it looks like we have an out of control problem, and there is no easy fix.
You can’t send everybody home and you can’t give 100% amnesty. Maybe the President’s proposed earn citizenship program is the better solution.
How should this situation be handled?
Think before you post
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Your last job interview was great! The hiring manager seemed to like you. You really felt you hit it off with the staff. Everything was going well, but you didn’t get the job offer.
A hundred questions race through your mind. Was it something you said? Maybe you got a bad reference from a former employer?
Or maybe it was the photo of you and the random Elvis impersonator dancing on top of a bar in Las Vegas last summer! You know….the one that was so hilarious that you posted it on your My Space page for everyone in your online network to see? No, it couldn’t be!
Indeed, that could be the exact reason you were passed over for the job of your dreams!
As the popularity of these online networks grow, it is easy to create a profile on sites like My Space, Facebook or Friendster as a means of making social connections. But job seekers beware!
It’s equally as easy for hiring managers and college recruiters to log on to those same websites to do a little “reference checking” prior to extending a job offer to you.
Employers are using these online networks with increased frequency to identify any potential red flags related to a candidate’s habits and behaviors.
If you’re among the millions of online social network account holders and you’re interested in building your professional reputation, you should be aware that your personal life does effect how you’re viewed by potential employers. Read here.
Associate your profile with only non-controversial online social groups, avoid inappropriate comments and photos and chances are you’re not going to be denied a job offer based solely on your use of an online networking website.
Rule of thumb: If the topic is inappropriate for a job interview conversation, it is inappropriate for your online network profile during a job search. To play it safe, avoid topics like religion, politics, sexuality, or anything derogatory toward social, ethnic, gender or other demographic groups.
So what about those jobseekers who want to showcase their individuality though the medium of cyberspace and make no apologies about their personal habits? Are they putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage?
Does your Facebook profile really summarize who you are and is this indicative of how well you might perform on the job? Most employers would tend to think so.
Team building tricks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I recently heard a wind quartet play and as I listened to the melodious sounds fill the concert hall, I was especially struck by the synergy that this group of four talented musicians demonstrated.
Their communication seemed to be effortless and I could feel their joy and hear their connection in the pieces they played. Can we make beautiful music at work?
Many experts have studied what makes some teams successful and others fail. Focusing on shared goals and respect for the contributions of each member are key, as are a sense of synergy, or ‘shared energy.’
Team building activities can be one way to strengthen a team.
Someone recently told me about miniature golf outings that her manager had arranged. “As a small department we really got to mingle and get to know each other as people, not coworkers at these team-building events. Some of us suddenly found out that we have more in common and we also had good times to reminisce about.”
I am all for these activities. Depending on your budget and time, you can initiate and plan lunch at a local restaurant or even a picnic at Piedmont Park.
I know one team that took over a pottery studio to throw pots (talk about getting out your frustration on a piece of clay rather than on your team mate!)
Another family friendly company in town encouraged employees to arrange outings together and an afternoon at the spa for the women was a common choice.
Other bigger ticket but memorable days can be spent cooking, sailing or even wine making at Chateau Elan. Check out www.businessballs.com for lots of free ideas about team building activities.
Caveat: Keep your expectations realistic. Don’t expect everybody to be singing Kumbaya over night.
What has been your experience with team outings? Do you think the spirit de corps we experience transfers to the workplace? How about some creative ideas for the rest of us?
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