Know Your Purpose

Do you know your purpose for this 2009?
Do you have a purpose at all?
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Know your purpose

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6 Steps to Success

Quitting Your Job Does Not Solve Your Workplace Problems At All

Many people face problems in their workplace. Quitting a job means sacrificing some luxuries in one’s life. Although it is not the end of the world, many people would still take some time to consider.

However, when you feel so sick of your current job, you would not think of hanging on for another minute. The next thing you would do is to walk out, not even to say good bye to your current colleagues.

Before you do that, take some time to ponder on these questions. If you answer more than 10 ‘Yes’, you can start taking action now.

• Your job is making you physically ill

• You are being asked to do some things which are unethical or illegal.

• You can afford to quit your job now.

• You received a new job offer that is much better than the present job.

• You have fewer responsibilities than before.

• You have been excluded in ‘important’ meetings.

• You have more experience than your job requires.

• You have been neglecting your family because of your job.

• You are weary of your present job, you wanted more responsibilities but know that you won’t get that now.

• You have difficulty in getting along with your co-workers.

• You don’t get along with your boss.

• Your boss does not respect your opinions and always cracks demeaning jokes behind your back.

• You received an unsatisfactory performance review even though you are the star employee.

• You think it is time for a career change because there is nothing much you can contribute to the organization.

• Your current employer instituted many new policies that you are unhappy about.

• You are tired of the long commute to work every morning.

• You didn’t get the promotion you deserved just because you dislike office politics.

• You are sick of your colleagues who endlessly gossip about other people.

• You want to start a small business on your own.

• Your organization has decided to stop paying for the extra allowances you have been receiving.

• Your decisions are often overruled by your boss.

Well, how many “YES” did you get? It is never fun to walk away from a good paying job, especially during the economic slowdown like this. Think if you can get a better offer elsewhere?

Maybe these measures can help you to rethink about your decision to quit.

• Figure out what you like and dislike about your job. Think carefully. This is very important. There is no such thing as you dislike ‘everything’ about your job.

Take your time while listing. It is important that you are relaxed and calm at this moment.

• Check your own attitude. Your attitude may be the source of all ‘evils’ around you. There is no need to point your fingers at anyone when things go wrong. Remember that not every one can tolerate your attitude too. Change your attitude and get on with life!

• Study your boss. Now, even if your boss is well-known as a difficult person to work with, you cannot change your boss unless you change jobs. So, you have to be flexible. Study your boss’ body and spoken language. Maybe you have not been kind to your boss either. Instead of supporting him with good ideas and proposals, you have decided to go against his wishes. Although you are a capable person, it is not wise to do so while that person is still your boss.

• Make decisions that involve your colleagues. Do not complain against them. Your boss will be happier if you would volunteer to organize an event or two with your colleagues instead of you doing them alone.

Motivate your colleagues instead of laughing at them. You will find that the team works better together. You do not have to be the team leader. Motivated team players are getting more things done than a bossy leader.

• Act as an advocate instead of an adversary. No boss likes to hear the phrase, “It’s impossible” from his staff. This phrase is considered taboo and it shows that you are not motivated to tackle any problems at all. All bosses like to think that their staff are capable. They like to think that their staffs are visionaries like them too. Even if the projects failed, at least their staff tried.

• So, you receive an unsatisfactory performance review. What is so bad about that? Find out if the review is accurate. Have a talk with your boss concerning your recent performance. If you think it is truly unfair, talk again to the reviewer. Nobody wants to make others look bad. If the review is true, it is time to take charge of your attitude. It is never too late to change.

• You must not work alone. Always stress on working as a team. When you work in a team, assignments get done easily as everybody is helping one another. Compliment your colleagues for getting their work done. A short compliment goes a long way.

• If you are doing work which you have little interest in, do something about it. Discuss with your boss on how you can contribute value to your team. Your boss will definitely appreciate your effort.

• Difficult to get along with your co-workers? Have you checked your attitude toward them? Have you really sacrifice time to listen to their opinions? Do you like them at all? Have you complimented them? Many times, conflicts between co-workers happened because of indifferent attitudes. Check if this is how you treat your co-workers.

• You have been marginalized in many important projects. All right, it hurts to be sidelined for no apparent reason. Discuss with your boss to find out what is going on. There maybe hints from your boss for you to leave the organization. Take them calmly. You make the decision when to leave.

Do not give in to the pressure and quit just like that. Leave in good terms; just like people say, ‘Don’t burn bridges’. You may need their help later on too.

• After a few years of hard work, you have outgrown your job. However, due to your lack of ‘office politics’ skills, you have been left out in the past promotion. You can decide to move on to another organization which offers better pay and fringe benefits. However, you will need to readjust yourself in the new situation all over again. Unless the new offer is too good to resist, you can wait a little longer.

• New policies are always disturbing. However, study the policies carefully. Make sure you know where to channel your dissatisfactions. Do not be agitated when you are presenting your views and arguments to your boss. All bosses want their staff to accept the policies they implemented. He will listen to your views if you will listen to his reasons.

• If you are ill because of your current work, discuss with your boss and ask for alternatives. When there no other way you can continue working, a change of job is the best option. Leave only after you have received the new job offer.

• When your children grew up without your knowledge, it shows how much you have neglected your family. At this time, slow down and check your priority – work or family. Your children can live on happily without the best of life, but can they be happy without your attention? If spending time with your family is your priority, you can discuss with your boss to handle less projects. If things did not work, you may consider applying for other jobs.
• You have heard so much about people working at home and earning much more than you do. You also want to do the same. A forewarning here is that, the ‘home based’ job may be easy, but also involves a lot of self motivations and preservation. You are doing things alone and there will be nobody to help you.

There you are. You know it is difficult to make such a choice. So, sleep over it. Quitting your job in a hurry is not going to help you in any way. Give yourself some time to think clearly before making any decision. Whatever you decide, always believe in yourself!

Use What Have Learned

Winning Attitude for 2009

Create a winning attitude for 2009

Listen to it and act fast!

What do Employers Want from Their Prospective Employees?

Apart from capital and properties, employees are the most important resource an organization can have. Employees are also the most important investment any employer would invest.

Hiring employees cost organizations time and money. Think of the advertisements, the interviews and the selection process. Should the organization hire the wrong employees, it can cost them dearly in the term of losing clients, low morale, and maybe a damaged public image.

When you have decided you really want to work with an organization which will provide you with challenges and opportunities, you will have to prove to the prospective employer that you are the right investment. That is to say that the organization is making the right decision by hiring you!

Assuming that you have the right qualification and necessary skills, you still have to convince the prospective employer to hire you rather than the next candidate with the same qualification and skills. That is why you need to know what your prospective employers are really looking for.

Do something a successful marketer or salesman always does – sells and markets! Sell and market yourself wisely to the prospective employer. The employer will now be your customer. You have to make your customer feel special and that you really care for him. Once you start thinking like a boss, you know you are on your way to market your skills and experience.

Employers actually have a lot of needs. They need their employees to fulfill all their requirements of the jobs in terms of skill and experience. However, they also have emotional needs which they want their employees to fill.

One of the emotional needs is hiring someone like you for the vacancy in his organization. That is a decision based on emotional. You have successfully stirred his emotional need and he probably feels you are the ‘perfect’ employee he is looking for.

What are the employers looking for in the prospective employees?

Commitment

- Does this prospective employee have the commitment to do the job at hand and giving all his best?

- Is he a reliable and responsible person?

- Can he be trusted with certain commercial secrets?

Communication

- Does the prospective employee have good communication skills?

- Is he communicating the right way with his attitude, appearance, letters he sends, phone calls he makes and answers?

Adaptability

- Does the prospective employee able to adjust himself to the surrounding and working condition of the organization?

- How long does he need to take to adapt to the corporate culture of the organization?

Decision making

- Does the prospective employee able to make decisions confidently?

Creativity

- Does the prospective employee have the creativity to see thing differently?

- Can he solve work-related problems creatively?

Team player

- Is the prospective employee a team player?

- Can he work with others to produce the best result?

- Is he willing to be a team member?

- Will he be willing to co-operate with others to share an achievement?

Independence

- Can the prospective employee work independently? Can he make independent decisions?

- Can he handle projects all by himself with little help from others?

Value added employee

- Can the prospective employee be a representative for the organization?

- Will he be able to make any value added contribution that will uplift the image of the organization?

Foresight

- Does this prospective employee have the foresight for the job and the organization?

- Can he contribute new ideas and solutions to help expand the products range or services of the organization?

The list above shows some of the questions the employers will ask themselves should they decide to hire an employee.

The prospective employer is putting his money on this employee. And that is a lot of money in terms of the monthly salary, benefits and other entitlements. That is why he wants only the cream of the pie.

Employers want to hire people who can make them look good to others – including their shareholders, partners, associates and even customers. Therefore, most they are always on the lookout for people who can communicate well, full of energy and enthusiasm.

They are also on the lookout for people who care for their physical appearances. No matter how little money you have, you still need to package yourself. That is your image. Only you know what clothes suit you. Do not attend an interview wearing ill-fitted clothes and shoes; just because they look nicer. Be the real you.

Your appearance communicates your image and attitude. Employers are happy to see their employees in clean, neatly ironed and appropriate clothes. They are even happier when employees are able to communicate clearly and give firm handshakes.

The secret is; employers are drawn to the overall appearance of the prospective employees more than anything else. Do not show your nervousness throughout the interview. Show them your confidence. Every employer likes a confident and decisive employee. Sell yourself well, but never over-sell.

All prospective employers like to ask themselves what is the ‘Return of Investment’ should they hire you. So, you must convince your interviewers that you are worth the investment. Demonstrate to them your ability to help the organization to save money.

If you possessed a few work-related skills, tell your prospective boss about it. Let him know how the organization would profit from your skills.

Like anyone else, a prospective boss wants recognition from his bosses with his decision to hire you. He also wants others to accept his decision. That is why you need to assure him that you are worth the cause.

When an organization decides to hire you, it shows that you have used your selling skills wisely to build a good rapport with the prospective employers. In this process, mutual trust and respect are initiated. Do not let the opportunity to be wasted. Give your best to prove your abilities.

Accelerate Your Attraction

Are You Ready For Your First Day At Work?

First, congratulations to you! You have been accepted to work in an organization! This is good news. However, this good news comes with another question: “What will my first day at work like?” A typical question many fresh graduates would ask.

Actually, there are many possibilities. It all depends on the personality and attitude you possess!

Some of you will encounter an interesting day. You will find your new co-workers welcome you warmly. They are happy to update you on your duties.

On the other hand, you may encounter a sad, boring day. You may have very few or no co-workers at all. You will need to work alone as your superior is not around most of the time. You have nobody to talk to or update you on the latest tasks.

Do not panic. Here are some simple advises for you. Let us start from the day you receive news of your new offer.

Check the location of your new office

Check and double check if the address of your new office is the same as the interview location. Sometimes, your office will be located somewhere else in the city or town. Go and find out days before you are supposed to report yourself.

Verify with the person-in-charge of the where about of your new office if you are not sure. The organization has a department named ‘Human Resource Department’; so get help from the people there.

Moving to a new town

If the job is in another town or city, you may need to move there. Moving to another town is not a popular choice for many. However, during this economic downturn, you cannot afford to be choosy.

Check the new town out. Use your network, or ask help from your friends and relatives to gather information about the new town. Find out more about the rents and residential areas, even the cost of living in that place.

Get a place to stay

Since you are in the new town, check out for any place to rent. If the rent is low, rent the whole house or flat or apartment. You can always share it later with someone else. You do not have to furnish it but at least a room with a bed is required.

Go around the town

It is now time for you to drive around the town. If you are not driving, then find out about the local public transport. You need to be sure where you want to go. Check the route to your office again. Find a few routes so that you may reach your office in the shortest time.

Dress up neatly

Dress formally for your first day to work. Any formal color will do – grey, black or white, brown, etc. However, remember not to mismatch your outfit with your shoes or accessories.

Make sure your clothes are properly ironed. Get some clothes hangers so that you do not crease your clothes after ironing.

Ladies, high heels are not necessary if you live too far and have to take the public transport to work. Any pair of shoes that matches your attire will do. No sandals or slippers, please.

Leave home earlier

Whether you are driving or taking a local public transport, leave your house half an hour earlier. You may not know what the condition of the roads is like. If it is raining, get out an hour earlier.

Take the correct route to work

This is important so that you would not be late on your first day. Even if you know many routes, the shortest is the one you should choose.

Smile to everyone

Greet everyone you meet with a sincere and friendly smile. The best way into everyone’s heart is the first impression they have on you. Do not think that just because you are in a higher position, you can be proud. How much you sow, you will reap as much!

Always be ready to shake hands

Even though you are not into this habit, it is a modern culture you cannot avoid. Do not give limb handshakes. That shows you are disinterested in the person. Give warm, firm handshakes all the time.

Be courteous

Always be gracious to others. You may not like them; however, you cannot avoid working with them. Being respectful can avoid a lot of problems. You can steer clear from a lot of troubles if you just show others that you sincerely respect them. It is that easy!

Do what you are asked

On your first day or maybe the next few days, you will be asked to do many things. If you are just an ordinary executive, you cannot avoid or refuse the tasks. Accept the tasks and complete them.

No complains. Remember others are watching you.

If you are in a position to make requests, do so politely. Nobody likes a boss who barks and yells. Do not be the first unpopular newcomer in the block!

Do not ask too many questions

Rule number one at the work place; do not ask too many questions on the first day. You have a few years to do so. Nobody will be able to supply the answers to your questions. Ask a few important ones. Leave the gossips out.

Remember not to inquire about rumors and secrets you have heard elsewhere. You will not want to be considered as a busybody on the very first day!

Have lunch with new colleagues

Regardless of the advice you received about having lunch with your new colleagues, it is all right to accept lunch invitations. Just remind them that you can only pay for yourself. They will understand.

Going for lunch together will enhance your social relationship with them. If you are the type that skips lunch, then you have better had a good excuse. Be consistent and do not have lunch alone secretly!

Complete your work

Complete all the work assigned to you on the first day. Do them carefully and attentively. Do not make serious errors that will allow your superior to criticize you. If you are not sure how to do the work, ask for help. Your colleagues will be glad to help you if you ask politely.

Do not leave any work undone. Check for the deadlines every now and then.

Do not leave immediately

Do not leave immediately after working hours. Remember, you are being scrutinized. Leave a little later, maybe half an hour or so. Take the time to read some of the company notices posted on the public board.

Some colleagues may choose to stay back for a while. Take this opportunity to get to know them. After office hours, most people do not mind chatting about their private lives.

There you go; you have successfully completed your first day at work! Take things easy if your first day is not as smooth as you want. There will be second, third and many more days for you!

Be humble and adopt a ‘willing to learn attitude’ to help you go through your working days smoothly. Even when you change jobs after that, you still need to take the simple advices above again.

Finally, have nice ‘working days’ ahead!

Reduce Stress

Know Your Prospective Employers before Applying for the Job

When you apply to work in a certain organization, you may need to know more about your prospective employer. Do not think this as a small matter. Getting to know your prospective employers is like getting to know yourself. It is never a wasted effort.

Your effort to do some research allows the interviewer know how serious you are with the opportunity. It also reflects your sincerity in working with the particular organization.

Most employers think that if the candidates would spend time and effort to prepare for the interview, it is likely that they will put in the same time and effort into the job. That is why doing a little research in your part goes a long way. Employers will feel pleased that they have a good standing in the industry and community when you are able to relate to them some of the good things you have heard about them.

You should be clear why you do the research:

- to convince your boss that you are the right person for their job;

- to gather more information on types of jobs and industries that interested you;

- to discover other options to help you make decisions about where, when and whom you would like to work;

- to discover who at these organizations has the authority to employ you, and to find out who your prospective employers are.

Be focus when you are looking for a job. Any job is not good enough. Be very specific with what industry, company and position you know is right for you. Finding the right job means you have the competitive edge over other interviewees.

Here is a short list of specific researches for you to consider:

- What exactly does the organization make, sell or provide for it customers?

- What is the size of the organization – big or small?

- The internal structure of the organization – how many departments, what is most senior post of each department, other positions related, some job functions of the positions that interested you, etc?

- Is it a family-owned, private or publicly held organization?

- What is the financial state of the organization?

- What is the reputation of the organization in the industry and community?

- Have there been any changes in ownership or management recently?

- Are there branches of the organization in the country or overseas?

- Are there women and members of other ethnic groups in high level management positions?

- Does the organization promote from within or sourcing candidates from outside?

- Has the organization been entangled in any legal matter?

- What is the corporate culture and style of the organization – modern or conservative?

Some of the questions or information may be provided only by people who are working the organization itself. Get your network to find out who is working with the organization. The more you find out about it, the better are your chances at making a good impression with the interviewers.

However, do not feel over-confidence with your new-found knowledge. Prospective employers may not like candidates who know too much about their organizations. You just need to know what you should know.

If you heard rumors about the organization, do not repeat them during the interview. The most unwise move is to relate everything you know to the prospective employers. They are the ones who will disqualify you immediately.

A job may not be a career. A career is a vocation that provides satisfaction, fulfills long term goals as well as offering a bright future. So, you need to be clear when you hunt around for your ‘perfect’ opportunity. You may waste some time and effort, but it is always worth it.

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