What Does Your Office Cubicle Say About You

What Does Your Office Cubicle Say About You Ahhh, the office cubicle. The home away from home for every office worker not lucky enough to have their own private office. Depending on your job, office culture and coworkers, your cubicle can be your own personal corner of inspiration, or your 40-hour-a-week prison cell â€" or perhaps a little of both. Regardless, unless you just recently entered the workforce, you have probably come across a variety of personalities in the office, each externalized in varying cubicle décor. Let’s look at a few easily recognizable cubicle personality types. Fun Cubed The owner of this cubicle is the life and soul of the office party. Their workspace is to the office what Toys ‘R’ Us is to the mall. Forget pictures or awards. They just take up valuable space better suited for action figures, stuffed animals and various Nerf products. Chances are the closest your office will come to Google’s ping pong tables and pinball machines is this cubicle. Need a work break? This person always welcomes visitors. Looking to avoid distractions? Probably best to avoid this side of the office altogether. Too Busy to Organize This person’s cubicle is an absolute nightmare. Papers, books and folders are stacked everywhere, even though they haven’t been looked at in months. There are a few toys, as well as awards or souvenirs from company events, covered in an inch of dust â€" reminders of a time before this person became completely overwhelmed by their job duties, and by simple organizational skills. If you choose to comment on the cubicle’s state of disrepair, it won’t bother the owner. On the contrary, it will give them a chance to remind you how busy they are â€" one of their favorite topics. Distracted by Decor This person’s cubicle looks as though they just started working at the company yesterday, even though they’ve been there for years. No pictures on display, no memos, no toys, and minimal papers. This person finds those things a distraction. They’re here to work, and the minute the workday ends, they’ll be out the door, headed somewhere they’d much rather be. The Braggart There isn’t much room for photos or toys in this person’s cubicle. Instead, they prefer to display their credentials. Various diplomas are carefully arranged next to awards, plaques and certifications. These are adjacent to a number of photos of them with people of importance. Feel free to look, but don’t stay too long or you’ll prevent others from marveling at their achievements. The Forward-Thinker The owner of this cubicle is the go-to person for anything you or anyone else in your office might need. No need to announce your arrival â€" they can already see you coming thanks to the rear-view mirror carefully placed above their head (just in case a prison villain decides to attack them from behind with a sock full of pennies). Need aspirin, Band-Aids, snacks, office supplies, cleaning products or plastic utensils? Look no further than their desk drawer. Just don’t be afraid to ask â€" they live for this! The truth is, there are differing margins of acceptability for cubicle décor that are dictated by industry, company culture and management. A typical cubicle in a tech start-up or ad agency will differ greatly from that of a law office or investment bank. Regardless of employer, anything that could be controversial or offensive in any way should be considered off-limits. Likewise, anything distracting or unprofessional should also be removed. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself, “How would a new client react to this?” If the décor isn’t offensive or distracting, and it inspires creativity or reflects your personality, then by all means, let your cubicle individuality shine!

6 Ways Your Job is Losing You Future Earnings - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

6 Ways Your Job is Losing You Future Earnings - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Love hurts, but so does the wrong job. Not only will it leave you unsatisfied but it can actually hurt your career trajectory. From missing out on promotions to working for a company with a bad reputation, there’s a host of ways a current role can negatively impacting future earnings. So before you commit even more time and effort to your existing job check out these six signs it may be time to look for greener pastures. 1. You don’t believe in the mission or leaders In a tight job market taking any job you can get makes sense, but now that the market is starting to rebound it may be time to rethink your current position, particularly if you don’t agree with the direction the company is going or you don’t respect its leaders. “There are occasions when a new CEO or new manager comes in and the company rebrands itself,” says Jennifer Hill, author of Stop Hoping-Start Hunting.  â€œIf it isn’t aligning with your long term career path and personal brand it can hurt you to associate with that company.” 2. The boss keeps taking credit for your hard work No one wants to get thrown under the bus but when it’s your boss or manager who is doing it to you and stealing the credit, it could be a sign it’s time to start looking. After all not only will it breed resentment but it could prevent you from getting promoted if your manager gets all the accolades for your hard work. “Sometimes you will see it (the bad behavior) straight on,” says John Ricco, partner in recruiting firm The Atlantic Group. Other times its’ harder to detect, but either way there’s not much you can do about it. 3. The job is just a means to a pay check Nobody wants to be in between jobs for too long which is why many will take a position as a “placeholder” until something better comes along, says Ben Carpenter,  author of The Bigs: The Secrets Nobody Tells Students and Young Professionals About How to Find a Great Job, Do a Great Job, Start a Business, and Live a Happy Life. While you’ll have money in the bank going that route, you’ll also be going thru the motions instead of feeling engaged and strongly invested in the job. “Those feelings will carry over into how you actually perform,” says Carpenter.  â€œSo if you are just phoning it in, and your work is suffering because of it, you do run the risk of negatively affecting your reputation with your leaders, clients and coworkers, which can/will affect you when you seek another job.” 4. Complacency has set in We all want to feel comfortable in our jobs but you also don’t want it to be too cushy that you don’t ever move up or leave. There’s a reason that old adage “when one door closes another opens” resonates with so many people. “If you stay in a position too long it can definitely damage your career,” says Ricco. One way to avoid that from happening is to plan where you want to be in your career in five, ten and twenty years, he says. 5. Your company has a bad reputation It’s ok to work for scrappy company trying to take on the competition or the market leader, but if your employer has a really bad reputationâ€"think Enron badâ€"then it can hurt your future career. “If you are working for a company that other people don’t respect, your association with it can have negative fall back,” says Hill.   Not only will people question your character but you may not get an interview at the competitors to begin with. 6. Your role adds little to the business You may love your job and tasks you perform but if that position isn’t one that impacts the business or is hurting your chances of moving up then you are likely in a dead end role.   “If your position is often overlooked, if you don’t have opportunities to shine a light on your individual work, etc., it’s going to be difficult for you to get the recognition that’s necessary for promotion,” says Carpenter. He says a surefire sign that your role isn’t helping your career is if you keep getting passed over for promotions or there isn’t a clear career path for your current role. Author Bio Donna Fuscaldo  writes for Glassdoor.com.

Tips to Bag the Job You Want Without Experience

Tips to Bag the Job You Want Without Experience The following is a guest post by  Anurag Gupta. His bio follows. Thousands of young, ambitious girls graduate every year facing a tricky question- how to get their foot in the door without any work experience? Also there are women, who wish they can break the shackles of a monotonous routine and switch to something that interests them. Again the same question looms large. If you are one of those aspiring beginners or movers, with your sight set on a dream job, thankfully a bit of research, planning, learning, networking and soft skills can help you break the glass ceiling. Here’s a quick wrap up of how to nail it. Be Ambitious but Realist You ought to accept a harsh reality that not all jobs can be secured without hands-on experience. For example, you can’t bypass a writer’s position to land at editor’s desk. Focus on entry level positions lest you may end up chasing a wild goose. Prop up Specific Soft Skills Presumably, you lack specific knowledge or information for the job but soft skills do add some weight to your resume. Pinpoint relevant soft skills with anecdotal evidence, for example, put specifics like “excellent time management- juggled a six hour college class with a part-time job.” Make Your Previous Work Activities Count See if you can draw a direct or even a faint link between one of your college projects or activities and the requirements of the job you are interested in. Describe how your past activity boosts your potential to grasp new things faster than usual. If you are a fresher applying for a sales position, for example, you can say how you raised $1000 funding for an environment project. Equip Yourself with Industry Jargons You cannot look a novice in the interview. Knowing your industry, its jargons and keywords keeps you in a familiar territory with the panel. It’s an indicator of your proactive approach, your zeal to learn and most importantly the hunger to bag the job. It would be great if you could subtly drive the discussion to one of the latest trends related to the role and slip through a brief, sharp commentary.  Get an Internship under Your Belt Many organizations welcome volunteers and interns with open arms. Enroll for an internship program, be a part of the industry, get a hang of it from inside and acquaint yourself with the tricks of the trade. You will get valuable experience in addition to making some contacts. Don’t Shy Away From a Side Route You can enter an organization with a job closest to the position you have been eyeing. For example, if you are good at writing and want to enter digital advertising, try for a writer’s job, get an entry and volunteer (in extra hours if your schedule permits) to work for entire process of ad campaigns. This hands-on experience could give you the confidence and maybe the first break.  A Free Stint shouldn’t be Taboo! “Hard work for free” sounds disheartening but if you can plant the word “Free” in your resume, it is a fairly appealing attribute for potential employers. Be smart to define the time period, say two or three months, for which you can work without compensation. At least, you will grab the attention for your sheer determination to get the job. Targeted Networking can be Your Trump Card To Bag The Job With the power of internet, the ways of networking are redefined. Instead of in-person meetings or gatherings, you can sift through online platforms, for example LinkedIn, and get in touch with company insiders, say HRs or the ones in the same team that you wish to join. This opens up an unofficial contact line that you can leverage as a reference in future. Also, you will have leads to a bulk of vacancies that are not advertized by companies. Bagging the job is a process accompanied with setbacks, lessons and a final victory. Whatever be the pace of this journey, don’t let the hurdles weigh you down. At every roadblock, motivate yourself with a new small step that pushes you further towards the goal. With an open mind, remember that every little stride will bear fruits now or later.  At the same time, spare a thought for those who will be hiring you. What exactly do they want from you? The answer to this question must figure in your cover letter, resume and every word you say in your interview. When the employer gets what they want, you get what you want. Your exactitude during application process and personal interview may make you the ablest candidate and play down the lack of experience. Author Bio: Anurag Gupta handles all the recruitment processes of   PlacementIndia.com, which is India’s leading online placement agency. His write-ups on effective candidate sourcing are posted on various portals. To know more about him, you can follow him on his other social media handles

Why You Should Be on a Mission to Style Your Life

Why You Should Be on a Mission to Style Your Life For months now, Ive been trying to create a new tagline that represents the new and improved MsCareerGirl.com.  (PS- How do you like it?!) I had discussed various concepts with friends and columnists, but nothing felt right.  Of all people, Hubby (who absolutely HATES these types of conversations and brainstorming sessions) was able to hone it in for me in only a few minutes. Life after college often feels like an unlimited  buffet of tempting choices. Theres the choices you know you should make, the choices that tempt you and those that look amazing but end up being a waste of calories.  Whether its making decisions about our careers, where we live, how we treat ourselves or who we choose to date, these choices made one at a time eventually become the story of our lives. In the past Ive said that Ms. Career Girl was a site for ambitious young professional women who want it all.  I still think thats true, but I think a better way of putting it is that Ms. Career Girl is a blog for women  who want to actively shape the outcome of their lives.   With so much information at our fingertips, you can proactively style your life into what you always dreamed it would be. Think about the four pillars of our lives: Work, Home, Self Plus Ones: Work: We can choose (or style) our careers.  If we make the wrong choice, we can go back to school, get a new job, network, start a side hustle or volunteer to get the experience we need to change paths.  We are not held back by society or options.   Home: We can use sites like Pinterest to get inspiration, learn DIY, find the look for less or work towards creating our dream homes.  We can learn how to pre-prep our dinners with a few clicks.  We can discover new ways to get organized and find life hacks that save tons of time.  Living well is no longer for the wealthy, its within reach for all of us. Self:  With free money management sites like ReadyforZero.com and Mint.com we can control our finances. Sites like MagicFuture.com help us bring our vision boards to life with a plan.  We can learn beauty and style tips that make us feel more confident.  We can find mentors, support groups and fitness blogs that help us make the choices that lead to living our best lives. Plus Ones: Who you date and/or marry can be one of the most important decisions you make. Starting a family with those people will change our lives forever.  Reading about other peoples experiences helps us make better decisions by keeping our gut feelings in check and understanding that lots of people have been in the same boat. Awesome women navigate the decisions they make in each of these areas very carefully.  In the buffet of life, girls like us have consciously decided to style our lives one decision, one project and one shoe at a time. Enjoy the new and improved MsCareerGirl.com everyone! Nicole

The Importance of Resume Terms

The Importance of Resume TermsWhile working with a professional resume writing service is a wonderful way to receive top recommendations for your job, it's also necessary to learn how to write your own resume and have a professional resume writer supply your resume with the proper resume terms. There are a number of different resume terms that you should know when writing your own resume, which can make the difference between an excellent and ineffective resume.Writing your resume in plain English that describes you and your skills is a necessity if you want your resume to be read by someone who will hire you. The benefits of writing in this way are that you are able to speak your mind in a natural manner. The major disadvantage of this type of resume writing is that it can make the resume look much shorter than it actually is.A good resume writing service can provide all of these types of resume terms and will help you with all of your resume writing needs. In addition, they will no t spend more time on your resume than necessary. That means they are not wasting their time and yours.Keep in mind that it is impossible to know what terms and grammatical errors you may make on your resume. Therefore, your best bet for avoiding resume terms mistakes is to hire a professional resume writing service. These professionals understand the importance of having all resume and cover letter writing to be error free.One of the most important resume terms that you will need to learn is your position, or area of employment. Resume writing services understand the importance of providing you with proper resume terms that describe the specific job position you are applying for. Using these terms correctly can show the hiring manager that you are fully aware of the job description and that you have thoroughly read the job description and know the specifics of the job requirements.Proper resume terms can also help you avoid making the common resume writing mistakes ofincluding old i nformation on your resume. For example, if you work for an account company and you were recently laid off from your previous position, your resume should not include any of your old company information. The resume should be updated and reflect the new company you are currently working for.Your resume writing service will help you find the correct resume terms to describe your position. The terms you choose to include on your resume will go a long way toward determining the success of your resume. If you provide your resume with correct resume terms you will be able to speak your mind and reach the potential employer.There are many resume writing services available today. Choose one that is certified and has a proven track record of creating a great resume for qualified candidates. Working with a professional resume writing service will make your job hunting experience much easier and will help you become a more attractive candidate.

Take Control of Your Career

Take Control of Your Career Take Control of Your Career Take Control of Your Career December 10, 2009 by Career Coach Sherri Thomas Leave a Comment If I asked you, “Who is controlling your career?” what would you say? You? Someone else? Nobody? My biggest source of frustration in my own career came about ten years ago, when I’d been laid off because the company I was working for wasn’t doing well financially. I felt that I was at the height of my career, yet the company just laid me off. There wasn’t any notice, just a meeting with my manager, a handshake goodbye, and a check for two weeks pay. My mind was swirling. My world had just been turned upside down. I felt poor. After spending about 3 days in my bath robe sobbing into my bowl of corn flakes (apparently I don’t cook when I’m depressed!), I realized that I couldn’t leave my career (my career!) in the hands of someone else. Like a manager. Or a company. So I began taking more control over my career. I seeked out only those companies that I admired. When I interviewed for a job, I interviewed them. I said things like, “in my next job, I’m looking for a company that…”, and “I’m very goal driven and need to work in a culture…” It wasn’t so much the words I was saying, but a mixture of having career goals, a vision, and assurance that I can do their job that often got me the job offer. If your world has been turned upside down, and you need a little help getting back on your feet â€" then I’m here to help you. You can get all of my great career strategies to reinvent your career in my upcoming Career Change Bootcamp. Right now Im sharing a special holiday savings of 25-percent off when you sign up before December 31st!

5 Things Not to Say At A Job Interview - CareerAlley

5 Things Not to Say At A Job Interview - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. You get a call from the HR department and learn youve finally landed the big interview. Youre well prepared. Youve done online reputation repairandscrubbed YouTube of any embarrassing videos there might be of you. Youve put together a portfolio of your best projects, and youve used your final dwindling funds on buying a nice suit. Youve printed up resumes and sheathed them in protective covers, youve shaved, showered, prayed, and now, youre ready. Months and months of[easyazon_link asin=1933016620 locale=US new_window=default nofollow=default tag=caree07-20 add_to_cart=default cloaking=default localization=default popups=default]unemployment[/easyazon_link] could be about to come to an end. Now dont ruin it by saying something stupid at your interview! Here are five things NOT to say to a potential employer: Also Take a Look at === Reputations Matter When Searching for a Job I really need a job We all need a job, especially when we are unemployed, but saying you really need a job is not a good start. It implies that you need money, you will do anything, you will work for cheap. No one wants to hire a desperate person. You should be offering reasons why you would be a valuable asset to the company, not whining about your bad luck or thinking that you can guilt-trip them into hiring you (you cant). How long are lunch breaks? Any question that focuses on you (what time can I leave?, Do I get a discount?, etc.) is not a good question (take a look at 6 Weird Job Interview Questions). There will be time to ask questions about the benefits once you get the job offer. Asking questions such as this, as opposed to any number of legitimate queries about the company youre hoping will hire you, makes you look petty. The employer is thinkingthis is really all he/she is thinking about, the lunch break? Also Take a Look at === 9 Reasons Why I Wont Hire You Bad Habits There is no need to tell a potential employer about bad habits (smoking, biting your nails, etc.). This is shorthand for telling an employer that youre going to take extra breaks or be a poor influence on others. Everyone knows that smokers are masterful at squeezing in multiple five minute breaks into the workday. Even if you do smoke (or bite your nails), dont admit it in the interview. Youll have to keep your smoke breaks minimal, if at all, and find a way to control the smell. My last boss and I didnt get along Avoid talking about past failures in general, especially as they relate to previous jobs. You should also refrain from speaking poorly about your current company, boss or coworkers. Your new potential employer doesnt want to get nervous about you during the interview. You should be highlighting your upsides, not talking talking about your possible downsides. If you got laid off or fired from a previous job, only discuss it if the story relates to an issue of professionalism or procedure that will make you look knowledgeable. I cant start until next month Maybe you have an upcoming vacation or other reason why you cant start immediately. Dont bring this up until you get a job offer. Could be that they may not want you to start immediately. Many times employers will give you ample time to prepare for a job, but sometimes they need you to start right away. If youre not ready to work, dont go into the interview. more Job Interviews gone wrong There are any number of deviations of these phrases that are equally unprofessional. The basic idea is that during a job interview you want to be presenting yourself in the best light possible. Any utterance that makes you seem frivolous could cost you the job. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by