Summers in the Office Dos and Donts

Summers in the Office Dos and Donts When the weather warms up and holidays are edging closer, it can be all too tempting to relax and let your professional guard down. If this is something you identify with, then you aren’t alone. Workplace data suggests that  productivity drops 20% during the summer months, with 45% of employees admitting that they’re more distracted. This could be down to excitement over upcoming holiday plans, the shift in team stability due to holiday absences or hot weather causing a lull in concentration. Here are some basic summer dos and don’ts for the workplace, so you can keep focussed and on-track, while still making time to enjoy the nice weather. DO: enjoy the weather It’s no fun being indoors when the weather is nice. Make the most of the season by taking time to enjoy the sunshine, so you can stay focussed while you’re at work. Lunchtime strolls, picnics or walking to and from the office are all easy ways to do this. DONT: relax your wardrobe too much Hot weather can leave you feeling stifled and uncomfortable, both in the office and on your commute. Where possible, avoid the temptation to bare all or resort to inappropriate office attire. Flip flops, strapless dresses, sheer blouses or anything you’d normally wear to the beach are fashion don’ts for summer. If you really can’t get out of the heavy suits and thick fabrics, keep cool with desk fans and by drinking plenty of water. DO: stop to assess your career progress Summer brings you neatly into the middle half of the year and that makes it a great time to stop and  reassess your continual learning plan. Book some time with your manager to  look at the targets you’ve achieved  and what you’d like to get out of the final 6 months. It’ll help you stay on track and will show you just how far you’ve come already. DONT: skip your holiday We all need a good workâ€"life balance to stay happy but getting into the habit of skipping holidays is something many of us are guilty of.  Research shows that the average employee only takes 77% of their allotted annual leave, with only 12% of 16-24 year olds using the full amount. Even when we do take time off, 44% of us admit to working while away. Using the summer season to take time off is essential for recharging your batteries and can also be great for your career, too. Taking proper breaks leads to higher rates of productivity. If you’re worried about missing an opportunity or causing a work backlog, try checking with your manager regarding upcoming busy period and projects so you can plan your holiday more effectively. DO: use the season as another way to connect with your team-mates You don’t need the HR department or a large budget to arrange fun office activities for summer with your teammates. Try starting an ‘ice cream happy hour’ or inviting your team out to lunch in the park rather than sitting in the canteen. Arranging a casual after-work sporting match or friendly game is a great way of keeping active and gives you the chance to bond with other employees that you wouldn’t normally get a chance to talk to. It is possible to achieve a healthy  workâ€"life balance  during the summer months, without the weather putting your professionalism or workplace happiness at risk. Try a few of these suggestions and strike the perfect balance this year. About the author:  Phil Sheridan  is the managing director for Robert Half International’s UK operations where he is responsible for leading the organisation’s strategy and direction across more than 20 office locations.

5 Travel Destinations for the Workaholics

5 Travel Destinations for the Workaholics Even the most career-minded person needs a break from time to time, and because you work so hard, your vacations must be all-out, no expense-spared excursions. You’ll find that after you return, you’ll be refreshed and re-motivated to pursue your work with greater energy. What places should you visit? We could probably write a travel book detailing all the wonderful destination spots in the world.   But for brevity’s sake, we’ll keep it to a handful of the better options for  awesome vacations. Staying in the States New York City What better place to take a vacation than the home of skyscrapers, urban gardens and the Statue of Liberty? New York is the place to be on the East Coast; just like California dominates the West Coast. By hitching a ride on the comprehensive Go New York Tours tour bus, you can experience the Big Apple from an elevated perch. If you want to see the Empire State building; plan ahead the lines can be ridiculous during the tourist season. There are countless experiences to be had in New York state; there’s peaceful salmon fishing available on Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, as well as the magical Niagara Falls and its associated Aquarium. The Bright Lights of Tokyo, Japan In some sense, Tokyo is even more like New York than the great state, itself! With skyscrapers in every direction stretching towards the heavens, this modern carry-over from Japan’s explosive 1980s industrialization phase attracts people from all over the world. If you’re a self-described “foodie,” then this is a must-visit for you.    Tokyo has more restaurants with the vaunted Michelin Star rating than any other single city on earth. While there, you can also check out Odaiba for shopping, the Senso-ji Temple of the Japanese goddess of mercy, and the Tokyo Observation tower for a total view of the city.   Also, do head over to this list of the best neighborhoods to stay in Tokyo to make your trip down more authentic and localised. Closer to Nature the Masai Mara, Kenya The Masai Mara is one of the largest nature reserves in Africa, and an exceptionally pristine place to go on safari. It’s located in the Kenya Rift Valley province, and spans nearly 600 square miles of savannah wilderness. Although the Masai Mara is mostly untouched wilderness, you’re in incredibly safe and modern hands with the park guides. When you’re not out in an armored truck viewing lions, zebras and hippos in their natural habitat, you’re relaxing in an ultramodern hotel or lodge on the base. It’s paradise in the middle of the Kingdom of Lions. Canada Specifically, Vancouver With the added benefit of being right next door to New York, Vancouver, British Columbia has more things to do than you possibly can on a single trip. The food at Lonsdale Quay and Granville Island is something to write home about. For a more cultured experience, you can stop by any of a number of world-class arts and science venues. There’s the Orpheum Theatre, Science World and the Theatre Under the Stars. The Bloedel Conservatory can be your first stop on the way to a more nature-oriented visit, with Vancouver’s many parks and nature walks next in line. Singapore You won’t ever see anything quite like the Pulau Ujong in this southern Malaysian city-state.  Especially when it lights up at night. A major global financial center, Singapore has a yearly visitation rate greater than its native population of over five million people. Perhaps it owes the rock-bottom prices of tourism without sacrificing quality to its status as a premier destination spot. You can secure high-class hotel accommodations at a fraction of the cost elsewhere. To get an idea of what’s in store for you here, people sometimes call Singapore Asia for beginners.   It’s a former British colony with a tremendous variety in cuisine. There’s Indian food, Chinese, Malaysian (of course), Thai and more.   Once you get past the cost of the ticket flight here you’ll get more bang for your buck than just about any other tourist destination in Singapore. Take into considerations these choices we’ve outlined when planning your next trip.  You won’t waste your  time contemplating and researching your next vacation, and youre bound to love it!

Is CardCloud the End of the Traditional Business Card - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Is CardCloud the End of the Traditional Business Card - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Have you ever been caught without an extra business card to share with a new contact? It happens to the best of us â€" you might be at a family party or running errands, and happen to run into someone who you’d like to speak with again. But this can be difficult if you don’t have a way to easily share your contact information with him or her. This is where digital business cards come in. Instead of carrying around a stack of business cards, you can create a digital version to share instantly from your phone. CardCloud, available as an app, is a service that backs up all your cards and information about people you’ve met. Features Create a digital business card and share it with anyone. Ability to share from phone to phone or phone to email. Gather contextual information about each new person you give your card to. Easily remember who, where, when and how you met someone. Pros It’s free to download on iPhone, Android, or other phones. All you need is an email address to download someone’s card â€" the folks you send it to don’t need to download the app to see your digital business card. Add notes or tags to cards to remember important information. Save money on printed business cards (eco-friendly). Never run out of physical cards again. Add your social networking profiles to your cards (supporting 15+ services). Integrate CardCloud at your event to provide a better networking experience. Create multiple cards for a variety of situations. Cons The time and energy it takes to exchange digital cards, compared to simply handing someone a traditional business card. In a review by Christopher Mims, he explains this disadvantage in more detail: “The downside of an app like CardCloud is that it remains more cumbersome than simply handing out physical cards. While its possible to simply bump CardCloud apps with someone else, thats still a multi-step operation: unlock iPhone, open app, hit send. And thats the best case scenario: 99 times out of 100, youre going to be asking your new friend to spell out their email address a cumbersome operation even under the best circumstances.” Final word A digital business card is almost an essential networking tool in today’s tech-savvy world. Using Cardcloud can help you keep track of your new relationships and information in an organized way, ensuring you have the opportunity to leverage these relationships accordingly. Have you used CardCloud? What do you think of the service? If you haven’t used it yet, would you? Author: Heather R. Huhman is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder president of Come Recommended, a  content marketing and digital PR consultancy for organizations with products that target job seekers and/or employers. She is also the author of Lies, Damned Lies Internships: The Truth About Getting from Classroom to Cubicle (2011), #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle (2010), and writes  career and recruiting advice for numerous outlets.

9 Essential Décor Items for Your Office - Classy Career Girl

9 Essential Décor Items for Your Office In The Office, regional manager Michael Scott gathers his entire staff every Monday to watch a movie. When corporate finds out, he defends his actions by claiming it increases staff productivity; they now have to work faster to make up for the time lost spent watching the movie. There’s no need to resort to these drastic procrastination tactics to boost your work productivity, when simply updating your office décor will do. Having a comfortable and stimulating work space can not only improve one’s output but also one’s happiness in the office. Here are a 9 essential office décor items: 1. LED lamps Dim lighting can lead to issues such as eye strain, drowsiness, and lack of focus. LEDs produce a clean, bright light that can mimic natural sunlight. Sunlight provides benefits such as boosting overall mood and promoting better sleep habits. So for those with little to no access to windows, this is a great alternative to battling with your coworkers for that window seat. 2. Ergonomic chairs As a working professional spending hours sitting at the desk, having supportive and comfortable seating is critical. Investing in suitable chairs will benefit you by preventing spinal issues and chronic discomfort. 3. Organizational items Keeping your work area tidy and organized will help reduce distractions and increase efficiency. Using file folders and letter trays prevent time wasted searching for documents and reference material. While functional, they don’t need to be those boring, standard-issue black trays. Office supply and container stores now carry them in bold colors and prints. You can even DIY your own using spray paint. 4. Memo board Taking a cue from Pinterest, memo boards are a great way to post your favorite inspirational quotes, jokes, and Post-it note reminders. They provide inspiration and motivation during stressful projects and aid in keeping you organized. 5. Plants or terrariums Studies have shown that having living plants boost productivity and workplace satisfaction. They also provide a pop of color in an otherwise monochrome, indoor environment. There are a number of plants well suited for indoor offices and require little upkeep. The most popular ones being succulents and air plants. Or if you really lack that green thumb, terrariums filled with dried moss are an alternative. 6. Photos and digital picture frames Personal photos can help relieve stress and reduce negative thoughts on those hectic and manic days. If you’re tight on desktop space, consider a digital picture frame. They’re capable of displaying photos from your phone, storage device, and even from your social media accounts. 7. Calendars Yes, your phone or computer can display the date and time, but art calendars are an excuse to inject more of your personality and style into your work space. Like any calendar, they help keep you organized and provide reminders for future events. 8. Scent diffusersor sprays This can be a tricky one so please be considerate of your fellow coworkers. Aromatherapy can be a powerful tool in managing your mood. Bright, invigorating scents such as citrus and rosemary stimulate your brain and fight fatigue. Others such as lavender and jasmine are more calming. If none of those work for you, then there’s always bacon! 9. Paint or colored backdrop Whether through paint, paper, or fabric accents, changing the overall color of your office can help boost your productivity and attitude. Research has shown green provides a relaxing atmosphere whereas yellow stimulates and promotes creativity. Hopefully with the addition of these essential décor items, not only will your productivity improve but your workplace satisfaction as well. Having an enjoyable working environment can contribute to a person’s efficiency just as much as providing the needed software or resources. Otherwise you might end up leading an Office Space-like revolt yourself. So go ahead and treat yourself to that red stapler.

How to Write a Resume For Laboratory Management Position

How to Write a Resume For Laboratory Management PositionIf you're wondering how to write a resume for laboratory management position, there are three things that you need to know and remember. First, when writing your resume, be very specific as to what positions you're applying for. Sometimes, job applications just aren't looking for the best candidate for that position.Second, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to finish writing. This is especially true if your job requires extensive travelling. You need to prepare your resume and apply before time runs out. A good rule of thumb for how long to prepare a resume is twenty-four hours.Third, be prepared to include and list all of the jobs that you've done and held in the past. That way, your prospective employer can see what a good fit you are for this job. They should also be able to see that you can handle being responsible for your job.The final step to writing a resume for laboratory management position is to send it off to y our potential employer. Be sure to send it off on the days that they ask for it to be sent out. You never want to send it out at a time when you are not going to be receiving any response.Writing a resume is not difficult to do. It's all about being thorough and honest. You want to get a head start on getting a new job. Use these tips to get a job and you will have a much easier time once you're hired.For example, when you apply for different job positions, you may be asked to write up a cover letter. While a cover letter can be used to introduce yourself and let the prospective employer know who you are, a resume has more of a specific purpose. It will lay out the basics of what you have done in the past, what you have accomplished, and why you would be a good choice for the job.In order to learn how to write a resume for laboratory management position, all you need to do is visit your local library. They should have an entire section on resume writing. Once you understand how to f ormat your resume properly, you'll be able to answer every question that might come up with your prospective employer.Now that you know how to write a resume for laboratory management position, you're ready to get started. The best way to start is by making a list of your qualifications and accomplishments, then start listing them. Your entire career will change after you put your list in place.

Coming soon to Twitter #JobHuntChat

Coming soon to Twitter #JobHuntChat 10 Flares 10 Flares Im happy to announce that #JobHuntChat is coming to Twitter!  The first, and quite possibly only Twitter chat focusing on the job search will launch its first chat on Monday, February, 15th at 10PM EST. Ive been excited planning this chat, but now that the idea has come to life, the rest is up to you.  #JobHuntChat will take your suggestions for questions every week, and the other co-moderators (who I will get to in a second) and myself will pick out four questions to be featured each Monday night.  So, who are the Co-moderators for #JobHuntChat? Co-Moderators Nicole Crimaldi |  @MsCareerGirl Jessica Miller-Merrill |  @Blogging4Jobs Yours truly, Mr. Corn @CornOnTheJob Submitting Questions Submitting your ideas for topics and questions is easy.  Just reach out to us in one of the following ways: Send an e-mail to JobHuntChat AT Gmail.com DM or send an @ mention to @JobHuntChat on twitter DM or send an @ mention to any of the Co-moderators listed above Comment on this post We will reach out to people for specific questions during the week, and at times have themed chats planned where questions will be even more specific.  We want to hear from you, so dont hold back. When is #JobHuntChat? Chats will be every Monday, from 10PM EST to 11PM EST.  Our first chat is on February 15th Who will participate? This is the fun part!  I have absolutely no idea.  As you know, Twitter is a big place, and its only getting bigger.  Your questions will be responded to by other job seekers, bloggers, resume writers, career experts, HR professionals, recruiters, or maybe even @ShitMyDadSays.  We want to hear everyones opinion on the topics discussed, and Twitter allows us to do just that. How can you participate? For starters, send us your questions!  This is for you.  On Mondays, be on Twitter at 10PM EST, and make sure to follow each of the co-moderators.  We will be tweeting out the questions, and RTing the smart responses that we get.  We are looking forward to seeing how this baby forms, and your suggestions, comments, and questions will drive the success of this chat. #JobHuntChat is here!  Never Hunt Alone Again!

What are you cultivating with your career

What are you cultivating with your career People often contact me to find more meaning in their careers. They want to make a difference but arent sure how. If this sounds familiar, read on. Below is an inspiring example of a one woman whose dream of helping others is now reality.I had the pleasure of meeting Lois Reddick in high school. Though we had lost touch for several years, she and I recently reconnected. It was great to catch up and even more amazing to learn that Lois had founded a non-profit organization called COSIA. COSIA is built on the belief that one woman, with the help and support of her sisters (and brothers), can make a tremendous and positive difference in the world.That belief is coming true.So far COSIA has provided funding, exposure, and/or support for many programs and organizations including: The Love by the Slice Baking and Catering Program and The Dillingham-Williams Foundation (both in development), the Afterw@rd Suicide Prevention Project, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Consci ously Rebuilding Project in New Orleans, and Operation Longthrust Summer Youth Program in Washington State.If thats not enough, heres what members have to say:COSIA is where I go to make the impossible possible through positivity and idea sharing, so that I can then be able to pass it on through community building.COSIA helped me realize that I am a powerful, intelligent, and visionary woman who is determined to make an impact.I have the honor and privilege of presenting at COSIAs Cultivating Your Path Workshop. If you are in the New York area and would like to attend, click here for more information.I am so impressed with what Lois is cultivating. Now its your turn. Get inspired and cultivate a great impact with your career.What cause or goal do you care most about? What change do you want to see in the world? What organization might you contribute through and have a great impact? I cant wait to hear your comments!