Make More of Your Job

Compensation and the Gender Divide

Everyone reading this blog is working towards making the most out of the time spent at work, but a new report shows that the rules for men and women may still be very different when it comes to increased compensation in the workplace.

Over the past few years, I’ve read quite a bit about the gap between men’s and women’s compensation getting smaller, something we can all agree should happen. But this new study seems to indicate that the disparity may be growing even larger.  Hopefully, some of you reading this will be amongst those that help us solve this issue for the next generation. To see what we’re up against, take a look for yourself.

Meeting to Meet About Meetings

I’ve spent my fair share of time in meetings in my career, including (at my first company) meetings about when we could schedule meetings.

The following article by Seth Godin explains how to make sure a meeting accomplishes its goal while taking up the minimum amount of your time necessary.  It offers definitions about the different kinds of meetings you might need in your job as well as tips for how to make them more productive.  It’s worth the quick read.

The Trouble with Politicians

As I've addressed previously, aiming to take your career to the next level probably means that you’ll have your share of run-ins with office politics.  Mastering your office's political climate is key to your career's health. However, there are those out there who strive to make office politics a dirty, unproductive game.

The following article on Office-Politics addresses how to deal with situations where your co-workers may become a little too political for your taste. Learning how to deal with competition, jealousy and outright sabotage without losing sight of your personal moral compass is vital for a long and happy career. 

Preventing Workplace Violence

On Monday I posted about acting in your company's best interests. Having pride in and passion for your company's well-being will only benefit you, your coworkers, and your company in the long run. In the wake of recent incidents of workplace violence across the country (the Virginia Tech tragedy not excepted), it is important to remember that we should also exhibit this same attention to our fellow employees.

The New York Times offers excellent advice (published a week before Virginia Tech, incidentally) on how to address coworkers who might have taken downturn. The common thread? Address the situation with respect. Your management and Human Resources department should have procedures in place to make sure that your concerns are addressed with care for all parties concerned.

New Work Rules, New Work Problems

As our world evolves and our ability to connect while outside the office environment grows stronger, many workers are choosing jobs that let them telecommute.  This seems like a brave new world for many, where their time is better used and their concentration unbroken.  However, be aware that new rules about working styles also introduce new problems and challenges for the workforce and employers.

This article over at the Career Journal offers up some great advice on how to minimize the career risks if you decide to start working from home.

Follow Your Career Overseas?

As I've mentioned before, it is important to have the flexibility follow career opportunities wherever the circumstances are the best.  That flexibility should include the option of working overseas.

Not only are their great jobs and thriving economies looking for skilled employees, but it’s a great chance to expand your horizons, build your cultural knowledge and network on a whole new continent.  For instance, the European job market is recovering and is predicted to become a growing hot spot for talented foreign employees.

Work Productivity Slowing, Wages Growing

The two statements above say it all. If workers' wages are going up faster than their productivity is increasing, it can only mean one thing.The job market is getting tighter for employers.

\We’ve talked before about the impending skilled worker shortage that America faces as the baby-boomers begin leaving the workplace. The data is beginning to bear that theory out.  Now is the time to crank up your passion and work diligently at improving your skill set as the market tightens. The most valued workers will be rewarded handsomely as companies compete for their loyalty.

Follow the Growth

If you’re really dedicated to making the most of your career, it’s always a good idea to make sure that you follow the growth. Is the industry you’ve chosen among the fastest growing?  Find out.

"Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?"

Every time I interview a prospective employee, I love to ask the question “Why did you leave your last job?”  I learn a lot from the responses.

Leaving a job can be a difficult situation, one rife with political implications, challenges, and disappointments.  Someone who displays candor, honesty and class when answering this question will quickly move to the top of my list.  Someone who takes the opportunity to complain about what was wrong with everyone except them at their last job will quickly be crossed off of my list.

This article at CareerJournal tackles this tricky situation head on and offers some interesting tactics for answering this most telling of interview questions.

Why Aren't You Finding a Job?

Sometimes, deciding to put your career into overdrive means making the decision to look for a new job. If you’ve decided to that it’s time for a new position, but your career search isn’t working out the way you had hoped, CareerRamblings offers 7 reasons why you may not be going about it in the right way.