Do you remember what it was like when you were still at school and the weekend started to wind down? At around 3pm on a Sunday you started to feel sad, your eyes were drawn to your school bag which still needed to be packed and you might have started to dread what the maths teacher had in store for you over the coming week. It wasn’t a nice feeling. You think it will be better when you finish school and perhaps for a brief period of college it is. Then, a few years down the line, you look up after reading the Sunday papers, realise that it’s 3pm and you have to go to work the next day. You feel sad, your eyes are drawn to your briefcase and you start to dread what your boss has in store for you over the coming week.

Does it sound familiar?

Logic tells us that any job is better than no job, especially with unemployment being the way it is. But hating your job, as over 80% of working people do, takes a huge emotional and psychological toll which often manifests in physical illness (real, feigned and imagined).

The effects are not only felt in people’s personal lives but also in the corporate environment. People who hate their jobs simply aren’t as productive as those who love their jobs, or feel more or less neutral about going to work every day. Job haters tend to use all their available sick days in a given year, they take long coffee breaks, gaze out the window and generally seek distractions. The quality of their work is also often poor because they lack the motivation to put in the effort required.

Of course, quality of work doesn’t suffer as much when the boss is something of a demon.

Horrible bosses are able to suck the joy out of even the most satisfying jobs. Countless people who are passionate about their career paths stumble in the face of a boss with absolutely no people skills. Horrible bosses come in all forms. There are those that micromanage every single process, that are weak and unable to lead, that take all the glory and shrug off all the blame, that delegate everything, that lose their tempers and shout, that are hypocritical, that gossip, that express overt favouritism … the list goes on.

The sad truth is that the perfect boss doesn’t exist. Even bosses that seem decent for years can turn on a dime and make life impossible. It’s up to you how you decide to handle it. Some people have a very basic philosophy: they won’t work for anyone who doesn’t respect them. Other people don’t have that luxury. Mortgages, kids in school, car payments, insurance, pension plans and medical aids are all very effective at keeping people miserable in jobs they hate.

Tips to survive the job you hate

• Talk about it. It’s not just enough to complain to your friends and family about how much you hate your job; you also have to talk to someone in your HR department. The people in the HR department are there for their ability to solve people-problems. They’re trained to help you manage stress and deal with internal hassles all while maintaining confidentiality. If the problem is a big one, like sexual harassment, then they will ask your permission before taking the matter further.
  If you work for a very small company without an HR department then you’ll have to bite the bullet and try talk to your boss or immediate manager.
• Get a hobby. As difficult as it sounds you need to make a concerted effort to leave your work problems at work. The best way to do this is to distract yourself with something that you love, or to try different things until you unlock your secret passion. Many community centres and libraries offer classes and groups for a range of activities, such as pottery, pencil drawings, scrapbooking, writing, yoga, pilates and aromatherapy. A lot of places will let you try out a lesson for free to see if you like it before committing yourself to the class. Find out about local sports clubs in your area, even if it’s just bowls or hiking. Alternatively, research some hobbies on the internet. You’ll find information and tutorials on anything from bird watching to knife making.
• Save the best for last. People have a tendency to leave the worst for last, but, thinking back to you childhood again, do you remember saving the best food on your plate for last? Remember holding breath while bolting the broccoli and then savouring the mashed potatoes? Revive this childhood tradition in the workplace. Rather than procrastinate and leave the most tiresome and dreaded assignments or tasks for the end of the day or the end of the week or the last minute of the deadline, get them done first. Having the worst behind you allows you to savour the bits of your job that you still enjoy. Otherwise, even the fun bits are tainted by the awful bits looming over your head.

If nothing helps and you still feel like crying in the car on your way to work every morning you should think very seriously about putting your CV on some job sites and expanding your horizons. In the end, no job is worth your self-esteem, dignity and sanity.

Sandy writes for a number of different blogs, on a number of different topics, including job posting software, advertising, travel, technology and the environment.

Your first day in any job is nerve-wracking and you might feel anxious about how to should conduct yourself in order to make the best first impression. Below are some top tips on how to survive your first day in your new job.

Smile and appear friendly

First impressions count and it is said that a person decides on their opinion of you within the first few seconds of meeting you. Therefore you want to impress them, especially if it is your first day with the company. Regardless of whether that person is a post person or a manager, you want them to remember you as a good addition to the company. As soon as you enter the building, you should have a big smile on your face and greet them with something pleasant. Also, make sure that you are wearing something suitable. Even if you are not sure of the dress code (some companies are more casual than others) dress smartly as this will always ensure that you appear professional.

Be enthusiastic about working with a variety of people

Working within most organisations will require you to work with a wide variety of people from all different backgrounds. Be enthusiastic about meeting and working with these people. It may be that you don’t initially get on this with certain employees, but make an effort to hide this. You never know, this could change as you get to know them better.

Listen and be prepared for the need to learn

Never assume that you know better. This can be difficult if you are used to working independently or maybe running your own business, but if you are walking into a new company then this is essential. Make efforts to listen to every point made by employees within your new company. They will have knowledge that you do not and they could provide you with handy tips that will make settling in easier.

Being prepared to learn is also another important thing on your first day. You will be bombarded with information about how things are done and you need to remember not to be resistant to change. Look upon it as a positive thing and a way of adding strings to your bow.

Ask questions

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It might be easier to stay quiet and feel like you are being less hassle to anyone working with you, but asking questions will benefit you in the future. Co-workers will be happier to answer questions a few days in, but they will not be so sympathetic when you have been with the company months and you are asking lots of questions then.

Take note of important points

Most organisations will have staff handbooks with lots of information about how you should conduct yourself. You might also get some sort of official induction which will provide you a chance to find out more about working within the company. Make use of this and follow the protocols set down by the company. This will help you to settle in and will help you to avoid having any disagreements with co-workers or superiors.

Don’t push the boundaries

The downside of being new is that you are being watched and judged. Therefore, be on your best behaviour and try not to get yourself noted for all the wrong reasons. When you have been at the company for a while you might be able to take an early lunch or risk being a little late, but at the beginning this should be avoided. Even if you haven’t got an official trial period imagine you do and then show yourself to be a reliable employee.

Steve Waller has helped people find their way back into work for years and getting them through their first day is all part of the service. He runs a job centre website that allows people to search for vacancies on a number of job boards quickly and efficiently to get the most out of their time.

Finding a job after college can be a challenging task. Well, to make job-hunting easier for you, here are some helpful tips for landing your dream job after college:

Check out career centers

Even when you’re just still in college, try to get ahead of the pack by finding your next job with College Career Centers. All colleges and universities have a career center. The centers are obliged to help students find a job. Did you know that career counselors working in your college have connections with the Human Resource Departments of companies? In fact, both large scale and small scale businesses recruit potential hires from colleges.

Here’s a tip- even if you’re just a freshman, try to establish linkage with your career center. You can talk to the counselors about your future plans. Eventually, when they get to know you, you will be updated with the latest job opening upon your graduation.

Participate in career and job fairs

There are a lot of career and job fairs out there being organized by both private and government offices as well as other organizations. You can search online for job fairs in your area, or simply ask people around and look for ads in the daily paper. It will also help if you already have a draft application letter and updated resume at hand so that you can bring these along when you apply for a job. Don’t forget to dress well and wear a smile when you apply for jobs.

Find a job early

It’s best to go job-hunting even before you graduate just to give you an edge over the rest. Once you decide what to do after college, you can start to plan for dream job. Completing a career assessment test in college will help you narrow down your career choices. Only then will you be able to identify companies that will help you meet your goals.

Internships

A very effective strategy for landing your dream job is to establish connection with the company you are targeting to work for. While in college, it would help if you apply for internship in the company you want to be hired in. This would give you the chance to experience the working environment which will eventually help you decide whether you really want to work in that company. At the same time, the company’s human resource division will be able to assess your performance and observe your work behavior.

As you can see, there are a few different ways you can snag a job after college. Consider these tips above and allow all your hard work to pay off quickly.

This article was written by the writer of FindCollegeCards.com, a website that offers the best Student Credit Cards, as well as a helpful college blog.

It’s hard to ignore the news and data that shows that college graduates are struggling to find a job out of school. This is especially true for the classes of 2010 and 2011. While there are reports that show that hiring is going up, a majority of students from the class of 2011 did not receive a job offer. While students are doing their best, they are also making a few mistakes during the job search process.

I recently spoke with the Director of HR for our online sunglasses company, Terra Kash-Hamilton, to get her opinion on why well qualified graduates are having trouble finding a job after graduation. She shared a few critical errors she sees students and recent graduates making when approaching the job search:

1. Starting the job search too late- There are several students that wait until they have graduated to start searching for a job. It’s never too early to start searching for a job! You should start your job search no later than the beginning of your last semester. Depending on the organization or industry you want to work in, the hiring process can take up to a month. In today’s job market, it can take a few months to even get your foot in the door with an interview. By waiting until graduation to start the job search, there will be a gap on your resume and employers will wonder what you’ve been doing for the past few months.
2. Need to be more proactive- You need to do more than apply for jobs online that you found on different websites and job boards. Employers receive hundreds of applicants for every opportunity they post. You should do everything you can to make sure your application and resume sticks out. Take advantage of your career development center to beef up your resume and write a stellar cover letter. In addition to applying to job boards, Terra mentioned that it’s extremely important to attend job fairs. Career fairs are the best ways for current seniors and recent grads to get their resume into the hands of a recruiter. It’s also a great way for you to introduce yourself in person and put a face to the name.
3. Not being prepared for interviews- Recruiters are shocked when students and recent graduates come to an interview and try to wing it. You did all of the ground work to receive the coveted interview, and then don’t give everything you have into preparing for the interview. Make sure to do your homework on the company before coming into the office. Learn their core values and come prepared with questions that aren’t answered on the company’s website. Although easier said than done, try not to be nervous. Recruiters want fun, open, and relaxed people to be on their team, so do your best to do so. Often times the recruiter can be just as nervous as you are.

Adam Bruk is an online marketing specialist who helps professionals find the best dress socks to accompany their professional wardrobe. When he isn’t busy at work, he enjoys golfing, traveling, and helping friends with interviewing in hopes that they also land a great job.

These days it’s all too common that people have “crises” every several years or so. First, you graduate college, work for a few years, then comes the “quarter-life crisis”. During this phase you may consider getting a graduate degree or a second undergraduate degree. This will allow you to either progress in your previous career, or change careers completely. After this crises comes the mid-life crisis. In this day and age, people are trending towards having more than one midlife crisis. Every 5-10 years they may feel the urge to change careers and get out of their rut.

During the past decade as the economy has wavered up and down, even more people have begun to consider changing careers. This decision may be due to a mid-life crises or forced due to loss of a job. Either way, there are a few things you should take into consideration when you are deciding on the “ifs” and “whats” of a new career.

1. You’ll need to work for it. The job field has grown fierce of late. Even in the medical and educational fields, which continue to grow even during tough economic times, it has been difficult for many to find jobs. If you are considering a career change, make sure you are ready to meet the competitive world of job hunting. You are going to have to do your best in school and learn how to show off any other talents that you have. Whatever you can do to make yourself stand out, do it!
2. Pinpoint your talents. It’s the little things that are really going to make you stand out from other job competitors. If you have a degree in something, you could go take a few certification classes in a related area to make you stand out even more.
3. Be flexible. Being willing to change your home base could become vital to your success in making a career move. And what’s more, you need to learn to accept that you might not get the exact career that you want. You may have to settle for something that’s just close. This can actually be a good thing because it will allow you to further expand your skill set.
4. Be passionate. Make sure that when/if you decide to change careers that you pick something you are truly passionate about. It’s important that you pick a job that is functional and will give you good earning potential and job security. However, you also need to choose something that you enjoy. If you don’t, then you’re going to be right back to yet another mid-life crisis before you’ve even started progressing within the current change.
5. Act like you know what you’re doing. It’s possible that when you apply for new jobs, you may not fully have all the skills necessary. Even if you are a quick learner, many employers might fear hiring someone without proven experience. One thing you can do to allay their fears about choosing you is to act confident. As the old saying goes, “fake it ’til you make it.” With this attitude, you’ll be able to find satisfaction with your new career as you grow and learn new skills.

Natalie Clive writes for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers is a website designed to help prospective students find the best online colleges and degree programs to help them fulfill their career goals.

Congratulations! You landed the job. But before you discuss salary and benefits with your new boss, you may need to do some research and hone your negotiation skills. Negotiation is the effort between two parties to come to a satisfactory agreement. Job applicants and new hires sometimes negotiate for their starting salaries and benefits.

Factors

It is likely that the biggest factors in negotiating your salary will involve supply and demand, your skill levels, and the relationship between the value of your skills and the needs of the employer.

If you are an entry-level worker with little experience and no specialized skills, you may not have a lot of room for negotiation. Most companies have a salary scale and pay all entry-level employees a set amount.

Other factors that affect salary negotiations may include:

The salary scale for that position within the organization

The current economic climate

The size of the company. Large companies may have more money but they usually have more policies, procedures, and bureaucracy. In small companies, there may be more latitude but they may have fewer resources.

Perks. Jobs that come with bonuses, benefits, company cars, tuition reimbursement, etc., sometimes have less flexible salaries because the position provides plenty of other forms of compensation.

Industry trends and the financial situation of the company you are interviewing.

Negotiation Tips

Salary negotiation is not about winning, it is about resolution and compromise. If either side feels they have not negotiated, both sides lose.

Remember, supply and demand and skill levels affect wages. The less experience and the fewer skills you have, the less room you have to negotiate.

Do Your Homework

Your level of education, skills, and experience will likely be a big factor in salary negotiations.

Once you are ready to start negotiating a salary and have a tentative figure, focus on your accomplishments and achievements and determine how they convert to value.

If you think your skill set is worthy of a large salary, make a case for that during the hiring process, in hopes of negotiating a higher salary.

It is likely that the biggest factors in negotiating your salary will involve supply and demand and your skill levels, the relationship between the value of your skills and the needs of the employer.

If you are an entry-level worker with little experience and no specialized skills, you may not have a lot of room for negotiation.

Most companies have a salary scale and pay all entry-level employees a set amount. Companies that are showing a healthy profit and are involved in a growing niche, are more likely to offer higher salaries; so do your homework. Research the company before negotiating your salary.

Justin blogs on a daily basis. Furthermore, he works for a girls costumes company. A company which is known for there girls fairy costumes.

I recently wrote a guide to effective radio advertising for small businesses and it occurred to me that many of the principles of successful advertising can and should be applied to selling yourself when job seeking.

If you’re in the process of finding a new position it might be helpful to think of yourself as ‘the product’ and keep the following points in mind.

What is your Unique Selling Point?

This is probably the most important thing that any advertiser needs to know and convey to their market.  What makes their product or business different to their competitors’ product or business?  Same goes for you.  When applying for a job, chances are there are others with your qualifications.  There are bound to be others with some of your work experience.  So what is your Unique Selling Point?  Do you have a passion outside of work that somehow ties in to the position you are seeking?  Have you worked with charity and has that given you relevant skills?  Are you musical?  Well-travelled?  There is something about you that is unique and that something may just be what makes the job yours over the other applicants.

Know your target market

In the world of advertising, there is really no point in using Gen Y slang to sell retirement housing to seniors.  Similarly, do some research into the company to which you are applying.  Does the company have a conservative culture? If so, ensure you have a traditionally formatted resume and a formal cover note. Is it a creative environment?  Put a little more care into creating an imaginative, eye-catching resume.

Keep it simple

This is a trap that those new to advertising can fall into.  They mistakenly believe that bells, whistles, zany voices and a crowd of thousands is what makes a ‘good ad’.  Sometimes it can, but more often than not, a good, effective ad is one where the message is simple.  That message is then conveyed clearly and not lost in the clutter.  Keep this in mind when putting together your next job application.  You may be extremely proud of the tunnel ball championship you won when you were in the eighth grade but is it relevant to the job you are going for?  Probably not, so leave it out.  It’s clutter, and it could keep your potential employer from seeing your other, more significant, superstar achievements.

Be specific

When advertising, rather than saying ‘we’ve got big bargains’ it is far more effective to say ‘prices start from as low as $20’.  When it comes to creating your job application, be specific.  ‘Managed a large team’ may be impressive, but ‘managed a team of 30 sales representatives’ is better.

Keep it credible

A business that trumpets to the world ‘Closing down sale!  Massive markdowns!  Everything must go!  Never to be repeated deals!’ may get customers through the door.  But how many of those customers will come back when that ‘closing down’ business is still open the following month and having another ‘once in a lifetime’ sale?  That business has destroyed its credibility.

Likewise, when selling yourself in a job seeking situation, absolutely talk yourself up BUT only if you can back up any claims you have made.  Most employers will at the very least run reference checks, so it’s not a good look if they catch you in a lie before you’ve even had an interview.  Further, it may jeopardise your chances with any future positions in the company too.

Remember, you have a fabulous product to sell to potential employers – you!  So keep these tips from the advertising pros in mind and sell, sell, sell.

Dani Bellamy is a professional writer with over 15 years experience in the radio industry.  She is currently writing about the fascinating world of collectable Japanese erasers and other fun things that lurk within pencil cases for www.coolpencilcase.com.

Many workers suffer from problems outside their place of employment which could, if left unattended, impact upon their professional life. Issues such as stress or even mental illness and substance abuse constitute such afflictions. In efforts to combat these problems, which could result in absence or distractions at work, many businesses have sought to implement preventative measures and have looked at programs which aim to support their employees through their issues. Employment Assistant Programs (EAPs) are designed specifically to help employees tackle any of their problems and oftentimes provide confidential access to professional counsellors.

What issues do EAPs cover?

EAPs offer a wide range of help for various personal problems. Not only are they aimed at helping the individual afflicted for the benefit of the business, EAPs also offer support to family members of the employees too. Amongst the many areas that EAPs are willing to help include, but are not limited to, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, financial advice, relocation support, workplace stress management, bereavement and help with healthcare services.

How much do such programmes cost?

For full time employees there is usually no charge at all; EAPs are paid for by businesses and companies to help their employees and to increase productivity in the work place. Aside from the lack of cost, all EAP consultations and referrals are confidential too. There may, however, be slight restrictions on these programs and services for individuals who are not on full time contracts. This could, for example, mean that a part-time employee may only have a limited number of counselling sessions with a counsellor before additional sessions are charged for. To check the details of an individual business’s programme an employee would have to get in touch with their program administrator (whom is usually found in a company’s HR department).

Why do employees provide these services?

Although these services do help those who need them to a large degree, the reason for their implementation is not entirely altruistic. Absences caused by personal issues and lack of concentration caused by similar problems can cause huge drains on a company’s bottom line. It has been figured that offering EAPs works out saving a company money in the long run despite not charging the employees for this service. For every dollar invested in EAPs, according to the United States Department of Labor study, between five and sixteen dollars are saved. These saving come in the form of a lack of absenteeism, down by up to two thirds for treated alcohol accusers, and a one third decrease in the amount of sickness benefits claimed. Similarly work-related accidents and compensation claims have also reduced significantly where EAPs are offered.

Kieron Casey is a BA (Hons) Journalism graduate who blogs regularly on a number of topics including careers, employment and EAPs.

Going to back to work after a prolonged period at home can be a daunting thought. The world of work changes quickly and you might be unfamiliar with the important things that have happened while you have been bringing up your children. It may have been a long time since you sat, armed with your resume, in front of that interview panel, but you should be confident and use the range of skills that you have. Now that you feel you are ready to go back to work, there are some things you can do to prepare yourself for applying and interviewing for your new job.

How to format your resume

For parents returning to work a chronological resume (the most popular kind) is probably not the best one to use. You should use a combination format which lists your skills and then your professional experience. The dates of your employment are not central on your resume which means that the employer will not immediately see the gaps. Your resume will probably only get a minute’s glance, so you will need to make sure that it creates a good impression.

Refine your work history

Think about what you have been doing during the period you have spent out of paid employment. Bringing up your children will have provided you with lots of opportunities that you can include on your resume. You may have been part of a Parent Teacher Association or done some fundraising for your child’s school/nursery. Volunteer work is incredibly valuable in terms of skill building, especially if you took on any roles with responsiblity, such as organising a team. Continuing your education is also important, so if you have been completing evening classes or other study you should include this on your resume. Lastly, if you have done any part-time work or you have been self-employed you should make sure you describe the skills you used. Remember for example, that to be self-employed you need to be motivated to carry out work unsupervised. Always be honest about your work history. If you are not including your period at home on your resume then you should explain this in your covering letter.

Should you document your time at home?

There is no need for you to invent a title for your role at home. Unless you are applying for a job in teaching or a nursery school for example, you shouldn’t need to include your period at home on your resume. Concentrate on including things which have provided you with the new skills or experience that makes you suitable for the kind of jobs you will be applying for.

The interview

Be prepared to be questioned on your gap in employment. You need to be able to explain what skills, if any, you have gained during this time. If you don’t feel you have done any relevant training recently, then you will need to describe the skills you possess that make you suitable for the role. The main thing you need to remember is to be confident about your skills; if you’re not sure you can do the job then your potential boss won’t be either.

Returning to work should be an exciting experience. It may be difficult for you if you have been at home for a long time, but think of going back to work as starting a new chapter. Be prepared for it to be tough and sometimes disappointing. Take any setbacks as opportunities to learn and put your new knowledge into continuing your search for the right job.

Emily Cotton is passionate about getting women who have put their careers on hold to raise kids back into work and sees jobs as an HR administrator as a good way to get your foot in the door of many companies ready to move up within that organisation when opportunities present themselves.

Summer-time has arrived which means students have been granted ultimate freedom until the leaves begin to brown. This may seem like a good time to doss around and sleep until noon, but making the most of your free time can leave you feeling refreshed in preparation for the new academic year. Here are some ideas of how to spice up your summertime.

Volunteer

Rather than applying for random positions which involve volunteering for organisations of little interest to you in a bid to feel a valuable member of society, apply for a charity that supports a cause that you have genuine passion to assist. You’re more likely to enjoy the work and continue your voluntary placement for longer. There are many different volunteering positions available, try to aim for a position which is relevant to your desired career path to gain some valuable experience as well as helping the charity.

Find a summer job

Many online recruitment companies have specialist sections dedicated to finding summer jobs for students. There are a variety of seasonal opportunities ranging from working part time in a local supermarket, to holiday repping abroad in a popular resort. Earning extra cash will allow you to do more activities throughout the summer or save money for future use.

Working abroad for the summer can end up being the working holiday of a lifetime. Many people return to the same resort each year and make valuable friends. You could even get your friends from home to book a holiday in the resort you’re working in and visit you.

Take a well-deserved break

Booking a holiday or vacation of some description just before the start of the new term is a great way to uplift the end-of-summer depression and set you up for the new term. The holiday could be as simple as camping for a weekend in the countryside or a holiday abroad with friends. Having something to look forward to and save cash for can keep excitement fresh and provide a work incentive throughout the summer.

Join a new class

Learn a new skill over the summer by joining a club. Theatre groups, fitness classes and short courses are just some of the many great ways to broaden your social horizons, as well as discovering new passions and talents you never knew you had. Extra-curricular pastimes and hobbies also show personality and indicate the ability to learn different skills for future employment.

Being productive over the summer can leave you feeling ready to jump back into education with a fresh mind after fulfilling your holiday period. Make sure you have an action packed summer and avoid excessive oversleeping!

This guest article was written by Stephanie Staszko on behalf of online recruitment company Blue Octopus.