The euphoria of getting a new job can sometimes be overcome by apprehension about what comes next. After all, you’re “the new kid on the block,” and there’s much to learn–about your new job duties and much more. But here are some things you can do to make the process go smoother.

1. Dress for success. You’ll want to look professional. Dress on the conservative side for the first week. Once you’ve got a good idea of what’s appropriate and what isn’t, you can adjust your style.

2. Be on time. You never want to start your new job by being late, so make sure you allow plenty of time for your commute. Plan the most direct route, but be aware of alternates in case of an accident or other traffic snarls.

3. Get to know people. Be polite and friendly to everyone you meet, whether it’s the receptionist or the general manager. Introduce yourself, smile and make eye contact. Make a positive first impression. Ask about your coworkers’ interests.

4. Ask questions. From “Where’s the bathroom?” to “Which tool do I use for this task?” It’s OK to ask for help! Your coworkers will feel good about doing whatever they can to assist you. Let them. It’s always better to have to ask the right way to do something than to try to figure it out on your own, mess up, and have to do it all over again.

5. Remember your place. You may feel “qualified” to tell your new coworkers that there’s a better way to do something, but be patient. Every workplace has its own way of doing things. Never say “That’s not how we did it at my old company!” (You’re coworkers may invite you to return to your old company!) Be patient and become an accepted member of the team before you make suggestions for improvements.

6. Be careful about office politics. Pay attention to the grapevine, but don’t contribute to it. Do not accept at face value what one employee says about another; form your own opinions based on your own interactions and judgment. Never complain about anyone at your old job or your new one. Figure out who has the real authority to give you work to do, and who is trying to take advantage of your newness.

Above all, keep a positive attitude, do your work to the best of your ability, and keep an open mind. Before you know it, you’ll be climbing the career ladder and giving advice to newcomers!

Written by Bonnie Lowe

Source: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com/article33.html

Like the old saying, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life,” it’s never a bad time to start moving your career in a better direction. Here are 10 New Year’s resolutions to help.

Pay Attention in Class

Treat every workday like a school day. Be sure you learn something and use it to make yourself more productive. It doesn’t have to relate to your skills set. It may be as simple as understanding how to work with specific peers or emotional intelligence. Take mental notes. Don’t sleepwalk through the day.

Look for the Next Rung

You need to excel at your job. This is how you gain credibility. But understanding your next step is key to career happiness. Career pathing is critical to remaining engaged on the job. Schedule discussions with your manager to get clarity on the next challenge. If you don’t get it on your team or in your company, it may be time to look elsewhere.

Understand Company Goals

Make sure you understand how your job contributes to your company’s business objectives. Are you in a revenue-generating role? A brand-awareness role? Is your mission to delight the customer? Knowing how your job fits into the big picture will give you inspiration and a sense of accomplishment — and will help you understand your job’s impact.

Be Ethical

Bring integrity to your job. Whether you’re running the company or cleaning its bathrooms, be honest in all you do. Don’t call in sick just to get a day off — that’s stealing. Put in an honest day’s work. Be accountable. If you’re working remotely, be sure you are. Do what you say you’re going to do. Honesty and reliability mean a lot to your manager.

Stay Fit

OK, this was probably on your last New Year’s resolutions list, but that’s because it’s so important. Try to break a sweat for 20 minutes, three days a week. Go for a walk at lunch. Join a gym. Lift weights. A healthy body makes a healthy mind. Exercising increases blood flow to the brain and gives you ideas. You’ll be more productive at work, and best of all, you’ll feel better.

Stretch Your Role

Occasionally think how you can go above and beyond. Are there projects outside your defined role you could help with? Be proactive; ask to join. Come up with your own ideas, and work with your manager to implement them. If you’re a hamster, step off the wheel and poke your head out of the cage. Stretch a little. This won’t go unnoticed.

Manage Up

Make sure you and your manager are in firm agreement on what you’re doing. Be proactive and get on his calendar to ensure you’re meeting or exceeding expectations. Don’t assume he’s paying close attention. There are bad managers. If there’s a disconnect between what you’re doing and what your manager wants, you’re partly to blame. Don’t wait until review time.

Manage Across

Even if you work primarily alone, be sure to make time to understand your peers’ roles and how they go about their jobs. Show an interest. Don’t just choose a few friends and become part of a clique. High school is over. You never know when you may need people — or be reporting to them.

Communicate

Don’t leave people waiting for answers. If you’re in an email environment, return emails promptly. Let people know what you’re doing. If you’re working on a project, always ask yourself who needs to know about it, then tell them. Talk to people; give them a heads up. And when someone helps you out, be sure to thank him. It’s amazing this even needs to be on a list, but bad communicators abound. Don’t be one of them.

Make Time for Play

Have fun. Work hard, but smile while you’re doing it. No one likes a grump. Approach each day with a positive spirit and stay loose. Enjoy your family and friends as well. Make time for them — and you. It’s called work-life balance. All work and no play makes life a chore.

By Dan Miller
Source: Article from Monster.com http://career-advice.careerone.com.au/job-hunting-strategy/getting-started/ten-career-resolutions-for-the-new-year/article.aspx

FITTING IN

The length of time it takes you to adjust to a new job varies from person to person, and job to job. While you may fit in immediately at some jobs, it may take a little longer in others. And some people seem to fit in immediately wherever they go. All you can do is try your best, and do your job the best way you know how. The following tips may help:

·                    Ask questions. You’re new and it’s better to do something right the first time around than have to do it over.

·                     Smile a lot and be friendly. Get to know your co-workers and what their interests are.

·                     Use your lunch hours to get together with your current co-workers, although it may be tempting to meet up with your former ones.

·                     Figure out who has the authority to give you work to do and who is just trying to have you do theirs. I worked with a woman who would try to push off her work on any unsuspecting person. It took a while to realize that she didn’t have the authority to hand out assignments.

·                     Pay attention to the grapevine, but don’t contribute to it. You don’t want to gain a reputation as a gossip monger.

·                     Don’t complain about your boss, your office mate, any co-workers, or your previous job.

·                     Continue to arrive early and don’t rush out the door at the end of the day.

·                     Volunteer for projects that will help you get noticed, but don’t neglect any assigned work.

·                     Keep a positive attitude and an open mind. Your life has changed and it will take getting used to.

By Dawn Rosenberg McKay, About.com Guide

Source: http://careerplanning.about.com/cs/firstjob/a/new_job_3.htm

Life changes and career moves can be overwhelming.  You’re not sure what you want to do, where to do it, or how to start. The consequences of ‘getting it wrong’ can last a lifetime.  Yet, the alternative of staying where you are is at best disheartening, at worst intolerable.

So, if you’ve been thinking about your career, feel like you are not progressing in your current job, or wondering what your next move is, rest assured you are not alone! Here are a few things to consider before making any significant career changes.

1. Remain positive
Perseverance is critical. Employers hire people who are confident, show enthusiasm and demonstrate a positive attitude. Rather then considering the negatives of your past employer, use it as learning experience and be insightful about what you gained from it.

2. Utilise your network
Despite the multitude of job sites on the internet, as well as the local and national newspapers, the fact remains that many job opportunities are never advertised. A large number of vacant positions in Australia are filled through an informal network rather than formal advertising. Although there’s no single magic solution to uncover opportunities within the “hidden” job market, the key is to be proactive. Keep in touch with recruiters and update them on your progress. Speak to friends, family members, current and/ or past colleagues, clients, or employers. Business and social networking events are also a great way to unearth potential vacancies.

3. Do a self-assessment
Identify your skills and have the confidence to clearly and persuasively articulate them to potential employers. You can do this by reflecting on yourself and your experiences to highlight core skills, goals, knowledge, attributes and motivations. You will also benefit from listing three key achievements in your recent positions.  This will allow you to think about what contribution you made to the organisation. It’s also a great tool to have up your sleeve in an interview.

Aspects to consider include: productivity, responsibility, time management, communication skills, team work and relationship building. Consider the competencies utilised or developed in the different areas. Then determine how these experiences and skills could be applied to the industry and positions you are interested in. Identify any gaps and what possible actions you could take to address them, such as signing up to do a short course.

4. Develop your personal brand
The career savvy are now thinking of themselves as products and devising personal brands that get them noticed. Think about what it is that makes you unique to others. What do you stand for? What are your distinct traits that would add value to an organisation? Be as creative as you like and have some fun with it! Consider your personality, appearance, competencies, and differentiation, and what will best communicate your unique message. Your personal brand should be an accurate reflection of who you are.

5. Do your research
Identify two or three sectors you would ideally like to work in and do your market research. Check out their suppliers, distributors, customers and competitors. Check if there are any small businesses growing within these sectors. This can include scanning the net for industry publications, or newspapers for articles about companies that are expanding, new developments, government tenders or awards. Make contact before new jobs are advertised.

By Fiona Wainrit

Source: http://career-advice.careerone.com.au/career-development/career-change/transitioning-careers-to-success/article.aspx

Let’s face it: You’re never going to see eye-to-eye with everyone you work with. There will always be minor disagreements and differences of opinion. The workplace is supposed to be a nice mix of people – so the occasional conflict is to be expected. The way you handle conflict in the workplace can have an enormous impact on how you are viewed as an employee. It can effect your entire career and it can say a lot about your character. Take some time to learn the basics of “dispute resolution” and follow these tips:

Conflict Resolution Tip 1: Always Be Respectful

No matter what the other party throws at you, remember that you are in the workplace. Remain a calm, cool professional and you will always stay one step ahead of the game. Be assertive but stay polite and professional at all times. Address conflict with an attitude of sincere desire to improve the situation. Don’t confront it with negativity and a desire to complain.

Conflict Resolution Tip 2: Be Solution Oriented

When addressing conflict, do not simply state the problem and your frustration with it. Instead, offer possible solutions. Look at what is causing the situation and try to find things you can do to improve it. An attitude focused on resolution will invite others to communicate more openly.

Conflict Resolution Tip 3: Show Willingness to Negotiate

Be open to the idea of compromise and let the other person know this. Before you approach the conversation, be confident in your stance and know what you are willing to negotiate on and what you feel strongly should not be compromised. Do your best to be flexible. Look for a way to come to a conclusion that satisfies both parties.

Conflict Resolution Tip 4: Ask a Neutral, Third Party to Mediate

If you feel you aren’t getting anywhere by speaking directly with the person you are experiencing conflict with, feel free to invite a neutral, third party to help mediate. They often can help facilitate a balanced conversation and a resolution that both parties find acceptable. If nothing else, at least both parties end up feeling they have been heard.

Conflict Resolution Tip 5: Be Willing to Back Down

Consider what is important about the conflict. Many times, people get caught up wanting to be “right” and they don’t realize how trivial the disagreement is. Consider the consequences of continuing to argue. If it appears that your relationship with the person may be seriously and permanently damaged, you may want to re-evaluate your stance. If this is a person you ultimately respect and value your relationship with, you may want to consider backing down in an effort to keep the peace. Don’t let your ego get in the way. You don’t want to lose a person you care about over something that, in the grand scheme of things, is irrelevant.

Article by: Christine Scivicque

Source: http://office-politics.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_handle_conflict_at_work

In any field, you will find a variety of personality types that work within it. While this can create an innovative working environment filled with talented individuals, it can also cause stress, tension, and bad feelings. Depending on your own personality, you may be able to work with a variety of different types, while others may not. If you have had some difficulty in the past, you can learn from mistakes you or others have made so your contribution to a negative work environment is kept to a minimum.

TREAT PEOPLE WITH RESPECT

Even if you are not always treated with respect, it is important for you to always act professional and keep your frustration to yourself. Gossiping about others, making jokes about others, or confronting those who are rude or who don’t take their jobs seriously is not a good idea. This will only lead to more angry feelings and negative attitudes.

Instead, understand that many times coworkers are not upset with you; they are reacting to an event that has happened in their personal or work life. It is best to ignore it and go on with your day. If the problem persists, then you can talk to your supervisor, or file a complaint with HR.

WORKING IN GROUPS

When working on a group project, you may have to work with many different personality types. This may be tricky, but there are ways to work together to get the project completed on time. When you are assigned your part, focus on your tasks and don’t worry about what other people have to do. If they can’t complete their tasks on time, the project manager will handle it.

If you are the project manager or leader, make sure when talking within a group that everyone gets their turn. While not all ideas will be used in a project, making people feel inadequate about their ideas is not professional. Lead the group in productive discussion and try to keep personal feelings out of the discussion.

AVOIDING GOSSIP

In every workplace there will be gossip. While it may appear fun to hear the latest news about a colleague, you should avoid contributing to it. Getting caught gossiping can cause problems with other colleagues and may earn you a reputation of being a gossip, a liar or someone who isn’t trustworthy.

Working with others is not always easy. But if you keep your focus on your job, you should be able to deal with different personality types. When confronted with a potentially bad situation, talk to HR or your supervisor so you can resolve any issues as quickly as possible.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Millet

Behavioural interviews are becoming an increasingly common style of interview.  No longer utilised for more senior and executive roles, they are now being utilised to assess candidates across an assortment of industries.

A behavioural interview consists of questions that require candidates to reflect on past experiences and present specific real-life examples to demonstrate their skills and competencies.

“The theory behind it is that the best predictor of future performance is past performance.” “Behaviours tend to be linked to competencies”.

Some typical examples of some behavioural based interview questions:

“Give me an example of a stressful situation you dealt with that demonstrates your coping skills?”
“Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult co-worker or customer?”
“Tell me about a time when you took the initiative/lead to head off a problem?”
“Tell me a time when you failed and the lesson you learnt from the experience?”

A question could also have multiple parts. For example:
“Give me an example of a time when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with?

What the interviewer is looking for here is how accurately you state the situation and how well you outline the situation.  In what way was this person difficult? How did the relationship progress? What did you learn from the experience?

Other behaviours/competencies an interviewer might want to test include leadership, analytical skills, ability to work well under pressure, drive, self-discipline, level of motivation, initiative, verbal and communication skills.

The best preparation is to write out some questions and rehearse answers in front of a mirror or with a friend.  Go through your resume to refresh your memory about your professional history. You will need to reflect back and then outline these experiences relatively quickly and in sufficient detail.  In the event that you are unable to identify a work example, you can use experiences outside of work, such as community work or sports, so long as it will clearly demonstrate your point.

A suggested method to adopt in preparation for and during an interview is the “SAO” method – Situation/Action/Outcomes. Using the previous example of dealing with a difficult person at work:

Situation: Outline the situation where you were working with a person who was “difficult” including why they were difficult and how this impacted on you and what you were trying to achieve in your job.

Action: Outline the steps you took to resolve the situation.

Outcomes: Outline the benefits or consequences of the action that you took. You could also discuss what you learnt from the experience.

Proper preparation, research and homework will ensure that you have all the answers.

Source: KateSoutham, Editor of careerone.com.au

http://career-advice.careerone.com.au/job-interview-tips/interview-questions/behavioural-interviews-explained-20071204/article.aspx

When it comes to applying for a position, cover letters have quite often taken a back seat to the resume, or are a last thought.   The fact is that many employers are now treating cover letters as mini job applications in their own right.  

Cover letters are now an important indicator to Employers on whether or not a job advertisement has been read and whether a candidate is genuinely interested in the position they have applied for.  

Cover letter mistakes are costly because they reduce the likelihood that your resume will be read and spoil your chances of gaining an interview.  The key is to make a lasting first impression and avoid some of these common cover letter no-nos:

1. Skipping a cover letter entirely
To prevent unnecessary disappointment, always include a cover letter with your job application, unless the application instructions specifically request you don’t.

2. Opening with an offensive salutation 
In order to use the most appropriate salutation, you need to discover exactly who to address your cover letter to – and that means doing your homework. Once you’ve determined the contact person’s name, you’ll be able to work out whether to address them as Mr, Mrs, or Ms. If in doubt, always use a gender-neutral salutation.

3. Ignoring grammar and spelling mistakes
Sometimes it’s hard to know what changes to make to a cover letter when you’ve been working hard on it. Before you send your cover letter to a potential employer use the spell-check feature available with most word processing software; then ask a friend to have a look at it with fresh eyes and to suggest improvements.

4. Leaving out the job title or job reference
When a potential employer reads your cover letter, they want to know what job you’ve applied for. Failing to quote the job title or job reference in your cover letter suggests an inability to follow instructions, and can often result in your application not being processed.

5. Addressing the wrong person or company
Even first-class cover letters can end up in the rejection pile if they never reach the right recipient. So, before you post or email your job application, always set a little extra time aside to check the contact details on your cover letter against those provided in the job ad.

6. Being too casual or familiar
To make sure that your cover letter hits the right note, you need to use the right style, tone and language. So when it comes to crafting your masterpiece, always be formal, professional, and concise. But don’t think ‘formal’ has to mean ‘stiff’: while using text message shorthand is likely to result in outright rejection, adding a little personality can make your cover letter read better.

7. Attaching an informal photo
While you might have fallen in love with that hot party snap and have convinced yourself that your cover letter won’t be as effective without it, if it would be right at home among the clubbing pages of your favourite street press, then think carefully before you attach it to your cover letter - especially if an accompanying photo wasn’t requested.

8. Spamming multiple employers
No potential employer wants to see a string of competitors’ email addresses at the top of your cover letter – it makes your job application feel lazy and directionless even if it’s not. Hiding potential employers’ email addresses by listing them in the Bcc field can also backfire. Instead, personalise each message and email one employer at a time.

9. Using an unprofessional email address
If your personal email address is sexxxylicious_81@yahoo.com or similar, consider setting up an email account with a more professional name for the purpose of job-hunting. Also, displaying your full name to email recipients is preferable to displaying only your first name or nickname, and make sure your custom email signature is professional – these are all the little extras that potential employers notice.

10. Not revising an old cover letter
If you haven’t updated your cover letter in the past year or when your responsibilities or qualifications changed, it’s very important that you update it before you apply for your next job. This is one of the biggest blunders that potential employers will be on the lookout for; an out-of-date cover letter suggests indifference or lack of attention to detail, and will ultimately lose you a chance at the job

Source: http://content.mycareer.com.au/advice-research/cover-letter/cover-letter-mistakes-to-avoid.aspx

Finding creativity in your job can not only help your career, it can make it much more enjoyable, according to David Talamelli.

“The jobs we have have their ups and downs but they make up a large portion of our day, our time and our energy. Ideally we should enjoy what we do and if you are in a job to just ‘pay the bills’ it does not have to necessarily be a bad thing,” he said.

Doing the same tasks each day will make you an expert on those things, but it could also become monotonous over time. David recommends talking to management about creative outlets that could help keep you passionate about your job and also benefit the company in the process by finding new ways of doing things.

David’s suggestions include tweeting a message or posting a blog article because his creative outlet is writing, but your ideas could include new customer service ideas or team building days outside of the office.

“Yes there are guidelines/processes in most companies and yes employees need to work within these guidelines, but being in the corporate world does not mean you cannot express your individuality and let that flow through in your job,” he said.

Source – ‘Career Longevity: Finding Creativity in Your Job’ by David Talamelli

http://blogs.oracle.com/jobsatoracle/2010/01/career_longevity_find_creativi.html