Top Job Thursday

Hate Desk Jobs? Great Careers for Energetic People

Does the idea of sitting at a desk all day sound like torture? Are you an active person who likes to be on their feet and on the move? Then here are some great career choices for you!

Creative Careers

• Cooking/Catering – Spice things up with this energetic career. Whether you’re cooking or catering, you’ll be on the move in the food service industry.
• Florist/Floral Design – This budding career could be yours. Combine your creativity with your energy to create stunning designs for customers.
• Interior Decorating – Get on a ladder to test some drapes, then compare fabrics for a sofa. Learn design skills that will have both your brain and body in motion.
• Photography – Develop a creative new career. From capturing wedding memories to landscape portraits, photographers enjoy busy days.

Education Careers

• Teacher Aide – Shaping young lives takes time and energy. A teacher aide assists teachers with classroom and clerical duties and more.
• Early Childhood Education –Enjoy the contagious fun of educating preschoolers in this lively and rewarding career.
• Child Day Care Management – A day care is about as energetic as you can get! If you love kids, you’ll love burning off energy through playtime and more.

Healthcare Careers

• Fitness & Nutrition – Like staying in shape? Inspire others to get up and moving just like you with this career field.
• Nursing Assistant – No sitting on this job! Nursing assistants interact with patients all day and are always on the move.
• Pharmacy Assistant – Pharmacy’s are increasingly busy places. Help pharmacists locate medicines, cash out customers, stock the pharmacy and more.
• Physical Therapy Aide – Assist physical therapists by keeping the treatment area clean and well organized, help escort patients and more.
• Veterinary Assistant – Between feeding, bathing, administering medicine and helping with exams, your day will fly by. Plus, you get to enjoy being around the animals.

Law Enforcement Careers

• Criminal Justice/Security – Keeping the public safe requires a lot of energy and can keep you out of an office and out with the public.
• Private Investigator – Investigating often requires you to be on your toes-figuratively and sometimes even literally!

Technical Careers

• Auto Mechanic – Learning the tricks of the trade might help others stay seated in their cars, but you’ll definitely be on the move.
• Electrician – It’s not shocking to learn that an electrician has a physically demanding job. Between wiring, circuit breakers and more, you’ll feel the curren of this exciting career.
• Gardening/Landscaping – Get physical in this career while you also enjoy the outdoors. Enjoy the hands on work and beauty you create.
• Locksmith – The key to a happy career is enjoying what you do. Get fulfillment by helping people to keep their homes and businesses secure.
• Plumbing –From doing pipe-fittings to creating detailed plumbing systems, you’ll flush out all your energy!

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Tip Tuesday

6 Things New Hires Should Do in the First 30 Days

The first weeks on the job for any new hire are overwhelming. There is often an avalanche of introductions, orientation meetings, training sessions, and new hire paperwork and administrative tasks. While these are all important, here are six things new hires should do on their own within their first 30 days to set themselves up for success.

1. Craft your elevator pitch.

You only get one chance to make a first impression. So, before you start introducing yourself to everyone, figure out what you’re going to say when you meet them.
Prepare succinct responses for anticipated questions about what you were hired to do, what company or school you’re coming from, and what your professional qualifications are. Give the people you meet a reason to continue building a relationship with you.

“This allows you to focus on the relationships you’re trying build as opposed to the tasks right away. It’s about getting to know people and letting them get to know you,” says Evelyn Walter, VP of Human Resources at Inspirato.

2. Understand your role and how you will be evaluated.

The responsibilities of the job you were hired for could change by the time you start work. Reach out to your manager about what may have changed, and make sure you have a clear understanding of your current role, responsibilities, and authority before you take on any projects.
In addition, understand how your performance will be evaluated. Lisa Quast, career development consultant and CEO of Career Woman Inc., advises, “Find out what criteria you will be judged against to determine if you are successful in your job. When it comes time for your performance appraisal, you don’t want any surprises, so don’t be afraid to ask your manager to define the requirements for success in the job.”

3. Learn the business.

Before you can begin to contribute to an organization, you need to figure out how the company works. What are the business objectives? What’s the organizational makeup of the company? How does your company do business?
Taking the time to explore the business will help you understand how your work supports departmental and corporate objectives. According to Tracy McCarthy, Senior VP of Human Resources for SilkRoad Technology, that’s the biggest difference between average and exceptional employees.
The exceptional ones are trying to understand before they make decisions or assumptions about what’s going on in the business,” she says.

"The people who ask questions and really seek to understand the business and where they fit in end up being the best employees. The employees who wait for all the information to come to them are going to be average at best.”

4. Interview your boss.

According to Quast, the key to being a successful new employee is helping your boss be successful. Find out what keeps your boss up at night and come up with creative ways to alleviate those worries.
Moreover, you need to establish a positive working relationship with your manager. Find out how he or she wants to communicate with you. For example, does your manager want to meet in person every week for project updates, or would he or she prefer to receive updates less frequently by email?
Also, ask your boss about goals and objectives for the team. Determine how you can use your skills to help the team accomplish those goals.

5. Be ambitious, but have restraint.

You might be eager to start contributing right away and fixing everything wrong you see with the organization. That intention is good, but tread lightly. As a new hire, you won’t have the historical context about why a policy or process may or may not need fixing.
As McCarthy notes, “If you come in and try to make a change and don’t understand why, you might be trying to change the wrong thing. Or you might be giving ‘new’ ideas that have already been done. Ask the questions to seek to understand and then you can be more effective.”
Walter adds, “Be willing to make suggestions, but be careful not to come in guns blazing, calling out all the different things that are broken within your department. You want your team to come to the conclusion of ‘what would we have done without you’ without you sending that message.”

6. Be proactive about your onboarding.

One day of orientation and a meet and greet with your team may be the extent of your company’s onboarding program. If so, be proactive with your managers about their training plan and what you need to accomplish in your first three months on the job.

“Be appropriately aggressive about meeting with your manager, discussing your projects, training, and responsibilities, and creating a meaningful 90-day plan,” says Walter. “Then, be proactive about following up at the end of your 30, 60 and 90 days to review and gauge your success.”

All of these things will require extra time and energy on your part, maybe extend beyond the first 30 days on the job. But asking the right questions, building the right relationships, and learning the ins and outs of the business will help you earn credibility and give you the opportunity to add value to your organization faster.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Making it Big Monday

Starting A New Job -- What You Need To Know To Succeed

In a recent article, 6 Things New Hires Should Do in the First 30 Days, author Jennifer King provides recommendations on what new hires can do to set themselves up for success. For example, King warns, “You only get one chance to make a first impression. So, before you start introducing yourself to everyone, figure out what you’re going to say when you meet them.” Other suggestions include…

• Understand your role and how you will be evaluated
• Learn the business
• Interview your boss
• Be ambitious, but have restraint
• Be proactive about your onboarding

I enjoyed reading Jennifer’s article because the first 30 days on a job are stressful for just about everyone. While some companies provide highly structured and well thought out onboarding processes, other companies handle this fairly loosely with new employees realizing they will need to fend for themselves.

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To Be Successful – STUDY

I have found the key to being successful when starting a new job is to remember the acronym, “STUDY”:

• S = Survey your surroundings.
• T = Take the time to analyze and learn the most important things; this includes the company’s and your department’s strategic plan, goals and objectives, structure, processes, current projects, and your role and key responsibilities.
• U = Understand the people situation: Who are the key resources? Who’s doing what? Why are they doing them? Be sure to introduce yourself to each person in the department individually to make a personal connection.
• D = Do not make hasty decisions. Being new means you will not yet understand the current situation, facts, or internal politics – this is not a good time to make hasty decisions.
• Y = Yes you can! No matter how overwhelmed you feel in your new position – feel like you’re drinking from a fire hose? – just take a deep breath, remain calm, stay focused, and prioritize, prioritize, prioritize.

Overcome 3 Common Mistakes
The three most common mistakes I see newly hired employees making are: (1) not creating a game plan for their first 90 days on the job, (2) not sitting down with their new boss to determine how they can best work together, and (3) not taking the time to understand the company and department’s strategic plan.
To avoid these mistakes:

• Create a 30/60/90 day game plan. This is a document (usually in Excel or Word) that you break into 30-day time increments to capture what you plan to accomplish. Your 30/60/90 game plan should include the key tasks, projects, and initiatives you need to complete, prioritized over your first 90 days on the job. Meet with your manager to ensure he/she shares the same performance expectations and relevant timelines/deadlines.
• Ask your boss, “How can we best work together?” Establish a positive working relationship by learning your manager’s leadership style and preferred method of working and communicating – and then flex yourself to work with their style.
• Ask for key information about the company. Sit down with your manager and have them explain: The company and department’s strategic plans along with strategic goals/objectives, the department’s organization chart and the roles/responsibilities of each person, and the key department projects.

Get Organized
Getting started is all about getting organized. Taking the time to carefully think through and plan out your first 30, 60, and 90 days on the job will help you decrease the stress normally felt when starting a new position. It will also help you earn respect and credibility faster, and, ensure you become as efficient and effective as possible in the shortest amount of time. You can do it!

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Tip Tuesday

Most Common Interview Mistakes

What shouldn't you do when interviewing? Here are the most common job interview mistakes, blunders, and errors a candidate for employment can make.
Unfortunately, it's easy to make these mistakes without even realizing it - and many of them are more common than you might think!Take the time to prepare before your interview, so you don't have to stress out about blunders after it.Read on for the top 10 most common job interview mistakes, and how to avoid making them.

Dress Inappropriately
When you interview a job, it's imperative to look professional and polished. Although your attire may vary based on the position you're applying for - for example, you should wear business casual clothing to an interview for a non-professional job or startup casual garb to an interview at a small startup company - it's important look well-dressed and put together, no matter what the company.

Arriving Late
Everyone knows that first impressions are very important in landing a job, but did you know that you can make a bad first impression before you even arrive at your interview?
Running late not only suggests poor time management skills, but shows a lack of respect for the company, the position and even your interviewer.Go the extra length to make sure that you aren't late, and arrive on time, or even early. Budget your time so that you make it to the interview five to ten minutes early. That way, if something unforeseen comes up on your way over to your interview, you'll have some cushion time.

Bringing a Drink with You
Ditch the coffee or soda before you enter your interview. If you need to fuel up, do it before you get to the interview.
Not only is it unprofessional to enter with a drink in hand, but during your interview, you should be focused on the task at hand: making a good impression, answering questions, maintaining eye contact with your potential employer, and paying attention throughout the entire interviewing process.Having a drink in front of you creates the opportunity for distraction - fiddling with the cup, or missing a question while taking a sip, for example. And although it may be a relatively unlikely possibility, bringing a drink into your interview also gives way to other unsightly accidents - like spilling the drink on the desk, on you, or even your interviewer!

Using Your Phone During the Interview
Before you get to your interview, silence your phone. Texting during your interview is not only rude and disruptive, but it's a pretty clear message to your potential employer that getting the job is not your top priority.
For the same reasons, don't answer calls (and certainly don't make calls!) during the interview. To resist the temptation to check your phone, stow your phone in your bag before the interview.

Not Knowing Anything About the Company
Don't let your potential employer stump you with the question, "What do you know about this company?"
It's one of the easiest questions to ace, if only you do some research before your interview.Background information including company history, locations, divisions, and a mission statement are available in an "About Us" section on most company websites. Review it ahead of time, then print it out and read it over just before your interview to refresh your memory. Also check the company's LinkedIn page and Facebook page, if they have one.

Fuzzy Resume Facts
Even if you have submitted a resume when you applied for the job, you may also be asked to fill out a job application. Make sure you know the information you will need to complete an application including dates of prior employment, graduation dates, and employer contact information.
It's understandable that some of your older experiences may be hard to recall. Review the facts before your interview. It can be helpful to keep a copy of your resume for yourself to refer to during your interview, although certainly don't use it as a crutch.Of course, you should never "fudge" any facts on your resume. The more truthful you are on your resume, the better you will be able to discuss your past experience during your interview.
Not Paying Attention
Don't let yourself zone out during an interview. Make sure you are well-rested, alert and prepared for your interview.
Getting distracted and missing a question looks bad on your part. If you zone out, your potential employer will wonder how you will be able to stay focused during a day on the job, if you can't even focus during one interview.If you feel your attention slipping away, make the effort to stay engaged. Maintain eye contact, lean forward slightly when talking to your interviewer, and make an active effort to listen effectively.While you may have no problem paying attention in a one-on-one interview in a private office, it's harder to stay in tune with the interviewer when you're meeting in a public place.

Talking Too Much
There is nothing much worse than interviewing someone who goes on and on and on... The interviewer really doesn't need to know your whole life story. Keep your answers succinct, to-the-point and focused and don't ramble - simply answer the question.
Also, don't get sidetracked and start talking about your personal life - your spouse, your home life or your children are not topics you should delve into. No matter how warm, welcoming or genial your interviewer may be, an interview is a professional situation - not a personal one.Avoid this mistake by using nonverbal communication to impress your potential employer.

Not Being Prepared to Answer Questions
Your interviewer is probably going to ask you more than just the basics about where you worked, and then. To get a feel of your aptitude for a job, your interviewer is going to take advantage of the allotted time and flesh out everything he or she needs to know about you as an employee.
Don't let yourself be caught off guard. Prepare for your interview by reviewing what questions to expect, and how to answer them.Be prepared with a list of questions to ask the employer so you're ready when you asked if you have questions for the interviewer. Take a look, as well, at the questions you should not ask during a job interview.

Bad Mouthing Previous Employers
Don't make the mistake of badmouthing your boss or coworkers. It's sometimes a smaller world than you think and you don't know who your interviewer might know, including that boss who is an idiot... You also don't want the interviewer to think that you might speak that way about his or her company if you leave on terms that aren't the best.
When interviewing for a job, you want your employer to know that you can work well with other people and handle conflicts in a mature and effective way, rather than badmouthing your coworkers or talking about other people's incompetence.When you're asked hard questions, like "Tell me about a time that you didn't work well with a supervisor. What was the outcome and how would you have changed the outcome?" or "Have you worked with someone you didn't like? If so, how did you handle it?," don't fall back on badmouthing other people. Instead, review how to answer difficult questions.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Making It Big Monday

How to Prepare for a Job Interview

Do you have a job interview on your schedule? Review tips and advice on how to prepare for an interview so you can ace the interview and make a terrific impression on the interviewer.
Here are tips on analyzing the job and making sure the hiring manager knows why you're a good match, researching the company, practice interviewing, what to wear and what to bring to the interview, how to impress during the interview, and how to follow up.

Analyze the Job
An important part of interview preparation is to take the time to analyze the job posting, or job description, if you have it. Analyze what the company is seeking in a candidate.
Make a list of the skills, knowledge, professional and personal qualities that are required by the employer and are critical for success in the job.

Make a Match
When you have created a list of the qualifications for the job, make a list of your assets and match them to the job requirements.
Create a list of up to 10 assets, including skills, certifications, experiences, professional qualifications and abilities, computer skills, and knowledge bases ready to share with the interviewer. Be sure your assets correlate directly with the skills and abilities required by the company.Review your list, and the job requirements, prior to the interview so you're ready to share them during the interview.You'll be ready to answer job specific interview questions designed to determine if you have the knowledge and skills needed to perform the job. Job Specific Interview Questions Research the CompanyBefore you go on a job interview, it's important to find out as much as you can about the company. Company research is a critical part of interview preparation. It will help you prepare to both answer interview questions and to ask the interviewer questions. You will also be able to find out whether the company and the company culture are a good fit for you. Take some time, in advance, to discover as much information as you can about the company. Spend time, as well, tapping into your network to see who you know who can help give you an interview edge over the other candidates. Here's more advice on how to research a company.

Practice Interviewing
Taking the time to practice answering the interview questions you will probably be asked during a job interview will help give you a framework for your responses and will help calm your nerves, because you won't be scrambling for an answer while you're in the interview hot seat.
Practice interviewing with a friend or family member ahead of time and it will be much easier when you're actually in a job interview.Review common job interview question and answers and think about how you will respond so you are prepared to answer.

Get Your Interview Clothes Ready
Don't wait until the last minute to make sure your interview clothes are ready. Have an interview outfit ready to wear at all times, so you don't have to think about what you're going to wear while you're scrambling to get ready for a job interview.
Regardless of the type of job you're interviewing for, that first impression should be be a great one. When dressing for an interview for a professional position, dress accordingly in business attire.
If you're applying for a job in a more casual environment, a store or restaurant, for example, it's still important to be neat, tidy, and well-groomed, and to present a positive image to the employer.
Here's more on what to wear to an interview.
What to Bring to the Interview
It's important to know what to bring to a job interview - a portfolio with extra copies of your resume, a list of references, and a list of questions ask the interviewer..
It's also important what not to bring - your cellphone, a cup of coffee, gum, or anything else other than yourself and your credentials.Here's a list of what to bring to an interview to review.

Get Directions
It's important to know where you need to go for your job interview - ahead of time. Use Google Maps or Mapquest to get directions if you're not sure where you are going.
Program your GPS, if you have one, so you can find the best route to the company. Check on parking, if it's an issue. If you have the time, it's a good idea to do a practice run a day or two before the interview. That way, you'll be sure about where you going and how long it will take to get there. Give yourself a few extra minutes and arrive a little early at the interview.

Practice Interview Etiquette
Proper interview etiquette is important. Remember to greet the receptionist, your interviewer, and everyone else you meet politely, pleasantly and enthusiastically.
During the interview watch your body language - shake hands firmly and make eye contact as you articulate your points.Relax and lean forward a little towards the interviewer so you appear interested and engaged. Don't lean back or slump in your chair. You will look too casual and relaxed. Keep your feet on the floor and your back against the lower back of the chair. Pay attention, be attentive, and look interested. The more positive an impression you make, the better you'll do during the job interview. These job interview etiquette tips will help you make the best impression on the hiring manager.

Listen and Ask Questions
During a job interview, listening is just as important as answering questions. If you're not paying attention, you're not going to be able to give a good response.
It's important to listen to the interviewer, to pay attention, and to take time, if you need it, to compose an appropriate answer.Also, be ready to engage the interviewer. You want there to be a give and take type of conversation, so you're building a relationship with the interviewer rather than just giving rote responses to questions. Have questions of your own ready to ask the interviewer.Towards the end of the interview let the recruiter know that you believe the job is an excellent fit and that you are highly interested.

Follow Up with a Thank You Note
Follow up a job interview with a thank you note reiterating your interest in the job.
Consider your thank you letter as a follow-up "sales" letters. Restate why you want the job, what your qualifications are, how you might make significant contributions, and so on. This thank you letter is also the perfect opportunity to discuss anything of importance that your interviewer neglected to ask or that you neglected to answer as thoroughly, or as well, as you would have liked.

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Top Job Thursday

7 jobs for people who aren’t afraid of confrontation

Are you someone who lives life a little differently than everyone else? Maybe you don’t mind telling somebody they can’t cut in the grocery line. Perhaps you’ve intervened before to settle a friend’s argument. Or maybe you’ve addressed a co-worker who has repeatedly stolen your Diet Coke from the office fridge. Bottom line: You can handle situations where confrontation and stress are certain to occur.

Here are seven jobs for people who aren’t afraid of confrontation. Could you handle one of these jobs?

1. Chefs and head cooks*
Could you handle it? Chefs and head cooks direct kitchen staff and oversee the daily food preparation for their establishment. Most work in tight spaces, with a lot of interaction in a fast-paced environment. Menus can change daily and so can the kitchen team. The customer is always right, even if he sends back the dish you spent 30 minutes preparing. If you can’t handle the heat, this kitchen’s not for you.
Median annual pay: $40,630

2. Emergency medical technicians and paramedics
Could you handle it? EMTs and paramedics respond to medical emergencies first and remain cool under pressure. Rushing to car accidents, responding to 911 calls and providing immediate medical attention are standard in this fast-paced profession. While job training and experience are huge assets to this position, a natural confidence for handling confrontation well is a major plus. Being able to administer help and lead in a chaotic situation could mean the difference between life and death.
Median annual pay: $30,360

3. Human-resources specialists
Could you handle it? Human-resources specialists recruit, screen, interview and place workers at companies. However, they’re best known for handling employee relations and payroll. On a daily basis, you’ll need to manage confrontation, disagreements, ex-employee social-media rants and medical-benefits arguments. Remaining professional and handling the situation calmly are key.
Median annual pay: $52,690

4. Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
Could you handle it? Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists supervise and assist offenders in rehabilitation, working toward a normal, crime-free life. You can help those you work with make positive changes in their lives, and you will need the attitude and ability to enforce rules and expectations. Past offenders may come with a lot of baggage, and you’ll need to inspire them to commit to a new way of life.
Median annual pay: $47,200

5. Registered nurses
Could you handle it? Aside from providing and organizing health care for patients, registered nurses also offer emotional support to patients and their families. Being able to comfort, console and cheer on patients and their loved ones while also controlling chaotic situations is crucial. Emotions will run high, and handling confrontation well makes the patients’, families’ and the nurse’s experience easier.
Median annual pay: $64,690

6. Social workers
Could you handle it? Direct-service social workers help people work through their everyday life issues, while clinical social workers treat mental, behavioral and emotional issues. Both types interact with people who are at high stress levels and dealing with overwhelming issues. Handling confrontation is necessary for patients to progress. Addressing deeper issues with clients starts with confronting their behavioral issues and problem-solving.
Median annual pay: $42,480

7. Umpires, referees and other sports officials
Could you handle it? Umpires and referees preside over competitive athletic events and decide penalties for rule violations. Confrontation will come from all directions: athletes, coaches, fans and spectators will vocalize their opinions on how the game is being officiated. Angry spectators yelling, parents screaming and athletes and coaches disputing your call will be a part of every game, so handling confrontation and remaining fair is necessary.
Median annual pay: $22,480

To view original article CLICK HERE

Top Job Thursday

Top 10 In-Demand Social Media Jobs & Services

1. Social Strategist

Social strategists are generally social media specialists who are in charge of creating the “big picture” behind an organization’s overall social media communications. They decide which social media outlets will be pursued, how much money can be dedicated to social marketing campaigns and design the framework from which an organization will pursue social media from an internal perspective.

2. Community Manager

Community managers are social media specialists that focus their time and attention on the maintenance of the friends and fans that an organization has accumulated. This could include major tasks like developing new polls, comments, surveys and discussions or relatively minor considerations like moderating comments and approving new posts. The greater the membership or subscriber base is, the more time and effort this will take.

3. Social Media Analytics

One of the most difficult aspects of monetizing social media stems from the fact that it can be difficult to measure the impact and results that originate from a specific campaign. Recently, there have been a number of innovative tools and programs that have been introduced into the social media sphere that empower the organization at the helm to track every user, evaluate which poll questions get the best results and ultimately how many of the social media network members are making the conversion to hot prospects or customers.

4. Social Media Design Specialist

Things look different on social media website than they do on a personally branded website. Because of this, special design skills and insights are necessary to insure that a business is able to keep their brand messaging and imaging cohesive. Add to this the fact that the design constraints vary between Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+ and you can easily translate building social media integrated experiences into a full-time job.

5. Social Media Developer

Social media developers are chiefly in control of deciding which features and add-ons are incorporated into the overall marketing strategy. Additionally, it is the social media developers job to insure that from a user-experience point of view, all sites link and integrate well together for a seamless transition from your blog to your website to your Twitter feed and Facebook fan page. Developers will often work in conjunction with a design specialist team, so having both of these skills can give you distinct edge in the marketplace.

6. Content Programmer

Businesses that are serious about maximizing the value of social media don’t approach content creation haphazardly. Just like many newspapers and magazines, savvy social media players are creating editorial calendars that allow them to build up the content that will be distributed both internally and externally. Writers with a strong background in project management and social media can translate these skills into a lucrative career.

7. Social Influencer Relations

All fans and followers are NOT created equal. As a matter of fact, there will be certain members in every following who qualify as “social influencers”. These individuals generally have a massive following in the social media sphere or are well-known and established bloggers. Businesses that want to use these highly influential voices to their greatest advantage take time to court them and curry favor. Social media experts with any type of public relations backgrounds can turn this into a highly specialized service and build an impressive personal and professional network along the way.

8. Social Reputation Management

Unless a business’s social media profiles are set up so that comments and interactions are submitted for approval before posting, disgruntled or mischievous posters can use their own walls and profiles against them. Just think about what can be said about businesses or organizations on other people’s profiles, blogs or websites. If you are a Boolean buff or have incredible Internet research skills and know the ins and outs of digging up the dirt on an organization or their company members, reputation management could spell success for your financial future.

9. Fan Finder

If you possess stellar list building techniques and strategies it won’t be hard to market yourself as a Fan Finder. The typical small business owner hardly has the time to invite friends and deliberately grow their followers. Some of them barely have time to sit down and eat lunch! While there are few jobs on the market as a Friend Finder, it is a potentially lucrative service you can offer as a self-employed pro.

10. Social Bookmarking Specialist
This is another service versus “job”. Social bookmarking is incredibly popular. One of the most popular social bookmarking hubs out there is StumbleUpon. However, there are hundreds of others available. A quick visit to the following website http://bluesearchmarketing.com/social-bookmarking-sites-list/ will show that there are dozens upon dozens of them out there. Even if you just picked the top ten or fifteen, you could easily offer this service as a freebie to draw in new business into one of the other social media services on your menu.

To view original article CLICK HERE

Tip Tuesday

How to Manage a Bad Boss
Many employees have to deal with bad bosses at one time or another during the course of their careers. Bad bosses may behave like bullies, yell at or insult employees, provide incomplete or confusing instructions to employees, fail to train employees properly or otherwise make it difficult for employees to perform their jobs well. Bad bosses can make work unpleasant and lead to excessive job stress. Managing a bad boss properly can minimize conflict and job stress.

Instructions

1. Ask your boss questions if you are not sure what tasks he wants you to complete or how he wants them done. Bad bosses sometimes provide unclear instructions and then get angry if employees don't do things correctly. Ask for clarification whenever needed. If you don't know how to perform a task correctly, ask for instructions. Ask for additional training if needed.
2. Ask your boss to prioritize tasks if he gives you a number of tasks to complete and you are not sure which ones he wants done first. Bad bosses sometimes give employees more tasks than they can reasonably complete within a given time period, or ask employees to begin new tasks before they've had time to complete previously assigned tasks. Make sure you understand which tasks your boss considers most important.
3. Talk about difficult issues with your boss when he is calm. If your boss gets angry, yells or acts like a bully, wait until he calms down to discuss the matter. If your boss insists on carrying on a conversation when he is angry and yelling, appeal to his desire to be heard; Leonard Felder, psychologist and author of "Does Someone at Work Treat You Badly?," suggests telling your boss that you want to hear what he's saying and asking him to please slow down so you can listen carefully.
4. Talk about difficult issues with your boss when you are calm. If you feel angry or want to say things that might make the situation worse, wait until you calm down to discuss the matter.
5. Set appropriate limits with your boss. For instance, if your boss seems to expect you to work overtime frequently without pay, politely let your boss know that you need to leave work on time but will deal with whatever tasks he wants done first thing in the morning.
6. Go over your boss's head for assistance dealing with problems only as a last resort. In severe cases, management should step in and deal with a problem boss. However, your boss may resent that and it may lead to a strained relationship with your boss in the future.

Making it Big Monday

Tips For Young Professionals Starting A New Job

Starting your first “real” job can be nerve-racking. You’re probably excited to have landed a job – but also scared about meeting new colleagues, learning office etiquette, and making the transition from your college classrooms to your corporate cubicle (or whatever your new workspace may consist of). The days of rolling out of bed and running to class in whatever sweats you can find, taking naps between Spanish 101 and college algebra, and staying up until 2 a.m. doing yesterday’s assignments are over. That doesn’t fly in the professional world.
Starting a new job requires some preparation and lifestyle changes. “A lot of people look at getting the job offer as the finish line, but really it’s the start of another run,” says Rosemary Haefner, the vice president of human resources at Careerbuilder.com.

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Here are some tips for young professionals starting new careers:

Look professional. Start by recreating your wardrobe and sprucing up your appearance. Dress appropriately for the job you’ve landed. Remember that first impressions can be lasting. If you’re dressed to impress, you probably will. “One size doesn’t fit all,” Haefner says. “People assume ‘professional’ means a suit, but it depends on the company or industry.” Haefner encourages new employees to ask what people typically wear, before your first day. “You don’t want to show up in a suit if everyone wears jeans,” she says. But it’s better to be a bit overdressed the first few days.

Relax. If you exhibit apprehension, you may not be taken seriously. Be aware of your nervous habits and try to control them. If you ramble when you’re nervous, make it a point to limit your chatter.

Be confident. Don’t be narcissistic, but show your colleagues that you deserve to be there. Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts, and believe in your ability to succeed in your new position. One way to exhibit confidence: invite your colleagues to lunch. Haefner says this tactic shows that you aren’t the typical quiet new employee.

Be innovative. From day one, confirm that you bring something new to the table. If this applies to your new position, be sure to offer your boss or colleagues ideas for how to enhance the product or company. Most young professionals in a new job take the back seat the first few days, but Haefner suggests jumping right in. “Be there to contribute, or to volunteer for a project when nobody else raises their hand.”

Separate work and home. Once you’re settled in, avoid making personal calls, sending personal emails or taking long lunch breaks. Show that you are dedicated to your new job and that you want to be there. If you have nothing to do, offer to take on another task or help a colleague who looks overloaded. Not only will you impress the boss, but the days will fly by.

Communicate. Always be in touch and in tune. Speak up and ask questions, make suggestions and periodically check in with your boss. “Listening is just as important as speaking,” Haefner says. “Start a conversation with your boss to ask how you’re doing.”

Challenge yourself. Just because you did some research before your interview doesn’t mean you know enough to be successful there. Haefner says it can take awhile to get to know the company itself, but it is important to do research, look back at old projects, and find out what has worked for the company or your team in the past. Once you’ve had the opportunity to become acquainted with your new workplace, evaluated the work environment, observed your fellow employees, and surveyed the office protocol, work flow and discourse, you should set goals for yourself.

Getting through the first few days, weeks or months in a new job is tough, but remember to focus on what you want to get out of the experience.

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