Fun Fact Friday

150 Funniest Resume Mistakes, Bloopers and Blunders Ever

People write the strangest things on their resumes, sometimes downright hysterical. Why should only recruiting managers get to laugh at these? The Top 10 are at the bottom. Enjoy!

1. “Career break in 1999 to renovate my horse”
2. “1990 – 1997: Stewardess – Royal Air Force”
3. Hobbies: “enjoy cooking Chinese and Italians”
4. “Service for old man to check they are still alive or not.”
5. Cleaning skills: “bleaching, pot washing, window cleaning, mopping, e.t.c”
6. “Job involved…counselling clientele on accidental insurance policies available”
7. “2001 summer Voluntary work for taking care of the elderly and vegetable people”
8. “I’m intrested to here more about that. I’m working today in a furniture factory as a drawer”
9. “I am about to enrol on a Business and Finance Degree with the Open University. I feel that this qualification will prove detrimental to me for future success.”
10. “Time is very valuable and it should be always used to achieve optimum results and I believe it should not be played around with”
11. “I belive that weakness is the first level of strength, given the right attitude and driving force. My school advised me to fix my punctuality…”
12. Candidate included a letter from his mother.
13. Candidate stated the ability to persuade people sexually using her words.
14. Candidate wrote résumé as a play – Act 1, Act 2, etc.
15. Candidate included naked picture of himself.
16. “Skills: Strong Work Ethic, Attention to Detail, Team Player, Self Motivated, Attention to Detail”
17. Woman who sent her résumé and cover letter without deleting someone else’s editing, including such comments as “I don’t think you want to say this about yourself here”
18. “an applicant ghosted a headshot as the background to her resume”
19. Other Interests: “Playing with my two dogs (They actually belong to my wife but I love the dogs more than my wife)”.
20. “One applicant used colored paper and drew glitter designs around the border”
21. Hobbies: “getting drunk everynight down by the water, playing my guitar and smoking pot”
22. Why Interested in Position: “to keep my parole officer from putting back me in jail”
23. A woman had attached a picture of herself in a mini mouse costume
24. Hobbies: “Drugs and girls”.
25. Under “job related skills” – for a web designer – “can function without additional oxygen at 24,000 feet”.
26. My sister-in-law misspelled the word “proofreading” in her skill set.
27. The objective on one recent resume I received stated that the applicant wished to pursue a challenging account executive position with our rival firm.
28. Objective: “career on the Information Supper Highway”
29. Experience: “Stalking, shipping & receiving”
30. “I am great with the pubic.”
31. A candidate listed her e-mail address as pornstardelight@*****.com
32. The applicant listed her name as Alice in the resume but wrote Alyce on the onsite application.
33. One candidate’s electronic resume included links to her homepage, where the pictures were of her in the nude.
34. “…sent out my resume on the back side of a draft of a cover letter to another firm…”
35. “My duties included cleaning the restrooms and seating the customers.”
36. One applicant for a nursing position noted that she didn’t like dealing with blood or needles.
37. Achievements: “Nominated for prom queen”
38. I once received a resume with a head and shoulders picture in the top left of the first page. The picture was of a lion’s head, wearing a coat, shirt, and tie.
39. a resume… was printed on the back of the person’s current employer’s letterhead.
40. One resume that came across my desk stated how the individual had won a contest for building toothpick bridges in middle school.
41. A resume… had several grease stains and a smudge of chocolate on it
42. Hobbies: “Having a good time”
43. Candidate explained a gap in employment by saying it was because he was getting over the death of his cat for three months.
44. Candidate’s hobbies included sitting on the levee at night watching alligators.
45. Candidate explained an arrest by stating, “We stole a pig, but it was a really small pig.”
46. Candidate included family medical history.
47. “nine-page cover letter accompanied by a four-page résumé”
48. “One applicant tried to make an impression by using four different fonts, three ink colors and a variety of highlighting options on her résumé”
49. “Revolved customer problems and inquiries.”
50. “Consistently tanked as top sales producer for new accounts.”
51. “Planned new corporate facility at $3 million over budget.”
52. “Seeking a party-time position with potential for advancement.”
53. “I often use a laptap.”
54. “Able to say the ABCs backward in under five seconds.”
55. “I am a wedge with a sponge taped to it. My purpose is to wedge myself into someone’s door to absorb as much as possible.”
56. “Finished eighth in my class of ten.”
57. “Received a plague for Salesperson of the Year.”
58. “Reason for leaving last job: maturity leave.”
59. “Failed bar exam with relatively high grades.”
60. “Am a perfectionist and rarely if if ever forget details.”
61. “It’s best for employers that I not work with people.”
62. “Let’s meet, so you can ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ over my experience.”
63. “I have an excellent track record, although I am not a horse.”
64. “You will want me to be Head Honcho in no time.”
65. “I have become completely paranoid, trusting completely no one and absolutely nothing.”
66. “Personal interests: donating blood. Fourteen gallons so far.”
67. “Marital status: often. Children: various.”
68. “I am loyal to my employer at all costs..Please feel free to respond to my resume on my office voice mail.”
69. “Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store.”
70. Job Duties: “Answer phones, file papers, respond to customer e-mails, take odors.”
71. Interests: “Gossiping.”
72. Favorite Activities: “Playing trivia games. I am a repository of worthless knowledge.”
73. Skills: “I can type without looking at thekeyboard.”
74. Employer: ” Myself; received pay raise for high sales.”
75. Objective: “I want to play a major part in watching a company advance.”
76. Experience: “Chapter president, 1887-1992.”
77. Experience: “Demonstrated ability in multi-tasting.”
78. Experience: “I’m a hard worker, etc.”
79. Languages: “Speak English and Spinach.”
80. Reason for leaving: “I thought the world was coming to an end.”
81. Additional skills: “I am a Notary Republic.”
82. Objective: “So one of the main things for me is, as the movie ‘Jerry McGuire’ puts it, ‘Show me the money!’”
83. Skills: “I have integrity so I will not steal office supplies and take them home.”
84. Objective: “To hopefully associate with a millionaire one day.”
85. Skills: “I have technical skills that will take your breath away.”
86. Qualifications: “I have guts, drive, ambition and heart, which is probably more than a lot of the drones that you have working for you.”
87. Objective: “I need money because I have bills to pay and I would like to have a life, go out partying, please my young wife with gifts, and have a menu entrée consisting of more than soup.”
88. Qualifications: “Twin sister has accounting degree.”
89. Experience: “Have not yet been abducted by aliens.”
90. Skills: “Written communication = 3 years; verbal communication = 5 years.”
91. Objective: “I would like to work for a company that is very lax when it comes to tardiness.”
92. Education: “I possess a moderate educatin but willing to learn more.”
93. Education: “Have repeated courses repeatedly.”
94. Salary requirements: “The higher the better.”
95. Salary desired: “Starting over due to recent bankruptcies. Need large bonus when starting job.”
96. Bad traits: “I am very bad about time and don’t mind admitting it. Having to arrive at a certain hour doesn’t make sense to me. What does make sense is that I do the job. Any company that insists upon rigid time schedules will find me a nightmare.”
97. References: “Bill, Tom, Eric. But I don’t know their phone numbers.”
98. Work experience: “Two years as a blackjack and baccarat dealer. Strong emphasis on customer relations – a constant challenge considering how much money people lose and how angry they can get.”
99. Personal: “I limit important relationships to people who want to do what I want them to do.”
100. Objective: “Student today. Vice president tomarrow.”
101. Accomplishments: “Brought in a balloon artist to entertain the team.”
102. Application: Why should an employer hire you? “I bring doughnuts on Friday.”
103. Achievements: “First runner-up for Miss Fort Worth, 1982.”
104. Reason for leaving: “Pushed aside so the vice president’s girlfriend could steal my job.”
105. Special skills: “I’ve got a Ph.D. in human feelings.”
106. Reason for leaving last job: “Bounty hunting was outlawed in my state.”
107. Experience: “Any interruption in employment is due to being unemployed.”
108. Objective: “To become Overlord of the Galaxy!”
109. Objective: “What I’m looking for in a job: #1) Money #2) Money #3) Money.”
110. Hobbies: “Mushroom hunting.”
111. Experience: “Child care provider: Organized activities; prepared lunches and snakes.”
112. Objective: “My dream job would be as a professional baseball player, but since I can’t do that, I’ll settle on being an accountant.”
113. Awards: “National record for eating 45 eggs in two minutes.”
114. Heading on stationery: “I’d Break Mom’s Heart to Work For You!”
115. “I am a ‘neat nut’ with a reputation for being hardnosed. I have no patience for sloppywork, carelessmistakes and theft of companytime.”
116. Experience: “Provide Custer Service.”
117. Experience: “I was brought in as a turnaround consultant to help turn the company around.”
118. Strengths: “Ability to meet deadlines while maintaining composer.”
119. Work experience: “Responsibilities included checking customers out.”
120. Work experience: “Maintained files and reports, did data processing, cashed employees’ paychecks.”
121. Educational background: “Highschool was a incredible experience.”
122. Resume: “A great management team that has patents with its workers.”
123. Cover letter: “Experienced in all faucets of accounting.”
124. Objective: “I am anxious to use my exiting skills.”
125. Personal: “I am loyal and know when to keep my big mouth shut.”
126. Job duties: “Filing, billing, printing and coping.”
127. Application: “Q: In what local areas do you prefer to work? A: Smoking.”
128. Reason for leaving: “Terminated after saying, ‘It would be a blessing to be fired.’”
129. Personal: “My family is willing to relocate. However not to New England (too cold) and not to Southern California (earthquakes). Indianapolis or Chicago would be fine. My youngest prefers Orlando’s proximity to Disney World.”
130. Resume: “I have a lifetime’s worth of technical expertise (I wasn’t born – my mother simply chose ‘eject child’ from the special menu.”
131. Resume: “Spent several years in the United States Navel Reserve.”
132. Qualifications: “I have extensive experience with foreign accents.”
133. “I am fully aware of the king of attention this position requires.”
134. References: “Please do not contact my immediate supervisor at the company. My colleagues will give me a better reference.”
135. “Worked in a consulting office where I carried out my own accountant.”
136. Accomplishments: “My contributions on product launches were based on dreams that I had.”
137. Career: “I have worked with restraints for the past two years.”
138. Experience: “My father is a computer programmer, so I have 15 years of computer experience.”
139. Education: “I have a bachelorette degree in computers.”

JobMob Top 10

1. Application: How large was the department you worked in with your last company? “A: 3 stories.”
2. A resume listed a skill as “being bi-lingual in three languages”
3. Background: “28 dog years of experience in sales (four human).”
4. In the section that read “Emergency Contact Number” she wrote “911.”
5. Candidate drew a picture of a car on the outside of the envelope and said it was the hiring manager’s gift.
6. Languages: “Fluent in English. Also I have been heard muttering Gibberish in my sleep.”
7. “Directed $25 million anal shipping and receiving operations.”
8. On one of our applications, a girl wrote ” I’m 16, I’m pregnant and I can do anything.” At the same time she turned in her application, her boyfriend handed in his. On his: “Felony for breaking and entering.”
9. “One candidate included clipart on their resume of two cartoons shaking hands.”
10. Application: “On the line that asked what “sex” he was, he wrote “occassionally”.”

To view original article CLICK HERE (yes there are only 149)

Top Job Thursday

The list: Canada's top 100 employers for 2012

Canada's top 100 employers for 2012 is the product of extensive evaluation, including a detailed review of the employer’s operations and human resource practices. Employers are compared with other organizations in their field.

Mediacorp’s editors reviewed the recruitment histories of more than 75,000 employers across the country before inviting 12,500 of these to apply. It was a record year for submissions. More than 2,700 employers started the application process, and the number of completed applications increased by 15 per cent, making this year the most competitive yet.

A distinguished academic advisory board, drawn from universities across Canada, oversees the selection criteria. Each panel member has either written or edited a major human resources textbook in Canada.

The criteria that the editors of Mediacorp use for judging the best workplaces has remained the same since the project began in 1999. Competition focuses on eight key areas: Physical workplace; work and social atmosphere; health, financial and family benefits; vacation and time off; communications, focused on how employers handle employee feedback; performance management; training and skills development; and community involvement.

Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2012
(click on the company to see the reason why they were selected)

1. Accenture Inc.
2. Adobe Systems Canada Inc.
3. Agriculture Financial Services Corporation
4. Agrium Inc.
5. Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc.
6. AMEC Americas Limited
7. Bank of Canada
8. Bayer Inc.
9. BC Public Service
10. Bennett Jones LLP
11. BMO Financial Group
12. Bombardier Aerospace
13. British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch
14. Business Development Bank of Canada
15. Cameco Corporation
16. Canadian Security Intelligence Service
17. Capital District Health Authority
18. Carswell, div. of Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd.
19. Catholic Children's Aid Society of Toronto
20. Cementation Canada Inc.
21. Ceridian Canada Ltd.
22. Certified General Accountants Assoc. of Canada
23. College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
24. Compass Group Canada
25. Dalhousie University
26. Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada
27. Desjardins, Mouvement des caisses
28. Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.
29. Digital Extremes Ltd.
30. EllisDon Corporation
31. Enbridge Inc.
32. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
33. General Motors of Canada Limited
34. Georgian College
35. Goldcorp Inc.
36. Golder Associates Ltd.
37. Great Little Box Company Ltd., The
38. High Liner Foods Inc.
39. Hospital for Sick Children, The
40. HP Advanced Solutions Inc.
41. Human Resources & Skills Development Canada
42. ISM Canada
43. Johnson Inc.
44. KPMG LLP
45. Kraft Foods Canada
46. L'Oréal Canada Inc.
47. Ledcor Group of Companies
48. Loblaw Companies Limited
49. Magna Electric Corporation
50. Manitoba Hydro
51. Manitoba Lotteries Corporation
52. Manulife Financial Corporation
53. Mars Canada Inc.
54. McGill University
55. Medtronic of Canada Ltd.
56. Molson Coors Canada
57. Mountain Equipment Co-op
58. National Energy Board
59. NB Power Holding Corporation
60. Nexen Inc.
61. Next Level Games Inc.
62. Nuance Communications Canada Inc.
63. Office of the Auditor General of Canada
64. OMNI Health Care Ltd.
65. Ontario Public Service
66. OpenText Corporation
67. Ottawa, City of
68. Pfizer Canada Inc.
69. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
70. Procter & Gamble Inc.
71. Rescan Environmental Services Ltd.
72. Royal Bank of Canada
73. SAS Institute (Canada) Inc.
74. Saskatchewan Government Insurance
75. SaskTel
76. Shell Canada Limited
77. Siemens Canada Limited
78. Simon Fraser University
79. St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
80. Stantec Consulting Ltd.
81. Statistics Canada
82. Stikeman Elliott LLP
83. Stryker Canada Inc.
84. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
85. TD Bank Group
86. Telus Corporation
87. Toronto Hydro Corporation
88. Toronto International Film Festival
89. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc.
90. Union Gas Limited
91. University of Toronto
92. Vancouver City Savings Credit Union
93. Vancouver Island Health Authority
94. WestJet Airlines Ltd.
95. Winnipeg Airports Authority Inc.
96. Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
97. World Vision Canada
98. Xerox Canada Inc.
99. Yellow Pages Group Co.
100. Yukon Hospital Corporation

To view original article CLICK HERE

Weekly Feature Wednesday

Job Title: Director of Human Resources

Position Type: Immediate Full-time
Job Location: Toronto
Employment Category: Human Resources

Job Description:

This is an exciting career opportunity for the right individual who understands the importance of our company culture and is keen to learn about the television
broadcasting industry!
Established in 2000, Channel Zero Inc. is an independent Canadian broadcaster that owns two specialty channels, Movieola—The Short Film Channel and Silver Screen Classics, and two over-the-air channels, CHCH in Hamilton and Metro14 in Montreal. In 2006 Channel Zero started Ouat Media – a Toronto-based company that specializes in the worldwide distribution of award-winning short and feature films. In 2011, Channel Zero entered the American television landscape with the launch of Fight Now! TV, the first 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week combat sports channel to air in the U.S.
Reporting directly to the VP Finance and company President, you will lead and oversee the HR functions for the Channel Zero group of companies that today includes our Toronto and Hamilton locations. Operating both strategically and hands-on, you will manage the overall provision of Human Resources services, policies and programs for the company that will provide a high-performing, successful workforce.
The right candidate for this role will have a strong belief in culture and teamwork; a passion for continuous learning; a professional attitude; savvy business sense;
flexibility and ability to adapt to new situations; a sense of humor, and the readiness to take their career to the next level as they become a contributing member of our senior management team.

Key Areas of Responsibility:
• Management of HR and payroll staff
• Human Resources planning, recruiting and staffing
• Compensation, payroll and benefits administration
• Employee performance management, development and training
• Policy development and documentation
• Statutory compliance and records management
• Employment equity and diversity programs
• Employee and union relations
• Employee safety, welfare, wellness and health
• Employee communications

Job Requirements:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Human Resources, Business, Organization Development and a CHRP designation
• Ten plus years of progressive leadership experience in Human Resources positions that have provided you with a solid foundation of knowledge and experience, in all areas of HR management
• Hands on experience with labour relations
• Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills
• A concise, professional and always proactive communication style
• Professional business skill set that includes project planning and execution
• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Must include Excel and skills in database management and record keeping.
• Experience with ADP and an HRIS an asset
• Access to a reliable vehicle and the ability to travel between locations as required

Application Procedure: nadon@mediaintelligence.ca

Application Material Required: Cover letter and Résumé

Additional Application Information:

Compensation: This is a full-time role with benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience.
Reply in confidence: If this position matches your skills, experience and goals, please send your CV and covering letter/email by 5 PM (EST) Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012, to nadon@mediaintelligence.ca quoting “Director of Human Resources” in the subject header.
We thank all candidates for their submissions but only those under consideration will be contacted. We do recommend getting expressions of interest in
early, as opposed to waiting for the deadline!
mediaINTELLIGENCE.ca - Canada’s leader in integrated career management & recruitment for media professionals.

Application Deadline: July 3, 2012 by 5:00pm

To view more job postings CLICK HERE

Tip Tuesday

12 Steps To A Promotion

Climbing the corporate ladder requires hard work, good timing and a little bit of luck. It would be great if your academic credentials, job skills and performance reviews would magically open the doors to the executive suite, but life's not like that. You need to create and execute your own plan.

Here are some tips to help you land that promotion.
1- Master your current job
Even if you're not interested in making your present position your life's work, give it your very best. Keep track of your accomplishments. Find ways to increase productivity. Offer well-researched suggestions that will reduce costs. Accept constructive criticism. Always be prepared to deal with any situation without becoming defensive, blaming others or blowing your professional image.
2- Volunteer to take on (valuable) extra tasks
Plan your strategy. Sometimes it's better to take on a series of smaller tasks instead of a flashy major project in addition to your regular workload. While others are vying for the more visible responsibilities, you'll be proving your worth and value by efficiently taking care of the less coveted ones.
3- Make your boss look good
Even if you do not particularly like your current manager, make it your goal to ensure the department is successful. When your boss gets promoted, someone has to take his place. Why shouldn't it be you? When you're seen as knowledgeable, skilled and interested, you'll be considered promotable. Just don't be a brownnoser or tie yourself too closely to your boss. If he's fired for incompetence, you don't want to be guilty by association.
4- Stay in close contact with the HR department
Making friends with people in personnel will help you find out quickly about upcoming openings. Your human resources department can also advise you of available training opportunities. Let it be known that you have long-term goals with the company. When decisions are being made for career development opportunities, you want to be on the HR short list.
5- Maintain positive relationships with the staff
You're not going to like everyone you work with, but no one else needs to know it. Be polite, considerate and courteous at all times. Be a team player and share accolades with others. By acknowledging the efforts of other employees, you'll earn their trust and respect. And watch your reputation: Keep your personal relationships private and don't do or say anything you might regret in the office, on business trips or at company functions.
6- Let your leadership skills shined
Every rung on the corporate ladder requires a strong image as a natural leader. Offer encouragement to others in the office, recognize special achievements and, on occasion, organize office outings. Getting the staff together for a beer after work is a great team-building tool.
7- Groom a successor
If you're the only one who can do your job, guess what? You'll be doing it forever. Share your knowledge and skills. When you're going on vacation, ask other people to handle aspects of your job and teach them how to do them well.
8- Get a mentor
Find someone you trust, preferably a senior manager or director with a lot of experience and a large network. Ask for advice. Discuss your career goals with him and plan your strategy. Sometimes you need to take a lateral transfer to gain a different type of skill in order to return to your preferred area in a higher position of authority.
9- Take additional training
No matter what your educational background is, there's always more you could learn. Look into night courses, seminars and workshops, and ask your mentor and your boss if they would add value to the company. Read business publications and books. Sign up for online informational newsletters. Stay up-to-date on your industry as a whole, not just your job.
10- Look presentable at all times
It's difficult to see vice president-potential in someone who constantly dressesdown. If khakis and polo shirts are the standard in your office, make sure yours are clean, well-pressed and of good quality. Have a sports jacket handy in case you're called to an important meeting in the executive offices. Keep your hair stylish and your shoes polished.
11- Perfect your elevator pitch
You never know when opportunity will knock. If you meet the CEO, introduce yourself in a way that will leave him wanting to learn more about you. When networking or meeting clients, you want them to remember you for the right reasons. Never brag and don't be pushy. Ambition is an admirable trait unless you're perceived as being an egotistical showoff.
12- Watch your timing
It's usually better not to ask for a promotion. Avoid bringing this up when your boss is obviously stressed and has a strict deadline to meet. Choose the time wisely and let it be known that you feel ready to take on additional responsibilities. Try not to show you are in a rush for a raise and a new title. Be patient.

Promotions Don't Just Happen
You cannot expect to be offered a promotion based solely on merit, potential or seniority, and there will be times when someone seemingly less qualified is offered a position you feel you deserve. Don't quit in a childish huff or you'll prove that you weren't the right person for the job. Hang in there and continue following these tips. An even better position may become available or the incumbent will fail miserably and you'll be promoted to replace him.

Remain focused on your long-term career goals. Maintain your integrity, your confidence and your efforts, and you'll get yourself promoted.

To view original article CLICK HERE

Making It Big Monday

10 Things You Should Include in Your Career Advancement Goals This Year

There has never been a more critical time to take an active role in your planning career advancement than now. With hundreds of thousands of top salary jobs left unfilled due to lack of qualified candidates having both the hard and soft skills to fill them, yet millions of people out of work, it is clear that there was a lack of career planning on many fronts. And with the rapid change in the way work is done there is little doubt that the future has more redundancies in store. Keep your career ahead of the curve and develop and implement an intentional career advancement plan. Here is a quick list of some of the things you should consider when developing your career advancement plan this month.

Develop your communication skills
Learn how to improve your skills of persuasion with by improving your story telling skills. Attend a story telling class or acting class. Consider developing your improvisation skills through similar classes. Not only will these skills help you to think and speak effectively on your feet, but they will also enhance your ability to build on ideas during discussion. You can also improve your ability to persuade by learning how to use the skills of debaters, not to win an argument but to be able to consider discussions from all perspectives and address all feedback.
There is an on slot of innovative ideas that need input from all to be refined, so expect conflict. Learn to effectively handle conflict to move discussions forward and minimize lingering negative emotions.

Develop your collaboration skills
With the changes in the way work is done everything is interconnected with everything else. So the most important thing is how you connect with and work with others.
You will need to effectively collaborate with and problem solve with those who may share a common interest but different values. Of course if everyone would think the way that you do and share the same values and perspective then your job would be perfect. That is exactly what everyone else is thinking as well. So learn to motivate those who are a challenge to deal with to help you achieve your goals whether they are project goals, career advancement goals or everyday operations.
In a global economy you will find yourself interacting with others who have different values and different ideas about the way things should be done. With effective collaborative skills you’ll minimize the challenges.

Develop relationships
Face to face networking is still the way to gain influence. Expand and develop relationships at all levels of your organization, throughout your industry and with professionals in industries that may complement the work you do. You’ll need advice, insight, direction and information from those in the know to develop your plan, to continuously evaluate it and to experience the career advancement you desire.

Learn the unwritten rules of career advancement
It is not that anyone is hiding the rules. There are many tracks to career advancement in which case a plan specific to your current skills and experience should be developed. Let your desire be known. Enlist the support you need from talent managers, your bosses and other colleagues. Let them know that you’d like their help.
Stay connected for several online posts about the unspoken rules of career advancement. Start with this brief intro.

Help others succeed
You cannot have success unless those around you are successful
Have you ever worked on a team with someone who just couldn’t or wouldn’t pull their weight? You spent half the day complaining to your other team members, boss, significant other, friend, sibling, anyone who would listen. Some people just don’t know the skills necessary to be a successful team member. But you need your team or support staff to be successful in order for you to be successful, so help them when you see an opportunity. Pass on an article, a link, a blog post or a specific professional development book. Your success relies on their success.

Seek frequent feedback
Are you absolutely certain you have the skills and have demonstrated the skills required for the position you want? If you are not the decision maker then you need to know what they are thinking. You’ll need to get their honest feedback about your performance and your promotability. Learn how the decision makers view you, your work and your professional presence. Learn what they need to see from you and in turn let them know your interests and goals. Learn which skills you need to develop and which strategic initiatives you need to focus on. Read more about the importance of feedback.

Take on assignments that will require you to develop and demonstrate the skills required for career advancement
Problem solving, project management, product or service development and implementation, financial and data analysis and strategic planning are only a few of the skills you need to develop and demonstrate. Look at new tasks and challenging assignment as essential opportunities to develop these skills rather than tasks outside of your job responsibility or personal capability. If you do you will offer someone else the opportunity to develop the skills and experience career advancement.

Remain relevant
Keep an eye on industry trends, business trends, technology trends, that will affect the way you do work. Stay abreast of technology on the horizon by developing relationships with leading thinkers in your industry, industry periodicals and credible websites and blogs. Where necessary make time to learn the new skills and even be the expert about what is on the horizon. Take opportunities to discuss upcoming trends in meetings, during social interactions or set up formal presentations.

Differentiate yourself
If you have conditioned yourself to fit in, this is the year to take an assessment of how you are uniquely different. What attributes, strengths and interests do you have that will set you apart from others? How can you uniquely add value? Companies need new ideas to remain competitive which requires diversity of thought, talent and ideas. If you are like everyone else do you want to leave it to chance that you will be the one selected? Be a stand out in the way you add value.

Develop a detailed and flexible plan
Although goals provide the motivation you need, you’ll need a detailed plan to keep you focused and on target with your career advancement plan this year. With so many distractions including from the media, noise from those who are discontent and from those who do not have similar career advancement goals it is easy to get distracted. Develop a plan with input from your company talent manager, boss, your personal career coach, a transition coach, mentor or sponsor, but know that it must be flexible and reviewed frequently, particularly after receiving valid feedback.

Don’t leave your career advancement to chance. You can take an active role.

To view original article CLICK HERE

Fun Fact Friday

99 Excuses for Missing Work

Everyone needs, or wants, to miss work at some point. But, if you don’t have a real excuse, you’re going to need to make up a good one. Below are some excuses you can use. Some are classic excuses, others are creative, and some are questionable. Pick your favorite and try it out on your boss.

1. When I got up this morning I accidentally took two Ex-Lax in addition to my Prozac. I can’t get off the john, but I feel good about it.
2. The voices told me to clean all the guns today.
3. I threw my back out bowling.
4. My stigmata’s acting up again.
5. I’ll be stalking my previous boss, who fired me for not showing up for work.
6. I am stuck in the blood pressure machine down at the grocery store.
7. Yes, I seem to have contracted some attention-deficit disorder and, hey, how about them Dodgers, huh? So, I won’t be able to, yes, could I help you? No, no, I’ll be sticking with Sprint, but thank you for calling.
8. I just found out that I was switched at birth. Legally, I shouldn’t come to work knowing my employee records may now contain false information.
9. My psychiatrist me a jaw restraint so I won’t bite things when I am startled.
10. The dog ate my car keys. We’re going to hitchhike to the vet.
11. I prefer to remain an enigma.
12. The EPA has determined that my house is completely surrounded by wetlands and I have to arrange for helicopter transportation.
13. I am converting my calendar from Julian to Gregorian.
14. I refuse to travel to my job until there is a commuter tax. I insist on paying my fair share.
15. I’ve earned a day off.
16. I’m Playing Golf with a Client.
17. I have a Doctor’s appointment.
18. I have a Dentist appointment.
19. I have cramps.
20. I’m working from home.
21. There’s been a death in the family.
22. I’m too sleepy from working all day yesterday.
23. I have a personal emergency.
24. My fish is sick and I need to take it to the vet.
25. My daughter got a round hair brush stuck in her hair and I need to help her get it out.
26. I have come down with Spring Fever.
27. I fell off a ladder fixing the roof on my house and I injured by back.
28. I was attacked and need to recover.
29. I was mugged and the thief took my car keys and driver’s license.
30. I have a migraine.
31. My eyes are watering for some reason causing blurry vision.
32. I’m in the hospital.
33. I’m still drunk from last night.
34. I need a mental recovery day.
35. Last night I had a party and I woke up with a strange man in my bed and he won’t leave.
36. My car caught on fire on the way to work.
37. My car ran out of gas on the way to work so I pushed it to a gas station, but I got a stomach hernia and I have to go to the doctor’s.
38. My cat got ran over and I need to take it to the vet.
39. My boyfriend hit me and I’m kind of messed up.
40. I was stepping out of my trailer and I missed the step and landed on the ground injuring my back.
41. My shrink put me on a new depressant yesterday and I’m feeling weird.
42. Had to be rushed to hospital for coffee burns on my lap.
43. The city is paving my street and I can’t get out of my neighborhood.
44. The hazmat crew is here and won’t let me out of the house.
45. My wife is too sick to get out of bed and I have to stay home to take care of her.
46. My waterbed busted and my room is flooded.
47. My daughter ran away, so I should stay home to see if she comes back.
48. I won’t be in today….I’m calling in dead.
49. My home is flooded and I’m currently standing on my dresser in my second story bedroom.
50. I do not feel up to par today.
51. I tried to dye my hair blonde, but it came out blue.
52. I spent my paycheck on lottery tickets, and I’m out of gas until payday.
53. I got the end of a Q-tip stuck in my ear and have to go to the doctor’s to get it out.
54. My horse overate and needs to be walked so he doesn’t lay down and die.
55. I have the flu.
56. A SWAT team closed off a part of a street after a disgruntled ex-employee shot several people.
57. My agoraphobia (fear of leaving the house) is kicking in and I am afraid to come in today.
58. The springs on my garage door broke and I can’t get my car out cause the door won’t open.
59. My spiritual guide said something bad will happen to me if I leave my house today.
60. My spiritual guide said there will be a fire at my work today so I’m staying home.
61. If I tell you why I can’t come in, I’d have to kill you.
62. You’re on a need to basis, but you don’t need to know.
63. You can’t handle the truth.
64. My dog is having puppies and I need to help her.
65. My cat is having kittens and I need to help her.
66. Someone smashed in my windows this morning with a large blunt object.
67. I sprained my wrist cooking breakfast in the microwave.
68. I slipped in the shower and injured my knee. I can’t walk on it at all.
69. I cut my self shaving and it hurts to walk.
70. I locked myself in the bathroom.
71. I locked my keys in my car.
72. I locked myself out of the house.
73. My dog died.
74. My street is flooded and I can’t drive out.
75. Someone dumped a truck-load of sand in front of my driveway and I can’t get out.
76. My cat was alarmed by my sleep-talking and jumped off the bed, knocked my alarm off the dresser, of which the batteries fell out; so I over slept.
77. I can’t find any clothes to wear.
78. My washing machine broke and I don’t have any clean clothes.
79. My water has been turned off.
80. I didn’t pay my electricity bill so I can’t see to get ready.
81. I am sick with the Lack. Lack of ambition.
82. Last night a friend I haven’t seen in a long time came over and gave me a bear hug and broke one of my ribs.
83. I was up all weekend with this new girl I met and I didn’t get any sleep…if you know what I mean.
84. My asthma is really bad.
85. I tried lifting my daughter out of her crib and twisted my back.
86. On my way to work today, my tooth cracked. I’ll be going to the dentist.
87. The fan belt broke on my van.
88. The brakes went out on my car.
89. My car has a flat tire.
90. The hot water tap in my shower broke.
91. I’m stuck in the bathroom without any toilet paper.
92. During the night the power must have gone off because when I woke up my alarm clock time was flashing.
93. My cat is lonely and stressed out and if I don’t spend quality time with him, he will keep peeing on the furniture.
94. My wife said she is going to conceive today, and I want to be there when it happens.
95. My chain came off my bicycle.
96. I came down with a bad case of something or other.
97. My cat hid my car keys because she gets lonesome when I’m gone.
98. I was taking a shower and I dropped the soap, as I reached down to pick it up, I slipped and fell causing me to bust my lip, twist my ankle, strain my back, stub my finger, and get soap in my eyes.
99. The babysitter didn’t show up today so I have to watch my kids.

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Top Job Thursday

10 Careers for People Who Love to Travel

Some people's idea of a vacation is visiting their in-laws on the other side of town. Others want to get away at any and every opportunity -- the farther away the better. If given the chance, they'd climb Mt. Kilimanjaro one day and compare Impressionists at the Louvre the next.

These intrepid travelers will brave any terrain or climate. They'll even repeatedly subject themselves to airport security just for the chance to go somewhere new.

If you get twitchy staying in the same place for too long, why settle for a few measly vacations a year? Satisfy your wanderlust on every one of those 365 days by embarking on a career that will have you really going places -- and not just up the corporate ladder.

When you think about travel jobs, the travel industry (pilot, flight attendant) probably jumps to mind, but there are also many not-so-obvious career options for people who like to get around. We've searched the globe and found 10 of the best careers for people who love to travel. So update your resume, pack your bags and get ready to explore.

10: Travel Nurse

These days, good nurses are in high demand and short supply. That nursing shortage can work to your advantage if you're trained and capable.
You could always get a job at your local hospital, but then you'd be dealing with the same responsibilities and working with the same people every day. Or you could travel around the country going from one hospital gig to another and caring for people in many different cities.
Travel nurses temporarily fill open positions wherever they're needed. You might tend to a jellyfish sting in Hawaii one day and nurse a broken leg in Aspen the next. Labor and delivery nurses, emergency room nurses, and operating room nurses are just a few of the positions that are in constant high demand around the country.
As a travel nurse, you'll work for a company that will provide you with accommodations (often a furnished home), a travel stipend to help you get from one hospital to another and a very competitive salary that is usually higher than what permanent nurses earn.

9: Athletic Scout

How do basketball players make the leap from the high school court to the NBA? How does a football player go from the college bowl to the Super Bowl? Athletes wouldn't be able to achieve their dreams without the help of athletic scouts.
Athletic scouts work for colleges and professional sports teams, or they can freelance for several different teams. Their job is to seek out the best and brightest young athletes and recruit them onto the teams they represent. To find those players, scouts scour newspaper and TV reports for stories of gifted athletes. They also have to sit through a lot of high school or college games around the country, and sometimes abroad.
To make an effective athletic scout, you need to know your sport inside and out from playing it, coaching it or watching it incessantly. You also need to have a knack for spotting young talent on the field and court. Pro teams and colleges shell out a lot of money for scholarships and contracts, and they want their investment to pay off with winning players. That means athletic scouts are under a lot of pressure to find good talent.

8: Roadie

Who hasn't dreamed of going out on the road with the Rolling Stones or U2? How many music fans have imagined traveling from gig to gig and hanging with their favorite band? If the touring part of being in a road crew weren't exciting enough, there's also the thrill of working with some of the biggest names in the music and entertainment business.
Road crew members -- affectionately known as roadies -- are the folks who handle the stage productions for touring acts. Lighting and sound engineers, riggers, stagehands and instrument technicians are all considered roadies.
As with most jobs, you've got to pay your dues to make it in the roadie business. You'll probably start out lugging around lighting and sound equipment at a small venue or theater to start. Once you've learned the ropes, and with a little luck, you can work your way up to touring with the major music acts.

7: Tour Guide

One of the most obvious career choices if you love to travel is to become a tour guide. In what other job can you spend your days exploring cities like Athens, Rome or London -- and get paid for it?
Every city that attracts tourists needs tour guides. Some guides work for a particular location (such as a museum), while others lead themed tours (like ghost tours or historical bus tours). If you're particularly good at your job, you can eventually work your way up to become a director or even owner of a tour company.
To be a tour guide, you not only need to know your city inside and out -- its history, culture and hidden secrets -- but you also need to relate well to people. You've got to make your tour group feel comfortable in a city that's unfamiliar to them. Depending on the type of tour, you may also need to help them handle small emergencies that arise, from getting medical care to finding lost luggage.
If you're planning to be a tour guide abroad, it helps to speak another language (or two, or three) and to have a solid education in the history and culture of the area.

6: Civil Servant

If you want to work for the U.S. government and see the world at the same time, check with the U.S. Department of State. This government agency has hundreds of different job opportunities available for people who want to represent U.S. interests abroad. The government has 265 different embassies around the globe, as well as many other offices where people can work in civil service jobs.
Whether your background is in engineering, security, accounting, healthcare, management, IT or operations, there's probably a civil service position related to your skills. Civil service jobs not only give you the chance to travel, but many positions pay well and offer relocation, cost-of-living allowances and excellent benefits.
One caveat: If you haven't paid your taxes in a few years or you've broken the law a couple of times, you'll have to satisfy your wanderlust in a nongovernment gig. The U.S. Department of State requires all civil service applicants to undergo a rigorous security clearance process that can take two to four months. They might even interview your friends, family members and neighbors.

5: International Aid Worker

While civil service employees represent America's interests in other countries, international aid workers export some of our abundant goodwill abroad. People who work for aid organizations like USAID and the Peace Corps work to improve the health, economic outlook and education of people living in developing nations.
International aid workers help countries that are struggling or recovering from economic crises, natural disasters, war, famine and despotism. Depending on their experience, aid workers might teach in Afghanistan, organize relief convoys to combat areas in Somalia, or introduce new heat-resistant crops to nations throughout Africa.
The desire to help others is a plus if you want to be an international aid worker -- but it's not the only prerequisite. You also need to have a background in a relevant area, like agriculture, engineering, private enterprise, education, health or crisis stabilization.
Becoming an international aid worker has its rewards -- and not just the gratification of helping people in other countries. Some international aid workers earn salaries well into the six figures.

4: Archaeologist

Imagine discovering the world's oldest known tool, or unearthing the skeleton of one of our very first ancestors. Every day, archaeologists are discovering the kinds of buried treasures that give them a glimpse into life thousands -- or even millions -- of years in the past.
The typical image of an archaeologist is a khaki-clad adventurer, up to his or her neck in dust on a dig. In movies and TV shows, archaeologists are typically found in countries like Egypt and other ancient civilizations.
Archaeologists do more than just dig, though. Once they make a great find, they have to identify and analyze their discoveries so they can be catalogued, restored and displayed by collectors or museums.
Some archaeologists don't dig at all. They conduct research for museums or governments, or teach archaeology at universities. Other archaeologists are in charge of protecting historic sites, excavating them for relics before construction crews can dig there and accidentally destroy an important piece of history.

3: English Teacher

English is one of the world's most spoken languages. It helps connect diverse cultures and bridge the gap between countries that want to connect for trade or diplomacy. Many people in non-English-speaking countries have the desire to learn the language, so there's always a need for people who can teach English-as-a-second-language (ESL) classes abroad.
As an ESL teacher, you'll get paid for the privilege of being immersed in a different culture. Many English teachers are provided with free accommodations while they're working abroad. You'll also get the satisfaction of knowing that you're teaching a valuable skill.
You can either teach children from kindergarten through high school, or work with adults. Most positions require you to have at least a bachelor's degree, but you'll earn more if you also have a master's. Depending on the program, you might need to be certified to teach as well.
English teaching positions are available through the U.S. Department of State, as well as with companies that place teachers internationally. Asia and Eastern Europe are two of the biggest markets for English teachers today. You can work in private international schools and universities, U.S. military bases or with an organization like the Peace Corps.

2: Field Service Technician

Many jobs that allow you to travel also require you to have a four-year college degree -- and often an advanced degree. If you don't have that kind of education but you still want to travel, consider working as a field service technician. These mobile repair techs travel wherever they are needed to perform equipment maintenance and repair.
Field service technicians are like equipment doctors making technical house calls. They might go to a construction site to fix a broken crane, a big-city high-rise to fix an elevator, or a remote train track to bring a disabled engine back to life.
Field service technicians can work for the government, equipment manufacturers, computer repair companies or construction and transportation businesses.
You don't need a four-year degree to be a field service technician, but a two-year associate's degree and some technical training are helpful. Many companies offer on-the-job training, so after a few years of working in this industry, you should be highly qualified.

1: Professional Yacht Crew

Everyone dreams about what they'd buy if they hit the lottery. For a lot of people, a superyacht tops that lottery wish list. Superyachts are like floating mansions, packed every possible amenity that can fit on a super luxurious oceangoing vessel.
Instead of just dreaming about floating away on a private yacht, why not actually do it? A seven-figure salary isn't a requirement. You don't even need to have sailing experience.
Thousands of superyachts are floating around the world, from Sydney to Singapore. And most of those yachts need crews to keep them afloat. (Did you actually think Jay-Z and Beyonce sailed their own $40 million chartered superyacht on the French Riviera last summer?)
Yachts need captains to drive them, deckhands to maintain the exterior, stewardesses to dust and polish the interior, engineers to keep the engines running and chefs to satisfy the dining pleasures of the yacht's well-heeled occupants. Speaking of the occupants, yacht crews have the chance to meet some of the biggest names in business, politics and entertainment while they're sailing around the world and getting paid for it.

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Weekly Feature Wednesday

Position Type: Contract Full-time

Job Title: Estimator

Job Location: Cobourg, Ontario
Employment Category: Architectural

Job Description:

As a Commercial Drywall Estimator at JJ Interior Contracting, you will be using architectural drawings in order to develop materials cost estimates for interior construction of Commercial buildings. This involves using the drawings to calculate the square footage and lineal footage of the required components of drywall ceilings, walls and acoustic ceilings. This includes drywall, steel studs, insulation, and acoustic ceilings. From there, you will develop the material and labour costs of the project, apply our mark-up and submit a bid to several general contractors. Through the bidding period you will be required to liaise with the general contractors in order to stay up to date with any changes made to the design of the project.

Job Requirements:

-Should be knowledgeable about the different components of drywall assemblies, steel stud walls and acoustic ceilings.
-Should be knowledgeable about the properties of steel stud walls and where the different gauges of steel studs are used.
-Should know how to interpret and source architectural drawings.
-Have experience working with Microsoft Word and Excel.
-Must have good people skills
-Preferably have graduated from an architectural focused program.

Targeted Programs:

Targeted Clusters

All Programs

Targeted Programs

Architectural Technician/Technology
Construction Engineering Technician
Construction Renovation Techniques

Salary: 30-35k, Negotiable

Application Procedure: Employer Email

If by email, send to: scott@jjinteriorcontracting.com

If by Fax, send to: 905-372-2374

If by Telephone, call: 905-372-1977

Application Material Required: Résumé and Transcript

Organization: JJ Interior Contracting

Division: JJ Interior Contracting - Estimating

Application Deadline: Aug 06, 2012 11:59PM

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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

10 Tips for Managing Conflict in the Workplace

Workplace conflict is an unavoidable consequence of professional life. Some people are magnets for conflict, while others manage to avoid at-work tangles with co-workers for years. But eventually, everyone has run-ins with someone on the job.

Conflict is anything but rare. Some sources indicate that human resource managers spend 25 to 60 percent of their time working through employee conflicts [source: Zupek]. And a University of North Carolina study showed that more than half of workers said anxiety about a past or present conflict with a co-worker cost them time while they were on the clock. More than a quarter of workers said they were less productive because they spent time trying to avoid a confrontation with a co-worker.

What's more, violent confrontations are increasing. A Society of Human Resource Management study found that more than half of workers said a violent act had occurred at their workplace [source: Zupek].

Of course, work-related conflict should never manifest itself in those kinds of extremes. Understanding how to deal with tense work situations will help you avoid rare violent outbursts. You'll also better understand how to navigate office politics and become more successful.

There are multiple styles of conflict resolution. The different styles aren't necessarily better or worse, but they are very different. Experts have pinpointed five primary conflict resolution styles -- avoid, accommodate, collaborate, compromise, and confront [source: Gatlin, Wysocki and Kepner].

Supervisors generally default to one or two primary conflict resolution styles. They can afford to leverage their position to use their chosen style of resolution. Lower-level employees may need to use more styles of resolution in order maintain productive relationships and a comfortable work environment.

How well you understand conflict resolution can have as much or more impact as your professional job skills in determining the trajectory of your career path. Berate or belittle your opponents and you'll encounter enemies at every corner -- earn the respect of co-workers and you'll find limitless opportunities.

In this article, we'll address 10 ways, listed in no particular order, to help you deal with conflict when it arises at work.

1: Expect Conflict

A conflict-free workplace would be a beautiful place indeed. However, it's just not possible to avoid conflict entirely. You have to learn to expect that conflict will become a part of your work life at some point.
The real imperative is learning to deal with conflict in a productive way. Don't let disagreements gather momentum and turn into major crises. Instead, address them as soon as possible. Resolve them instead of letting them fester.
Of course, for many people, avoidance or passive-aggressiveness is a more course of action. But fearing or avoiding conflict tends to make edgy situations much worse.
As you work to manage the problem, make sure that the conflict is totally resolved for both sides. If you feel triumphant but your co-worker is deflated and upset or convinced that the outcome was unfair, there's a good possibility that the problem will flare up again. Learn better communication skills, though, and you'll be a better overall employee and a happier person, too.

2: Find a Mediator

Some workplace clashes turn into intractable battles worthy of a war movie. If you find yourself locked into a fight with one person, it may be time for the two of you to bring in a mediator.
You can introduce the conflict to a mediator formally or informally. An informal meeting with an objective person who both parties respect can help you talk through problems without the formalities (and potential subsequent consequences) of a formal mediation.
If an informal meeting doesn't put the issue to rest, you may need to contact a supervisor for help in resolving the conflict. If you choose a formal mediation, be sure to be on your best professional behavior. Don't attack your opponent. Present the conflict in objective terms and not as an emotional reaction to someone who happens to have an opposing viewpoint.
In a formal mediation, expect enlightenment. A third-party observer may be quick to point out failings in your argument that you just could not accept from a co-worker you dislike. And that's the beauty of mediation -- it helps bring the conflict to an objective, level playing field that's fairer for everyone.

3: Be Open to Compromise

Holding desperately to a dogmatic grudge isn't likely to yield many benefits in a workplace conflict. And presenting a conflict as a black-or-white, right-or-wrong situation heightens tension and ensures that your co-workers will become exasperated with you in a hurry.
Stubbornness also signals to the other person that you have no intention of listening to his or her side of the story. Don't approach a meeting with this kind of take-no-prisoners mentality.
Instead, show that you are willing to give up ground on certain aspects of a disagreement. Your willingness to compromise demonstrates that you aren't letting negative emotions dictate your behavior or hamper professional objectivity.
If you have a hard time respecting your co-worker's viewpoint, remember that your position is unlikely to be the best overall solution to the situation, regardless of what you might think. Your infallibility on a contentious issue is even unlikelier to objective observers. In short, a win-win compromise is the best solution for everyone involved.

4: Repeat Your Opponent's Words Aloud

When you're actively engaged in a conflict, what you want is for the other person to really understand your position on the subject at hand. It's easy to forget that the other side wants the same thing -- for you to listen and really hear what they he or she has to say.
Of course, if you dislike another person's personality, it's very easy to develop an us-versus-them mentality. With that kind of approach, conflict becomes a routine problem, and it makes it unlikely that you'll really listen to any valid grievances or ideas that person might have.
So, when the other person is trying to explain his or her perspective on a subject, force yourself to pay attention, and reaffirm that effort by paraphrasing what the person says. Carefully and thoughtfully rephrase their ideas aloud so that they know you hear what they say.
Not only will the other person appreciate your attention, but by repeating their words you may very well gain a better understanding of his or her position. Ultimately, your conversation will be more useful, and in the end, the two of you may develop mutual respect that pays huge dividends in future interaction.

5: Don't Personalize or Internalize Disagreements

Don't take it personally. No, really -- don't take it personally. Try not to take someone's conflicting opinion as a negative assessment of you as a person or as a co-worker. It's natural for co-workers to have different feelings about projects. If someone has a different perspective, it isn't necessarily an indictment of your abilities as a human being or even as a worker.
Be open to constructive criticism, and keep in mind that turning a conflict into a learning situation may greatly benefit your career. However, if the other party is clearly making personal attacks on you, it's best to walk away from the situation.
You could, of course, respond with a personal attack of your own. Doing so is not only unprofessional but could escalate the situation to uncomfortable heights with long-term negative consequences. If the attacks on you continue, document them and consider reporting the situation to a manager or the human resources department.

6: Use Business-like Language

Conflicts at work can easily intensify emotions in both parties. For many people, it's very easy to slip up and use attacking words that make the other person feel threatened. For example, an agitated co-worker might say something like, "You always miss important deadlines," or "Is this project too hard for you?"
Obviously, these statements are unlikely to foster a helpful conversational space. Attributing one part of a person's personality or work history to their entire performance is bad professional form and probably says more about you then it does about them.
What's more, overly general, judgmental language immediately puts other people in a defensive mode. And sarcasm just worsens confrontation and breeds resentment that can last far longer than the anger of the immediate conflict.
Instead, stick with objective, professional language. If you feel more agitated during the conversation and feel emotion-laden words welling up, you may need to leave the meeting and return to the topic later.

7: Avoid Gossip

Professional relationships are incredibly important to productivity. Workers who communicate in a personal fashion develop more trust and chemistry with their peers. But it's a risky venture when you cross the line from friendly conversation into gossip and rumor mills.
Gossip and rumors often poison entire offices. When fueled by rampant gossip, one half-truth or perceived slight can breed mistrust and hard feelings between co-workers and supervisors.
Keep in mind that, by its nature, gossip is often misleading or totally false. Participating in gossipy circles, then, just perpetuates problematic interaction that can hamper a whole group's effectiveness.
The good news is that you don't have to contribute to the problem. When other employees try to share gossip with you, politely change the subject or remove yourself from the conversation. Doing so doesn't mean you have to totally avoid informal topics with a wide range of people at work -- it just means refusing to participate in damaging or disparaging conversations that have no positive purpose.

8: Choose Your Battles

In an environment where people work together on important projects, conflicts are bound to happen. Once there's tension between you and a co-worker, there's a temptation to become overly defensive with every type of interaction you have with that specific person.
Don't raise your hackles every time you pass this person in the hallway. Pick the issues that you simply can't compromise on and let other things slide. Being generous in compromises with your co-worker will make it easier to win on the issues you really do care about.
Absolutely avoid anticipating conflict. If you do, you may be feeding into a self-fulfilling prophecy in which tensions escalate higher and higher for no good reason. Try to approach interaction with this co-worker with a sense of objectivity, rather than building a sense of hostility or defensiveness beforehand.
Realize that trying to get the best of this person every time you interact is probably not a good strategy. Doing so is time consuming, emotionally draining and completely counterproductive.

9: Let Everyone Speak

Some people use aggressive, non-stop verbal attacks to silence their opponents during a workplace conflict. Supervisors might be able to get away with that style of communication, but it won't score any points for your reputation as a tactful professional.
Merely silencing a co-worker or refusing to even consider the situation from his or her perspective rarely leads to a lasting resolution. So don't turn a basic conflict into a one-sided monologue. Take the time to listen and try to learn something from the situation.
Let the other person clarify his or her perspective and opinion on the issue. It may be helpful to apply a time limit to the discussion. Doing so helps each person speak about the issues that really matter and reduces tangential (and emotion-fueled) conversational clutter that has little bearing on the conflict.

10: Count to 10...or 100

Frustrating work confrontations can easily erupt into an exchange of angry shouts. Perhaps the worst mistake you can make during a confrontational situation is to lose your temper and say things that you'll regret later. At best, you'll appear emotionally frail or weak in times of adversity -- at worst, you could lose your job.
When an emotion-laden conflict emerges, take some time to look past any immediate feelings or reactions and identify the real issue that's causing problems. If necessary, disengage from the immediate situation, take a break and a deep breath, and analyze the situation before responding.
Setting aside emotions and being objective will help you resolve the bulk of small workplace confrontations without anger or lingering resentment on either side. You'll also project a deliberate, thoughtful manner that your co-workers will respect far more than a raging tirade.

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