Career Tips To Go

by Karen Adamedes

A huge thank you to the many people who have contributed their stories and experiences about working from home to help me bring to life my new book Professional in Pajamas: 101 Tips for Working from Home.

I’ve been writing this for over a year, in between actually working from home. I could never have imagined that by the time I published the world would be turned on it’s head and so many of us would be working from home. All the time. (For now anyway. It would be better if it was out of choice.)

I’ll be regularly posting tips on the Career Tips to Go blog, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn – the usual places. And I hope they help you or someone you know.

In the book I talk about topics like how to be productive, keeping the balance between work and home, as well as how to stay in touch with others.

Today, I’d like to share with you the preface from the book to let you know the background to why I wrote it, the stuff that’s great about working from home and some of the common challenges:

Preface to Professional in Pajamas: 101 Tips for Working from Home

“I’ve worked from home for over a decade and have been writing this book for more than a year. That was back in the day when working from home was a choice, a privilege or for many a small business person, a necessity. Now due to COVID-19 it is mandatory for millions as a way of minimizing the spread of the virus and protecting ourselves and others.

We have a new vocabulary that includes self-isolation, social distancing, lockdown, quarantine and stay-at-home orders. We are all a little bit scared as there are so many things that are out of our control (I’m sure it’s not just me!) The way we work and live is changing, for now, and we don’t know what the new normal will be on the other side of this pandemic.

There are those who are working from home for the first time, who are trying to figure out how to make it work. Like how do you have a professional work conversation when you have children fighting over the remote control in the next room? Or how do you stay connected with colleagues, customers or in fact any other human being if you live alone?

There are others who do work at home regularly or occasionally, who are now confined to their home with no escape to the office for some laughs, giggles or even a boring meeting (which now has some appeal!)

And then there are others, like me, who work at home full-time, who are adjusting to working with colleagues and customers who are now working differently (and calling a lot more often than they used to!) I have worked at home as both as an employee and as the Principal of my own consultancy business. I love setting my own routine, wearing whatever I feel comfortable in (as long as I don’t have a video conference), and being able to talk on the phone as loudly as I like.

My office has a huge print that brings color and life to my work space. I can grab my laptop and work from the garden or in front of the TV, whenever I choose. Sometimes I put on the occasional load of washing during the day, and feel virtuously organized, for a short time at least.

But there are downsides, too. There’s the absolute frustration when I have an IT problem, the irritation of the neighbor’s lawnmower starting up when I’m on a conference call, and sometimes, a ridiculous and illogical feeling of guilt when I go out for a coffee (although that is suspended for a while). Taking some time out is something I wouldn’t think twice about if I worked in an office. And then there is the issue of ‘not knowing when to call it quits and stop working’ because I can always find something else to do.

Through trial and error, and comparing notes with others who work from home, I found that there are ways to manage the drawbacks. The more people I talked to – from different countries and industries, occasional or full-time work-at-homers, employees or those who work for themselves – the more I found that many of us struggle with the same challenges.

This started me on a quest to figure out how to make working from home really work. With not a lot of ways to easily connect with other people who work from home I decided this book would be the ideal way to share what I have learnt.

Thank you to my many friends and colleagues who generously gave their time to tell me about their experiences, and were good humored enough to share their stories about what really happens when you work from home.

I have not rewritten the book to reflect what is going on today but I think it is all relevant. Except a couple of tips like leaving the house once a day, interacting with human beings in person and going to the office sometimes – you might need to put these on hold for now if you are in self-isolation, lockdown, quarantine or whatever. In our current crazy world I really hope that it will provide you with some ideas and insights that will help make working from home, work for you.

We are in this together. By working from home we are doing our little bit to help beat this thing.

Stay safe and look after yourself and others. #workfromhomesaveslives.”

Karen Adamedes, April 2020

 

Professional in Pajamas: 101 Tips for Working from Home is available now as an eBook at:

Amazon – The Kindle Edition

Also available – Apple iBook store, Barnes and Noble and Kobo

Smashwords – for other eReaders 

Paperback coming soon.

 

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Job advertisements posted by companies in search of candidates are often more aspirational than realistic. They are trying to try to find the person that matches their needs and values the most, so even if you don’t fit every single criteria don’t despair. But that doesn’t mean you should skim job postings and apply for as many as possible.

By reading them carefully and watching out for some key phrases you’ll be able to save yourself and the recruiters a lot of time and effort. It’s much more productive to apply for fewer but more appropriate positions, write convincing cover letters and be properly prepared for screening phone interviews.

Focus on these areas of a job advertisement:

Job Title

This section of the advertisement is meant to describe the position and responsibilities held by the future employee in just a few words. They’re assuming that you might be searching for the title using keywords and that’s why you’ll find some that contain the word ‘manager’ but, in reality, the managerial aspects of the jobs are quite limited.

Keep in mind that job titles will differ from industry to industry. A an ‘executive’ in one enterprise might be called ‘senior’ in another, and whilst ‘editorial assistant’ may sound similar to ‘assistant editor’; they don’t have the same duties.

Job Description

A job description is intended to offer job seekers a summary of the main responsibilities and expectations of the particular position they are applying for. They are usually written with the assistance of the company’s HR department or after receiving some input from an external recruiter.

Patrick Algrim, owner of the career site Algrim.co said, “job description templates can save you a lot of time getting your job listing off the ground in a way that helps get responses.”

Here you’ll see the expected level of education and career experience. Read through the bullet points and think about whether this is the kind of job you can handle. You don’t have to meet every requirement but it should be at about 80%. If you took a job you’re not skilled enough to do well, do you think you’ll be happy Monday to Friday? Or stressed out of your mind?

If you see phrases like “good at multi-tasking”, “dead-line driven” and “resilient to stress”, they might be warning you that this job requires a bit more work than your average person can bear. It’s up to you to decide if that’s something you’re comfortable with. Likewise, a “good sense of humor” might imply that this is the kind of environment in which you’ll frequently find yourself getting frustrated and you should be the kind of person that can roll with the punches.

About Us Section

Most job advertisements have a section in which a more or less detailed description of the company is provided and maybe a link to their website. This is perhaps the portion which you should review the most thoroughly. You should also research their website, their employee reviews, their reputation and corporate values. You’ll know what you’re getting yourself into and also be better equipped to handle an interview.

By Lucy Manole

According to research, a person spends one-third of his or her lifetime at work.

Building your career is quite a journey, and it is natural to feel the need to move it along at some point.

Financial requirements, a twist of fate, an ill-advised decision, and more can make you end up with a job that you are not happy in. However, if you are passionate about your career, you can always work on yourself and move on to a better job.

That said, it’s easy to get stagnant at work which can leads to lack of motivation and a very stressful life. Even if you are happy with your work, you might not be utilizing your true potential.

If you want to enhance your career and realize your true potential, then here are some of the steps you should follow:

1. Set Your Goal

It is essential to understand what you want out of your career. Evaluate your current position and plot a trajectory of where you want to be in five years. If you have a passion and a long-term goal, then try to break it into short term goals. This will help you achieve your ultimate goal.

Remember, your goal should be specific and achievable. While it’s a great idea to aim for bigger things in life, you need to weigh your academic qualifications, work experience, and other similar attributes before setting the goal.

Set your goals on a timeline as you may have to achieve several milestones in order to reach your ultimate destination.

And most importantly, be patient and appreciate yourself. Channel your positive energy to keep yourself aligned with your goal. Have a review meeting with yourself every day to make sure that you are on the right track, but try not to over-burden yourself.

2. Talk to Your Mentor

Sometimes it is helpful to have a mentor or guide who can let you know your drawbacks and provide you essential insights on how you can enhance your career. Constructive criticism and feedback is likely to do you better than a false consolation.

To make sure you are on the right track, try to seek career advice from a trusted mentor. Your mentor can be anyone, be it a senior colleague, a friend, your boss, or an industry expert.

Work out an action plan with the help of your guide and work towards it. The most significant advantage of having a guide is to have a broader perspective, which can help you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses.

3. Skill enhancement

Staying industry-relevant is imperative. You may have many skills, but you must keep them up-to-date. For instance, if you are a computer scientist and are unaware of new technology like Data Science and Machine Learning, then you might get replaced by someone with a better skill set. And even if you don’t get replaced, the chances of advancing your career become scant.

If you are serious about advancing your career and reaching new heights, then you have to adapt yourself with the fast-changing technology in your industry. It is never too late to learn. The best part is that the internet is inundated with numerous online courses, related to every niche and industry. Enroll yourself in a course to enhance your skills. Invest in yourself and continue your learning process to stay ahead in the market. It will eventually boost your self-confidence.

There are many online course providers like Coursera, edX, Udacity, Udemy, etc. Most of the business schools have distance learning courses for executives. If you are seeking a particular position, then make sure you have the competencies that the job requires. Remember, only technical knowledge is not enough. Try and learn soft skills to be a better fit.

4. Push Yourself to Achieve More

The key is to push your career in the right direction. Stretching your boundaries is crucial if you really want to achieve your goals. If you feel that you work better under pressure, then make sure you critique yourself regularly to improve. If you continue with your regular routine and hope for the best, then nothing will change. Just a lot of  procrastination.

Even if your plan is rock solid and your goal is super achievable, it will not achieve anything until and unless you execute it properly. The best way to push your career in the right direction is by making a to-do list. Simply tick the boxes one by one at the end of the week/day and evaluate your position.

There is no substitution for hard-work and dedication.  We tend to limit ourselves and find a comfort zone. If you are really willing to improve yourself, then it is crucial to step out of your comfort zone and do some things differently.

5. Network Extensively

Social platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. are a great way to dabble into a sea of opportunities online. These platforms, especially LinkedIn, make it easy for you to get in touch with company executives, hiring managers, potential business partners, and so forth.

Also, an employee rarely gets the chance to interact with human resource professionals. Hence, there is a gap between the need for an organization and what you expect from it. Networking can bridge the difference easily. The more connections you make, the more visible you become.

Interact with the industry experts and learn from their insights. You can ask pertinent questions and become industry-ready. Do not hesitate to ask for recommendations and endorsements on LinkedIn to add more value to your profile.

Now, it’s your turn!

Understanding your worth is of paramount importance. Set a specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound goal and break it into smaller parts. Walk a short path daily towards success and don’t shy away from seeking help if required. Take advantage of online learning platforms. Improve your communication skills and other soft skills too. Finally, reach out to as many people as you can via networking and find out the best possible position for yourself and apply for it with confidence.

Start organizing and planning today if you want to see yourself in a better position tomorrow. Don’t delegate it anymore; you have a lot of catching up to do.

 

Author Bio

Lucy Manole is a creative content writer and strategist at Right Mix Marketing, SEO-focused link building agency. She specializes in writing about digital marketing, technology, entrepreneurship, and education. When she is not writing or editing, she spends time reading books, cooking and traveling. You can connect with her on Twitter at @RightMixMktg

 

Social Links:

Twitter at https://twitter.com/rightmixmktg

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rightmixmarketing

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RightMixMarketing/

by Karen Adamedes

A new year. A new opportunity to be successful in your work and continue to develop your career. Both of which should help you enjoy what you are doing now – as well as lay the groundwork for what you would like to do next.

Here are 7 super practical tips for your career success in 2019

1. Work with a mentor

In the 18th century Irish writer and author of ‘The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes’ said, “People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy.” Still true today. 

A mentor can teach you new things, provide you with the benefits of their experience, introduce you into their network or even be a great sounding board. A mentor could be someone in your organization that you work with (such as an experienced colleague) or someone removed from your day to day activities (a previous manager or someone in another department) or maybe someone you meet through your networking activities. 

If you don’t have a mentor identify one who will help you in a particular area and ask them if you could meet to discuss this topic. Start with a coffee chat and take it from there. And if you already have a mentor? Ring them and arrange a catch up! 

2. Network

A network of people to support you is vital to any career. They can help you through tough times, are a great starting point when you are looking for your next opportunity and will celebrate your wins with you. 

Focus on depth rather then breadth in your networking relationships and you will have the right people there for you.

Identify people who you trust, respect and are good at what they do.

Invest time in your network. Relationships develop over time and through shared experiences. The network of people you know, value and choose to spend time with is uniquely your own. Enjoy the time and learnings you have with these people.

3. Practice presenting

The ability to present well is vital to showcase your abilities and contributions at work. You can use a presentation to demonstrate what you know, what you have done and what you are capable of. It might be to tell or to sell someone on your ideas. It might be formal or casual. It might be to one person, a small group or a large audience. Regardless, you want to be as good as you can be at this skill.

The ability to make credible presentations is a key competency in organizations and essential for your career repertoire. 

Take some time to develop your skills and rehearse each and every presentation before you make it. The time will pay off in both your confidence and credibility. 

4. Get organised

‘Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” is taking the world by storm as people clear out their closets and are organizing items by size in a bid for sparking the joy of an uncluttered life. Getting organised at work can bring its own kind of, if not joy, contentment and certainly productivity. 

Whether it’s your diary or your desk – clearing out the clutter will create an environment that you will want to work in and help you focus on what is important. (And a nice little origami crane on your desk would make a nice addition to your work space too!)

5. Set a goal

You know the old adage about goals being the way to turn dreams into reality? Well it seems to work. Which is why people keep saying it. 🙂

If you have a dream that you’re not currently actively working towards – set a goal. Something that you can achieve that will move you in the direction you want to go. If you are not quite sure what you want to achieve – set yourself some goals to work out what you do want to do next. You don’t need to map out your entire career – decide on on some specific things your want to achieve or learn. These will be your goals (for now).

Decide on some actions, time frames and measures that will address gaps in your skills, knowledge or experience and help you achieve your dream. And finally, make time and do them!

6. Prioritize what’s important

Take some time to work out what is important to you and vital to achieve for your job and focus on these things. 

It’s unlikely to be practical to be able to take on everything that you are capable of doing. Recognizing the difference between capability (of course you can do lots of things) and capacity (there are how many hours in a day?) is key to determining how much you can commit to. 

7. Learn something new

According to the experts learning something new makes us happier because of the dopamine rush we get when we are exposed to new stimuli. Other advantages are that it’s said to make the brain stronger, we feel more confident and are more interesting to other people.

If that’s not enough good reasons – you need to learn new skills just to keep up with changes in technology, customer requirements and the way organizations work.

Learning something new will help you develop your skills and career potential. 

Whatever you want to learn – I’ll bet there’s an app for that!

Have a great 2019 and hope to connect with you here or on LinkedIn, Twitter and/or Facebook.

Karen

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