It isn’t uncommon for many employers to hold a meeting just “to hold a meeting.” According to a report by the Harvard Business Review, more than 70% of the surveyed managers said that most business meetings are unproductive and inefficient. In many cases, these meetings could simply be an email that takes only a few minutes of the participant’s time rather than a chunk of their day. When you find yourself trapped in one of these unproductive meetings, here are a few ideas to help you stay productive and get something out of it.    Take Notes   Taking notes can help you pay attention,...

When you walk into a job interview, you want to make an immediate impression. While being prepared, your personality and even your resume will all contribute to your overall impression and the likelihood of getting the job, there is still basic interview etiquette you need to follow. Here are several things you should keep in mind during your next job interview.    Arrive on Time Walking in late to a job interview is not only going to make a bad impression, but it is also rude as well. This one action tells your interviewers that this job is not a priority to you...

It is common for many individuals to feel stuck in their career and have no clear plan for the future. Even if you have been in the same job for several years, it can be challenging to know what you want to get out of your career and how to be fully engaged in your position. Luckily, you can set career goals that will help you achieve the level of success you desire and be happy at work.    Here are a few tips to help you figure out what you want out of your career.    Determine What is Working and What is...

Being an extraordinary employee is much more than your quality of work and how well you meet your deadlines (even though these are very important!). It also involves how well you behave in the workplace, how considerate you are of others, and your manners. Let’s talk about five workplace etiquette rules that will not only help you be more well-liked in the office but will decrease the conflict and contention you experience as well. 1. Watch Your Noise Levels   No matter if you have your own private office or you sit in a sea of cubicles, you want to keep your noise...

It can be discouraging when you receive that “no.” It may have been your dream job, your number one option for new employment, or even just part of a long job hunt. It is easy to throw yourself a pity party and give up. However, how you handle rejection and move on will make all the difference and will either set you up for future success or misery. Let’s talk about several ways for you to learn how to handle rejection.  Be honest with yourself You may want to ask for feedback from managers or recruiters following a job interview. However, they...

No matter your industry or job title, there are many hard skills — such as knowledge of a technology application or the ability to speak a foreign language —that will help you stand out in the job hunt and perform well in your employment. However, these aren’t the only skills that will make a difference. Soft skills are harder to place on your resume but make a significant impact on your career. These are interpersonal skills that help you better interact, engage, and be efficient in the workplace. Here are five soft skills that you should strive to obtain. 1. Strong communication Communication...

Your social media accounts may be the place where you express your opinions and share images from your night on the town, but these things may be hurting your job hunt. According to a survey by CareerBuilder, up to 70% of employers use social to screen potential job candidates. During this process, 57% chose not to hire the candidate based on the content they found. Luckily, by avoiding just a few simple mistakes, you can prevent this from happening to you. Here are several things you should avoid no matter what social media channel you may be using.  Here are several...

Why consider a character reference letter? When you're on the hunt for a new job, you must do all you can to stand out from the dozens of other candidates. You want to make sure that employer's personnel recognize your potential and schedule an interview with you. While there are several things you can do to stand out, one option is to include a character reference letter with your resume.  What is a character reference letter? A character reference letter is a short letter written by an individual who knows you well. This is not like a professional reference letter (written by...

You don't have to be a networking expert to know that building connections matters! No matter if you're looking for a new job or you desire a promotion, networking should be at the top of your list. Networking allows you to build connections with others in your industry and gain valuable advice about how to be successful in your career. It also gives you priceless opportunities that will improve your skills, experiences, and more. However, networking takes time and it is not as easy as it may seem. To help you find success, here are five tips to help you...

When you have a job you love, you're not only excited to go to work each day, but you are more motivated and productive. A study at the University of Warwick found that when you're happy in the workplace, it increases your productivity by 12%. Conversely, those that are unhappy are 10% less effective. So, how do you find a job you love? Here are several tips to help you find a job you are passionate about. 1. Begin at the job search There are hundreds of job openings every single day. Before you start applying to just any available job,...