Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Has working from home put the sick day on its death bed

Has working from home put the sick day on its death bedHas working from home put the sick day on its death bedWith more employees than ever able to work remotely and the American work ethic as misguided and fear-based as ever calling in sick in todays digital world often means calling in sick, but assuring your boss youll still be working from home, the New York Times reports.While its good that people arent tromping into the amtsstube while ill, infecting those around them (1 in 4 workers would need to be in the hospital in order to call out sick, according to research) theres something to be said for taking an actual, resting sick day instead of maintaining productivity from home while feeling unwell.Even Supreme Court Justices do it, like what Ruth Bader Ginsburg recently did, whenshe was absentfrom the Supreme Court to hear arguments in a case while she recuperated from cancer surgery. She would participate from home, Chief Justice John Roberts said.Employees are often too af raid of falling behind to stop working completely. Others are afraid of the message calling in sick, then doing nothing all day, might send.Will it be seen as a sign of a lack of loyalty or tenacity? Kit Warchol, the head of content marketing forSkillcrush, told the Times. Her company doesnt offer sick days per se, but rather depends on employees to responsibly manage their time and communicate with coworkers if they cant work because of illness or other circumstances. Sounds like a set-up that can easily devolve into round-the-clock work.Now, apparently, workplaces arent as full of coughing workers afraid to take a sick day, and its a good next step that theyre contained safely at home. If they would stop working.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Job Interview Question Whats Your Dream Job

Job Interview Question Whats Your Dream JobJob Interview Question Whats Your Dream JobThere you are trying to make a good impression as you discuss the job description youve been agonizing over, and the interviewer asks, Whats your dream job? If youre like me, youre probably thinking Is this a trick question? Dont worry. Its not. This question is about preferences and aspirations. Those interviewing you are trying to get a sense of what you enjoy doing and in what type of professional environment you hope to someday find yourself. If the opportunity at hand is truly your highest ambition, then go ahead and let the interview gruppe know exactly why thats the case. Otherwise, hopefully there are components of this job that jive with your ideal scenario. Either way this question gives you three good opportunities. It gives you the chance to show your enthusiasm for the position at hand, to discuss how the skills the position requires fit into your ultimate career goal and to explain a b it about the environment in which youd ultimately like to work. Enthusiasm Enthusiasm is usually regarded as an attractive quality in a potential hire. If the job for which you are interviewing is your dream job then you are probably totally excited. Sharing that vibe in an authentic way will likely win you points with the interview team. Even if this job isnt ideal, there must be a lot to relish about the opportunity, or you wouldnt have thrown your hat in the ring. Talk about what direction you ultimately see yourself heading and how that attracts you to this particular job. Note that this job will strengthen skills and give you the experience you need as you pursue that path.You dont want to make it sound like you regard this job as just a stepping stone or that your tenure would be short-lived. So address that by touting a track record of longevity, if thats the case for you. You may also mention that in past positions you have recognized that your career path can change as you learn new things and discover new passions. You want to show that you harbor ambitious career plans, but that you are also flexible and open to the possibility that the job for which you are interviewing may yield unanticipated opportunities, should you get the position. Skills Review the job post and examine the skills the position requires. How have your previous roles honed your skills for this job? How will the position for which you are interviewing take that a step further and continue your professional growth towards your ultimate career ambition? You want to show that you have been thorough in your review of the job post and that you understand what they are seeking and how that relates to your credentials and experience. If this position is your ideal job, you want to demonstrate that your skill set matches the institutions needs.Even if this is not your ideal job, its authentic to say that this job requires a bank of skills that are components of your dream scenario. Envir onment Another area you can focus on is professional environment. For example, I have always wanted to work on a college campus, and here I am interviewing for a job in admissions. Then you can mention the details regarding why this is appealing to you. My parents were professors, and I grew up on a campus. Again, focus on how this position fits into your dream scenariowhether it is a partial or complete fit. Remember This question can be intimidating because its complicated to talk about a future ambition beyond the interview in which you are currently participating. But try not to think about it in such a territorial way. Having professional dreams and ambitions is a positive, and pursuing a position that gets you there is also a good thing. Answering this question well takes preparation, reflection, clarity and confidence. Dont worry. You got this.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

5 seemingly innocent mistakes that can ruin your reputation at work

5 seemingly innocent mistakes that can ruin your reputation at work5 seemingly innocent mistakes that can ruin your reputation at workLooking to grow in yourcareer? (Of course, you are.) We know youre putting your best foot forward each day, taking on extra work, asking for help, and being communicative - but make sure youre not undermining all your hard work with silly, preventable slip-ups.Communication expertStacey Hankeclued us in on the seemingly innocent mistakes that might ruin your rep or cost youa job. Scroll down for herbei top tips.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and mora1. Misbehaving in meetingsNo matter if your day is back-to-back conferences or you just connect with colleagues occasionally, good meeting etiquette can make or break your reputation, Hanke says. The fruchtwein common meeting mistakes she sees? Being late, interrupting other participants, and getting too far off track.Do whatever you can to avoid running late, because it can negatively impact the perceptions others have of you, Hanke advises. If you are late, enter the meeting with grace. Always allow people to finish talking before you speak, and plan ahead to make sure youre prepared for the conversation. The more you plan, the more control you have.2. Texting troublesTheres nothing wrong with texting professionally. In fact, it can be an efficient way to communicate when youre headed to a meeting, to exchange contact info after an event, or quickly catch up with your teammates. But Hanke warns that spelling mistakes, oversharing, or texting when you should be focused on whats happening can reflect poorly on you.Ready to rescue your reputation? Double check your spelling and keep it short - no more than two sentences, Hanke says. Pay attention too. No matter how effective you think you are when it comes to talking and texting at the same time, sending messages during a meeting or co nversation is rude. Trying to hide it wont fool anyone3. Keeping your head downThis is another phone no-no Dont wander around your arbeitszimmer space with your head buried. Dont walk and talk or text weve all seen the funny videos of people who walk into objects because they were paying more attention to their phone, Hanke reminds. Your coworkers dont want to be your next victim.Keeping your eyes up brings additional benefits as well - you can easily establish eye contact and connect with your coworkers. Its easier to build positive influence by saying hello, Hanke says.4. Forgetting your workplace mannersSomeone is always watching in work environments it could be a camera overhead or a person sitting nearby, Hanke says. All you need to do is stay present and connected.Keep things positive and make your work environment work for you by keeping things professional. Check your baggage at the door and ditch the gossip behave in ways youd be publicly proud of in private. Your office i snt the place to pick your teeth or nose your car isnt a place to do your makeup. Handle your personal matters before you get to work, or head to the restroom if you have to. Work to have strong posture and a confident stride, she said. It all matters5. Losing sight of your personal lifeWorking around the clock might seem like its a great way to show youre dedicated, but this unhealthy approach can totally backfire. To avoid earning a reputation as a person who doesnt have boundaries, Hanke advises avoiding after-hours work. When you respond to messages after hours, you communicate that youre always available, she notes.If you manage others, boundaries become even more important. Try to save your communication for others for the next day so your employees have time to decompress without worry or fear, Hanke adds. We agree Showing respect will help earn the reputation youre looking for.How do you fix mistakes or a bad reputation? Let us know on TwitterBritandCoThis article first appe ared on Brit + Co.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people5 seemingly innocent mistakes that can ruin your reputation at workLooking to grow in yourcareer? (Of course, you are.) We know youre putting your best foot forward each day, taking on extra work, asking for help, and being communicative - but make sure youre not undermining all your hard work with silly, preventable slip-ups.Communication expertStacey Hankeclued us in on the seemingly innocent mistakes that might ruin your rep or cost youa job. Scroll down for her top tips.1. Misbehaving in meetingsNo matter if your day is back-to-back conferences or you just connect with colleagues occasionally, good meeting etiquette can m ake or break your reputation, Hanke says. The most common meeting mistakes she sees? Being late, interrupting other participants, and getting too far off track.Do whatever you can to avoid running late, because it can negatively impact the perceptions others have of you, Hanke advises. If you are late, enter the meeting with grace. Always allow people to finish talking before you speak, and plan ahead to make sure youre prepared for the conversation. The more you plan, the more control you have.2. Texting troublesTheres nothing wrong with texting professionally. In fact, it can be an efficient way to communicate when youre headed to a meeting, to exchange contact info after an event, or quickly catch up with your teammates. But Hanke warns that spelling mistakes, oversharing, or texting when you should be focused on whats happening can reflect poorly on you.Ready to rescue your reputation? Double check your spelling and keep it short - no more than two sentences, Hanke says. Pay at tention too. No matter how effective you think you are when it comes to talking and texting at the same time, sending messages during a meeting or conversation is rude. Trying to hide it wont fool anyone3. Keeping your head downThis is another phone no-no Dont wander around your office space with your head buried. Dont walk and talk or text weve all seen the funny videos of people who walk into objects because they were paying more attention to their phone, Hanke reminds. Your coworkers dont want to be your next victim.Keeping your eyes up brings additional benefits as well - you can easily establish eye contact and connect with your coworkers. Its easier to build positive influence by saying hello, Hanke says.4. Forgetting your workplace mannersSomeone is always watching in work environments it could be a camera overhead or a person sitting nearby, Hanke says. All you need to do is stay present and connected.Keep things positive and make your work environment work for you by keepi ng things professional. Check your baggage at the door and ditch the gossip behave in ways youd be publicly proud of in private. Your office isnt the place to pick your teeth or nose your car isnt a place to do your makeup. Handle your personal matters before you get to work, or head to the restroom if you have to. Work to have strong posture and a confident stride, she said. It all matters5. Losing sight of your personal lifeWorking around the clock might seem like its a great way to show youre dedicated, but this unhealthy approach can totally backfire. To avoid earning a reputation as a person who doesnt have boundaries, Hanke advises avoiding after-hours work. When you respond to messages after hours, you communicate that youre always available, she notes.If you manage others, boundaries become even more important. Try to save your communication for others for the next day so your employees have time to decompress without worry or fear, Hanke adds. We agree Showing respect will help earn the reputation youre looking for.How do you fix mistakes or a bad reputation? Let us know on TwitterBritandCoThis article first appeared on Brit + Co.