Getting Too Old Dye Your Hair Before The Interview!

Getting Too Old Dye Your Hair Before The Interview! Catchy title, eh? Let me explain. In my job search I met a man who was extremely accomplished (an executive in transition). He had some gray, which is how I got to know him. This guy was doing a lot of networking, and eventually came to be one of the most connected people in my city. One day he showed up to the network meeting with beautiful jet-black (or very dark brown) hair. It was interesting. See, my hair isnt really losing its color (Im balding, thats for another post :)), so I hadnt really thought about coloring it. When he, as someone who I really respect, came in with colored hair, it was as if he was trying to hide something (his age). Ive hired older people before (Im in my 30s in case you were wondering) and really respected what they brought to the table. And this guy would have been an awesome catch for any company. I couldnt understand why he was coloring his hair. So without going into one of my lengthy posts, with bullet points and opinions and all that, Ill throw it to you what do YOU think about this issue? Should he have colored his hair, or just left it? I do know that he spent a lot of time thinking about this, so it wasnt just on a whim.

Four ways to make a bad job good

Four ways to make a bad job good The best way to be happier at work is to take personal responsibility for your workplace well-being. Once you do that, any job can be better than it is right now. Here are four ways you can improve your job yourself instead of relying on your boss or your company to change: 1. Make a friend at work People with one friend at work are much more likely to find their work interesting. And people with three friends at work are virtually guaranteed to be very satisfied with their life, according to extensive research from Gallup published in the book Vital Friends by Tom Rath. These findings are independent of what a persons job entails, and what their home life is like. On one level, this isnt surprising. Were better equipped to deal with hardship if we have friends near us, and we have more fun when were with friends. So a friend allows us to deal with the ups and downs of work much more easily. We often think of work and life as separate, and consequently fortify our home life with friends. But we need different friends for different contexts. Having someone you can count on at work to care about you and understand you feeds your soul in a way that used to apply only at home. Of course, once you have this information, you have to figure out the most effective ways to make friends at work. Because friends dont just materialize in your cubicle you need to cultivate them. 2. Decrease your commute time by moving closer to work. More than  three million people  have a commute that lasts more than 90 minutes. Many of them justify this commute by saying that their job is worth it, or that it allows them to have a bigger house. But the commute may be doing them great harm at home and at work. Humans can adjust to almost any amount of bad news, according to Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert. In his book Stumbling on Happiness, he shows that we think losing a limb will be terrible, but in fact we adjust to it pretty well. In fact, in the long run it generally doesnt affect our level of happiness. A commute is different, though. Its impossible to adjust to because the way in which its bad changes every day. So the tension of not knowing what will be bad, and when it will be bad, and not being able to control those things, means were unable to use our outstanding mental abilities to adjust. Heres the clincher, though: Even though people tell themselves it wont happen to them, a bad commute  spills over into the rest of the day  for almost everyone. If you have a bad commute on the way to work and you walk into the office in a bad mood, thats the mood youre likely to have all day. And if you have a bad commute on the way home, youll probably still be grouchy by the time you go to bed. 3. Know when its not about your job. Im not certain whether this is good news or bad news, but  the connection between your job and your happiness is overrated. In general, the kind of work you do isnt going to have huge bearing on whether youre happy or not. To be sure, your work can make you unhappy (see No. 2 above, for example), but work isnt going to give you the key to the meaning of life or anything like that. Still, you can do a quick check to make sure you have a job thats good for you. A good job: •  Stretches you without defeating you •  Provides clear goals •  Provides unambiguous feedback •  Provides a sense of control If you have these things in your job and youre still not happy, its not your job its you. So maybe its time to start looking inside yourself to figure out whats wrong, instead of blaming everything on your job. Im a big fan of getting help when you feel stuck. Sure, we can all get ourselves through life, but its often easier to get where you want to be faster if you have someone to help you overcome your barriers. To this end, you need to know  if you need a career coach or a shrink. And if your job meets the criteria on the above list, you could probably use help from a mental health professional in order to find ways to get happier. 4. Do good deeds. Help people. Be kind. Dont think about what you get in return. Just be nice. In this way, you can make the world a better place in  the job you have right now. Take personal responsibility for your happiness during the day, and do things that make you feel good. Youve heard a lot of this before. If you go to the gym, your mood will get better (and your mind will be sharper). If you eat healthy food, you feel better than if you go to McDonalds for lunch. And if you do random acts of kindness, you get as much out of it as the person youre being kind to. But most importantly, stop looking for your work to give your life meaning. The meaning of life is in your relationships. Cultivate them. A good job is a nice thing to have, but only in the context of larger meaning. If youre happy outside of work, where you dont rely on your boss or your company, then finding happiness at work will be that much easier.

How to Behave Like a Lady in a Mans World of Business

How to Behave Like a Lady in a Mans World of Business The following is a guest post by Julie Petersen.  Her bio follows. Who says you have to be a man to make it in the high-stakes world of business? It’s not 1962 anymore, and Don Draper and his fellow Mad Men are a thing of the past. Today’s boardrooms are no longer men-only, and today’s businesses are better because of it. But despite that, there’s still an age-old stereotype to overcome, and while more and more inspiring women are leading companies into the 21st century, there’s still a gender (and income) disparity. The system isn’t perfect, but it’s better than it was fifty years ago. Nowadays, businesswomen are able to juggle busy jobs, a family life and a social life, often while their husbands stay at home. In fact, according to the Mail Online, the number of stay-at-home mothers is at a record low while the number of house-husbands has doubled. The world of business, then, no longer belongs to men. And, as the feminist and equalitarian movements continue to gain traction around the world, the number of women in business looks set to continue. Women in business It’s a mistake to change who you are in an attempt to fit in, but that’s what many businesswomen decide to do. When industries are still male-dominated, the temptation is to act more ‘manly’ to try to assert yourself. After all, meetings can get intense (especially when there’s a deadline), and the phrase ‘nice guys finish last’ can apply to women, too. Still, there’s no reason to let that change your attitude. You’re in control of your own actions, so don’t let other people get to you and don’t resist the temptation to sink down to someone else’s level. Instead, remain professional, and act with kindness and courtesy even if you don’t feel like it. Being ladylike can seem like an outdated idea, but there’s actually a lot of merit to it â€" especially when it comes to business. You’ll be elegant, courteous and respectful towards clients and colleagues while your ‘manly’ counterparts turn them off by trying to bench press a desk and putting their backs out. Ultimately, the way that you behave will affect other people’s perceptions of you, but so will the work that you deliver. If you focus on doing your job to the best of your ability, you’ll earn a reputation for being good at it â€" and people will respect you no matter how you act. Women as leaders In their book, The Athena Doctrine, authors John Gerzema and Michael D’Antonio present their evidence for how women â€" and the men who think like them â€" will rule the future. They cite the results of a survey of 64,000 people across 13 countries which found that two-thirds felt that the world would be a better place if men thought more like women. The authors have a compelling argument for why this could be the case. In the past, in the Mad Men era of the 60s and the heaving stock exchanges of Wall Street in the 80s, businessmen would sell their own mothers to get ahead of the competition. It was a cutthroat place where more ‘masculine’ traits â€" such as aggression, ruthlessness and competitiveness â€" were required to float to the top. But the world has changed, and the modern business is much more ‘feminine’, characterized by traditionally feminine traits such as compassion, collaboration and empathy. Because of this, the authors argue that by simply behaving more like ladies and less like lads, more women will inevitably rise to the top of the world’s biggest businesses. Behaving like a lady Behaving like a lady doesn’t involve dressing up in frocks and hosting tea parties for the local vicar. In fact, men can learn just as much as women when it comes to being ladylike. Behaving like a lady means behaving like a decent human being. As a general rule, treat other people how you expect to be treated. Make introductions to people instead of leaving them on the side-lines, use your manners and hold the door for other people. To begin with, people might think that you’re a pushover, so be sure to say no if you’re not happy with something and to pipe up with your professional opinion when appropriate. You’ll also need to use your self-control at times to stay cool, calm and collected even when you’re angry, or after a couple of drinks at the office party. Try not to swear too much â€" if at all â€" focusing your energy instead on being charming and approachable. People do business with the people they like, and that’s more powerful than any gender disparity. That’s why one day, women will rule the boardroom. And they don’t even have to compromise their integrity to do it. About the Author: Julie Petersen is a writer and a blogger from California. She is a founder of askpetersen.com, educational blog for students.

Everything You NEED to know before entering the professional world - Part II

Everything You NEED to know before entering the professional world - Part II Welcome to Part II of everything you NEED to know before entering the professional world.  If you missed part 1, make sure you check out this post.   All of the tips are from amazing readers like you who left comments on previous posts.  If you have more tips for young readers, feel free to share them in the comments below!  If I get a few more, I will do part III! Here is your college and life advice for young girls!! Get an internship every summer as soon as you start college. Even if it’s unpaid. This is a great way to start building skills on a resume (future employers won’t know whether you were paid or not) and the fact that you were employed multiple times makes you much less of a hiring risk in the future! Internships are also a great way for you to learn what jobs you like and don’t like before you have to commit to a full-time job post-graduation. (by Alex Nelson) My advice would be to choose a career you will love. So many people choose a career based on money and are unhappy each day. Choose an interest you love and go with it. I have a teenage sister and I always tell her to make her own money. Don’t count on someone else taking care of you. Have your own money and know how to take care of yourself. (By Dawn at Lifes Experiences) The thing that I wish I’d really grasped was that learning is about developing a career and not just a dream. So I often reflect that I might have been happier if I’d done something directly related to a career â€" accountancy or law, perhaps (I spent most of my education studying theatre).  My other tip would be not to underestimate the need for basic skills. I have a lot of resumes and applications sent to me that are terribly written and put together. I expect an application to be the very best example of the individual’s work standard.   (by the girl behind) Always be prepared â€" do your research on the company, on the position and on yourself! Review your achievements in school, work or community and be prepared to confidently speak about them all. Most importantly have a great attitude and represent yourself honestly. Always be open to trying new things â€" even when you are not going to be compensated for those things â€" they will inevitably lead to a greater opportunity that may not be quantified through renumeration!  (by Felicia Nurmsen) Watch your managers carefully. Once you enter the “business” world, you can get a feel for the kind of leader you are going to be by remembering the things you liked and didn’t like about your different leaders. I learned SO MUCH about mentoring from one boss and I left another job with a laundry list of things I didn’t want to incorporate from another.(by Maranda Gibson) My recommendation would be to make sure you ask lots of questions at your job interview. Inquire why the position is open, what the company culture is like, etc. The interview process is for both the job candidate and employer alike. (by Sarah at My Colleges and Careers) When still in college or school, remember to socialize. You will meet a wider variety of people when you start working and you might be intimidated by the lot. But if you’re used to socializing with people as early as possible, then you wouldn’t have a problem when you already have a job and working with people. (By Steph) So much great advice!  What is your career and life advice for young girls?  What do you wish you would have known before going to college and entering the real world? (P.S. This post was supposed to go up Friday morning. Unfortunately, there were too many black Friday deals today that I got a little behind.  Oops! ??

How to Write a College Application Resume

How to Write a College Application ResumeTo get a better job, you must write a college application resume. Why is this? It is because college applicants are looked at more seriously by employers, who look over many applications when hiring.Now, when you are filling out your college application resume, make sure that you take time to look at each entry. It should flow very smoothly and logically. It is not required that you highlight each part. It is fine to mark it up but do not emphasize it.Writing a college application resume is one of the most important parts of applying for college. This document will be the one that you will give to your college career counselor when you decide to attend their school. There are so many aspects of college that you need to take into consideration. You must remember that there are grades involved in every admission process, including this one. That is why it is so important to think carefully about what you will write on your college application re sume.One thing that you will want to consider before you begin writing your college application resume is that you must go into it with an open mind. You cannot be afraid to be different than the rest of the applicants. For example, you can choose a different colored pencil or chalk pen to take notes on your college application resume. If you do this, you will set yourself apart from the other applicants and make them notice your unique mark.When you have decided what you want to write on your college application resume, you should write it right away. This is an important step because you need to be consistent with your efforts. Do not slack off. You need to remember that you can succeed. Taking time to write a college application resume will be worth it in the end.As you are filling out your applications, it is a good idea to apply to as many schools as you can apply to. Because it is your final decision, you need to make sure that you are doing everything that you can. You do not want to risk losing out on any of the schools that you have applied to.The best way to create a college application resume is to follow a plan. Make sure that you know what to write on each section. You should write in all caps and bold and let the words flow. Remember, this is the first impression that you will have on a college career counselor. So be sure that you write your application in a way that will make them notice you!There are many ways to write a college application resume. However, when you are choosing the best method for you, consider your goal. Remember that the next college application that you fill out will be the first impression that you make.

A question for ya Books about happiness at work - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

A question for ya Books about happiness at work - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Say, Ive been hankering to read some good books about happiness at work. You can see my top 10 favorite books so far here (fiction and non-fiction), with my reviews. Hmmmm that list is from 2004 gotta update it soon. Can you recommend some more great ones? Write a comment! If youd like to recommend a really great novel as well, dont hold yourself back :o) Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

What to Tell The Boss About Your Trade Show Attendance

What to Tell The Boss About Your Trade Show Attendance If you are like me, you feel great after learning something new, especially when there is a self-improvement component. Theres a lot you can get out of a trade show or conference, such as: hear creative ideas learn better processes tactical solutions hear best practices network within your industry have an awesome time at the after parties! What your boss wants to know Whats missing here? Souvenirs for your boss! I dont mean the schwag you picked up from vendors, I mean the education and experiences that your boss is interested in. Bosses typically want to know their money was well-spent by hearing about: relevant success stories from other firms and details on how that success was achieved new research that should modify the assumptions your team has been using new technologies that improve ROI or relieve the burden of internal processes ideas and evidence that are contrary to things youve been thinking doing best practices of companies and thought leaders that you should adopt steps, tools ideas for how to be more effective a report that your boss can show to her/his boss and look like a smart manager What to give your boss A trade show is your chance to bring some fresh ideas back and show your boss that you think strategically and for the long-term. Start with a presentation that contains a high-level summary of what you saw and why it is important. You may want to include a list of recommended initiatives for the next year. Your boss isnt looking for a list of features and benefits nor your notes from each session. They dont want to know everything, rather what is relevant. This is one of those times where you should show your boss that you know more than he/she does. Again, the greatest value you are delivering is adapting what you heard for your companys benefit. So pay attention to what you hear, take in the entire experience, and translate it into successes for your organization and your career.