Archive for the 'Careers' Category
You probably use email throughout your work day. But how often do you consider the effects it can have on your career? An email mistake could forfeit your job. But if you arm yourself with these tips, you should be safe and more effective at work!
1. Think before you send.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Engage your mind before you put your mouth in gear.” The same applies to email. It’s so easy to type out an email and hit “Send.” Don’t fall into the trap of sending emails without first thinking about the contents.
Email taboos aren’t difficult to ascertain. Ask yourself, “Would I say this in person?” If not, don’t send it. For some other thoughts, check out an article by Penelope Trunk: 5 emails you should never write.
2. Remain professional.
Email has become a standard communication method. We email everything from job offers to stupid jokes. The trick is to remember that company email is for professional business only. Your company might allow some incidental personal email use, but don’t abuse it.
And most importantly, always remain professional in emails to colleagues. You don’t have to be stiff shirted, but give them (and the entire company) the respect they deserve.
3. Use proper grammar and spelling.
R u their? That doesn’t make much sense, does it? Your teenager may understand it in a text message from a buddy, but your coworker in Human Resources won’t. Proper grammar and spelling is essential to ensure people comprehend your emails.
More than that, this is part of being professional. If you don’t take the time to spell check an email or use complete sentences, what will your colleagues think about your work product?
4. Write good subject lines.
Email is supposed to help you get work done. How is Bob down the hall going to know what you need, if you don’t properly label your emails to him? It doesn’t help him be effective, and you probably won’t get a timely response needed for your job. Everyone suffers.
Instead, label all emails with a well-worded subject. Don’t leave it blank! Make it clear what project or task the email relates to, but keep it brief. For other ideas, check out How to Construct the Perfect Email Subject Line.
5. Don’t live in your email.
Email is a tool. If you spend all day rummaging around in your inbox, you won’t get your real work done. Sure, you might send and read a bunch of email, but what do you have to show for it? Unless your job is specifically about communications, email is just a way to help get other things accomplished.
A great way to tame the email addiction is to only check it periodically throughout the day. Try once per hour. You could probably even check it less often than that. And let your coworkers know that truly urgent matters warrant a phone call. This allows you to step out of the inbox, do your real work, and know that urgent things will get your attention when needed.
Master your email, before it masters you!
While summer gets into full swing in the Northern hemisphere, most people are thinking about vacations. I implore you to consider your career. Whether you’re a university student or a veteran in the workforce, you can do something to enhance your career this summer.
Read some books
We’ll start off with an easy idea. While you’re relaxing poolside on a lazy Saturday afternoon, read a career book. There are lots of good ones you could grab at the local bookstore, or you could check one out from the library.
You could also consider reading something to enhance your specific knowledge base, like a book about a new technology in your industry. The different possibilities here are quite endless.
The coolest thing about this idea is that you can still enjoy a beautiful summer afternoon. A lounge chair, iced tea, and a good book. I wish I was there right now.
Take a class
This tip gets a bit more ambitious. Universities and community colleges usually offer a number of courses during the summer. Perhaps one of these would help your career. At the community college level, you can probably just enroll and take a single course of interest.
Summer classes are a bit different than regular university courses. You focus on a single subject for several hours per day, for only a couple weeks. If you’re working full-time, this would be a drain on your schedule. But it’s only a short time. The benefits to your career will last a lifetime.
Get a job
If you’re already working, this tip might seem crazy. In fact, it’s oriented toward students or people who might have the summer off (like teachers). But even full-time employees could take on a part-time job for a couple months.
Employers love having help. Even if you only work for someone for the summer, you can learn a lot and make a little money in the process.
The idea is to find a job that would enhance your resume. You don’t have to work just for the sake of working. But if you can land a job (even volunteering) that gives you important skills or networking connections, you’ll be better off in the end.
Your ideas?
There are probably many other things you could do for your career this summer. What would you add here? Let us know in the comments.
Companies are accurately aware of the value and importance of branding. When you see “Coke,” you immediately think of the soft drink. In fact, when you see the characteristic white script on a red background, you think “Coke.” That’s branding.
Do you have a personal brand?
Is there something that people automatically associate with you? Do you have a style, type of work, catchphrase, or something else unique that sets you apart?
Fortunately, it’s really easy to create and promote your personal brand. Doing so will refine your image and enhance your career. Here’s some ideas to consider.
Think up a brand
Like I mentioned above, this can be something simple like a color, a style of work, a type of writing, or some niche you specialize in. You’ve probably already got a brand, but you don’t think of it as such.
If you’ve got a favorite color, you’re already halfway at your brand. Just think up something to put with it, maybe just your name, and you’ll be there.
Maybe you’ve got a nickname. This could be the key to your personal branding.
If you don’t get the gist yet, keep reading and it will become clear.
Make a business card
This is a front-line place to show off your brand. You’ll give business cards to potential employers, clients, and networking contacts. To help them associate you with your brand (the goal here), you’ll want to brand your business card.
For a silly example, think of Bob. His nickname is “Slim,” and he’s a lawyer. He could have a standard business card, just saying “Bob - Attorney at Law.” But he could really brand himself by having a card that says: Bob, the “Slim” lawyer. He’d probably come up with something a bit better, but you get the picture.
If Bob has a favorite color, he would also integrate that into his card. You don’t want too many elements for your personal brand, but a couple is great. Think back to our first example: Coke. It’s a word, with two colors. Think simple, and put it on your card.
Use stationary
Even in our digital age, we still use regular mail. Splurge a bit and get some custom stationary made up. You’ll need some basic letterhead and some simple thank you notes.
These don’t have to match your business cards, but they should further promote your personal brand. If Bob’s using his phrase of “the Slim lawyer,” he’d include that on his letterhead and thank you cards. Simple, right?
Start a blog
A great way to promote your brand in today’s world is through blogging. You can get a free blog from several different services. Or you can register a custom domain name and have a bit more control over your blogging.
The point is to carry your brand through your blog as well. This should be a professional outlet for you, a sort-of online resume. Consider getting YourName.com as the domain. Then use your brand as the blog’s design. This is where your brand’s colors can be very useful.
Go forth and brand
This is only the tip of the iceberg for personal branding. But hopefully you’ve got some ideas to get started.
Branding will enhance your career, your name recognition, and your social networking. Promote your brand, and your career will benefit.
Photo courtesy of grumbler.
This is Part 4 in a series on “Working Abroad.” In this series, we’ve examined the possibility of jobs abroad and highlighted some practical steps to aid an overseas career. Be sure to check out Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
If you’re thinking about working abroad, you cannot forget a crucial step: complying with the law. Countries have immigration laws that regulate people coming and going. Most countries regularly allow visitors, but actually working in another country is more complicated. This final “Working Abroad” post gives you some points to consider.
Start early
Paperwork takes time. Even if you land a great job in another country, you cannot legally work there until your paperwork is cleared. If you don’t start the paperwork until the day before you leave, you are asking for trouble.
Thus, as you think about potential work opportunities, also look at the country’s temporary work requirements. Find out how long it usually takes to process the paperwork. Give yourself plenty of time to get everything completed and approved.
Countries vary
Part of what makes this step difficult is that countries have varying requirements. For example, if you’re a citizen of a full European Union member country, you can work in another full EU member country for up to three months without any paperwork.
Aside from the EU, most countries will have varying fees and processes for obtaining your paperwork. The key is just to do your homework and understand what you need to do.
Fortunately, most countries have websites where you can find the pertinent information. Here are just a few such sites: Australia, Canada, and United States. You could also obtain information by calling or writing to the destination country’s consulate in your own country.
Get a sponsor company
In most countries, the easiest way to get a work visa is to have a company sponsor you. Countries usually favor this type of arrangement, since it shows a specific need for your talents in the country. Also, you will already have a job once you arrive in the country.
If you find a job with a foreign company (or a foreign office of a domestic company), you will already have a sponsorship lined up. Without a sponsor, you will just have to apply on your own. But it can still be done!
Plan ahead
The biggest thing to remember is to plan ahead. Do your research, find out what you need, and figure out a way to get it. There are many great online resources out there, as well resources in your local library. Utilize what you find. You’ll be on your way to a career overseas in no time!
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This is Part 3 in a series on “Working Abroad.” In this series, we’ll examine the possibility of jobs abroad and highlight some practical steps to aid an overseas career. Be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2.
At this point you’ve seen why a job overseas might be good for you, and we’ve looked at a couple cool jobs that you might consider.
Now it’s time to get to the meat of working abroad. How do you find a job?
Work remotely for a domestic company
We already covered part of this idea in the series, but it merits repeating. If you already work remotely, you might be able to simply move to another country for a little while. Definitely talk with your employer about this, but they might not mind, depending upon your work needs.
If you don’t currently have a telecommuting job, perhaps you could find one. There are numerous companies these days who are seeking qualified and talented candidates, regardless of their location. If you land a job with flexible location requirements, this might be your ticket to living abroad.
Foreign offices of domestic companies
Another easy route to take would be finding large domestic companies who have foreign offices. Many times these companies will consider relocating job candidates, if they fit the company’s needs abroad.
For this type of job, your best bets are to work on your professional networking, let people know what you are seeking, and search out potential opportunities on job boards. It may take a little while to find a job of this nature, but the rewards are worth it.
Find a teaching job
If you are a teacher looking for work abroad, you’re in luck. There is a huge array of teaching opportunities in other countries.
One notable opportunity for teachers is to teach your native language to people in another country. Obviously you’ll need to speak the destination country’s language as well. There is a great Canadian website that specializes in helping Canadians find this type of work (although it would probably help any English speaker). There is also another comprehensive site for English speakers in general.
Contract work overseas
If you have experience in construction, engineering, or other similar fields, companies may need your help abroad. In fact, there are job boards specifically for overseas contractors.
One comprehensive site to check out is Road Techs, which has an extensive overseas job board. Based on a quick look, this site is updated very often, and there a lots of jobs to peruse.
Do some searching
This post is not meant to list every type of job you could find in another country. It is meant to show you that for most any skill set, you can find overseas opportunities. Do a little searching online, and you’ll be amazed and what you find.
Be sure to check back for Part 4, where we’ll cover tips on getting visas and other paperwork for working abroad. To easily read future job and career tips, subscribe to Job Tuition by email or RSS.
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