6 Tips for Talking Politics at the Office

6 Tips for Talking Politics at the Office Sponsored by Workopolis: No matter how hard you try, politics are hard to ignore these days, and navigating tricky political talk has never been more fraught. According to a study by  VitalSmarts  co-founders Joseph Grenny and David Maxfield, nine out of 10 U.S. voters said the 2016 election was more polarizing and volatile than ever before â€" and it’s sad to say that things have only worsened since then.   The consensus has generally been to steer clear of politics and religion at the office, but how do you avoid talking about things that dominate the news? If we’re being realistic, politics will be a topic of discussion at some point, so it’s important to understand how you and your employees can avoid bitter debates with coworkers. Here are six tips on how to handle political talk at the office (and keep your sanity). 1. Always be diplomatic One of the most surprising findings from the VitalSmarts’ survey was that people were actually fine speaking to someone they disagreed with politically. The key, however, was in how that person spoke. If the discussion stays respectful â€" no matter how much you might disagree â€" it can be just that: a discussion. “Most of us think the only safe space to talk is with those who agree with us, and it’s just not true,” said Grenny. 2. Don’t conform When you’re surrounded by people of a certain political persuasion, it can be very tempting to take the path of least resistance. But when it comes to your own sanity (and job satisfaction), this isn’t a healthy long-term strategy. “A lot of people think being diplomatic is sugarcoating your opinions,” Grenny said. “But that’s not a meaningful conversation. 3. Seek out common ground As hard as it might be to believe, you might actually have some ideological common ground with Bob from accounting. Even if he’s on the complete opposite side of the political spectrum, there are always common threads that you can use to weave some understanding. “It’s totally possible two people with polar opposite positions have similar values,” Grenny said. “On immigration, maybe you both care about national security, and taking care of those with citizenship, and the disagreements are how we execute on those values.” 4. Forget about changing people’s minds The real problem spot when talking politics is assuming that you can convince other people to change their mind. Don’t forget that these are often more than just opinions â€" they are firmly held beliefs. By trying to “convert” people, you can come across as condescending and rude. “Give up the desire to proselytize to someone with a different opinion,” Grenny said. 5. Ask before dissenting It might seem strange, but simply asking if it’s ok to express a differing point of view can really go a long way.    â€œPeople feel psychologically different when they give permission to share our point of view.” Remember, though, that this goes both ways. If your co-worker is willing to listen to your point of view, return the favor. 6. Have a way out No matter how understanding and polite you are, the simple fact is that there’s always a chance a political discussion will get heated. Recognize that and plan ahead: make sure you have an escape route (what Grenny calls the “off-ramp”). “If it looks like it’s creating something that neither person wants, just stop. As soon as one of those signals occurs, say, ‘gosh, I think I’m getting a little too agitated, it looks like you’re not liking what you’re hearing from me, so let’s talk about the ball game.’ Then cut it off.” And if that doesn’t work, you could always change the subject (or start looking for another job!). About the author:  Workopolis  is Canada’s leading career site for job seekers and a leader in HR technology solutions for employers.

How To Get What You Want Workplace Leadership

How To Get What You Want Workplace Leadership You know the type- the woman who seems to effortlessly succeed at getting exactly what she wants with minimal effort and maximum likeability. We want to be her- to mirror her attitude and success. Its not as hard as you might think to get what you want, if you have the commitment and sense to go for it. Following a few simple guidelines can make you a more effective leader and worker. Just keep in mind these 5 tips: 1. Ask for It. Getting what you want always begins with asking the question. If you never ask, then theres zero chance you will ever get it. The worst thing that could happen is that you will be told no, and no is always negotiable. 2. Be Willing To Do What It Takes. If you want something, you have to ask yourself how hard you are willing to work to make it happen. How many hours are you willing to dedicate? What sacrifices are you prepared to make? Be eager. Be willing. 3. Cast Aside Myths. You are not your gender, your age, your ethnicity, or your marital status. These labels do not represent you or contribute to your worth. Identifying with them, or letting them control you, will only hold you back and prevent you from being the best you possible. By being authentically yourself, you will see more positive results. Here are the 5 Most Damaging Myths That Keep Women From Advancing And Thriving. 4. Play To Your Strengths. Are you a good listener? Or perhaps you are excellent at organizing. Whatever your skills are, utilize them. They will make you stand out in your own unique and positive way. If you need some ideas on what you can do, read How Leaders Can Use Emotional Intelligence To Get What They Want. 5. Take Constructive Criticism. Ego will only get in the way of making you an excellent leader. While sometimes hard to hear, critiques on your managing or leading style can be instrumental in helping you grow personally and professionally. Ask your coworkers to provide honest and open feedback, and you will be able to identify areas on which you can improve. As working professional women, we must lean on each other and support one another in order to reach our full potential. If you want some more tips on how to stand out in your role, check out these 5 Ways To Get Noticed In The Workplace. Now, go out and get what you want Ms. Career Girl! Have any other tips for being an effective leader? Tweet them to me @sncueto or @mscareergirl!

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Knowing When to Quit

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Knowing When to Quit In his book, The Dip, author Seth Godin says that the first step to becoming the best in the world is realizing that quitting may be really important for your future success.While you may think this flies in the face of conventional wisdom that winners never quit and quitters never win, Godin says that quitting something that will not make you the best makes perfect sense. Superstars, he says, are the ones who know when to quit something that is a dead end and stay focused and motivated when it really counts.If youre considering quitting something, Godin says you should first ask yourself:1. Am I panicking? Quitting when youre panicked, he writes in his book, is dangerous and expensive. Why? Because the smartest move is to make the decision ahead of time that youre going to quit. When the pressure is the greatest to compromise, to drop out, or to settle, your desire to quit should be at its lowest, he says. The decision to quit is often made in the moment. But that exactly the wrong time to make such a critical decision.2. Who am I trying to influence? If youve got a boss who just wont let up on you, then youre probably considering quitting your job. If youre trying to influence just one person, persistence has its limits. Its easy to cross the line between demonstrating your commitment and being a pest. If you havent influenced him yet, it may very well be time to quit, Godin writes. One person will make up his mind and if youre going to succeed, youll have to change it. And changing someones mind is difficult, if not impossible.3. What sort of measurable progress am I making? On the job, youre either moving forward, standing still or falling behind. Godin says that if you decide to quit your job because youre not making progress, then you need to understand it doesnt mean youre quitting your quest to make a living or a difference or an impact. He says that youre not giving up because a job is just a tactic, a way to get you what you really want. He emphasizes that all those stories about authors who were turned down again and again and then became a mega-hit overnight with a bestseller are not stories about sticking it out in a dead-end, but rather the ability of these people to move through a market. Consider Godins observation: when was the last time you heard about someone who stuck with a dead-end job or a dead-end relationship or a dead-end sales prospect until suddenly, one day, the person at the other end said, Wow, I really admire your persistence; lets change our relationship for the better? It doesnt happen.

Why Your Business Payroll Systems Are More Important Than You Think -

Why Your Business Payroll Systems Are More Important Than You Think - Payroll is one of the building blocks of any business. It is an integral part of any business as it is responsible for employees’ salary compensation and plays a vital role in ensuring you are compliant with various legislations. All too often, business owners view business payroll as something that is merely a procession function and one of the mundane, tedious tasks that need to be done on a monthly basis. However, payroll systems have greater importance than just ensuring your employees are paid on time. It affects every aspect of your organisation, from the reputation of your business right down to your overall employee morale. In this article, we look at why your business payroll systems are more important than you think, so read on to find out more! Reallocation Of Resources Thanks to the introduction of Single Touch Payroll, time that used to be spent reporting employee paychecks to the ATO has greatly reduced. With the assistance of single touch payroll software, reports are automatically sent to the ATO on a paycheck to paycheck basis, thus freeing up time that can be allocated to other tasks that need to be done. Payroll software also assist a business in keeping accurate and comprehensive details of data that are accessible at the touch of a button. Online payroll software is also up to date with ATO requirements, ensuring that you are always compliant and never run the risk of getting into hot water. The overall shift to automated payroll systems frees up valuable time and resources for your team to focus on other aspects of the business. Ensure You Are Compliant With The ATO One of the biggest ways payroll can affect your business is if you are found to be non-compliant with the ATO. Some of the factors that may contribute to not being compliant not declaring fringe benefits, late payment of payroll taxes, accidentally or falsely claiming employees are contractors or freelancers and not registering when wages paid exceed your monthly threshold. When found to be non-compliant, your business may face significant consequences such as penalty fines which may greatly affect your overall cash flow for the rest of the year. This is why ensuring that you are on top of your game with your payroll system is absolutely essential failing to do so may very well make or break your business. Keeping Employee Morale High A critical aspect of the payroll system is its impact on the morale of your workforce. Employees need the reassurance that they are going to be paid on time, all the time. A late payroll may cause your workforce to question their worth and value in your organisation, on top of questioning your overall financial position as a business. An unhappy employee is one that becomes less motivated less efficient, thus resulting in underperformance and lacklustre behaviour. As we all know, employees are the backbone of any successful business this is why the payroll system is so important in ensuring that employee morale is always kept high. The efficiency and success of your business counts on it!  Uphold Your Company’s Reputation In addition to ensuring that your employees are paid on time, it is important that you keep up with your payroll in order to maintain your company’s reputation. As stated in our second point, failure to meet payroll regulations can result in hefty fines with the ATO. This can, in turn, tarnish your company’s reputation and make people wonder about your organisation’s reputation as a stable employer. Ensuring you are up to date with payroll and efficient with meeting your tax obligations is essential in preserving the good reputation of any business. We hope that this article has given you some insight into just how important payroll systems are for any successful business. One can catch a quick glimpse at a company’s overall financial stability simply by looking at its payroll process which is why every business owner should avoid overlooking it and instead ensure the accuracy and timeliness of payroll.

Tips for Writing Resume For Currently Enrolled in College

Tips for Writing Resume For Currently Enrolled in CollegeResume writing for currently enrolled in college? Why? If you are a student, why not write a resume that can capture your interest of prospective employers and convince them to make an offer on your resume?There are two ways of getting a job. One is to look for employment which can fit your skills and interests. The other way is to seek for a job which is unknown. Although seeking for a job is a good thing but it can also be risky and depressing.It is advisable for the student resumes to be updated and catchy. It is impossible to make a resume for currently enrolled in college attractive and informative if it is not up-to-date and recent. In addition, keeping the information current will help to create an impression of a current student when it comes to interviewing.When searching for a job, most students choose the first resume they see. This might work for you as long as the position is for a temporary position. But when you think about becoming a full-time employee, there is a better idea in resume writing for currently enrolled in college. Your resume should reflect your capabilities and show that you are motivated enough to perform a certain task at college level.A resume that will capture the attention of the employer is required for the first step of the job application process. Because you may not want to write a resume in a hurry. When searching for the right kind of resume, always keep in mind that the first step of the application process is to ask for the details of the position you are applying for.Employers usually check their potential candidates before interviewing them. You may ask for their resume to prepare yourself for the interview and if possible to complete the entire application and have itproperly prepared before the meeting. Keep in mind that before the interview, the employer has already read the resume written by the applicant.So, instead of writing a resume that is suited to a n old and new employee, make sure to write a resume that can grab the attention of a potential employer. It is not possible to learn everything about the field by studying it. What you can do is to gather all your knowledge about the subject so that you can present it effectively during the interview.Resume writing for currently enrolled in college is not difficult if you have the proper mindset and the knowledge that what you are writing is for the right purpose. It is important to write the resume in such a way that will make the interviewer look at your resume as an interesting resource. People can relate to your resume. In order to make the right impression, the best thing to do is to follow the guidelines for resume writing for currently enrolled in college.

Borrowing Funds For Your First Business Venture - CareerAlley

Borrowing Funds For Your First Business Venture - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Starting Your Own Business If you are thinking about going down a new path when it comes to your career, then you are often going to need money to make this work. This can be the most challenging part. Not only do you need to find a way to borrow the funds you require but you need to make sure that you borrow the right amount too. With that being said, continue reading to discover everything that you need to know. Consider Your Options Carefully consider all of your options The first thing you should do is make sure you consider all of the options that are available to you in terms of getting started with the business idea you have. For example, have you considered a franchise instead? You can take a look at the best senior care franchisesto get a better understanding of what is out there. Going down this route can often be more cost-efficient than trying to open your own senior care home from scratch. Plus, you will be investing in a proven model and so you are much more likely to start making money back quickly too. Create Your Budget Work out how much money you are truly going to need to borrow One of the biggest mistakes people make when borrowing money, in general, is borrowing more than they really need. They simply borrow more because this is what is offered to them. However, if you do this, you are simply going to end up owing more money, and so this is certainly not advised. Instead, borrow the amount that you need. Starting your own business requires that you find a way to borrow the funds you require but you also need to ensure you dont over-extend yourself. Tweet This Consider how you are going to borrow the funds The third and final thing you need to consider is how you are going to acquire the money in order to begin your businessventure. There are lots of different avenues to explore. The first option you may want to consider is borrowing the money from family and friends. However, this is something that does need to be approached with a bit of caution. At the end of the day, you do not want to get in a situation whereby your friends or a family member are constantly hounding you for money and try to get involved in the business. There is no right or wrong answer when determining the best way to borrow funds; it is a personal decision but it does require a lot of contemplation. In Summary As you can see, there is a lot that needs to be considered when it comes to borrowing money for your next business venture. We hope that the information that has been provided above has given you some food for thought regarding this. After all, it is important to make sure that you do not end up borrowing too much money and put yourself in a worrying position. What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

How to make your resume work for you - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

How to make your resume work for you I have been hearing from a lot of people recently who are having trouble getting interviews for that next opportunity. If you feel that nobody is interested in reading and responding to your CV/resume, you should seriously consider rewriting it. Why? Well, lets look at the process from the employer’s point of view. Why should a company select your CV/resume, interview you and possibly hire you, when they may have a few hundred candidates to choose from? What can you say that will make your resume stand out? How can you create the necessary wording in your CV/resume in order to help provide a mental picture for the reader, showing your potential capabilities? How will you be able hold the readers interest in order for you to get past that first critical step of being short-listed for a possible interview? You must provide the most comprehensive picture of your capabilities in order to catch the attention of the reader. You must ensure that you have thoroughly reviewed all aspects of your job, your experiences and successes, and include these in your CV/resume. The consequences of not doing  will most likely result in your application being rejected. After rewriting your CV/resume carefully read each statement you have written about your experience and deliverable and then ask yourself the question, So what?   If you have made your statements as dynamic and descriptive as you can, then you have a better chance to catch the attention of the reader and improved your chances of getting a job interview. Here are a couple of the several So what examples to assist you in improving the quality and content of your resume: Deputised as team supervisor  (So what?)  Or you could write Deputised as team supervisor for a team of 5 staff and lead the team in successfully completing a £250,000 project in upgrading the companys sales order entry system. This resulted in an annual company operational savings of £65,000. Call centre team leader responsible for inbound call centre staff   (So what?)  Or you could write Team leader managing a call centre team of 8 staff and was responsible for a 6 month cycle of process improvements covering the analysis, creation and delivery of a new inbound call centre customer handling process. This process improved overall customer call answering efficiency by 10% and raised overall customer satisfaction ratings by 4%. Which is more interesting and descriptive to read? You can have the best experience in the world but if your  resume  doesnt stand out, if you dont present that information in a well-organized manner, or if it doesnt tell your story, nobody will take the time to look at your  resume  closely enough to see all that experience. While your CV/resume  may look different depending on the industry  youre in, the one presented by Business Insider is a really great example of a  resume  for job seekers with about 10 years of experience: http://www.businessinsider.com/excellent-resume-for-mid-level-employee-2014-8#ixzz3Af3PqIo7 If youve found this useful, please comment on my blog below. And if you need some help with your resume or interviewing technique, check out my interview coaching services here or email me on margaret@interview-coach.co.uk and lets arrange time to discuss how I could possibly help you reach your career goals. _____________________________________________________________________________ Margaret Buj is an  interview and career acceleration coach  who has helped hundreds of professionals get hired, promoted and paid more. If you want to find out how recruiters read resumes, why you’re not getting hired, how to sell yourself successfully in a job interview and how to negotiate your best salary yet, you can download her  free “You’re HIRED!” video course. How to make your resume work for you Are you having trouble getting interviews for that next job opportunity? Do you feel that no one is interested in reading and responding to your CV/resume and cover letter? Then you should seriously consider thoroughly reviewing and rewriting your CV.   Why? Well let’s look at the process from the Company’s point of view. Why should a company select your CV/resume, interview you and possibly hire you, when they may have a few hundred candidates to choose from? What can you say that will make your CV stand out? How can you create the necessary wording in your CV/resume in order to help provide a mental picture for the reader, showing your potential capabilities? How will you be able hold the reader’s interest in order for you to get past that first critical step of being short-listed for a possible interview? You must provide the most comprehensive picture of your capabilities in order to catch the attention of the reader. You must ensure that you have thoroughly reviewed all aspects of your job, your experiences and successes, and include these in your CV. The consequences of not doing this could result in your CV ending in the waste basket. After rewriting your CV/resume carefully read each statement you have written about your experience and deliverable and then ask yourself the question, “So what?” If you have made your statements as dynamic and descriptive as you can, then you have a better chance to catch the attention of the reader and improved your chances of getting a job interview. Here are a couple of the several “So what” examples contained in George Snyder’s new book ‘Mapping Your Dimensional CV’ to assist readers in improving the quality and content of their CV’s: Deputised as team supervisor â€" (So what?)  Or you could write â€" Deputised as team supervisor for a team of 5 staff and lead the team in successfully completing a £250,000 project in upgrading the company’s sales order entry system. This resulted in an annual company operational savings of £65,000. Call centre team leader responsible for inbound call centre staff â€" (So what?)  Or you could write â€" Team leader managing a call centre team of 8 staff and was responsible for a 6 month cycle of process improvements covering the analysis, creation and delivery of a new inbound call centre customer handling process. This process improved overall customer call answering efficiency by 10% and raised overall customer satisfaction ratings by 4%. Which is more interesting and descriptive to read? There are many, many more practical examples in this e-book and if you apply even just some of the suggestions, you will significantly increase your chances of being invited for interviews. I particularly liked the section about how to identify your tangible achievements on your resume and how to develop your personal statement. http://professionalcv.org/ George has this e-book available on a special offer for only £6.08/$10 right now â€" I’d HIGHLY recommend it you get it before the price goes up! You’ll thank me later:-) Warm regards Margaret Buj Interview Career Coach How to make your resume work for you Are you having trouble getting interviews for that next job opportunity? Do you feel that no one is interested in reading and responding to your CV/resume and cover letter? Then you should seriously consider thoroughly reviewing and rewriting your CV.   Why? Well let’s look at the process from the Company’s point of view. Why should a company select your CV/resume, interview you and possibly hire you, when they may have a few hundred candidates to choose from? What can you say that will make your CV stand out? How can you create the necessary wording in your CV/resume in order to help provide a mental picture for the reader, showing your potential capabilities? How will you be able hold the reader’s interest in order for you to get past that first critical step of being short-listed for a possible interview? You must provide the most comprehensive picture of your capabilities in order to catch the attention of the reader. You must ensure that you have thoroughly reviewed all aspects of your job, your experiences and successes, and include these in your CV. The consequences of not doing this could result in your CV ending in the waste basket. After rewriting your CV/resume carefully read each statement you have written about your experience and deliverable and then ask yourself the question, “So what?” If you have made your statements as dynamic and descriptive as you can, then you have a better chance to catch the attention of the reader and improved your chances of getting a job interview. Here are a couple of the several “So what” examples contained in George Snyder’s new book ‘Mapping Your Dimensional CV’ to assist readers in improving the quality and content of their CV’s: Deputised as team supervisor â€" (So what?)  Or you could write â€" Deputised as team supervisor for a team of 5 staff and lead the team in successfully completing a £250,000 project in upgrading the company’s sales order entry system. This resulted in an annual company operational savings of £65,000. Call centre team leader responsible for inbound call centre staff â€" (So what?)  Or you could write â€" Team leader managing a call centre team of 8 staff and was responsible for a 6 month cycle of process improvements covering the analysis, creation and delivery of a new inbound call centre customer handling process. This process improved overall customer call answering efficiency by 10% and raised overall customer satisfaction ratings by 4%. Which is more interesting and descriptive to read? There are many, many more practical examples in this e-book and if you apply even just some of the suggestions, you will significantly increase your chances of being invited for interviews. I particularly liked the section about how to identify your tangible achievements on your resume and how to develop your personal statement. http://professionalcv.org/ George has this e-book available on a special offer for only £6.08/$10 right now â€" I’d HIGHLY recommend it you get it before the price goes up! You’ll thank me later:-) Warm regards Margaret Buj Interview Career Coach ____________________________________________________________ Margaret Buj  is an  Interview Coach  who’s helped hundreds of professionals across Europe and the US to get the jobs and promotions they really wanted. Margaret also has 9 years of experience recruiting for a variety of positions at all levels across Europe and in the US, primarily in technology and e-commerce sectors. If you want to find out how recruiters read resumes, why you are not getting hired, how to sell yourself successfully in a job interview, and how to negotiate your best salary yet, you can download her  FREE “You’re HIRED!” video course.