The Work Buzz's Latest News: Career boosters: 5 ways to set yourself apart

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Career boosters: 5 ways to set yourself apart Posted: 20 Jun 2012 08:12 AM PDT Matthew Tarpey, CareerBuilder Writer The phrase "There's plenty of fish in the sea" may comfort a recently jilted friend, but it is one of the most intimidating realizations for today's active job seekers. For years you've been pinched on the cheeks and told you're special, but when it comes time for a job interview, you may find potential employers a bit more difficult to impress than your Grandma. So how can you set yourself apart from the hordes of starry-eyed, gown-wearing, degree-clutching graduates that you're competing with? In her book "The Wall Street Journal Guide to Building Your Career," author Jennifer Merritt offers several career boosters to transform your run-of-the-mill résumé into a job-magnet jackpot. Industry and professional associations Many young professionals underestimate the potential payoff of industry and professional associations. Some are convinced they're outdated and redundant, while others are just afraid of the price tag. However, when used properly, these groups can be helpful in expanding your network, staying on top of industry trends and furthering your education. Once you've signed up, paid your dues and gone through the elaborate hazing process (just kidding), it's up to you to make the whole thing worthwhile. Get involved by attending meetings and mixers, running for positions and joining committees or sub-groups of young professionals. "But don't just stick with the youngsters," Merritt says. "You want to meet people who've been there and done that and whose experiences you can learn from." Don't be intimidated by high-ranking professionals in fancy suits — chances are they'd love to talk about themselves and their accomplishments. Check out these tips from employers on how to differentiate yourself: Volunteerism You may have participated in some charity events through a high-school sports team or a bake sale your mother threw so you'd have volunteer work on your college résumé, but volunteering can benefit you in more ways than merely making you appear charitable. While it is true that companies like to hire charitable individuals who can help the company's image, there's actually more in it for the company than just saving face. In fact, many companies offer volunteering opportunities to their employees, because a number of studies have shown that giving people time off to volunteer improves worker retention and recruiting. But you're not here to hear about how much companies like charitable people. You probably know that. What you want to hear is how volunteering can benefit you by expanding your professional network, offering you leadership experience and giving you the opportunity to enhance skills outside of your everyday repertoire. Plus the people you meet while volunteering will know you as passionate and full of character. That can lead to a referral in the future. Alumni networks Most recent grads are of the opinion that alumni networks are their alma mater's thinly veiled attempt at squeezing more money out of former students who are no longer paying tuition. For some time that was actually true, but due to the economic downturn and the snail-paced recovery, many alumni networks have started offering other services. Many now offer expert seminars, advanced education opportunities, mixers and dedicated alumni career services. That's a lot better than a yearly magazine and some dinnertime phone calls asking for donations. Meet-and-greets and seminars hosted by alumni associations are also great opportunities for you to add to your contact list. These can be especially helpful, because people often like to hire and promote other people like them, and sharing an alma mater is a great similarity to have. Plus it's an easy-yet-effective ice breaker. Skill-related classes and certifications Employers generally prefer candidates who have demonstrated their ability and willingness to go above and beyond the bare-minimum requirements. So while having a hot-air ballooning license may not help you land a job in marketing, taking classes and earning certifications that are not only interesting to you, but are also related to your field, could prove advantageous in the long run. In many professions, optional certifications can help you get promotions and stay on track with your career goals. Additional certifications and classes can indicate a deeper level of understanding of your field and convey a strong commitment to your career path. Investigate what certifications your mentors have or the titles of individuals whose jobs you may want in a couple years. Of course, furthering your education doesn't necessarily have to be career related. Taking classes is a great way to stay active and an excellent answer when potential employers ask, "What have you been up to since graduation?” Plus outside-work interests can potentially create strong connections with a boss or supervisor. Speak up and become an expert As Merritt puts it, "You don't need a decade of experience to be considered an expert." Experience doesn't necessarily lead to expertise. Of course it contributes, but so do earning certifications, networking with industry players, being a strong communicator and staying up-to-date on industry trends. As you grow your professional network, it’s likely you'll meet people who host speaking events that are perfect for a budding expert or an eager first-time public speaker. Proving your knowledge and communication prowess at smaller venues can lead to larger platforms, such as guest blogging or spots on industry panels. Bottom line: If you want to become an expert in your field, go out and become an expert in your field.

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ResumeBear Blog

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Resumebear: Job Hunting While Still Employed? Keep it Private Posted: 18 Jun 2012 06:39 AM PDT As a rule, honesty is usually the best policy when it comes to your career. Don’t lie about your experience, salary or education — you will get caught. Don’t pretend you know what you’re talking about, because you’ll eventually say something that makes you look like a fool. Don’t inflate your job title just to sound important — it will make you look worse. But when you’re hunting for a job, you might need to stretch the truth a little bit. At the very least, you’ll probably need to get creative when explaining some of your actions. Each job is different, but in most workplaces the boss frowns on employees looking for another job. No one wants to hear, “Hey, I’m running out to interview for a job with a better salary!” at the office. While we won’t tell you to lie to your boss, we do think you should know about these ways to keep your job search private without harming your current gig: Let your search do double duty Career counselor and executive coach Roy Cohen advises employed job seekers to take a two-pronged approach to updating their professional profiles on sites such as LinkedIn. “Make sure that you have a fully fleshed-out LinkedIn profile that promotes both you and your company,” Cohen says. Take a similar approach with networking. “Attend as many conferences as possible,” Cohen adds. “They offer you the opportunity to circulate professionally on behalf of your company and yourself.” Plan interviews strategically “There are just so many dental emergencies and unexpected family health matters that can be used to explain an absence from the office,” Cohen says. “For networking meetings, always aim for early morning, lunch or after work. Interviews are another matter entirely. The goal is to either string together all of your meetings or arrange one at a time early or late in the day.” Timing is important. Slipping out of the office for an hour is easier when your boss or gossipy co-worker is relaxing on a beach. “Find out, to the best of your ability, when your boss and other colleagues will be out of the office, say for business events, conferences or vacation,” Cohen says. “Less monitoring means more freedom to escape from the office.” Keep the job search to your personal computer When you’re eager to ditch your current job or you’re just bored sitting at your computer, you might think browsing job postings on the clock is acceptable. That’s not true. Your employer probably has a policy against job searching on the company dime, so don’t risk your job. “Many work computers are monitored for activity that is not work-related,” Cohen says. “[It's] probably better to use a handheld device like an iPhone to do research. Use your cell phone for nonwork-related calls, and if you do not have a private office, find a private place to make calls. One of my clients actually arranged to have a phone interview at his desk, which was in an open cubicle. Not surprising, his call was heard by others, and he was fired not long after.” Perhaps the only exception to the rule is if your company has warned that layoffs are coming and that they will affect a large portion of the company. Cohen says your new priority is to find a new job, so the risk is probably worth it in that scenario. Dress for the role you have, not the role you want Most job seekers dress up for a job interview, but not all job seekers work in a formal environment. If you show up in a suit at your startup where jeans and sandals are the norm, people will notice. You might be able to make up a reason for wearing a tie once, but if it’s happening every week, you need a new plan. “It is a challenge for both men and women in a job search. One option is to have a change of clothes so as not to draw attention to the obvious and then to change off-premises, in a gym for example,” Cohen says. “Once in awhile, all of us need to dress up, but that is the exception.” Don’t panic “It is never easy to carve out time for a job search. Acknowledge that fact, and don’t beat yourself up for not accomplishing as much as you think you should have,” Cohen says. “Also know that even in the best searches, something will inevitably slip through the cracks. Just know that you will make up for the lapse when your life and schedule stabilize.” Don’t slack off Even though getting a new job is your goal, the search shouldn’t cost you the job you have. If you’re going to slack off, wait until you’ve already given your two weeks’ notice (and even then it’s not the wisest way to leave your job). But until you’ve accepted another offer, don’t neglect your current duties. “Arrive early and/or stay late occasionally at work to fulfill your commitments,” Cohen says. “The shortest path to termination is to not finish your work assignments. When you meet your deadlines, you have far more freedom to stretch the rules.”

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The Work Buzz's Latest News: Companies hiring this week

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Companies hiring this week Posted: 19 Jun 2012 08:11 AM PDT Summer officially starts this week, and while it's tempting to put off the job search and opt instead to head to the beach, summer can actually be a great time to find a job. Warmer temperatures make it easier to venture outside your house to attend networking events. Some events may even take place outdoors, so you can enjoy the weather while meeting potential job contacts. Also, some companies may amp up their hiring during the summer, especially if they are in need of seasonal help. While some summer jobs may be temporary, others may eventually turn into full-time positions. Here are 10 other reasons why you shouldn't swap your job search for the sun — all of these companies are hiring this week: 1. Amedisys  Industry: Home health and hospice care Sample job titles: Home health, hospice, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathologist, sales and operations, account executive, business office manager, director of operations 2. Bob Evans Industry: Restaurant Sample job titles: Restaurant hourly positions (server, cook, host, etc.), restaurant GM, assistant manager, finance and information technology 3. Century 21 Real Estate LLC Industry: Real estate Sample job titles: Real estate agent, real estate sales associate 4. Clayton Homes  Industry: Manufactured housing Sample job titles: Sales representative, sales manager, manager in training 5. ConAm Management Industry: Property management Sample job titles: Leasing consultant, assistant manager, community manager, help desk support, maintenance technician, business manager, groundskeeper, housekeeper, director 6. Echo Global Logistics Industry: Logistics/technology Sample job titles: Sales trainee, carrier sales representative, .Net developer, corporate sales executive, senior C# developer, account manager, DBA/report developer 7. FTI Consulting Industry: Professional services Sample job titles: Consultant specializing in strategic communications, corporate finance, forensic accounting, eDiscovery or economics; information technology; data center operations; eDiscovery sales 8. Raymond James Financial Industry: Finance Sample job titles: IT, finance, administrative, operations, field branch opportunities 9. ResCare Industry: Human services Sample job titles: Direct care staff, home health aide 10. Yale Enforcement Services Industry: Security Sample job titles: Security officer, security guard, security site supervisor

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ResumeBear Blog

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Telemarketing Work is it For You? Posted: 20 Jun 2012 06:11 AM PDT With so many different career choices out there, does telemarketing sound like it suits you? Whether it is working from a home business or for a company onsite, careers in telemarketing can dial-up good opportunities for the right individuals. That of course stands provided that the individual is comfortable dealing with multiple personalities on the phone on any given day. Prior to embarking on work in telemarketing, an individual needs to go and search out the various telemarketing jobs that are on the market. Among such positions would be appointment setting, selling over the phone, and in-bound and out-bound call centers. Once you have determined which area suits you best, you need to determine if you want to work out of your residence or be placed in an action call center setting. One way to determine what may be best for you is by talking to people that have done one or both in order to get a feel for what was asked of them. If you find yourself to be shy in dealing with others or have a tough time getting individuals to go along with what you are offering, going into telemarketing is not exactly the best career choice. One of the many benefits that attract individuals to a telemarketing position is the ability to work from home in many instances. With such an opportunity, individuals will need to demonstrate that they are capable of being disciplined enough to work out of their home, something not everyone is adept at. Should you be applying for a telemarketing position, be sure to note: •    Your background experience in dealing with the public, especially in instances over the phone; •    Your ability to work off of a script in a number of instances, yet where you do not come across as robotic; •    Being able to deal with customers that may have an issue they need taken care of. If you are not good at problem solving, think twice about a career in this line of work; •    Your willingness to deal with multiple personalities on any given day. You will come across some individuals that are easy to get along with, while others will test your patience. As you are applying for and responding to ads for telemarketing jobs, keep in mind that you will not only be interviewed, but in many cases receive a tryout for the position. This can involve dealing with a fake customer that is upset over a purchase etc. You will be judged on how you handle the situation, whether or not you keep your emotions in check, and what remedy you can bring to the problem. If you are comfortable in dealing with others, have a knack for solving problems and love talking to people, telemarketing may be just the call you were waiting for. If few or none of those things sound appealing to you, you may want to pass on answering the phone and find another career choice. Dave Thomas, who discusses subjects such as telemarketing, writes extensively for San Diego-based Business.com.

Do You Have a “I” Based Resume? Posted: 19 Jun 2012 07:28 AM PDT There is no “I” in “team.” There shouldn’t be an “I” in your resume either. That’s the advice of Anne-Marie Baiynd, President and CEO of TheTradingBook.com and the former CEO of a recruiting firm. “Resumes that are focused in ‘I’ space are a really big turnoff to managers,” Baiynd told StreetID. “Managers who are serious about building good teams for their companies do not want an I-based resume. 'I did this, I did that.’.” Instead, Baiynd said that employers want to see words like “led,” “saved,” “created,” and “facilitated,” as in these examples: 1.    ”Led this impact…” 2.    ”Saved this much money…” 3.    ”Created this much revenue…” 4.    ”Facilitated the growth of…” “Remember: when we write resumes — particularly as younger people — we write them as, ‘Hey, listen, here’s what I want,’” Baiynd continued. “That is the last thing a company cares about. They don’t care about what you want. They care about what they want. If you give them what they want, you’re going to get what you want. But it’s got to be focused from that element of superior and subordinate.” Baiynd said that there’s a control element that a manger or a company wants to keep in order to choose the right person. “Someone that seems very self-involved and center of an approach (and that sort of thing) is really…they’re not going to fit into a culture that ends up making you happy because it’s a ‘we’ culture instead of an ‘I’ culture,” Baiynd explained. “Anything that shows your willingness to step out, to go the extra mile, to find a solution where there wasn’t one,” are things to focus on, Baiynd added. “There are a lot of people who say, ‘You gotta keep it to one page…’ In all my years in recruiting, I’ve read tens of thousands of resumes, and I can promise you I have never read one from start to finish, every single word. I’m a gigantic scanner; I will look at something and say, ‘I see what they’ve done there. I see what they’ve done there.’” Baiynd acknowledges that some people have had “amazingly prolific” careers with a lot of accomplishments. “Again, those key elements are going to be, if I had to put a gun to your head and say, ‘Give me the top three to four things you did at each job you were at,’ and then you can write at the addendum, ‘If you’re interested in more about what I did on XYZ, please see…’ And then attach an addendum that doesn’t need to be read.” What if your accomplishments aren’t easy to quantify? “If you have a career where you don’t have those things you can write down, you need to think about what it is that you are giving to a company,” said Baiynd. “Are you just going to search for a paycheck someplace? If you are, you’re going to have a lot tougher time finding a job versus the guy or gal who’s saying, ‘I’m ready to go put my stamp on something. I am not here to just shuffle on by.’” But if you are there just for the paycheck, Baiynd said that you must realize that you’re competing against people who are out to make a difference. “And if you’re comfortable with that… There’s a philosophy about work. ‘I’m not selling my life to my job. My job doesn’t do that for me, so why should I do that for it?’ Nothing wrong with that. Just realize that the space you compete in might very well have people who are saying, ‘No, I do wanna do that. I am willing to put myself out there. I am willing to go the extra mile to get myself to the next phase, and you know what? I’m carving things out and I can sit back on my laurels later. I can marry later. I can have kids later.”” Jesse Marrus is the Founder and CEO of StreetID, a financial career matchmaking, news and networking site.  He has unique insight into the financial services job industry including career advice, employment trends, fund formations, layoffs and hiring developments.

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The Work Buzz's Latest News: 9 health-care jobs that aren’t doctors

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9 health-care jobs that aren’t doctors Posted: 08 Jun 2012 08:32 AM PDT When you ask children what they want to be when they grow up, a common answer is "doctor." When those children do eventually grow up, their job dreams may have shifted, but for those who still aspire to work in health care, becoming a doctor is just one of the many career paths to take. Since we're living longer than ever, the aging population is growing, and the health-care field is growing along with it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the health-care and social assistance sector is projected to gain the most jobs over any other sector between 2010 and 2020. If you're interested in the world of health and medicine, but becoming a doctor just isn't for you, consider one of these nine health-care occupation alternatives: 1. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians and vascular technologists* What they do: Cardiovascular technologists perform tests via imaging technology on the heart and vascular system to help physicians detect and diagnose heart and blood vessel conditions in patients. Most workers who enter this field receive an associate degree. Some technologists and technicians do get on-the-job training, but many employers also require professional certification. Projected job growth between 2010-20: 29 percent (much faster than average) Median annual pay: $49,410 2. Clinical and medical laboratory technicians and technologists What they do: These technicians and technologists perform various tasks in a clinical lab, such as collecting samples and performing tests to analyze body fluids, tissue and other substances. In 2010, 52 percent of medical laboratory technologists and technicians worked in hospitals. Projected job growth between 2010-20: 13 percent (about as fast as average) Median annual pay: $46,680 3. Dental assistants What they do: Dental assistants help dentists with patients in a variety of ways. Tasks include making patients comfortable before procedures, sterilizing equipment, teaching patients about proper dental hygiene and scheduling appointments. Almost all dental assistants work in dental offices. Projected job growth between 2010-20: 31 percent (much faster than average) Median annual pay: $33,470 4. Dietitians and nutritionists What they do: As food and nutrition experts, dietitians and nutritionists advise patients on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or reach certain weight goals. Most workers in this field have a bachelor's degree and have participated in supervised on-the-job training. Many states require dietitians and nutritionists to be licensed. Projected job growth between 2010-20: 20 percent (faster than average) Median annual pay: $53,250 5. Dispensing opticians What they do: Dispensing opticians fit patients with eyeglasses and contact lenses. Opticians typically have a high-school diploma or equivalent and some form of on-the-job training. Training may include technical instruction and sales and office management practices. Twenty-three states require opticians to be licensed. Depending on the state, opticians may also need to pass a state written exam, a state practical exam and/or certification exams. Projected job growth between 2010-20: 29 percent (much faster than average) Median annual pay: $32,940 6. Health information and medical records technicians What they do: The responsibilities of health information and medical records technicians include collecting and organizing health data, updating national cancer registries and coding medical bills for insurance reimbursement. The job outlook for this occupation is strong, given that more hospitals are transitioning to electronic health records. Projected job growth between 2010-20: 21 percent (faster than average) Median annual pay: $32,350 7. Home health and personal care aides What they do: As the elderly population grows, the need for home health and personal care aides increases. These workers specifically help elderly, disabled or ill patients who aren't able to care for themselves independently. They help with everything from bathing and dressing to light housekeeping to dispensing medication. While most aides work in a client's home, others may work in group homes or care communities. Projected job growth between 2010-20: 70 percent (much faster than average) Median annual pay: $20,170 8. Pharmacy technicians What they do: Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists dispense prescription medication. They also perform administrative tasks in pharmacies. While most technicians hold a high-school diploma or equivalent, some states require the completion of a formal training program and the passing of an exam. These technicians may work either full or part time in grocery or drugstore pharmacies or in hospitals. Projected job growth between 2010-20: 32 percent (much faster than average) Median annual pay: $28,400 9. Speech-language pathologists What they do: Speech-language pathologists, also known as speech therapists, help people with communication and swallowing disorders caused by anything from stroke to hearing loss to emotional problems. In this role, workers assess, diagnose and treat patients. Some pathologists choose to work with specific age groups, or they may focus on treatments for specific communication or swallowing problems. Projected job growth between 2010-20: 23 percent (faster than average) Median annual pay: $66,920 *Job descriptions, projected growth and median annual pay from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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The Work Buzz's Latest News: “10 occupations in high demand” plus 1 more

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10 occupations in high demand Posted: 06 Jun 2012 02:52 PM PDT CareerBuilder commits to Clinton Global Initiative to help unemployed find jobs By Hope Gurion, chief development officer at CareerBuilder As the unemployment rate hovers at 8.2 percent, job seekers — especially those who have faced long-term unemployment — may be feeling like the jobs just aren't there. Yet jobs are available, and some companies are even struggling to fill positions. A recent CareerBuilder survey found that nearly two in four hiring managers say they have open positions for which they cannot find qualified candidates. Yet much of today's economic news focuses on the lack of jobs, so job seekers may not know where to turn for information on industries that are experiencing a hiring surge. Or, they may not feel like they have the right skill set to pursue a career in one of the growing fields. That's why programs such as the Clinton Global Initiative are making an impact. Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the CGI convenes global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges — including unemployment. Connecting job seekers with jobs CareerBuilder made a major commitment to the CGI with the goal of empowering current and future workers with information and new skills. CareerBuilder's commitment provides CareerOneStop centers, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, with CareerBuilder's Supply & Demand data. The S&D data enables CareerBuilder to help job seekers discover occupations that are in high demand and hone skills for areas with great growth opportunities. Using the S&D data, CareerBuilder has compiled lists of the top occupations with the most demand and least supply in each center's local area. The lists will be sent to the centers in the top 20 cities with the highest number of unemployed workers. Using the same S&D data, here is a list of 10 of the most in-demand occupations nationwide, all with strong growth and earning potential: 1. Computer specialists Most common job titles: Project manager (information technology), Java developer, Web developer, .NET developer, SharePoint developer, PHP developer Median entry-level salary: $56,750 Education: High-school plus equivalent experience or bachelor’s degree plus experience; certifications are available for both entry-level and experienced workers 2. Marketing managers Most common job titles: Product manager, business development manager, product marketing manager, marketing manager/director, account manager, marketing communications manager Median entry-level salary: $66,000 Education: 84 percent have a bachelor’s degree 3. Network and computer systems administrators Most common job titles: Systems administrator, network engineer, network administrator, system administrator, systems engineer, SharePoint administrator, Linux systems administrator Median entry-level salary: $55,000 Education: High-school plus equivalent experience or bachelor’s degree plus experience; certifications are available for both entry-level and experienced workers 4. Medical and health services managers Most common job titles: Director of nursing, clinical manager, medical director, nurse manager, nursing home administrator, practice manager, director of pharmacy, program manager rehab Median entry-level salary: $73,000 Education: 52 percent have a bachelor's degree; 41 percent have a master's degree 5. Industrial engineers Most common job titles: Quality engineer, quality manager, process engineer, manufacturing engineer, project engineer, test engineer, design engineer, product engineer Median entry-level salary: $60,000 Education: 62 percent have a bachelor’s degree 6. Occupational therapists Most common job titles: Occupational therapist, OT Median entry-level salary: $60,000 Education: 85 percent have a master's degree 7. Merchandise displayers and window trimmers Most common job titles: Merchandiser, retail sales merchandiser, retail project merchandiser, reset merchandiser, master merchandiser Median entry-level salary: $35,000 Education: 77 percent have a high-school or equivalent degree 8. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists Most common job titles: Clinical research associate or coordinator, research scientist, clinical laboratory scientist Median entry-level salary: $57,000 Education: 81 percent have a doctoral/professional degree 9. Occupational therapist assistants Most common job titles: Occupational therapy assistant, certified occupational therapy assistant, occupational therapist assistant Median entry-level salary: $53,000 Education: 96 percent have an associate degree (O*Net data) 10. Physical therapist assistants Most common job titles: Physical therapy assistant, PTA Median entry-level salary: $49,500 Education: 71 percent have an associate degree As Chief Development Officer, Hope Gurion is in charge of identifying and growing new business ventures for the company. In addition to overseeing investments in opportunities to expand the services CareerBuilder provides to its customers, she also oversees product development, including advertising, creative services, talent intelligence, SEO and CareerBuilder’s niche sites, including WorkInRetail.com, Sologig.com, MiracleWorkers.com and MoneyJobs.com. Prior to joining CareerBuilder.com, Gurion held a variety of marketing and business development roles for America Online and Discovery Communications. Gurion holds an MBA degree from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

44 percent of workers have gained weight on the job Posted: 06 Jun 2012 08:00 AM PDT It’s happened to most of us, especially desk-bound workers. We’re at work and feeling as if we’ve been snacking all day. A handful of candy here and a bag of chips there doesn’t seem like a lot, but it adds up, especially when it comes to the numbers on the scale. At least we’re not alone. Forty-four percent of workers said that they gained weight at their current job, according to a new CareerBuilder survey. The No. 1 culprit? That darn desk. Fifty-four percent of respondents attributed their weight gain to sitting at their desk most of the day, and roughly the same amount — fifty-six percent — stated they eat their lunch there as well. Other culprits causing extra inches around the waistline include: Stress-related eating – 37 percent Eating out regularly – 23 percent Skipping meals because of time constraints – 19 percent Workplace celebrations (potlucks, birthdays) – 18 percent The temptation of the office candy jar – 16 percent Pressure to eat food co-workers bring in – 10 percent Jobs that put on the pounds Certain occupations have a higher incidence of workers reporting weight gain, due to either sedentary or high-stress positions, such as: Travel agent Attorney/judge Teacher Protective services (police, firefighter) Marketing/public-relations professional Information technology professional Losing the weight Have no fear. There are plenty of things you can do to avoid workplace “snackery.” Don’t be afraid to just say no. Don’t feel pressured to snack, and tell others that you’re looking to avoid any extra calories. Also, as the urge to eat takes over, step back and ask yourself, “Am I really hungry? Or am I stressed or tired?” You’ll stop yourself from the instinctual behavior of eating without thinking. Here are five tips to help eliminate those extra calories and keep the weight off all year: Get to steppin’. Incorporate more walking or stair climbing into your day. Avoid the elevator, or walk over to a co-worker’s desk instead of sending an email. Get off at an earlier train or bus stop — especially on a gorgeous summer day – and walk to the office. More fruits and veggies for snacks. Snacking can seem innocent when done in small bits and pieces, but the extra calories will start to add up quickly. Keep plenty of veggies and fruits in the office fridge so you have a healthier choice on hand. Pack your lunch. Bringing your lunch to work helps you better control your portions and saves you money. Packing also helps keeps portions in check. Choose water. Drink water throughout the day instead of caffeinated drinks or juices. This helps make you feel fuller faster and cuts down on the calories. Sneak in some exercise. Take daily walks with a co-worker, replace your chair with an exercise ball for part of the day, and keep free weights at your desk – all quick and easy solutions to help stay fit and trim. "More and more companies are implementing healthy living initiatives in the workplace," says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. "Twenty-eight percent of companies provide gym passes, workout facilities or wellness benefits for their employees, but only 10 percent of workers say they take advantage of the benefit. It's important to tap into those resources to stay healthy and energized and potentially more productive." What are some ways you stay fit at the office? Share with us your tips for exercise, healthy snack ideas or ways in which you and your co-workers stay motivated to lose weight. The study, conducted by Harris Interactive from Feb. 9 to March 2, 2012, included more than 5,700 workers across industries.

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UndercoverLawyer

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Is a Prison Camp Comparable to Living Through a Hostile Work Environment? Posted: 04 Jun 2012 07:28 PM PDT I've been wanting to write more, and post more regularly to this blog. Like lots of people, instead of working directly on my goal I've procrastinated by doing any number of different things that feel like they are related to my goal, but really aren't. I've compiled lists of writing ideas, written out writing schedules, got a new writing program to use on my laptop, and the mother-of-all-time-wasters: "research." In an effort to not waste so much time clicking from article to article on the web, I decided I would shut the laptop and go back to reading some full length books. But you got to start slow, right? Not just jump into reading dense legal reference books. So I thought it would be good to read a book about overcoming adversity, since so many of the people who visit this site are trying, desperately, to overcome severe adversity at work. The book I picked up was "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption". It is the story of Army Air Forces bomber Louis Zamperini overcoming adversity, then worse adversity, then even worse adversity, then repeatedly facing death. Not to give anything away, but even if you just read the cover flap of this book you'll learn that Louis crashes into the pacific and is presumed lost. He and another from his plane survive for weeks in a life raft, face down sharks, dehydration, starvation, and then right when it appears they are going to be saved they get shot at and taken prisoner by the Japanese military. The first portion of this book, where Louis fights nature to stay alive, is inspiring in a traditional way. It's not too different than any "lost at sea" or "shipwrecked" story that you've heard before except that Unbroken is so exceptionally well written. Where the book becomes not just inspiring, but also deeply troubling and cautionary in tone is after the Japanese military captures Louis and he is sent to a prison camp. What I got out of the book also changed. Instead of merely learning some lessons about "overcoming adversity" — of surviving a plane wreck and living in a life raft — when Louis and his friend Phil are sent to a prison camp the meaning of the book suddenly began to parallel the lives of so many people who are bullied and harassed at work. No, really. I know some who read this article will think I'm going way over the top when I say that a WWII prison camp is an appropriate comparison for what it feels like to live in a hostile work environment. And, I do realize most employees don't face death and beatings in the modern workplace. But hear me out on why I think the prison camp actually is a good analogy for a truly hostile work environment; there are many parallels to how it FEELS. The inability to make sense of what is happening to you The confusion over why this being allowed to happen Why are good people standing by and not doing something to stop this? The mental anguish that continues even after the tormentor is gone for the day — the way the few minutes of actual interaction with the tormentor occupy the employee/prisoner's mind for hour after anguishing hour, taking away sleep, the ability to interact with others, or even think about anything other than worry and fear over the NEXT interaction with the tormentor. Here is the passage, describing how Louis and Phil maintained feelings of hope when they were trying to survive in their life raft after their plane (the Green Hornet) crashed. But, how difficult it became to maintain hope when instead of fighting nature, they became prisoners of war and had to fight off the humiliation their captors subjected them to. This is the text that caused me to believe that prison camps are an instructive analogy for what it feels like to live through a hostile work environment: The crash of Green Hornet had left Louie and Phil in the most desperate physical extremity, without food, water, or shelter. But on Kwajalein, the guards sought to deprive them of something that had sustained them even as all else had been lost: dignity. This self-respect and sense of self-worth, the innermost armament of the soul, lies at the heart of humanness; to be deprived of it is to be dehumanized, to be cleaved from, and cast below, mankind. Men subjected to dehumanizing treatment experience profound wretchedness and loneliness and find that hope is almost impossible to retain. Without dignity, identity is erased. In its absence, men are defined not by themselves, but by their captors and the circumstances in which they are forced to live. One American airman, shot down and relentlessly debased by his Japanese captors, described the state of mind that his captivity created: "I was literally becoming a lesser human being." In both situations the total organization is not completely evil. Even in the prison camps that Louis lived through there were guards who were humane, who showed compassion, and who tried to make life a little better for the prisoners. There were also laws, from the Geneva convention, that were supposed to protect prisoners of war so that prisoners were treated humanely. In addition to the Geneva convention, the Japanese military had its own rules about the ethical treatment of prisoners, and set limits on what guards and prison officials could and could not do. Just like business organizations, where most people are basically good, a few dark souls worked their way into positions of authority at the prison camps where Louis was held. While a prisoner of war Louis was abused by a prison official who oversaw a single camp who was known as "the Bird." Bird wasn't the head of all the prison camps, he was only in charge of one location at a time. There were good people in the Japanese Military above Bird, and there were good people below him. Despite the presence of ethical people around him, Bird was allowed to single out, abuse, beat and psychologically torment Louis. Bird physically and mentally tortured Louis for no apparent reason. And for no apparent reason the ethical people around Bird did not step up and stop him from trying to destroy Louis. The international laws of the Geneva convention did not stop Bird from beating Louis. The Japanese Military's own rules about ethical treatment of prisoners did not stop Bird from threatening Louis with death one day, then acting like he never made the threat the next day. Why did the laws fail Louis? Why did the internal rules of the Japanese military fail Louis? Why did the humane people above Bird and below Bird in the prison camp system fail to stop Bird from beating and mentally torturing Louis? And what was it about Bird himself that lead him to behave so cruelly? All of these questions parallel the questions that abused employees ask themselves. Why are employment laws ignored? How come company policies are not followed? Why do executives turn a blind eye to abusive managers, and how come co-workers won't stand up against a bully (is it for fear that they will become the bully's next target)? The similarities continue.  Prison camp survivors continue suffering mental anguish even after the confinement ends.  Louis struggled with nightmares about Bird. Even when safely back in the U.S., Louis either could not sleep, or his sleep was stolen by dreams of Bird torturing him both physically and psychologically. To help him avoid these painful memories and dreams, Louis began drinking every night. His marriage suffered. His body suffered. After surviving years of living in a military prison camp, the mere memories of abuse (rather than the abuse itself) nearly destroyed him. Since the title of the book is "Unbroken", you've probably figured out that the prison camps and memories of abuse by his tormentor do not ultimately destroy Louis. The book is inspiring, as I had hoped, but it is also more than that. Unbroken provides keen insights into how it feels to be singled out for cruel and meaningless abuse by another human being. The book struggles to make sense out of how a few dark souls can bring themselves to intentionally cause another human being to suffer.  Though there really is no good explanation as to why one human acts so cruelly toward another, the message of the book is one of hope. Somewhere deep inside every victim there is the capacity to cling to your essential human dignity, and not allow your tormentor to reach your soul. In each of us, deep inside, there is the strength to remain unbroken. P.S. Click on the book cover to go to Amazon and read more about the amazing story “Unbroken”. Please know that if you use this link to Amazon, like any link to Amazon from this site, and you decide to buy the book, I will receive a small commission. It helps pay for hosting, which I appreciate, but you are free to go to Amazon my typing the URL into your navigation bar or purchasing the book at you local bookstore. Either way, “Unbroken” is a great read you won’t be able to put down. -Curt Related posts: How To Document a Hostile Work Environment Why You Should Not Give Up if the EEOC Turns Down Your Hostile Work Environment Claim Podcast #10: Bully Boss Creates Hostile Work Environment by Forbidding Bathroom Breaks!

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