Workplace Gossip Can Stain Your Professional Reputation

If you or a co-worker is speaking in a hurtful manner about another co-worker, it is considered gossip. If your intent in initiating the gossip is to resolve a work matter, the best approach is to skip gossiping and, instead, speak directly to the co-worker you’re having an issue with. If that doesn’t work, engage your manager for guidance. Being considered a gossip may put a lasting stain on your professional reputation. You may also be in jeopardy of losing your job if management and your co-workers perceive you as someone whose gossip is impeding collaboration, productivity, and a positive work environment.

Whether you have a tendency to initiate gossip or associate with others who do, you’d do well to heed the advice below to steer clear of office gossip:

• Be aware: You likely have several conversations a day with your co-workers. Be aware of what information you’re sharing and how you are presenting it, especially if you’re using sarcasm or jokes at the expense of others. Consider how your words might impact anyone you’re discussing who is not present.
• Look at motives: Often, gossip is a defense mechanism or a means of avoiding confrontation. Think honestly about what is motivating your gossip. If gossip is an ongoing problem, consider confrontation training or even seeking professional help, especially if gossiping is damaging your career.
• Avoid those who gossip: Avoid co-workers who gossip or who enjoy listening to your gossip. Whenever possible, remove yourself from conversations that involve gossip.
• Redirect the conversation: If you are involved in a conversation with gossip, try redirecting the conversation. Hopefully, the person who is initiating the gossip picks up on the clue that you are not interested in gossiping.
• Be direct: Address the person who is gossiping; explain to him/her that you don’t have a tolerance for gossip and you view it as detrimental. Strongly suggest that the gossiper take up the matter directly with the person he/she has an issue with. And, if you’re the person gossiping, be respectful if a co-worker shares this constructive advice.
• Use open, honest communication: By using open and honest communication and maintaining professional integrity, you will earn the respect of your co-workers.

Job Seekers Check Out Microsoft’s Elevate America

There is no doubt that technology is changing the way we live and work. As a means of providing the opportunity for individuals to thrive in today's technology-driven environment, Microsoft launched the Elevate America initiative back in 2009. Through partnerships with a designated agency in each state, Microsoft offers free and low-cost training to help people expand and enhance their technology skill sets. Microsoft’s programs are tailored to meet the needs of four distinct groups: 1) students, 2) entrepreneurs, 3) technology professionals, and 4) individuals new to technology. As for job seekers, it is extremely important to sharpen your technology skills and highlight this on your resume and when speaking to prospective employers.

A primary focus of the Elevate America initiative is to help those new to technology become confident, proficient computer users. Through Microsoft’s Digital Learning Curriculum and Unlimited Potential Community Learning Curriculum, individuals can access programs that enable them to develop basic computer skills, including navigating the Internet and using e-mail. These curricula also include courses covering the fundamentals of word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, and web design.

To find out more about Elevate America and to learn about how it is working in your community, click here.

Strategies to Help Offset Diminishing Job and Income Security

With company downsizing and employee layoffs still looming at many companies, there’s no time like the present to act on strategies that can help prop up your current or future job and income security. To explore these CBS MoneyWatch.com strategies, click here.

Phone Interviews Growing in Popularity and Complexity

Companies and recruiters are turning to phone interviews and asking in-depth questions to identify the best candidates from the large pool of qualified candidates who are responding to their job postings. What may have typically in the past been a brief phone interview with general questions has become an hour-long interview. Plus, potential candidates are expected to speak in detail about their work history, including providing specific project examples and statistics that demonstrate their strengths and successes.

To read more about phone interviewing and find tips that will help you prepare, click here.

Add A Mentor To Your Career Resource Collection

A mentor acts as a professional advisor, coach and trusted counselor. You will reap many benefits from having someone or several people act as a mentor throughout the course of your professional career. And if you’re going through a career transition such as searching for your next job, a mentor can be a great resource.

Mentors can help you assess your strengths and weaknesses and formulate strategies for skill development. A good mentor will encourage you to work toward your goals, challenge you to grow, listen intently, provide constructive feedback, connect you to their contacts, and help you navigate through a job search, and new or existing job.

Where can you find a mentor? Look to people who are in the same or similar profession as yours, but have a higher ranking position and/or more experience. Scout out those who you respect and have an easy rapport with, and who you believe have an innate willingness to help others move toward professional success. Look at people in your network who may not be ideal for mentoring, but more likely can point you to someone who may be. Also consider current or past co-workers, and those you encounter through trade or professional associations.

Have your radar on and be willing to broach the subject with those you identify as potential mentors. You will soon find yourself reaping the rewards of a fulfilling mentor and mentee relationship.

Click here for additional information on mentoring.

Making the Most of Your Job Fair Experience

Attending job fairs is a cost-effective and convenient way to uncover job leads and to promote yourself to a large number of potential employers. Job fairs also provide the opportunity to network with managers, recruiters, and other jobseekers. If you are considering adding job fairs to your job search strategy, check out these tips for making the most of your experience, as outlined by Lisa Parker, CPRW:

Research and Obtain a List of Potential Employers. Most job fair sponsors will publish a list of participating companies prior to the scheduled start date. Review this list and conduct research to learn more about the companies. To keep yourself on track the day of the fair, create a schedule that includes a prioritized list of companies/employers you want to meet with.

Identify Your Personal Career Goals. Take time to learn about the specific positions offered by the various companies and be prepared to explain how your skills align. Prepare a brief “sound byte” about your strengths, skills, and experience. Practice this sound byte prior to attending the fair so that you can promote yourself in a clear and confident manner.

Plan to Market Yourself and Network. Have numerous copies of your resume and business cards available to distribute. In addition to meeting with employers and recruiters, take the time to network with other jobseekers; these jobseekers may be able to provide you with leads.

Dress for Success. First impressions are important, so dress in business attire as though you were attending an interview.

Present a Great Attitude. To help distinguish yourself from other attendees, display a positive, enthusiastic, friendly and eager attitude at all times.

Be Courteous of Time. Be aware that you are being watched and judged by employers at all times. Also, be respectful of recruiters’ time. Once you have expressed your interest in the position and answered all their questions, move on.

Seek Input, Gather Information. Use open-ended questions to gather information about the companies and the positions being offered. Take notes and compile information from each employer that you visit. Be sure to carry a folder for storing company brochures and other materials. Gather business cards so that you can send personalized thank you notes.

Attend Workshops and Seminars. Job fairs often include opportunities for attendees to participate in training sessions on topics such as resume writing and interviewing. Enroll in workshops in developing your skills and remaining current on job-search techniques.

To access Parker’s full article, click here.

10 Tips for a Successful Interview

Forbes.com contributor Jenna Goodreau offers the following strategies for a successful interview:

Compose the Perfect Resume. Avoid sending out identical resumes for every position you apply for. Customize your resume based on your knowledge of both the company and the position.

Be Prepared. Prior to the interview, conduct research on the company so that you are able to provide specific examples of how you could contribute to their success.

Pitch from Strengths. Highlight your strengths as they relate to results you have achieved in prior jobs.

Provide Supplements. Distinguish yourself from other candidates by providing a portfolio, presentation, business plan, handouts or other materials.

Know the Company Culture. If possible, speak with current or previous company employees to learn more about the corporate culture--a company’s core values, customs, beliefs, traditions, and behaviors.

Be Concise. While your responses to questions should be thorough, try to keep your language simple and focused.

Clean Up Your Digital Footprint. Remove any non-work related content or questionable material you have posted on social networking sites.

Show, Don’t Tell. Be conscious of your body language to ensure it conveys confidence and enthusiasm.

Interview Them. Express interest by asking relevant questions about the company and the position.

Follow Up. After the interview, send a personalized note (via email or snail mail) thanking the interviewer for their time. Also make it clear that you are willing to provide additional materials (references, etc.) if necessary.

Click here for additional advice.

Tips for "Over 50" Job Seekers

In the August 7 Daily Leap blog entry, we provided job search tips for older workers, which included suggestions like registering with temp firms and hiring an expert to write your resume. Today, we present...the sequel! See below for additional tips for "over 50" job seekers:

Sweat a lot. Finding a job should be treated as a job in and of itself. Write emails and letters to establish contacts, attend as many networking events and interviews as possible, and spend the rest of your free time researching potential employers and jobs.

Look tech savvy. Having knowledge of technology is crucial. Consider creating a web site or multimedia resume to promote yourself and to demonstrate your technological skills.

Seek assistance. If it has been several years (or perhaps decades!) since you looked for a job and you aren’t sure of current job search techniques, consider paying for assistance from an outplacement firm.

Use the time wisely. Use your time away from work to take classes, attend conferences, enroll in training sessions, etc.

Help others. Helping others can be a great way to network. Consider mentoring or doing pro bono work.

Click here to access additional information pertaining to each of these strategies.

Improve Your Your Job Prospects Through Online Education

Looking to acquire some new skills to give you an edge in the job market? Consider taking some online courses in Career and Development, Writing and Publishing, Computers and Technology, or Personal Development through ed2go. There are also many colleges and universities that provide online courses and lectures in a variety of subject areas. So, if you’re looking to make a career transition or to enhance your position in the employment market, think about adding to your skill base, and your resume, by taking a few online courses.

Keeping a Career in Motion

Transitioning back into the workforce after an absence can be difficult. Sharon Reed Abboud, author of All Moms Work: Short-Term Career Strategies for Long-Range Success, offers several strategies for helping stay-at-home moms keep their careers in motion in order to ease the eventual transition back to work. While Abboud focuses primarily on stay-at-home moms, people who have experienced time away from work for other reasons will also benefit from the following strategies:

• Network wisely.


• Keep Up-to-Date.


• Build Your Resume By Volunteering.


• Consider Part-Time as a Possibility.


• Join the Telecommuting Tidal Wave.


• Consult or Freelance.


• Start a Business.


• Blog or Teach.

Click here to access Abboud's advice for implementing each of these strategies.

Vocational-Technical Training Can Be the Key to Landing a Job

In these difficult economic times, when the job market is tight, turn to education to improve your prospects. “Education, of all kinds, has been a reliable engine for success by creating opportunities and putting the ‘impossible’ within reach,” according to Burt Wetanson, a professional freelance writer specializing in career advisement. “And the kind of education most directly relevant to getting jobs and creating careers is vocational-technical training — training that upgrades or offers job skills in a particular trade, occupation or profession.”

Consider these 6 major benefits of vocational-technical training:

• Gives the person still in high school, or who recently graduated, the training and guidance they need to enter the working world


• Offers continuing education programs to help people remain qualified as job demands change


• Helps the unemployed person, both adult and school age, find work


• Retrains the person who’s been laid off or displaced by new technology


• Prepares entry-level and experienced workers to take advantage of exciting new industries


• Helps the person who wants to change careers and transition to a new occupation

For more insightful information on career-vocational education, read Burt’s complete article.

Increasing Your Career Currency

Lynn Taylor, CEO of Lynn Taylor Consulting, provides this explanation of career currency: “Each of us brings a unique skill set and intrinsic value to the job marketplace. How we reaffirm our professional worth to ourselves and broadcast it externally (to colleagues, employers, and even customers) can increase our career currency and contribute heavily to our success. Your career currency changes every hour, much like the stock market. A brilliant idea, a masterful meeting, the savvy handling of a difficult matter with a subordinate, peer or manager, your assertiveness—all affect the index. A rewarding day of job hunting, interviews, or bringing a major project closer to fruition all move your index higher.” Click here to access Taylor’s article, in which she discusses career currency as it relates to setting career goals and objectives, plotting a career road map, and more.

Career Transition: Entrepreneurship

Did you know that the average person will change jobs 10 times between the ages of 18 and 38? Considering the current state of the economy, it isn’t surprising that more people than ever are finding themselves in the position of transitioning to a new job or career. What you may find surprising, though, is that many people--from dislocated workers to recent retirees--are not only considering a career transition, but are preparing to launch their own business. Starting a business during a recession is not a new phenomenon. According to a recent study conducted by the Kauffman Foundation, more than half of the companies on the 2009 Fortune 500 list were launched during a recession or bear market, along with nearly half of the firms on the 2008 Inc. list of America's fastest-growing companies. If you are interested in a career transition that involves entrepreneurship, consider making use of the resources provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA, which was created as an independent agency of the federal government, helps Americans start, build, and grow their businesses by offering information on everything from writing a business plan to obtaining financial assistance to connecting with other small business owners. They also provide free online courses and links to local resources to help get you started. After you check out the variety of free tools and resources provided by the SBA, be sure to read this story of 10 accidental entrepreneurs who turned unexpected business opportunities into successful careers.

Mentoring and Career Development

Once you embark on a career path, it’s important to find someone who can offer sage advice for your occupational advancement. That someone is oftentimes a mentor. As you gain experience, you may consider becoming a mentor yourself. Personal branding strategist and professional speaker, Lethia Owens, describes a successful mentoring relationship. “Mentoring is about sharing knowledge and experience with an individual, and, in this case, helping them improve career success. Mentoring builds communication skills for the mentor, as well as providing them with an experience that is viewed positively by organizations for their own career development. An individual who is mentoring another is, and is acknowledged to be, a leader and an expert in their field.”

Visit this site for more suggestions on building effective mentoring relationships and find out which critical qualities a mentor should possess.

The Importance of Networking

When it comes to finding a job, nothing beats good, old-fashioned networking -- contacting friends, relatives and former colleagues, setting up face-to-face meetings in the hope of getting job referrals. Yes, it is awkward, but here's why it simply has to be done: At any given time, about 80% of all available jobs aren't posted in the classifieds or on job boards, says BH Careers International, a New York career-management firm. Check out these networking tips that can assist you with your employment search.

Internships for Mid-Career Professionals

While internships are typically thought of as a sort of rite of passage for the college student or recent graduate, mid-career professionals are the latest demographic to discover their value. Internships can provide the opportunity for career changers and dislocated workers to hone their skills and to try out a new career or industry before committing to it full time. They are also a good way for individuals to re-enter the workforce after an extended absence. Several companies, including Sara Lee, have created “returnship” programs for individuals with prior experience who are looking to re-enter the corporate world. Though the majority of internships and returnships are unpaid, many mid-career professionals are finding that the long-term benefits outweigh the minimal financial gain. Click here to read more about non-traditional interns who have made the experience work for them.

Gaining Valuable Experience Through Apprenticeship Programs

Apprenticeships provide paid on-the-job training in more than 1,000 career fields. Offered in addition to classroom learning, apprenticeships are a great way to get a feel for the field you’ve been studying, while earning money and oftentimes, college credit. Apprenticeships can be valuable to both current students without any work experience and to those already in the workforce looking to change career paths. Possible careers range from electrician and plumber, to fire medic, chef, law enforcement agent, and over-the-road truck driver.

Career Voyages.gov, a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Education, offers information on what to do once you’ve narrowed your field of choices down and how to obtain an apprenticeship in your location.

If you’re worried about working full time on top of taking a full-load of classes, don’t be. Many apprenticeships offer flexible scheduling of in-the-class learning and on-the-job training, varying by industry, educational institute, and employer. The average length of an apprenticeship is four years; however, depending on the field, apprenticeships can last as long as six years. An apprenticeship should be considered an investment in experience which can set you apart from the rest of the field when applying for positions with potential employers.

Visit the U.S. Department of Labor and Registered Apprentice sites for more information on apprenticeships.

Affordable Schooling Allows Job Seekers to Chase Their Dreams

For some job seekers, making the decision to transition to a new career will involve a return to school. Programs created via federal stimulus money have made going back to school--whether that be a community college, university, or other specialized training program--an affordable option for many. One example of stimulus money in action can be seen in Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind initiative, which provides qualified individuals with up to two tuition-free years at any community college or university in the state. Similar programs are popping up at colleges throughout the country. At Lorain County Community College in Ohio, the “Make Your Lay Off Pay Off” program offers individuals the opportunity to enroll in tuition-free continuing education classes, college credit classes, and job training workshops. Rebound, a program recently implemented by South Suburban College in Illinois, provides tuition-free classes to help train dislocated workers for in-demand occupations such as pharmacy technician, teacher’s aide, and computer technician. While the focus is often on the negative consequences of the struggling economy, job seekers and dislocated workers have discovered the silver lining--the chance to explore a new career and chase their dreams by going back to school. Check out this article for a list of other colleges offering free or reduced tuition programs.

Self Assessment, the Key to Successful Career Planning

The self assessment process is an integral part of career planning whether you are embarking on your first career or preparing to transition from one occupation to another. A self assessment of your values, interests, personality, and skills can help guide you to a more fulfilling career. Career planning professional, Dawn Rosenburg McKay, stresses the importance of a values inventory. “Your values are possibly the most important thing to consider when you're choosing an occupation. If you don't take your values into account when planning your career, there's a good chance you'll dislike your work and therefore not succeed in it.” Visit this site for more helpful information from Dawn on the self assessment process.

Un-Retirement: Renewing Your Career After Retirement

It’s never too late to transition to a new career or to follow your passion. A recent survey showed that some 9.5 million retirees are currently considering re-entering the workforce. Some retirees are headed back to work to secure extra income, while others are simply looking to fill their time.

If you are one of the retirees considering a return to the workforce, there is reason to feel optimistic about your job search. In addition to the valuable resources you’ll find in Career Transitions, there are numerous job sites that specifically target retirees and the over 50 professional. There are also programs designed to assist retirees, such as AARP’s National Employer Team, which consists of over 40 companies that actively recruit mature workers. Retirees and mature workers in a lower income bracket can receive assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Senior Community Service Employment Program, which provides work-based training at non-profit and public facilities, including schools and hospitals.

While the idea of un-retirement may be daunting for some, it is important to keep in mind that your skills and experience are incredibly valuable assets!

To help narrow your job search, be sure to check out this list of the top 20 retirement jobs and industries.