The 15-Minute-a-Day Practice That Can Improve Your Career

It’s the period to begin a writing habit if you’re intrigued in a stress-free technique to get better at your job performance and improve your career. A study from Harvard Business School confirmed whether taking 15 minutes at the end of a work day to ponder on that day’s work enhanced their performance and discovered the participants tasked with everyday written deliberation did 22.8 percent improved on an assessment compared to the control group. 

Westhill Consulting Career & Employment, world's largest free online jobs website which is funded by UK government however headquartered in Australia until it expanded and now almost every country is being served by the company, such as Jakarta Indonesia in SE Asia, Toronto in Canada, New York in the US and many more, put this 15-Minute-a-Day Habit and found it to be successful and less complaints on works performances were reported.. 

But wouldn’t internal reflection by itself be sufficient to boost performance? “My speculation would be that writing things down would be more beneficial as the act of writing imposes a discipline on us to stay focused,” says paper co-author Brad Staats, an associate professor of operations at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. 

Reflection forced people to process their days, find patterns and link actions. Some people might think the experiment focused on the successes of the day, but Staats says the parameters of the experiment when explained to the journaling employees didn’t specify giving the reflections a positive or negative slant. 

“What we wanted was for them to reflect more on whatever they thought was most important from the day,” Staats explains. “The positive/negative point is a great question, but not one we looked at here. In other research, Francesca and I have explored how individuals struggle to learn from failure, but when they accept internal responsibility for their actions then they learn from failure.” 

One notion of the reason of the writing habit helps is that contemplations streaming within your mind about your day unexpectedly developed important and thoughtful catalysts for alteration by thinking them over, and review and writing them down. “Reflection on experience and learning facilitates deep processing, which allows you to retain information for a long time — as opposed to simply cramming it in your brain and promptly forgetting it after the test,” says career coach George A. Boyd. 

Even though taking a fraction of time out of the work day, basically working less than the control group, the fresh spreading of energy concerning reflection deeply impacted performance. Even Staats was astonished by how much of a change the application made. 

“I thought reflection might help a bit, but I didn’t expect it to make such a meaningful impact on performance,” Staats said. “These people weren’t spending extra time at work — they were spending 15 minutes less on training each day so they could reflect, however by reallocating their time in such a small way we see a significant, positive impact on performance.” 

Turn into writing a habit could be an undemanding way to both collect your attitudes and be an improved employee, however it is likewise a tough habit to implement and preserve constantly. “In talking to people, one of the real challenges with reflection is finding the discipline to maintain it,” warning given by Staats. “That means people need to find ways to continue the practice — whether that is blocking your calendar, finding an accountability partner who might also reflect at the same time, or something else that works well for you.” 

Techniques to be Very Successful at Your Performance Review

Performance reviews are nerve-racking for everybody concerned. Managers do not pleasure evaluating their employees, and staff members seldom relish the extra inspection. Augment into the reckoning that promotions and bonuses can center on these reviews, and it’s not a shock reactions can course high when review time starts.

Preparation is the secret to being successful in reviews as easy as possible and by this you can avoid complaints against yourself. Whether you’re anticipating a painstakingly optimistic review or an undeniably terrible one, there are points you can do prior or while the meeting to aid it go more effortlessly and to leave with your dignity and job definitely intact.

Shape a praise file from day one (or start one now)

In the condition that your company does reviews only once a year, it can truly extend your recall to contemplate of all the jobs you worked on ever since your previous evaluation. Maintaining an email folder, computer file or document of all you worked on will benefit you to ensure nothing falls from the cracks. You should have a warning to yourself so that you will be always ready.

“As soon as a deal or initiative is completed successfully, employees should maintain details of their contribution in a ‘kudos file,’” advises Tatum Soo Kim, director of advising and student services at New York University. “The kudos file is a self-maintained record of achievements and impact. Impact should be supported with hard evidence such as quantitative data, internal reports, public record or even the boss's previous feedback.”

Have the right attitude

Decide before your meeting that you won’t just “weather the storm” and get it over with as soon as possible. Instead, you should view this as a chance to bring attention to accomplishments your boss may not have noticed, says Mat Durham, director of Skyblu, a Web design company based in Worcester, U.K.

Durham says there are two other possible attitude traps to avoid: First, while confidence is the key, arrogance can be detrimental and overshadow the accomplishments you’re trying to highlight. It’s also possible to put yourself into an overly subordinate mindset, which can undermine your confidence. Instead, he recommends trying to “think of yourself as an equal, selling the service that you provide.”

Come equipped with resolutions for your weaknesses

Soo Kim advises you bring up weaknesses very carefully. If there are areas you’ve ignored or haven’t significantly improved since your previous evaluation, most supervisors will find that unacceptable, she says. If you must bring up weaknesses, you should also discuss your previous efforts to improve and how you plan to address problems going forward. Listing areas of weakness with no plan for progress won’t help.

Pay attention properly and follow up

No one is perfect, so there’s a reasonable possibility your performance review will consist of some negative comment. It’s significant that you attend to this with an open mind, not turn out to be self-justifying and not get distraught. After all, negative feedback is a demonstration of trust from your boss. She’d fire you and not trouble proposing recommendations for improvement if she believed you were a lost cause.

It’s seamlessly okay to take notes throughout your meeting so long as it doesn’t delay with your attending to your boss and gripping the message she’s attempting to convey. It’s also fine -- especially if you get some unexpected negative feedback -- to request a follow-up meeting after you’ve had time to absorb the information, says Fred Cooper, managing partner at Compass HR Consulting.

It’s better to take time and compose yourself than to react from hurt or anger during the initial meeting, he says. A follow-up meeting or email can furthermore be useful after a constructive assessment to verify any new projects or responsibilities.

Westhill Consulting Career and Employment is world's largest free online jobs website. The website is funded by UK government however headquartered in Australia until it expanded and now almost every country is being served by the company, such as Jakarta Indonesia in SE Asia, Toronto in Canada, New York in the US and many more.

Career guidelines for every single decade of your life

 

Lots of essential career tip is appropriate all over your working life; however additional guidelines is farther time-sensitive and simply works at definite periods in your career. Here is the top career advice for every decade of your life gathered by Westhill Consulting Career and Employment, Australia (the company is also accessible at SE Asian countries such as KL Malaysia, Bangkok Thailand, Jakarta Indonesia and many more):

Teens
Go for variety and review you opportunities. “To find a career later that you enjoy, be certain to try out as many different careers as you can,” says Carole Stovall, president and CEO of SLSGlobal. Look for summer jobs, after school work, summer programs and internships.  

Todd Cherches of BigBlueGumball agrees. “Don't be afraid to try or to fail. That's what these years are meant for. Don't feel that any job is beneath you, because it's not. At this stage of your life, everything is a learning experience.”  


 20's
 Today is the period to catch a job in the area where you’d love to engage in a career. “There are many things to consider, but the most important issues is to consider a job that you actually like, whether it is in your major or not,” Stovall says.  

It’s correspondingly a upright plan to begin forming your individuality. “Stop comparing yourself to your friends, especially the ones you went to college with,” says Christine Sirois, a freelance journalist in her 20’s. “Once you're in the job market, it's not a level playing field and comparing yourself to your friends is a recipe for feeling inadequate and unhappy. Instead, set goals and work at your own pace to achieve them.”


30's
At this period, you’re reaching your pace, however you must continue being adaptable in an event something fresh and fascinating comes up, Cherches says. “You want to be working at what you are good at and what you like to do, and setting yourself up for success, while still allowing for opportunities to take risks and to grow.”

Being assertive can help set you up for that success, says Jill Ivey, senior associate at WIT Strategy. “Be clear about what you're looking to get out of your position. If it's not a good fit, look at other options. Don't stay in a job that you hate, or that isn't fulfilling, or where there's no room for advancement because you're afraid of change.”

Alisha Karabinus, lecturer in rhetoric and composition at Purdue University, says your 30s are the time to ask for things and make a clear case for why you should get what you want. “Are you valuable? Are you essential? Stop grousing and make a case for a raise or a bonus. Be ready with a clear case and quantifiable deliverables if applicable.”


40's
This is the time you should establish yourself as an expert, says Peter Engler of Engler Career Group. “Develop a career and a resume that few can duplicate so that you stand out from the crowd. Build your network and find a good mentor who can provide sage advice.”

Cori Tyler works in law enforcement and exercises his expertise to manage his own business, Last Line Defense Training. His career advice for those in their 40s: “Know the difference between a job and a career, and decide what priority it truly has in your life.” In addition, don't let your work or career define who you are: “Those come to an end, sooner or later.”


50's
Despite your expertise, it’s important to keep learning at this stage, Cherches says. Technology and the marketplace change so quickly that you’ll need to make an effort to stay current. “Your strength lies in combining your years of experience with your ability and willingness to stay ahead of the curve. You may also be thinking about what you want your ‘leadership legacy’ to be.”  

Artist Ann Klefstad says to look beyond regular jobs. “What has worked for me is to take the skills I have and work like the devil to create opportunities to use them, freelancing or consulting.” She recommends increasing the amount of your involvement with things you have affinity for and actively work to meet people involved with them.


60's and beyond
This is the stage where most people are becoming victims if scams and frauds that is why people within this age group should be very wise with their decisions.

At this age, you can market yourself as a sage, but stay humble enough to learn from those younger than you, Cherches says. “You want to be a mentor, and yet be willing to be mentored. With that combination of attributes, you will have much to contribute and be much in demand.”  

Managing That Feared Interview Question

Self-awareness can be the talent that keeps on giving.

The scenario: you adore well-mannered small talk, you begin to relax and convey your story

concerning why you are right person for the job, and then it comes, the question. "What would you say is your biggest weakness?" You stop for silent thinking. Then, usually, most individuals give one of the classic stock replies such as, "I seem to take on too much. I guess I'm just passionate about what I do."

A warning, that sounds too common. Though it's passable to provide this answer, wouldn't it be notable to give your would-be employer a more truthful consciousness of who you are? Narinder Singh, President of Topcoder, an IT company, has a favorite question he likes to ask in interviews: "Are you a get-there-early-for-the-flight person or a barely-make-it-in-time person?" There is no right or wrong answer, and he finds it opens up a great discussion about how people approach the world. I love that.

Now, going back to the weakness question, you want to look fabulous, confident, and capable. Knowing that you are all of those things, why not try discerning about practicing for this moment as a great training in self-awareness? Review yourself.

This kind of self-awareness could possibly be the skill that keeps on giving.

It permits you to get genuine concerning what you enjoy to do and what you don't. This familiarity is so significant not only for your interview but then again in helping you find the way to your long and elaborately satisfying career path.

Who are you and what do you want to do or be in where you do not want to be, be forced to work in a foreign country, Jakarta Indonesia perhaps or Africa? Let's not blur this with what you are best at. Numerous people can be educated with skills however what is it that you truly want to do and what would you rather not?

Question yourself some key inquiries: Are you a big picture "blue sky" idea person, or do you delight in the minutiae of details or are you in your element delivering a sales pitch or more relaxed behind the scenes creating thorough presentations? Are you the initial individual to inquire a question or bid an answer in a meeting, or do you like sitting back, engaging the discussion, and then talking up? You possibly will connect with portions of all of the above, however what main inner keys truly be prominent for you?

There are countless methods to answer to the weakness question.

As an alternative of being afraid of the moment and have complaints, contemplate about it as a technique for you to expose a bit more regarding yourself and the things that certainly inspire you.

Weekly Jobless Claims Fall, Ongoing Claims Lowest Since 2007

The total of Americans filing new requests for unemployment assistances fell more than anticipated, signifying that a severe stoppage in job progress last month was perhaps a deviation.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 36,000 to a seasonally adjusted 280,000 for the week ended Sept. 13, the Labor Department said last Sept. 11. It was the lowermost level ever since July.

Claims for the previous week were studied to show 1,000 more applications received than formerly reported.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims falling to only 305,000 last week. Westhill Consulting Career and Employment, Australia is also feeling the growth since last year, an example were the upsurge in the economy in Indonesia which eventually paved the way of many job openings in Jakarta. Since then, lesser complaints were reported.

The four-week moving average of claims, measured a better amount of labor market drifts as it irons out week-to-week instability, fell 4,750 to 299,500.

A Labor Department analyst said there were no special factors influencing the state level data.

This month’s data covered the period during which employers were charted for September's non-farm payrolls. Claims drop 19,000 between the August and September survey times.

That proposes payrolls growth bounce back from August's eight-month low, which most economists terminated as a fluke, noting that payroll improvements tend to be lesser in August for the reason that of problems regulating the data for seasonal variations in hiring.

Employers appended only 142,000 jobs to their payrolls in August, breaking six consecutive months of job upsurges above 200,000.

The jobless claims report displayed the number of people still getting benefits after an early week of aid dropped 63,000 to 2.43 million in the week ended Sept. 6. That was the lowest level ever since May 2007.

The unemployment rate for people receiving jobless aids decreased to 1.8 percent, the lowest level ever since November 2006, from 1.9 percent in the previous week.

How to Shape and Grow Your Career Network

Westhill Consulting Career and Employment, Australia: Proven Techniques for Job-Seekers

Inquire to the members of your present network for recommendations. No easier exists method to grow your network than to just ask your present friends, family, and connections for the contact information of others whom they consider would be helpful for you to know. At least you can likewise be certain that they are not a scam. The "friend-of-a-friend" connection is fairly sturdy and generally very successful.

Join professional or trade organizations. No better way exists for finding people who part the similar professional interests and goals than joining one or more industry organizations. As soon as you're a member, you'll typically get entrée to the membership list, which can exposed many new potential network contacts. Many organizations also run regional or national meetings and conferences, which steers to the next method for constructing your network of contacts.

Be present in professional/trade meetings, shows, etc. The great thing about trade shows and industry meetings and conferences is that you'll meet different people to -- and opportunities for both "meet-and-greets" and in-depth meetings. Pursue peers as well as per more experienced members -- and even speakers -- to increase your network.

Volunteer. Given that your time and effort to a destitute cause is maybe one of the sturdiest venues for networking -- since you are working with people who share your desire for helping others -- but frequently disregarded by job-seekers either exceedingly busy or excessively attentive on discovering industry contacts. Locate an organization that wants your help and begin volunteering.

Be there at networking events. This practice is a no-brainer for adding up more people to your network of contacts. Many groups organize networking events, counting colleges, professional and industry associations, chambers of commerce, and the like. Review community calendars online or in your local newspaper for details, this will lead you to good networks.

Contact former professors, college alumni association, and/or career-services office. One of the sturdiest ties that benefit in constructing new and strong network contacts is sharing the tie of a college or university. Creating additional contacts with people associated with your college offers you a firm base of common experiences -- and a sturdy connection to build upon.

Join or ramp up your activities on social and professional networking sites. As soon as you're a member of Facebook, LinkedIn, or a similar networking site, you'll instantly be delivered with strategies for adding friends or connections, like connect up with people who joined the same schools. Electronic connections are not closely as strong as personal connections; however that should not prevent you from at least attempting this method. You can use your virtual connections to as a way toward face-to-face meetings. (Keep in mind to develop and keep a professional profile on these sites, never post negative reviews and complaints here.)

Join or begin job club. In some means, a job club is the greatest networking experience since the people you meet there all have shared experiences and the craving for a new job. Run the right way, a job club is an extremely optimistic and satisfying experience, an opportunity to help yourself and others.

Manage informational interviews. There is no better tactic for entry-level job-seekers and career-changers to discover and add people to your professional network than to run numerous informational interviews. Review your possibilities.

Contact previous co-workers, vendors, customers/clients. Many times as we transfer from job to job, employer to employer, we lose touch with former co-workers, customers, and the like. These people all had a connection with you before and could again -- you must to reconnect with them. More especially if they are already working overseas like in Jakarta Indonesia, in Canada or in USA.

Office Bullying Is Damaging Workers beyond All Demographics

 

Many people perhaps consider bullies as permanently angry teens insisting lunch money and carrying swirlies. However playgrounds and school hallways aren't the lone places where violent behavior, threats, gossip, and rejection are used to oppress people and affirm power. Warning! Bullying is very damaging than we may know says, Westhill Consulting Career and Employment, Australia. This holds true by a study from CareerBuilder shows that bullying is alive and well in offices across America.  

The study, which incorporated more than 3,300 employees thru industries and company sizes, demonstrates that 28 percent of employees answer they've felt bullied at the office at some time in their career, and of those employees, 19 percent said the bullying initiated them to leave their job.  


 Who are the victims and why aren’t they filling complaints?
In general, women are more expected to have felt bullied, with 34 percent stating they've been victim to workplace bullying at some stage in their career matched to 22 percent of men.  

Furthermore, 30 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workers testified being the victims of bullying at work, while there are 44 percent of physically disabled workers.  

The study furthermore discovered that 27 percent of African American workers and 25 percent of Hispanic workers have suffered from bullying on the job, as compare to 24 percent of Caucasian males. Not counting workers from Asian countries such as KL Malaysia, Jakarta Indonesia, Beijing China and many more.  

"One of the most surprising takeaways from the study was that bullying impacts workers of all backgrounds regardless of race, education, income and level of authority within an organization," said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder.  


Bullying, past and present
Despite the fact run-ins with their bully are in the bygone for several of these workers, 24 percent of those who testified feeling bullied at work claim that it is presently occurring in their present job, and 19 percent put an end by giving up their job because of bullying.  

The study moreover ended the numbers down further, taking a keener look at workers who held they are at present being bullied by job level, educational attainment and salary level, according to CareerBuilder:  

Job level

• Management (manager, director, team leader, vice president and above) – 27 percent
• Professional and technical – 21 percent
• Entry-level/administrative and clerical – 26 percent

  Highest level of education attained

• High school graduate – 28 percent
• Associate's degree – 21 percent
• Bachelor's degree or higher – 23 percent

  Compensation level

• Earning less than $50,000 – 28 percent
• Earning $50,000 or more – 19 percent

Who are the bullies?
Forty-five percent of bullied workers claimed the boss was the chief offender, while 25 percent blamed someone upper in the organization, yet not the boss, and 46 percent alleged they were bullied by a co-worker.  

Fifty-three percent stated the bully was someone older than them, while 25 percent held their bully was younger than them.  

Workplace bullying frequently happens in one-on-one circumstances, however 19 percent of bullied workers said the incidents occurs in group settings with numerous people joining in.  

Kinds of bullying
Bullying in the office can appear extremely dissimilar from bullying on the playground. Whereas physical violence or name-calling isn’t as predominant, the most usual habits people testified being bullied at work include, according to CareerBuilder:  

• Falsely accused of mistakes he/she didn't make – 43 percent
• Comments were ignored, dismissed or not acknowledged – 41 percent
• A different set of standards or policies was used for the worker – 37 percent
• Gossip was spread about the worker – 34 percent
• Constantly criticized by the boss or co-workers – 32 percent
• Belittling comments were made about the person's work during meetings – 29 percent
• Yelled at by the boss in front of co-workers – 27 percent
• Purposely excluded from projects or meetings – 20 percent
• Credit for his/her work was stolen – 20 percent
• Picked on for personal attributes (race, gender, appearance, etc.) – 20 percent

Confrontation
Exactly like on the playground, the finest counsel for facing a bully is 48 percent of workers who have been bullied described confronting the bully themselves, according to reviews. Of this group, 45 percent believed the confrontation was effective in discontinuing the bullying, while 44 percent thought it made no difference, and 11 percent said the situation aggravated.  

Thirty two percent claimed they reported the bullying to their Human Resources department, nonetheless more than half of those who did (58 percent) alleged no action done.  

Haefner stressed that taking no action and allowing a bully to continue can, in some cases, just make the problem worse. "Many of the workers who have experienced this don't confront the bully or elect not to report the incidents, which can prolong a negative work experience that leads some to leave their jobs."  

Advices for dealing with a bully 
Intended for workers who are feeling bullied by someone at their office, Haefner offers the following tips to deal with the situation:  

• Keep records of all incidents of bullying, documenting places, times, what happened and who was present.
• Consider talking to the bully, providing specific examples of how you were treated unfairly. Chances are the bully may not be aware that he/she is making you feel this way.
• Always focus on the resolution. When sharing examples with the bully or a company authority, center the discussions around how to make the working situation better or how things could be handled differently.

Warning! First Impression is very important

Here are some of the errors you might be making when reaching out to strangers. Westhill Consulting Career and Employment, Australia’s reveals why they won’t hire you before they even meet you.

You’re too casual. It is nearly always better to blunder on the side of formality, specifically when asking someone for something. It’s wiser to be more polite and lead off with “Dear So and So,” or “Hello WhatHisName” than “Hey, Elizabeth!”

You’re presumptuous. Career “experts” all over the place are at all times telling you close with a meeting proposal, but then again you have to do it correctly. Say something like “I would like to buy you a coffee or lunch sometime soon if you can spare the time. Please let me know if this is possible.” Don’t make it sound like complaints. Do not do this also, reach out to complete strangers on LinkedIn and ask for endorsements.

                                                                                                    

You’re sloppy. If you can’t take five minutes to proofread your message, or even pay the energy to give care to spellcheck, you display a obvious lack of respect for the person you’re contacting. There’s a wavy red line that plays below your spelling errors. All you have to do is take notice in it. Always review!

You’re random/haven’t done your research. Know what the person you’re contacting actually does because you cannot ask a zookeeper for a job in a bank. Do some basic research or do not expect a teacher of Bahasa Indonesia in Jakarta would talk to you in Chinese.

You’re asking for something and offering nothing. The job market is not the place to beg.

It’s OK to ask for something. If you want help, or advice, you ought to ask for it – respectfully, from the correct person. But you need to make a motion of mutuality, like the offer to purchase lunch.

What you can do is for example write an article, design something, organize something, for free, and hope it leads to something in return later.

According to some research, doing someone a favor, no matter how small, resulting in a feeling of gratitude inexplicably bigger than the size of the original favor. So, it is at all times a good idea to be kindhearted.

It doesn’t have to be a material thing or lunch and coffee, you need to offer something like your wonderful skills, your incredible insight, your energy and tireless work ethic.

Be well-mannered, target the right people, don’t be demanding, consider about not only what they can do for you but what you can do for someone else,– proofread, review – then hit send.