Author Archive for Ramon Greenwood

How To Effectively Manage Your Time At Work

Published by Ramon Greenwood on May 2, 2012.

Of the roughly 40 hours a week or more that you may be at work, how much of that time, honestly, do you spend working? If I were to estimate my actual time spent working, not the time I get paid to sit at my desk. I’d say I am probably productively employed 15-20 hours. Of course, hardly any job expects you to be working every single hour of those 40 hours, but it wasn’t until I really took stock of my mismanagement of time at work that I realized how much smarter and better I could organize my day.

Here’s how I did it

1.  Always do one thing at a time.

In a world that often trumpets multitasking, the truth about the matter is that most people can’t effectively multitask. The more stuff you put on your plate simultaneously, the less effective you will be on each individual task. Work on each task until you have completed it or reach a logical place to put it aside for the time being.  This tactic will improve the quality of your overall performance.

2Do the most difficult task whenever you are most productive.

Everyone has a specific type of task that they find the most taxing in terms of attention and brain power. For me, the most difficult work task is responding to emails. Even thought they only take a few minutes to respond to, the sheer volume of emails often overwhelms me, and makes me put them off. In terms of productivity,

I’m most awake and alert in the late morning, right before lunch. As such, I start my day with something easy, and once I’ve warmed up, I tackle all my emails right before lunch. It’s an incredible feeling to be finished with what you dislike most so early in the day.

3. Take discrete, productive breaks.

Contrary to common sense, breaks are an important part of remaining productive. But breaks can be tricky—they can be your worst enemy, derailing your workflow, or they can bring renewed focus to work that’s been draining your brain. The most important thing about breaks, however, is that you need to take them the right way. Don’t ever bring your work to your break; take that time to relax and think about other things. About three or four breaks a day is a good rule of thumb, each lasting about 10 or 15 minutes. Instead of grabbing a snack or a coffee, how about going for a brisk walk outside, which helps you completely clear your mind? Once you return from your break, you’ll find all your tasks become much easier.

Of course, effective time management isn’t something you’ll accomplish overnight. I still have days when I get practically nothing done. But practicing time management daily, being aware of how you are spending (or, in some cases, wasting) your time, will enable you to check off your to-do lists every day. Good luck!

Alvina Lopez is a freelance writer and blog junkie, who blogs about accredited online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez @gmail.com.

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8 Ways to Be A Smart Job Seeker

Published by Ramon Greenwood on April 27, 2012.

We are all familiar with the hardships involved in being an unemployed job seeker.  Not only is it frustrating and depressing when you can’t find a job, but the feelings become magnified as the length of time unemployed increases.

Rather than be depressed over what you can’t have today, career expert Elena Bajic, founder and CEO of Ivy Exec, is telling job seekers to think of the jobs they can have tomorrow. Bajic is offering eight tips on how to become smarter job seekers and be better equipped for the future job market. Here are her suggestions:

1. Take a hard look at your finances: If you’re currently searching for a job or are about to start looking for a job, immediately look at your finances to see where you can curb costs and expenses.

2. Take inventory & do a full and honest self-analysis: Take time to understand who you are and what you can bring to the job table. Really understand your strengths and weaknesses.

3. Set realistic and achievable goals and review them daily: Make your time count when it comes to finding the right job. Make a specific to-do or checklist each day to make sure your job search is productive. Set goals such as “I need to make at least five calls today” or “I’m going to reach out / network with four people today.”

4. Treat your job search like you’d treat a job: Finding the right job requires the same commitment as one would commit to a full-time job. 

5. Network to build relationships, not to find a job: Networking is about building relationships with people who can connect you with people who can help you find a job.

6. Focus on self-improvement: For those who are currently unemployed, dedicate time during your job search to acquire new skills and to improve your candidacy. Use this time as an opportunity to build on your existing skills and experience. Make your time fruitful.

7. Develop a job search with professional help: if you can afford it, hire a professional who can offer objective advice and help anchor you so that you’d avoid making common job search mistakes (i.e. take the first job offer that comes through, start interviewing with any company that shows interest even if it is the not right fit, etc.)

8. Stay positive – Interviewers can read negativity pretty quickly, and nobody wants to hire a negative person. By following the first seven tips, you will be a more confident job seeker with more focus, and with a clear picture of the right job that’s the right fit.

This posting was created by the bloggers at Ivy Exec.

 

 

 

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5 Tips To Really Stand Out And Land A Job

Published by Ramon Greenwood on April 18, 2012.

By Guest Blogger Vickie Elmer

Give yourself enough time and many opportunities to stand out in your job search. This may mean cutting back on the number of resumes you send out a week or a month. But a few carefully crafted resumes and cover letters that connect the dots may do more to open doors than sending out hundreds of copycat CVs.

“It takes quite a bit of energy” to do some research and become a “standout candidate,” said Elena Bajic, founder and CEO of Ivy Exec, which offers targeted career advice and jobs for members. She agrees candidates need to be selective in applying for jobs; “pick and choose those that are highly relevant” to their skills and expertise, then follow these five tips to make yourself a standout as you apply for work:

Know the traits that impress.
Some will be written right into the job posting. Others may be in your future employer’s core values or mission statement. Sometimes they can be identified by reading a few blog posts or an in-depth profile of the CEO or senior executive in charge of the area where you hope to work. Look at industry trends and best practices, too. The American Management Association identified the four Cs as skills employers really want: critical thinking and problem solving; collaboration; communication and creativity / innovation.

Ensure your resume matches the job.
Anyone looking for a job in sales or marketing needs to promote themselves very effectively. An editor cannot afford misspellings or grammatical errors, Bajic said. A manager must show that they are organized and can engage people with their resume. An IT manager’s resume needs a different structure and look than an interactive advertising manager. Different jobs and sectors require varied approaches. So each time you send out your resume, take just 10 minutes to adjust it so it’s a closer match to the job posting.

Follow-up – twice.
After the resume’s gone out, send an email or make a call to promote yourself again. Then another one week later. When one candidate did this with Bajic, she gave his resume a second look, which led to an interview. “I don’t receive that many follow-ups,” she said, “maybe 5 or 10 percent” of job seekers connect even once after applying.

Speed your replies.
When she’s requesting an initial phone interview, Bajic sees those who respond to an email quickly (in a few minutes or so) as “a high energy person who’s engaged.” Someone who does not reply for two or three days may imply that they are less energetic and engaged or not all that interested in the job, she said. Other employment experts say it’s important to show you’re energetic and a quick study, especially if you’re a mature job seeker or one who has been out of the workplace for a few years.

Prepare for phone interviews.
 Be careful with this and don’t take it on the fly. When the HR manager calls for a phone-screening interview, ask to schedule it the next day – and use those 24 hours to research the company and the job you’re seeking. Take time to envision the job and what it entails, Bajic says. Ask yourself: What is the company trying to achieve here? That way your questions will be more in-depth and your impact better.

Remember too that what works to make you a standout with IBM may not be as impressive at Apple or a small start-up in Ann Arbor, Mich. Core traits that work for small entrepreneurial organizations may be miles apart from the ones that turn heads at a Fortune 500 corporation. The key is to draw on your list of strengths and best traits and bring up those that your future boss really values.
It’s knowing what will stand out and shine in the galaxy where you’re hoping to land next that could lead to success.

Vickie Elmer’s article features Elena Bajic, CEO and founder Ivy Exec

Click here for original article.

 

 

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Guest Post: Going Back to School

Published by Ramon Greenwood on April 11, 2012.

When Going Back to School is a Career Saver

Almost everyone dreams of getting a good job, climbing the corporate ladder and eventually retiring as a member of upper level management with stock options. However, in reality, it can be very difficult to climb the corporate ladder if you are unqualified. If you skipped college or started out with a bachelor’s degree, you may be limited in how far you can go in your career. Sometimes it’s necessary to go back to college in order to save your career.

Getting That Promotion

Although you may be completely qualified to get a promotion in your field, your company may have specific policies that prevent it from hiring people without a college degree. If you work for a large company, they may like to hire only individuals with MBA’s beside their name. This is more about prestige than anything, but it is the way that things go in corporate America in many cases. If you feel like you keep getting passed over for promotion after promotion, you may want to consider going back to school and getting the degree that you have so far failed to obtain.

Going Back to School

If you are interested in going back to school and getting your first degree or adding another degree to your resume, there are several options for you to consider. Some companies offer tuition reimbursement plans that help pay for your school costs while you are working at the company. With these plans, you will pay for the classes and then complete them. After you prove that you completed the courses, your company will reimburse you for the cost.

Another option to consider is getting student loans from the federal government. Getting student loans to pay for college is very simple and almost anyone can get approved for them. For example, Perkins loans and Stafford loans are two options that the government offers for students. You’ll need to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is a document that helps the government determine how much money you have and whether you are eligible for grants or subsidized loans.

Considerations

Once you get the money and apply for class, you’re ready to start taking classes. Most colleges offer night classes or online courses to help you work around your work schedule. Then it becomes a matter of dedication on your part. If you can stick with it until you get your degree, you’ll greatly improve your changes of getting that promotion and advancing your career.

Credit: Anna Hicks, A Common Sense At Work Guest Author

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How To Get The Pay Raise You’ve Earned

Published by Ramon Greenwood on February 23, 2012.

If you are not getting the raise you believe you’ve earned you will find my new e-book helpful.

Getting a raise in salary and perks is not an easy undertaking, especially in these difficult times, but the odds for success can be significantly increased by executing the strategic plan spelled out in this new e-book, titled “How To Get The Pay Raise You’ve Earned.”

“How To Get The Pay Raise You’ve Earned” sets out comprehensive guidelines that will enable you to work your way through the challenge of negotiating the sensitive issues of convincing your employer that you deserve a raise. It also provides tips for how to avoid shooting yourself in the foot when you get an answer. Revealing case histories of how not to campaign for a raise are included.

A successful campaign for a raise begins by recognizing that the matter of your compensation is strictly a business proposition. You are not asking for a favor.

You have a service to sell (your expertise and your time). Your employer is the buyer who has a need he aims to satisfy.  You must make the case that increasing your pay package is a sound investment that will pay off for your employer. In other words, the goal is to convince him that you are worth the price.

I have written this timely e-book based on my wide-ranging career, including serving as senior vice president of American Express; a professional director of a number of companies; entrepreneur; author; and career coach. He is currently The Career Coach at Common Sense At Work.

“How To Get The Pay Raise You’ve Earned” is available for immediate downloading from Amazon and other leading e-readers for $1.99.

I wish you success in getting the raise you’ve earned.

Ramon Greenwood, The Career Coach

Common Sense At Work

 

 

 

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Avoid Work Accident Claims

Published by Ramon Greenwood on January 17, 2012.

For all employers looking to meet the health and safety requirements laid out by the government, the first thing they should do is carry out an assessment of the health and safety risks in their organization. The findings of this assessment should demonstrate those areas which need to be improved, in order to ensure that the safety of workers and the public is not put at risk. If attention isn’t paid to any issues that may have arisen then you may find yourself paying out for work accident claims in the case of an accident involving an employee. These are some basic safety measures for the workplace which should be carried out by businesses where relevant.

Floors and passageways
It is important to ensure that areas for walking and maneuvering vehicles are kept tidy and clear of obstructions. Areas in question include doorways, stairs, gateways, ramps and loading bays. There also needs to be a sufficient number of these, with the right amount of height and width, to ensure that both vehicles and people have ease of movement. Furthermore, for safety reasons it is best if the areas for people and vehicles are kept separate.

Transparent doors, walls or windows
Any surfaces for doors, windows, walls, partitions or gates which are made of transparent material should also, where there is a risk to health and safety, be made of safe material. Furthermore, if it is in an area where people may accidentally come into contact with it, there should be writing on the surface to make its presence apparent. Windows should also be designed so that they are able to be opened and cleaned without risk to the safety of those performing these tasks.

Dangerous chemicals and/or liquids
While obviously this does not apply to a great many workplaces, if a business involves dealing with dangerous chemicals or liquids these must be stored safely and employees provided with the appropriate safety clothing and equipment. Areas where such liquids or chemicals are stored need to be securely sealed off and clearly labelled, while the routes to and from these areas should also be fenced in a secure manner.

Guest post provided by The Accidents At Work Site.

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How To Manage Workplace Conflict

Published by Ramon Greenwood on January 17, 2012.

We’ve all had a boss that pushed our buttons or a coworker or two that made us go bananas, but except in dire situations most of us refrain from letting our workplace conflicts escalate into full blown crises. Which is a good thing, because when people expose too many of their emotions at work, especially those involving anger and frustration, they may need some serious reputation management in order to repair the damage. So it’s good to be able brush petty problems off your shoulders. Except sometimes in burying our opinions and issues we just let them grow in strength, and in the process we risk a major blowout. There are ways to deal with conflict that can address the core problems while deflating tension:

Don’t make it personal. No matter what the issue, as soon as you begin making personalized accusations—such as “you’re a slob” or “it’s your fault”– the situation will be hard to repair. The best way to approach a problem is to view it as a mysterious anomaly that you’re trying to get to the root of by enlisting the help of others.

Identify with the problem. If the copier keeps getting broken because the guy in the next cubicle bangs it with his fist, your best bet at resolving the issue is to approach him rationally. Instead of saying, “stop smashing the copier with your hand, you fool!” you’re better off saying, “I’ve noticed that when the copier lags for a moment you hit it. I hate that thing too, trust me, but check out this blog I read about how things don’t work as well when they’re damaged.” Obviously, you’d probably want to scale back the sarcasm at the tail end, but you get the point.

Smile, listen, and be concise. A smile goes a long way toward breaking tension. Without it, a colleague is more likely to feel attacked. Also, after you’ve spoken listen to what they say in response. If a person feels like they’re on the wrong side of an endless, accusatory monologue, they’ll likely get angry. Wouldn’t you? Keep the grievance short, concise, and to the point. And don’t lump in other things that have been bothering you. This isn’t therapy.

There are few things more aggravating and time-wasting than workplace conflict. Sometimes it’s inevitable, but usually if you adhere to basic social skills you can sooth an issue before it becomes a major point of office ire. This is a good management skill and if your clueless boss lacks it, perhaps you’ll end up replacing him anyway. Just a thought.

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Positive Resolutions Lead To Positive Changes

Published by Ramon Greenwood on December 21, 2011.

Have you made resolutions to accelerate your career in 2012? Experts say that making resolutions improves by a factor of 10 your odds of achieving positive changes.

If you haven’t resolved to make specific changes in your life in the world of work and in your personal life during the new year you can expect to get the same results you experiencedin 2011. Ask yourself: Will that be good enough to get me where I want to go?

Some people rely on such factors as hopes, wishes, or desires, but they are more apt to fail to achieve success than those who set out in writing specific plans and have a strategy of action to advance their careers.
Despite this reality, fewer than half of those who make resolutions keep them for at least six months. Only about 19% stay true to their vows for two years.

“People who think about making specific changes, but don’t get around to actually codifying resolutions fail at a higher rate than others who make specific action plans to change their daily behavior,” according to John Norcross, a psychology professor at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.

Six Tips To Carry Out Your Resolutions
Here are six tips that will help you to carry out your resolutions for 2012:

1. Think of your resolutions as a contract with yourself. Put the deal in writing.

2. Break down your resolutions into small, bite-size steps. Have a plan for specific actions to advance toward each goal. Rome was not conquered in a day.

3. Tell your friends about your resolutions. This will result in self-imposed pressure to not stop short of reaching your goals. After all, you don’t want to be seen as failing. And, by the way, ask them for help.

4. Think back to what you did with your resolutions in past years. If you fell short, make sure you break the habits that were at fault.

5. Expect setbacks; they are inevitable. Take a deep breath. Get back on that horse that threw you off as quickly as possible.

6. Hold yourself accountable. Review your resolution on a regular basis against established measurements. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. Be ready to change or add to you resolutions if you see an opportunity to improve them.
“Getting ‘psyched up’ is helpful for creating motivation before January 1; but after the New Year comes, it’s perspiration time,” declares Dr. Norcross.

Remember this admonition: “Good resolutions are a pleasant crop to sow. The seeds spring up readily, and the blossoms open so soon with such a brave show. But when the time for flowers has passed, what as to the fruit?”

Ramon Greenwood, The Career Coach

Common Sense At Work

P.S. If you are thinking of going for a raise I believe you will find my new e-book, How To Get The Pay Raise You’ve Earned, helpful. It’s available from  Amazon.com for only $1.99.

 

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How To Get The Pay Raise You’ve Earned

Published by Ramon Greenwood on November 29, 2011.

If you are not getting the raise you believe you’ve earned I think you will find my new ebook helpful.

Getting a raise in salary and perks is not an easy undertaking, especially in these difficult times, but the odds for success can be significantly increased by executing the strategic plan spelled out in this new ebook, titled “How To Get The Pay Raise You’ve Earned.”

“How To Get The Pay Raise You’ve Earned” sets out comprehensive guidelines that will help you work your way through the challenge of negotiating the sensitive issues of why you deserve a raise. It also provides tips for how to avoid shooting yourself in the foot when you get an answer. Case histories of how not to campaign for a raise are included.

A successful campaign for a raise begins by recognizing the matter of your compensation is strictly a business proposition. You are not asking for a favor.

You have a service to sell (your expertise and your time). Your employer is the buyer. You must make the case that increasing your pay package is a sound investment that will pay off for your employer. In other words, the goal is to convince him that you are worth the price.

I have written this timely ebook based on my wide-ranging career, including serving as senior vice president of American Express; a professional director of a number of companies; entrepreneur; author; and career coach. He is currently The Career Coach at Common Sense At Work.

“How To Get The Pay Raise You’ve Earned” is available for immediate downloading from Amazon.com for $1.99.

I wish you success in getting the raise you’ve earned.

Ramon Greenwood, The Career Coach

Common Sense At Work

 

 

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Three Steps To Career Success

Published by Ramon Greenwood on November 23, 2011.

If you are not getting what you want in your career one major reason may be you haven’t decided what you want.

The first step toward a successful career is to clearly define your goals. Until you take this step you can’t know how to prepare to achieve them. In other words, if you don’t know where you are going you can’t get there.

The second step is to prepare an action plan to get you to your goals. This can include applying to schools and universities which will prepare you for your career. Part of this process will include deciding what degree you may want to attain; deciding whether it would be an accounting or business degree. Be sure to include a timeline. Stick to it.

The third step is to begin immediately to execute your career plan. Right now, not later today or tomorrow.

Only you, and you alone, can define what will mean success.

Only you, and you alone, can take the actions necessary to enjoy a successful career.

I wish you success!!!!

Ramon Greenwood, The Career Coach

Common Sense At Work

P.S. I am excited to tell you that early next week I will be announcing the publication of my new ebook titled “How To Get The Pay Raise You’ve Earned.”

 

 

 

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