What Makes a Good Boss

What Makes a Good Boss From the ridiculous antics of David Brent in ‘The Office’ to greedy Montgomery Burns in The Simpsons, there are many awful fictional managers on TV. What about in real life?   The stats from Kimble’s recent survey on workplace attitudes “The Boss Barometer” don’t do all that much to contradict that picture. Apparently more than two-thirds of British workers feel they could do their job just as well or even better without their boss’s input.   However, even on TV, there is the occasional helpful manager   such as optimistic Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation. The good news is that a third of employees seem to feel that their real-life boss actually adds value and helps them to succeed in their roles. So what are the kinds of things that employees value in their managers and want to see more of? How do you avoid being the kind of boss who becomes the reason good employees go on job hunting sites because around three-quarters of the respondents said that the relationship with the boss is a factor in whether they stay or go.   Here are some pointers from the survey data.   1. Employees Don’t Want to be Told What to Do Three-quarters of people surveyed say they want to work in a more collegiate and collaborative environment. Only one in five said they prefer to work somewhere where the boss takes all the decisions. However, only a quarter of British workers said that their boss regularly consults them when making important decisions.   Having been a manager in the technology industry for more than 30 years, I am a big advocate of decentralized decision-making. It is often the people on the ground who understand the context of situations best.   As organizations grow, they can develop bureaucracy. Bottlenecks where the people on the ground have to pass information up and wait for a decision to come down.   An alternative approach is to use technology to increase transparency. Share the information and insights people need to make decisions, and then let them get on with it. 2. Employees want more responsibility More than two-thirds of workers,   67 percent said they want to take more responsibility at work. Only a third said they don’t want this. Giving people more responsibility might involve handing over a whole job instead of breaking it into small tasks and giving those out. That means letting the employee set the budget, clarify the outcomes, work out what ‘done’ looks like, what ‘success’ looks like and what the milestones are and when they have been reached.   Even a junior member of staff can be asked to set a budget for something they are working on as long as help is there if they need it and they are not held responsible for things they can’t control such as currency fluctuations.   Doing things this way enables individuals and teams to build their skills. And it is more engaging to take responsibility for something than to be instructed to take on a series of small tasks for someone who is looking over your shoulder. If you are responsible for something you can take credit for it when it goes well. Four in ten of the survey respondents said they feel that managers sometimes take credit for their work. That’s a worrying statistic recognizing employees’ success and hard work is a key skill for motivating and engaging your team. 3. Employees value managers who coach and motivate and who don’t procrastinate Asked to choose the most important qualities in a manager, half of the survey respondents said “the ability to motivate”. A quarter said “the ability to make decisions”. The next two choices were, the ability to coach 14% and the ability to delegate 10%. We are moving away from a world where it is seen as the bosss job to tell people what to do. It is the boss’s job to provide clarity of mission and to remove obstacles to the team’s success. It is also important not to procrastinate. Encourage people to bring solutions to you and not problems. And when they do bring them, I would encourage you to accept the proposed solution immediately. If there are any concerns, as long as there is a culture in a place where people are encouraged to raise issues and not suppress them, the person will bring them up. And if you have concerns, you might ask what information the decisions are based on, to make sure that everyone is on the same page with that. Expectations of managers are high and in many cases, people don’t seem to feel they are being managed effectively. That’s an issue for employee retention and for engagement and workplace culture. If people aren’t being managed well, they are unlikely to be performing at their highest level.   But the answers are not complicated. Kimble’s survey shows that employees are not looking to work for bosses who know all the answers and tell everyone what to do. Being a good manager is much more about building and maintaining a great team.     Being a good manager starts with listening and the employees in our survey gave some clear suggestions. Communicate effectively, establish a positive culture, hand over responsibility and recognize success.   As the real-life boss, Steve Jobs once said, “It doesnt make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.” About the author: Mark Robinson is CMO at Kimble Applications, a leading PSA fuelling the growth of the worlds most agile services firms.

Guest Post Ive Done Everything Right and Im Still Not Working Q and A for Frustrated Job Seekers

Guest Post I’ve Done Everything Right and I’m Still Not Working Q and A for Frustrated Job Seekers Q:  I read every job search advice blog I lay my eyes on, and I know the rules backward and forward: I’ve learned everything under the sun about professional cover letters, sending thank you notes, and making eye contact during interviews. At this point I could practically teach a course. But I still don’t have a job. Am I missing something? A:  If you’re staying open to advice and taking expert recommendations to heart, you’re on the right track. But remember: These rules are meant for broad, general audiences. Your situation may not be identical to everyone else’s. While you work hard on toeing the line, remember that some rules are meant to be broken. The next time you do something “right”, stop and think. Is this right for your specific situation, your targeted employer, your own goals, and your own personality? Q:  I’m fifty-nine and I’ve been on the job market for eight months. I’ve had five interviews and applied to more than a hundred positions all over the country. Please tell me I still have hope. A:  You do have hope, but you’ll also have to face some hard facts, including the possibility that your age may be working against you as you try to gain employer trust. So build that trust in ways that circumvent age-bias related to technology and flexibility. If you aren’t interested in rattling on about the wonders of social media during your interviews, that’s fine, but you’ll have to draw focus to your other skill sets, including your managerial abilities, your problem solving skills, your experience, and your work ethic. Q:  I’m looking for work in a specialized area, and I don’t come across appropriate job postings very often. I’ve only found five postings in the past month, and I’ve applied for them all. But they haven’t led anywhere. What now? A:  You may be looking in the wrong places. If national job boards aren’t helping you, try reaching out to industry organizations and trade groups in your field. Start by visiting their websites. Then send targeted emails to specific people in these organizations and ask them personally for leads and advice. Q:  I graduated in 2012 at the age of 22 with a mountain of debt, and I assumed that with a well-respected alma mater like mine, I’d have no trouble impressing employers. At this point, I’m not just frustrated with the job searchâ€"I’m also bitter about my college decision. I feel like I was a victim of an epic scam. How can I find a way to put this toxic anger behind me and move on before it ruins what’s left of my life? A:  You’re young, and “what’s left of your life” is longer than you’re able to appreciate right now. Your situation is not ideal, and your circumstances probably don’t look the way you imagined they would on the threshold of your mid 20s. But you’re not alone. And you will survive this rough patch. Even if the job you hold a year from now doesn’t look like the one you once had in mind, you will be working. And if you work hard every day to treat others and yourself with dignity, there’s no doubt that you will be a respected, legitimate, and productive member of society. Don’t worry about the mountain of debt right now. And don’t even worry about the immediate need to find a job. Both of these things will work themselves out with some time and patience. LiveCareer, home to America’s #1 Resume Builder, connects job seekers of all experience levels and career categories to all the tools, resources and insider tips needed to win the job. Connect with us on  Google+  and  Youtube  for even more tips and advice on all things career and resume-related.

Monsters New App for Interviews

Monsters New App for Interviews Monster has introduced a mobile app for job seekers through iTunes.   It’s a valuable resource for anyone looking for a job that has access to iTunes.   And best of all, the app is free.   April 15th marked the launch of the newest addition to Monster’s family of mobile apps: Monster Interviews â€" Tools to Ace Any Job Interview. This app represents another step in Monster’s mobile strategy, and the company’s continuing commitment to helping job seekers improve their lives and reaching them wherever they areâ€"via their mobile devices. The Monster Interviews app is a great tool to help seekers through the job interview process. This step-by-step guide provides advice and coaching through every stage of the interview process, including: Expert advice and practical resources to help seekers prepare to do their best. All the tools, tips, and reminders they’ll need on the big day. A complete guide for post-interview follow-up. Each section delivers a wealth of advice, useful techniques, and innovative tools that will help seekers handle a job interview successfully. As Monster likes to say, it’s everything but the handshake. The app is initially available for iPhone ® and will soon be available for iPad ®. Download it for free and use these tools to ace your next interview! http://mnstr.me/MWWipad

Are You Using Your Network Correctly

Are You Using Your Network Correctly How broad is your professional network? How do you stay in touch with your contacts? It takes more than an occasional email or text. If you’re not networking correctly, you’re missing out on a powerful tool to help you improve your job performance and your career development. What is a Network? A network is nothing mysterious.  Its  is a group of people in related or unrelated businesses, looking to further their own and their contacts’ careers or interests by sharing information and forming business relationships.  Note the focus on careers and business. This is not your social circle. a group of people who want to advance their own and their contacts’ careers or interests by sharing information and forming business relationships. Why Network? Networking  requires giving and receiving.  You must offer as well as ask for help. And while networks are becoming the best way to find a new job, there are many more benefits.  A good one  will help you: Improve your performance in your current role: Get the information you need to do a better job today Build specific skills: Identify  a mentor or model from whom you can learn something new Find your next job: Hear  about opportunities before they are announced, or get a direct line to the hiring manager Meet  new employees  Get introduced to  someone who is  a perfect fit for the job opening up in your company Find a supplier or business partner: Get recommendations for everything from logistics providers to promotional agencies Help others: When you help someone else, you create a closer tie with that person. I recommend that about 70% of your networking involve giving help, and 30% of it asking for help. Give generously and it will come back to help you! Give generously! Your networking activities should be 70% giving help and 30% asking for it. Women and Business Networking Networking is one of those business activities that many women shy away from. I often hear from women that they are uncomfortable, or that deciding what they want to get from their network feels like using people. Or that it sounds like a series of business transactions, and  they would rather  to get to know people. They use words like intimidating, or awkward. For anyone feeling that way right now, it’s OK. You are normal. You also limit yourself with this view.  Take a moment and think again about the purpose of a network: people in related or unrelated businesses advancing  their own and their contacts’ careers or interests by sharing information and forming business relationships. A network is inherently about relationships â€" business relationships. Expanding your Network You can expand your network in many ways. Have lunch or coffee with someone from another department. Become active in  a professional organization. Or join a dedicated business network, like BPW International, the world’s most vibrant international business network for women. With chapters all over the world, BPW is dedicated to helping all women reach their full potential. There’s probably a chapter near you. Training courses are a great place to expand your network too. Attendees are usually working in the same or related areas, or working on similar skills. You can even take courses in networking from providers like Fundamental Capabilities. Wherever you meet people, you have the chance to network â€" even on line at the grocery store, or when you are stuck in the airport. And you know that joke about women talking in the ladies’ room? It’s no joke, you can even network there! Kickstart Your Network Now Whether you are looking for a new job, a new skill, or just to know more about your industry, your network is a great place to start. So go out there and talk with people. Ask them about what they do, why they do it, how they do it. Offer to connect them to someone else they know. Tell them about something you have seen that might interest them. Ask for advice or introductions. Before you know it you will be on your way to having a broad network of connections that can help you reach your goals! Image credits Main   Networking  

Format For Writing Education in Resume

Format For Writing Education in ResumeWhen you're writing a resume, the format for writing education in resume should be chosen based on several factors. When you're writing your resume, it should contain all the elements of education that make you an asset for the potential employer to see.It's important to your potential employer that you are concise and to the point when describing your education in resume. Because many people like to write long descriptions about their education, a resume that uses one or two sentences of description is a big benefit. Additionally, the information must be relevant to the position you are applying for.Education in resume format should also be chronological. Education is not something that can be studied throughout a student's life, but rather you can only do so during school. Therefore, your resume should look something like this:You could have majored in Biology, which would give you an education in Biology in high school, and then majoring in En glish, which would give you an education in English in high school. Alternatively, if you wanted to take some biology classes and didn't major in the subject, you would just include Biology in your education in resume format as the following example.It's also a good reason to be able to link your educational activities with your work experience. Therefore, your education in resume should show what you have done in your work or other community service and then show what you did to further your education.If you're trying to demonstrate your work experience to the potential employer, you can show your work experience through past employers and affiliations that you might have, but also through titles of positions you held. Therefore, education in resume format should also show what you did to further your education.In the past, education in resume format was limited, however, the internet has changed the way resumes are being written. If you're trying to use the internet, remember that the Internet is now a tool that the potential employer and you can use to promote yourself and promote your education.Educators have also found the educational format for education in resume to be useful for people that want to look for work. Therefore, if you are looking for employment, be sure to check out your education in resume format, as it will show the potential employer who you are and why you might be an asset for them.

2010- A New Year Begins with Confidence

2010- A New Year Begins with Confidence A New Year, a new you. A New Year, a clean slate. A New Year, a new job. A New Year, a new beginning. See how all these snippets are future oriented? Thats where were headed. Building confidence is as easy as setting a course and moving towards it. How do you set the course? You will want to find the arena you feel best playing in. What is that? Where is that, you might be asking. You already know, because youve done it before. 1. Recall the times in your life youve felt on top of the world-you knew what you were doing and you just felt great. 2. Next document those events. Use STAR SituationTaskActionsResult 3. Now, looking at those actions you took, what were you doing? Where were you doing them? Who were you interacting with? If you have more than one story documented, you can begin looking at the reoccurring themes. Chances are quite great that you will see some sort of pattern or at least some overlap. 4. Next, how can you recreate this? One of the secrets to confidence is your ability to re-create your talents in a similar and/or new situation. Hopefully you had a fun-filled evening last night, surrounded by friends and family. Ringing in the New Year has never been one of my favorite traditions. The evening issetupwith expectations that never seem quite met.But I love the thought of starting theNew Year off right. Ive made my resolution or as my son said: revolution. I willbe nicer to people this year. Trite, perhaps, yet a hugeorder to fill. Ill start offby trying to be other-centric. I will help where I can. Thus, todays post is to help a fellow job search bloggerTim Tyrell-Smith. He will be talking about confidence too. His blog, Spin Strategyisa must-read for any job seeker/career enthusiast. Tim also has a Spin Strategy LinkedIn group. It is active and worth joining, so go now!

Ten Things to Do Before the Pink Slip Arrives

Ten Things to Do Before the Pink Slip Arrives In response to Job Action Day 2008, here are 10 things everyone should do now, just in case a pink slip arrives in the future. Even if you think your job is secure, these tips are part of any successful, ongoing career management strategy.Audit Your Resume. Most peoples resumes read like job descriptions with little or no evidence of the persons impact on the organizations they supported. Review your resume to see if your document reads like a laundry list of job tasks or an accomplishment-focused, metrics-driven self-marketing tool. If your document screams vanilla, consider rewriting your resume or hiring a professional resume writer to help you.Gather Testimonials. When someone considers you for an interview, you are basically a risk. The entire interview process is really an exercise in mitigating that risk. The hiring manager is trying to determine if you really have the skills and experience you have chronicled on your resume. A great strategy for gaining the confidence of the hiring manager is to prove your value-add through supervisor, client, and vendor testimonials. These quotes may be added to your resume or showcased through the endorsements feature on networking and identity management sites such as LinkedIn or Naymz. This type of 360 degree feedback can help you achieve greater credibility with hiring authorities and improve your chances of getting hired.Reconnect. Map out all the relationships you have fostered throughout your life and think of authentic ways to reconnect with those you may have lost touch with over the years. Facebook and Classmates are great tools for reconnecting with people you went to school with and Bright Circles is an online site for reconnecting with former colleagues. Jibber Jobber is an excellent tool for storing and managing your contacts.Do a Favor for Someone. Maybe you have a friend that needs assistance with a home improvement project or some help watching their kids for a few hours while they run some important e rrands. Think of ways to help others. This makes you more top of mind with them should you need their help in the future.Join a Professional Association. So many people ignore the benefits of being part of a professional organization and only join once they are in a job search. Since relationships in these circles may take time to build, it is much better to join and give back to your professional community before you start asking for information or job leads.Volunteer. Become visible in communities that are important to you. Perhaps that is the PTA at your childs school, the co-op board in your apartment building, or the local animal shelter. Help others and they are more likely to reciprocate.Get a Flu Shot. Better yet, get a full check up and have your teeth cleaned as well. If you find yourself in a job search, you want to remain healthy and you also want to have these expenses covered while you can still take advantage of your companys health insurance benefits.Manage Your Fina nces. Do you know what you would do with your 401K or other investments if you lost your job tomorrow? Read up on your options or find a financial advisor to help you.Avoid Toxic People. Stay away from people who are chronic complainers, repeatedly report on how much money they have lost, or continuously quote unemployment statistics. Instead find a buddy who can offer support, advice and friendship and possibly make important introductions and share job leads.Spend Time With Your Family. Your family can provide tremendous comfort during stressful times. Eat meals together, read to your kids, and have some alone time with your spouse. Doing so can help relieve some of the tension you may be feeling and remind you of all the ways you are blessed.