A Better You - Upgrading your Skills and Self-Improvement

By Canadajobs.com Staff

job, jobs, career

You don't have to be currently looking for a job to upgrade your skills or do a little self-improvement. All you need is the desire to learn something new.

Here are a few suggestions for things that you can do that will make you a better person, a better worker, and a better job prospect.

Upgrade Your Computer Skills:

Always wanted to learn how to do something on the computer? Want to learn spreadsheets or how to get the most out of your software? Well, wait no further. There are specialty schools that offer lots of computer training choices and classes you can take in the evening. But you don't have to go to a lot of expense. Pick up a book from the library and devote some time. You can also check out community organizations that offer inexpensive (sometimes free) computer training. It will pay off in your workplace and later should you start looking for another job. Computers will always be a fact of work. Why not know all you can to make your job easier?

Take a Writing Course:

Writing skills are critical in the workplace and in everyday life. You don't need to be Shakespeare to work in an office, but having the ability to write clearly can help you in so many ways. If you have to create presentations, write reports, or email clients, you want to be able to put all your thoughts and information accurately down on paper. If you write professionally, you will be perceived as a professional. Many community organizations and groups offer classes like this. Look in your local newspaper or online for classes.

Improve your Communication Skills:

Do you have a hard time saying what you feel? Do you get the feeling no one pays attention to your contributions at work? You can likely benefit from taking a communication course. Courses like these not only help you communicate more effectively, but they also encourage you to develop better relationships with people. Because communication is a two-way street, you need to be able to ask for what you want. Learning good communication skills helps you do that.

Work on Yourself:

Are there aspects of your life you'd like to improve? Why not work on them? Do you have a lot of stress in your life? Is it affecting your work? Is it affecting your home life? The more you learn about stress and what triggers it, the better able you are to be productive and emotionally healthy. Working on yourself is a great way to make changes in your life. Do you have to deal with difficult people in your job? Is your boss a bully? You can't change others around you, but you can certainly learn how to better deal with them. If you invest some time in improving your ability to handle difficult people, chances are you will benefit in more ways than you think. Ask your local health professionals about classes being offered in your area.

Learn a New Language:

Whether it's for yourself or whether it's for work, learning a new language can open a world of opportunities for you. The great thing about learning a new language is that you can learn just enough to get by or you can dive in head first and submerge yourself in a new culture. Keep in mind that it takes a lot of effort, but it is certainly possible. It's easier to learn and to keep up a new language if you speak it frequently, so try to make some new friends who speak it. Many jobs in Canada now cite French as an asset so consider that as an idea if you want to improve your job prospects.

There are many other things you can do to upgrade your skills and to improve yourself. When you learn a new skill, you not only improve your abilities but you also help your self-esteem and your confidence. And whether this benefits you at work or in your personal life, taking a little time to do something you really want is its own reward.

Is Morale at Work Low?

By Canadajobs.com Staff

job, jobs, career

Making your job more fun and interesting can be a challenge sometimes. Depending on your work environment, some changes might be easy to make and some might take longer to implement. Here are a few things you can do to boost morale.

Be Positive:

Obviously, something attracted you to this job in the first place. Try to remember the enthusiasm you felt for your work the first week you started. Often, we get caught in a trap of hating our job when really, all that has changed is our outlook. Try listing the things you like about your job. Focus on those things by making them the primary reason you go to work. For example, if you love the interaction you have with clients, make your job about that. When you are dealing with clients, concentrate on them and focus on doing the best job you can for them. If you can turn your focus on the positives of your job, you'll minimize the impact the negatives have on you.

Go Team:

The people you work with have a great impact on how you perceive your job. Granted, there might not be much you can do with the people who make work less than enjoyable, but there's a lot you can do to feel better about it. Participate in work-related events, either on the job or after work hours. You'll feel like part of the team and you'll be able to see your office mates in a more relaxed environment. Seeing another side of someone can lead to empathy and a better understanding of why they are the way they are. You might not become best friends with everyone at work, but having interaction with others outside of work will help them understand you better too. Your office doesn't have any outside activities? Start some yourself. It can be as simple as having a barbeque.

Add Some Fun:

Depending on your work environment, how much fun you can have may vary but the basics are the same. Make people happy. For a small investment, you can bring in a treat on a random day. Whether it's dougnuts, candy, or some squares you bake at home, your office mates will appreciate the thought. Adding fun to your office can be as easy as getting together for lunch when someone at work celebrates a birthday, work anniversary, or a promotion. Plan a gift exchange during the holidays, or events to celebrate the end of a successful project. It takes initiative but there's always someone in an office who's keen on organizing fun events. If there isn't, consider yourself in charge.

Your happiness at work depends largely on your outlook. With a few simple changes like being more positive, enthusiastic, and fun-loving, you can make work more exciting and more enjoyable.

Please Keep Complaining About Your Job!

By Luc Theriault

job, jobs, career

If you're one of those people who complains about your job all of the time, please keep doing it.

Why? Because it gives me more opportunities.

The Grass is Greener On The Other Side:

A lot of people spend their time analysing what they could have and then telling the world about it. They'll compare their salary to workers in similar jobs in other communities or at other companies. But what it comes down to is that if you're not happy with the conditions where you are, you have the option of going somewhere else. Thousands of employers are looking for staff, and you always have a choice to do something different.

If you choose not to go somewhere else, you should learn to accept it. But, like the title says, your other option is to keep complaining. It doesn't bother me. It's annoying to listen to sometimes but it leaves me with more than ringing in the ears... it also leaves opportunity.

Dreaming Of That Perfect Job:

How many people are working jobs they don't really like. They'd rather be an actor, or a musician, or a TV news anchor, or run a boat tour company. Whatever it is, most people have at a secret job wish. Figure out what yours is. Let's assume you chose acting. Now, let's assume that's what I really wanted to be too. In reality, it's not. I could never remember the lines!

While you're working at job in an office, I'm working an evening job in a bakery. But when you're done the day at your job and telling your spouse, friend, mom, brother about the job you dislike, I'm going online to find sites where they advertise Calls for Auditions.

The next day, you're back at your job, not thinking about acting at all. I get a call from one of my friends. It turns out she's heard of a Call for Auditions tomorrow where they're looking for a guy my age. She obviously doesn't qualify but she figures she might as well mention it to me. After all, I'll likely let her know if a future role for a woman comes up.

Doing What You Love:

You've often heard "Do what you love and the money follows," and I agree with that. Not necessarily because you might as well try and it might happen, but because you notice opportunities when you look for them. Here's an example: You may have been on a beach a million times and never noticed red rocks. Then, a friend decides to collect red rocks and asks you to look. All of a sudden, you start finding all of the red rocks on the beach. They've always been there. You just never noticed them.

In this example, it could be Calls for Auditions instead of red rocks. There are Calls for Auditions all the time, particularly in larger cities. But when you're working at your office job, I'm actually noticing them and seeking them out. Don't rush out and quit your day job, but try to notice opportunities you might be missing.

If you're the type of person who will go after what they want out of life, in many cases, you end up talking to people, online or offline, who have the same goals and aspirations as you. These people in many cases aren't those who have figured "I can't," they are people who are working on it or at least are open to the possibility.

You notice little things like the local film co-op newsletter that features Calls for Auditions. You see a web site where you can subscribe for free updates when people post them. You're seeing the "red rocks on the beach".

Dream Jobs in Your Field:

The world needs actors. It needs whatever job you decide to do.
People think there aren't a lot of jobs available in Canada right now, though job sites are more popular than ever and companies are frantically looking for staff to fill specific positions. They spend money and efforts to recruit the best staff. If you're the best, it doesn't matter how many people are applying, you're the one they'll want. How do you become the best? Complain less and do more. Upgrade your skills, read up on your industry, and help colleagues out. The difference between the people who are dissatisfied with their job and those who are truly thriving at work is that often, the ones who thrive are doing what they enjoy.

But, of course, if you want to complain instead, that's just fine with me.

Choosing A Career You'll Enjoy

By Canadajobs.com Staff

job, jobs, career

It's a fact that many people are unhappy with their jobs. When I hear someone is unhappy with the work they've chosen to do, my question is always, "Why are you doing it then?" Their answers are always the same and I've outlined some of them below. I'm not advocating quitting your job. Rather, I'm advocating finding something you enjoy since we spend so much time at work. Doing something you enjoy helps create a career for life.

The Money is Good:

The money isn't all that good a trade-off if you are stressed about your job. If you constantly think of your work and the anxiety that it brings into your life, you are probably thinking about it at least 14 hours a day. Figure out how much you make in a day, after taxes, and divide it by 14. That's how much you really make an hour when you let yourself be stressed about your work all the time. The money is probably not as good as you thought it was. And in researching the job you'd really love, you may find that salaries are higher than you would have expected.

I'm Too Old To Change Jobs:

What?! If you are capable of working, odds are you are capable of learning a new skill. And, if you are capable of learning a new skill, you can learn a new job. It is never too late to follow your passion or dream. It doesn't need to be a life-changing event. You can start small by volunteering somewhere to make sure it's really what you want. There are lots of resources for people who are looking at making career changes.

I Can't Do That:

Why not? Take a look at what's really stopping you. Is it your own apprehension? Is it your fears or your perceived fears? Often we set up roadblocks for ourselves when they don't really exist. We imagine that it will take years of training, or schooling to make a career change. It might, but it might not. Maybe you have enough education already that can help you towards your goals. Maybe you're afraid your family won't be behind you or supportive. Ask them. Until you do, you can't really know for certain. If you think family obligations are keeping you from pursuing your dream career, there is always a way to make things work.

There's No Jobs in The Field I Want to Work In:

There are always people hiring in all sorts of fields. Maybe not as much as in others, but with baby boomers set to retire, think of the opportunities. How about going to work abroad where the market may not be as saturated? If you are confident, skilled, and motivated, there is always work to be had. You must be flexible to perhaps seek work outside the realm you are used to, whether that means looking at at other location or industry in which to work at your dream job.

I'm Just Complaining - It's Not That Bad:

Obviously it's bad enough for you to complain about and waste a lot of your energy on. Complaining is okay, but it should be constructive complaining that helps you identify problems and hopefully leads you on a path of solutions. Otherwise, it becomes psychologically draining. Figure out where you want to go and what needs aren't being satisfied by your current career. Then decide if you want to accept or change the situation around you.

Being happy with your career is about knowing yourself. If you find that you dislike your current career, take the time to explore options that will help you find your place in the world. Doing something you love for 8 hours a day is certainly better than the alternative.

How to Fit An Active Lifestyle into a Busy Schedule

By Canadajobs.com Staff

job, jobs, career

You've been wanting to get in shape but you don't feel like you have any time. Your job keeps you busy and once you're home, you don't have the time or energy to work out or exercise. What can you do? Here are a few tips to get in some exercise where you never thought possible.

Commuter?

If you commute, you have a perfect opportunity to exercise. If you can, get off the bus a few stops before you usually do. The walk will likely do you some good. You'll be able to clear your mind, relax, and unwind before you get home.

Going Up?

If you work in a high-rise and it's safe, try taking the stairs. Don't do any more than you feel capable of, especially if you are just starting off. Work your way up slowly. You can take the elevator half-way or two-thirds of the way, then walk to the rest. You'll be amazed at the exercise you are getting. And stairs are a great way to get into shape.

Walk When You Can:

By parking further away, you can get in a walk where you never thought you could as well as saving yourself a lot of frustration and anxiety that is associated with trying to find the best spot. And this doesn't have to be just at work. Try it when you go grocery shopping and at the mall. You'll be amazed at how your anxiety decreases when you aren't fighting for a parking spot right next to the door.

When you're running quick errands, try walking. Sometimes, it's not really quicker to take the car when you factor in traffic and parking.

Motivate:

Support is one of the best ways to help ensure you'll be able to continue exercising. Why not start a lunchtime walking club at work? Gather a few people from your office who have similar goals and plan a walking circuit. Invest a bit of money into getting a pedometer. You'll be amazed at how little time it takes to rake up actual kilometers. Set some goals for yourself and for the group and celebrate when you achieve them.

Learn How to Manage Your Time:

Often we think we don't have time to exercise, when really, we aren't managing our time properly. If you are self-employed, work from home, or have a flexible work schedule, make sure you spend your time efficiently. Checking email, re-reading reports, and unnecessary meetings are all great examples of time wasters. Set yourself a goal, how much work you'd like to accomplish, and once you've reached it, give yourself a break and reward yourself with your favourite form of exercise.

Fitting exercise in a busy lifestyle just takes a little creativity and thought. Sneaking exercise in your daily routine is easier than you think. You can walk around your neighbourhood, the office, or when running an errand.

Time Management in Your Everyday Work and Home Life

By Canadajobs.com Staff

job, jobs, career

Squeezing more time into your workday isn't difficult if you know to make small changes. Over time, these small changes can make a big difference to how much work you can actually accomplish.

This is especially important if you work at home, or if you work by yourself a lot. For some of us, it's harder to discipline ourselves to be efficient when we're not being supervised.

These hints and tips can be applied to nearly every aspect of your life, and not just your work life. Try these tips out next time you are searching for a job, and you'll be amazed at how far you get.

Prioritize:

What's important to your boss? What projects need to be done right away and which can wait? Once you know this, you can get started. To find out what's important, number your projects using numbers 1-5. Number 1 is the highest priority project. You may end up with a few of the same number. That's all right. Just start with those ones first and work your way down to fives. That way, if unexpected things come up, (and they always do) at least your important job is done.

The project that needs to get done right away probably isn't your favourite, and that's why you're dreading it. But it's critical that if it's the most important project, you actually move ahead on it. Set yourself some small goals. Depending on the size of the project, you probably won't get the whole thing done in one day. But if you can get a large chunk of it done, it's a start.

Be Aware of Time Wasters:

Meetings, checking e-mail, unnecessary trips to the photocopier, printer, and water cooler are all great time wasters. Sometimes we need a break, and that's fine, but if we're breaking more than we're working, that's not good. If you're on a deadline and there's a meeting you are supposed to attend, make sure you really do need to be there. Often, everyone gets invited to meetings as a courtesy, and sometimes, you can have someone report to you the important parts as necessary.

Checking your email and replying to personal messages, jokes, etc is a great way to waste time. More and more companies are being vigilant on how much internet and emailing is done at work that is of a personal nature. If you're at work, you should be working. It isn't the time to be paying your bills or playing games.

Work at Work:

The best way to actually get work done at work and to organize your day more efficiently is to be able to work at work. Make sure your work environment is quiet and you have all the tools you need to be doing your job. If you need something, ask. If you work for yourself, make sure you have everything to make your job easier. If you need a stapler and you find youself always going over to your office mate's desk for theirs, think of the time you waste. If you're office won't spring for a stapler, ask them if you can bring your own. At least it will help you.

Be Efficient:

Efficiency gets recognized eventually. Save time by doing like projects together. If you need to do ten reports, consider doing them all together. You'll already be in a "report" kind of mood, you'll have all the information you need, and you can set a specific time aside and know how long it takes you.

Other ways to be efficient - make a list of all the things you need from the supply room and get everything at once. Same goes for getting your photocopying done and your emails sent. Block off a section of time for each "project."

If you set time aside for each project, you prioritize your jobs, and you make it a habit to work efficiently at work, you'll be amazed at the actual time you do have. Apply these tips to all your tasks, including your job search, spring cleaning, etc. and you'll be surprised at how much you can accomplish.

How to Communicate to be Heard at Work

By Canadajobs.com Staff

job, jobs, career

You've often heard that communication is the key to understanding. This can be as useful in your work life as it is in your home life.

Communicating well at work is essential for your team to be able to function properly. It's an important aspect in dealing with your clients as well as your colleagues. Here are some suggestions on how to communicate to be heard.

Be Clear:

People perceive things differently. If you are trying to get a point across to someone, make sure you are communicating to them in a manner that they understand. Use examples to illustrate your point. Support your comments by facts and clear examples of what you are trying to say. While you are speaking with someone, make sure they understand your point by presenting clear, separate thoughts. Ensure your sentences are complete and make notes before hand if you know you will be led off-track.

Be Confident:

You know what you want to say. Be confident. You have a better chance of being heard if you project a confident image. Confidence is not being better than others. It's the belief that what you say has value and you should be listened to. When you are communicating with someone and you don't feel listened to, it undermines your confidence. Don't let that happen to you. If you feel de-railed, make sure you bring the conversation back to the issue at hand. By being confident and respectful, you are telling the listener to focus on you and your needs.

Say What you Mean:

How many times do people say one thing, but really mean another? Often, people use this as a tactic to mask their true emotions. Instead of going around the issue, why not confront it head on. It avoids potential problems later. By being direct (but kind) you give your listener a better chance of actually listening. Saying what you mean is a sign of respect. You respect your listener enough to tell them the truth. You present them with an opportunity to correct a problem by allowing them to really understand your concern.

Be Flexible:

You won't always get your way in a conversation or a disagreement. As much as you deserve to be heard, others deserve a disagreeing viewpoint. Make sure you're expectations of the conversation and outcome are realistic. Communication, but its nature takes at least two people. And no two people are alike. By being flexible, you invite the other person to see your viewpoint as well. On issues where you can compromise, try to. It will go a long way to showing goodwill to the other party in your conversation.

Communicating to be heard is critical in your day to day work life. Colleagues, partners, and clients all require interaction, and you need to ensure that when you are speaking with them, you are heard, supported, and listened to. By following some of the tips above, you improve your chances of effective communication.