How to Get feedback at work

How to Get feedback at work by Amber Rolfe Asking for feedback isn’t always easy… If you feel like you’re not getting enough guidance at work, it can be difficult to figure out what you’re doing right or wrong â€" meaning improving your work ethic or advancing your career can seem like an impossible feat.To make sure you’re receiving all the advice you need to progress, here are our top tips on how to get feedback at work:  Pick the right time(s)When it comes to asking for feedback, timing is everything.Although annual or quarterly check-ins (or appraisals) with your manager are the most obvious opportunities, don’t shy away from seeking feedback in real time. For example, if you’ve just finished an important presentation, ask your manager how they think you did shortly afterwards.Because whether it’s requesting a short meeting to discuss something, or even having a quick five minute conversation in the lift, giving (and receiving) constructive criticism is always easiest when it’s sti ll fresh in everyone’s mind.Providing your manager is free to chat, these kind of impromptu sessions are great ways to build up a comprehensive list of your strengths, weaknesses, and areas that need improvement.  Know who to askFeedback doesn’t just have to come from your superiors.Whilst you should still seek regular opportunities to discuss how you’re doing with your manager, you might find that other people you work with also have equally helpful feedback to give. So try and approach everyone you work closely with â€" whether its colleagues, clients, or customers.And it doesn’t have to be a formal chat either. Even something as simple as getting a colleague’s thoughts on your work, or asking a customer what they thought of your service, could be the second opinion you need to improve.Not only will this mean you’ll get more feedback, it’ll also ensure that what you do receive is well-rounded.The result? Quantity and quality.360 degree appraisal: What you need to kno w  Choose your words wisely Before meeting with your manager or colleagues, it’s vital to understand exactly what you want to achieve from hearing their thoughts.Are you looking for more appreciation, advice with a specific project, or coaching on how you can improve? If in doubt, ask yourself where you want to go in your career (short term or long term), and what type of feedback could help you get there.Then, prepare specific, open ended questions that encourage the listener to give a detailed answer (e.g. ‘what could I have done better in X project?’).Other examples of questions to ask could include:What could I do to make your job easier?How did X project go from your perspective?How could I prioritise my tasks more effectively?What do I need to do specifically to prepare for X presentation?Who should I be working with more closely?And don’t be tempted to simply focus on the negatives. Asking about what you did well is just as important as asking what you could do better â€" and will not only boost your confidence, but also help you to realise which aspects of work you should be doing more of.Take it on board Finally, always keep an open mind when receiving feedback.Criticism is only given for your own good, so avoid being defensive, and think about how you could use it to improve.Keeping a record of the various feedback you receive will allow you to properly assess your next steps, plan some actions, track your progress â€" and most importantly, be sure you’re heading in the right direction.Then, when your next review comes up, you’ll be able to prove you took the feedback on board.Noting the areas in which you’ve excelled in addition to constructive criticism is also a good idea. Not only will it keep you motivated, it’ll also provide you with a whole host of accomplishments to mention in future job applications or pay rise requests.Bonus points if you’re able to quote metrics-based achievements (e.g. upped sales by 10%).How to take cri ticism at workHow to make a career plan  Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Life At Work

Resume Writing Guidelines For New Grads

Resume Writing Guidelines For New GradsThe resume writing guidelines for new grads can be simply based on your personal interests, skills and experience. These days, your resume has to be innovative and dynamic if you want to get noticed. To keep it relevant, not only must it contain your qualifications, it should also give a glimpse of the special qualities that employers are looking for.Remember, employers do not care about your unique skills and experiences. All they need is some glimpse of your personality and knowledge. If you can showcase the strengths and weaknesses of yours that will be useful to them. Keep your resume's crisp and appealing and your career will start picking up speed.Think about it, how much time do you usually spend on writing? Usually, it is more of an occasional hobby for most people. If you have mastered the art of making a resume stand out, then it will give you more motivation in yourself. It will also help you find time to relax or learn other hobbies. Sharpening your skills and knowledge does not have to cost a lot of money. All you need is the ability to write. You need to invest some time and effort to know the basics and how to write a resume that will best suit your requirements. You will get lots of ideas from resume writing tutorials and tips that you can find in books, magazines, and in the internet.There are other ways to hone your skills, such as to practice what you learned in basic knowledge in writing. You can work with a professional writer to improve your knowledge. You can also invest some time and hard work to prepare a new resume that is designed specifically for you. This will help you gain an edge over other applicants.It is important that you know your strengths and weaknesses before you put together your resume. Aside from that, you need to prepare for the question that will appear on your resume. Once you know that it will be relevant to your job, you can put them on your resume.Another thing that you need t o know before putting up your resume is the format that is needed for it to be appealing format. Do not forget to include the date of your graduation from school. It will allow your potential employer to identify your qualification and skill as soon as possible. It will also help your resume to be more competitive.Finally, it is important for new grads to remember that your resume should be easy to read. Ensure that it is crisp and attractive. You do not have to make it too technical and complicated to look appealing.

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Workers Behaving Badly Why Our Stress May be Bringing Out the Worst in Us

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Workers Behaving Badly Why Our Stress May be Bringing Out the Worst in Us After 9/11, I was struck by the sense of caring we showed for one another. It was a horrible, stressful time, but it seemed to bring out the best in us. We began to look out for one another, even at work. We shared our mutual pain about what had happened, and even expressed our fear for the future. Office squabbles seemed ridiculous, and petty jealousies even more so.Now it's seven years later, and we're facing another horrible, scary time. We see empty chairs at work, evidence of the people who have taken early retirement or other buyout packages. Almost every one of us know someone who has been laid off. Our own employers have stated they will not be filling empty positions for now.And yet, office politics are on the rise. Gossiping, backbiting and negative campaigning dominate the airwaves, and we seem to mimic that behavior at work.So, instead of pulling together on the job as we did after 9/11, we seem to be our own worst enemies right now. Of course, much of that is due to the enormous stress in both our private and professional lives. No one can predict what will happen next week, let alone in the coming year.If makes workers feel powerless, and that's a lousy feeling. It makes us want to grab whatever we can and hold on, everyone else be damned. But here's the thing: We actually DO have a lot of control right now. We have control over how we treat one another.It's not a easy thing to admit that we've been a jerk to people we work with, either through our silences or our short-tempers or our snide comments. But we've got to own up to our bad behavior, because until we do, we won't begin to fix what needs fixing.So, today, I want you to think about the person in the cubicle next door or down the hall. I want you to think about how fear and anxiety has made you and others behave, and what you can do to start making things right.Remember, the evidence supports the fact that when we are friendlier to one another at work, when we genuinely care about one anot her, we are not only happier but more productive. And right now, that's definitely a very good thing.What are some ways to improve relationships with others at work?Social Bookmarking

Guest Post 7 Smartphone Apps to Help You Find Your Next Job

Guest Post 7 Smartphone Apps to Help You Find Your Next Job If you’re in a job search, you need all the support you can get.   Family, friends, your network of former coworkers â€" they’re all helpful when they can be.   What you really need is a friend  who can guide you when you get lost, find the nearest Indian restaurant, deliver inspiring music and coupons on demand, and help you find your dream job.   Sound too good to be true?   Maybe for a mere human, but not for your smart phone. Current smartphone models are not just made to call and text; they can also act as your personal assistant. And for users in a job search, well, there’s an app for that.   Several, in fact. Here is a list of the top 7 smartphone apps to help you find your dream job, reviewed by Danny Ashton, who blogs daily at   Android Tablet Fanatic. 1. Careerbuilder.com This application is actually one of the first and the best apps that came out in the job and career search niche. Careerbuilder.com allows you to search for new job postings in your zip code on the go. This app is free. 2. JobFinder As the name suggests, this app will help you find your next job by accessing classified ads and job postings from online third party job sites and companies.   Free. 3. Job Compass Job Compass is an application that helps you locate the available job openings based on geography. On vacation, or traveling for business?   This app will use GPS to pinpoint your location and find companies near you that have available jobs. Free. 4. LinkUp Job Search Engine This job search engine app for your smartphone allows you to find jobs on company website listings. You type keywords, your desired location, preferred company and position, etc. You can apply directly with your phone. Free. 5. iJob iJobs will allow you to search over a million job listings via smartphone. You enter preferences and a list of available jobs appears. Browse and apply. (.99) 6. Indeed.com Indeed.com is a search engine that you can install on your smartphone. It has a feature that remembers the preferences you input so there’s no need to retype your job specifications.  Free. 7. JobTweet Twitter is one of the leading social networking sites today, and not just for bored celebrities. Companies are one of the leading Twitter users; they tweet thousands of jobs each day.  JobTweet keeps you updated on the latest jobs posted on Twitter â€" you can follow an industry or occupation clusters  such as  Marketing or Engineering. Free.

Is work experience worth it Anthropology student Marisa tells her story. University of Manchester Careers Blog

Is work experience worth it Anthropology student Marisa tells her story. University of Manchester Careers Blog By Marisa Bell Final year Anthropology student Nine months  slogging through one year of  your degree can feel more like nine years at times. One bad week slips past and before you know it youre  neck  deep in readings most of which  barely feel  as though they are written in your  native  language. As you  sift through the inaccessible  writings and abstract theories, scribbling notes, highlighting this, highlighting that constantly measuring yourself between this grade and that grade;  pulling your hair out over the difference between a 61 and a 69 graded essay (theyre both 2:1 people, get over it!) you start to wonder what the hell this is all for anyway? What really is  the point of all this?    The purpose in doing this  starts to get lost. In Defence of Social Sciences Id say I can at least speak for the social  scientists and humanities students out there. We are the people who are left defending our degrees all the time What are you going to do with a degree in Sociology? Psychology? Literature? History? Isnt Philosophy pointless? “Unless you want be an academic, I don’t see the point.” Most people I meet still think Anthropology is what Ross from Friends does (No guys, that’s dead dinosaurs, not living people!) Ugh. The list goes on. And each one pains me every time. Im now 32 its not particularly old I know, but its not particularly young either. And much like my peer group at university  Im astutely aware of competitiveness out there   you know, in the real-world. Which I why I took it upon myself to pursue the opportunity of work experience. Tip number one: perseverance and pursuit. Whats the Point? Have I worked a day in my life before now? Yes. Yes, I have. I have not however worked a day in the industry I am trying to move into. And when youre new to an industry its a challenge in itself to pinpoint exactly what it is you are looking for. You like the idea of something but you dont yet know the reality.  My industry of interest (Marketing and Advertising)  is a broad one indeed, and each segment of the field varies widely from another. Just because you’ve studied a non-business related degree it does not mean your skills can not be applied to business. And gaining that hands-on experience is truly valuable. Fact-finding Analysis I came to the placement with the  earnest eagerness  of any other student I just wanted to learn about stuff how does it all  work? So, when faced with the question What area of Advertising interests you most? I was all Um, I just wanna learn all of itsee what bits I like, then decide. Not ideal. My second tip is research, research, research! It took me a while to pinpoint my segments of interest. And some conversations with those in-the-know can go a really long way. A few coffees later (read: wine) and I had a much deeper  understanding of how things worked and which bits  made me more enthused than others. If you dont know people in the field you are looking to get into, you can still do online research LinkedIn is a great place to start, with lots of industry based networks and blogs offering any eager  business  novice invaluable insights. Get  creative! I messaged a few industry blog groups and asked for advice from veterans and moguls of the field. Youd be surprised, there are some really great folk out there, old Alumni etc, who are more than happy to help. Relinquish Excuses! I cant afford the time out! Yes, yes you can. Have you heard the saying Short-term pain for long-term gain?   Well, this is just that. Many companies nowadays offer payment for travel and lunch expenses. And if youre a self-supporting oldie like me, this can still feel off-putting. But don’t let it be. My advice is to start saving a little bit here and there to cover your costs. Or ask the business you have applied to if they’d consider subsidising your travel costs as a one-off, if its done in the right way its professional and perfectly okay.  Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.  When these options really arent possible (and trust me, I know this!)    Then sacrifices you must make! My placement was short and sweet for this exact reason. Can I work 3 months? No. Have I got two or three weeks spare? Yes. This kind of rationale is much more realistic and perfectly doable.    I framed it as though it were the annual  holiday I would normally make. Tip number 3: budget and be p repared  to  make sacrifices! I found out about things I never knew before. Interesting and inspiring nuggets of wisdom in a welcoming environment. Hard Work Pays Off During my placement I not only gained fantastic insight into industry practices but found inspiration through  seeing my university work and practices applied literally.  I found out about things I never knew before. Interesting and inspiring nuggets of wisdom in a welcoming environment.  The business I worked in applied lateral thinking to business, drawing on the critical and analytical skills I pick up sifting through all the endless readings night after night. Making a laborious practice which often feels meaningless  and nonsensical, seem perfectly logical! Eureka! Had I not completed the work experience I would not have realised how interesting I find Market Research as a day-to-day job. It appeals to my curious and analytical nature and is always evolving over time, from project to project â€" with the added bonus of working with brands I am interested in or a least familiar with. Previously, if Id  looked at Researcher as a job title Id likely think it was either too dull or not the kind of thing I could do. Now, I know otherwise. My final tip is BE PROACTIVE. From the start of your research to your time in the business. Dont just hang around waiting for things to come your way. Get stuck in! People have busy lives. If they dont reply send a follow-up email. In the job, ask people if they need help with anything. Be curious. Show off your talent and get to know theirs. This is your time and well as theirs so the most valuable thing you can do is to take away a whole heap of knew knowledge. Knowledge is king.  And if you’re really lucky, you may even gain a few more new friends from the experience! All Make The Most of Manchester Student blogs Undergraduate Undergraduate-highlighted careers Internships my story summer internships work experience

Screwing up your A-Level results is not the end of the world, I promise

Screwing up your A-Level results is not the end of the world, I promise This post was written by a member of the Debut Publisher Network. Jem is here to tell you that even if things havent gone quite to plan and your A level results arent what you hoped for, youll get through it and move on to bigger and better things.   I won’t lie to you, failure really sucks at first. When I initially messed up my A-Levels it was expected. I’d known science wasn’t for me for a while and lab coats definitely weren’t my jam. Still, that didn’t mean it was easy. The second time it happened though, I was totally devastated. Unexpected or not, missing the cut on your A-Levels feels like a disaster, especially as you watch friends and mutual acquaintances happily swimming in gin to celebrate their journey to the land of university and success. Ever since primary school we’re sorted by our ability to score marks in tests, each one the gateway to the next level. We’re taught that the only way to get on in life is to smash those exams. Coupled with the fact university is often our first chance to escape home, missing out hurts even more. However, I’m here to tell you it’s all a load of baloney. There is a life after A-Levels Now, don’t misquote me here, exams and A-Levels are certainly important. But missing a few marks or grades one Thursday in August will not define the rest of your adult life. As soon as I got to university I took the blighters off my CV, and to this day I’ve never been asked about my exam results in a job interview. It’s difficult to write this without sounding arrogant and awful, but right now I’m pretty darn happy and I’ve found all kinds of success I’d never even thought about when I was at college. I graduated from a great journalism degree in 2014, and have since been lucky enough to work for several national TV stations and news websites. I live in London, own by own business and, somehow, I’ve even managed to get the job title of News Editor, which isn’t really something that’s sunk in yet. To top it all off, I’ve got the blue tick on Twitter I spent several years hankering over, so to be honest I’ve kind of peaked. In fact, looking back, I don’t think I’d be half as successful as I am now if things had gone to plan. Trust me, you’re not alone Realising things haven’t worked out is the lowest part, but things do get easier here on in. There are also a lot more options than you might think. You can trust me on this, mainly because I pretty much went through them all. Giving yourself some time for things to sink in is crucial. If you need time alone, a stiff gin, or someone to cry on make sure you let yourself have those things. There’s no point being unkind to yourself, and to be frank, there’s no point ringing up universities as a blubbering mess. Log out of Facebook and speak to non-judgemental friends, family, lecturers or careers officers. Try not to focus on what hasn’t worked out, but where you’d like to be in a few years. There’s always more than one way to get there. More than 33,000 people got a place through clearing last year, and many of the courses are better than you’d expect, so there’s nothing to say you’re still not on the first train outta here. Approach it the same way as your original application do some research, ask questions, and take time to decide if the offers are right for you. Don’t discount some of the more ‘left field’ options either. What about a third year of studies (it’s free after all) to resit or start afresh? If you mix up your year with study and extracurricular activities you could even find you stand out as an even stronger applicant than you did before. Or perhaps consider starting your own business (yes, really) or even getting ahead of the employment game with a professional job or apprenticeship. All in all, I’m basically telling you this isn’t the end. Success is hard-earned, but that doesn’t necessarily mean through grades or arbitrary exam results. You got this. Jem Collins is News and Social Media Editor for RightsInfo and a freelance journalist. Her work focuses on human rights, education and careers. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook, if that’s your thing. Connect with Debut on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for more careers insights.

Famous and Infamous Office Romances

Famous and Infamous Office Romances According to a 2015 CareerBuilder Office Romance  Survey, 37 percent of workers surveyed reported they have dated someone they have worked with and 24 percent of office romances involved a superior. Nearly 1 in 5 workers who have had an office romance (19 percent) have had an affair with a co-worker where one person involved was married at the time.Here are 10 celebrities and famous politicians who were outed for an affair with a subordinate or co-worker.1. Arnold SchwarzeneggerIn 2011, Schwarzenegger fathered a child  with a household staff member, Mildred Patricia Baena. As a result, Maria Shriver now holds the title of Terminator of their marriage, that is.2. Jude LawLaw was discovered cheating with his kids babysitter, Daisy Wright, in 2005, while he was engaged to Sienna Miller. In 2010 the couple got back together. Hopefully, Law has made alternative child-care arrangements.3. David LettermanLetterman admitted to having affairs with several Late Show staffers after a CBS news producer threatened to expose him unless he forked over $2M. Its not clear how many staffers Letterman had affairs with, but lets just say it would make a great Top 10 list.4. Tiki BarberBarber dumped his pregnant wife in 2010 for 23-year-old NBC intern, Traci Lynn Johnson. The ex-Giants superstar turned Today Show correspondent found himself in the middle of a media circus that was better than any Superbowl half-time show on record.5. Mark SouderThe eight-term Indiana representative resigned in 2010 after admitting to an affair with a female aide, Tracy Jackson, who worked in his district office. Good to know Souder was a politician known for his support of traditional family values. Whoops!6. Bill ClintonPresident Clinton lied about his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky in 1998 and then later admitted to the affair once the threat of DNA evidence on Lewinskys clothing was uncovered. Sometimes it pays to hold off on the dry cleaning.7. John EdwardsEdwards admitte d to an affair with 42-year-old campaign aide Rielle Hunter in 2008 while his wife Elizabeth Edwards battled cancer. It later was revealed that Edwards fathered a child with Hunter.8. Brad Pitt  9.  Angelina JoliePitt and Jolie met while filming Mr. and Mrs. Smith in 2004. Jennifer Aniston filed for divorce the following year. Seven years and six kids later, Brad and Angelina appear to still be together despite rampant reports of them splitting up.10. Ethan HawkeHawke hooked up with 28-year-old Ryan Shawhughes while married to Uma Thurman. At the time, Shawhuges was working as the couples nanny. The couples divorce was finalized in 2005 and Hawke later had a child with Shawhughes. At least this time around he wont have to pay for a babysitter.The list could go on and on. Whom would you add?

Is Your Online Reputation Keeping You From Success

Is Your Online Reputation Keeping You From Success Reputation management is like keeping a window clean so it doesnt hinder the view. I dont know about you, but the windows at my house dont get cleaned until I realize they are obstructing my ability to see outside. Ideally, those windows should be kept clean on a schedule so it never gets that bad. Holding off on doing anything about accumulating dirt isnt really a good idea with windows or with reputation management. Scheduled Maintenance Keeps Little Issues Small Its a good idea to keep an eye on your online reputation by regularly doing some searches on all variations of your name. Remember to log out of any Google accounts so your search results arent skewed. Set up alerts for your name so you see when something comes up. You may not be doing anything at all, but a real threat is that a hacker could do some damage before you realize it is happening. If you are looking at your online persona regularly, you can catch an issue and deal with it before it becomes a big problem. Proactive Measures Prevent Problems   Ideally, you have two email addresses: One for business and one for personal use. Social media can make it hard to keep business and personal identities separate, but privacy settings and separate accounts help. The problem is that it is easy to figure out who people are if you have any search skills at all, and employers are very good at researching candidates. When you are regularly adding positive content to your online presence, theres a growing momentum of good stuff to find. Reputation management and your career  might feel like all you do is wash the windows, but clean windows let people see who you are. The more clearly you are able to show your professional and positive contributions, the better your reputation online. In short, reputation management is about keeping the view clear so the world can see what you actually have to offer.