Archive for the ‘Career’ Category

Learn Constructive Competition in the Workplace

Posted on Feb 21, 2008 05:18:13 PM

Competition is an inevitable thing in the realm of the workplace. If you are currently working in a company, an organization, or in a school the most likely thing is that you have experienced competitive tension with a colleague one time or another. Even when you have no intention of competing with anyone, inevitable circumstances will just find their way into your career and before you know it, you are already in a battle of skills and wits with a fellow worker.

It is important to understand however that competition in the workplace need not be destructive at all times. Being competitive can be done constructively, and what’s even better is that it can even put you ahead of the corporate game. There are just a few habits needed to be incorporated into your everyday dealings at the office, or your organization.

First of all, improve on your listening skills. When there is a meeting for example be attentive on what the manager is saying, and even if you are not the appointed secretary during that meeting, jot down notes all the same. Moreover, learn to listen to people on what they have to say, rather than cutting them off with your opinions on the matter. When you know how to listen and be more attentive, you are sure to gather more information that the rest of your colleagues may be quick to forget the following day. You also give off the impression that you are easy to converse with, and can be trusted to really listen.

Second, learn to communicate matters to the person concerned in your department or company. When you communicate problems and issues, it is a sign that you are passionate about your work. In any competition, those who are able to communicate the right issues to the one concerned are more likely to be ahead than those who lack communication skills.

Third, be a problem solver, or at least be interested in being one. Don’t just sit around pretending nothing’s wrong when the rest of your colleagues and the supervisor are anxious in solving something. You do not even have to volunteer if you fear the possibility of being rejected. Simply show them that you are willing to be of assistance, and do not deliberately isolate yourself even if you have nothing to do with the problem.

Fourth, manage your time wisely, and in the case of multi-tasking positions, recognize which work needs to be prioritized and which can be settled on another day. Competition is not only about who gets the most number of sales or who is chummier with the boss. Oftentimes it’s also about who achieves more production given a period of time, and given the volume of tasks assigned. Effective time management merits you to achieve more quality in your work rather than mere quantity. In the long run, you will be able to adopt this in your system and in no time your manager will surely notice.

Fifth, don’t be too proud with your stock of knowledge. Instead be willing to learn every single thing, everyday. It could be learning how to operate a new office machine, learning a new business strategy from a supervisor, or learning time management tips with a much older colleague. The greater your knowledge is on a wider scope of things, the better you will be able to perform competitively.

Finally, don’t forget your social skills. As much as possible maintain peaceful relations with each of your colleague, and avoid office gossip. Talk with your boss casually without being overconfident. Being a comfortable but hardworking colleague can easily put you ahead in any workplace competition.

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How to Deal with Workplace Conflicts?

Posted on Sep 24, 2007 01:52:29 AM

On an average, a manager today spends at least 40% of the work time resolving conflicts between the employees!

Conflicts are inevitable, especially when it comes to a workplace environment. Put any two people to work together, and there are bound to be some sort of a disagreement between them. All through our lives we have heard of those never ending expensive and discordant proceedings. A straightforward character disagreement stuck between two members of a team can possibly cripple efficiency and in the end put down the entire team feeling irritated and let down. Some great minds in the world have come up with a number of successful tips in order to resolve such conflicts.

Take Responsibility

From a very early age in life, we have been taught to turn to our elders our teachers to solve our problems and we carry the same in our workplace as well. On the other hand, resolving issues even before they occur and making changes accordingly can be pretty diverting for the company and the operational policies in particular. So the only advise here would be to follow the rules and abide them with due responsibility towards the company and that shall help you follow the path of success with peace. With following the rules and taking responsibility of the arising situations, one can surely create a fair environment free from conflicts. However, rules do not go far when it comes to addressing the real life situations. Simply passing a rule is not enough to solve the workplace conflicts; it requires a lot more than that.

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How to Write a Resume?

Posted on Aug 24, 2007 07:25:50 PM

It is often said that the first impression is the last impression. If you are looking out for a job, or even are trying to jump from one job or another, the resume is your first impression, so you should also try to make it worth being your last impression.

A good resume is one of the only things that decide whether you go to the ‘In’ door or the ‘Exit’ door. The resume is basically a mirror of yourself. Apart from being a brief and frank inventory of your skills, your achievements and your ambitions, the very way a resume is written speaks volumes about the person in question. Here are a few tips about writing that cracking resume which will doubtlessly give you an edge over the countless resumes flocking to that particular job you have been aiming for.

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