Living and Working IT Jobs and Job Search in Australia

Living and Working IT Jobs and Job Search in AustraliaLiving and Working IT Jobs and Job Search in AustraliaAustralian consumers are one of the fastest adopters of new technology as are ur industries. However due to scales of economy, the majority of our hardware and software comes from the US and Japan. That said, Australia has a strong creative streak in many niche IT product development projects. In particular, we are very strong with software development and technical management disciplines and enjoy using the latest IT techniques. A good indication of the state of the Australian IT industry can be gleaned from ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) reports (www.abs.gov.au). In particular, the series of reports Australian Labour Market Statistics (cat. no. 6105.0) provides the following information During the five year period from 200102 to 200506, the industry which employed the largest proportion of ICT workers was the Property and business services industry (which includes a Co mputer services subdivision). In 200506, about 37% of all ICT workers were employed in the Property and business services industry, compared to 12% of all employed people. Computing professionals and technicians accounted for 85% of all ICT workers in this industry. The second largest group of ICT workers was in the Communication services industry (13%) with fruchtwein employed as Electronic engineers/technicians and communication technicians. The proportion of total employed people who are ICT workers has remained relatively stable at around 3.5% over the five years to 200506. In 200506 almost half (47%) of all ICT workers were Computing professionals (i.e., system managers, designers, programmers and auditors, software designers, and applications and analyst programmers). The number of Electronic engineering associate professionals fell by 39% between 200405 and 200506. Over the five financial years to 200506, the number of overseas-born ICT workers increased from 115,200 to 134,3 00. In 200506, 39% of all ICT workers were overseas-born, compared to 25% of all employed people. IT Skills Shortage The IT recruitment company that the author of this web report works with is ADAPS, which has grown substantially over the last five years to become one of the top five IT recruitment companies in Melbourne. With this high level of recruitment (exclusively in the IT industry), we feel we have some authority in discussing the most sought-after skills. Lately, we have noted a skills shortage particularly in the following areas C/ C / C*.NET technologiesAdvanced Web designJ2EESAPPeopleSoftSiebelOracle E-Business SuiteNetwork Security/ Firewall/ Internet SecurityPKIE-Commerce security (non-programming) As Australias IT industry forges ahead, this shortage is becoming more pronounced and has led to ADAPS taking the pro-active step of sponsoring oversees workers. For instance, If someone is based outside of Australia and sees a contract role on the ADAPS jobs site that i nterests them, and they apply and are successful, ADAPS will discuss the process of sponsoring the workers visa and possibly paying their Living Away From Home Allowance in advance. Traditionally, the highest perceived risk for an oversees contractor has been the prospect of relocating to Australia only to find that a job evaporates. To allay this fear, ADAPS has taken the unprecedented step of guaranteeing the optimum match between contractor and client by offering a full fee return to the client should they find a contractor unsatisfactory for any reason within the first twelve months of employment (even on contract). It, of course, means that the non-commissioned ADAPS Client Managers take exceptional care in selecting the right candidates for the jobs which naturally minimizes the risk of early contract terminations. The Bottom Line The compensation for IT workers in Australia is generally well above the average wage. It, coupled with the relatively low accommodation rent co sts and the very high liveability ranking for both Melbourne and Sydney, makes Australia a very attractive destination for oversees IT workers. The table below shows the average annual wages (permanents) for different IT roles. It should be noted that unterstellung values are the average for IT workers across all industries.(Source http//mycareer.com.au/salary-survey/it-telecommunications) Architecture $98,323Business Analyst / Systems Analyst $79,474Database Development and Administration $70,028Hardware Engineering $71,501Helpdesk and Desktop Support $55,964Management and Supervisory $103,174Networks and Systems $72,693Project Management $89,569Software Development and Engineering $76,042Technical Writers $70,595Testing and QA $67,839Training $54,590Web Design and Usability $92,341Web Development $70,279 An oversees resident working in Australia will most likely attract the Non-resident tax rate as shown on The Australian Tax Office site. Before we consider a worked remuneration e xample, it should also be noted that the table above is for permanent rates which are often considerably less than contract IT rates. For instance, consider that a contract Test Manager working on a Global Data Warehouse (ADAPS role 18202) was advertised only this week for $750 a day (equivalent of $180K a year based on 48 working weeks) and this yearly sum is higher than the maximum of ANY classification in the above table For our example, consider in 2007 a non-resident earning $150,000 and working 48 weeks (equivalent to $625 a day) would most likely be taxed at $52,250. If they rented a house in Melbourne worth $500 a week ($26K a year), this would still leave them with nearly $71K (not including any rebates they may receive for their Living Away from Home Allowance). As you can see, it truly pays for an IT contractor (resident or nonresident) to live and work in Australia. Our industry is flourishing and is expected to continue growing for a long time to come. Living and Wor king in Australia The author of this article has lived in many parts of the SE of Australia where the main population lives especially the two largest cities of Sydney (4.2 M people) and Melbourne (3.6M). As I currently live in Melbourne some of the examples will be biased towards this great city. Facts about Australia As many people know, Australia has a large land mass populated by relatively few people due to the interior desert regions. Australias population has just passed the 20 million mark - 20,728,983 as of Jan 4, 2007. Around 90% of Australians live in coastal regions, and our climate is classed as temperate (very pleasant). In general Australians experience warm-hot summers mild spring and autumn and cool winters. Winters are in July, and in Melbourne, we have average temperatures of 41 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit with temperatures ranging from 57 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the peak of our February summer. Noting that in summer there are often a couple of days that can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The average monthly Melbourne rainfall is about two inches for any one month. Melbourne is located in Victoria at the SE extreme of the continent and is the smallest mainland state (228,000 square kilometers) - slightly smaller than the US state of California. Sydney is located in New South Wales, about 900 Km NE of Melbourne. Life in Australia To gain an understanding of what it might be like to live in Australia, it is useful to consult some recent independent reports. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) annual constructs a Human Development Index (HDI) to rate livability of developed countries. In 2004, Australia rated third on the list of themost livable countries,with the US rating eighth. In 2004 another group ranked all major global cities and selected Melbourne as the worlds highest Quality of Life Ranking and placed Sydney at number six. The weighting factors included Stability Healthcare Culture and environment Educa tion and Infrastructure. Besides these very high standards of living, it is worth noting that Australia is a large sporting nation and loves its popular entertainment. While Australia is known for its world-class swimmers, rugby union and cricket teams we also have a high interest in soccer, all other forms of football (Australian Rules and Rugby League), basketball, baseball, etc. General large venue entertainment can sampled fromTicketekandTicketmaster. Entertainment wise while Australia is globally most noted for its soap operas (Neighbours and Home and Away) we also have a strong music and film industry. Australia has also had a few good years on the zwischenstaatlich film scene with its now predominately US-based Australian actors. However, the local industry is still gathering pace. To see what is happening in the Australian film industry readers might like to visit film sites such asAFCandFilm.gov Comparisons to the United States Having a similar culture to the USA and th e UK (after years of saturation with their consumer products, music, and films), Australia is eminently accessible and enjoyed by visitors from both these countries. The major difference is often said to be the Aussie laid back approach to life. While this generalizationcan appear disarmingly charming, Australians still take aspects of culture such as loyalty (mateship), the environment, homegrown entertainment and a high rate of hi-tech uptake very seriously. The latest Australian housing surveys have revealed that major Australian cities are becoming expensive due to housing prices and a significant appreciation of currency against the US dollar. Sydney remains the most expensive city in Australia with its rank going up from 103 in the world in 2001 to 20 in 2004. In 2004, Melbourne held the second highest expensive Australian city fleck with its rank rising from 129th position to 67th position during the same period. While housing prices have risen substantially in most capital c ities since 2000, rentals have not kept pace. This fact still makes Australia a very attractive proposition for US IT contractors intending on working and renting in Australia. For comparison of the Most Unaffordable Housing Markets, consider that in 2006, Los Angeles USA still ranked as the worlds most unaffordable housing city (house cost of 11.2 x the zentralwert wage) while Sydney Australia was 8.5, New York USA (7.9) and Melbourne house prices were 6.4 times the zentralwert wage. To put that into perspective, the 2006 September median house prices were Sydney $520,000 and Melbourne $357,000. Using the Unaffordablity ratings above, that gives Sydney a median wage of $520k/ 8.5 ( $61.2K) and Melbourne a median wage of $357K/ 6.4 ($55.7K). With the AUS$ currently hovering around 80 US cents that makes the median wages Melbourne (US$44,000) and Sydney (US$49,000). The very good news for visitors is that while our house prices have seen a dramatic climb in recent years, the rental prices are still quite reasonable. A report by a leading real estate data company shows that in August 2006, that Australias capital cities gross rental returns on houses remain at around 4 percent. Based on median house prices and rents for three-bedroom houses. Thus the rent on the median three bedroom house in Melbourne would be a quite affordable 4% x $357K $14,200 p.a. or $275 a week. If you wish to see some current examples of house rental pricesyou may like to look at.

A Guide to Planning Your Maternity Leave

A Guide to Planning Your Maternity LeaveA Guide to Planning Your Maternity Leave01Understand Your Rights and BenefitsKlaus Vedfelt / Getty ImagesIn the final weeks before your leave begins, wrap up your remaining projects. Write any instructions or memos that colleagues will need to fill in while youre out of the office. Its smart to finish the top priority items first, since babies have been known to arrive ahead of schedule. Next, set the stage for your return to work.Set Up an Out of Office MessageBefore your maternity leave, set up an out of office message.To help keep your inbox clean unsubscribe from any regular newsletters or e-mail lists that youre on. Make aya to keep notes, so you can re-subscribe when you come back to work.How to Write a Resignation Letter After Maternity LeaveIf you have a change of heart while on maternity leave, write a resignation letter that is professional and in keeping with your companys policies. Make sure you understand whether youll be expected to repay any paid leave that you took. (When in doubt, consult an employment lawyer.)The Essentials for Returning to WorkAs your maternity leave draws to an end, youll want to follow a checklist to smooth your path back to the office. From emergency child care to the baby gear youll need, here are the essentials for returning to work.Surviving the First Week BackThe first week back is often the toughest. Dont worry, youll make it through with these tips.How to Find Work-Life BalanceOnce youre an official working mom, youll understand why all your friends complain about work-life balance. Heres the first secret you need to know about work-life balance.Updated by Elizabeth McGrory

How to negotiate through your next performance review

How to negotiate through your next performance reviewHow to negotiate through your next performance reviewWith performance reviews around the corner, I wanted to write a how-to post on negotiating. If you think about it, were negotiating on the job all the time. Whether were asking for the big promotion, the funding to attend a training or conference, or to take a vacation during busy season, were in more bargaining situations than we realize at work. Women, in particular, need as many negotiation tools as possible, given that were still paid less than men for equal work, and dont have a critical mass. Therefore, equal decision-making authority, at the top of companies.Consider the following strategies the next time you enter a negotiation at work. And remember, real-life practice is the very best preparation for negotiatingFollow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreDo your homeworkBefore a negotiation, take the time to organize yourself from an informational standpoint. Write out why you are negotiating for whatever it is, and the reasons for it. Then begin to assemble any supporting research. The more relevant research you have, the better you will feel about your argument and the more compelling your case will be. So if you were going to ask for an assistant, for example, you might do research within your company to see what the standard criteria are for hiring an assistant. How many people does an assistant typically support? How senior does one have to be to have an assistant? What kind of revenue does a department have to produce in order to justify having an assistant?You can also do benchmarking outside of your company. Investigate how your competitors configure their work units and the employment of assistants. Outside of supporting research, you could think about how an assistant could help your team add or create new value for your organization. Many emplo yers think of value in terms of numbers. So, is there a way for you to quantify the value and contributions of what you are negotiating for? Get familiar and well acquainted with this research, as mastering your data will help you be more creative and improvisational on the spot.Keep your coolIt is worth noting that walking into a negotiation without having done preparation or review of the issue at hand can be disastrous, as can spontaneous or emotion-driven negotiations. The better prepared you are in terms of the facts and your demeanor, the more successful you are likely to be. One strategy for keeping your emotions in check is to be prepared, perhaps even over-prepared, for a negotiation from an informational standpoint.I recommend striving for a composed balance between energized and relaxed. Negotiations can feel confrontational to many women. Filling yourself with positive, empowering messages in advance of the negotiation can do you a major service. Above all else, decide t hat you have a place at the negotiation table and a right to ask for what you want. If you become fearful, remind yourself of what prompted you to ask for the negotiation in the first place. Separate for yourself the person you will be speaking with and the problem you are trying to solve they are not the same. You can boost yourself up emotionally by dwelling on your strengths and abilities. Concentrate on several of your past successes to increase your confidence and optimism. I also encourage you to invite a trusted friend, partner, classmate, mentor, or colleague to role-play the negotiation with you in advance.Use strategic questioningWhile you are negotiating, use the technique of asking questions, preferably open-ended questions, which can be very powerful. These questions open up dialogue and can even buy you more time if you need to gather your thoughts. These questions, some examples of which are shown below, help guide and move the conversation along. Can you explain how you arrived at that solution? How are decisions like these determined? Are you willing to negotiate that point? What is keeping us from coming to an agreement? How could I help you feel more comfortable with this request? What is fruchtwein important to you? Can you explain why? How can we move forward? How can we best . . . ? How can we make this work for both of us? Is that the best you can do? What is the cost of us not coming to an agreement?Remember that silence is your friendSilence, though not something we are well accustomed to in American culture, can be one of the greatest negotiation strategies at your disposal. When we are silent, we are not over-promising or under-selling in ways we will later regret, instead we are giving ourselves the precious gift of time and space. Silence affords us the luxury to contemplate our next move during a tricky or emotionally draining negotiation. While it can be tempting to fill in gaps in conversation, it is important to find ways to pr actice and get comfortable using silence.Silence can have an effect on others as well for one, it tends to make people uncomfortable. It can make your counterpart share information, restate their position, or try to guess what your position is. Each of these attempts to break the silence put you in a more favorable position. The strategy of silence is especially important for women to use since they may be tempted to accommodate their counterpart, fill a conversation void, or not want to seem difficult or withholding. The next time you are in a negotiation situation, experiment with being quiet rather than speaking up right away or thanking your counterpart. Silence can give you power, as well as valuable time to process the bargaining conversation. Using silence can feel awkward at first, so I urge you to practice this technique before a negotiationTake a win-win approachOutside of asking powerful questions and using silence well, I recommend that you look for a way for both partie s to win. One of the women executives I interviewed on this subject, Roxanne Spillett, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boys and Girls Clubs of America, advised, Look for a win-win in relationships and negotiations. Every time you think theres a win-loss situation, look for ways to make it mutually beneficial. It is always better to leave something on the table in a negotiation than to walk away with everything. This is a pretty important practice as a leader. Coming up with creative solutions and concessions can certainly show your willingness to get to common ground in a negotiation.Use questions to understand your counterparts needs. Reiterate those needs and look for a way they can be met, preferably without your conceding something. If you must concede something, negotiate to get something else back. Since women are adept at reading body language and nonverbal communication, I recommend leveraging that skill to interpret cues such as discomfort or concern.This article o riginally appeared on Be Leaderly.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Facebook turned me down...and youll never believe what happened next

Facebook turned me down...and youll never believe what happened nextFacebook turned me down...and youll never believe what happened nextThis man got his lucky break after rejection, and you can too.Brian was feeling a bit washed up. His 11 years as an early employee at Yahoo was now two years in the past.Hed bounced from job to job in Silicon Valleys startup land, and now hed been turned down by both Facebook and, as he tweeted a few months prior, Twitter.Its kind of scary to be pushing 40 and feel like youre being pushed out the door.But the most beautiful thing about Brian is the good grace and optimism with which he handled his rejection - It was a great opportunity to connect with some fantastic people. Looking forward to lifes next adventure.The hurt radiates from those 140 characters. And also a strength of character.So Brian stuck with it. And ended up landing a job with an old colleague from Yahoo - somebody hed hired, actually. It wasnt much, and he got the grand title of Co-Founder and no salary for his efforts.Which paid off. If youve followed the news this past week, you know that Brian and his co-founder sold their company to Facebook for $19 billion, with a b, making Brians stake worth some $4 billion. Again with a b.Which speaks to the importance of never giving up. Even if youre too old or past your prime or washed up.And the point of this story is notlage that you, too, can go start a company and sell it to Facebook for billions.The point of the story is that you just never know whats going to happen to you unless you quit trying.If you quit trying, I can guarantee that all of your fears will come true - youll be forgotten, youll be passed by, and you wont get the next great opportunity.But if you keep trying, good things can happen.If you keep trying, something will come your way.If you keep trying, sooner or later, as the odds begin to pile up in you favor, you will get that lucky break.And while it may not have the delicious poetic justic e of being turned down for a 6-figure job only to get a 10-figure payout four years later, sticking with it will give you the satisfaction of giving yourself the respect, and the chance, you deserve.Have a 10-figure week in your job search this week, ReadersIll be rooting for you.

things I wish I hadnt seen on your resume or in your cover letter

things I wish I hadnt seen on your resume or in your titelbild letter things I wish I hadnt seen on your resume or in your cover letter Its true that your resume should market your accomplishments, but declaring that you are a visionary leader as I read on two candidates resumes recently is going a bit far. (Besides, if youre really a visionary leader, Ill see it in your accomplishments, right?)And I have a very charismatic personality is a weird thing to say about yourself. Its the sort of thing that others get to determine about you.On the other end of the spectrum, I was nonplussed to see this in a cover letter Iam a strong employee who possesses adequate leadership skills. Adequate isnt generally what employers are hoping to hire.And then there was the candidate with this objective to obtain a professional position in Corporate AmericaHmmm.

Understanding How to Write a Good Resume

Understanding How to Write a Good Resume How to Write a Good Resume for Dummies For example, if youre asking for a position for a software developer, you might not need to mention your time for a secretary unless you were requested to build programs for the business during your down time. The current downward shift in the gas and oil business has increased the competition since employers wish to employ agile workers for assorted roles. If you wish to land a new job livecareer is able to help you craft a standout resume. Which, consequently, makes it tough to develop your business quickly. The ideal resume should fit your nature and broadcast how youre able to be an asset to your intended workplace. For instance, a cosmetics consultant might pick a feminine resume design with subtle flesh tones to get in stich with her preferred career. So its necessary to strategize your resume based on a part of technology. The Battle Over How to Write a Good Resume and How to Win It You have to offer relevant, concise info. Thus, its highly recommended that you place your contact details right at the start of your resume. In the event you dont have any particular understanding about the work position that youre applying you could write in generalized form. A good resume should mention all of the contact details on the top side of the resume which makes it simple for the employer to get hold of. Attempt to seek out common or the simple element in all the letters you proceed through. The most important thing which you should do when writing the letter is search for a number of samples. Each letter has to be typed perfectly. It is possible to copy and paste the ideal letter in your aber sicher processor. Lets walk through three unique resumes for different sorts of post-college jobs. As soon as an employer receives a resume, he or she is searching for the best candidate. Otherwise, he or she wont be able to contact you. Quite an easy means to demonstrate a h iring manager that youre not just on the lookout for any job but need to specifically get the job done for their company is to target your resume to each specific company youre trying to land a job with. Massive businesses dont have enough time to parse through the several resumes they get for every open position. Instead of job experienceuse the term experience doing work, and you will notice plenty of experience appear. There are a lot of standard forms of resumes used to make an application for job openings. The One Thing to Do for How to Write a Good Resume Following that, you will want to pitch the gigs that youre interested in ASAP. Therefore, if youre hoping for an interview, its crucial that your resume be an impressive one. There are a few things that dont belong on a resume for work. You know your resume is a crucial portion of obtaining a new job Thats why youre taking time to learn to compose a resume so that you have the very best. How to Write a Good Resume Features There are lots of things to consider and most importantly, is the trustworthiness of the service you decide to use. References While you need a list of individuals who can vouch for you as an employee and total exemplary citizen, you dont need to include things like the list with your resume. Although in some countries it could be acceptable to include things like a photo, it isnt the norm in Canada. Dont incorporate a photo of yourself Although in some countries it could possibly be acceptable to incorporate a photo, it isnt the norm in Canada. The Ultimate How to Write a Good Resume Trick Co-curriculum Another component of getting into a top school is to get a hobby that youre good at, for instance, chess, sports and other pursuits which might increase the interest of the evaluators evaluating your qualification of going into the school. Theres an opportunity to do a great deal of things within such short time period. Selecting the ideal one for the job that youre activity for will make certain youre resume highlights the greatest important things. Write your resume in the third individual, as though its being written by somebody else. Want to Know More About How to Write a Good Resume? If youre using mobile phone, you can also utilize menu drawer from browser. When you format your resume you wish to ensure your leave enough margin space to permit for printing. Your resume format is something which you should give importance aside from every detail in your resume. It must be arranged so that you will have at most two pages. The Truth About How to Write a Good Resume The range of credits you want to register is dependent on the amount of hours you intend to intern. Our professional resumes samples ensure it is simple to produce your resume. How to compose the greatest possible resume. How to compose a good resume.

Sprucing up your workspace

Sprucing up your workspace Sprucing up your workspacePosted March 8, 2013, by Andrea RiddellOur workspace is our home away from home and putting a bit of thought into your designated area can help you create a little oasis when youre struggling to meet deadlines and make it to the otherbei side of Friday. Although we dont all have the luxury of working for Google, a cool office space can help help make work that little bit more bearable No matter if your cubicle is only a metre square or you have the luxury of a big corner office, here are some ways you can bring some fun into your working day.A cool coffee mugNothing says good morning more than a fresh cup of coffee. So why not enhance your morning ritual with a quirky mug to give you another reason to pep up every morning. Youll be the envy of the breakout room.A fun calendar or clockWe all know youre counting down the minutes until 5pm, so at least do it in style with a fun and retro alternative. And when youre planning when to us e up the rest of your annual leave, a cute desk calendar can help you while away the days until youre finally on the plane.An awesome posterIf the only view your desk came with was the printing machine, then enhance your outlook with a collection of cool prints. Remind yourself of the value of teamwork, indulge in your love of typography or help keep your positivity when your in-tray is overflowing with our selections.Quirky stationerySure, you may not need a giant pencil sharpener for a desk tidy and your productivity would probably be the same if your USB wasnt in the shape of a penguin wearing a tuxedo, but like they say, its the little things that count. Lets face it, anything that puts a smile on your face is a good thing and in a stressful work environment, its a great thing.What have you done to spice up your work life? Send us your examples of your interior design genius ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searcheshow to ask your boss for time off on short noticeguide to ace your next interviewhow to ace your next interviewhow to ask your employer to pay for your mbahow to solve bullying at workplace CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineAndrea RiddellRelated ArticlesBrowse moreNew skillsNew Years10 Reasons Why Youve Already Broken Your ResolutionsMost new years resolutions fall away before the confetti has hit the floor. Marni dishes out some hard truths about why youve probably already failed this year. But by all means, prove her wrong. You know you want to.Aged CareNursingNEWS Aged care workers to receive $1.2 billion pay riseTh e federal government has announced that it will spend an additional $1.2 billion over four years to raise the wages of aged care workers.EntrepreneurshipWOMENThe search for Australias next top businesswomanThe search is on for Australias next top businesswoman as the 2010 Telstra Business Womens Awards open today for nominations and entries.

The ridiculous workplace jargon smart people avoid at work

The ridiculous workplace jargon smart people avoid at workThe ridiculous workplace jargon smart people avoid at workDatafication. Operationalize. Lets parking lot this.These are just a few of the workplace phrases and words that people found most ridiculous, according to recent research.The American Express OPEN Get Business Done Survey, released recently, shows that some employees are just spewing words in the office without really grasping what they mean.Have you ever heard a coworker say something like, It ladders up to ur overarching framework and optimizes the impactfulness of our deliverables, and wondered, HUH?Youre not alone, American Express says, comfortingly.We are all part of the problem the research found that 88% of respondents said they use jargon without understanding it, and 64% reported using words and terms like this multiple times weekly.Make no mistake you do have to break the habit. These words make you look silly.Lynn Taylor, a workplace expert and author who h as partnered with American Express to give insight on productivity, told Ladders about how we can perform better at work, based on the research.If you want to engender trust from not only team members, but your boss, be yourself and youll attract so much more commitment and loyalty from people, Taylor said.She later added that you can use thisconcept as a litmus test, saying, if you catch yourself using this sort of cringeworthy jargon, think about if you transport yourself into a comfortable setting in your home or a party- would people look at you and roll their eyes?Heres the worst office jargon.Dont say thisat workFor the research, Morar Consulting surveyed 1,061 US employees working in offices with at least 5 people. They got a small monetary incentive for participating.Curious about what other jargon the respondents identified really didnt like?Take these from the survey. We provided the translations.Blue-sky thinkingThinking creatively.In the weedsToo detailed.Net-netWhen yo u add up the pros and cons, this is the answer.SynergizeCollaborate.DataficationAdd numbers to improve the analysis.OperationalizePut into action.Lets parking lot thisWait.Siloed thinkingForgetting to consider the impact on other teams or parts of the company.RecontextualizeLets stop thinking of it this way and think about it this other way.Its time to eat a reality sandwichBack to the real world for a second.Its time to put the soup through the strainerTheres a lot of junk here we dont need.Its like trying to put a horn on a donkey and call it a unicornA variation on the old standby trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear.Those arent the only ones. American Express also provided other examples of irritating office jargon, like run it up the flagpole and see who salutes, which sounds a little militaristic for our tastes.Why we talk like this even though we know betterAmerican Express asked respondents why they use jargon at work, even if it only obscures what they mean.Twenty- eight percent of respondents said they drop industry jargon every day at work, compared to 36% who do two to three times weekly, 16% who do once weekly, 7% every 2-3 weeks, 4% who dont even use it once per month, and 10% who dont at all.There are different reasons why people put jargon to use. Forty percent surveyed said theyre unaware that they use it because its a habit, 35% do for fun/to secretly test people, 25% do for assimilation purposes, 24% do tocome off as intelligent, and 19% do so toavoid questions.When they use jargon, 48% said its enjoyable, 45% said they are amused, 14% dont like it, 11% said they stop paying attention and 11% are puzzled by it.Other drains on productivityA lot of time is spent in meetings each day. Thirty-seven percent of the people said they spend 1-2 hours in meetings daily. Even more people said most of their workday is spent in meetings 20% said they spend 3-5 hours there, 20% also spend under an hour, 16% say 6-8 hours because they come with the job.Only 7% of the survey respondents have no meetings. (We dont get how thats possible, but we hope they will teach us.)Some of the things people catch themselves daydreaming about during pointless meetings are what they need to do outside of work, vacation, and even coworkers outfit choices.The study touched on other ways we decrease productivity, like the culture of no, such as when ideas are quickly dismissed. Instead, they encouraged that ideas be considered before theyre rejected, and preferably adapted into something better.The research also explored what happens when we lose focus at work because of distractions.How to escape the lost productivity bubbleAs for the excessive meetings, Taylor said that managers shouldnt invite employees to ones they dont necessarily need to be a part of. But each team member should also think and act like a leader by using their judgment when deciding if they need to attend, instead of constantly asking their bosses.As for distractions, Taylo r suggested trying to cut back on them (the study identifies social media, news and coworkers) and said that not focusing on being liked by everyone at work so you can boost your performance. But she added that we should think of it more as an evolution, not a revolution, because no workplace is immune to these problems.As for the studys findings on the culture of no, Taylor told Ladders that its a lot more work for a manager to say yes, because then they have to go up hierarchy and get approval, and think about it, But she elaborated, saying that in the bigger scheme of things, if the manager is open to the possibilities of an idea, then it will actually reflect well on them and more importantly it could be a game changer for the company.

How to Use a Guest Speaker to Boost Your Career - The Muse

How to Use a Guest Speaker to Boost Your Career - The MuseHow to Use a Guest Speaker to Boost Your Career Ever sat through a guest speaker at a work conference and used that time to make your grocery list? How about brushed up on your doodling skills? While these distracting behaviors are undoubtedly a common occurrence, theyre not typical of everyone attending a presentation or speaking event. Some people actually leave speeches rejuvenated, with a new sense of purpose. Not everyone can move a crowd like Sheryl Sandberg, Arianna Huffington, or Richard Branson, but you can learn at least one thing (and hopefully much more) from every presentation you hear- regardless of whether its a big-name person or a relative unknown. Here are seven ways to transition from simply being in attendance to seizing the opportunity and finding real inspiration no matter whos at the podium.1. Do Your Homework in AdvanceTake a few minutes to find out not only whos speaking, but what the persons backgroun d is. Whats he or she known for? How is he or she qualified? When you understand what the speakers bringing to the table, you can set yourself up well to receive information thats useful to you wherever you are on your career path. 2. Arrive Early for a Good SeatSit where youre comfortable. Its a myth that smart guys sit in the front and slackers in the back. If youre happy front and center, grab that spot. If youre comfortable in the back, thats just fine too, and if you need an aisle seat to be content, better get there early to claim it.3. Find Camaraderie With the People Sitting Next to YouIts much easier to absorb a message when youre in a pleasurable environment, and a part of this is determined by whos around you. Bonding with your neighbors can create a snowball effect of positivity. So either have your buddies save you a seat, or introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you and quickly make a new friend.4. Minimize Distractions and Take NotesFocus Be in the moment. Even if everyone around you has a laptop open, it doesnt mean you should also bury yourself in your emailles or the spreadsheet due by the end of the week. Take notes- they can be messy and disjointed so long as you can understand them later- about anything that sounds meaningful to you.5. Personalize the glaubenszeugnisA good speaker always puts focus on connecting with the crowd. You should direct attention toward receiving the message and applying it to your life. A friend once told me, You can learn something from every single person you meet. Write down a couple of key takeaways that you can bring back to the office and use to strengthen your everyday routine. Or, use the message to brainstorm an outside the box solution for a problem you may be facing or to start a new initiative in the workplace.6. Take Pics and PostUse social media to your advantage. Post a pic of the speaker or event on Twitter to increase internal excitement and drive external discussion among your network . As youve likely noticed, a lot of events these days will have a hashtag associated with them that youre encouraged to use.7. Contact the SpeakerReach out via email or social media and express your gratitude. What person wouldnt appreciate confirmation that his message connected with the audience? Dont be surprised if the contact even leads to a new relationship. A few weeks ago, I was inspired while attending a local speaking engagement. Later, I reached out to the speaker via email and an invitation to connect on LinkedIn. I explained how the speech helped me gain perspective relating to my current career situation and that I would love to take her to coffee or lunch if her schedule allowed. A week later, we met up and chatted for two hours. I left with a new mentor.Hopefully, following these seven steps leads to inspiration. But, lets say you apply them and still dont feel inspired. Dont stress it- youll soon find yourself engaged with someone else if you follow these tips and r eally force yourself to be present. All major cities and plenty of small towns have abundant opportunities to hear guest speakers who are experts on a number of topics. And, if you dont feel like leaving home, no worries, check out these eight TED Talks that will inspire you even on your day off.Put in the effort and transition from just attending to getting something out of your time You wont be sorry.

5 Tips to Remember When Asking for an Internal Transfer

5 Tips to Remember When Asking for an Internal Transfer5 Tips to Remember When Asking for an Internal Transfer5 Tips to Remember When Asking for an Internal TransferWhen it comes to requesting an internal transfer, you dont want to start off on the wrong foot.Have you been working under the same boss for the past few years and feel like you need a change? Do you believe that there is a better job scope for you in a different department? Is there a different role in your company that will allow you to evolve and grow? If you answered yes to any of the above, then its time to request for an internal transfer.Requesting for a transfer does elend necessarily imply that youre unhappy with your current job. Instead, a lateral move allows you to seek out promotions and diversify your portfolio. If you desperately want change but dont know where to begin, fret not Here are five effective tips to follow when asking for an internal transfer.Do your homeworkThe first step you should take before talking to your boss is to read through the companys transfer policy. A lot of companies require employees to be in a position for a minimum number of years before requesting for a lateral transfer, so the last thing youd want to do is to request for a transfer before you meet this requirement, as that could easily backfire. Youll end up with no chance of moving to a different team and stuck with a boss who knows you want to leave at some point. Additionally, be sure to clarify the internal application process with your HR representative prior to having this delicate conversation with your boss. There is a big difference between going to your employer with a well-thought-out plan and an impractical demandUpgrade your resumeOnce you have researched and identified the positions available for internal transfer in your company, its time to upgrade your resume. Read through the job description in the advertised role thoroughly, identifying the critical skills that the new department is seeking from candidates. Then, list down your skills and experience that match the new position. If you havent updated your resume in a long time, it would be a great idea to submit it for an expert review to check and make sure your resume highlights your achievements and is keyword optimized increasing your chances of landing your dream job.Once you have upgraded your resume, make sure to also identify the gaps between your skill set and the requirements for the new job. If possible, come up with a strategic plan to acquire those skills in the next few months to try to close the gaps as much as possible prior to applying for the job. If this isnt feasible, remember to highlight your plan to acquire the necessary competencies during your job interview. By doing this, you are showing your potential employer not only that you care about your professional growth, but also that youre proactive.Brush up on your networking skillsWhen you want to request for an internal transfer, your ne tworking skills should be sharp. Youll never be able to fully understand the open position from the job description alone, and it helps tremendously to talk to someone senior in the new department to better understand the work culture and work expectations. Make it a point to mingle with colleagues from different departments rather than just staying within your own clique. This way, you can find out more about job openings and market your skills to potential managers informally before even going in for the interview Networking is also a great way to keep updated with the recent berichterstattung in the company, even those updates that are not directly related to your current job scope.Make it clear that its not personalThe fact that you are asking for an internal transfer doesnt mean that youre unhappy with your current boss, so make that clear Explain to your boss why youre looking for this shift in your career. Itll help to explain how you will add value to the new team with your technical expertise and why that is in the companys best interest. Make sure that you also articulate your gratitude for the experience you have gained from your current team.Even if youre requesting for an internal transfer because youre unhappy with the current manager, dont apply to several openings within the same week. That just shows that youre desperate to jump ship. Instead, space out your requests and continue keeping your head down until youre granted the transfer.Offer to train a replacement before leavingWhen you ask for an internal transfer, you are essentially leaving your boss in a stressful position of finding a replacement for you in a short period of time. Now under stress, they might, in turn, take it out on you. In order to maintain a good relationship with your boss, even after you request for a lateral transfer, be sure to offer to make their life easier by training a replacement prior to leaving. Even if this means working extra hours to keep up with your curr ent assignments and the task of training a replacement, its worth it as your boss would really appreciate your courtesy. Theres nothing wrong with requesting for a job transfer, just make sure to be mindful of your others feelings in the process.Overall, requesting an internal transfer requires a level of tact, courtesy, and knowledge of the process. Before youre ready to jump ship and dive into a new department, make sure you follow these tips and prepare yourself.Click on the following link for more advice on how to get ahead.You might be ready for a transfer, but how ready is your resume? Check now with a professional resume review on usRecommended Reading5 Lessons From Marie Kondo to Help You Tidy Up Your Job SearchHow to Improve Your Self-Confidence at WorkHow Older Workers Can Compete (and Win) in Todays Job Market