How To Stay Happy In Your Job [INFOGRAPHIC]

How To Stay Happy In Your Job [INFOGRAPHIC] Staying happy in your job is important. This infographic from City Guilds  using their Happiness Index  shows how to remain in a good state in your job. Do you have any additional tips? Leave them in the comments below! Takeaways: 61% of people enjoy their job 85% of self-employed people enjoying their job People aged over 56 are the happiest in their jobs from all age groups Gardeners and florists are the happiest  in their jobs 87% enjoy their work. 44% of bankers are happy in their job the lowest rating the UK. The British want flexibility in their jobs, reasonable control over their daily duties and the  opportunity to use their skills to tackle challenges and gain rewards to remain happy. RELATED: You Are About As Happy As You Make Up Your Mind To Be Image: Shutterstock

Zero-hours contracts have been unfairly demonised and oversimplified, finds new CIPD research

Zero-hours contracts have been unfairly demonised and oversimplified, finds new CIPD research New guidance published to combat poor practice, but CIPD rejects calls for excessive restrictions on an approach to employment that serves many employers and employees well. The use of zero-hours contracts in the UK economy has been underestimated, oversimplified and unfairly demonised, with the positive experience of the majority of people employed on them being overlooked, according to  new research  from the CIPD.     A survey of more than 2,500 workers has found that zero-hours workers are just as satisfied with their job as the average UK employee, and more likely to be happy with their work-life balance than other workers. The professional body for HR and people development has also published  new guidance, in collaboration with law firm Lewis Silkin, to help tackle poor practice highlighted in the research, such as the poor level of understanding about employment rights among many employers and zero-hours workers. The CIPD finds that where zero-hours contracts are being used for the right reasons and people on these types of arrangements are managed in the right way, they are providing flexibility that works for both organisations and individuals. Efforts to address poor practice should be focused on improving employer understanding of how to use these contracts responsibly and within the law, rather than on attempts to restrict their use through regulation. Key findings from the CIPD research, ‘Zero-hours contracts: myth and reality’  include: A survey of more than 1,000 employers has confirmed the CIPD’s initial estimate that there are approximately one million people (3.1% of the UK workforce) employed on zero-hours contracts. Zero-hours workers, when compared to the average UK employee, are just as satisfied with their job (60% versus 59%), happier with their work-life balance (65% vs 58%), and less likely to think they are treated unfairly by their organisation (27% vs 29%). Zero-hours workers are, on average, nearly twice as likely to be satisfied with having no minimum set contracted hours, as they are to be dissatisfied. Almost half (47%) say they are satisfied, compared with around a quarter (27%) who report being dissatisfied.   The most common explanation for this is that flexible working suits their current circumstances (44% of those saying they are satisfied or very satisfied with having no minimum set contracted hours). More than half (52%) of zero-hours workers say they would not like to work more hours than they do in a typical week, although just over a third (38%) say they would like more hours. Eight out of ten (80%) zero-hours staff say they are never penalised for not being available for work. Employers cite both sides of the flexibility equation in explaining their use of these contracts: two thirds (66%) highlight their need for the flexibility to respond to peaks and troughs in demand, but around a half (47%) of employers who use zero-hours contracts also cite the need to provide flexibility for individuals as one of the reasons informing their approach. However, the research does identify areas of poor practice: One in five zero-hours workers say they are sometimes (17%) or always (3%) penalised if they are not available for work. Almost half of zero-hours workers say they receive no notice at all (40%) or find out at the beginning of an expected shift (6%) that work has been cancelled, and only about a third of employers tell us they make a contractual provision or have a formal policy outlining their approach to arranging (32%) and cancelling work (34%) for zero-hours workers. One in five (21%) zero-hours workers believe their pay is lower than comparable permanent staff doing similar jobs, while one in ten employers (11%) report that this is the case. In fact, almost two-thirds (64%) of employers who use zero-hours workers report that hourly rates for these staff are about the same as an employee doing the same role on a permanent contract. Nearly a fifth (18%) report that hourly rates for zero-hours staff are higher than permanent employees (with the proportion slightly higher in the private sector). Confusion among some employers and zero-hours staff over employment status and rights. For example, 42% of zero-hours staff don’t know if they have the right to take legal action if unfairly dismissed after two years service. Peter Cheese, Chief Executive of the CIPD,  said: The use of zero-hours contracts in the UK economy has been underestimated, oversimplified and in some cases, unfairly demonised. Our research shows that the majority of people employed on these contracts are satisfied with their jobs. Peter Cheese, Chief Executive of the CIPD However, we also recognise that there is a need to improve poor practice in the use of zero-hours contracts, for example the lack of notice many zero-hours staff receive when work is cancelled. If this is unavoidable, then employers should at least provide some level of compensation. In addition, it seems that many employers and zero-hours staff are unaware of the employment rights people on these types of working arrangements may be entitled to. The emphasis should be on improving management practice and enforcing existing regulation first, rather than bringing in new legislation which would be extremely hard to do without unintended consequences.   Employers that took part in the research told us that if restrictions were placed on employers’ use of zero-hours contracts, they would simply switch to another form of casual labour.   Such an approach would also penalise the majority of zero-hours workers that choose these types of working arrangements because they suit their particular circumstances. The good practice guidance we’re publishing today helps to address some of the issues highlighted by our research as well as setting out what employers need to do to manage zero-hours workers within the law. If we restrict the ability of employers and workers to manage their employment needs flexibly, the consequence is less likely to be more permanent, full-time jobs, and more likely to be a reduction in the number of jobs available in the economy. “The reality of today’s globally competitive economy and increasingly complex and age diverse workforce is that flexibility is here to stay. We need to focus attention on ensuring that people are well managed, are building the right skills, are engaged and productive. Many employers have a lot more to do in all of these areas to increase our international competitiveness. Flexible working arrangements can have a positive influence on productive and engaging work environments and those who call for excessive restriction of zero-hours contracts or who rail against measures to encourage more flexible working are equally out of touch with the modern world. Zero-hours contracts combined with good management can be an effective means of matching the needs and requirements of modern business and modern working lives across a wide range of employment sectors and job roles, in organisations of all shapes and sizes.” The CIPD report includes a number of recommendations to improve practice in the use of zero-hours contracts, including: Appropriateness: careful consideration and regular review by employers of whether zero-hours contracts are appropriate for the nature of the work involved, and are offering the right balance of mutual flexibility for employer and employee. Exclusivity: Unless there is a clear business reason, for example for clearly defined competitor or intellectual property reasons, employers should not restrict zero-hours staff from working for another employer when they have no work available. Compensation for last-minute cancellation: where work is cancelled at short notice, travel expenses and at least one hour’s pay should be paid in compensation. Pay equity: zero-hours workers should be paid at comparable rates to anyone else doing the same or similar work. Manager training: line managers should be trained to ensure that the reality of the employment relationship is consistent with the contract and associated employment rights of zero-hours workers. Press Release 0

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Save 50% during my Holiday Sale... Hi! Its Anna Runyan, with a courtesy reminder about my Holiday Sale, which kicks off today!  For the next 72 hours ONLY, I am offering a 50% discount on THREE of my best selling products and services 1)  Get Your Career Unstuck Quick Start Bootcamp  2)  10-Day Resume and Cover Letter Makeover  and 3)  90-Day Find Work You Love Coaching Program.  These services and products are chock-full of helpful resources to help find a career you love and transform your life. All you have to do is use coupon code HOLIDAY  at checkout for 50% off!Here are the THREE products and services youll find on sale TODAY:Get Your Career Unstuck Quick Start Bootcamp   Are you ready to get out of a job you hate and into a job you love?  Are you ready to find a career that you love to go to everyday and find clear direction for your professional future?  Watch my 5 previously recorded Get Unstuck webinars and find a career you love.  ($147 full price -TAKE 50% off!) 10-Day Resume and Cover Letter Makeover    It’s time to spice up your resume and cover letter so that you can find work you love… FAST!  I want to teach you my PROVEN, Resume Makeover 10-Step System so you can learn EXACTLY  how to create a resume and co ver letter that gets you into an interview for your dream job…FAST.    ($47 full price -TAKE 50% off!) 90-Day Find Work You Love Coaching Program   I will teach you my 7-STEP Get Unstuck and Love Your Life System personally with weekly coaching videos and worksheets, a personality assessment and live calls with Anna where you can ask your que stions and make big things happen in your career!  ($349/month full price -TAKE 50% off!) To your success, Anna Runyan P.S.  Feel free to share this offer with any of your friends, family, and colleaguesâ€"just remember that the  HOLIDAY  coupon code is ONLY good through MONDAY.  Stock up here now!

The 5 Most Meaningful Jobs To Feel Good About What You Do - Classy Career Girl

The 5 Most Meaningful Jobs To Feel Good About What You Do It’s easy to become jaded at work. When you do the same thing day-in and day-out, much of your job’s meaning dissolves and you begin to feel apathetic and downhearted about what you do. Unfortunately, feeling bad about your job is the first step toward getting stuck in your career, so before you lose your job or quit without a plan b, you must find a way to cope with the idea of a long-term career. Here are a few solutions to help you find more meaning in your work and feel good about what you do. How to Feel Good About the Work You Do 1. Find Rewards It might sound juvenile, but what you could be missing is a gold star and a pat on the back. People want to be recognized, and if your boss isn’t giving you a sense of accomplishment with tangible or intangible rewards, you will feel ignored and unimportant. Thus, it is vital that you find a way to be rewarded for your good work. Whenever you can, you should ask your boss and coworkers for feedback, which will guide you to more meaningful contributions that earn real rewards. Otherwise, you can give yourself a prize for your efforts, perhaps by allowing yourself a decadent dessert or buying a new outfit for work. 2. Find Autonomy On one hand, there is a certain freedom in submitting entirely to another’s decisions, but few career women flourish under long-term oppression. Therefore, finding some independence or empowerment in your current position could help you feel good about your current job. You become more invested in your work when you have more control over it, which means you usually have more energy and excitement for your job when you gain some autonomy. You can try asking your boss for some flexibility in your working conditions, such as setting your own hours, working from home, or choosing your own projects. 3. Find Complexity   If both jobs provide equivalent salaries, would you choose to be an architect or a cashier? Most people opt for the former because of the opportunity for challenge and creativity. Your brain exists to solve problems, and when you waste every day with unchallenging work, you begin to feel unfulfilled and unhappy. Therefore, you can create your own challenge to generate complexity in your work. One of the easiest ways to do this is to make it a competition ? with your coworkers, your boss’s expectations, and yourself. By pushing yourself to do better every day, you might start to feel better about what you do. 4. Find a Better Career If there is no hope for you to find enjoyment in your current occupation, you might need a change of scenery to find contentment in your work. Most Americans seek new employment every three years or so, but transitioning into a more fulfilling line of work might help you establish stability in your career. The 5 Most Meaningful Jobs (as determined by worker satisfaction): 1. Social Work A significant portion of our population is in desperate need of help, and social workers exist to lend that hand they need. More than 85 percent of social workers find their jobs impactful, which gives them purpose to continue. You can earn a social worker degree online to make the career change quick and easy. 2. Medicine The health care industry is always looking for dedicated workers who want to do good. You don’t have to spend seven years in medical school to find fulfillment; you can work as a health administrator or another office-based job and still feel more than 80 percent satisfied with your work. 3. Education Students are the future, and you can be integral in helping them achieve that future by transitioning into education. Teachers have sometimes grueling responsibilities, but their satisfaction rates are usually well above the rest of the population. 4. Community Services Representation of women (and people of color, for that matter) amongst police forces and firefighters around the country is appalling, which means if you are looking for a new career, you might make the biggest difference by becoming a community service member. Job satisfaction among police officers hovers around 85 percent, and the position provides opportunities to impact underserved members of communities. 5. Non-profit Work People are suffering everywhere ? not just in meaningless careers. Non-profit work often provides the greatest sense of meaning because you choose where to direct your efforts, and you often openly see the impact you make in others’ lives. We hope this article gave you some ideas of how  you can feel good about the work you do. If needed, make a change. Whatever you do, dont stay stuck. Its never too late.

Learn How to Write Python on Engineering Resume

Learn How to Write Python on Engineering ResumeYou can easily learn how to write Python on Engineering Resume. But of course, it is not a good thing to do if you don't have a good knowledge of Python. We often see people using programming languages for them to be able to be very creative and come up with very impressive resumes. But many of these people may not be able to make the best use of Python on engineering resume.One of the common mistakes in writing resumes is using outdated skills such as Python to write them. These may not be compatible with the current software that employers are using. Using outdated language may also be difficult for them to understand. On the other hand, some people prefer to write the resumes using programs which they cannot easily master.Another mistake that many people make is to make their resumes too technical. They will only end up in creating a resume that can't attract employers. These programs will probably be too complex for them to be easily understood by the employers. The companies will eventually find out that these programs are not an advantage at all. So, it's really important to determine the main problem with the resume, and then develop a program which can tackle that problem.Generally, different companies follow different standards when hiring someone. What this means is that it is important to note the rules and the requirements that are required for the person to be hired. Usually, the details about the program that you have used are given to these employers. In this way, they can determine whether or not your resume can be a good fit for their company.While writing Python on Engineering Resume, you must always keep in mind that it has to be different from all others. This means that it must include all the experiences you have acquired in the different situations that you have faced. It is also important to note that your education is another important thing that you should mention here.On the other hand, C Vs which are written using CV, Curriculum Vitae, as well as your computer skills will not get the attention of the companies. On the other hand, if you are able to use a particular programming language then that will be a great advantage for you. In order to get the attention of the employers, you should first understand the importance of Python on Engineering Resume.If you are looking for a job then it is very important for you to present yourself in the best way possible. This means that you should get all the information related to your CV, CVs, as well as your computer skills. You should always remember that a computer program is also important for the people who are looking for employment. On the other hand, people who are looking for employment in the field of engineering will also need a Python on Engineering Resume in order to make a good impression with the companies.You can hire a programmer who can create a program for you. You can also post your resume online to get all the attention you need. The truth is that you should also remember to use a program in order to be able to write Python on Engineering Resume.

Effective Management Tips For A Growing Business

Effective Management Tips For A Growing Business As a business grows, it starts to enter new territories. You handle more clients, which inevitably means you have to start doubling your efforts across the board. It’s not a coincidence that loads of small businesses end up going under and suffering huge losses when they start to see growth. Most of the time, it’s because they don’t know how to manage things now that their company is expanding. Staying on this topic, here are some effective management tips to help anyone with a growing business. Invest In The Infrastructure A smart thing to do is take your business profits and invest them back into your company. An even smarter thing to do is invest them in your infrastructure. This basically means spending money on improving the whole set up of your business and how it operates. By improving your base, you make it easier to grow and deal with all the new growth. Business infrastructure includes things like your communication methods, your offices, and just the general framework of your company. Too many small businesses neglect to invest money in this as they grow, and their current infrastructure can’t handle the increased workload. Implement Specialist Software In Your Company Ideally, your business should already use software to do certain processes. However, many small businesses get away without needing it, simply because they don’t get many customers. When you start to grow, you start to see problems because you haven’t got software helping you out. You can get lots of specialist software to handle certain processes that become too hard to do on your own. As it shows on the Symfact website, you can use software to help manage all your contracts from clients/suppliers. Understandably, you may end up with more and more contracts as your business grows, making it very hard to stay on top of them. Then, you also have payroll software to pay a team of employees. In the past, you may use quite basic software to pay people, but now you need to upgrade it as your team gets bigger. Reassess Your Business Plan When you first started your small business, you should’ve created a business plan. Now’s the time to go back and consult that plan. If your newfound success has come earlier than expected, and you’re growing rapidly, then you need to reassess your plan. Create a new one with the future in mind. Think about what you’ll need and how you can achieve it as your company continues on this upward spiral. Then, as your business continues to grow, you should have a better plan in place to cope with everything that hits you, ensuring you never receive a deadly knockout blow. A fast-growing company should be celebrated as a good thing, not a burden! Unfortunately, small business growth is often a case of too much too soon for some. To avoid failing when you’re at your most successful, follow the management tips in this article to keep your business afloat. Now, you can grow at a rapid rate and enjoy the success that comes with it.

Structure Your Week During Job Search

Structure Your Week During Job Search As a job seeker, it is vital to your success to structure your week. Otherwise, youll find yourself derailed or squandering precious time. Some of us are better at this than others.   I fall into the not as good as I should be camp, Ill admit. What I have found is that the weeks when Ive structured my time, I feel 100 times more productive and more satisfied!   So the trick is to maintain this scheduling momentum. When you were working, you had deadlines, meetings, and defined activities you needed to schedule. However, as a job seeker, its easy to find yourself distracted by home improvement projects, running errands and taking care of other long-neglected projects. What Im suggesting is that you structure your job search like you structured your time at work. Monday Friday, 8am 5pm with breaks. Of course, if you prefer 9-6 or some other schedule, thats fine, just hold to it. Whatever you do, DO NOT exceed 35 hours a week and do not work through the weekend. This will lead to burnout. First, you need a calendar! It is amazing how many folks use a notepad.   Hows that working for you?   Paper or electronic, get a calendar and carry it with you at all times. Always schedule events and meetings If you have appointments, meetings, or events, put them on the calendar. Its easy to double-book yourself if you dont have everything on the calendar, trust me! Plan to announce on LinkedIn youll be attending events, ask if anyone else is going, and build some buzz. Now block 1-hour increments of time for these activities: Networking Time:   One on one meetings Email time:   Respond to emails and send emails Phone time: Make followup calls, return messages LinkedIn Time: Use LinkedIn to post updates, comment on posts, respond to group conversations, research target companies or people, write recommendations Knowledge Update Time: Read industry newsletters, local newspapers Online Application Time: Apply for jobs online Blocking Time = Accountability Just blocking time for designated activities will help hold you accountable. You know, every week, you should be networking, following up on applications, and other activities. But its easy to fall back on surfing the job boards because you feel productive. Fight the temptation to waste time searching for jobs that probably arent a fit anyway. Focus On Proactive Job Search Strategies Remember to focus your time and energy being proactive (searching for opportunities not yet posted). Begin by researching people and companies on your target list. (Learn more about using a personal marketing plan). Identify people who work for companies you are interested in, then find people who can introduce you to these insiders and reach out to introduce yourself and ask for a conversation. This doesnt always feel as productive, however, let me remind you that 50+% of jobs are filled by referrals, not job postings (which only account for about 10-15% of new hires)! See the proof here. Some Reminders: You want to be out of your house as much as possible. (You wont meet people or learn about opportunities sitting at home) So schedule computer-related activities early in the morning (before 8am) or late in the day (after 5pm). Dont give up too soon.   Try this for at least 30 days.   Forming new habits take time. Use my recommended blocks of activities before you create your own. Broader is better. It gives you flexibility. You dont want to micromanage your time or feel overwhelmed. Weve all managed our time in the workplace, you just need to put structure around your job search.       For those of you who are visual, this is what it might look like.   BTW, notice all the white space?   Free time?   Thats the perfect opportunity to schedule face to face meeting time!