How To Work With Bosses Who Are Idiots

How To Work With Bosses Who Are Idiots Hows that for a catchy title? This is the perfect topic for this time of year, when people are evaluating their careers. Recently I was asked for advice regarding bosses here is a rewritten question which sums up the questions Ive gotten: How do I deal with managers who knows nothing about technology but who insists they are always right, no matter what say or do, even when you can see them running down the wrong road?  Usually they have no subject matter expertise, and many times can make my life very difficult. I got this question from someone who is in a highly technical role which means this person has deep subject matter expertise. Ill try and answer in a way that makes sense to most people/jobs/roles. Heres my initial gut reaction: LEAVE.  Dont deal with the manager.  The manager likely has a number of problems, including any degree of these: They are unqualified for the job they got.  The problem IS NOT that they are technically inept (on the flip side of the coin, having them be technically adept doesnt mean they will be a better boss).  The problem might be that they dont know how to manage someone with deeper technical skills.  They may be in over their heads with things such as empowering their team, how to manage in different managing styles (hands off vs. micromanagement), etc.   They might simply be too immature in their career to have this job which implies that perhaps theyll grow into it, but do you have to suffer through their growth? The manager is a narcissist. Lets cut to the chase perhaps Im off-base here, but this last year Ive been swimming in a pool with too many narcissists(one is too many for me).  Ive learned that this is more than just a mean name you can call your boss there are a lot of people out there with narcissistic behavior.  The problems and symptoms run a lot deeper than what a training or reprimand can do for them.  If you want to feel depressed for a few hours, read up on narcissism there are plenty of articles that talk about what it is and how to be around (work with, be married to, etc.) narcissists. We could go on and list a dozen other problems, but lets generalize and assume that your bosss problem falls under one of these two issues.  So where does that leave you? If you are in a professional job, on a career path, my first bit of advice would be to work on LEAVING.  Look for a new job. If you have expertise, if you arent appreciated, if the work conditions are not fun (or worse: they are  hostile), there is no reason to subject yourself to daily torture.  Working in a pleasant, fun, appreciative work environment is night-and-day compared to working at a job that you dread going to.  If your boss isnt going to change, its only a matter of time before you settle into the rut of work depression.  Why subject yourself to that path? Caveat: if you are in a low-level job, enjoy the ride.  One of my first jobs was at Taco Bell.  It seemed like everyone was crazy there even (especially?) the managers.  Me, my brother, and this other guy I think named Ron, had a super fun time.  We didnt let the craziness bother us because this was just a gig to earn some gas money it wasnt a career.  If you are in a place like that, dont worry about it too much have fun!  If you cant, then, LEAVE. If you are in a career, though, here are options: LEAVE. Ive already said that. Its extreme.  It might save your sanity. Be Prepared.  The old Boy Scout motto is splendid.  Lets say that you are unprepared to get laid off today.  If so, you are probably afraid of getting laid off, losing the paycheck, etc.  Where would you go??  However, lets say you are prepared and you get laid off.  You might be thankful that you got laid off!  Sure, you lost your job, but you are prepared (strong network, established brand, etc.).  If you want to change how you feel about being in a crummy situation, work on  career management, which can give you a glimmer of hope, and help you feel less trapped. Hang in there, maybe.  Assess the situation how temporary/permanent is it?  Is The Idiot (or the immature manager) the son of the owner?  If so, its likely things wont change anytime soon.  If The Idiot might have a short lifespan at the company, will things change once he is gone?  If not, then prepare to leave I guess you could try and help but Im assuming that its going to be too much work, and you might not get anywhere (except fired or laid off).  You could talk to a their boss, but that gets weird (especially if their boss has loyalty towards them, or wants them to move up the ladder).  If you have a big heart, go for it, but just watch out for your own mental and emotional health. Okay, thats all I got.  What do you think? How To Work With Bosses Who Are Idiots Hows that for a catchy title? This is the perfect topic for this time of year, when people are evaluating their careers. Recently I was asked for advice regarding bosses here is a rewritten question which sums up the questions Ive gotten: How do I deal with managers who knows nothing about technology but who insists they are always right, no matter what say or do, even when you can see them running down the wrong road?  Usually they have no subject matter expertise, and many times can make my life very difficult. I got this question from someone who is in a highly technical role which means this person has deep subject matter expertise. Ill try and answer in a way that makes sense to most people/jobs/roles. Heres my initial gut reaction: LEAVE.  Dont deal with the manager.  The manager likely has a number of problems, including any degree of these: They are unqualified for the job they got.  The problem IS NOT that they are technically inept (on the flip side of the coin, having them be technically adept doesnt mean they will be a better boss).  The problem might be that they dont know how to manage someone with deeper technical skills.  They may be in over their heads with things such as empowering their team, how to manage in different managing styles (hands off vs. micromanagement), etc.   They might simply be too immature in their career to have this job which implies that perhaps theyll grow into it, but do you have to suffer through their growth? The manager is a narcissist. Lets cut to the chase perhaps Im off-base here, but this last year Ive been swimming in a pool with too many narcissists(one is too many for me).  Ive learned that this is more than just a mean name you can call your boss there are a lot of people out there with narcissistic behavior.  The problems and symptoms run a lot deeper than what a training or reprimand can do for them.  If you want to feel depressed for a few hours, read up on narcissism there are plenty of articles that talk about what it is and how to be around (work with, be married to, etc.) narcissists. We could go on and list a dozen other problems, but lets generalize and assume that your bosss problem falls under one of these two issues.  So where does that leave you? If you are in a professional job, on a career path, my first bit of advice would be to work on LEAVING.  Look for a new job. If you have expertise, if you arent appreciated, if the work conditions are not fun (or worse: they are  hostile), there is no reason to subject yourself to daily torture.  Working in a pleasant, fun, appreciative work environment is night-and-day compared to working at a job that you dread going to.  If your boss isnt going to change, its only a matter of time before you settle into the rut of work depression.  Why subject yourself to that path? Caveat: if you are in a low-level job, enjoy the ride.  One of my first jobs was at Taco Bell.  It seemed like everyone was crazy there even (especially?) the managers.  Me, my brother, and this other guy I think named Ron, had a super fun time.  We didnt let the craziness bother us because this was just a gig to earn some gas money it wasnt a career.  If you are in a place like that, dont worry about it too much have fun!  If you cant, then, LEAVE. If you are in a career, though, here are options: LEAVE. Ive already said that. Its extreme.  It might save your sanity. Be Prepared.  The old Boy Scout motto is splendid.  Lets say that you are unprepared to get laid off today.  If so, you are probably afraid of getting laid off, losing the paycheck, etc.  Where would you go??  However, lets say you are prepared and you get laid off.  You might be thankful that you got laid off!  Sure, you lost your job, but you are prepared (strong network, established brand, etc.).  If you want to change how you feel about being in a crummy situation, work on  career management, which can give you a glimmer of hope, and help you feel less trapped. Hang in there, maybe.  Assess the situation how temporary/permanent is it?  Is The Idiot (or the immature manager) the son of the owner?  If so, its likely things wont change anytime soon.  If The Idiot might have a short lifespan at the company, will things change once he is gone?  If not, then prepare to leave I guess you could try and help but Im assuming that its going to be too much work, and you might not get anywhere (except fired or laid off).  You could talk to a their boss, but that gets weird (especially if their boss has loyalty towards them, or wants them to move up the ladder).  If you have a big heart, go for it, but just watch out for your own mental and emotional health. Okay, thats all I got.  What do you think?

Three Writing Guidelines to Follow When Writing a Resume

Three Writing Guidelines to Follow When Writing a ResumeWhat are the three writing guidelines to follow when writing a RESUME? Do you have them?First of all, get a quality resume. You can send it to various recruiters, but that will do little good for your chances if your resume is not up to par. So don't settle for second best, get the most out of your time and money on this.Next, put in the time when writing. Write a lot. Review your resume often and get rid of paper clutter and notes if you can. Not only will this make you more efficient in your writing, it will also help you think better and write more effectively.Finally, be honest and forthright. Even if you feel that you can do some rewriting to make a statement in your cover letter, do it anyway. Being honest in your cover letter will help give your resume a more natural look and will also add credibility to your application.Okay, now that you know how to write a resume, go ahead and write! You can post your resume online if you don't want to personally mail it to anyone who is doing the hiring. Use your network of friends and family to post your resume.Now, get ready to send your cover letter. The cover letter should be relevant and introduce yourself in a positive way. Remember that this is your chance to show what you can do for the company and its future. Give your letter a personal touch by using a photo or some other visual representation.And finally, write. Just write. Remember that even though you may be young, you don't need to sound young. Just write the right things, and your resume will not look bad.Writing a resume is something that should not be taken lightly. Get a quality resume and your chances of getting hired will be much higher.

Exclusive Interview with the Queen of Web 2.0 Gina Trapani - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Exclusive Interview with the Queen of Web 2.0 Gina Trapani - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Today, I interviewed Gina Trapani, who was featured in issue 3 of Personal Branding Magazine.   She is always a delight to speak with and is as resourceful as they get. Gina Trapani is a tech writer and web developer based in San Diego, California by way of Brooklyn, New York. She is the lead editor of Lifehacker.com, a daily weblog on software and personal productivity, and the author of Upgrade Your Life: The Lifehacker Guide to Working Smarter, Faster, Better (March 2008). As a Sun-certified Java programmer, Gina builds Firefox extensions and web sites. Her writing has appeared in Popular Science, Wired, Womens Health, PC World and Macworld magazines. The Wall Street Journal Online profiled her and her work has also been mentioned in Time Magazine, Newsweek, The New York Times, Wired and PC Magazine. She is #7 on the top 25 Web Celebrities list by Forbes. 1. Does everyone need to upgrade their life? Well, you know what they say: if it aint broke, dont fix it. But, if you feel like there just arent enough hours in the day, or youre weary of being snowed under by email, tasks, appointments, a blinking voicemail box, and buzzing gadgets, then an upgrade may be in order. Ive found that most power usersfolks who are super comfortable with technology and who have it deeply embedded into their dayâ€"do tend to suffer from a sense of overload and overwhelm. My book is primarily for them. 2. How does your new book help people manage their personal brand, across email and other common tasks? Being on top of your game is the best kind of branding you can do, because honestly? Most people are not. Most people let email slip through the cracks, or say theyll get back in a week and dont, or drop the ball on that task you talked about doing in that meeting two months ago. When you follow up, when youre responsive, when youre on time (even early!) delivering on your deadlineseven when you pre-empt being late with a Hey, I said Id get this to you today but I turned out to be busier than I expected. Hows Tuesday instead?your co-workers and colleagues and clients will be impressed and only want to work with you more. Youll become known as responsiveand therefore responsibleand dependable and effective and indispensable. 3. Do you feel everyone needs to know the basic survival routines on the web now? Do you feel your book is a requirement for the digital age? Everyones level of engagement on the web is different, so the skills each person absolutely needs differs, too. In terms of survival, there is a low level of literacy absolutely required just to stay safe from identity thieves and malicious software online. From there it becomes a matter of managing the rate of information that flows into your day. Id say my book is required reading for anyone who wants to fast-track past the part where they have to figure out the best ways to get common computer and online tasks done, and just benefit from the knowledge of folks who have been immersed in digital culture and communications for years now. Through Lifehacker.com, Ive had access to a huge community of very knowledgeable people, and the book came out of my conversations with them on-site. 4. What are the 3 most significant tips you share in your book? The first must-have hack in the book addresses how to deal with the constant flow of email into your inbox every day. For any office worker (or freelancer, for that matter), sane email management is the most important skill you can have when its a primary way you communicate. Second is the chapter on tricking yourself into getting the tasks on your to-do list done. Its so easy to sabotage ourselves into procrastination and dreadeven around the work we enjoy!that if were mindful about how we break down and assign ourselves little stepping stone tasks, were much more likely to make our goal. Third, the chapter on firewalling your attention is important for the Crackberry addicts out there who have trouble with long-term focus and distractions. Its only until you can truly pay full attention to something that you can be fully present, and fully effective. It was difficult to pick just three, because like I said, what will make your life better depends on what your day looks like and what kind of problems you run up against. These three are my three pain points most of the time. 5. If every employee in a company read your book, what tips would help them become more productive, as well as better organized? Well, if I did my job as an author well, everyone would get at least a little something that made them more efficient and productive during the day from the book. There are over 100 tips in the table of contents (you can see them here: http://lifehackerbook.com/), but the biggest, overarching idea I hope to get across in the book is this: If you take a little time to think about what you spend time doing all day at work, you can adjust that time or reduce it with shortcuts to make it representative of what you want to actually accomplish. If we all put our attention, time, and energy towards the right workinstead of spinning our wheels and deleting spam from our inbox on our Blackberry while were at the park with our kidswell all be happier and more accomplished.

How to Stay Organised When Working from Home

How to Stay Organised When Working from Home There are lots of pros and cons of working from home, whereas  employees may feel more relaxed in their own environment, without the stress of having to commute each day, being away from an office setting can lead to distractions and a lack of organisation. In order for work to be achieved to a good standard from home, its important to maintain an element of structure to your day and to keep your workload organised. You can achieve this by making sure that you have a tidy, quiet environment to work in and look after your general wellbeing. Here are a few tips for staying organised when working from home, courtesy of Omni Papers. Keep your environment  tidy Clear any clutter and keep only the essential items on your desk. A cluttered environment makes for a cluttered mind! A source of natural light will keep you energised and for extra light use a desk lamp. Keeping the room well light will avoid straining your eyes when using the computer or reading small text. A 4000 Kelvin light is best for stimulating your brain. Keep a desk plant. Not only do they look pretty and make your environment more pleasant, they also clean the air and boost spirits. Working in a room with blue or green decor is best for productivity and focus. Organise your work Use sticky notes as reminders and to jot down notes. You can stick these to your screen or notebook for future reference and to use them as visible prompts while youre working. File your work away and store on shelves or a filing cabinet, to save cluttering your desk. Storing your work virtually on the computer will save space for storing hard copy documents. Make sure your are comfortable and healthy Bad posture can create back pain, so make sure you have a comfy chair and sit up straight while you are at your desk. Standing up while working can also help to improve your posture and prevent back problems. Try to get regular exercise when you can and take short breaks from work when needed. Drinking green tea during work hours can help to improve brain function and boost productivity.

Sugar Land Resume Writing Services Help You Out

Sugar Land Resume Writing Services Help You OutSugar Land - an online home to help you out with your job application is a service offered by numerous professional resume writing services. Sugar Land is the largest city in south Texas, on the Gulf of Mexico. Situated south of Houston, Sugar Land is close to seven different states, plus Washington, D.C. Though it's considered a small city, it is among the fastest growing cities in the nation and has a growing population of about 3500 people.You can count on this company to help you with job applications too. While they're one of the better resume writing services, they aren't the best. If you want to get your resume noticed, you'll need to invest in something that offers the best help.Sugar Land is a growing city with a lot of potential for growth, but just like many other places, there are also issues with crime and safety. However, this shouldn't stop you from seeking employment with this company. You could get the help that you need without having to fear potential dangers to your health and safety.Sugar Land offers a good cost of living in a small city. This means that most people can afford to live in the area, and it doesn't take much to have things in order in Sugar Land. As long as you have a car, you should be able to reach most of the business districts in the area.You might have some concerns about this type of career, but Sugar Land is a great place to live in. If you can get to work, and keep from being in danger while doing so, you'll be all right. You should make your home in Sugar Land, when looking for employment with a resume writing service.Sugar Land is a good place to work if you don't mind working at night. The majority of employees that work at this company are men. That might be discouraging to some people, but it isn't necessarily a bad thing. Some people prefer to work at night because it seems less dangerous, or they don't feel safe going to work after dark.Sugar Land is known for its c leanliness, too. There are no weeds growing, and there are no animal droppings or litter around. This means that you should find the best resume writing services if you're worried about your health or safety when you're out looking for work.Sugar Land is a very friendly community. It's quite possible to meet new friends that you've met in this community. In addition, you will get to know others who are looking for work. The city is growing fast, and there's plenty of work for people to do.

Writing the Perfect Resume Summary

Writing the Perfect Resume SummaryWriting the perfect resume is not a hard thing to do, if you have the knowledge. Unfortunately, many people don't. It is no mystery that it is going to take a lot of time to learn all the tips and tricks on how to create a great resume. However, the goal here is to take the time to create a great resume and keep it going for the rest of your life.First of all, I'm sure you didn't know that it doesn't need to be long, it just needs to be concise. Yes, there are a lot of things on your resume, but it is very important that you stick to your point and make your summary short. Now, the first tip I'm going to give you will help you with this. This tip is just a tip, not a secret; it is something that all graduates know: the longer your resume is, the more boring it is going to be. When someone reads a long resume, they will lose interest almost instantly.Also, there are other things that you need to do to make it more interesting. For example, you can mak e it more interesting by adding a few bullets about where you have worked. As an example, you can write about where you have worked in an IT Company.Additionally, you need to make your summary about your skills, not about the industry you work in. The former is about what you have accomplished, while the latter is about who you work for.Also, don't forget to put the most important features of your skills into bullet points. You can also write about the major benefits of your skills. Use these bullet points to write more about the skills you have. This will make your resume appealing and interesting.Your resume is just one piece of writing. You are going to see some errors on it. So, make sure you read over it until you are able to fix the mistakes.Remember that you are going to apply for the same job that you applied for before. So, focus on the skills you have. Since you wrote a different job description in the first job, try to find a similar skill, such as the above-mentioned one , which you know about.In conclusion, keep in mind that you are not trying to create a masterpiece. You are only trying to get a good job. If you want to succeed with your resume, it's going to take a lot of work, but if you make sure you have done everything right, it's going to be worth it.

Our conference about happiness at work was a massive hit - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Our conference about happiness at work was a massive hit - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog On May 30 we held our 5th annual conference about happiness at work in Copenhagen and this one was the best one yet :-) The event was completely sold out and 360 participants saw 11 different speakers share their ideas and tips about creating happy workplaces. The feedback has been stunningly positive 80% give the day a top grade and 18% give it 4 out of 5. As always we filmed all the speakers and will put them online for free. You can see the first speech here its an insanely inspiring talk where David Marquet explains how he made a nuclear submarine a happy workplace. You can see some pictures from the event below and there are a ton more pics here, courtesy of our fantastic photographer Gareth Garvey. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

If you stay in traffic, its going to take you a long time to find a job. Or More marketing tools to find a job -

If you stay in traffic, its going to take you a long time to find a job. Or More marketing tools to find a job - Last week, I wrote about hearing John Jantsch speak during his recent visit to Atlanta. (John   is the author of Duct Tape Marketing and the soon to be released, The Referral Engine.) He pointed out a hierarchy of the customers experience as marketers see it: People must KNOW LIKE and TRUST youThis leads them to: TRY BUY REPEAT REFER To sell, you must create a better customer experience, which helps solve lead generation issues for those who are seeking customers and clients. Clearly, these marketing fundamentals now rely on creating necessary feelings of trust and encouraging people to try and buy via online channels. It is no surprise that being online and establishing a presence there (in what John calls the free real estate), helps move people through the necessary channels for success today. However, Jantsch made an important point: The fundamentals of marketing have not changed, despite the fact that the tools are different. I thought that was such an interesting point, and one that is often overlooked. Yes, the mechanisms have evolved and the ways to connect and establish deeper relationships are different today than even a year or two ago. (Twitter, anyone?) However, the main points are not different. The   idea is to establish relationships and trust. That is an age-old goal for anyone selling something. The same is true of job search. I recently helped a client who works in a marketing capacity. He refuses to embrace the free real estate of social media for his job hunt, insisting that he does not want to be too self-promotional. This was surprising, coming from a marketing professional, and frustrating for me. I worry that he is approaching his search with only a percentage of what he needs to be successful. Many of you probably also bristle at all of this social media for the job search talk. You may remember a time when all you needed to do was send out a resume, make a few calls, and you would be hired. Unfortunately, those days are over. But, one thing has NOT changedTo easily land, you needed to be able to make a few calls. Today, a few calls may translate into having several hundred followers/friends on Twitter, many hundreds of connections on LinkedIn and a professional Facebook page that allows you to leverage relationships with long-lost high school friends and new contacts all in one place. Having an optimized resume is crucial, but adding a layer a social or online version that is more interactive and allows readers to dig deeper is becoming more important. Just a cover letter was the norm. Now, your calling card may be a blog. John said it well How you move HAS changed, but the point is to create awareness. That has ALWAYS been the point of job search. John suggests engaging in social media with this in mind: Listen first Claim your free real estate Publish content or limit your ability to succeed. For job seekers, Id suggest thinking the same way. Connecting and building relationships has always been the point. Yes, there are a lot more ways to get there today. To be successful and efficient, you want to build deeper relationships and expand your network beyond your immediate circle. I cannot think of a better way than by engaging in social media. Think about it this way: If you needed to get from your home to a friends house, and the only way was through treacherous traffic, wouldnt you appreciate a new bridge that could take you directly there, bypassing the aggravation of bumper-to-bumper cars? Think of social media as your bridge. If you stay in traffic, its going to take you a lot longer to get where you want to go.