Work-Life Balance How To Prevent Employee Burnout

Work-Life Balance How To Prevent Employee Burnout Over the last few decades, the business world has been gripped with paranoia about productivity. Companies have adopted numerous philosophies and systems aimed at removing every last inefficiency from their operations. Anything that isn’t contributing directly to higher output and profitability is seen as wasteful and unnecessary. Although the impulse to be more successful is a good one, many professionals can be short-sighted. In the effort to become leaner, faster and more productive, they may be putting too much strain on their employees. A corporate culture that pushes people too hard is working against itself. Think of it this way: A car’s engine can only run for so long before the lubricants break down and the metal components begin to grind against each other. It’s necessary to ease off the gas and provide the necessary fuel before you redline and cause serious damage to the motor. The same is true for your employees. Overworking and demanding 110% effort all the time will only hurt them. The World Health Organization recognized this tendency in 2019 when it added burnout to its Classification of Diseases. When Employees Work Themselves Sick If you think burnout is a joke, think again. When people push themselves too hard, it can lead to a number of very real mental and physical symptoms, any one of which can have a serious effect on your organization. Those who appear to be going above and beyond by working past 5 p.m. or over weekends are most likely operating at half-capacity the rest of the time to make up for it. They may also be moodier, less likely to cooperate with their teammates and short-tempered. In some cases, overworked individuals may suffer from flu-like ailments such as fatigue and headaches. It’s also not uncommon for them to call in “sick” just to get a break. The bottom line is that business owners and HR managers ignore the problem of burnout at their own peril. On the other hand, people who have a normal work-life balance are generally more beneficial to their employers. Even though they’re not “on” 24/7, healthy team members tend to deliver a higher level of performance during their 40 hours a week. They’re able to handle details more effectively, collaborate well with others, communicate honestly and seek out new challenges. This is because they’re rested, relaxed and in a better mood overall. How to Relieve Stress and Tension in Your Workplace If you want to create a positive environment in your offices and facilities, take the necessary steps to prevent overwhelming your people. Although the most obvious response would be to decrease workload, there are other ways to mitigate the effects of feeling overworked. For example, establishing flex hours and offering more vacation time could give your staff the opportunity to take a breather when they need one. Just knowing they have the option can be reassuring for many. A little recognition can go a long way, as well. Providing positive feedback and asking team members to add their own input will encourage an open flow of communication, which can greatly lift morale. Don’t forget to reward good performance with incentives such as additional PTO. Try offering a corporate gym membership or building an on-site fitness center to give your people a chance to burn off some stress and boost energy levels. If you’re truly worried about your staff’s productivity, pressuring them to work harder and faster isn’t the answer. Instead, think about how you can support personnel with a healthier work-life balance. For more information about why this matters and how you can make a positive impact, take a look at the accompanying infographic. Graphic created by iPlum a provider of a 2nd phone line for cell phones. About the author: Michael Xavier is the product evangelist at iPlum, which provides separate business phone lines on existing personal phones with the same high quality. iPlum, available in 22 languages, has been adopted by millions of users worldwide.

What we learnt at Pathways University of Manchester Careers Blog

What we learnt at Pathways University of Manchester Careers Blog Well, the 10th anniversary of Pathways: Career Options for Researchers arrived along with 400+ delegates and panellists, all current or former researchers. The best way to report on it is to hear from current doctoral researcher, Marc Hudson, whos written a really clear, bullet pointed blog post with the advice he gleaned from the 5 sessions he attended, including: Academic Roles for Humanities Marketing your Skills and your PhD What Do Employers Look for in PhD Applications Dr Paul Redmonds Uberfication, Digitisation and the New World Of Work Thanks Marc really glad it was worthwhile. (I chickened out from reblogging it as I realised the title of the post would appear on our website yeah, Im a coward, but one who wants to keep her job!) Id just like to add 5 more memorable moments. a) The warm welcome to Pathways 10 given by Professor Luke Georghiou, Vice President for Research and Innovation at the start, and the inspirational vision of the future for PhD careers given by Dr Paul Redmond, Director of Student Life at the end of the day. b) A spontaneous round of applause from a lecture theatre full of researchers when we revealed the cake which the amazing Dr Beth Mottershead created for our 10th anniversary (shes also on Facebook). Beth is one of our former PhD/post-doc biomedical materials scientists who set up her own professional cake business. Were so proud of Beth, both for her inspirational career, showing that a PhD can lead anywhere you want, and for such a fabulous cake. Professor Georghiou also took an extra cupcake to his next meeting with Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell! c) Talking to Dr Gemma Barnacle, one of our first time panellists, who said she attended Pathways last year and heard about medical communications from long time Pathways supporter and panellist, Dr Jennie Frain who inspired Gemma to go into medical communications with MediTech Media. I love it when delegates come back as panellists do get in touch if thats you next year. d) Meeting another long time Pathways supporter, Dr Chongwei Chua, who became a school teacher and is now Curriculum Manager at Salford City College. Chongwei was overjoyed, saying wed made his year hed just met one of his former pupils, Jack Barrington, who is now in the first year of his PhD. Thats the sort of outcome every teacher dreams of (as you can see from Chongweis face). If you missed the event, you can still access the (brief) career profiles for our panellists  here (pdf). The next two big events for researchers are: Postgraduate Summer Research Showcase, 30th June Research Staff Conference: Getting Creative with your Research Career, 28th June Alternatively, if youre a University of Manchester researcher, look out for Pathways 11 same time, next year? All Events and fairs Postgrad-highlighted Postgraduate career planning Options postgraduate

5 Things to do when youre unemployed. Hint Its not job hunting.

5 Things to do when youre unemployed. Hint Its not job hunting. Lets say you get fired, or laid off, or you quit because after two weeks you know youre at the worst company on the planet. In all of those cases, you will face the interview question: What happened at your last job? Heres the answer you should always give: I left to do x. And you fill in for x. Which brings me to what you should be really focusing on when you are unemployed: Learning and growing. Because this is what you are going to talk about in job interviews. Most people require about six months to get another job. This is a big chunk of time that you can piss away sending resumes to Monster and wondering why no one responds. But you cannot job hunt for eight hours a day. Really. Youll go nuts. (Wait. Heres a time-saving job hunt tip from my mom.) So spend the time creating projects for yourself and executing on them. This is good for you mentally â€" because you are doing something meaningful with your time and that will keep your spirits up. But this is also good for you in your job hunt. Because when you talk about why you left the last company, you spin it in a positive light by talking about how you are excited about doing what you are doing. Your interview should include you telling a good story about focused personal growth, and no one will get stuck on why you left your last job. Here are five ways to set that story up: 1. Create a job for yourself. These projects can be wide ranging, but they have to show that you are driven, ambitious and focused. During one stint of unemployment, I worked for free for my boyfriends company for a couple of hours a day. That way I didnt actually have a gap in my resume; a resume doesnt show part-time or full-time and it doesnt show pay or no pay. So volunteering at my boyfriends company for a couple of hours a day ended up looking like a full-time job on my resume. 2. Focus on ambition and execution and not so much on work per se. Another time I got laid off I spent my days learning to swing dance. I took one or two lessons a day and practiced at night, and after my six months of job hunting, I was good enough to teach dancing just off Broadway. I didnt put that on my resume, but when people asked me why I left my job, I told them about how I gave myself time to fulfill lofty goals as a swing dancer. 3. Start a blog about the industry you want to go into. Blogging is a great way to keep up in your industry, network without looking desperate, and leverage the fact that you have more time on your hands that people who have jobs. Everyone who is unemployed should be blogging as a way to get their next job. Put your ideas out into the world and connect with people that way. This is why you want to be hired, right? For your ideas. So show them. The reason that people who blog have great careers is that bloggers are always thinking about issues in their industry. Show that side of yourself to people. Blogging takes a lot of time, sure. Bu you have a lot of time. So use it. Heres my guide for how to start a blog. 4. Start a company. Do you have a company idea? Try it now. During unemployment. Theres nothing stopping you. You have time, and you can try ideas to see which one sticks. Also, whether or not your company does well, youll be able to talk about it in an interview as a huge learning moment that will deflect from any problems at your last job. The company that never got out of your parents basement can sit on your resume as professionally as a stint in the Fortune 500. Its all about how you write the bullet points: talk about accomplishments and learning. 5. Practice talking about yourself with everyone. High performers practice for interviews. So now you know what youre aiming for, but you need to talk about it with everyone â€" parties, at the gym, on the phone with friends. When they ask how youre doing, talk about what youre doing like you are in the job interview. And the good news is that the better you get at talking like that, the more you will actually believe your story, the story that being unemployed is lucky because you have learning opportunities. Whats important to remember here is that no one can tell you what experience you can gain and what you cant. You dont need a job in order to learn cool stuff and be on cool projects. You control what you do with your time and you can make it useful. Talk about that. There is no reason to talk about why the last job didnt work when you can talk about the great things that leaving opened up to you.

What Do You Need To Start A Business

What Do You Need To Start A Business If you want to be your own boss and start your own company, then you might be sketching out some different ideas that could be profitable and enjoyable for you. However, do you know what it takes to get a business off the ground? While things like ingenuity and a catchy slogan are worthy components, let’s take an overview of the items to start a business so that you can be up and running and on to the creative stuff in no time. Do Research What kind of industry are you getting into? Whatever it is, you should do as much research as you can beforehand so that you can plot your course much easier. Don’t assume that your company will succeed as most of them don’t. Instead, look at your competition and see what you will have to offer that they won’t.  Business intelligence software  is just one useful tool in determining the aforementioned steps in research and can ultimately help give you a leg up on the competition. Pick an Entity Type You can become a sole proprietorship, partnership, an LLC, or a corporation. Each one has its benefits and downsides, so choose wisely. It’s imperative that you know what kind of business entity you will be as it can help dictate the next steps you take. Filing for a Business If you want to get financing for your company, then you want to submit all of your paperwork so that you are registered and good to go before any money comes in. This will show potential investors (or banks) that you are serious about starting your company and that you can pull the trigger immediately. Another thing to consider is filing an EIN form. This is necessary if you plan on hiring employees, but you will probably want to wait until after you get your company going. Get Financing This may or may not be a necessary step, depending on the business you start. You can seek out bank loans, grants, or try to find investors to buy into your idea. Overall, be sure to have a comprehensive business plan so that they can see how you are going to succeed. In the end, what you need to start a business is a great idea, some perseverance, and a clear cut plan of attack. The more organized you are, the better your chances of success.

Is Copy Writing a Skill to Put on Your Resume?

Is Copy Writing a Skill to Put on Your Resume?Copy writing a skill to put on your resume? You bet it is. While this particular writing skill might not be on the 'must-haves' list, it can make an important first impression when employers visit your job application. In fact, if you are applying for a career in marketing, copy writing could make or break the chance of landing the job.First, the basics of copy writing will help you understand how employers look at resumes, in general. Like in any other application, resumes need to be to the point and precise. So keep it to the point. Your objective should be clearly stated, along with a short resume outline, allowing them to skim over your resume quickly.Second, a copy writing job application is an opportunity to stand out from the crowd. You are applying for a job that involves providing prospective employers with information, helping them make a decision about whether to give you an interview. You are putting yourself out there, your v ery own statement. It's a nice way to catch the attention of potential employers, especially those who spend their days in everyday jobs and just need a break from all the information overload.So, how do you stand out from the crowd when you are applying for a job as a copywriter? The best way to do this is to demonstrate your creativity. Show the potential employer that you are innovative, creative, and that you have a knack for writing. Think of creative ways to answer questions. You could be asked about data collection and presentation, the final product, or marketing.Copy writing skills can also help you explain the benefits of what you are offering to potential clients. So, focus on all the advantages and not just the potential advantages of a product or service. Explain how your product or service is better than another.Lastly, provide useful information in your copywriting job application. If you provide a little information, you are setting yourself up for failure. Showing y ou are enthusiastic about your ability to provide an effective product or service should be enough. However, it is still important to offer valuable information about yourself.Be sure to be honest and provide as much as you can to support your points, including dates of experience, job titles, degrees, certifications, and years of experience in the same field. This information is important because employers often require proof of your accomplishments. Showing you have relevant experience that you were able to highlight can show employers that you are truly interested in your new job.So, now you know that copy writing skills can be a valuable asset when you are applying for a job as a copywriter. In addition, this particular skill can put you ahead of the crowd. So, to sum up, know the basics of copy writing, provide valuable information, and show the potential employer that you are an individual who is passionate about your work.

How To Dream Up Your Dream Job

How To Dream Up Your Dream Job Even early to mid-career professionals often aren’t sure what they really want to do. Behavioral assessments, value exploration, and dreaming big can get the ball rolling. To really understand what is most important, career and executive coach Tad Mayer shared with me a simplified version of the process he uses to help his clients find focus. Tad shows how a twist on dreaming big can be helpful in developing a valuable list of professional options. First, figure out what’s important to you, then collaborate with others to brainstorm options. Dream Big! Ask yourself, “If I could do anything, without any limitations, what would I do?” If this question is difficult to answer, context can be helpful; try something like, “Pretend you have an ATM that just keeps spitting out cash,” or “You can do anything. Don’t know how to play baseball? Who cares â€" you’re can now be a starter for the Boston Red Sox!” Let’s say that Mayer’s client Marissa comes up with the following: Fixing all the problems with the T (subway system) in Boston. Being an astronaut on a mission to Mars. Unlike the assumed point of this exercise to find a path to one of the dreams the purpose is to figure out why you want to do those things. You may not be able to accomplish your dreams right now, but you can find something that gives you what you find important about your dreams. Ask Why? Why do you have those dreams? What needs, motivations, and aspirations would be met by them? What’s important about them to you? The drivers behind Marissa’s dreams: Solve complex logistical problems Make people’s daily lives better Promote reliability Leave things better than when she started Be a link between the builders and the end-users Experience adventure Do something few have done before Challenge herself intellectually Surround herself with brilliant people Be known as someone who makes a difference Represent something bigger than herself Prioritize Which drivers are most important to you? If this seems daunting, use a grouping method. Sort your list into three buckets: Must Have, Should Have, and Nice to Have. Most important to Marissa are to: Surround herself with brilliant people Solve complex logistical problems Be a link between the builders and the end-users Leave things better than when she started Be known as someone who makes a difference Collaborate Now take your list on the road! Meet with worldly, broad-thinkers in your network whom you can ask, “When you hear my list of what’s important in a job and career, what professional options come to mind?” Then ask, “Who else should meet with to explore this?” After four or five meetings, you should have a solid list of possible paths to prioritize and pair down. Time to stop thinking of possible options for Marissa; time to go discover ideas for you based on your needs, motivations, and aspirations! Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class now and get the most comprehensive job search system available!

Ageism and the Social Media Job Search - CareerEnlightenment.com

Ageism and the Social Media Job Search Joshua, Im 59 years old with a full-time job in Medical Ultrasound imaging. I have 32 years of experience in the field. With hospital downsizing and Medicare cutbacks, the higher-paid employees costing the most will be looked at.Your book, Job Searching With Social Media For Dummies, is very helpful and I want to follow your suggestions. My questions are should I state my true years of experience, or would that make recruiters shy away because of age? Would my LinkedIn profile translate to my present employer that I’m unhappy?Thank you for your time, Ultrasound BobDear Ultrasound Bob,Good for you for seeing the writing on the wall. Not everyone has the guts to acknowledge the fact that their job is not going to last forever. When I was at Cisco in 2008, living is Las Vegas, even though I knew my job would go away, I didn’t do anything about it. So first, I want to applaud you and give you the chance to celebrate your own courage.Many people I talk to have concerns about their ag e and years of experience, old and young. It used to be that having more years of experience was a great thing to have. These days, experience can often mean the first to go during layoffs. For recruiters, age can have many different sub-texts â€" though by law, there shouldn’t be.I think there is nothing wrong with downplaying those years of experience. They are simply not the asset they once were. In fact, you’ve beat the national average for the length of a career by 6.4 times! The average American stays with a career for about 5 years. In the course of your single career, most Americans would have had 6.4 different careers. Want to Read More Articles Like This One?Sign up here to receive weekly updates from Career Enlightenment, and never miss another powerful job searching tip! SUBSCRIBE! You have Successfully Subscribed!We hate spam too. Unsubscribe any time. Why not just say you have over 15 years of experience? On your résumé and LinkedIn work history, just go back 15 years. In your summary, there is no reason to specify the exact number of years of experience you have, and 15 years is long by today’s standards. But it’s not so long as to indicate that you would require a significantly higher salary than someone else. You do not have to put every single job you’ve ever had on your résumé.In your second question, you worry that by simply having a presence on LinkedIn, you might communicate that you are looking for work. Generally speaking, this isn’t how people see LinkedIn. Indeed, there are many users of LinkedIn who are very happy with their current jobs.However, this perception may be different at your current job. I would do a quick search to see if other people at your current employer have profiles. If they do, then it’s probably okay for you to have one too. If not, then maybe you should be careful.One piece of advice I will leave you with. If you do end up setting up a LinkedIn profile and begin to build a large network (w hich you should), be sure to re-set the privacy setting that broadcasts every single change you make to your profile. If an employer sees a sudden flurry of profile changes, this might lead them to conclude that you are looking for another job.