Use a layoff to power up
There’s a silver lining among all the dark clouds of this recession, says John Challenger, chief executive of the employment-consulting firm Challenger and Gray, and it’s this: Layoffs can be good news, in a strange way.
Category: Career
Now’s the time to be bold
Recently, workplace expert Tory Johnson was interviewed about how women can succeed in a challenging job market. She talked about what she believes is the biggest challenge for female managers, but the advice could easily apply to anyone. Here’s what she said:
The OREO approach
What does an Oreo cookie cream filling have in common with administrative professionals? Everything! Without that cream, there’s no magic center that holds it together. You’re left with two chocolate disks sitting there waiting for something special to happen. The special ingredient: you.
Intimidated? Fight the feeling
Sara feels like retreating into her shell whenever a certain VP, with his bellowing baritone of a voice, talks to her. Sam shuts down in meetings when an opinionated co-worker dominates the conversation. Feeling intimidated is like having a heavy chain around your ankle. Here are some tips for combating the feeling.
1-Minute Strategies: April ’09
Cut back on workday spending … Keep your mind primed for work by clearing away the cobwebs … Know the right way to vent to relieve stress … Think “ABB” or “always be briefing” … Uncover wasteful spending with creative thinking.
Don’t quit: Fix it
That’s the advice Marilyn Carlson Nelson received from her dad when she was 13 years old. Today Nelson, owner of the $40 billion Carlson Cos., is one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and philanthropists.
Seeing signs of trouble? What to do
A common story in the current economic environment is this: One day, you notice signs that your company might be in trouble. Soon after, the company begins layoffs. Rather than wait for the ax to fall, prepare yourself at the first signs of trouble.
Quick tip: Find a mentor
Does your company have a mentoring program? About 70% of Fortune 500 companies do. Even if you don’t have a formal way to seek out a mentor, consider doing the legwork to find one on your own.
S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g the training budget
It won’t surprise you that most companies plan to spend less on training this year. Rather than lament the fact that there’s less money in the budget for traditional training, consider this: Less-formal training might be more effective than formal training, and it still allows you to develop your career.
Career advice: Know yourself!
“My boss is driving me crazy. What can I do about it?” … “My co-worker got a promotion, even though I do a better job.” The starting point for almost any question about your career, says career columnist Penelope Trunk, is: Know yourself better.