Top 5 - Desktop distractions

Top 5 - Desktop distractions by Michael Cheary Easily distracted? You’re not alone…In fact according to our latest research, the average UK worker dedicates 33 minutes to ‘me-time’ every single day. And yes, Snapchat does count as ‘me-time’.To help see if you’re bit of a secret slacker, here are the top five desktop distractions for workers across the UK:Replying to messagesOne in four of us admit that replying to text and WhatsApp messages takes up the majority of our ‘me time’.If you comfortably fit within the bracket of ‘overly attached to your smartphone’, this number probably isn’t all that surprising. Especially if your company doesn’t have any formal rules around usage.Just make sure your messages are as short and infrequent as possible. Firing off a few replies throughout the day is fine. Adding half the office to your groupchat is not.Checking social mediaRight up there alongside texting, a quarter of us confessed that we couldn’t get through the day without using soc ial media.But there does seem to be a slight difference in behaviour when it comes to gender. Almost two thirds of men said that Snapchat was their biggest distraction, but only 37% of women seemed to share their penchant for posting selfies and status updates in the office.Unfortunately, we don’t have any data for Tinder…Reading out-of-work materialWith most of us constantly connected to a number of news and entertainment sources, it stands to reason that a lot of our time might be spent reading things which could be comfortably considered ‘not suitable for work’.And it isn’t just on our phones. Whether it’s an article you’ve seen that just couldn’t wait until after work, or a rogue magazine which somehow found its way to your desk, there’s certainly no shortage of material for us to digest.Our advice? Download an app which allows you to add to your reading list throughout the day, which you can revisit at a later hour. If all else fails, buy a bookmark and hope f or the best.Checking phoneReplying to messages and using social media isn’t the only way we’re wasting time on our smartphones.The second biggest distraction highlighted by those surveyed was simply checking the phone to see if there were any updates. Something which, it seems, takes up a surprising amount of time when it comes to our daily schedules.Personally, we blame push notifications.Browsing the internetLet’s face it, the internet is a pretty distracting place.Which might be why the majority of those we surveyed named browsing it as their number one desktop distraction. And whether it’s checking our emails, getting sucked in by misleading headlines or perusing popular sidebars chocked full of the latest celebrity gossip, it seems like most of us can’t quite keep this temptation at bay.And the worst offenders of this digital distraction? Accountants.Something to think about next time you don’t submit your tax return on time…*Survey of 2,592 jobseekers from reed.c o.uk databaseGetting bored of your day job? Find your perfect position now.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Life At Work Work-life balance Workplace culture

How Does Hiring and Footwear Selection Compare

How Does Hiring and Footwear Selection Compare When purchasing footwear most people would go to a different shop to buy running trainers than they would for ‘fashionable’ shoes and you would hopefully select each of these purchases using very different criteria. For running trainers comfort will have a much greater importance over aesthetics in the selection process, and for fashion shoes the opposite would be true. Sling backs are a prime example, not that I’ve experienced how uncomfortable they are! But it is probably fair to say that a lot of SMEs would not alter their selection process whether they are looking a Marketing Assistant or a CFO.  The advert copy may differ, but a responsive recruitment strategy will be selected, the same advertising channels chosen and the interview process is likely to be the same, all be it with a few tweaked questions so that they are specific to the role.  But as with our footwear it would be much more beneficial to think about the requirements, where the appropriate solution will be found and the criteria for selection before the recruitment process begins. What am I looking for? When choosing running trainers for 10Ks and half marathons I will pay good money for a pair that is comfortable and will prevent me from injury. But for Tough Mudder, I’ll buy some cheap, bizarre coloured, trail shoes, as I know they will be no good for anything else after the 12 mile assault course. All trainers are not alike and what they are required for will determine how much I am willing to pay and where I am likely to purchase them from. Trainers for regular, long distance runs will come from a specialist shop such as ‘Up and Running’ where as the ‘throw away’ trainers are more likely to come from a large sports retailer like ‘Sports Direct’. This is exactly the case with the recruitment process. Depending on sector, industry, location and salary of the role the channels you choose to best engage with your target market will differ. For instance, you are much more likely to find a content marketer through social media channels, whereas it is probably better to use more traditional channels for a Finance Director, such as specialist finance jobs boards.   A considered approach The selection process should also be a lot more considered for both trainers and employees for a more expensive or niche purchases. For running shoes, and for sling backs, to some extent you will want to test them before you make a purchase. A session on the treadmill will allow you to see if a particular brand of trainer is compatible to your running style or you may want to test a high heel by parading up and down a boutique like a catwalk by Quasimodo. When recruiting, for a lower level position or a role where a broader skills set is required, a sole interview may be more than adequate to select the most appropriate candidate, but for a senior or niche position it isn’t enough to chat to them for an hour and say ‘they’ll do’ like you would a cheap pair of trainers. It is better to assess their knowledge and abilities through varied tests, as the wrong decision can be extremely costly to a business. Some examples of tests that will put applicants through their paces include psychometric assessments (personality profiling, aptitude and ability testing etc…), presentations and assessment days. Who can find them? Of course, there are department stores out there which will cater for your footwear needs for both a half marathon and for a night on the town. Both pairs will be perfectly adequate, but when it comes to specialist purchases, a department store is unlikely to have a wide enough range for your specific needs and the staff are unlikely to have the technical knowledge or equipment to find the perfect pair for your requirements e.g. trainers for you to enhance your performance and prevent you from injury. When you are recruiting staff advertising isn’t always enough, especially for senior or niche positions or in sectors where there is a particular skills shortage such as accountancy or engineering. If you going to invest in a more proactive recruitment campaign you could use a general recruiter, but it is much better to use a specialist search firm. They will be more knowledgeable when it comes to your industry or sector, they will take the time to fully understand your requirement and they will have the experience and resources to devise a comprehensive recruitment plan (both reactive and proactive) to meet your requirement. Conclusion So there you have it, if all businesses were to pay as much care and attention to the recruitment process as we do to the selection of our footwear they would have a much great chance of finding candidates that fit their companies like a glove in terms of skills set and company culture….or perhaps a shoe would be more appropriate. Author: Gary Skipper is the Marketing Manager for Newman Stewart. Newman Stewart is an Executive Search and Management Selection company headquartered in Wetherby with additional office in Leeds and London. Image: Pablo

Do you think youre a strategist Youre probably wrong.

Do you think youre a strategist Youre probably wrong. It is a cliche that everyone thinks theyre a strategist. The reason everyone thinks theyre a strategist is because they dont know what a strategist does. Get a reality check. Odds are you are not a strategist. Strategy requires thinking conceptually and creating something from nothing. So, for the most part, if you need to see something in order to do strategy then you are not doing strategy, youre doing editing.   Strategists usually  favor thinking about the future instead of the present; strategists I admire are bored by what is and focus on what could be. Also, strategy means constantly making decisions based on incomplete information. It means taking intellectual leaps of faith that could derail many departments in an organization, and doing that with confidence. The best thing you can do for your career is take a personality test to understand your strengths. If you  are  an INTJ you really are a strategist. If you are not an INTJ, the fewer letters you have that match that, the further away from strategist you are. So get some self-knowledge before you declare yourself a strategist. If youre not a strategist, find work that plays to your strengths. So look, most of you arent strategists. But so what? It doesnt mean youre not brilliant. There are many ways to be brilliant. It is a misconception that the strategists do all the important work and everyone else does grunt work. Theres plenty of important, interesting work that is detail-oriented and highly creative, such as building a space ship or doing cinematography. A lot of people think that if they are not creative or technical then they are strategists. This is not always true. A strategist thinks very big picture and also thinks ahead in time. People who are not artists or programmers and think in terms of the here and now are managers. If you do that with charisma, youre a leader. If you are a strategist, then quit talking about it and do it. Most people I have managed have told me, at one point or another, that their strength is strategy.  For the most part, I hear this as I dont know how to execute what youre asking me to execute. This is why the best way to understand how to do strategy is to execute on other peoples strategies. You  see first-hand what the common pitfalls of strategy are. Stop complaining that you are a frustrated strategist because today people at all levels in the organization are getting more opportunity to show their talent as strategists. This trend is partly a result of management theorists focusing on improving work for the lower ranksnot because improving entry-level work is ethical, but because the topic of how to be a better leader is exhausted, and academics need something fresh to write about, according to the Wall Street Journal.   An example of this trend toward glorifying the low-ranking employee is the book Followership: How Followers are Creating Change and Changing Leaders, by Barbara Kellerman, professor at Harvards Kennedy School of Government. Research like Kellermans should drive home to you that if youre a strategist, you can do it from anywhere in the org chart. So think of a great strategy in your entry-level job and then develop a strategy to convince people in the company to listen to you. Thats a test of your strategic strength right there. And if youre not doing strategy in your current job, you might consider that you are like the guy who thinks he is a novelist but is not writing a novel: People do what their strengths are regardless of what their job description is. Real leaders will lead in any situation they find themselves. Real writers will always write, no matter what their day job is. And real strategists will always think in terms of the conceptual future, from any job they have.

Six Standout Traits of Courageous Women

Six Standout Traits of Courageous Women A new study by IBM, “Women, Leadership, and the Priority Paradox,” reveals a harsh truth: advancing women in the workplace still, in 2019, just isn’t a priority. IBM polled 2,300 executives and professionals  from around the globe, and  within those organizations, women hold only 18 percent of senior leadership roles. But it’s the “why” that’s the kicker: 79 percent of respondents didn’t see the value of fostering gender equality. 65 percent of surveyed male executives underestimate the magnitude of workplace gender bias. And few organizations feel any sense of urgency to do anything about it. For women, this study reveals a tiring, ongoing battle in the workplace. It’s a battle that requires courage. Courage, fortunately, is a teachable and learnable skill. Specifically, there are four distinct types of courage women can bring to their workplaces every day: Try Courage Women who make waves in business take chances when opportunity knocks, even if success isn’t guaranteedâ€"and even when they’re afraid. It’s what I refer to as “Try” courage. A good example comes from Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx. Blakely graced the cover of  Forbes  as the youngest self-made female billionaire. Much of her success can be traced back to her willingness to move forward despite being afraid. As she explains, “In every situation where I was ever courageous, you could substitute the word afraid for courageous. I was afraid when I started Spanx with $5,000 in savings. knocked on the doors of textile mills begging them to manufacture my new footless pantyhose. traveled to Dallas to meet the buyer at Neiman Marcus to interest her in selling Spanx products. was a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Courage means to act in spite of your fears.  Trust Courage Trust takes courage, especially if you’ve been betrayed in the past. And who hasn’t? But trust is essential for forming the bonds and pivotal relationships that make or break careers. Without trust, relationships can’t progress. Trusting others is particularly challenging for women who fall prey to the “superwoman” myth, believing they have to “do it all” to be successful. In workshops, I ask people to raise their hands if they’ve ever been described as controlling. Many hands go up. Then I ask, “Raise your hands again if you absolutely love to be controlled by other people.” Guess what? No hands go up. People like to be in control, but they don’t like to be controlled. Having trust courage requires letting go. It means being vulnerable and open despite knowing that you could be betrayed and hurt.  Tell Courage If you identify policies or workplace practices that exclude women or cause them to be overlooked, it’s time to speak up. Inflexible work scheduling practices, for example, often make it difficult for working mothers to succeed and advance. Applying tell courage can help instigate positive change. Speaking up, sharing your ideas, asking questions, and delivering constructive feedback all require courage. Tell courage requires being a truth-teller. Take-In Courage Too many people react defensively to constructive feedback, as if their identity is under assault. Take-in courage involves being able to listen to feedback without feeling threatened or punished. For example, some women dismiss positive feedback by saying things like “It really wasn’t a big deal” or “Anyone could have done it.” Accepting feedback from others may be uncomfortable, but it’s essential to growth and development. Olympic athletes, such as Gabby Douglas or Hope Solo, may not have always been happy with the feedback they received from coaches and trainers, but without it, they wouldn’t be gold medal winners. So how can you dial up these four types of courage? By looking to the traits of women who are already blazing the trail: They listen to their dreams, not their fears.   Everyone experiences fear. It’s what you do with that fear that separates you from the pack. You don’t have to magically flip a switch in order to feel brave. You simply need to prioritize your dreams over your fears. By keeping your dream or big goal in focus and pushing down fear, bravery will naturally rise up and help you take the next step.   They don’t mind standing out. Courageous women aren’t afraid to be labeled as the “black sheep.” They don’t think twice about choosing the road less traveled. Doors open when you close others. That means you’ll need to say “no” to opportunities that don’t feel 100 percent aligned with your goals. The more you draw boundaries while pursuing the path that’s right for you, the braver you’ll feel with each passing day. They take time to reflect. In order to take the right risk, courageous women take time to be still. Whether through meditation, walking, or sitting in a closet like Oprah Winfrey, use this time to center your mind. They love a reality check. Courageous women ask themselves, “What’s the worst that could happen?” They take the time to write down these worst-case scenarios. When you get these thoughts out of your head and onto paper, a potential choice and its outcomes can turn out to be, well, not as scary as you thought.   They pave the way for others. Courageous women don’t just accept the red carpet or cleared path; they roll it out or bushwhack it for the next group of women. By taking what you’ve learned and sharing itâ€"by teaching, mentoring, or simply opening the doorâ€"you help strengthen your core purpose as you see your journey reflected in others. They don’t let fear drive the car.   Courageous leaders know how to move forward with their fear, rather than allowing their fear to become a dead-end roadblock on their journey. Courage won’t eliminate fear or risk, but it can help women (and men) counter fear and assess risk. Elizabeth Gilbert says it best: “Fear should always have an opinion, a say, in what’s happening. But its proper place is in the backseat, buckled up tight and along for the ride. It doesn’t get to navigate (your life) and it sure as hell doesn’t get to drive.” This guest post was authored by Bill Treasurer Bill Treasurer  is a workplace expert, courage pioneer, and author of  Courage Goes to Work: How to Build Backbones, Boost Performance, and Get Results.  Founder of Giant Leap Consulting, a consulting and training company specializing in courage-building, he advises organizationsâ€"including NASA, eBay, Lenovo, Saks Fifth Avenue, Spanx, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Pittsburgh Piratesâ€"on teaching workers the kind of courage that strengthens businesses and careers. Learn more at GiantLeapConsulting.com.

12 Habits of Highly Effective Jobseekers

12 Habits of Highly Effective Jobseekers Usually, beginners get a job with fair ease. Employers know the jobseeker is fresh out of school or college and attempting to get the first job. Hence, they are lenient and do not ask a flurry of questions. Interview questions are rather basic and aimed at determining the applicant’s interest and knowledge in any particular field.However, things get tougher when you apply for the second or consequent jobs. Knowing that you are better equipped to answer questions- which need not necessarily be true- employers tend to probe the jobseeker.evalThey observe everything, from the manner in which the job application is written to sense of dressing and etiquette.What happens?You may have observed, some people are skilled at getting new jobs regardless of their educational qualifications or work experience. Sadly, several others lag far behind. They are unable to land a proper job despite possessing great academic record and ample experience.Exactly, why does this occur? Surely, it is not al ways Lady Luck ruling in their favor. Nor is it some quirk of fate that others are not as fortunate. Instead, it is just some common things that ordinary people do when they apply for jobs and while appearing for interviews.Let us, therefore, take a look at 12 habits of highly effective job seekers.Habit-1: Proper documentationThis is a very important habit of every successful jobseeker. They ensure they have every certificate and testimonial, experience letters and accolade ready at all times.They also maintain high-quality photocopies of these documents. Additionally, they ensure that every government issued ID card is in their possession.Remember, employers always prefer candidates who are able to present impeccable documentation. Some of them seek employee background checks before employment.evalThus, maintaining proper documents, ID proofs and other paperwork will score you brownie points during an interview and secure the job.Habit-2: Importance of a clear job objectiveUsually , the first thing employers read in an application is the job objective. Indeed, this can be called the most important part of your CV, Resume or Bio-Data. The job objective is written just below your name and is the first feature of a good job application.Several excellent tips on how to write a clear job objective is available on the Internet. Alternatively, you can seek assistance of a professional CV writer or a relative/ friend.Usually, a great job objective should state your academic qualifications and a brief of your work experience. The other lines should clearly mention what you can deliver to a prospective employer and your achievements.Habit-3: What to send: CV, Bio-Data or ResumeevalThis depends upon what an advertisement issued by the employer states. Very often, jobseekers miss this point completely and end up sending the wrong document. Therefore, it is best to acquaint yourself with the differences between a Curriculum Vitae, Bio-Data and Resume.Loads of resources fo r explaining differences between a CV, Bio-Data and Resume are available online. Study these closely. Prepare a copy of each of these documents and keep ready for sending to the employer, when they advertise a vacancy or while applying. Habit-4: Never fudge your personal/ professional detailsNowadays, most companies resort to Employee Background Screening Of course, nobody turns up shoddily dressed for an interview. However, some do’s and don’ts will help you dressed for success. Never overdress for an interview. Meaning, do not wear suits or jackets, ties if the weather does not merit such clothes.Secondly, wearing a tie can prove to be tricky: Most people do not know how to knot a tie.Ensure that you wear simple, light and comfortable clothes for your interview. This will prevent any unnecessary discomfort while speaking with the interviewers.Further, you also need to ensure your clothes are not stained by sweat during travel. Remember, sweaty clothes can stink and dim your jo b prospects.Habit-7: Manage your body languageMany ill informed people will tell you to smile at interviewers or behave in a particular manner. This is nothing but pure crap. There are no rules about how much to smile or how to answer the interviewers. Just remember to stay calm and behave naturally.evalRemember, trying to fake a posture makes you look awkward. Smiling always or answering with a smile is considered sheepish and mechanical. The question asked can be serious and of grave nature.Smiling to that is considered outright stupid. Managing body language is one of the habits of successful jobseekers.Habit-8: Selection of wordsAnother habit of highly effective jobseekers is, they select their words carefully. Rather, they pick their words. This is not a habit you can acquire overnight since it comes with practice and experience. However, it is neither difficult to imbibe.Picking or choosing words means responding with fewer yet impact filled words. This involves responding to a question rather than reacting. Thinking about what to say and mulling over it for a few seconds before speaking up.Habit-9: What not to carryWhat you carry into the interview chamber speaks a lot about you. Women can carry a neat handbag. However, ensure that your handbag or purse is not stuffed and cluttered. This speaks of an untidy person and interviewers will mark this as your trait.Usually, men carry backpacks. This is sheer sacrilege while appearing for an interview. Firstly, backpacks tend to crumple you clothes. They impart a hunched appearance to your physique.Backpacks are usually more worn out than apparent to the owner. And when opened for any reason, they emit an odor. Instead, carry a neat folder with all your documents stacked neatly. Carry a pen in this folder.Habit-10: Never speak against your current/ past employerRemember, foul-mouthing a current or past employer for any reason whatsoever can disqualify you immediately for a job. One of the habits of highly effe ctive jobseekers is, they only speak about their role and job when speaking about a current or previous employer.Tainting the reputation of your current or previous employer is harmful because your prospective company will fear you would do the same with them. They view it as a blame-game in which you indulge to conceal your own deficiencies.Habit-11: Arrive fresh for the interviewTaking a good, long shower or bath before departing for your interview is a great idea. Your skin looks rejuvenated and gives you a fresh appearance. This indicates you are careful about your personal grooming and give meticulous attention to detail.Highly effective job seekers make it a habit to shower or bath before leaving for the interview. They know the importance of appearing fresh. A good splash had before an interview also helps freshen-up your mind and keeps you alert.Habit-12: Watch your mouthYou actually need to watch your mouth in two ways. Firstly, ensure that you do not have mouth odor for an y reason. This holds true for smokers as well. Should you be an unfortunate victim of bad breath, chew on a strong mint before entering the interview chamber.The other important thing is to watch your mouth for what you say. Letting off a cuss word inadvertently means your job prospects at best, are doomed. At worst, you can be asked to leave the interview due to the use of such words.A few more tipsYou can also follow these tips to become a highly successful jobseeker.Never discuss money matters at an interview unless the interviewer initiates.Keep away from getting into discussions over sensitive issues including politics and religion during interviews.Always try and speak in the language of the interviewer. If you are asked a question in English, you are obliged to respond in the same language. However, some interviewers ask questions in a common, regional language. You can respond in the same tongue, provided you speak it.

What are you selling

What are you selling Because we a creatures of emotion more than creatures of thought, the tasks you are being asked to do during job search are so difficult. Job search is SALES.   A dirty slimy word to many. The reality is, you are selling yourself, each and every day- whether in job search or on the job.   On the job, you have to prove you are adding to the bottom line (somehow making the company you work for more profitable). In search, you have to sell people on your potential value. The skills desired of successful sales professionals include: Speaking â€" Talking to others to convey information effectively. Persuasion â€" Persuading others to change their minds or behavior. Active Listening â€" Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Social Perceptiveness â€" Being aware of others reactions and understanding why they react as they do. Negotiation â€" Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences. Reading Comprehension â€" Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Service Orientation â€" Actively looking for ways to help people. Active Learning â€" Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. Complex Problem Solving â€" Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. Coordination â€" Adjusting actions in relation to others actions. (Where does this come from? Onet Online) How well equipped are you to perform these?   Perhaps not as far off as you think, right? If you remove your personal connection to what is being sold (almost impossible, I know!), then what you are doing isnt that unfamiliar. Are you interested in learning more about how to increase your sales skills? Check out Jeffrey Gitomer.   Heres a link to his weekly posts.     And while you are there, check out some of his recommended reading. I dont want you to be a pushy used car salesperson.   I do hope that you learn the fundamentals of selling!

Resume Writing Services: How to Find a Good Service For Your Resume

Resume Writing Services: How to Find a Good Service For Your ResumeResume writing services can be a great way to bring your career to a new level. New job titles and positions are always being created, so you have to keep abreast of the current market and use the information you learn to your advantage. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when looking for a good service to help you write your resume.It doesn't matter what kind of position you're trying to fill, a good service will understand your specific needs and make sure you get the type of job you're looking for. Keep in mind that different companies specialize in different kinds of positions. Some specialize in sales, while others handle marketing and management. When it comes to your resume, you want a company that specializes in one of these areas.Companies that specialize in the area you're looking for will usually offer training for your resume writing needs. They'll help you create a professional looking resume that shows your work experience. You'll be able to see how much time and effort went into completing the project. The last thing you want is to put a lot of effort into your resume only to find out that the company doesn't offer much in the way of training and support.You also want to check out a few different types of writing services to find the one that best suits your needs. The types of resumes they have available will vary. Some services specialize in one category of resume while others offer all kinds of options. This helps you keep things straight and make the most informed decision when it comes to your resume.Some services have multiple programs that are designed to take on the most difficult resumes. If you have a difficult situation and can't figure out how to write your own, you can get help with your process. Allowing you to finish a highly detailed resume in as little as a week.Most writing services offer free resume examples and the ability to view samples. This will give you a better idea of what to expect from the end product. If you need to see sample material for your own resume, make sure you can view the material in the first place.Customer testimonials are an excellent way to check out a company. You should be able to ask any questions you may have, whether it's about a particular service or about their overall performance. If a service has positive feedback from their clients, you can trust them to help you with your career needs.Resume writing services can be a great asset to a career seeker. You don't have to spend days trying to research a position. You can easily produce a quality resume within the time limit your employer will allow you.