How To Relax on Your Day Off

By Canadajobs.com Staff

job, jobs, career

Whether your work is stressful or not, it's important to make time for yourself. Often, we get caught up in our work duties and don't give ourselves time off from work.

In order to make sure we don't burnout or become too absorbed with our job, it's important to appreciate those times away from work. If you find yourself constantly thinking about your job, even on your time off, here are some suggestions on enjoying your time away from your office.

Do Something You Enjoy:

When was the last time you really did something you like? Do you enjoy certain hobbies or sports? What aren't you doing them? Nurturing yourself is the best way to make sure you have a balanced work and home life. Find something you like doing and take it up. Participating in a sport of hobby with other people gives you a fresh perspective, a new group of friends, and a diversion away from your regular routine.

Prioritize:

Does every one of your chores really have to be done this weekend? Make a list of the most important things you want done on your time off and prioritize. Do those really important things you feel have to get done, but let the others slide if you can. If you need to, fit some of those things into your work week, so that when the weekend rolls around, you are free from obligations.

Leave Room For Fun:

We get caught up in our life and we often forget to have fun. Have a pillow-fight with your kids, go fly a kite at the park, or take out the finger-paints and make pictures with your kids. Adding laughter and humour to your life is the perfect way to bring back the fun. Just go at it and don't worry about making a mess.

Don't Take On Too Many Commitments:

What's the point in having time off if you can't enjoy it? Filling your downtime with other "projects" or things that have to be done puts a stress on you that you shouldn't have. Pare down your obligations and committments by participating in activities that are truly for you and not for everyone else around you. Taking time for yourself should be about doing what you enjoy, not about taking on more deadlines or obligations.

By applying the simple steps above, you can help regain a sense of balance in your life. If you are one of those people who thinks a lot about work even when you aren't at work, try to do something you enjoy on your time off. Putting the fun back in your life will do you a world of good.

Overworked and Overwhelmed?

By Canadajobs.com Staff

job, jobs, career

Are you constantly stressed at work? Feeling overburdened by your job or your responsibilities can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and powerlessness. Here are some tips and suggestions if you are feeling the strain of overwork.

Acknowledge It:

It's not easy to admit we can't do everything. We'd like to be able to keep on top of our work, but sometimes, it just isn't possible. If you can admit that you need help, it will go a long way to relieving the stress you are feeling. Make a list of all your responsibilities and fingure out which ones are causing you to be overworked.

Talk About It:

If you can, talk to you supervisor and let them know how you are feeling. Go about it in a professional manner. Explain that you are feeling overworked and you'd like to work with them at finding a solution. If they are unaware, explain the responsibilities you have. By being proactive and letting them know, you are giving them the opportunity to help you. Keep notes on when you talk to them and what was discussed, especially if they relieve you of some responsibilities.

Look For Solutions:

Work with your supervisor at finding solutions to your feelings of being overworked. Keep in mind that they might not be able to reduce all your issues. Maybe they were unaware of the burdens that were placed on you. By telling them and working with them at finding a solution, it can help you feel less anxious about your level of responsibility.

Solutions might involve work-sharing, delegating some of your extra activities to others, or hiring extra staff at certain times of the year.

Stay Positive:

When we feel overworked, it's easy to complain, especially if we're tired and anxious. Resist the temptation to whine with your colleagues or to blame management for your situation. By staying positive, you show your employers that this really is a problem for you but you are willing to work with them at finding a solution. Complaining can detract from your cause because no one sees the issue, they just hear the complaints.

By acknowledging your overwork and finding solutions to it, you can lessen some of the burdens you feel. By telling someone that can help and working with them, you can go a long way towards feeling supported at work.

How to Ask for a Raise

By Canadajobs.com Staff

job, jobs, career

Asking for a raise can be stressful. Being prepared will help you to focus on what you want. Here are some tips and suggestions on how to ask your employer for a raise.

Be Realistic:

What are people doing your job getting paid? If you have a good idea of what those in your industry are being paid, you can make a fair assessment of what your salary should be. Keep in mind that a $60,000 salary being paid to someone in Toronto is very different from a $60,000 salary being paid to someone in Nova Scotia. Salary scales and rates vary from area to area and you might not make as much if you live in a smaller area. Adjust your expectations accordingly.

Do You Deserve a Raise?

Of course, we all feel like we're worth a lot, but simply working at the same rate of pay for a certain amount of time doesn't necessarily mean you deserve a raise. Just showing up for work and doing what's required of you doesn't necessarily entitle you to ask for a raise. Make a list of your accomplishments and why you deserve a raise. It will go a long way to justifying your request if you can concretely show your boss why you are valuable to the company.

Decide What You Want:

Are you looking for a certain percent wage increase? Decide what rate you'd like, and be prepared to negotiate. Conventional negotiations usually suggest that you start with a little more than you want, then be prepared to accept a little less. Though it's tempting to ask for a lot inititally, be careful because you risk being turned down altogether.

If your company isn't prepared to pay you what you want, have a back-up plan that includes either no wage increase or a smaller wage increase, plus more vacation time, paid days off, or other perks. This is a good plan that might get you a little bit of what you want, especially if you know your boss is going to say he cannot afford to pay you any more money.

Pick The Right Time:

Scheduling a meeting with your boss right after a budget restraint seminar is probably not the best time. Pick a time when you know your boss will be relaxed and in a good mood. Make sure there aren't any stressful situations occuring at the office at the time you want to ask for a raise. Pick a time that's opportune for you too, such as after you've just successfully completed a big project, or during a favourable employee review.

Make Your Case:

Present your case professionally and with confidence. Don't let it get personal by telling your boss what you need the money for. It's not your boss's problem that you need more money. Never get angry or present ultimatums to your boss. Instead, prepare your case. Have all the documentation you need to back-up your request. Focus on your own achievements. Don't worry about what others in your office are getting paid. Be clear about what you want and be prepared to substantiate your claims of being a valuable employee with hard facts. If you're in sales, show your employer that you've met or exceeded your quotas. If you're in the service industry, present your boss with favourable customer reviews or examples of how you went beyond your job description to help a client.

Follow-Up:

If you don't get what you want initially, ask for suggestions from your employer as to what they could provide you with instead.

If your boss decides to review your case and delays a decision, suggest a time frame for meeting again. This will help keep your request in the forefront of your boss's mind, and your boss will know that eventually, your request will have to be addressed and resolved.

How To Get A Job Promotion

By Canadajobs.com Staff

job, jobs, career

You love your job but you want more. Deciding where to start can be a challenge. Here are some tips and suggestions on what it takes to get a promotion.

Decide What Your Career Goals Are:

It's easy to get side tracked if you don't have clear goals. Planning where you'd like to be in your career allows you to think ahead and see what path you'll need to take to accomplish your goals. Giving yourself a time frame to accomplish certain goals is a great motivator. By having realistic goals, you also make sure you don't put too much pressure on yourself. Decide where you'd like to be in the next six months, one year, etc. and figure out what it will take for you to get there.

Network:

Seek out opportunities to make a good impression on your superiors. By staying in touch with those in your work environment, you'll also gain valuable access to information about upcoming promotions, trends in your industry, and growth within the company. By networking, you'll also find out who has the power to make promotion decisions.

Work Hard:

It's no secret that working hard is definitely one of the ways to get a promotion. Consider taking on extra projects that no one wants. Take an active leadership role that lets you shine and shows your superiors that you can deal with extra responsibility. Learn about the company you work at and the industry you are involved in so that you can contribute more to your work environment. You'll not only gain valuable experience by learning new things, but you'll have the opportunity to get your hard work noticed.

Communicate:

Let your superiors know of your career goals. Often, they are aware of opportunities before anyone else. By gaining their support in your career goals, they can help you achieve them. Encourage them to give you extra projects or tasks that will help you work towards your goal. Ask them what it takes to achieve the promotion you are looking for and work at acquiring those skills.

Communication isn't only verbal. Show you can do the job you want by dressing and acting the part. Having the right attitude will also get you a long way towards your goals.

Ask For The Promotion:

If you never ask, you'll never know. Depending on your company's policies, promotions may come as a result of internal reviews. When your review comes, make sure you are prepared and have documented all the achievements, improvements, and extra work you've done. You'll be in a better position to ask and receive the promotion you are looking for.

Getting a promotion is about working hard and making sure the right people notice. By planning, networking, communicating, and working hard, you can achieve your career goals.

Retracting a Resignation

By Canadajobs.com Staff

job, jobs, career

You've handed in your letter of resignation to your employer but for whatever reason, you find yourself needing to retract your resignation. Here are a few things you should keep in mind.

Are You Certain?

There are some good reasons to remain in your current job and there are some that could have a negative impact on your career. By all means, if you change your mind about leaving your job and you really want to stay, that's up to you. Keep in mind that your loyalty to your present employer has been questioned and that your work environment has been altered by you submitting a letter of resignation. It might take some time to regain the trust of those around you, including your employer.

If you feel that your employer has pressured you into retracting your letter of resignation, trying to buy time until they can hire someone else, consider the impact that can have on your career. It puts your own job search on hold. Ensure you make the decision for yourself in a way that benefits you.

If your employer has promised you increased pay, benefits, or other goodies to convince you to retract your letter of resignation, make sure these are in writing and concrete. Hold your employer to his or her promises.

Going Ahead:

If you do decide to retract your resignation, make sure you do it in writing. Just as your letter of resignation was important, so is the letter letting your employer know you wish to retract it. Make sure it is professional, to the point, and accurate. Let your employer know that you wish to retract your letter of resignation and why. Reasons can include such things as you've simply changed your mind, you've discussed it with your employer and you've agreed on increased responsibility, promotion, increase in pay, etc.

Remember to keep your letter professional and free of negativity. Along with your resignation letter, this will likely remain in your employment file.

The first paragraph of your retraction of resignation letter should state clearly that you are rescinding or retracting your resignation letter that you submitted.

The second paragraph should deal with why you are retracting your resignation. If you are staying because of improvements to your work environment such as pay increase, make sure you state the terms you and your employer have agreed upon.

End your letter by letting your employer know that you appreciate the opportunity XYZ Company has given you and that you wish to continue to contribute to the company's success in the future, or some variation of this. Ending positively is a good way to stress your desire to stay with the company.

Remember though, that depending on legal circumstances and company policy, your employer may not need to accept your retraction of resignation and you may be forced to live with your original decision to leave your job.

Want to Become a Manager?

By Canadajobs.com Staff

job, jobs, career

You've got big plans for your career. You'd like to become the manager of your department and someday make it to the top of your organization.

But where do you start? Management skills can be acquired and honed on a daily basis. Here are some skills you should focus on to make your move up successful.

Know Your Job Well and Do The Best Job Possible:

It makes sense that if you are professional at what you're doing, you'll be an inspiration and a model for your fellow workers. By doing a good job, you'll get you're boss's attention and that's the first step. Try to learn everything about your job that you can. Ask for help from those who are in a position to teach you.

Ability to Work Under Pressure:

A lot of management stress comes from short deadlines, lack of resources, and demands from superiors. If you can work on your ability to triumph under pressure, you'll give the impression that you're solid, dependable, and confident; exactly what those in the position to promote you want to see.

Listening Skills:

Managing people and projects successfully means having the ability to listen while making critical decisions. Since you're often getting information from above and below, you have to be able to decide what information will help you and which won't, and you can't do that without listening. You also have to earn loyalty and trust from your staff and that comes, in part, from your ability to listen to them.

Ability to Take Responsibility:

Becoming a good manager means being able to take responsibility for your choices and actions. It also means being responsible for the actions of your staff. If you manage a department, you are in charge of its success or failure, and you must be willing and ready to accept that responsibility. Accepting responsibility makes you do a better job and in the eyes of your superiors, makes you a good management choice - but only if you learn from your mistakes.

Ability to Motivate:

Being a manager means being a leader. Taking the initiative, encouraging and supporting those who work around you, and producing good results are a surefire way to get your superiors to notice your management potential. You must be able to notice the particular skills of the people around you and inspire them to succeed and to want success for themselves. The ability to motivate is what helps distinguish a great manager from one who simply completes tasks required of them.

Feel Like Your Career is at a Standstill?

By Canadajobs.com Staff

job, jobs, career

If you feel like you aren't getting the satisfaction you used to from your career, or that you aren't advancing the way you want to, here are some suggestions on jump-starting a stalled or slow-moving career.

Go Back To School:

One of the best ways to get ahead at work is to build your skills. Going back to school can help you achieve that. Decide on which skills would benefit you in your current job or speak with your manager about what skills they look for when granting promotions. Does your company value project management skills, language skills, time-management skills? Find out. Often, employers will pay for continuing education classes that benefit the company. You can take these courses at a local college, university, online, or by correspondence.

Ask for Opportunities:

By asking for opportunities to advance, you can jumpstart your career. Sometimes we aren't given the opportunity to shine in our daily tasks. Ask your supervisor for extra responsibilities or assignments. Make sure you ask for tasks that will highlight your skills, that aren't beyond your abilities, and that will help you advance.

Be Pro-Active:

Talk to your supervisor or manager about the possibilities for advancement. Find out how they see your position evolving, what others before you in your current job have gone on to do. Ask for honesty. If it becomes clear that your job is a dead-end, you'll have some choices to make. If the possibility for advancement exists, make sure your supervisor knows you are motivated and eager to move up.

Network:

By networking, you can find out what other opportunities exist for those in similar positions as you. What have others done to move ahead? Networking can help your career in many ways. You can find a mentor to guide and support you, new clients, new friends, and resources to help you develop your career.

Re-Evaluate:

Could it be possible that you don't want to jumpstart your stalled career? Consider what other challenges you'd like to accomplish and decide how you can use your current skills to achieve them. Some soul-searching might be in order to help you find your passion and a career that you'll truly enjoy.