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4 Ways to Make a Good Impression at Your Company’s Theme Party

June 14, 2011 / admin

There are standards to approaching your traditional Company Theme Party, but first, recognize how awesome it is for your corporation to even have one. Typically, parties are of the holiday variety — a Christmas shindig or 4th of July get-together, and that’s it. If you’re lucky enough to have a type of party celebrating either the New Year, or maybe the anniversary of the company, by wearing ‘costumes,’ by all means, get creative with it.

We’re not talking about Halloween, though — although that is an idea. Rather, skip the candy giving and make it a private party with your company by focusing on movie costumes. Nice theme, right? So, that’s what you get to work with — here’s a list of some of the best ways to make a good impression, using movie costumes.

• Dress Like James Bond

Being that Agent 007 has a certain flair for the dramatic and can also party respectfully, it matches well with some of the most important tips to good office partying. For one, he’s not going to drink himself to death and plaster himself to the wall (remember, this is an “office party”). All he needs is his dry martini — shaken, not stirred.

• Twin Costumes Are True Enjoyment

Typically, spouses are often ignored at the office party. Let’s change that. This is supposed to be about fun. If you’re going to a theme party handled by your business, go with your spouse in a dual costume getup. Hansel and Gretel, Neo and Trinity from “The Matrix,” Smokey and the Bandit, Rocky and Bullwinkle, or Tom and Jerry. You’ll involve your spouse more with your own office doing that.

• Don’t Go Overboard

This is still your office, so make sure you don’t make your costume such that everyone has to ask who you are. This means no dressing up as King Kong, Godzilla, the Predator, an Alien, or even Optimus Prime. Keep it simple — no masks, lay off the makeup, and go for clever and quaint such as Dirty Harry, Blondie from “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” or even Batman would suffice (letting the mask slide, of course).

• Pop Culture Works Well — Like John Dillinger

In other words, don a simple modern fedora and a black suit and tie, and you’re basically a historical gangster like Dillinger, or Lucky Luciano, or Bugsy Siegel. There’s a certain flair to this look, and it presents a quality style your whole office would probably enjoy. Not to mention, it’s attractive. However, keep it professional! A themed office party, while a lot more fun than most office parties, needs to avoid the personal as well as the alcohol (hence trying out a James Bond outfit).

Have fun with it! It’s about cinema. It’s about style. It’s about making a statement to your colleagues that you know how to have fun in a classy way, supporting your office environment and being the life of the party. Just remember — shaken, not stirred.

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Are There Any Recession-Proof Jobs Out There?

June 10, 2011 / Michelle Burton

Although the unemployment rate is still considered high—8.7 percent of the labor force was unemployed as of May 2011, and many occupations have become unpopular or died. Many occupations and industries are still thriving. Research and development, homeland security, aerospace, and defense are still going strong, while the advertising industry has been the hardest hit by the recession. Not everyone has what it takes to land a job in homeland security or aerospace, and that’s ok. Fortunately, there are a number of other occupations and industries that seem to be recession proof as well. They are:

1. Registered Nurse
2. Retail (manager, assistant manager, sales associate)
3. UPS Driver
4. Financial Advisor
5. Occupational Therapist

Registered Nurse

This is the number one recession-proof career on the list of top recession-proof careers and among the fastest growing. Registered nurses work in hospitals where they assess patient problems ad needs, and provide support to patients’ family members. Registered nurses can earn anywhere from $40,250 a year (entry level) up to $83,440 a year. Job Growth: 30%.

Retail (manager, assistant manager, sales associate)

Retail managers manage sales staff, coordinate promotions and schedules, manage inventory, and perform some accounting duties. Sales associates sell merchandise, and ring sales. Retail workers earn anywhere from $14,120-$38,430 a year. Depending on the size of the store and responsibilities, some store managers can earn as much as $75,000-$80,000 a year. Job Growth: 20%.

UPS Driver

UPS drivers hold the number three spot on the list for several reasons. For starters there will always be a need for UPS delivery personnel because a computer cannot deliver a package to someone’s home or to a business. This occupation offers some of the most flexible schedules, so there’s room for thousands of full or part-time workers, which allows the business to continue to grow. UPS drivers, whether full-time or part-time, receive excellent benefits. This attracts workers as well. UPS drivers may earn anywhere from $55,000 a year up to $70,000 a year, depending on location and overtime. Job Growth: 27%

Financial Advisor

Financial advisors are in high demand, thanks to a lagging economy and companies (and individuals) that need to re-evaluate their business and personal budgets. They also help individuals and businesses make sound investments. Financial advisors may earn anywhere from $32,340 a year (entry level) up to $145,600+ per year. Private financial advisors that work for banks can easily earn seven figures. Job Growth: 26%

Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that help to restore daily living skills and general independence. Occupational therapists may earn anywhere from $40,840 a year (entry level) up to $90,000 a year. Job Growth: 35%

Other top recession-proof jobs include:

Accountant
Job Growth: 23%
Salary: $34,470-$94,050

Customer Service Representative
Job Growth: 23%
Salary: $18,110-$45,990

Sales Representative, Sales and Marketing Representative
Job Growth: 20%
Salary: $24,340-$98,960

Financial Analyst
Job Growth: 17.3%
Salary: $40,340-$130,130

Controller
Job Growth: 15%
Salary: $50,290-$145,600+

For more information about top recession proof jobs for 2010-2011, visit Forbes.com.

Your Career, Your Workplace

How to Find $100K+ Staffing Agencies

June 9, 2011 / Michelle Burton

$100K+ staffing agencies are easy to find if you know where to look and what to look for. The first place to check is with friends, family, and co-workers. Referrals are the absolute best way to locate top agencies. If a friend, family member or co-worker has worked with an agency with good results, chances are the agency is reputable and good at what it does. If you have trouble finding a referral, you can always use your favorite search engine to locate $100K+ staffing agencies. The only issue is, once you locate several agencies, you’ll have to do your homework.

The first thing to remember is that $100K+ staffing agencies are not always so obvious. Use the search term “executive staffing agencies,” “executive recruitment firms,” or “executive head hunters.” Agencies that handle senior-level clients (and others) are also a safe bet. After locating several firms check their status with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can find out if they’re BBB accredited, how they rate, and if there are any complaints against them. You can also find out how long the service has been in business, the type of business, licensing information, and other background information,

After researching the company, give them a call or schedule an appointment to meet with them. Ask about success stories, what the process entails, and the time frame. If they don’t offer a definitive answer, then it might be a good idea to move on to next agency on your list. During your first meeting, it’s also important to make sure you’re clear about any fees that you may be charged. Again, if the answer is vague, try the next agency on your list.

Besides using your favorite search engine to find $100K+ staffing agencies try directories such as Searchfirm.com or Onlinerecruitersdirectory.com.

Your Business, Your Career, Your Compensation, Your Network, Your Workplace

Being a WAHM (work at home mom) is the new black: Tips for Productivity Management

June 8, 2011 / admin

It seems everyone’s doing it – or trying to. A work-at-home mom, or dad, is now the in thing to be! Although many feel that this is the best way to have it all, it can become a difficult juggling act. Between managing the kids’ activities, running a household and doing a million and one favors for people who think you have unlimited time because, after all, you’re at home all day, finding time to actually work can be harder than you think. To become a successful WAHM, try to add a few of these productivity management strategies to minimize the interruptions and actually get a little work done:

Learn to Say No – and Mean It

Somehow, the working mom has forgotten how to say this important little word. To others, WAHM status means that you should be able to pick up their packages, let in the repair man, and water their plants. After all, you’re home all day. What else do you have to do besides lounge around watching your soaps? Don’t feel guilty about telling them you just can’t fit it in – or better yet, ask them to do YOU a favor!

Get Off the Phone!

This might mean turning the ringer off and shutting down the cell phone, but staying on the phone for non-business purposes is a big time killer. How often does your mom, your sister, your BFF, or your not-so-BFF keep you tied up discussing their drama-of-the-day? If you add it up, this could amount to half your workweek. Let them know you care. Book a lunch date. Just get off the phone!

Work When it’s Best for You

By getting out of the 9-to-5 rut, you’ve set yourself free to work at any hour of the day. If you’re an early riser, get up before the kids do and take advantage of your most productive hours. Likewise, there’s nothing wrong with night-owls who stay up and work until the wee hours of the morning. You’ll enjoy your day and get more done when you listen to your body’s natural rhythm.

Stop Procrastinating

If you never manage to get certain things done, try a few ways to end the procrastination. Some people get more done if they make a list and check things off as they do it. For others, it works better if they do the hardest things first. Remember that sometimes it’s just a matter of getting started. Once you get on a roll, you’ll be amazed at how much you can actually get done.

Get Organized

Have you ever noticed how much better you feel when your home or work area is well organized? Make a habit of straightening up every night and putting everything back in its place. While no one expects a perfectly spotless house all the time, this little habit will keep things under control and let you start your day in the right frame of mind. While you’re organizing, don’t forget to assign a few chores to your kids and partner.

Before you know it, your WAHM lifestyle will be more productive than ever. What’s your favorite WAHM tip?

Your Career, Your Workplace

So What’s the Deal with Life Coaching?

June 7, 2011 / Michelle Burton

Life coaching may sound like a fad, but this service and profession has actually been around for more than 17 years, and each year its popularity grows. An example of this growth can be seen in the International Coach Federation. Established in 1995, the International Coach Federation (ICF) is the largest organization of its kind. The purpose of the organization is to build, support, and preserve the integrity of the coaching profession, foster the development of the community of coaches worldwide, maintain and enhance the standards and practices of the coaching profession, and support members in creating a successful coaching practice.

ICF has more than 11,000 members, up from 2,122 its first year. In 2006 alone, membership grew at a rate of 200 new members per month. Today, ICF members live in 80 countries and the organization continues to grow.

ICF is just one example of how popular life coaching has become. This multi-million dollar industry has welcomed a number of psychiatrists and counselors over the years that coach thousands of clients in the areas of relationships, personal growth, careers, and more. It is important to note, however, that not all life coaches are psychologists. There are no requirements to become a life coach, so beware. More on this later.

A life coach is an individual that works one-on-one with a client to help him achieve his goals. They do this by helping clients fine tune goals, by encouraging personal growth, and by creating a behavior modification plan. As stated earlier, not all life coaches are counselors or psychiatrists. The ones that are (and are not) do not revisit past events in an attempt to heal the wounds of the past. They do not handle mental health issues. The goal is to help clients improve their relationships, careers or family life. Simply put, life coaches help mentally stable clients move forward in their lives.

When searching for a life coach, there are a few things to consider. Life coaches are not regulated. Many life coaches go through a training program, which are available across the country, but no one national standard for certification exists. The International Coach Federation has its own credentialing program and so far, its graduates are considered among the best. In addition to certification by an association such as ICF, you should ask for two to three references, how long the coach has been practicing, how many people they’ve worked with, and ask about success stories.

It couldn’t hurt to use your favorite search engine to see what you can dig up on the coach or his practice. If it’s an established business, it may be listed with the Better Business Bureau. If so, check the company’s rating and you can also check for consumer complaints.

Your Career