Consequences of Stress – A Different Perspective

by

Did you know that April 16 is National Stress Awareness Day?  Ironically, you and I are probably too stressed to notice.  Well, in honor of April 16, I am dedicating all of the blog posts this month to the consequences of stress, and how to reduce stress.

We are so used to having stress in our work that I think we often forget the price we actually pay in the long run. This is because the consequences of stress (illness, early death) do not show until many years later. By contrast, the rewards of putting ourselves in stressful situations are more apparent and immediate – praise for a successfully completed project, a raise as a result of our stellar work, or a quicker path to promotion. ...  read more

How to Convert Salary to Hourly Rate

by

In today’s tough job market, many companies are reducing their full time employment job openings which are paid by annual salary in order to save headcount cost and be able to adapt more quickly to changing market conditions.    Instead companies are hiring more contractors who are paid by hourly rate and has a defined contract period (e.g. 6 – 18 months).   As a result, many job seekers are also seeking contractor positions in addition to full time employment in order to increase their chances. ...  read more

Life is Short – Remember the Big Picture

by

Whatever stress you may be facing in your job or job search, remember the big picture – life is short, appreciate and enjoy it while you can.   Why am I saying this all of a sudden?  Well, it’s also a reminder for myself as lately I have been bombarded with sad news that reminds me life is short and I need to treasure every moment. ...  read more

Interpersonal Communication Skills – 5 Tips

by

I went to the dentist (Dr Sood) today and it was a great experience.  You may ask “what does this has to do with interpersonal communication skills or my career?”  Well, you will see after I tell this story.  As you may remember, I wrote about interpersonal skills examples last July after my last visit to the same dental office.  That time, my experience was terrible.  A different dentist (Dr. Vo) saw me at the same office.  Dr Vo probably graduated from the top of her class and everything she told me was probably true.  However, it was the way she  interacted with me that made it such a bad experience.  As such, Dr. Vo lost my business forever. ...  read more

Giving Notice at Work – 5 Tips

by

At first glance, you may say “what’s the big deal?  Isn’t giving notice at work as simple as telling your boss you quit?” Well, while it does accomplish the task, I recommend a lot more finesse when you give notice at work.  It is in your interest to quit your job gracefully and not burn any bridges.  You just never know who you will work for in the future and whether that person used to be your boss at a different company or knows any of your previous bosses or ex-colleagues.  It’s a small world and in the interest of your own career success, it’s always smarter to leave a job on good terms. ...  read more

How to Sell Your Skills Into a New Industry or Role

by

In any job search, it is your job to sell your skills and convince prospective employers that you are the best fit for a job opening.   Being able to sell you skills in any job search situation is important.  It is even more critical to master this skills if you are trying to do a career change – move into a new industry or functional role. ...  read more