Secret Santa Dos and donts

Secret Santa Dos and donts by Amber Rolfe Santa Claus is coming to town…Of course, by Santa Claus we mostly mean your co-workers, armed with an array of gifts they bought for £10 or less, but the sentiment’s the same. In other words, it’s officially Secret Santa time.You know the drill. Pick a co-worker’s name at random, buy them a gift, and keep the giver’s identity an untold secret. Seems simple.But how can you make sure your gift gets a positive reaction? Here are some dos and don’ts to help you win your workplace Secret Santa:Do: Take partOk, so we understand that Secret Santa might not be everyone’s thing.But even if you’re not a fan of work-based festivities, opting out will probably only add to your reputation as the office Scrooge.Unless you have any specific objections (which should be brought to your managers attention), try and put any negative feelings aside, and take part. Even if you end up having to buy for that guy you’ve only spoken to once and it involved getting hi s name wrong, maybe this is the perfect opportunity to make amends.Just remember to label the card with James, not Jack…Don’t: Ignore the rulesThe first rule of office Secret Santa? There is no office Secret Santa Always stick to the price limit.As much as you may think that getting an expensive gift will win you friends (well, one friend), in reality it’s never that simple. No good ever came from an office where one person gets a £50 gift while everyone else’s only cost £10.You’ll only end up alienating a room full of people, half of them glaring at your gift with thinly-veiled jealousy, and the other half in full-scale panic mode, suddenly realising that their £3 3-pack of seasonal socks doesn’t quite cut it.The same goes for spending too far under the price limit. Even the biggest chocolate-lover in the world would be disappointed with a couple of Celebrations. Sorry cheapskate.And always remember to also keep who you picked a secret. Because nobody likes a spoil s port.Do: Know your audienceTo avoid any awkward situations, always make sure your gift idea is ‘workplace appropriate’.You might think a joke or prank gift is hilarious, but will the rest of your team? Remember: you want Christmas cards from your co-workers, not letters from HR.Know your boundaries, and make sure your idea isn’t going to offend or upset anyone.‘Tis the season to be jolly’ after all (‘tis also the season to quote cheesy Christmas lines).Don’t: Turn your gift into an ulterior motiveCongratulations, you got your office crush in the draw. Now you can finally confess your undying love for them with a lovingly-made mixtape titled ‘All I want for Christmas is you’. Or, you know, not.Don’t be tempted to use this light-hearted game as a way of expressing personal feelings â€" romantic or otherwise. Your life isn’t an episode of The Office.Similarly, never use your gift as an attempt to get a promotion.Buying your boss that £50 perfume she always wanted isn’t going to earn you extra points as a hard worker, or entitle you to a raise. Sucking-up is never a good look.Don’t take the game too seriously. Simply use it as a way to spread generosity, fun, and festive cheer (singing loud for all to hear, and other Elf references).Do: ResearchYou might get lucky this year, and end up getting to buy a gift for your desk buddy. Or, you could get someone you’ve only ever made small talk with in the lift. Once. Last August.If the only thing you have in common is the fact that you walk around on the same bit of carpet for eight hours a day, you’ll need to find out as much as you can about them before being able to pick a suitable gift. Ask around the office, or covertly scan their desk for subtle hints.You could try and blag it by getting the first thing you see, in the hope that they really happen to like Star Wars toast stamps, but we’d advise against it. You might be disappointed to find out that they actually have a genuine hatred for Star Wars. Also, toasters.Still struggling? Here’s a tip: looking at public online profiles is fine, looking through their stuff is not.Don’t: Be lazyFinally, whether you’re a fan of Secret Santa or not, try your best to embrace it. People can spot a half-hearted attempt from a mile off, so don’t be that guy (or girl).And it really is the thought that counts. Leaving it until the last minute will give you very few options; there’s only so much you can buy at that 24-hour Tesco next to your house â€" and it probably won’t be gift worthy.So put some effort into your gift. It’ll show, and you’ll all have yourselves a merry little Christmas.**May also involve letting your heart be light, and making your troubles out of sight.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 t hat 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. Workplace culture

Writing an Artist Resume

Writing an Artist ResumeWriting an artist resume is really simple if you know how to format it. Don't be too quick to write your resume. Formatting the resumes is what differentiates a successful artist resume from the rest.A common mistake that many artists make is to self-edit their resumes which can easily lead to a rushed resume that is only attractive to professional writers. If you plan on creating your own resume, you have to realize that you're going to have to learn how to format your resume yourself.For starters, you need to start in the artistic domain. Make sure that you try to be artistic and poetic. Always remember to state the value of your art and the difficulty you encountered while making the art.Don't forget to write what kind of art you created. For example, if you're creating paintings, you must state that it's a small-scale canvas painting. If you're creating a pencil sketch, you must also state that it's a one-inch by one-inch size and that you used graphite.Yo u also need to identify the professional writer that you want to hire for your art project. Remember to write the person's name on the cover of your artist resume.Also include the creative and artistic skills that you have. Include any skills that are relevant to the job or project you are applying for.You must also list the most impressive accomplishments you had when you were a part of your artistic career. This will be a great selling point to any potential employer. List out the ones that most intrigue you think would be of value to any prospective employer.Finally, a final paragraph explaining what your best attributes are that you can bring to the table when your art resume is received. This will help anyone that will read your resume understand your unique value.

How Critical Thinking Skills Set You Apart in Business

How Critical Thinking Skills Set You Apart in Business As Oscar Wilde once said, “Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.” We live in a world where very few people actually think for themselves. By learning to think critically, you can put yourself on the fast track for success in a competitive business world that’s largely devoid of logic and prudence. What is Critical Thinking? You’ve probably heard the term used before, but most people are largely unaware of what critical thinking is and why it’s important â€" especially in business. In essence, critical thinking is reasoned thinking with a purpose. Dr. Winston Sieck, cognitive psychologist and founder of Global Cognition, explains core critical thinking skills as being able to: Appreciate that your own opinions may be wrong; Accept statements as true even when they conflict with personal views; Temporarily adopt positions with which you disagree. There’s obviously more to it than that, but these core skills at least provide a good baseline understanding of what it means to think critically. And once you’re aware of the significance of sharpening these skills, it becomes more obvious where you’re coming up short. When you start to analyze yourself, and those around you, you’ll also realize that critical thinkers are extremely rare in your department, business, and industry. And those that do think critically tend to gravitate towards high-ranking positions of leadership. In other words, they end up being successful. How You Can Use Critical Thinking Being a critical thinker requires that you reject laziness, embrace dissonance, and put forth energy and effort in areas where others simply flip on mental cruise control. But what does it look like to use critical thinking in the business world? Well, here are a few examples: Stop Confusing Correlation With Causation There’s a troubling trend in modern society where people confuse correlation with causation. In other words, when two things happen in succession, people automatically assume that the first thing caused the second. However, in many cases, this isn’t true. In order to make more educated decisions, you have to seek out more evidence. Always Explore Alternatives Whenever you think you’ve found a good option right away, chances are you haven’t done enough research and critical thinking yet. One helpful practice is to come up with a list of alternatives and explore each of them in detail. You may very well end up selecting your initial choice, but you’ll feel better knowing you invested in thorough research. Don’t Follow the Crowd As humans, we’re social creatures. Somewhere along the line, we’ve been conditioned to believe that being in agreement with others is a good way to build healthy relationships. So oftentimes, against our better judgment, we’ll simply reject our own beliefs and opinions and go along with the crowd. In a business setting, this can be troubling. For example, let’s say your boss stands up and goes around the conference table asking people whether they like Option A or Option B. You like Option B, but the three people before you say Option A is the best. While you’ll be tempted to follow their lead, stick to your guns and choose Option B. Otherwise, you risk influencing other people in the room towards an outcome they don’t believe. Question Basic Assumptions How many times have you just gone along with a rule, procedure, or strategy, simply because it’s the way things have always been done? Well, maybe you need to start asking questions. (Even if it means confronting your boss!) As writer Ransom Patterson explains, “Some of the greatest innovators in human history were those who simply looked up for a moment and  wondered if one of everyone’s general assumptions was wrong.  From Newton to Einstein to  Yitang Zhang, questioning assumptions is where innovation happens.” Learn to Think for Yourself Learning to reject your brain’s inbred laziness and complacency is hard, but you must force yourself to swap out mental heuristics for critical thinking â€" especially when important decisions are on the line. By learning to think for yourself, you’ll actually end up commanding attention and showing your peers and superiors why you’re worth listening to.

Emily Ley Office Products This Weeks Classy Career Giveaway! - Classy Career Girl

Emily Ley Office Products This Weeks Classy Career Giveaway! We’ve teamed up with some amazing friends and partners to bring you incredible giveaways just in time to get organized this spring! This week we are giving away an office prize back from Emily Ley to ONE  lucky person. Working is always more fun when you can check off your to-do list in style! Dont you agree? If you answered Yes! to the question above, youre in luck! This week, weve partnered up with Emily Ley and Simplified Planner  to bring one lucky winner a set of office products filled with fun! Our prize pack includes Pineapple Paper Clips ??, a Happy Stripe Pen, and a To Do Notepad!   Emily Ley Office Products: This Weeks Classy Career Giveaway! 1. To-Do Notepad The Simplified Notepads are bright and cheery with hints of gold foil. The To-Do Notepad is perfect to tuck inside of your Simplified Planner, or use on its own to track your projects and items that need some attention. 2. Pineapple Paper Clips Get organized with these unique, signature pineapple paper clips. This set contains twelve gold-colored, heavy duty paper clips, each measuring about 1 inch tall. Packaged in a sturdy cello bag with insert. 3. HAPPY STRIPE ® PEN The beautiful new Happy Stripe  Pen is the perfect companion for your Simplified Planner and a staple for your desk or purse. Features a removable cap with our signature gold pineapple embossed on the end. Matching Happy Stripe  presentation box measures 7.1 x 2.1 x 1.1 and features our signature  pattern, gold foil logo and magnetic closure. Pen is securely cushioned inside fitted foam with a clear acetate protective insert. Ready to enter the giveaway? How do you enter? Its simple. All you have to enter is: 1. Like this photo on Instagram. 2. Follow  @classycareergirl  on Instagram. 3. Tag a friend who also loves pretty stationery in the comments on Instagram on this post. The contest will run until next Tuesday, February 21st. A winner will be announced on Instagram, and the winner will have 48 hours to claim these awesome prizes before we pick another winner! Good luck everyone!! ?? US residents only. You can enter more than once by tagging multiple friends.

Resume Writing For Software Developers - How to Write a Resume For Developers

Resume Writing For Software Developers - How to Write a Resume For DevelopersHave you ever considered how to effectively write a resume for software developers? Are you confused by the dizzying array of resume formats, resume writing software, resume samples, resume examples, and job boards with thousands of professionals looking for work? Have you heard it all before and are frustrated with the same old tired resume format that doesn't get the results you want? If so, here is the bad news...Job hunting in the 21st century has become much more difficult and challenging than ever before. With the proliferation of computer technology and the internet, it's virtually impossible to get the job you want if you don't have the proper education, skills, and qualifications. And that goes double for software engineers, web designers, developers, and other professionals who need to have the necessary skills and experience in order to get hired.Resume writing for these professionals is especiall y tricky. The biggest problem that they face is that employers use resume formats that are well established and traditional. This makes it extremely difficult for them to figure out what to look for in order to quickly assess the qualifications of their potential hires.Resume writing for these professionals also has become even more complex than ever before. They need to know how to write resumes in a way that will increase their chances of being accepted for interviews, how to boost their resumes with the right keywords, and how to make sure that their resume has all of the correct information that will help them land that first job.In short, they need to learn how to write resumes that will get them the jobs they are after. It's a lot harder than just filling in a bunch of numbers on a piece of paper and sending it off to an employer's resume database. It requires a real skill set and talent for writing.Now, don't get me wrong. There are many resources available to professionals w ho are trying to figure out how to write resumes that will get them the jobs they are after. Resume templates, sample resumes, and hundreds of resources are available to anyone willing to invest the time and effort. There is even some software available for people who want to take a stab at this.But it's still a difficult task. The best advice I can give a job seeker is to not worry about writing a resume and focus on the important factors such as their resume structure, whether or not they have a cover letter, and how they are doing on their interview.You must be prepared to do the research, apply yourself, and be really ready to take the time and trouble to get hired when you enter the high tech job market. It's a competitive and tough field but the rewards are worth it.

7 Tips for Preparing for a Summer Internship CareerMetis.com

7 Tips for Preparing for a Summer Internship Original Image Source â€" Depositphotos.comSchool is officially out for summer, but your days aren’t about to slow down anytime soon. All of that research and hustle during last semester paid off, and you landed the summer internship of your dreams.Congratulations! But if you think the hardest part of intern life was landing the job, think again.A summer internship is a valuable asset to any wanna-be-professional looking to make a name for herself in a new field. Additionally, summer internships are the perfect opportunity to get your foot in the door, get hands on experience, and test out different roles before making any full-time commitments.evalBut, if you want to make a lasting impression on the people at your internshipyou need to start from Day 1â€"or else risk getting lost in the rotating door of company interns. Read on for a few invaluable tips and tricks you can use to prepare for your summer internship and get one step closer to landing that out-of-college dream job.1) Do Your HomeworkevalChances are, you already researched the company during your interview stage but it’s never a bad idea to catch up on what they’ve been doing lately. Use their website to refresh your memory on what the company’s “mission” is, how long they’ve been in business, and who their noted clients may be.Don’t forget to familiarize yourself with the top executives Sweatpants and flip-flops might have been fine for early morning classes, but now that you’re living the professional life you need to dress the part. That’s not to say you have to go out and spend hundreds of dollars on two-piece pantsuits.These days, more and more offices are on board with the whole “business casual” look, but there are still quite a few that require their employeesâ€"and internsâ€"to dress in a more corporate-professional attire.Before you go shopping for your new work wardrobe, do a little digging on the company’s website and media pages to find out which dress code is best.If you get the impression theirs is a more “business casual” workplace, then stock your closet with some nice blouses, shift dresses and blazers or cardigans to get you through the summer. It’s probably also a good idea to leave your jeans at homeâ€"at least until you’ve lived through the week and seen just how “casual” their dress code leans.evalIf you’re still unsure how to dress for your first day, reach out to human resources or the person who hired you to ask. Not only will they be impressed with your desire to fit in with the office culture, but they’ll also take note of your initiative before your time on the clock has even begun.3) Research the AreaIf your summer internship is in a part of town you’re not super familiar with, then make it a point to spend a day walking or driving around the area to see what’s what.As an intern, there’s a possibility part of your job may be to pick up lunches or go on mid-afternoon coffee runs, and the last thing y ou want to do is come back empty-handed to a brood of hungry and irritated co-workers because you couldn’t find the lunch place.While you’re at it, doing a test run of your commute and timing how long it’ll take you to get to work during rush hour is also a great way to prepare for your first day.Nothing says “ready to work” more than showing up on timeâ€"or earlyâ€"to your first day at a new job. If you are in a new city, figuring out their public transportation can be tricky, so a test run will be great practice.4) Make Friends with the Other InternsYou may not be at your internship to make friends but navigating the waters of office politics is definitely more fun with a buddy. Find out if your company has an “intern orientation” event or social media page specifically designed to connect interns. Once you find out who your fellow interns are, take it upon yourself to open the lines of communication.A little camaraderie with your peers will make your summer more fun and highlight those “team leader” skills to the powers that be. Although you might work in different departments, lunch would be a great time to congregate and relax from any work stresses. It is also a great opportunity to learn about their different roles within the company.eval5) Get Plenty of SleepevalYou may be used to burning the midnight oil during those last few stressful weeks of school but getting a good night’s sleep before your first day should be a top priority.Retrain your body to go to sleep at a “normal hour” by getting to bed 15 minutes earlier every night until you get to your ideal bedtime. It’s also a good idea to start waking up earlier every day too. The last thing you want is to be late to work on your first day because you slept through your alarm’s snooze function. Twice.6) Brush Up on BasicsThe point of an internship is for you to learn the ropes of your chosen profession, but it’s important to remember you were also hired to do a job.Your internship will expect you to know how to do everything your resume said you could. In other words, if you claimed to be proficient in power point in your interview, then, at the very least, you better know how to open it on your computer.evalTake a few days to brush up on your skills.Watch YouTube videos for clarity on programs you’re a little shaky on or reach out to friends to give you a refresher course on Excel if you discover you’re less familiar with it than you thought. There’s always room for improvement in the workforce but showing up to work on your first day confident in your skills is always the way to go.7) Remember to RelaxThe last thing you want to do is walk into your internship a nervous wreck. Schedule some time before your big day to decompress and get your nerves in check.Plan a spa day with friends, take a yoga class at your local gym or just spend some quiet time meditating in the morning before you head into the office.Take some time to work on you befo re you work on your career path, and you’re guaranteed to put your best foot forward on your first day. By being prepared, you will have less obstacles thrown at you and will be able to relax.

5 Mistakes To Avoid When Negotiating Your Salary - CareerAlley

5 Mistakes To Avoid When Negotiating Your Salary - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. You feel like you are doing a good job. Your colleagues tell you that you are doing a good job. And you know that your boss is pretty happy with your performance even if he plays his cards a little closer to his chest. So its time to ask for a raise. You know you deserve it but how exactly do you go about getting it in the right way. Well, the best place to start is to know what you shouldnt be doing. Here is a little selection of five of the most important no, nos. Dont be heavy handed: This encounter should not be entered into in confrontational mode. The reason you are working well is most likely because you are happy in your role. This meeting should start by emphasizing the positives and then move naturally onto a discussion about the future and the places you and the company will be moving forward to together. If you enter into this discussion with an angry, indignant mindset, youre less likely to get what you want and you are sure to rustle a few feathers. More: Wallet Envy Are You Paid What Youre Worth? Its not personal: Your boss does not need to know about your personal situation. Whatever you feel the company owes, your request must be based solely on the work you do for them. It is completely irrelevant whether your daughter is about to start the local private school, or youre looking to get yourself a nice new car. You have to leave all personal reasons for wanting a higher salary out of this discussion. Your boost in pay is based on the work you have done and will continue to do for the company. Back up your argument with real life examples of situations where you have gone above and beyond for the company. Be specific and make them understand just how much you are really worth to them. Be Reasonable: The last thing you want to do here is back yourself into a corner that you will have trouble extricating yourself from if things dont go the way you had hoped. In the first meeting it may not even be necessary to put any figures down. A fair minded boss will take on board your request and come back to you at an agreed later date with an offer. If that offer turns out to be lower than you expected, tell them so, but take it in your stride and dont push too hard or you might come out of this a loser. Compromise: If you get the feeling that things are not going to go your way, at least get some concessions from your bosses. If the offer is lower than you would have liked, suggest that you will accept this for the time being but get a commitment from them to review the situation again in six months time. If things are not looking up in that intervening period, maybe you can start to look at the market to see what other options are out there for you. If your bosses feel that they could lose, its very likely that you will quickly get what you want. Dont back down: Patience and reason are definitely things that need to be at the forefront of your mind, but it is possible that you come up against an attitude that is unacceptable. The most important thing here is not to let your emotions get the better of you. If your request is met with a discourteous negative, take a deep breath, thank your boss for his or her time, and then start to look for a new employer. If you know that you really deserve that raise there is no reason for you to accept the contrary. Negotiation skills are all very well and good but you also need to understand when is the right time to cut your losses and start to look for pastures new, and greener! Book Corner [easyazon_link asin=0931213207 locale=US new_window=default nofollow=default tag=caree07-20 add_to_cart=default cloaking=default localization=default popups=default]Negotiating Your Salary: How To Make $1000 a Minute[/easyazon_link] [easyazon_link asin=1455503274 locale=US new_window=default nofollow=default tag=caree07-20 add_to_cart=default cloaking=default localization=default popups=default]Salary Tutor: Learn the Salary Negotiation Secrets No One Ever Taught You[/easyazon_link] Guest Post by Alisha Webb on behalf of Gap Partnership Negotiation Experts. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by

Guest Post--Kris Plantrich--Did you know Facts

Guest Post--Kris Plantrich--Did you know Facts Did You Know? Hi, my name is Kris Plantrich and I am a Certified Professional Resume Writer and currently I contribute writing services to Professional Resume Service owned by fellow writer Erin Kennedy. As this is my first entry to the blog I thought I would stay in the spirit of the name Did You Know? and delve into this question a little further. Did you know Tuesday is the most productive day of the week? Did you know as many as 35% of employers are now using your credit report history as a means of judging personal responsibility, especially in occupations dealing directly with money? Did you know 65 to 70% of jobs are gained through personal referrals or networking connections â€" so get networking! Did you know only an average of 36% of those job hunters interviewed regularly send thank-you notes while 75% of employers like or expect the notes? Did you know that over 90% of employers seek their assistant’s opinion when interviewing and making hiring decisions? Did you know business cards are a great way to network plain and simple or with a photo works best? Did you know having a mentor can be also be a great way to network? Did you know 60% of large companies do salary planning in the fall â€" a great time to ask for a raise! Did you know that while the average job hunt takes 19 weeks, 40 â€" 50% of job seekers give up after just 2 months? Take these facts to heart while preparing, searching, and interviewing for your next job. Bye for now, Kris