All posts tagged: career advice

I Got Ahead At Work Using These 11 ‘Problematic’ Moves And None Of Them Had Anything To Do With My Actual Job

I Got Ahead At Work Using These 11 ‘Problematic’ Moves And None Of Them Had Anything To Do With My Actual Job

The corporate world can be a competitive environment, where everyone is trying to make an impact and find success. While it might seem difficult to make a lasting impression with so many people vying for space, influencer and marketing professional Courtney Johnson revealed ‘problematic’ tips and tricks she used to build herself up and find just that. “Cancel me, call me fake, whatever, I don’t care,” Johnson said. “These are the most unhinged things I’ve done to get ahead in my career.” Her bluntness might sound jarring, but experts argue that job performance is only one half of the formula when it comes to getting ahead. Career and life coach Heather Moulder explains that what sets promotable people apart “often comes down to a handful of subtle habits that signal leadership potential long before a title change ever happens.” I got ahead at work using these 11 ‘problematic’ moves, and none of them had anything to do with my actual job: 1. Filled my calendar with fake meetings Johnson filled her calendar with fake work …

12 Phrases That Make Even The Best Workers Seem Unprofessional

12 Phrases That Make Even The Best Workers Seem Unprofessional

Every workplace has its own distinct culture. Some workplaces are casual, while others have strict guidelines on employee conduct. Company culture establishes how employees interact with each other, yet even the most relaxed and informal workplaces are based around an atmosphere of professionalism. Employees are often judged on their level of professionalism, along with the quality of their work. But sometimes, the words they use may rub people the wrong way, and using certain seemingly reasonable phrases makes even the best workers seem unprofessional. The concept of professionalism measures people’s attitudes toward their jobs, so employees need to pay attention to how they speak to their colleagues and superiors. Using these 12 seemingly reasonable phrases makes even the best workers seem unprofessional 1. ‘I’ll try’ fizkes | Shutterstock Putting in effort is generally considered a good thing, yet the underlying message behind “I’ll try” sounds dismissive, as though the person saying it doesn’t actually want to try. It comes off as half-hearted and non-committal, like the employee doesn’t consider the work important enough to give …

As A Gen-X Kid I Was Taught Success Meant My Career, But Nearing 50, I Finally See The Problem

As A Gen-X Kid I Was Taught Success Meant My Career, But Nearing 50, I Finally See The Problem

Halfway through her emotional interview with Ellen DeGeneres in 2016, human fighting machine Ronda Rousey started to sob. And it wasn’t any of this fake TV ratings stuff, either. The 29-year-old began to weep as she recalled her mindset right after she was knocked out while defending her UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship title against Holly Holm in November of 2015, a fight she was wildly favored to win. “What am I anymore if I’m not this?” Rousey recalled wondering in the locker room immediately following her upset loss. “I’m nothing.” She admitted that she seriously thought about taking her own life. “What’s the point now,” she remembered thinking, “people will hate me.” As a Gen-X kid, I was taught success meant my career, but nearing 50, I finally see the problem: Even the most successful have doubts. It was a rare human glimpse into the mind of the sort of person we all expect to be fiercer than us, stronger than us, and tougher than we’ll ever be.  And yet, there she was: Ronda Rousey, the definition of a self-made modern woman doing exactly what she wanted to do in this world, revealing how she …

The Missing Personality Trait That Holds You Back At Work, Even If You’re Good At Your Job | Patricia Bonnard

The Missing Personality Trait That Holds You Back At Work, Even If You’re Good At Your Job | Patricia Bonnard

You can be great at your job and still feel like you’re not getting anywhere. That’s because the missing personality trait that can hold you back at work, even if you’re really good at your job, isn’t skill or experience; it’s confidence. Workplace confidence is a core personality trait that shapes how you show up, how others perceive you, and whether you get recognized for what you bring to the table. Confidence is what allows you to trust your abilities, speak up, and take ownership of your work without constantly second-guessing yourself. When that trait is underdeveloped, even highly capable people start playing smaller than they should. They hesitate, overthink, and hold back in ways that quietly hinder their growth, not because they aren’t good enough, but because they don’t fully believe it yet. When this personality trait is missing, it tends to show up in these 7 career-limiting ways: 1. You constantly compare yourself to everyone else Lack of workplace confidence is actually quite common. One study explored the significant impact that lower confidence …

Career Coach Says These 7 Tiny Job Search Mistakes Cost Even Strong Candidates The Job | Lisa Petsinis

Career Coach Says These 7 Tiny Job Search Mistakes Cost Even Strong Candidates The Job | Lisa Petsinis

It can be discouraging to be on a job search with no success, and your self-esteem can take a beating. But getting hired doesn’t have to be so difficult when you know the best ways to present yourself.  Even if you’re the perfect candidate the research talks about, you might unknowingly be making some of the most common job search mistakes that’ll can stop even the strongest candidates from landing their dream job. Career coach says these 7 tiny job search mistakes cost even strong candidates the job: Job search mistake #1: Jumping in without a clear plan MAYA LAB via Shutterstock Many candidates want to jump into the job search mode immediately after losing their job, but it usually doesn’t help them find a job sooner, or the right position, either. Regardless of whether you’re recovering from job loss or testing the waters to see if the grass is greener somewhere else, it pays to give yourself some thinking time. At a minimum, reconnect with your strengths and accomplishments and explore what’s important to …

Worker Promoted Despite Doing Bare Minimum & Being Incompetent Explains How Anyone Can Do It

Worker Promoted Despite Doing Bare Minimum & Being Incompetent Explains How Anyone Can Do It

An anonymous employee admitted she achieved great success at her company, despite not really knowing how to do her job or even really trying. She credited her success to knowing how to impress the right people. Landing a high-paying job or finding job security is something that all of us hope for, but only some actually achieve. However, a handful of lucky people do find it, and very easily, at that. This woman, who works at a top technology company, is one of those people. In fact, her strategy was so good she was promoted seven times despite, as she described it, being completely “incompetent.” She spilled her secret strategy for “faking” her way into corporate success on the “Everybody Has A Secret” podcast. A worker said ‘befriending’ high-status people granted her 7 promotions, a high wage, and job security.  “I know basically zero about the business or industry,” the worker admitted. “I am not good at my job. I’m basically clueless. My secret is this … I’ve managed to befriend several people higher up in the business, earning …

Find A New Job If You Can’t Pass This Dinner Table Test

Find A New Job If You Can’t Pass This Dinner Table Test

How do you talk about work when you are with your friends and family? According to an HR expert, the answer to that question can determine whether or not you should be on the lookout for your next position.  According to the expert, the simple “Dinner Table Test” questions your attitude about work. If you talk negatively about work around the dinner table, she thinks that’s enough reason to quit, but for most people, work satisfaction isn’t that cut and dry Try this simple ‘Dinner Table Test’ to find out if you should move on from your job. In a TikTok video, Madeline Mann proposed trying out the “Dinner Table Test” to figure out if your job is right for you. It’s pretty straightforward. “When you sit around the dinner table with your loved ones or hypothetically imagine yourself doing so, and your loved ones ask you how your day was at work, for the majority of those meals, would you be effusive about your day?” Mann asked. “Or, would you typically say something negative?” …

If You Want To Actually Get Hired, These Are 11 ‘Weaknesses’ Bosses Usually Like To Hear During Job Interviews

If You Want To Actually Get Hired, These Are 11 ‘Weaknesses’ Bosses Usually Like To Hear During Job Interviews

Job interviews are stressful, no matter how prepared you think you are. You want to present the best version of yourself, but it’s not always clear what employers are actually looking for, especially when interviews follow the same familiar pattern. You talk about your background, your experience, why you want the job, and what you bring to the table. Then comes the question that makes almost everyone uncomfortable: “What would you say your weaknesses are?” It can feel like a trick question, but it serves a real purpose. Employers aren’t looking for perfection. They want self-awareness, honesty, and a willingness to grow. The key is choosing weaknesses that show emotional intelligence and personal accountability, not ones that raise doubts about your ability to do the job. If you want to actually get hired, these are the weaknesses bosses usually like to hear during job interviews, especially when you explain how you’re actively working on them. If you want to actually get hired, these are 10 weaknesses bosses usually like to hear during job interviews: 1. …

If You Think Working Overtime Will Get You Ahead, These 5 Realities Say Otherwise

If You Think Working Overtime Will Get You Ahead, These 5 Realities Say Otherwise

Trying to get ahead at work often involves working overtime hours. Whether at the office or at home, bosses often praise and emphasize this to an unhealthy degree. Overtime work has become non-negotiable for most people to prove they are career-oriented and driven to succeed. Sure, all of this sounds great. Work more, get ahead, and be the star. Until you face the reality of overtime work, which includes higher stress and poorer health. Research on the impact of overtime work on health suggested that the sustained physiological activation from working overtime increases stress and encourages workers to adopt unhealthy lifestyle habits. If you think working overtime will get you ahead, these 5 realities say otherwise: 1. Working overtime actually decreases productivity You may believe that the more hours you work, the more work you’ll complete. Well, this may be just the opposite. Studies have shown that the more hours people work, the less productive they become. There is a reason people work for eight hours. If they worked more, nothing would actually be completed …

People On Reddit Share The Oddly Helpful Career Advice That Smacked Them Right In The Face

People On Reddit Share The Oddly Helpful Career Advice That Smacked Them Right In The Face

The Internet is a great place to find advice from real people going through the same issues, and Reddit career advice threads are the perfect example of that. Searching for career advice can sometimes be a draining process, especially when you’re looking for a quick way to solve workplace issues. But some people take to Reddit to ask other users if they have any career advice or tips for problems they are having in their work environment. Reddit career advice can sometimes be rather helpful and straightforward — and other times the advice can be quite inadequate and lacking, but still provide a good laugh.  People on Reddit share the oddly helpful career advice that smacked them right in the face: 1. How to find your passion/calling It can be hard to narrow down what exactly you want to do with your life, as well as trying to find the kind of job that will leave you fulfilled. Most people struggle with pinpointing their passion in life and deciding what kind of career they want to pursue that …