5 Etiquette Mistakes Managers Need to Avoid

5 Etiquette Mistakes Managers Need to Avoid5 Etiquette Mistakes Managers Need to AvoidListen up, managers Your firms ability to hire and retain top performers for accounting and finance jobs hinges largely on your ability to maintain positive working relationships with your employees. So it pays to take special care to avoid management etiquette mistakes that could cause your team members to feel undervalued, uncomfortable or just plain unhappy while at the office.Here are five examples of etiquette mistakes that many managers make with their staff.Etiquette mistake 1 Playing favoritesIf staff members sense that some employees receive special treatment from management, their motivation and productivity can suffer.One way to overcome real or perceived favoritism is to make time for each member of your team, even if its just stopping by to say hello and check in. Show people that you are interested in them and value their contributions.For more insights on how to engage millennial work ers, download the Robert Half report, Creating a Leadership Pipeline Developing the Millennial Generation Into Finance Leaders.Etiquette mistake 2 Letting personal problems affect the workplaceEveryone goes through difficult times. As much as possible, though, discussion about personal difficulties should be left out of the office. If you find these matters are affecting your work and business relationships, consider taking time off or talking to your manager or to human resources privately about the situation. Is it time to take a break from work? You might want to consider the strategic value of getting away.Etiquette mistake 3 Failing to respect employees timeFinancial professionals know that there are times when they need to put in extra hours (tax season or year-end, for example), but it cant be all the time. If you constantly need people to stay late and work weekends, and its not a seasonal or short-term issue, it could be a sign its time to hire. Etiquette mistake 4 Using generic recognition tacticsGrand rewards are great, but sometimes a simple thank-you is all your employees need to stay motivated. So, when you praise your employees, make it genuine, personal and meaningful to them. It really can make all the difference in your ability to retain valued team members for the long term.Etiquette mistake 5 MicromanagingHovering over your employees shoulders can stifle productivity and innovation in your department. It also can diminish morale and build resentment. Instead, give your employees the autonomy to use their skills and expertise. (The upside for managers Youll have more time to devote to your own priorities.)Want to see a micromanagement nightmare? Watch this video. (You DO NOT want to be like this guy.)More resourcesThe Role of Corporate Culture in Small Business- Maintaining a vibrant working climate can help companies - including small businesses - to weather al l types of ups and downs. See this post for insights on the value of fostering a positive corporate culture.Work-Life Integration for Finance Pros Its About Synergy and Control- Work-life balance is an important retention tool. But have you heard about a newer concept thats been gaining traction in many workplaces? Its called work-life integration, and you can learn more about it in this post.Dont Let the Good Ones Get Away 5 Steps Every Manager Should Take to Retain Star Employees- Would you stop top performers from walking out the door if you could? Boosting your retention efforts can help. Try the five steps outlined in this post.This post was updated recently to reflect more current information.

What to do when layoffs hit your office, but not you

What to do when layoffs hit your office, but not youWhat to do when layoffs hit your office, but not youSometimes, when a sinking feeling creeps up on you at work, it can be difficult to shake the feeling- especially when its a result of mass layoffs that seem to have avoided you for now.You might even find yourself struggling with survivor syndrome, or feeling extra stressed out amid all the work you have to do now that people have been let go, and dealing with its negative impact on your performance.All of this being said, heres how to handle the choppy waters ahead.Keep a dialogue goingAnthony J. Nyberg, a professor at the University of South Carolinas Darla Moore School of Business, and Charlie O. Trevor, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business, write about the results of research in the Harvard Business Review.The recommend that company leaders focus on communication.Downsizing tends to disrupt social networks and information exchange within compa nies, adding to employees negative feelings. Leaders should encourage increased contact among managers and employees, promote active listening, institute open-door policies, and get employee eintrag into decision making, they write.Recreate some normalcy at workGo back to the basics.Susan M. Heathfield, an HR expert, speaker, writer, trainer, professional facilitator and management and organization development consultant, writes in The Balance that you should try to do what you used to.Attempt to recreate the daily patternsyou experienced prior to the layoffs. While much time in an office is invested by employees in talking about the situation after layoffs, the sooner you can recreate your prior patterns, the better for your mental health, she writes.Try not to feel like an impostorWitnessing a slew of layoffs can be extremely unsettling - you might even start feeling like an impostor, and that your job will definitely be the next one to get the ax. But wallowing in these feelings for too long is sure to make your performance take a hit over time.So get back into the swing of things by remembering how well youve done in certain areas at work, and while you should strive to do the best work you can, dont try to be perfect.Remember, you dont have to be a ghostJust be sure to choose your words wisely.The Muse features commentary from Melody Godfred, Muse Coach and founder of Write in Color, about what to say to a former colleague who schwefellost their job.Once youve had any fears about your own job loss quelled, know that you dont have to up and forget about what happened and bury yourself in your assignments. You should feel at liberty to reach out to the person who lost his or her job, but Godfred doesnt recommend commenting specifically on the situation. Rather than saying, It sucks that they did this to you, you can say Ill miss you at the office.

Attract Your Dream Company with These 4 Tips

Attract Your Dream Company with These 4 Tips Attract Your Dream Company with These 4 Tips 2The laws of attraction aren’t only designed to help you find a mate, but they can be used to find the perfect job. But what if you’re only attracting companies that  just arent a great fit? It  may be time to adjust your job search- and that starts with you. Attracting your dream company isn’t as complicated as it might seem, and you have the control to do it. These tips can help you find your way to a company thats a great fit! Attract your dream company with these four tips: 1. Know what you (really) want. For the most part, you might have an idea of what you want in a job. That’s not going to cut it if you want a dream gig with your dream company, though. Take a good, long look at what you really want in a job, and the company you want  to work for. Write out all the attributes of the kind of work you want, and keep that list handy while you’re job searching. If a company’s job listing doesn’t have what you’re looking for, or if you’re in the middle of a job interview and the hiring manager isn’t checking off all the boxes on your list, you might want to move on. 2. Learn how to say no- even when you want to say yes. There are a lot of reasons why you might say yes to a potentially poor-fitting job. Wanting to end your job search, a pile ‘o bills, or just wanting to work and feel like you’re part of a team again are all valid reasons why you might be more apt to overlook a job that just isn’t going to make you happy. If red flags are flying (maybe  a company calls you for a last-minute job interview, or the job listing has almost impossible standards), you should resist the urge to go down the rabbit hole and instead pursue jobs that you’re worthy of- and more importantly, that are worthy of you. 3. Focus on the positive. Job searching can be exciting and exhilarating, but it can also be lonely and lengthy, depending on how long you’ve been hunting. Although it’s easy to get down in the dumps if you’ve gone through multiple rounds of job interviews only to not get the position, or to never hear back after submitting a job application, don’t let it get to you. Remember, like attracts like, and if you’re giving off negative energy, that might be what you’re attracting back to you. 4. Applaud your efforts along the way. It can be scary to be sans a job. You don’t know how long you’re going to be job hunting, and the process itself can be all-consuming. Keep your wits about you by connecting with people who inspire you on a professional level, and those who love and care about you on a personal level. Ask advice from others on how they’ve handled their own job searches, and apply their advice as you see fit. Above all, be proud of yourself. Knowing what you want- and not accepting anything less- is a courageous, yet necessary, step in attracting your dream job with your dream company. Looking for a company that allows you to work from home? Check out the top 100 companies for remote jobs.

On the Move 3 Job Options If Youre Moving

On the Move 3 Job Options If Youre Moving On the Move 3 Job Options If Youre Moving 2If youre moving to another city, state, or even country, its a big life change that will affect everything from your friendships to your job. Luckily, flexible job options are a great way to make this big change go a little smoother. Here are some great flexible job options if youre moving away from your current home. 3 Job Options If Youre Moving 1. Pitch telecommuting to your current employer. What do you have to lose? If youre moving out of the area anyway, this might be a great way to retain your job and your professional connections- not to mention the stress itll save you from not having to job search! When you talk to your boss about your impending move, rather than resigning from your role, ask them about the option to telecommute. Explain your commitment to the company and desire to continue in your current role. Be sure to prepare a proposal that outlines how the arrangement will work, including how youll maintain regular contact, be just as productive as you were in the office, and continue to be a vital part of the team. 2. Find a local job. If you know your destination, conducting a job search before you move (or at least, getting it started) is a solid option. Scope out the employment prospects in your new hometown, and get to know the economy and the options you have there. Be sure to alert your professional network of your job search- you never know who might have a connection for you in your new locale. One great way to find a local job is to research the companies in your new location first. Get a sense of the industries represented and the big employers in the area. 3. Find a new telecommuting job where location doesnt matter. These are what we like to call Anywhere Jobs- telecommuting jobs that dont require you to live in a specific location. Check out listings for U.S. National Telecommuting Jobs, which can be done from anywhere in the United States, or Anywhere Jobs that can be done from anywhere in the world. You can also search by specific regions or states of the U.S. or international regions to find job options if youre moving to another country. Readers, what are your best job options if youre moving? Let us know how youre handling a move and a job search by leaving a comment!

5 Tips for a Memorable LinkedIn Profile

5 Tips for a Memorable LinkedIn Profile 5 Tips for a Memorable LinkedIn Profile LinkedIn operates the world’s largest professional network on the Internet with more than 400 million members in over 200 countries and territories. But simply signing up isn’t going to land you a job. Your profile needs to stand out to entice recruiters and hiring managers. Make yours a memorable LinkedIn profile with the tips below! Here are five informative and appealing strategies to create a memorable LinkedIn profile: 1. Include a photo. Eyes naturally gravitate toward a picture. Providing one gives viewers a visual to attach to the information they read, which makes you more memorable. Choose a good quality head shot in which you convey professionalism and friendliness- qualities that welcome potential employers to pursue further action. 2. Craft a powerful headline. Don’t waste prime real estate with the default “Job Title at Company X.” “Use the space after your name to tell the LinkedIn world what you do, what your impact will be, or what you are passionate about,” says business and life strategist Erica McCurdy. “Leave the employment section to tell the story of your work history. You have one opportunity to make an impression on your potential employer- give them a reason to look further.” 3. Add some pizzazz. While a profile should include your educational and professional qualifications, don’t simply treat it as a carbon copy of your resume. Instead, use the space to paint a vivid picture of who you are and what you bring to the table. Career coach Cheryl E. Palmer, owner of Call to Career, suggests these attention-grabbers: Incorporate multimedia. You can upload audio files, as well as video and PowerPoint presentations, that illustrate your expertise. For example, you can show growth in sales by including a chart that shows a spike in sales over time. Including multimedia on your profile will add more life to it and give potential employers a more comprehensive view of you as a candidate. Add examples of your work. Providing great blog posts can be an excellent way of demonstrating your expertise.  You can upload posts along with pictures that illustrate the theme of your posts. Then you can add keywords so that your posts can be found. Include links to outside profiles or portfolios. LinkedIn allows you to not only list your published works, but also to link to them on the web. Showing that you have been published gives your profile greater credibility. 4. Include testimonials. Just as you might read customer reviews before making a purchase, potential employers turn to input from others before investing in a candidate. Put the information at their fingertips by including recommendations from previous supervisors, colleagues, and clients attesting to your abilities. 5. Complete the entire profile. Finally, take heed of this advice from Karen Taylor Roane, founder of New Destiny Marketing, in order to be a stand out both literally and figuratively. “Work on your profile until you reach LinkedIn ‘all-star’ status by filling everything that LinkedIn suggests you fill out (see this rating on the right-hand side of your profile page). This is another way to help you come up higher in the search ranking.” And including that extra bit of information- whether talking about your volunteer work or listing membership in a college sorority- may be just the edge that keeps a viewer around a little longer and lands you an interview. Readers, what have you done to create a memorable LinkedIn profile? Share your tips with us below!

How to Learn From Failure - The Muse

How to Learn From Failure - The Muse How to Learn From Failure You’re bound to make plenty of mistakes throughout your career (and generally throughout your life, too!). But the important thing is to turn those experiences into lessons, no matter what. Need a little help learning from a slip-up and making your next move? We searched the web for resources that’ll help you bounce back and be even better than ever. First things first: If you need a little pick-me-up, these 30 inspirational quotes about failure will make you feel a whole lot better. (Forbes) Why are so many people embracing failure right now in the first place? (Fast Company) You can tell yourself these 12 truths right after a failure, and we promise they’ll make you feel better. (Marc and Angel Hack Life) Make sure that whenever you do fail, you’re failing forward. (Productivityist) Just remember: If you’re not failing, you’re not growing. (99U) You can learn a lot about how to better deal with failure by taking a look at improv comedy. (Dumb Little Man) Trying to reflect on your mistakes? You might to want think about whether or not you’re setting yourself up for failure. (Lifehacker) A crucial question to ask yourself: Are you sure you’re opening up and allowing yourself to learn from failure? (HBR) Want more help learning from failure? Check out our suggestions! How to Turn Every Failure Into a Success The Most Fun Way Possible to Overcome Your Fear of Failure Moving Forward: How to Overcome a Career Failure Photo of man sitting in dark tunnel courtesy of Shutterstock.

Avoid Scams When Using Money Making Smartphone Apps

Avoid Scams When Using Money Making Smartphone Apps Avoid Scams When Using Money Making Smartphone Apps This list of 9 ways to make money with your phone includes nifty little apps that allow you to earn cash in your spare time by participating in crowdsourcing, social media advertising, shopping rewards, loyalty programs, surveys, and other micro jobs. People can most certainly earn money at these, but before you try, read about a few pitfalls of these apps. Go in With Realistic Expectations You have to look at these as ways to make  extra money but not a lot of money. They are not a way to earn a living. A few of the crowdsourcing apps highlight participants who make hundreds of dollars a month, but that is rare.  Mostly these are ways to help defray the cost of your smartphone or to save money on items you would buy anyway. That said, these can mean extra cash in your pocket, just keep in mind that: Time Is Money and Gas Isnt Free! Be mindful of your time and expenses when using these apps. Many of these crowdsourcing tasks, particularly the shopping ones, pay so little that you could spend more on gas than you make. If you live in a densely populated area, there likely will be more tasks offered that are easy for you to get to. On the flip side, in these areas, there will be more competition for the jobs. In many of these crowdsourcing sites, participants must build a better reputation for completing tasks to have access to more tasksmaking it harder for newcomers. If these apps can be used within your daily routinewhile waiting at the doctor or while shoppingthe time is not as much of an issue. If you have to drive out of your way, then you have to calculate whether it is truly worth it. Beware of Spending Money to Make Money Some of the rewards-based programs may either require or tempt you to spend money in order to receive the rewards. Be careful that you dont spend more than you earn. And be sure that those programs that dont pay in cash but with rewards (gift cards, discounts, etc.) wont cause you to spend money you otherwise wouldnt. Fees Can Eat Up Your Profit Any company that charges you a fee of any sort to participate in its program I suspect is a scam and should be avoided. However, there are other possible costs that can eat into your profitsnamely PayPal fees. Sure, its nice when a place pays you immediately for each job no matter how small, but if PayPal charges you a fee for each tiny payment, that can reduce your profit significantly. Some companies will absorb the PayPal fees; others pay out in gift cards. Investigate the fees before you sign up. Payout Threshold Pros and Cons Payout thresholds are when a company requires that you earn a certain amount before it will pay out your earnings. Sometimes these can mean that if you are earning only a few bucks (or a few cents!) per job, you may give up before you reach the payout threshold, which might be as high as $50. So that is definitely a con. However, believe it or not, there are pros to payout thresholds. As mentioned earlier, PayPal fees can eat up small payments. Some companies will allow you to adjust your payout threshold in order to help you avoid repeated fees. Always investigate the payout threshold of any company that pays small amounts, whether its mystery shopping, surveys, crowdsourcing sites or any of these money-making apps for your cell phone.