Career Resources and Advice for Experienced Workers

Judi writes:
“I am 54, recently divorced and desperately looking for work. I have a lot of job experience, however, I spent more of my adult years raising my children. I have been diligently applying for work for about 12 weeks and have not been offered one position. I’ve adjusted my resume so I don’t apply for jobs I’m not qualified for. At the same time, jobs I am qualified for don’t pay enough to pay my rent. I have to say this is the most frustrating experience I’ve ever endured, as my credit score dips lower and lower because I’m unable to pay even minimum payments on my credit cards.”

(more…)

By Jim McCormick, author, “Business Lessons from the Edge”

Your idea of extreme sports may be watching three football games at once at the local sports bar or playing more than 18 holes of golf in a day. You may think there is nothing to learn from people who jump out of planes or hang off the sides of mountains. That would be wrong. While you may have no interest in participating in extreme sports, you can still gain valuable insights from successful business people who do.

I’m a world record skydiver, M.B.A and former corporate chief operating officer. My co-author, Maryann Karinch, is an adventure racer, former corporate manager and the author of 16 books. Our careers span both business and extreme sports. We found 40 highly successful senior executives and entrepreneurs who are also accomplished extreme athletes to share their success insight with us.

More than half of these athletes and executives are presidents or CEOs. One-third are entrepreneurs and one-third are women. They are an extraordinary group. Think of them as CEOs who also have climbed Mt. Everest, because in some cases they have. The result is our book “Business Lessons from the Edge.”

So, what can you learn from these amazing high achievers? A lot. Here are some of the key lessons from the book that can benefit you:

Respect the challenge
Whether they’re climbing one of the world’s highest mountains, competing in an aerobatics competition or trying to wrestle a major account away from a competitor, athletes and executives respect the challenge they’re facing. They do not take on life-threatening activities or critical business challenges lightly.

You should do the same. When you respect the challenge you’re facing, you give it the weight it deserves. You seek all the right advice. You don’t go after it ill-prepared. You give it the effort it requires to be successful.

Don’t go overboard. Don’t make a challenge larger than it really is and allow it to intimidate you. Just respect it. By respecting it, you will significantly increase the chances of prevailing over it.

Practice extreme preparation
A logical extension of respecting the challenge is practicing extreme preparation. The athletes and executives in “Business Lessons from the Edge” do exactly that. In both sport and business, they engage the challenge exceedingly well prepared so that very little is left to chance. They identify every imaginable outcome and how they will respond to it. In sports, they practice and condition. In business, they do their research and rehearse. By the time the competition starts, they are better prepared than their competitor whether it’s an auto race, a strategy session or a sales presentation.

Extreme preparation will always serve you well. How do you know you have prepared enough? When you and your team cannot come up with a single contingency you have not addressed.

Honor your passion
A third common trait of the highly successful athletes and executives in “Business Lessons from the Edge” is that they honor their passion. They are keenly aware of what excites them and they incorporate it into their working lives as much as possible. They know that passion leads to commitment, which leads to higher performance.

Your first step is to identity your passions. What are you exceptionally good at? What activities are so engaging that they almost don’t seem like work? These are clues to your passions.

With your passions identified, the next step is to work to utilize them as much as possible in your work. If that is not possible today, rest easy. Work toward blending them into your work as you move forward. Keep them foremost in your mind when your consider career options or even your next assignment.

While you may have no plans to ride a bull, trek to the North Pole or even compete in a triathlon, you can still learn a lot from people who do and have also been very successful in their careers. When you respect the challenge, practice extreme preparation and honor your passion you will win the most important race — the race to be personally successful and fulfilled.

Jim McCormick is the co-author of Business Lessons from the Edge www.BusinessLessonsFromTheEdge.com, the author of The Power of Risk and the editor of 365 Daily Doses of Courage. Jim draws on his experience at a World Record and North Pole skydiver, MBA and former corporate Chief Operating Officer to help teams and individuals move past self-imposed limitations through presentations, seminars and performance coaching. You can contact him at www.TakeRisks.com

By Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

If life were a movie, we’d hear flighty music as we stroll down the street. When we give a powerful speech, elaborate orchestral strings would swell and people would probably break into applause. When we fall in love, soft acoustic guitar would strum while we gaze in our sweetheart’s eyes.

Sadly, life isn’t a movie. We’re not as pretty as celebrities, we don’t have their bank accounts and the only person who wants our signature is the delivery driver asking us to sign for a package. And our soundtracks? At work it’s the random coughs and sneezes of the sick guy two rows over; the incessant ring of a phone; the boss yelling at you.

Luckily, plenty of jobs exist that let you put on some headphones or turn on the radio so you don’t have to hear those mundane and distracting noises. And we’re not just talking about a select group of people. Workers in a variety of fields are bringing a little music into the workplace to stay focused.

Soundtrack for your imagination
If anyone needs music, creative professionals are the ones. Although you might immediately think of painters and writers, jobs that require imagination and creativity can be found in some unexpected places.

“I am a landscape designer, and [music] really helped with the creative juices,” says Rebecca Ives of Gardens by Rebecca. “A co-worker turned me in to [online radio service] Pandora, but depending on the ‘theme’ of the design I am working on, I may stick in a CD or just listen to a local radio station.”

Of course, artistic workers need some inspiration, and music seems to be an expected component of the job.

“I am currently working as a marketing manager [as a designer, writer and PR person] where it seems to be accepted without any problem,” says Elise Roy of Business Health Services. “However, I used to be a lawyer and definitely noticed that it raised more eyebrows in that field because you’re supposed to always display a more serious and professional appearance.”

While appearances definitely matter in all industries, some are more forgiving than others. Emily Coleman works for Obviouslee Marketing, where her colleagues use Pandora and their own portable music devices to listen to music or public radio. Luckily, her workplace has plenty of private offices so that one person’s music doesn’t disturb others. Or so Coleman thought.

“I like to sing in my office, and until recently thought that no one could hear me,” she says. “Last week one of my interns told me that she liked my singing voice, so at least I try to keep it down on that front, now.”

Unlikely listeners
Creative types aren’t the only ones using music to get through the workday. Eugene Smolenskiy is a software engineer who worked at a mobile handset corporation and now works at a financial software firm. In both positions he used music — and even a shock jock’s radio program — to help get the job done.

“My musical preference always centered around death metal and 90′s grunge [and] alternative,” Smolenskiy says. When he needs to concentrate more, he puts on Mozart.

For other workers, music is a way to find solace in a workday that can be tough to get through. For Bonnie Gerard, a business development specialist at Knowledge Institute, music combats frustrating encounters during cold calls.

“As you may suspect, I come across some not-so-polite people on the other end of the phone when doing sales prospecting,” Gerard explains. “If I wasn’t able to listen to music through the Internet to offset some of the harassment I get, I’d go nuts.” Instead of going the headset route, she’s hooked up speakers to her computer and listens to whatever music suits her mood.

Cherie K. Miller works at an Atlanta-area university and has relied on Internet radio since she began working there. For her, music is a necessary way to maintain some order on a campus full of 22,800 students.

“I use the music to screen conversations I shouldn’t be overhearing,” she says. It also keeps her on task and helps her bond with other people in the office. “I’ve had many people comment when they’ve sat across the desk from me that it’s been years since they heard that song. And they go all nostalgic, which is kind of nice.”

What is everyone listening to?
As you might expect, there is no one act or genre that is universally enjoyed by all workers. Ask anyone what they listen to at work, and you’ll get a variety of answers. Here is what some professionals throughout the country are listening to:

• Pink Floyd
• Van Halen
• Leonard Cohen
• Tom Waits
• Earth Wind & Fire
• Steely Dan
• Kings of Leon
• Grateful Dead
• Britney Spears
• Queen
• Celtic music
• Classical composers
• Contemporary Christian artists
• Rush
• Journey

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

The best way to return to work after a long break

After months of sending résumés, interviewing and networking, you’ve found a job. You’re excited, particularly in this employment market, but you’re also a little nervous. Not only will the people, policies and procedures be new to you, but you’ll also have to adjust to a different routine — one that involves once again setting the alarm for 6 a.m.

Following are some tips to help you get back in the swing of things and successfully prepare for your new role:

Take some time
You probably have a routine you’ve followed since you’ve been out of work — or perhaps a lack of routine was your routine. If you have the flexibility, give yourself a week, or at least a few days, to prepare for the transition. You might start waking up earlier to get used to your new schedule or plan a trip to the new museum exhibit you’ve been hoping to catch. However, you choose to spend your time, your goal should be to start your new position well rested and ready to go.

Conduct more research
You probably learned a good deal about your new employer in preparation for the job interview. Now that you’re hired, look for additional information about the firm on the Web and ask your boss for materials that might help you prepare for your new role, such as the employee handbook or background on a large project you’ll be contributing to right away. Also tap your network to see if you have any connections to current employees.

Think about the details
Before you start your new role, take care of all the little things, like bringing your clothes to the cleaners or doing a dry run of your commute. Though small, these tasks are important, and you don’t want them to slip through the cracks. After all, you wouldn’t want to be late on your first day of work because you didn’t realize there was construction on your commute route.

Talk to the boss
It’s essential that you and your manager are on the same page once you start your new job. Plan to meet with your supervisor during the first few days to discuss your responsibilities and how your position fits into the grand scheme of things. Ask what your priorities should be and how your performance will be evaluated.

Assess the culture
In your new role, spend some time studying the work habits of your colleagues. Note when people arrive and leave, the preferred communication style and whether people take work home. Adjust your own habits accordingly.

Connect with colleagues
Make a point of getting to know those with whom you’ll be working. That means speaking to them for a longer period of time than the introduction you’ll likely get on your first day. You might, for instance, arrange to meet a member of your team for coffee or lunch for a more extended conversation. Your goal is twofold: You want to learn specifics about the other person’s role, how his or her responsibilities impact your own and how you can most effectively work together. At the same time, you also want to get to know him or her on a personal level — after all, you’ll be working together every day. While you want to focus first on your immediate team, don’t limit yourself to these individuals — it’s helpful to get to know people you’ll interact with in other departments as well.

Don’t overdo it
Begin your new position with a can-do attitude and a desire to pitch in where needed. But don’t bite off more than you can chew. You need time to get acclimated to the company and position. Let your supervisor know when you’re ready to take on more, but don’t volunteer for new projects if you’re not completely confident you can handle the extra work. Although you want to be perceived as a go-getter, failing to meet expectations at the outset will have the opposite effect.

When starting a new position, first impressions count, and by preparing for the transition ahead of time, you’re more likely to begin on the right foot.

Robert Half International is the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.

By Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

Job security has become a bit of a professional artifact. It existed at one time, and your parents or grandparents can attest to it. You probably didn’t witness it firsthand, but the stories they tell are fascinating. If you showed up on time, worked hard and delivered results, you didn’t worry about your job. And if you had a college education? Well, you could pretty much bronze your nameplate because you weren’t going anywhere.

Then the world changed and workers realized they could be gone tomorrow. It sounds a bit like a disaster movie, but it’s the truth. You might think your job’s pretty safe, and chances are your hunch is right, but you probably wouldn’t bet your life savings on it.

No one can guarantee you a surefire way to keep your job forever. What I can tell you is that a proven asset for professionals is education. Not just a degree in business if you want to go into sales, or in accounting if you want to be a CPA. While both are good paths that work for many people, you should also consider other educational credentials that augment your experience.

A bonus degree
A relevant college education is often a prerequisite just to land an interview, but that alone won’t guarantee you the job. You need skills, experience and the right qualities for that position. Once you’ve got the job, you still need to pile on the qualifications. That’s what financial educator Christine D. Moriarty did. Moriarty, president of MoneyPeace Inc, earned her credentials as a certified financial planner, which gives her a strong foundation for financial planning. She still went on to earn an M.B.A.

“I knew years ago I wanted to be a certified financial planner,” Moriarty says. “I am glad to have that credential. It is limiting as opposed to the M.B.A which is broader and allows me the more exposure to other careers if I wanted. When I considered an M.B.A I was told by many people that I did not need an M.B.A to be a CFP. However, I found it to be my best credential for job security, insight and flexibility.”

Moriarty had to weigh the cost of earning her M.B.A against the benefit of staying in the professional world with just her CFA credentials. There’s no easy way to measure the true expense of getting the degree, and no single piece of advice can tell you what the right decision is.

“There are endless studies on whether getting an MBA is worth it. Mostly in the financial lingo of opportunity cost which includes missing [out on] employment for two years compared with increased salary,” Moriarty explains. “The ones I have seen say it is not worth it. However, my experience says what you get along with the credential that does impress people is confidence. You have been exposed to many more situations and reviews of industries, which make you better in a host of analytical situations.”

Because she’s self-employed, the business know-how has helped her navigate the fluctuating economy.

Confidence builder
When consultant Helen Cooke decided to pursue an M.S. in organizational development, she was looking for a way to reinvigorate her career, or at least interest in her career. At the time, she found her job lacked the challenge it once had.

“By taking advantage of the company’s tuition reimbursement, I was intellectually stimulated and able to contribute at higher levels while making my job more interesting as I applied new concepts and models,” Cooke says. “It was a win/win and ensured I was contributing as a high performer with new innovations rather than sitting around bored, disgruntled and complaining.”

The job security was less about showing her qualifications and more about stepping up her performance. Not only did she break out of her rut, but she actually became a better worker, which is perhaps the best way to stay employed. Cooke also thinks part of improving your performance comes from confidence in knowing that you are a better worker because of your educational endeavors.

“[Educated workers] know that they are extremely capable of learning and applying new information, comprehend that ongoing development is critical to not losing ground in the workplace, possess the foresight to invest the time and energy (and money if they don’t have an employer who supports ongoing education) and have the fortitude to stick with it despite the usual competing priorities,” she says.

Whether you’re bored at your job, looking to increase your odds of landing a new one or increase job security, you can choose from a variety of educational endeavors to help your job security:

· A new degree (or a first one)
If a degree exists to complement your existing one, or you haven’t yet earned one in your field, now’s a good time to enroll.

· Certification
Depending on your industry, various certifications might be available to help you qualify for new positions. Some certifications, such as the ones you can get at CB Institute, improve skill sets that are transferable to any industry.

· Training
Training courses don’t get you a new acronym to put after your name, but they do keep you current with industry trends and findings. If you want to show an employer that you’re proactive about your job and you’re not just going through the motions, training courses or seminars will do the trick.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

How to let the boss know

You’re probably due for a promotion, right? I don’t know you, but if you’re like most other workers, you think you deserve a promotion. You are the glue that holds the entire organization together. Everybody knows it. Everybody except your boss, that is. She doesn’t seem to realize that you’re ready and deserving for bigger things.

On top of doing your job (and the jobs of several other colleagues, undoubtedly), you have a new task at hand: proving that you should get a promotion. It’s not just going to land on your desk one day; you need to be proactive. Your perfect opportunity for making your case is when performance review time rolls around, but you should start preparing ahead of time.

Start with a job description
Steve Moore, a team manager with HR outsourcing company Administaff, recommends looking at your job description before you do anything else.

“Using a current job description, assuming one is available, honestly examine your strengths and weaknesses. Devise a plan to make your strengths work in your favor, to not only meet but also exceed expectations,” Moore says. “Then develop a strategy to improve your weak points. It might also be a good practice to work with your manager to set performance objectives based on the job requirements and your personal evaluation.”

If you don’t have a job description, Moore suggests asking your manager for one. Not only do you get the information you need, but you also display initiative to your boss and prove you’re taking an active interest in your career.

Once you get a look at the role’s description and possibly consult with your boss, you should have a good idea whether or not you’re performing the duties and at what level. Whether or not you deserve a promotion is still another issue. Workers who deserve promotions are workers who redefine their roles.

“Focusing only on the tasks necessary to fulfill the role is the strategy to implement if an employee wants to keep his current job,” Moore advises. “Employees who go above and beyond and add more value to the organization are truly poised for a promotion.” Only then will management understand that you’ve taken the position as far as you can and are ready for new challenges.

How to perform well at your review
Annual performance reviews happen in many organizations, and some companies even offer them on a quarterly basis. During these reviews, the boss assesses how an employee has fulfilled job requirements, shown progress and demonstrated areas for improvement. It’s also when conversations about raises and other important career decisions take place. If you want to discuss a promotion, you need to walk into the meeting ready to make your case.

“Start by compiling a file with evidence that displays your ability to perform your current roles and responsibilities,” Moore suggests. “In addition, take time to document all achievements above and beyond expected tasks and provide solid examples of how the company has benefited from your drive to excel.”

The more specific you can be, the better, says Moore. “For example, have your contributions in your current role increased profits or sales, added new clients to the roster or grown the business of existing clients?”

Nevertheless, Moore cautions against putting all of your hopes and energy on just an annual review. The timeline for receiving a promotion might not align with the performance review schedule, so don’t get fixated on the review as the only opportunity you have to get what you want.

“Putting everything on paper and only evaluating it once a year during a performance review can be futile,” Moore says. “Supervisors and employees should work together to create a plan and review it periodically throughout the year. Adjustments should be made when appropriate, but more importantly, supervisors should help employees determine the best approaches to reach milestones.” Feel free to take the initiative to ask your boss for these conversations if he or she hasn’t approached you about it.

Confidence above all else
Workers get understandably nervous and even bashful when discussing their goals. Like salary talks, discussions about promotions might cause you to doubt yourself. Are you deceiving yourself by thinking you deserve a new title? Is your boss going to laugh you out of the office? If you do get what you want, will your colleagues scoff at your step up?

If you have a specific role in mind, learn from the person who currently has or previously had the position. You can set yourself up to get the position by not only exceeding your job duties but also by demonstrating that you have the knowledge and ability to fulfill the requirements. Moore also recommends understanding how the performances of the people in that position have been measured. You’ll have more confidence if you learn as much as you can about the role.

As for the fear that your colleagues and current co-workers might not embrace you with open arms upon your promotion, Moore says to stay focused on your concerns, not theirs.

“As an employee now in a higher position, it’s important to display the abilities your manager rewarded by promoting you,” Moore says. “The skill sets and character traits that make you worthy of this position may have already been noticed by your former colleagues. If not, you will have the opportunity to earn their trust as your talents are revealed over time.”

Ultimately, confidence informs all aspects of a promotion, from the early talks to your first days in the role. And that confidence has to come from you, otherwise no one will take you seriously.

“When seeking a promotion, confidence is key and an employee should not be shy when discussing his goals with a manager or supervisor,” Moore says. “Let the supervisor know your intentions, ask him or her what is needed to reach a higher level, and request consistent advice and guidance. Even if you aren’t granted a promotion this time around, you will have constructive feedback that can help prepare you for the next review.”

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

By Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

In the current state of our economy, there are more than 15 million unemployed people. That’s 15 million people who are all looking for a little help, whether it’s in the job search, writing a résumé, interview advice, networking or even help finding a new career path.

Many times, people who need job-search help enlist a professional. Career coaches and counselors are usually certified professionals who focus on career exploration or choice, changing career paths or even helping you beef up your résumé and perfect your interview skills.

In the 2009 International Coaching Federation Global Coaching Client Study, 15 percent of coaching clients said career opportunities are the most important reason to enlist a coach, compared to business management (14 percent) and self-esteem or self-confidence (13 percent). The study, which included input from more than 2,000 coaching clients from 64 countries, also cited more than 80 percent of respondents indicating a positive change in areas such as interpersonal skills, work performance and team effectiveness.

Costly counseling
While career coaches can definitely be a useful resource, good advice doesn’t come cheap. In a 2007 study from the ICF, which focused on coaches rather than clients, the average fee for a career coaching session was $161 per hour. Depending on your financial situation and employment status and considering you’re inclined to buy more than one session, that’s a hefty investment.

The question is, is it worth it?

It wasn’t for Nick Pitarys, owner of the Arizona Cheesecake Company. Pitarys says he was extremely disappointed with his experience in hiring a career coach and it was definitely not worth the money.

“After an $8,200 investment and the entire 12-month period, I had nothing to show for it,” he says. “My adviser — also the owner — had way too many clients to satisfy and thus, the effort she applied to me was less than substantial.”

But, there are two sides to every story. While there are a number of people who feel that their investment in a career coach was a waste of money, there are an equal (or greater) number who feel that the investment was money well spent.

Sixty-eight percent of individuals indicated that they had at least made back their initial investment in coaching in increased earnings from personal salaries or investments, or through increased savings through debt reduction, according to the ICF study, which was conducted by Association Resource Centre Inc. and PricewaterhouseCooper LLP.

Here are just a few testimonials from people who felt their career coaches were worth the investment:

“My career coach was most definitely worth the investment. I am an educator with absolutely no business background or experience. She helped me parlay the skills I do have into a successful side business that has grown at a manageable pace. I feel very in-control of the business growth and am able to balance the two jobs with my life, which is a priority for me. My coach provided a calm voice when, internally, I was going a bit crazy. I eagerly anticipated our sessions because I knew I would leave with concrete actions that would assuredly promise success. We could ALL use a coach!” ­- Laura Glaser

“I hired a coach about nine months before I was laid off and it was the best thing I ever did. What I learned about myself was that I was more passionate about starting my own business instead of staying where I was. I never believed I would be laid off — I always had great performance reviews and won the top award at the company a few months prior — but I was. I was also very prepared. Two weeks prior to the layoff announcement I had just given my Web site team the verbal OK. All is well and I couldn’t be happier.” — Thomasina Tafur

“I used a career coach about eight years ago while I was trying to figure out how to continue my career after having two children and being ready to get back to work. The career-coach experience was great for me, in particular where I realized that some aspects of my career to date did not excite me the way other parts of it did. The four sessions ($300/each) helped me to really understand how I wanted to define the next part of my career. I went back in a previous direction with more confidence. I now understood how teaching excited me and how I could teach using some of my newly acquired expertise, and not just go into a traditional classroom. It helped me bring great enthusiasm to the work I’ve chosen for the last eight years. I’m convinced that this subtle ‘ah-ha’ moment made all the difference for me.” — Kate McCauley

If you want to try enlisting a career coach, Dr. Miriam Reiss, career coach, offers these 10 tips:

1. Choose wisely
“[Choosing] a career coach is not like buying a vase. For coaching decisions, you need live contact. Admire great Web sites and recognize that Web sites demonstrate writing, not coaching skills,” Reiss says.

2. Mass solutions won’t work
“Career transition is an individual journey. Beware of one-size-fits-all career programs and vehicles like group coaching,” Reiss says. “These may sound good and fit your budget but ultimately leave you frustrated. There’s no substitute for the undivided time, attention and results you get from having individual coaching sessions.”

3. The difference is in the numbers
The difference between a good career coach and a great coach is about $100-$150 per month — a fraction of one monthly paycheck, Reiss says.

“Unlike some professions, there’s not that much price differential between coaches with a few years of experience and senior coaches. A seasoned career coach can save you months of fruitless wandering,” she says.

4. Look out for “fast” promises
“No career coach, regardless of seasoning, can predict just how long your individual career process will take. Coaches know you don’t like this answer, but that’s the truth,” Reiss says. “Timing considerations include how diligent you will be around fieldwork assignments, what careers you wind up exploring and much more.”

5. Take advantage of sample sessions and don’t over-shop
Some coaches offer a free, introductory session so you can get a feel for each other.

“Decide how many coaches you want to talk to, and then pick your coach,” Reiss advises. “Talking with too many coaches will confuse you, create inner commotion and impede the process.”

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

By Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

As any worker knows, juggling a job, family and your personal life is hard enough. Add going to school to the equation and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

“In today’s world, people are overextended, overworked and overstressed. Choosing to take on the dual role of both being an adult student and member of the work force can be difficult in even the most optimal of situations,” says Elizabeth Lasher, coordinator of career counseling for Penn State Continuing Education. “Even with the best-laid plans, life can be pretty unpredictable.”

Despite the difficulty juggling work and school, there are ways to do so successfully, while also acquiring additional skills and benefits.

Rebecca Dobbins, 25, a full-time nursing student and traveling phlebotomist for a medical laboratory in Indiana, wakes up at 2 a.m. to work a full shift before going to school in the afternoon and spending evenings with her son.

“I strongly feel that juggling work and school is worth the stress,” Dobbins says. “I can either go through a few years of hardship for a rewarding career for the rest of my life, or I can remain complacent where I am and never move forward.”

The present economic climate has driven employees to work harder to stay relevant in order to provide themselves more job security. Workers are keeping up with industry trends, networking more, going back to school and renewing their skill sets.

“Keeping skills up to date is essential in this economy. [Workers] need to position themselves for advancement. Many adults have some education, but lack a degree,” Lasher says. “What used to suffice, no longer does. For many, that piece of paper stating that they possess a college degree is the minimum entrance requirement. That’s why many states are pushing adults to go back to school to complete their degrees.”

Lasher also says in the role of a student, adult learners further develop and refine their time management skills and also learn how to delegate and prioritize to make it possible to both work and go to school.

Anne Dean, 33, works full-time in the communications field, logging 40-60 hours per week. She wanted to go back to school for a long time but, in typical fashion, life kept getting in the way. Finally, her supervisor made it a part of her professional development plan, which she says was a “much needed kick in the rear end.” Although the juggle is not ideal, Dean says it’s necessary.

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? If I can handle a relationship, my child, running my household, volunteering on two boards and one committee, working a full-time job with a lot of after-hours social obligations and school at the same time, it will be cake when I finish and am ‘just working,’” Dean says. “School is teaching me a skill set that I need to advance in my career and the balancing portion is helping me learn to prioritize, barrel through challenges and fulfill commitments — all of those are invaluable assets on the job.”

Jamie Miller, 41, a business owner who went back to school 10 years ago to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in public relations says he most appreciates the time management he learned.

“I have to deal with multiple clients, deadlines and goals. Working while going to school helped me become a better multi-tasker,” he says.

Challenges
There are clear benefits to juggling school and work at the same time, but they don’t come without a cost to the worker attempting the balancing act.

For Dobbins, her biggest challenge was financial.

“College is very expensive, even at a community college campus. As a married worker in a professional field, my family’s combined wages prevent me from receiving any government funded financial aid. However, we do not make enough to be viable during school because of my decreased work hours. Fortunately, I was awarded a very generous scholarship,” she says. “While the scholarship covers tuition, there are many other expenses that add up. For example, I spent close to $2,000 just this semester on books alone.”

One way to overcome financial stresses of school is to explore options with your employer. Many companies offer tuition reimbursement benefits to alleviate the burden. In addition, Dobbins suggests applying for all the financial aid you can.

“Apply for every single scholarship you qualify for. Many scholarships are available and have qualifications for just about every person’s situation,” Dobbins says.

Another clear struggle for workers juggling school and work is finding time.

“There never seems to be enough to fit in work, family, social obligations and everything else,” Dean says. “I do my best to budget my time and make sure the worry about getting my school work done doesn’t overrun the important things like tucking my son into bed at night or enjoying a Friday night at the movies every now and then.”

If you’re a worker trying to balance school and your job, Lasher offers these five tips:

1. Surround yourself with positive people
Miller says that his greatest struggle was balancing family obligations, but that he couldn’t have done it without his wife’s support. “I am fortunate to have an understanding and supportive spouse who helped greatly with the needs at home.”

2. Tell others your plan
Involve family or significant others, friends and even your employer in your objective to go back to school, Lasher says. “Going back to school not only involves you, it involves everyone around you. They all need to buy into your plans and goals.”

3. Be reasonable
“Make your educational plan manageable for you. Maybe that means going to school part time. That’s OK if it works for you,” Lasher says.

4. Don’t beat yourself up
“Do the best you can, and beyond that, let it go. You don’t have to be perfect in everything you do,” Lasher says. “Sometimes we set ourselves up by placing unrealistic expectations on ourselves. We usually hold ourselves to a higher standard than we hold others to.”

5. Know when to say no
“There will be times when something’s got to give and that’s OK. When that happens, talk to an academic adviser to understand your options,” Lasher says. “Bailing out of school is often not the best or only option available.”

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

By Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

The Internet has significantly changed how we carry out many everyday tasks. We don’t have to receive bills in the mail or go to the bank to check our account balances. Hop online and almost everything we want to do is at our fingertips. Online job hunting has replaced flipping through the newspaper want ads to find that elusive open position.

Another significant addition to the Internet is social media. Social networking sites have suddenly put us in touch with long-lost friends or helped us make new ones. They’re like class reunions and dating services rolled into one. And now they’ve become professional tools, too. You can use your online profile to display your work history and skill set.

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If you are hoping to snag a seasonal job during this year’s holidays, it’s time to start looking now. Like the rest of the job market, competition will be fierce.  What you might not think about, though, is that a seasonal job can be your ticket to full-time employment.

“Competition for seasonal positions will be intense as the job market is flooded with qualified candidates vying for a smaller number of open positions,” said Brent Rasmussen, President of CareerBuilder North America. “Employers tell us they are accepting the majority of their seasonal applications during October and November, meaning job seekers need to identify and apply for those opportunities now.”

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Apparently my brain is taking a Columbus Day holiday even though I must physically be in my cube at work today. Despite surfing the Web and Twitter for inspiration and inhaling about 50 caramel candy corn (that works doesn’t it?), a bad case of writer’s block has been plaguing me all day.

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By Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

You’re sitting in a meeting, minding your own business, when one of your colleagues makes a suggestion. As you jot down notes, you realize that his proposal sounds vaguely familiar, but don’t know why. Wait a second: He stole your idea!

Co-workers stealing ideas in the workplace is more common than you think. Why exactly this happens is unknown, but Charmaine McClarie, founder and president of McClarie Group, a leadership development and communications-consulting firm, thinks that fear and laziness play equal parts in the process.

“Colleagues take credit from others because they think they probably can get away with it,” she says. “If one feels powerless to affect positive and necessary change, then stealing what one can’t create oneself begins to look like a plausible solution.”

How to deal with it
Why a colleague steals an idea is not as important as how you react when you realize it’s happening. McClarie says you can prevent someone from stealing your idea by getting credit for it long before you do the work.

“Part of planning a project should be planning who needs to know about your ideas and how they should learn about it,” she says. “When a group of people know and support your ideas, no one else can come in and take credit for them.”

Other experts say that unless there is a really good reason not to, confronting the credit appropriator is the best route to take — as long as you do it in a non-accusatory manner.

“Speaking about [stealing your idea] in the form of a complaint can make you seem like a whiner,” McClarie says. “You may want to beat them with a stick; but wave your wand instead.”

Perhaps the best option you have when an associate takes credit for your idea is to try to regain control and move the idea forward.

“If someone does steal your idea at a meeting, avoid trying to stake your claim on the idea then and there. It will leave a bad impression,” McClarie advises. “Instead, send an e-mail afterward to those who attended. Present a few points that will move the idea forward. You’re allowing others to know that you’re a leader and strategic thinker who gets results.”

A different view
While many believe that ideas belong to an owner, Richard Gallagher, author of “How to Tell Anyone Anything: Breakthrough Techniques for Handling Difficult Conversations at Work,” has a different perspective:

“There is a misguided belief that ideas, and credit, should be hoarded as a kind of career currency,” Gallagher says. “In reality, ideas flourish when fertilized by the input of an entire team. People who worry too much about idea ownership are often putting self-interest ahead of the good of the entire workplace, an attitude that can hurt your career.”

In other words, Gallagher thinks that ideas are not copyrighted and cannot be stolen, only spread. By encouraging people to spread your ideas, Gallagher says you gain more leadership credentials than by squabbling over credit.

Advice and tips
Here are five ways you can deal with or prevent idea appropriation (or idea sharing):

1. Create advocates for your idea
“Too often, when we think of a great idea, we turn to the person closest to us and share it. Instead, get strategic,” McClarie says. “Ask yourself who in your organization is seen and valued as a leader and needs to know about [your ideas]. You’re getting your idea out there before it can be stolen and you’re also making it clear that it’s your idea.”

2. Reframe your views
“Change your perspective from one of having your idea stolen to one of having it communicated,” Gallagher says. “Congratulate the other person for doing such a great job of communicating the idea and tell your boss what a great job this person did of helping bring your idea to life.”

3. Ask others for support
“Ask others to speak to [your] idea at an anticipated meeting, particularly if you think there might be some pushback,” McClarie says. That way, people will refer to the idea as yours. “‘Well, (idea-stealer), that’s an interesting point; Charmaine and I were speaking about this last week.’ At that point, the idea has been unstolen.”

4. Think beyond the idea
“Over a century ago, someone had the idea of turning a horse carriage into an automobile. Do you remember who that person was? The people we really remember are the ones who took ideas and built on them,” Gallagher says.

5. Borrow, encourage and give credit
“When you openly encourage people to ‘steal’ your ideas and get in the habit of ‘stealing’ from others and crediting them, wonderful things happen to your career that you could never imagine when you try to be the lone ranger with a great idea,” Gallagher says.

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

By Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

After a long day’s work, workers often look forward to a relaxing evening at home, enjoying their favorite TV shows to escape the chaos that they (hopefully) left at the office.

But what happens when the workplace follows us into the TV? These days, more and more shows are set in work environments, making it easier for viewers to relate to realistic characters and storylines.

In a recent CareerBuilder survey, when asked which TV show reminds them of their work environment, 15 percent of workers said “The Office.” “Deadliest Catch,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Lost” trailed with 3 percent each, and “CSI,” “Rescue Me” and “Ugly Betty” followed with 2 percent each, respectively.

Here are some of our favorite TV workplaces and why:

1. “30 Rock”
Work environment: TV network
Why we love it: Because it’s entertaining (to say the least).
Summary: Set behind-the-scenes of a fictional, live sketch-comedy show, its characters are beyond hysterical. Between Kenneth, the overeager, quirky, entry-level studio page; Jenna, the conceited, flirtatious and often flighty actress; and Tracy, the unpredictable, self-centered and “crazy movie star,” we barely have time to focus on Jack Donaghy, the interfering network executive and Liz Lemon, the narrator and head writer for the show.

2. “The Cleaner”
Work environment: Drug intervention
Why we love it: Because it’s inspirational to workers and people everywhere.
Summary: William Banks, an extreme interventionist, is inspiring in his passion and dedication for his work, referring to it not as a job, but as a calling. “The Cleaner” focuses on Banks and his small team, all of whom are recovering addicts. Together, they use unconventional, often extreme measures to get rock-bottom addicts on the road to recovery “by any means necessary.”

3. “Glee”
Work environment: Secondary education
Why we love it: Because it portrays the ups and downs of what it takes to be a great educator.
Summary: Will Schuester is an optimistic teacher who takes on the difficult task of restoring the formerly awesome glee club. Despite opposition from his co-workers — specifically, the hilarious gym teacher — Schuester demonstrates that with a little determination, even the toughest tasks can be handled.

4. “HawthoRNe”
Work environment: Hospital
Why we love it: Because it teaches workers to stand up for themselves and others at work.
Summary: Whether she’s your boss, your colleague or your nurse, chief nursing officer Christina Hawthorne encourages workers everywhere to make a difference. Compassionate and headstrong, Hawthorne fights for her patients to the death (no pun intended), defends her staff and stands up to authority if necessary.

5. “In Treatment”
Work environment: Psychotherapy practice
Why we love it: Because it touches on an industry that isn’t always talked about, but has become a staple of American society.
Summary: A show about a psychotherapist, and his psychotherapist, the drama captures Dr. Paul Weston and his sessions with his patients. We think it gives the oft-unrecognized psychotherapist some well-deserved credit.

6. “Lie to Me”
Work environment: Various
Why we love it: Because it’s unique, honest and contributes to the greater good.
Summary: If your boss is Dr. Cal Lightman, you can forget about feeding him a line about your alarm clock not going off this morning. Lightman is the world’s leading deception expert and can detect the truth by analyzing a person’s body language, facial expressions, voice intonations and speech patterns. (Talk about an intimidating boss.) Lightman and his team help federal law enforcement, government agencies and local police with their most difficult cases.

7. “The Listener”
Work environment: Paramedics
Why we love it: Because it focuses on a (cute) 25-year-old paramedic who can read people’s minds, and therefore, solves crimes. How’s that for good qualities in a co-worker?
Summary: Toby Logan can listen to anyone’s most intimate thoughts, a secret he shares with only one other person. He tries to use his gift to help as many people has he can, personally and professionally, but struggles with his own inner demons.

8. “Parks and Recreation”
Work environment: Local government, specifically the parks and recreation department
Why we love it: Because everyone can relate to a character on this show as it pokes fun at how seriously — or in some cases, lightly — some people take their jobs.
Summary: Documentary cameras follow Leslie Knope, mid-level government official, as she tries to advance her career by helping turn an abandoned construction pit into a community park with no thanks to one colleague who “cheerfully exploits his government position for personal gain,” and her boss, “who is philosophically opposed to government in any form.” If nothing else, this workplace is pure comedy.

9. “Rescue Me”
Work environment: New York City firehouse
Why we love it: Because it pulls on our heartstrings watching the camaraderie and relationships among colleagues.
Summary: Focusing on the men in a New York City firehouse, the crew of the fictional Firehouse 62, the show mainly follows Tommy Gavin, a veteran firefighter and relapsed alcoholic. We also get a peek into the lives of his crew, and the day-to-day struggles firefighters face personally and professionally every day.

10. “True Blood”
Work environment: Local diner/small town
Why we love it: Because of its character storylines, especially the cute vampire coupled with a telepathic waitress.
Summary: Realistically, this “workplace” isn’t realistic at all, what with the selling and dealing of vampire and synthetic blood; anti-vampire movements and the general idea of the co-existence of humans and vampires. But Merlotte’s is your typical small business…

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

By Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

Friday is, hands down, the best day of the workweek. Not only is it the last working day, it’s usually in conjunction with pay day, summer hours and, if you’re lucky, a casual dress code.

But how casual is too casual?

Remember Casual Friday at TV’s favorite paper company in Scranton, Penn.? One Friday at Dunder-Mifflin, Oscar showed up wearing sandals, Stanley in a sweat suit, and Meredith had the gall to don a mini-dress sans undergarments — not a pretty sight when she ends up exposing herself while using the copy machine. When Angela complains about her co-workers’ attire, Toby calls an office meeting and cancels Casual Friday when it’s clear that certain staff have interpreted the term too loosely.
Although this might seem like an extreme example of “too casual,” it’s not far off from what employers have seen in their own offices.

Richard Laermer, CEO at RLM Public Relations, says he once had a male intern wearing capri pants, plus many sockless employees and a few with holes in their jeans. All of these are no-nos, he says.

“I’ve sent people to the corner [near our office] where there’s an H&M, Banana Republic and a Gap,” he says. “I have said, ‘Go get something to wear that doesn’t make you look 12.’”

Mary Harris, an etiquette consultant who specializes in business etiquette for small and large companies, says she visited a client’s office on Casual Friday and saw everything from football jerseys to sweat suits.

“Our culture has gotten so relaxed that casual to many [people] means what you would wear around the house on a Saturday,” she says. “It’s gotten lost that the meaning is still professional but somewhat relaxed.”

Casual confusion
It’s no wonder that the meaning of casual has been lost on employees — after all, it’s defined as “without formality, relaxed.” Yet, what is casual for one person or company may be totally different for another.

“Few employers expected, when ‘business casual’ or even ‘casual casual’ policies were instituted, that anyone would interpret them as allowing flip flops, major views of cleavage or stomachs, intimate garments or athletic wear,” says Sue Thompson, a professional speaker on workplace issues. “Many employers are just fed up with people dressing like they are still in college and have just rolled out of bed.”

As a result, some companies have had to embark on stricter — or at least more defined — dress codes in the office.

I Love Rewards, a web-based employee rewards and recognition program provider, implemented a dress code in 2006 that would hopefully refine the line between casual and business casual: First Date Dress Code.

“It’s exactly what it sounds like. Come to work dressed as you would for a first date: classy and sophisticated,” says Razor Suleman, founder and CEO of the company. “I think casual is a vague term and can mean anything from shorts and t-shirts to a suit with no tie. This is why First Date Dress Code works. We created it, we set the guidelines and the employees made it their own.”

Economic effect
Some companies have chosen to define their dress codes in a different ways and for different reasons. Laermer recently decided to allow his employees at RLM to wear jeans every day as a result of the economy.

“People want to give their folks ‘something,’ since more money is not going to happen. When I realized there was not going to be a ‘Summer Friday’ this year, I decided that in this era of recession and blues, we need to be comfortable,” he says. “I believe we (and I especially) are happier to come to work and push as hard as we have to during this difficult time. It’s a lot about working early and late and I don’t want to be thinking about ties.”

Casual counsel
Having trouble deciding what is “too casual” for the office? Here are five tips for you to dress professionally, yet still allow you to be comfortable in the office:

1. Culture check
“In choosing casual dress for your current or applied-for job, consider the corporate culture,” says Susan Fitter Sloane, founder of Global Manners. Dress in a way that is consistent with your company’s values, whether they are conservative or liberal.

2. Blend comfort and professionalism
“Keep in mind that dressing professionally and being comfortable are not two mutually exclusive things,” Thompson says. “You may be psychically uncomfortable in business attire, but there is no reason the clothing you purchase should be ill fitting and uncomfortable.”

3. You are what you wear
“Remember you are an important part of your employer’s image,” Suleman reminds. “The way you dress reflects the type of company you work for and speaks volumes to your customers and clients on how your company sees itself and its people.”

4. Be economical
“Dressing professionally does not have to cost a fortune,” Thompson says. “‘I can’t afford it’ is no excuse. The problem may be that you do not know how to dress well or carry it off.” Check your local Goodwill for some very nice, freshly dry-cleaned, high-end suits or separates, she suggests. They may need to be hemmed, slightly altered or have buttons replaced, but these are easy fixes.

5. Make good choices
When there is a truly casual atmosphere on the job, at least don’t wear anything that represents what you do away from the office like going to the beach, exercising, cleaning the garage or rearranging your attic, Thompson says. “What would you wear to work if you knew the president of the company would be asking you to come to his or her office that day? Always be ready.”

Thompson reminds employees the following: “It is not your civil right to dress as you please. A casual, dress-down day is a privilege; learn do it with style.”

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

How to know and what you can do

By Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

Toxic chemicals are dangerous stuff — hence the label toxic. Bad workplaces aren’t all that different. You might not grow a third arm from a toxic job, but you will slowly realize that your mental — and even physical — health is suffering from undesirable work conditions.

Sure, you could quit, but how many of us are eager to leave our jobs in this economy? Until you find a better opportunity, you need to work with what you’ve got, and what you’ve got is a toxic workplace.

Caution: You’re entering a hazardous work zone


If you enter a toxic workplace, it’s not easy to detect immediately; you have to look for the clues. Job seekers can start when they arrive for the first interview, says Roberta Chinsky Matuson, president of Human Resource Solutions.

“When interviewing, be aware of your surroundings,” she says. “Do you hear the sounds of laughter, or does it feel like people are going through the motions until it’s quitting time?”

Matuson also warns of an interviewer who couldn’t be less interested in you or the interview. “Clearly this is a sign that this person has checked out. Is this really someone you want to work for?”

Similarly, if you’re given a tour of the space, look at how employees are behaving. Even if they’re not laughing, they shouldn’t look like work zombies who are afraid to look up from their tasks. Do they seem intimidated by, or even scared of, the boss? If you get the job, you’ll be one of those people. At this stage, you can walk away and look elsewhere. If you’re employed and already one of those zombies, you have a little more work to do.

Unearthing the toxic elements


Not all toxic situations announce themselves. When your workplace is toxic, you have to recognize the signs.

First, assess your own state of mind. If anything associated with your job gives you a bad feeling, things might not be so great. A gut check is a good gauge, says consultant Joni Daniels of Daniels & Associates.

“If there is a knot in your stomach as you go to work, it could be a sign that the workplace is a toxic one for you,” Daniels says. “If you or the office is walking on eggshells until ‘someone’ leaves the building [or] room, they are toxic. If work is taking up a lot of emotional energy, and you can’t mentally, intellectually or emotionally ‘let it go’ — it’s toxic.”

Dulin Clark, who is a career coach for the MBA program at Penn State University’s business school, agrees with Daniels. He suggests looking at your own emotions and behaviors, then working outward to understand workplace toxicity.

“Primarily, [workers] need to pay attention to how they feel when they are in the work environment,” Clark says. “Feelings of chronic stress, building frustration, lethargy, low motivation and problems sleeping are just of the few the signs of being in a toxic workplace environment.” Clark says that some of the most recognizable causes are excessive criticism, poor treatment and lack of appreciation — things that bug you and of which you’re constantly aware.

Excessive gossip, extreme competition and duplicitous co-workers indirectly pollute your work culture and may therefore be more difficult to recognize. Competition can have an especially negative impact on you because it’s often mistaken for healthy workplace motivation.

“Certainly doing your best and achieving excellence are highly admirable career strategies,” Clark says. “However, the best co-workers and leaders look out for the well-being of the team and unit.”

If you recognize too many of these elements in your work situation, you probably have a toxic workplace. Now you have to do something about it.

Find your hazmat suit


Hazardous materials workers get to wear protective layers to keep the dangerous substances away at a safe distance. Your average employee has no such defense. You have to choose between three options: Leave, work through it or sit tight until something better comes along.

1. Leave


Removing yourself from the situation makes the most sense when you know things won’t likely improve. If the move feels right and you can handle it financially, then maybe it is the best option. But many employees don’t have the luxury of leaving a job in this economy.

2. Work through it


Finding a way to solve the problem is the ideal solution if you like your job or can’t quit. Clark suggests addressing the issue with the person responsible for the toxicity.

“If the toxicity is the result of one person’s actions or behaviors, then often the situation can be made more tolerable by an honest and direct conversation with the person,” he says. “It is also often helpful to confide in a trusted colleague, both to relieve the tension of the toxic feelings and also to get advice and feedback about how to handle difficult situations.”

3. Make do


Sometimes the best temporary solution is just to get by, like many people do in imperfect work situations. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to improve your circumstances. Far from it. Follow the above steps for handling troublesome bosses or co-workers. Vent to a friend. Do whatever you can to ease the knot in your stomach and that sense of dread. While you’re doing that, also look for a new job. This way you have the security of a paycheck and the comfort of knowing you won’t be there forever.

Whatever you choose to do, make sure it’s in your best interest. Now that you know you’re in a toxic workplace, you have the tools to keep yourself out of harm’s way.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

Both genders give their take on the matter

By Rachel Zupek and Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writers

We’re no prudes, but as a rule we avoid discussing restroom habits in public. It’s just not an appropriate topic for most conversations. Yet, as the years go by and we spend more time in a professional setting, restroom behavior has become the inconsiderate, unsanitary elephant in the room.

We’re overcoming our apprehension and kicking down the stall doors to expose the bad restroom practices that are driving us — and your co-workers — crazy. Considering that men and women often have different experiences in these situations, we’re giving you both perspectives.

Here is some restroom etiquette for you to keep in mind at work. (Feel free to print this out and tape it up in your workplace washrooms.) Warning: Given the content of this article — bathroom behaviors — please be aware that it’s a little bit more crass than usual.

Flush the toilet
She says: It’s a pretty simple lesson you learned when you were three years young. No one wants to see what you made in the potty, so when you’re done, flush it down.

He says: Luckily, guys can often avoid going into the stalls and thus dodge this issue completely. There are times, however, when the stall is the only option, and it’s fair to say flushing benefits everyone, regardless of gender.

Talking across stalls
She says: This one could be personal preference rather than etiquette. Personally, I find it very strange and a little uncomfortable when a colleague starts asking about my weekend while I’m using the bathroom. Can you please wait until we’re washing our hands?

He says: This goes for the urinals, too. If it’s just two friends in the restroom, it might not be so bad, but once someone else enters, silence is best. Not everyone wants to hear about what you did this weekend — it’s like talking loudly in your cubicle, only more awkward.

Dripping on the seat
She says: I’m pretty sure this is another lesson we learned back in kindergarten. I understand that many women don’t like to fully sit on the toilet seat for fear of germs. But doesn’t it make you a hypocrite to leave your urine splattered on the seat for the next person to enjoy?

He says: Guys are just as guilty, though I dare say it’s less about germs and more about carelessness. Whatever the reason, clean up!

“That time of the month”
She says: Without going into too much detail, every woman knows the rules when it comes to our favorite time of the month. Wrap it up and throw it away. Enough said.

He says: Um, TMI. Most of us probably have not had to deal with this in a men’s room (though unisex restrooms are a different story). But for the sake of solidarity, I throw my support behind this, too.

Oh, and, wash your hands
She says: I know where your hands just were — you could at least pretend to wash them. What would your boss think if he knew you just shook his hand after using the restroom, fixing your hair and adjusting your undergarments? Wash up, people!

He says: Yes. A million times yes. I know that we can maneuver carefully and take a trip to the restroom without touching anything other than our belt, but we should still wash our hands. The worst offense remains when a guy comes out of the stall, fixes his hair and straightens his clothes, then walks right out the door. A few seconds of soap and water can kill germs and save co-worker anxiety.

Leave the sales pitch outside
He says: Bathroom chitchat should be kept to a minimum, and I don’t think much more than a “Hey” should be exchanged in most situations. A true party foul, however, occurs when you try to network, make a business transaction or introduce yourself in the restroom. The last thing I want to do near the sinks is take your business card or shake your hand.

She says: This must be a guy thing, because I have yet to hear about a business opportunity other than happy hour mentioned in the bathroom. But, I second the motion to save your “Nice to meet you” for after you exit the bathroom door.

Choose your reading material carefully
He says: If you’re the kind of guy who likes to catch up on the morning news while you visit the restroom, that’s your business. But please don’t enter the stall with a stack of documents that you might be passing out to colleagues later. When you put a memo in front of me, all I’ll be thinking is, “Was this on the bathroom floor?”

She says: Ew; do guys really do that? I’ve always felt that bringing reading material to the bathroom is a dude’s deal, not to mention highly revolting. It’s like telling the whole office what you’re about to do. Most females get in and get out, so no reading material is necessary. Again though, I’m with Anthony on this one — if you need some light reading in the stall, stick with the newspaper.

No phones, please
He says: If you’re on the phone, I feel sorry for the person you’re talking to. But it’s particularly annoying because when you start talking, other people initially think you’re talking to them and confusion ensues. Plus, we don’t know if we’re supposed to wait to flush or wash our hands until there’s a pause in the conversation so we don’t interrupt your call.

She says: Not to mention the fact that I don’t want whomever you’re talking to on the phone to hear me using the restroom. Sure, we’re in a semi-public place, but I don’t advertise your bathroom behaviors to my friends, do I? (Well, aside from this article…)

Don’t get towel greedy
He says: By now you should be environmentally conscious, so using 10 paper towels when two will do is unacceptable. Not to mention it uses up the towel supply quickly and means I’ll be the guy who has wet hands and nowhere to dry them.

She says: You know what else towel greediness means? A wet spot on the front of my pants — and in a place where you never want one. Seriously, at least in the women’s restroom, there are usually towels around the sink area to absorb the extra water that we tend to splash around when (and if) washing our hands. When people overuse the towels and leave none left to absorb the extra liquid, my pants do that job instead when I lean against the sink to powder my nose. You’re welcome, towel stealers.

Rachel Zupek and Anthony Balderrama write and blog for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. They research and write about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. They are also very passionate about restroom etiquette.

By Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

On a recent flight I sat next to a businessman who told me that, even at their young age, his children were exhibiting very different personalities. He saw signs of his wife’s overachieving tendencies in their son. In his daughter, he saw himself. In the first grade she was getting lectured for not applying herself enough. She, too, was a slacker.

He was frustrated by her slacking ways, but he also sympathized because she showed traits of his business mindset.

“She does her own little cost-benefit analysis,” he said. “She realizes that she can do just enough to get by and use the rest of that time for playing and having fun.”

I had never thought of slacking off in those terms, but he was right. I’ve known my share of slackers, and most of them are intelligent people who could easily upstage everyone else’s efforts if they applied themselves a bit more. They knew that. Yet, while everyone was in panic mode trying to get ahead, the slackers knew how to fulfill their obligations, get decent marks and enjoy a relatively stress-free existence.

I’m not saying we should all strive to be slackers. The balance between laid-back and high-strung workers is probably beneficial to everyone. But in a culture where we’re constantly being told to be better than everyone at everything, slacking off can be the right way to go for your health and your career.

Manic workplace
Once upon a time, work was a busy place. You showed up, worked hard, stayed late during your busiest periods and then went home. Today, many people don’t escape work. Before they even arrive at the office, they’ve already sent a dozen e-mails from their phones and held teleconferences with people all over the country. Once you’re actually at work, things are even crazier.

The workplace is different today than it was 10, 20 and 30 years ago, but you should be able to pull back in some areas. You don’t need to overextend yourself to the point that you never relax.

Here are some ways you can be a “slacker” at work and benefit from it:

E-mail can wait. No, really, it can. You don’t have to answer an e-mail the moment it pops up on your screen. Unless you’re waiting for that one message that could make or break your career, you should designate time to check e-mails so that you don’t get distracted while doing other tasks. You can even disable the new message icon and noise alert to help with this.

Saying ‘no’ won’t get you fired. If the boss or someone comes to you with a task that’s part of your core job duties, by all means accept it. If you’re drowning in work, however, telling co-workers that you just can’t get to their request right now won’t necessarily hurt you. Tactfully explain that you’d like to help them but you’ve got too much on your plate shows you care about the quality and promptness of your work.

Don’t multitask. The ability to simultaneously talk on the phone, send an e-mail and heat up the meatballs for the monthly potluck is an admirable quality but not necessarily the most beneficial. Multitasking has become the de facto approach to daily operations in many workplaces. The problem is that we often end up doing a little of everything and never making much progress on any one task.

Give yourself a break. Literally, just get away from work for five minutes. Take a walk around the floor or step outside for some fresh air. Without Saturday and Sunday off, you’d probably go a little stir-crazy. Think of brief breaks throughout the day as small-scale versions of weekends. You’ll return with a clear head and produce better-quality work.

Don’t eat lunch at your desk. Eating at your desk can be an occasional necessity, either because you’re close to a deadline or you’re in a productive zone that you don’t want to interrupt. Having your lunch in front of a computer every day, however, doesn’t give your eyes or your mind time to relax. You might feel like a slacker if you’re the only one taking your sandwich outside for 30 minutes, but your mental health is worth it.

Schedule some “me” time. Go into your calendar and block off a period of time for whatever work you need to do without interruption. Treat that time as if it were an important appointment with your boss and consider it non-negotiable. If someone tries to schedule a meeting with you, tell him or her that you’re busy but can try for another time. If possible, book a conference room so you won’t be interrupted by a chatty co-worker or a phone call.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

Today we have a guest blog post from Joe Turner, the Job Search Guy, who is the author of  “Job Search Secrets Unlocked” and “Paycheck 911.”  You’ll find Turner’s free tips and advice on landing a job in this tough economy at www.jobchangesecrets.com. Here are some tips on answering the question, “Why would an employer hire me?” and using social media in your job search. (more…)