Resist Making A Resolution For A New Job

Instead, try the "three words" technique

Rhona Bronson

Each New Year, a spate of articles appears on resolutions for improving something or several things in your life. If you're unemployed, under-employed, or unhappily employed, you may be tempted to make a resolution to get a new job in the new year. Don't.

It's not that I don't want you to find a new job in the new year. I do. It's why I'm writing this post. But there is much about getting a new job that is out of your control, from the economy to the availability of jobs, as well as the generally competitive landscape. A better use of your time is to find things within your control that better position you for ultimate success.

Finding a job and being gainfully employed is, in fact, so important that I don't want you to relegate that effort to a lowly resolution--especially when research continues to show that resolutions, like diets, don't work. New Year's Resolutions can run strong for up to 60 days, but invariably fail by February (if not after a week).

More importantly, it can be devastating to set a timeframe for a resolution, e.g. lose 10 pounds by Valentine's Day, or get a new job by the end of Q1. Life is on its own time management regime, and like so much else, time is largely out of our control. So as bad as setting a resolution can be, putting a timeline on a resolution can be even worse, as it can set you up for failure. It's why some pundits recommend keeping resolutions vague.

So if a resolution is out of the question, what can you do to create a successful mindset for the new year? One idea is to try Chris Brogan's concept of three words. The concept is simple. Pick three words that resonate with you on whatever you want to focus on throughout the year. Brogan, a respected digital expert and entrepreneurial motivator, and his collaborator Rob Hatch have been practicing it since 2006, and Brogan annually publishes his words. Just Google "Chris Brogan Three Words" to see past lists.

Last year, I joined a digital learning community, a small group of likeminded individuals that meets weekly for an hour to discuss various topics. As a group, we agreed to each adopt three words as personal mantras for the year. I had the hardest time choosing three words, and kept changing words throughout the year. This month, after an in-person get together for the holidays, the group, pleased with how the three words concept worked for them, decided to give it a go again. I'm now in the process of selecting three new words for the new year.

Can this work for you if you're struggling with work issues? Give it a try. Here are some word suggestions to get you started:

Focus. Certification. Professional. Move. Forward. Gratitude. Optimism. Risk. Commitment. Punctuality. Learning. Study. Stamina. Sleep. Routine. Coaches. Mentor. Volunteer. Patience. Clarity. Form. Design. Enrich. Visibility. Steps. Faith. Fishing. Digital. Footprints. Asks. Connection. Community. Ownership. Responsibility. Accountable. Assured. Growth. Practiced. Patience. Confidence. Experience. Motivation.

I could make a case for any of them, and there are thousands more. There are no right three words and no wrong. And, if you're like me, they don't have to last all year long--just until a different word comes along to pull at your heartstrings. Each word can mean something different for different people. The only thing that's important is what the word means to you.

Even with three words, however, focus can fail, just as it does with resolutions. The reason may be in your support system. One common theme in resolution articles is the need for a buddy system or support group. It is why many advocate for job clubs similar to the value of Weight Watchers for dieters. More a fan of going it alone, I'm not an advocate of either concept, but I have to admit that my weekly digital learning group is certainly a type of support system.

In the group, we committed to collectively review our three words monthly. Like most resolutions, we faltered in the monthly reviews, but we did discuss our three words several times during the year. One member clearly credits the three words with his success in achieving a long-desired goal.

The truth is that January 1 is like any other day, and January is like any other month. If you were unhappy in your job in July, you'll likely be unhappy in January, unless something changes. The beauty in each new day is the possibility of reinvention and new things happening. The phone can ring any day of the year and offer you the chance to take a leap into a new unknown. January is as good a time as any to rethink how you're going to approach making change happen. It's not magical, but it is an opportunity to consider how you can position yourself to see open doors rather than closed windows.

For me, words are powerful. Not only because I'm a writer, but because I believe words are sacred. Biblical references abound in the power of words and prayers, which can be defined as a series of words sent to the heavens. New Age forums similarly expound on the value of "thoughts becoming things" and affirmations, also words strung together to create positive thoughts. Words are how we communicate with each other, and increasingly we're shown how we might now also use words to better communicate with ourselves.

My wish for you for the new year is to find work that provides value to you and those around you. It may be a new job, a new promotion, or a reinvention of your current job. Regardless of position, may you find the words that help you move yourself forward for to achieve three words I hope become really true for you: Happy New Year.      

How to be a great career wingman

careerbuilder

Step up your professional development with the help of a career wingman.

If you�re just starting out in your career or don�t have much of a professional network to utilize, it can be tough to make progress in your professional life. While it can be helpful to find a mentor, or work on your social media presence, some people�like recent graduates�really benefit from having a career wingman on their side.
So what is a career wingman, and how do you excel at it? Instead of a mentor, or somebody who�s likely more mature and established in his career and can pass on the benefits of their experience to you, a C.W. is often somebody at the same age and experience level in his career as you are. And because you�re both in the same spot, it can be equally beneficial to serve as career wingmen for each other because you�ll be able to offer personalized support for what the other is working through.
As for how to be a great career wingman, here are the three rules to get you both ahead in your careers.

Rule No. 1: Know each other�s strengths and weaknesses
Just like when you�re setting a friend up with a date, it�s helpful to know personal details about your C.W. that will entice others into meeting him. Be sure to know their professional goals, past experience, what they�re currently working on and their personal working style. These are professional basics that employers want to know, as well as others you�ll be networking with or encountering along your career path.
On professional networking sites, vocalize the skills and expertise that your fellow C.W. possesses, as well as the proof and results you�ve seen of their work. For instance, you might endorse their skills on social media, or leave a review of them on their professional website. Employers don�t mind if a potential employee is missing a few of the requirements for a position if they can demonstrate that they have great potential and have already established some success in their life. By backing up your C.W.�s work ethic and professional experience, you�re giving the potential employer a boost of confidence that your C.W. is capable of getting the job done.

Rule No. 2: Network together
Most people don�t enjoy networking, and younger professionals often find the process intimidating since they don�t have many bargaining chips to use when meeting others. But if you have a C.W. on your side, a networking event may begin to feel like any other social event you�ve attended. The key is to have fun, be outgoing and play a support role to your C.W., just like they�ll be doing for you.
For networking events, prepare ahead of time and research who else might be attending, and also look into recent industry news for conversation starters. At the event, people are much more likely to be attracted to your conversation if it�s clear that you and your C.W. are enjoying yourself and being social. And because you and your C.W. already know each other�s strengths and accomplishments, it will be easy to introduce them to networking attendees who may be a good connection, and share why your fellow C.W. is someone they need to meet.

Rule No. 3: Work on professional development together
From public speaking and persuasive writing, to tax forms and nonprofit organization standards, whatever profession you�re getting into, there are some areas you�re going to have to master in order to get ahead. Whether it�s a professional certification you need to study for, or simply a presentation that you want to practice for, having a C.W. means having somebody to bounce your ideas off of, somebody to study with and somebody to review your work.
The biggest benefit to having a career wingman is that you�ll always have somebody that�s invested in your success, and will be there to help you achieve it. A C.W. is different than a spouse or family member who wants to support your happiness, because your career wingman should be a source of honest feedback, informed advice and inspiring ambition. While family and friends will often encourage you to take a hit in your career if it means personal happiness, your C.W. should have better insight on how to get ahead in your career, even if it means working through some unsavory parts of your professional development. The good news is that no matter what, your career wingman will be there to make sure you come out on top.

Ask Jack Holiday Work Dump Older Job Seekers Job of the Week

Co-workers clogging your in-box right before the holiday break! Well, can you read this too before you leave today? OK thanks.

Jack Silbert

Ingrid's co-workers have her in a bah-humbug mood. She explains....

The deluge is relentless at work as everyone scrambles to dump their stuff in my department before they take off for the holidays. One of the worst things about this time of the year for me. What can I do?

Uggh, everybody is sending me questions so I have to write this column right before the holidays. Oh wait, but then somebody else has to find a photo for me, and somebody else has to code it, and schedule it for posting, and share it on Twitter.... Ingrid brings up a really important point: All too often, we think the world begins and ends with just ourselves. I can't even tell you how many freelance assignments I've received on late Friday afternoons. Hey, I'm thankful for the work, but I like weekends too. Especially this time of year, let's practice some of that "goodwill towards fellow people" stuff we like singing about.

But until the world does become a better place, Ingrid, your department will need to set its own boundaries. In early November, send out a group e-mail explaining when different members of your team will be taking time off, and that to have work back by Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years, they will need to turn it in by such-and-such dates. When someone inevitably drops something off at the last minute, calmly and kindly explain that you'll do your best to meet normal turnaround times, but you can't absolutely guarantee they'll get it by 4:59 on December 24th, and that, yes, you too hope to get home for the holidays.

AOL Jobs reader Roy submitted his question in the comments section below. (You can too!)

I was a Sr. Computer Analyst (mainframe) for over 20 years. My last company was bought out, then we merged with another company, and finally was outsourced to a very large computer company. I sat in the same chair, doing the same job, with the same people -- but worked for four different companies in five years before finally being laid off in 2008. I couldn't find another mainframe analyst job (I was in my early 50s at the time), so I decided to get my Masters in Information Technology degree -- not that I needed it, but I thought it wouldn't hurt me trying to get another job in the technology field. Boy, was I wrong. I spent over $30,000 getting the degree, and not a single offer, after sending out over 100 resumes. So here I am, eight years later, having worked in two jobs that are below my experience and skill level, making approximately 1/3 of what I used to earn, thousands of dollars in debt, no prospects for anything decent because my skills and knowledge are old, dusty and rusty, and all my investments and retirement plans gone. I'll be 60 on my next birthday. What did I do wrong? I've given up hope of ever living a decent life (financially) again. Is there any hope? Thanks.

Roy, hang tough, and thanks so much for writing in. What you describe is, sadly, not an uncommon situation for those who have been in the workforce for an extended time. And it can be particularly challenging in technology jobs, with the non-stop changes in that field. I wanted to bring in a specialist to answer your question: my fellow AOL Jobs contributor John Fugazzie. John is the founder of Neighbors-Helping-Neighbors USA, a free, national, job-search support organization. He says:
"Roy, you didn't do anything wrong; you have been caught up in this unfortunate economy that is much worse still than anyone will admit. Age can be an issue too. Today you need to network and meet people who can help connect you with jobs. Supply and demand of jobs is in the favor of the employers today, which has lowered salaries substantially. And, many industries are converting full-time jobs to contract work to avoid having to pay medical benefits and to increase their flexibility. Unfortunately, the longer you are out of work, the less likely you are to be seriously considered for jobs. Please review our website, nhnusa.org, and join our LinkedIn group. Look for project work and temp assignments too that are closer to the work you want to be doing; in many cases these can lead to permanent positions."

Last week's Ask Jack questions

Do you have a work-related question for Jack? Write it in the comments below (better answers to this week's questions are also welcome!) or tweet it @AOLJobs with the hashtag #AskJack.

Jack's Job of the Week

Santa, I don't want much this year, but maybe you could fly Roy down to Tampa for this Vice President of Information Technology job? They do want someone with 15+ years of experience, after all. To the rest of you, maybe take a day or two off from your job search, and spend some more time with family and friends. When you're ready, a search on AOL Jobs is just a click away. Happy holidays, everybody!

Do I Get Extra Pay For Working Holidays If The Office Is Closed For Holidays, Do I Get Paid

Don't get fired by demanding extra pay to which you're not entitled

Donna Ballman

AOL Jobs readers have lots of questions about holiday pay. Most think you get paid extra if you work on the holidays. Here are some questions I've been asked:

On my job here in Illinois I worked on the holiday and was paid regular time. My boss said she gave me two days off doing the week so working on the holiday gave me 40 hours and I don't get paid double. I explained to her that it if you work on the holiday you get paid double pay. I went out on an appointment with a patient and stayed out 4.5 hours over and was told I had to leave 4.5 hour early so my time adds up to 40 hrs. that week. My question is this legal?

My employer has several "policies" that are unfair at least if not illegal. This is a construction job out of NJ. Among other issues, there are no paid holidays. Is this inconsiderate, immoral or illegal?

I work in a NY hospital. I worked a 6 pm to 12 pm shift, on New Year's Day. The day shift got paid time and a half for their hours but I was told that my shift did not qualify for holiday pay. I thought the holiday is a 24 hour day. Did this hospital do anything illegal by paying some employees and not others for the same work performed?

So, are you entitled to time and a half or double time if you work on holidays? Does the employer have to pay if you don't work on a holiday because the company is closed? Here's what you need to know about holiday pay:

Extra pay for working on holidays

There is no federal law requiring any extra pay for working on a holiday for non-government employees who aren't working on federal contracts. Not double time. Not even time and a half. What the federal law requires is that if you work over 40 hours per week, and you aren't exempt from overtime, you must be paid time and a half. So if you work Christmas Day as a favor to a coworker who wants time off, and you already worked 40 hours this week, you have to be paid overtime if you aren't exempt. But yes, if you work on Christmas and that takes you to 40 hours, your employer can demand you take the rest of the week off to avoid paying overtime

If you don't know whether you are exempt, check out my column, Salaried Workers, Do You Get Overtime? Odds Are You Should. My column 10 Tricks Employers Use To Cheat Workers Out Of Overtime might help too.

I haven't found any state laws requiring extra pay for holidays for private sector employees either, so if your state has such a law, let me know in the comments section. (By the way, Rhode Island has an interesting law, saying employers can't make you work on holidays, and can't discriminate against you if you refuse.)

If you have a contract, union agreement, or if the employer's policy says you get paid holidays, then it may also require extra pay if you have to work on a holiday. Some employers offer incentive pay to encourage employees to voluntarily work on a holiday. However, they can designate all or part of the holiday for paying that incentive pay. If the employer's policy or the contract designates the entire holiday for extra pay, then the entire 24-hour period probably qualifies for that extra pay.

Otherwise, you probably get regular pay for working on a holiday.

Holiday pay if the office is closed

If you're exempt from overtime, and you worked any part of the week, then you must be paid if the office is closed. If you aren't exempt, then there is no federal law requiring any paid holidays for non-government workers who aren't working on federal contracts. I haven't found any state laws requiring any paid holidays in the private sector either. If your state has such a law, let me know in the comments section. So, is it inconsiderate and immoral not to pay employees for holidays? Yes. Illegal? Probably not.

If you don't work for government, then you may have a contract or union agreement requiring paid holidays. Many companies offer paid holidays, but private sector companies can change their holiday pay policies whenever they want.

Working on government contracts

Two federal laws address holiday pay as benefits for employees who are working on federal contracts: The McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act and the Davis-Bacon Act. These laws mandate certain paid holidays. How much extra you get paid under these laws for working overtime depends on whether you are full-time or part-time and some other factors. The details on holiday pay for McNamara-O'Hara are here. More information on Davis-Bacon Act holiday pay is here.

Happy still-employed holidays

So, have a wonderful holiday season, but don't get yourself in trouble demanding extra pay you aren't entitled to, or by refusing to work unless you get extra pay. This is a very bad time of year to get fired.

10 Tips to Stay Productive at Work Around the Holidays

Because it's not Christmas yet.

CareerBuilder

By Deanna Hartley, CareerBuilder writer

As you glance over at the festive decorations and empty cubicles around you during the holidays, trying to stay awake and productive can feel like trying to compete in a triathlon.

Here are 10 tips to help you stay productive at work around the holidays when no one's around.

1. Set daily goals for yourself. Write down a list of tasks that you need to accomplish for the day. Keeping something tangible by your side may increase your motivation to cross all the items off your list before you leave for the day.


2. Remember: It's OK to take a break. Try taking a lap around your office building to get some fresh air or making a quick run to a coffee shop for a dose of caffeinated goodness. Don't think you're doing anyone any favors by staying in your cubicle and sleeping with your eyes open.


3. Clear your desk. Holiday decorations are cheery, but they can also be distracting if they're taking up a bulk of the space on your desk. A little tidying up or clearing away can go a long way toward putting you in the right frame of mind to knock out a few tasks.

4. Put your blinders on for increased concentration. As you're about to start working on a task or project, close out all your entertainment tabs - that includes YouTube and other social networks, and possibly even email if you think it will be distracting. Putting your smartphone away or turning it off for a while can also help eliminate unnecessary distractions.


5. Reach out to others in the office. See who else is working around the holidays and invite them out to lunch. This is probably one of the best times to try to get to know your co-workers better because they'll likely have more spare time and be more laid back than during regular stressful work days. Plus these outings could double as informal brainstorming sessions for projects in which you might have hit a wall.

6. Prioritize your tasks. Not everything is top priority - especially around the holidays when almost everyone is out of the office. Try breaking out your tasks into "must-do" and "nice-to-do" piles so it's easier to tackle them one by one.


7. Hit the gym. You could try putting your lunch break to good use by squeezing in a good workout. Not only will it help in your desperate quest to stay awake, but it will also do wonders for your mood and stress levels.


8. Treat yourself. It works just as well on you as it would on a 5-year-old. Promise yourself various treats throughout the day - coffee, candy, social media breaks, etc. - as you stop procrastinating and cross items off your to-do list.


9. Seek some solitude. If it helps, choose pockets of time when you need to really concentrate. Then, lock yourself in a conference room - they will probably all be vacant and available around the holidays - and try to knock out your assignment in much less time than they'd normally take if surrounded by distracting co-workers.


10. Make sure you're getting enough sleep. Tempting as it is to stay up till the wee hours watching holiday movie marathons, it's important to try as much as possible to stick to a regular sleep schedule lest you mess up your body's rhythm and find yourself constantly nodding off throughout the day.>