How NOT to lead geeks - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

How NOT to lead geeks - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog When the geeks at NCR in Australia threatened to go on strike, it was a move that could have paralyzed ATMs, supermarket cash registers and airplane check-in. This underlines the fact that IT has become so central to almost all corporations, that any disruption may cost a lot of time and money, which again means that keeping the geeks happy at work is an absolute requirement for a modern business. Happy geeks are effective geeks. The main reason IT people are unhappy at work is bad relations with management, often because geeks and managers have fundamentally different personalities, professional backgrounds and ambitions. Some people conclude that geeks hate managers and are impossible to lead. The expression managing geeks is like herding cats is sometimes used, but thats just plain wrong. The fact is that IT people hate bad management and have even less tolerance for it than most other kinds of employees. So where does it go wrong? I started out as a geek and later became a leader and an IT company founder so Ive been lucky enough to have tried both camps. Here are the top 10 mistakes Ive seen managers make when leading geeks: 1: Downplay training I had a boss once who said that training is a waste of money, just teach yourself. That company tanked 2 years later. Training matters, especially in IT, and managers must realize that and budget for it. Sometimes you get the argument that if I give them training a competitor will hire them away. That may be true, but the alternative is to only have employees who are too unskilled to work anywhere else. 2: Give no recognition Since managers may not understand the work geeks do very well, its hard for them to recognize and reward a job well done, which hurts motivation. The solution is to work together to define a set of goals that both parties agree on. When these goals are met the geeks are doing a great job. 3: Plan too much overtime Lets wring the most work out of our geeks, they dont have lives anyway, seems to the approach of some managers. Thats a huge mistake and overworked geeks burn out or simply quit. In one famous case, a young IT-worker had a stress-induced stroke on the job, was hospitalized, returned to work soon after and promptly had another stroke. This post further examines the myth that long work hours are good for business. 4: Use management-speak Geeks hate management-speak and see it as superficial and dishonest. Managers shouldnt learn to speak tech, but they should drop the biz-buzzwords. A manager can say We need to proactively impact our time-to-market or simply use english and stick to We gotta be on time with this project. 5: Try to be smarter than the geeks When managers dont know anything about a technical question, they should simply admit it. Geeks respect them for that, but not for pretending to know. And they will catch it geeks are smart. 6: Act inconsistently Geeks have an ingrained sense of fairness, probably related to the fact that in IT, structure and consistency is critical. The documentation cant say one thing while the code does something else, and similarly, managers cant say one thing and then do something else. 7: Ignore the geeks Because managers and geeks are different types of people, managers may end up leaving the geeks alone. This makes leading them difficult, and geeks need good leadership the same as all other personnel groups. 8: Make decisions without consulting them Geeks usually know the technical side of the business better than the manager, so making a technical decision without consulting them is the biggest mistake a leader can make. 9: Dont give them tools A fast computer may cost more money than an older one and it may not be corporate standard, but geeks use computers differently. A slow computer lowers productivity and is a daily annoyance. So is outdated software. Give them the tools they need. 10: Forget that geeks are creative workers Programming is a creative process, not an industrial one. Geeks must constantly come up with solutions to new problems and rarely ever solve the same problem twice. Therefore they need leeway and flexibility. Strict dress codes and too much red tape kill all inovation. They also need creative surroundings to avoid death by cubicle. Making one or more of these 10 mistakes (and Ive seen managers who make all 10) has serious consequences, including: Low motivation High employee turnover Increased absenteeism Lower productivity Lower quality Bad service Happy geeks are productive geeks, and the most important factor is good management, tailored to their situation. Caveats: Im not saying that all geeks are the same. Geeks are wildly different people and this post does generalize dangerously. Im not saying that all IT-people are geeks. Some are, some arent. I definitely used to be. Translations This post is also available in other languages: Portuguese: Como N?O liderar geeks, translated by Cesar Cardoso. Spanish: Como NO liderar geeks, translated by Mat?as Agust?n Bellone. Italian: Come NON dirigere i geek, translated by Marco Bertola. Persian translation by Nasser Ghanemzadeh: Part 1, Part 2. German: Wie man Geeks NICHT f?hren sollte, translated by Peter K?ves. Danish: Hvordan man ikke leder n?rder, translated by Flemming Laugaard. Related posts If you liked this post, I think youll also enjoy these: Book review: The Seven-Day Weekend Why motivation by pizza doesnt work Top 5 business maxims that need to go Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

[Infographic] Freelance Like A Boss In 2017 - CareerEnlightenment.com

Freelance Like A Boss In 2017 Do you know how many freelancers are out there? Are you one of them? The following infographic made by Zeqr, an online learning platform, digs into some interesting statistics that will encourage you to pursue a freelance career.The number of freelancers is growing year after year, and nowadays more than 55 million people in the US are embracing this great opportunity. According to a recent study, freelancers feel better about their work and 79% of them say that this career path is better than traditional work.In fact, thanks to freelancing, these people actually look forward to starting their workday, which usually isn’t the case when you have a cubicle job. Moreover, freelancers even feel more respected and empowered, which is good enough to motivate them to achieve results. Want to Read More Articles Like This One?Sign up here to receive weekly updates from Career Enlightenment, and never miss another powerful job searching tip! SUBSCRIBE! You have Successfully Subscribed!W e hate spam too. Unsubscribe any time. Just in case you need additional encouragement: more than 63% of people freelance by choice, rather than necessity, and 51% of freelancers find the type of projects they’re looking for in less than 3 days and 91% in under two weeks. Pretty impressive, wouldn’t you agree?Another thing worth mentioning is that an average full-time freelancer spends 36 hours per week working, whereas traditional full-timers spend 40 hours at their 9-to-5 jobs. To get more insight into the world of freelancing, make sure you check out this infographic.Are you ready to take the plunge? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Singled Out for Greatness - Hallie Crawford

Singled Out for Greatness Are you an amazingly successful woman or man who carved their own career path and maybe even did it solo that is, without a spouse or partner?   If so, you are the inspiration for many brave single souls who want to make a career change but may feel scared, overwhelmed or unsupported. At HallieCrawford.com, we feel that .being single can actually be one of the BEST things that can happen to your career. Its s mission to help single people stay upbeat, focused on their career goals and dreaming big! Wed love to feature a few words of wisdom from you in a future article on s career website, Authentically Speaking at http://HallieCrawford.com. Wed like to ask you: Whats the one thing that helps (or helped) keep you motivated during career transition while flying solo? Or: What advice can you share for singles who are stepping out of their comfort zone and pursuing a career that truly makes them happy? Your prompt response is greatly appreciated. We would be honored and delighted to have you as a guest on Hallies website. Thank you so much, http://HallieCrawford.com Singled Out for Greatness Are you an amazingly successful woman or man who carved their own career path and maybe even did it solo that is, without a spouse or partner? If so, you are the inspiration for many brave single souls who want to make a career change but may feel scared, overwhelmed or unsupported. At HallieCrawford.com, we feel that .being single can actually be one of the BEST things that can happen to your career. Its s mission to help single people stay upbeat, focused on their career goals and dreaming big! Wed love to feature a few words of wisdom from you in a future article on s career website, Authentically Speaking at http://HallieCrawford.com. Wed like to ask you: Whats the one thing that helps (or helped) keep you motivated during career transition while flying solo? Or: What advice can you share for singles who are stepping out of their comfort zone and pursuing a career that truly makes them happy? Your prompt response is greatly appreciated. We would be honored and delighted to have you as a guest on Hallies website. Thank you so much, http://HallieCrawford.com

How to Find Important Skills for Resume

How to Find Important Skills for Resume The Birth of Important Skills for Resume Ultimately, write alongside all the months and years of experience you've got for every one of the skills you have listed. Follow-up after the interview is quite important. Choose only the main skills you used at each job, and be sure they're related to the job that you're applying for. So you've just lost your job, or perhaps you've been out of work for some moment. The Start of Important Skills for Resume Employing the most suitable key phrases in your resume is important to getting your resume read. Our Writing Skills section includes plenty of help and practical tips to help you better your writing. Resume tips also matters a good deal. Hard skills are measurable skills that are required for a specific job. They are not skills that are hard to learn. Analytical skill is likewise very important. More technical or computer-centric hard skills are occasionally also called technical skill s. Skills may often be broken up into domain-general and domain-specific skills. Key skills are work-related skills that you want to do a job. Soft skills are the skills that are pertinent to every job. Personal skills are the crucial life skills we should help maintain a wholesome body and mind. Based on the sort of sport you're engaging in, there's a particular set of skills required to master it. The kind of a skill determines how it impacts the party. Perhaps your skill set is wholly different. An important soft skill is having the ability to recognize and understand an individual's emotional state. What Everybody Dislikes About Important Skills for Resume and Why You may also discover that time management and organising skills become a lot more important. Such information will unnecessarily increase the amount of your CV and produce no sense. You are able to easily gain or boost your data analytics skills by taking an internet course on the discipline. Marketing Resume In order to earn a great advertising and marketing strategy for resume can be made by building an appropriate fit between opportunities and strengths.

The Good, the Bad and Indeed Resume Template

The Good, the Bad and Indeed Resume Template A fresher resume template will normally comply with a functional structure, where it will make it possible for you to concentrate on your relavant abilities and qualifications for that specific job. Boring works as soon as it comes to the majority of resumes. To compose a good resume it is helpful to use examples of different resumes. You must be entirely alert to the strategic strategies for writing a proper resume to be certain that it maintains a normal format and is in great calibration to the job. The inventory management resume template given above can help you to construct a great and impressive resume which will help you to acquire the desired job. If you are searching for work in the accounting sector, an accounting resume template would be beneficial for you. What's more, you'll find templates for both freshers and professional nurses. Make certain you fulfill the qualifications. The summary statement near the top of yo ur resume is your very first opportunity to earn an excellent impression with the hiring manager. Professionally, our resumes are often the very first impression a prospective employer gets of us. Thus, your resumes are merely 1 push away normally. Top Choices of Indeed Resume Template The upcoming free resume template is made in the shape of a brochure. In the event the template appears different than the example it could be because you don't have the right font. The resume template will be published in HTML version. Utilizing a resume template is getting an acceptable and smart practice for numerous explanations. Indeed Resume Template - Overview The initial one is about outlining your abilities and your availability in a given job position. You must be particular about the job objective mentioned at the start of your resume. Studying resumes of individuals who hold, or have held the kind of job that you're pursuing, is also helpful. It is possible to also search and vi ew resumes of different candidates who have the kind of job that you're searching for to get insight into the experience and skills employers value. When you're asking for a job which relies on the strengths of the person, you will need a resume template you could inject a little more personality into to make it pop'. The template scene on the internet is bustling with a wealth of photographer resume templates to pick from, dependent on your kind of photography. Each one of our creative style templates offer you a perfectly balanced mixture of personality, professionalism and some style. The manner of functional, chronological, and combination are three major kinds of the resume. Top Choices of Indeed Resume Template Its high-quality PSD file is completely customizable. All you need to do is simply edit the document to include your own personal information. Also be certain that you tailor the document to the job you're applying for. Once you have selected your perfect resu me template from our selection, follow our completely free expert guidance about ways to craft the great modern resume.

Women in Business Reentering the Workforce - Your Career Intel

Women in Business Reentering the Workforce - Your Career IntelTaking a professional hiatus to care for children or ailing family is a reality for many women. But doing so doesnt have to mean career suicide. For some women, reentering the workforce may even propel their careers to greater heights than before they left. Your ultimate success when reengaging a career depends on how you bridge the gap and the manner in which you reenter.While You Are AwayContribute your time, with planning and purpose, in a tangible way that can be expressed on your resume. I always recommend staying active with your industrys leading professional association. For example, I joined my local chapter of the American Marketing Association and served on the Board of Directors for five years as the VP of Career Development. This volunteer work helped me expand and reinforce my presence as a recruiter who specializes in placing marketing executives. A number of my colleagues in the association were also able t o utilize their high-profile involvement in order to bridge the gap when they were between jobs for extended periods.By networking regularly with knowledgeable and connected industry professionals, youre more like to have access to opportunities and to be hired when you do choose to return to work.Using Social Media to Your AdvantageOne of the main reasons women reentering the workforce struggle is that they dont keep up with industry trends while they are on hiatus. In todays digital world, theres no excuse. Know the companies that are driving change and success in your industry, and key into local companies that are part of that growth. Follow those companies on LinkedIn. Stay high-profile, contribute to the comment stream, and continue to post related industry articles to your LinkedIn profile.Employers today invariably jump to your online presence when reviewing your resume. Choose a photograph that represents you in a business environment, as a respected professional avoid fam ily or casual photos. Seek references on your LinkedIn profile from former employers, clients and colleagues.When you are ready to return to work, you will be able to show prospective employers that you are still deeply involved in your industry. This commitment to remaining active in your industry, even during time away, can differentiate you from other candidates in the saatkorn position.The Big Social Media DontIm a strong advocate of keeping your social media public profile professional. Everyone should be thoughtful about using social media at all times. But its even more critical for women returning to work. Review your public profile Facebook and Twitter before you apply for any job. Eliminate the frivolous. Take off anything you do not want a potential employer to judge you by. Just because youre not currently at an office, doesnt mean youre not a professional.Going back to work after a break can be enriching to you and your career. With the correct approach, reentering th e workforce can be a very rewarding experience.Im interested in your thoughts. How have you successfully reentered into the workforce? What actions did you take during your hiatus to make reentry easier?

7 Ways to Impress Your Interviewer in the First 5 Minutes

7 Ways to Impress Your Interviewer in the First 5 Minutes If youre on the interview circuit, meeting with potential employers can be daunting. Fortunately, theres a cheat sheet to instantly get on an interviewers good side. Here are 7 ways to impress an interviewer in the first five minutes of your interview1. Be inquisitive.At the end of most interviews, the interviewer asks the applicant if they have any questions. But you dont have to wait for that moment to voice your opinions or show off your inquisitive mind. Instead, arrive with prepared questions at your disposal. Asking specific things that demonstrate your attention to detail and confidence shows that youre interested, have spent time thinking about the company and are excited to learn mora.2. Arrive early.As the saying goes, early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable. Keep this in mind when it comes to deciding when to arrive to an interview. Avoid being super early, as getting there over 20 minutes early could conflict with other meetings or interviews. Arriving just in the nick of time can make it seem like youre cutting it too close and not making the interview a priority, so arriving about 10-15 minutes early sends the message that youre invested but also considerate.3. Make the most ofbody language.Before you open your mouth, the way you hold yourself says a lot about you. If you have to wait when you arrive, be mindful of your body language while you sit. Try not to convey nervous ticks, postures that can make you seem standoffish such as folding your arms, or staring ahead. When potential coworkers walk by, dont be afraid to exchange a friendly nod. Most importantly, eye contact is key. People who shift their gaze back and forth can come across as being unfriendly or dishonest, while those who stare at the floor or away from the person speaking can appear unconfident.4. schirm kindness.Be on your best behavior from the moment you arrive. Maintain a friendly attitude toward any assistants or receptionists you interact with. Obviously, this is a good practice for moving through life in general, but its especially important when it comes to interviewing for opportunities. Thank everyone who assists you.5. Bring multiple copies of your resume.You may not know how many people will be in the group that interviews you. Even if all present have your resume in hand, arriving with a few copies demonstrates that you had the forethought to come prepared, which can put you ahead of the game.6. Mention something you have in common.If youve done your homework on who your interview will be with, youve likely picked up some tidbits about them. Use this information to your advantage. If you know that the two of you interned at the same company, attended the same college or have volunteered at the same organization, work it into the conversation. People tend to more easily trust others when they have something in common, so calling attention to any similarity can start the interview off on a high note.7. Build rapport with small talk.While it may be tempting to demonstrate your professionalism right from the jump, lean into moments of casual conversation. Allowing yourself to be seen as a person as opposed to only an applicant can allow the interviewer to think of you in a better light. It allows you to build a connection that isnt often established by straight business talk alone.--Kayla Heisler is an essayist and Pushcart Prize-nominated poet. She is a contributing writer for Color My Bubble. Her work appears in New Yorks Best Emerging Poets 2017 anthology.