Career Flux

8 Tips To Stay Awake And Focused While Working Late At Office

When it gets late and there is a lot of work that’s pending, it’s human to get bored or feel sleepy. However, this can greatly impact the quality of work and effect your productivity as well. Thus, it is absolutely essential to stay focused while working whether you are working late or not. Here are some tips that can help you to stay awake and focused while working late:

1. Don’t keep the work for later:

If you are working late, it is but natural to feel tired and postpone finishing the job. However, it’s not going to help your productivity because with time, your energy levels will go down and finishing the work will become even more difficult. The best way to deal with this is to prioritize all the work and then complete it based on the list. Don’t give in to laziness. It is also advisable to make a time table to chalk out a plan of action.

2. Drinking cupfuls of coffee:

Caffeine has always been one of the best solutions to staying awake in the night. Every office has a coffee dispenser so you can treat yourself to endless cups of it. However, if you have a cafeteria that is accessible at all times, try to drink a shot or two of espresso. Espresso has higher quantities of caffeine in it which makes it a better alternative to regular coffee. There was this one time when I had a shot of espresso in the afternoon and I had trouble falling asleep even in the night. So, caffeine is a tried and tested method of staying up late, be it for studying or working.

3. Washing your face with cold water:

Another great alternative for keeping yourself up and about when working late is to wash your face with cold water after every half an hour or so. The colder the water, the better the effect. Splashing cold water on the face helps in restoring focus and drives away sleepiness even if it is for a short while. If you can, splash some cold water on your hands and feet as well. It will help you to feel more relaxed and attentive when you work late.

4. Don’t think about going home or the outside world:

When you are alone and working, it is normal to think about what the rest of the world is up to but don’t do that. The more you think about the fun your friends and family are having at home or outside, the more you will delve into self pity which will affect your productivity negatively. Also, you will waste a lot of time by thinking about a million different things which will in no way help you to finish the job at hand. In fact, it will further distract you so instead of channelizing your thoughts on everything you are missing out on, utilize that time to finish your work.

5. Walk around when you feel tired:

Whenever you feel sleepy or distracted, get up and stretch yourself. Walk around the office to break the monotony of sitting at one place and working. If you concentrate on something for long, chances are that you will feel tired and sleepy so try to shift around in your seat if you don’t have the option of walking around. Better still, you can stretch your arms and legs in your chair to snap out of the stagnation.

6. Avoid sugar based drinks or food:

Sugar gives instant energy upon consumption but the energy is short lived. Sugar gets converted to glucose very quickly which is why it gives a sugar rush but when the rush ends, people tend to get overpowered with sleep and fatigue so avoid eating or drinking foods which have a high sugar content. Even though it initially helps, the help is short lived.

7. Take small breaks:

Taking frequent breaks is a great way to keep your body alert and focused. Take a 15 minute break after every 45 minutes. You can read, listen to some music, visit some social websites, call your friends to talk to them and basically divert your mind completely for that duration. If you have your peers working with you, engage into friendly banter with them. Breathers can help to relieve you of tension, stress and fatigue and make work more productive.

8. Take a power nap:

Whenever you feel overwhelmed by work and very sleepy, take a power nap. Power naps are basically small 10 or 15 minute naps that people can take while working. It’s a great way of providing some instant energy which can last for a few hours.

This post is written by Steve Mcdaniel and his one of the most popular articles is easy jobs that pay well.

Filed Under: At Workplace, Guest Experts Tagged With: At work, Job, Work, workplace

How To Own That Interview

By Jessica 1 Comment

You’ve seen your dream job and your dream job has seen you, you’ve lovingly prepared your CV and they’ve invited you in for a chat, you can almost taste it, you can almost smell your new office – it’s so close. Unfortunately, standing in between you and that dream job is the interview, it’s mocking you, and it’s laughing at you. It knows what awkward questions it’s going to ask, you know what awkward questions it’s going to ask and you both know there’s no way around it without sounding like either a complete idiot or a book of walking clichés – really, you push yourself too much, that’s your biggest weakness?

Here’s how to trounce those annoying cliché questions and bag that job:

Awkward Question: Why do you want to work for us?

Stupid Answer: Because I need the money/you’re round the corner from my flat/no one else will hire me.

Sensible Answer: This really isn’t rocket science, so have your answer prepared (before you get a case of verbal diarrhea and blurt out one of the stupid answers trying to make it sound like a joke). Do your research, look into the company history a bit; do they have some really impressive clients in the industry? Have they won any notable accolades recently? Do they have a reputation for treating their staff really well?

Let’s assume you’re leaving your current job and you’re in an interview with another company…

Example: “To be honest I really love working for (insert current employer here) but when I heard (insert hiring company here) was looking for (insert job role here), I really couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I’ve admired (insert hiring company name here) for a while, and with clients like (insert some of their flag ship accounts here), I’d love the chance to work for such an established company.”

Awkward Question: What are your strengths/weaknesses?

Stupid Answer: “I find I push myself too hard; I’m always the first in the office and the last one home each night”

Sensible Answer: Really? You push yourself/work too hard? I can’t believe anyone has really walked into an interview before now saying “yea, I’m really lazy, the second it hits 4:59pm I’m out the door”. Call your interviewer presumptuous but they’re going to assume you’re a hard worker so come up with something a little more original and maybe even something a little more truthful. Tell them something you know you can work on, or something you know isn’t going to be absolutely essential to your potential new role. In your last role you didn’t get to be as client facing as you’d have liked, or you’re looking to develop your management capabilities as you only had a small number of staff under you at your last job. Just make sure you’re not saying something that’s going to hinder you from doing this new job.

Example: “I’ve always loved talking to people and building new relationships but my last role wasn’t as client facing as I’d have liked so I think my customer care skills can be improved upon” or “my (insert name of popular industry software) skills are something I’m continuously working on, I love the creative side of my job but unfortunately it means my more technical skills aren’t quite up to the standard I’d like them to be”.

Awkward Question: Why do you want to work for us/why should we hire you?

Stupid Answer: “Because I’m amazing/you’d be lucky to have me/my head won’t even fit through the door” etc.

Sensible Answer: There’s being confident and there’s being such a cocky SOB you get punched in the face on the way out. Yes they want someone who can sell themselves and show they’re proud to work for them but this can be conveyed without making it look like you’re auditioning for a role in the latest reality TV programme about a bunch of chavs in their home town! They’ve asked you in for a reason so just be honest, tell them what you can do, what you’ve achieved to date and don’t forget to give others credit where it’s due; if you didn’t single handily win all the business at your old job, don’t try and pretend you did.

Example: “I’ve loved working at/in (last company name/industry) and I find it exciting and challenging, I honestly believe this is reflected in my work. I have built up some very good relationships at (last job) and find that when I’m enjoying what I’m doing, it projects a sense of confidence. I’d love the chance to continue doing (insert job here) in a new environment and working for someone with your reputation and helping to build that reputation with (insert new company name here).

It may look easy on paper but so long as you find that perfect balance between coming across as too confident and too nervous, you’ll be fine. If you don’t quite make it this time, don’t forget to ask for feedback so you can improve for next time.

Jessica works for the Redhill Probation service where you’ll find a selection of probation service jobs in the south east.

Filed Under: Guest Experts, Job Interview Tagged With: Dream Job, Interview, Job

Your Strategy For Career Fair Success

By Ewan Cambell MacDougall Leave a Comment

As many Universities approach their final semester of the year, the number of Career Fairs that they will be holding is likely to rise. Job/Career Fairs are something that not enough students take advantage of, and those who do attend them don’t always know how to get the most from them. Whatever stage of job hunting and career progression you are at, there will be something for you at a Career Fair. You just need to have a plan to get the most out of every fair you visit.

Make a plan

The most important first step is to make sure you are going to the right Job/Career Fair; look out for ones not just happening at your university but also at any surrounding cities. If you’re not looking to work for a bigger industry, the chances are a lot of the companies you want to meet will be quite selective about what fairs they attend. Particularly as the fee they have to pay to attend a fair can be quite an obstacle for many industries. Look out for a fair with a focus on your industry and if there are particular companies you are really interested in, check any online listings to see which ones they will attend. If you struggle to find this information, you could always contact companies directly to ask them; this shows you have initiative and are serious about wanting a job.

Research the Companies Online

Whilst you’re online, it’s a good idea to also research the companies that you are particularly interested in. Doing this, you can establish exactly which questions you want to ask and it will help you seem well informed to any potential employers. Remember, if you don’t get a chance to research a particular company in advance, there will be lots of literature available on the day that you can skim whilst you’re waiting for your turn to ask questions.

Study the Display Stands Closely

Another top tip would be to study their display stands closely. I work with Nimlok banner stands that make these displays, and I know that companies put a lot of effort into making sure the most crucial information is displayed there. You don’t want to ask a question that is already answered right in front of you.

Find Out Locations In Advance

At the bigger fairs, it’s also helpful to look in advance at the online plan of where all the companies will be located. If you’re fighting to get through crowds, you don’t want to miss any company that could be helpful to you. However, you also don’t want to waste time visiting booths in an illogical order.

It Might Turn Into a Preliminary Interview

A lot of employers actually treat Job Fairs as a preliminary interview, so it’s good for you to do the same if you are talking to companies that you want to work for. It wouldn’t hurt to wear a business suit and come prepared with a concise pitch that sells you as a good candidate different from any other. Don’t forget if you want to practice your pitch, you can always try it out on other companies that you’re less concerned about first. Who knows they may even change your mind about them.

What to Bring

Wearing business attire is perhaps the most obvious way to make an impact on employers but they will also notice the little things. For example, if you bring a smart notebook and write things down you will seem well organized; these notes will also come in handy later as you might find the fair over loads you with information. If you take note of any contact details, you can then follow up any conversations keeping you at the forefront of an employer’s mind.

It’s also a good idea to bring some C.V. copies as a lot of employers will collect these from job seekers they see potential in. Another good reason to have your C.V. with you is that many Job fair organizers will have people there who can critique these for you. This can really help you learn how employers will look at your C.V.

Don’t Miss Out On an Opportunity

Even if you’re not actively looking for a job at the moment, Job/Career Fairs could still have something for you. Those in employment can get up to date with the job market and learn what opportunities are available to them while those who are a long way off graduation can find out details about the application process. Many students are often surprised by how long this process is; you might need to start applying sooner than you think.

Career Fairs are such useful resources which can be wasted or misused by so many job seekers. Make sure you’re not one of them by becoming proactive when it comes to finding fairs and preparing for the event. If this is done well, your chances of success at finding a job will improve dramatically.

Filed Under: College Graduates And Interns, Guest Experts, Job Fairs, Job Search Tagged With: C.V., career fair, employers, Interview, Job, job fair, job market

Getting Through Your Probation Period

By Adam C Leave a Comment

Author Byline: Adam C is a London, UK based copywriter and has given sound workplace advice in this article.

If you take on a permanent role at a company, it is highly likely that you will be asked to complete a probationary period before you are taken on permanently. The main aim of the probationary period is to check that you are right for the job and that you and the company are a good fit together. If you get through the probation period, you will often find that you are granted a raise at the end of it. So how can you make sure you get through this period?

Adapt To New Situations

It might sound like common sense, but the best thing you can do is try your best to be good at the job. Show up on time, make sure you go to all of the meetings you are expected to attend, make an effort to form good relationships with your colleagues and show that you are willing to learn. Your employer is unlikely to expect you to be perfect at your job straight away, but they will be looking at your ability to adapt to new situations.

Be Communicative

If you are having any difficulties with new aspects of your work, make sure you tell your supervisor. This way, you can get things sorted as quickly as possible and move on, rather than continuing to struggle and possibly affecting your performance review at the end of your probation. Your boss would much rather you asked them if you have problems rather than keeping it to yourself; it helps to show you value their opinion and that you are open to new ideas.

Accept Challenges

Another good tactic for getting through your probationary period is to volunteer for any important projects that may come up. As you are new, you might not be selected but it’s good to show that you are willing to get involved with different aspects of the job and that you aren’t afraid of a challenge.

Listen To Your Mentor

If you are offered a mentor for your probation period, take advantage of this. They can provide a great insight into how the company works, what it does and how you fit in. They can also provide you with assistance if you get stuck or have any problems, so make sure you utilise their wisdom.

Be Enthusiastic and Shine

Above all, be enthusiastic – and professional. You have been hired because the employer thought you were the best person for the job. The aim of the probation period is for you to prove that. Think of it as your chance to shine and you should get through it just fine.

This post is contributed by Total Jobs, a leading job site that currently offers a variety of job vacancies from jobs in IT to jobs in security.

Filed Under: At Workplace, Guest Experts Tagged With: Job, Work, workplace

Limited Shelf life – Is Your Job About to Expire?

By CareerAlley Leave a Comment

Author Byline: CareerAlley
Author Website: http://CareerAlley.com

“My son is now an “entrepreneur.” That’s what you’re called when you don’t have a job.” – Ted Turner

Have you ever watched someone’s job unravel and they don’t even know they are in trouble? I just watched this happen to someone that works in my company. This particular person started off okay, with good annual reviews. Then his boss left and in a matter of a year or so, he went from having an okay reputation to someone who was viewed as “on his way out”. I’m not sure if his old boss was covering for him or maybe his new boss just did not like him. The really sad part was that he had no clue that every day the front door was one step closer. Not that there was some type of official notice about this guy, you just got the feeling watching from a distance. Long story short, he was shown the front door yesterday. The guy was shocked (as most anyone would be if they had no clue – take a look at “I lost my job, now what?“) and, of course, not prepared. So what are the warning signs? How do you know if you are about to lose your job? I would argue that in most cases (except for down-sizing), the clues are there if you look close enough. What can you do?

How do you know: (but don’t be paranoid)

Learn The Warning Signs Of Potential Job Loss – What are some of the warning signs? This article, posted on Insideoffice.com, provides 7 warning signs that your job is at risk. Some of these you will know (like you’re getting negative feedback) and others you might not have thought about (like you resist change). In any event, take a read of these warning signs to see how many apply to you. Most of these are correctable with the right focus.

Five signs you may be on the layoff list – This article was posted on MarketWatch.com and provides 5 warning signs. Some are obvious and some are not. And some are correctable. The article also includes some tips on keeping your job (like making your self irreplaceable). Each of the warning signs provides a few paragraphs explaining the specific content.

How to Keep Your Job:

Ten tips that will help you keep your job – Okay, so what can you do to keep your job? Lots of things. This article, posted on MSNBC.msn.com, provides ten tips to help you keep your job. I would not have thought of some of them (such as the importance of cubicle etiquette) while other should be common knowledge (like don’t take credit for others’ work). In all, these tips are worth a read and they will help you extend your job shelf life.

57 Ways to Keep Your Job and Excel at the Workplace – Okay, maybe ten is not enough. In these competitive times, maybe you need 57 ways to keep your job. If that is the case, this job is for you. This article was posted on Millionaire Money Habits (mmhabits.com) – apparently, even millionaires worry about their jobs! This is a really good list of tips and there are too many I really like to point out my favorites. Depending on your individual circumstances, not all of them will be practical for you, but most of them should.

Too Late, I’ve Lost my Job: Under the best of circumstances, no matter how many tips you may have tried, you still may lose your job. So what do you do next?

What To Do If You Lose Your Job – This article was posted on Circleblog.com and provides 6 basic steps in getting yourself on track for finding a new job. The first tip is the most important (Don’t Panic). The other tips are also worth a read. Once you’ve gone over these basic steps, you need to really get down to work (no pun intended), and that work is to look for a new job (which is your new job until you find a paying job). While you are on the site, take a look at the Career Connection tab at the top of the page. There are links for Interviewing, Job Search Tips and Resume Writing.

Good luck in your search.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.