I said in a previous post that I was going to introduce my readers to pages from my new book I' am writing.  This chapter is on career and how to find a new job.  Thank you for reading and if you like what you read, please share it on social media. Thank you!

Do you often wonder if it is time to get a new job?  Are you asking yourself, am I being challenged, am I making the money I deserve and do I enjoy what I do?  Perhaps it is time to look for a new job.  It seems scary at first, and of course it takes work.  But it is worth every bit of  your time when you are in a job you love, are good at it and make the money you want. 

What is the best way to get started?  You never really want to leave your job and then look for a job. It is always best to look while you are employed.  But it does take time.  If you are going to move from your current position you want to make sure your next move is what you really want.

When looking for a job, there are a few basic steps.  The more targeted you can be, the easier it will be. After the initial phase you can always broaden your search.  Start with a plan and ask yourself the following questions.

What do you like to do?  
Write a list of likes and dislikes.  You often formulate a list in your head but the real work begins when you write the items down.  Writing a list of likes and dislikes forces you to think about what is really important to you. Plus what you really don't want to do. 

What Industry appeals to you?
The industry list is key as this is the first step in looking for companies that you would want to send your resume to.  Do you want to work in healthcare, retail, pharma, finance, or technology? The more targeted you make your list, the easier it will be for you.

What companies do you like?
Have you ever thought about the companies that would make you happy each day you go to work? Perhaps they are start ups, established big companies, new emerging or not-for-profit? Get clear on where you can see yourself each day.

Resume 
Have you recently looked at your resume?  When was the last time you revised it?  Do you have the latest format? Think of your resume as your brochure.  Be sure to highlight your best assets.

Linkedin
Did you know linkedin is the #1 place to find a job?  Linkedin should become your new best friend. Plus headhunters want to make sure you have completed your profile completely.

Finding a job is hard work but rewarding.  When you are in a job you love, you excel at it. You put your best put forward and your works shows for it.  The money will always follow.

At Upstream Solutions, I work with leaders, MBA students and executives who want to find a new job or navigate their career.  Let me help you craft your new pathway to success.  Together we can work on where you excel, what you want to do and revise your resume and linkedin.

Please contact me at [email protected], 516-659-9855, Upstream Solutions. @colleencassel

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This article was also posted in Stilettos on the Glass Ceiling - SOTGC.  Leading Career site for women.

It is the start to another fun and enjoyable summer. You can’t wait for it to begin. But how do you juggle working and being productive when you would much prefer to be at the beach?
According to research, productivity decreases by 20%, and workers are 41% more distracted during the summer months.  With that in mind, the following are ways to be more engaged and productive during the summer months.
Motivate and Create
Give your staff a break!  Get creative and think of ways to motivate and shake up the usual routine. If you have weekly meetings, plan to have them in different locations or perhaps even outside. Communicate to your staff that you also feel the excitement of summer and understand that it is harder to motivate yourself. When managers empathize with how their employees are feeling, employees are happier and more productive.
Trust
Trust that your employees will get the job done, even when the atmosphere is a bit more relaxed.  According to a Harvard Business study, workplaces that provide positive environments that foster trust create the most committed and productive employees. Your best employees are the result of a combination of trust and support. 

Flexible
The one thing that most employees enjoy is flexibility. Fifty percent of millennials say that flexible work hours and location are key to being more satisfied with their job. Allow employees to leave work early, come in later, and even work from home. If it is not possible to institute a company-wide policy, give your managers the freedom to offer it at their discretion.

Fun and Enjoyable  
Take your team to lunch, bring in breakfast, or have an afternoon gathering instead of a typical meeting. Creating a fun atmosphere at work increases creativity, performance, and motivation.
Test out a new program that you normally wouldn’t have time for during your busier months. Offer new and interesting workshops. Perhaps an exercise or mindfulness training, healthy eating or volunteer program that creates a positive and healthy culture.

Prioritize Big Projects
Research has shown that during the beginning of the week, workers are more productive. Plan for larger projects to be due earlier in the week. If you have summer Friday’s, let Friday’s be the day that employees do wrap up or less important work that doesn’t require as much time and effort.

Meetings
Use the summer months to move outside your comfort zone.  Do things differently.  Ask for feedback and communicate openly.  Ask what is working, not working, and take suggestions that they may have.  Let a different team member run the meeting each time. When you give employees new responsibilities, it allows them to shine and show off their leadership skills.

Vacations
Encourage your employees to take a vacation and NOT to check in with the office.Don’t be part of the 37% of managers that expect their employees to check in while on vacation. Everyone needs time to rejuvenate and relax, so they are ready to come back and work.

Work Perks
Give your employees the option of summer work perks. Consider offering summer Friday’s, casual dress, flexible hours, working from home, or a company picnic. Hire summer interns for added help and longer lunch hours. Empower your employees and let them know you trust them.

Summer is the time when most people try to relax, spend time with family and friends, and recharge their batteries.  Remember, an employee that is relaxed and clear minded is more productive, happier, and satisfied at work.

This is the start to my New Book that will be coming out in 2017.  It is a sample writing from one of the Chapters.  
My book will deliver an engaging, practical guide and lessons to help women, and emerging professionals become confident leaders at a young age. And not wait to be perfect before you shine. Grab life by the horns, believe in yourself and do what you love. Please share and comment about each chapter that  you read. I appreciate your advanced interest and comments. Colleen

Sample Chapter:  Curious as a Cat

How curious are you?  What is it you want to learn and how satisfied are you with what you do?  When you become curious you open your mind to new opportunities and things to learn.  Curiosity is not always listed as a leadership skill but it is curiosity that leads to growth.
 
Leaders that are always looking for ways to reinvent and grow know that being curious is a key characteristic trait of great leaders. 
 
How does a leader encourage curiosity amongst their team?  By encouraging change and reflecting on what you can do differently. When you ask yourself or others, “What if”, you start to explore other options.  Not only do you learn from your failures, but when you learn from your successes, it is leadership. 
 
Ask “What if” and you will find the Answer"
 
How do you encourage and become more curious?  Listen when you communicate.  When you are in a conversation, listen deeply to what the other person is saying.  Do not interrupt.  Listen for the thoughts behind the words, there is always something new you will hear.  
 
After the person has stopped talking open the conversation and ask them a question.  How are they doing?  What would happen if you were to ask:  What, How, When, Why in a conversation? Each time you ask a question, you learn something new. 
 
“Life is about not knowing all the answers, but asking a question and learning”.
 
I remember coaching a young, rising woman in her career. She was sure to be a future leader.  She started out very strong in her convictions and after a few conversations, she began to open up and become vulnerable.  She began to shred her outer covering.
 
After learning more about this very smart professional women, I asked her a question about her network.  “Who did she know that perhaps could open doors for her?”  She said that she spent each morning at the gym.  She would talk to a man next to her but the conversation was simple and strictly about the weather and casual talk.  She never asked him a question. 
 
I challenged her to ask him “what he did”.  One day, she approached the man while on a treadmill and was surprised by what she heard.  The man was actually in a senior role in a similar industry. 
 
Think about what she learned when she became curious.  This woman wasn’t being nosey but expanding a present conversation to learn new things.  It was only her curiosity and willingness to ask a question that led her down a new path. 
 
When you stop and listen and follow up with questions, you become a leader. 
 
“Leadership ~ Always thinking about new ways to learn”.
 
Exercise:  Try this with a co-worker, your child or a friend.  The next time you are together, Ask them 3 questions. The questions can be about anything. You can even write down each question and answer, for future reference or memories.  This exercise teaches you to be curious and to learn new things about someone or something.  Curious people are constantly learning as each question you ask, can lead you to a new path.
 
Thank you for reading and please share this on your social media.

COLLEEN

It is no secret about what it takes to keep employees happy and productive.  It is written about all the time.  It is now a matter of putting these simple practices into place.  As leaders, you know it is not always about the money but it is often how you make your employees feel that makes a difference.  It is the basic skills that you learned along your career path.  People, regardless of their title, want to feel respected and valued.

When you think about how you would want to be treated, it becomes clear, how others want to be treated.  Like all goals, pick one or two of the following and see what happens.  When you start to see a change, continue with others.  Remember, your employees are your company's future. It is important that they be treated that way.  

Transparency - Employees want to feel a part of something.  They want to know about the state of the company.  According to a Tinypulse survey, transparency is a top factor in employee happiness. It is important to keep your employees in the loop as to the good and the bad news. Make sure they know the vision and mission of the company. Otherwise, people can talk and false rumors can spread.  

Work life harmony - This seems trivial but you hired your employees, now you need to trust them.  There is no reason to treat your employees like children. They are grown adults.  Give them the flexibility to work remotely, or go to their children's school play.  When you trust your employees and offer flexibility, they respond in kind.  In a caring and productive manner.

Two way Feedback - Insight from employees is invaluable. They are your front line and hear things that top management may not know. Keep an open door policy and encourage communication and feedback.  

Career Path - Employees want to better themselves and know there is a future within the company.  Be sure to talk to your employees about new opportunities.  As a manager you also have to understand what your employees want to do and where they see themselves.  Ask them questions and help them along their path.

Gratitude - Regardless of your role, gratitude and appreciation go a long way. Whether it is a verbal thank you, personal note or taking your employee to lunch for a job well done.  Small tokens of gratitude, will create a pleasant and positive workplace.

Healthy Environment - Increasingly employees want and know the importance of  good health. Provide information and tools on ways to be more healthy.  Offer access to gym programs, mindfulness training, and healthy eating.  These simple tips will help with employee stress and control health-care costs. 

New Challenges - Certain employees will thrive with new challenges. Give them a chance to try something new.  Perhaps they have talents you are not aware of.  When employees are empowered and actively participate they care about the outcome.  Employees that are bored and not challenged become disengaged and consider leaving the company.

When you apply these simple solutions, you will find your employees become future leaders,  team players, and more creative. When employees are happy and satisfied, absenteeism and turnover are reduced and productivity increases.  
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Your employees are the future of your company.  When you start to believe and think that way, the rest is simple. 

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