The Monster Blog

'Twas the Week Before Christmas at Work

In honor of those few staffing their offices this holiday season, this poem is for you:

 

'Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the office
Not a creature was stirring, except for my mouse.
Surfing the Web for bargains with care,
In hopes that free shipping offers still would be there.

My coworkers are probably all snug in their beds,
It's 9 a.m. and they're still resting their heads.
While I am at work on a skeleton crew,
Covering for them and taking on their to-dos.

It's hard here at work without the usual clatter,
Where getting motivated can be what's the matter.
But without interruptions I get work done in a flash,
And then focus my energies on planning my bash.

The copies are done and the Post-Its in place,
Assuring I've completed the tasks -- gee I'm an ace!
But being alone here with my boss out of sight,
Maybe today will be an early good-night.

 

Here's is Clement C. Moore's original poem in its entirety.

 

Check out this article if you are holding down the fort and managing work while your coworkers are out.

 

Happy holidays!

 

The Lowdown on Coworker Gifts 2009: Hope Your Secret Santa Is a She

 

The Phoenix Business Journal reports on an OfficeTeam survey that found women are more likely to give out gifts in the workplace and that more workers are expecting to give than to receive gifts.

 

Here's how the data breaks down -- of those surveyed:

 

·         41% of men intend to give coworker gifts

·         58% of women intend to give coworker gifts

·         50% of workers age 18 to 34 plan to give gifts to their managers

·         62% of workers age 18 to 34 plan to give their coworkers gifts

 

So if you like presents -- and who doesn't? -- your best bet is to work with a woman between the ages of 18 and 34. Just hope that that gift isn't one of these odd items, featured in the Denver Business Journal's coverage of a survey from The Creative Group:

 

•      A can of tuna

•      A voodoo doll of the boss

•      A fully stocked 125-pound aquarium

•      Orange hair extensions.

 

Personally, I always appreciate the gifts from coworkers that I can use at work, like cool pushpins, desk toys or the book on office yoga I once received. So before shopping the canned food aisles for coworker gift ideas, check out these coworker gift-giving dos and don'ts.

 

Best of the Best Work-Related Lists of 2009

Before we collectively bid farewell to this economically tumultuous year, let's reflect on some of the good aspects of 2009. Like these "best of" lists that impact the working world.

 

Fortune's Best 100 Companies to Work For

 

The big news on the list this year was that Google lost its spot at number 1, replaced by NetApp. Here are the list's top 5 best companies to work for:

 

1.    NetApp

2.    Edward Jones

3.    Boston Consulting

4.    Google

5.    Wegmans

 

Best Jobs in America

 

This is Money and Payscale.com's list of the top jobs in America based on pay and projected job growth over the next 10 years. Sadly for me, none of the top 50 careers have to do with blogging or Web content, but I still love what I do…. Here are the top 5:

 

1.    Systems engineer

2.    Physician assistant

3.    College professor

4.    Nurse practitioner

5.    Information technology project manager

 

Best Places to Launch a Career

 

BusinessWeek's list looks at the best employers for entry-level workers, based on surveys of career services directors, employers and undergrads. Once again, here is the top 5:

 

1.    Deloitte

2.    Ernst & Young

3.    PricewaterhouseCoopers

4.    KPMG

5.    US State Department

 

The Best Places for Businesses and Careers

 

This list comes from Forbes and examines the cost of doing business, cost of living, crime rates, projected income, job growth and more. (They also have a list of the best small places for businesses and careers if you're not looking to live in a bigger metropolitan area.)

 

1.    Raleigh, North Carolina

2.    Fort Collins, Colorado

3.    Durham, North Carolina

4.    Fayetteville, Arizona

5.    Lincoln, Nebraska

 

25 Best Places to Retire

 

And if you've had enough of the working life -- and more importantly, have the luxury not to work, Money magazine offers you this list, too. The top 5:

 

1.    Port Charlotte, Florida

2.    Palm Springs, California

3.    Traverse City, Michigan

4.    Pinehurst, North Carolina

5.    Surprise, Arizona

 

Working Mother's 100 Best Companies

 

Working Mother chooses its list of best companies based on employers' family-friendliness. Each company offers its own brand of perks and flexibilities and the magazine does not rank them, so take a look at the list in its entirety as well as the Hall of Fame. It just didn't seem right to single out a few.

 

Do you have any best of lists of your own this year? Go ahead and share them on our blog.

 

 

These Days, There's Much Ado About Jobs Creation

Last week, President Obama held a Jobs and Economic Growth Forum and this week he's laid out his proposal for spurring jobs creation, which is desperately needed despite the drop in jobless rates announced last Friday.

 

Obama outlined the plans in a speech he gave at The Brookings Institute on Tuesday. "Our work is far from done," said the President, referring to the initial stimulus plan." For even though we've reduced the deluge of job losses to a relative trickle, we are not yet creating jobs at a pace to help all those families who've been swept up in the flood. There are more than 7 million fewer Americans with jobs today than when this recession began. That's a staggering figure, and one that reflects not only the depths of the hole from which we must ascend, but also a continuing human tragedy." 

 

The new jobs creation plan includes:

 

·         incentives for small businesses (such as eliminating capital gains taxes on new investments, an employment tax cut to encourage hiring and eliminating fees on loans from the Small Business Administration);

·         up to an additional $50 billion to support "shovel-ready" construction projects;

·         incentives for homeowners who make energy-efficient improvements.

 

The President went on to say: "Of course, there's only so much government can do. Job creation will ultimately depend on the real job creators: Businesses across America."

 

Additionally, Obama is calling on you. According to The White House Blog, "…the White House is inviting citizens, community leaders, and local officials to hold their own Community Jobs Forums." You are encouraged to sign up to host a jobs discussion in your community. The White House will send you questions and the other materials you need for the event as well as instructions for sharing back ideas.

 

In the meantime, tell us what you think the government and businesses should be doing to help with jobs creation right here on Monster's blog.

 

Holiday Season = Job Search Season

Bringing the hiring side's perspective to the Monster Blog, today's guest post comes from Matt Charney, a seasoned corporate recruiter. Matt has recently joined Monster as a social media engagement manager.

 

One winter, while recruiting for a Fortune 50 company, my staffing team received an internal communiqué telling us how to stay busy during the holidays. The top recommendation: Get ahead of next year's work by reaching out to prospective candidates now.

 

The message is essentially the same for job seekers: Don't take a holiday from your job search; keep at it. In today's fiercely competitive job market, the holiday season presents an ideal opportunity to demonstrate your drive and ingenuity.

 

With budgets and headcount approved, hiring managers and recruiters are gearing up for the deluge of jobs and candidates that typically comes immediately after the New Year. This is not to say there’s no hiring during the month of December; conversely, many firms and recruiters are racing the clock to fill all open positions by the end of the year.

 

To get a head start on new openings, be vigilant and don't succumb to perceived holiday lulls. In addition to searching for jobs, you can make the best use of your time by laying the groundwork with these activities:

 

Engage Your Network

 

What better excuse to reconnect with a past colleague or potential employer than to send

a “Season's Greetings” email or card? It can set the groundwork for deeper conversations in the coming year.

 

Reopen Closed Doors

 

Chances are you’ve had conversations with potential employers regarding opportunities that didn’t materialize. Send an email reminding your contacts of the position you interviewed for, who you met with and any feedback you received. (Recruiters are more likely to respond to direct emails than follow-up phone calls.) In many cases, recruiters won’t follow up with strong candidates, assuming they’re off the market. If you’re still looking, interested and proactive, let them know.

 

Research Potential Employers and Reach Out

 

Identify and research a few firms you think would be a good fit for you. Target broadly -- that Fortune 500 conglomerate, for instance, might not be as good a match as that unknown local start-up. Impress hiring managers by doing your homework. Read up on the company’s SEC filings, 3rd-party news stories or customer reviews to understand the firms' financials, industry and structure.

 

Expand Your Options

 

Take a step back and assess your skills and interests. Beyond what you have already done and what you could do, what do you want to do?

 

Many experienced candidates feel that with a proven track record and focus, this question is best consigned to entry-level job seekers or those exploring career changes. From the hiring perspective, anyone looking for a new opportunity is making a career change. 

 

Take Some Time for Yourself

 

Looking for a new job can be draining; in fact, it may be the hardest job you’ll ever have. While it’s unwise to stop searching for a job during the holidays, it’s just as important to take some time off. With the work you’ve put into your job search, you deserve it.

 

Take advantage of holiday downtime by exploring Monster's 12 Days of Job Search on Facebook. From December 7th to the 22nd, we'll feature daily articles, tips and advice on keeping your job search active now and into 2010.

'Tis the Season for Office Holiday Parties…or 'Tis It?

Chances are this economically tumultuous year will end with a muted holiday celebration -- at least at work. According to a survey by Challenger, Gray and Christmas, 62% of companies are planning holiday parties this year (down from 77% in 2008 and 90% in 2007). And those companies that are planning office holiday parties are likely not living as large as they have in years past. Lunches are replacing dinners, potlucks and catered in-office events are replacing hotel bashes.

 

On a positive note, gatherings focused on charity and community giving are gaining in popularity and participation. For example, according to this Houston Chronicle article, the local KPMG office is getting employees together to sew and stuff teddy bears to be distributed with books to disadvantaged children. It's a different type of holiday cheer that for many feels better considering the current state of affairs.

 

If your company is having a holiday event, you need to be prepared. Appropriate office party etiquette can help you make a great impression, just as one false move could tarnish your reputation, or worse, your career. Remember: Even though it's a labeled a party, it's really a business event. You need to:

 

·         Have fun, but in moderation.

·         Dress appropriately for the occasion.

·         Find out if it is a "plus one" event.

·         Talk to people outside your immediate work team (this is a great opportunity for professional networking).

·         Thank the party coordinators.

 

So how is your company celebrating the holidays this year? Do you agree with the plans?

 

Get more office holiday party tips from these articles:

·         "Office Holiday Party Etiquette"

·         "Navigate Company Events"

·         "Etiquette Tips for the Office Holiday Party and Coworker Gifts"

 

 

 

The Cyber Monday Myth: Do You Shop Online at Work?

Were you among the millions who woke up early -- or never went to sleep -- in order to take advantage of last week's Black Friday deals? This year, with retailers extending hours, sales and promotions, the urgency of the day has diminished. Those same market realities are also coloring the online version of Black Friday: Cyber Monday.

 

According to this blog by Mercedes Cardona, "While traffic does spike on Cyber Monday, holiday sales online don't really peak until the week before Christmas, when the window to order in time for Christmas delivery begins to close." Cardona goes on to liken Cyber Monday to Mother's Day, an event created by retailers to boost business.

 

A few years ago, when folks had to rely on high-speed Internet connections found only at work, Cyber Monday made sense. Now with so many homes broadband enabled, the pressure at work is off.

 

Of course, that's not to say workers will not be shopping or tending to other holiday planning while at work. But before hopping online while on the job to buy your sweetheart those earrings, download a cookie recipe or send out an Evite, know your company's Internet policy.

 

And while you're getting into the holiday spirit, check out Monster's Guide to the Holidays, with tips on balancing the holidays and work, office holiday party etiquette, gift giving and more.

 

Tell us whether you snagged some great deals on Cyber Monday or plan to shop online at the last minute like the rest of us…

Stay Healthy at Work over the Holidays

Ah, Thanksgiving -- the mother of all meals and the gateway to the holiday season.  What better way to 'celebrate' our health than to gorge on turkey, stuffing and more?

 

And this year, on top of high unemployment rates, we face the spread of H1N1 and the dearth of vaccines to fight the virus. So if we have our health, we’re likely thankful for it.

 

Nonetheless, in a May 2009 Monster poll, 71 percent of respondents say they go in to work sick, either because they’re afraid of losing their job or because work is just too busy.

 

So what can you do to stay healthy and productive? First, become familiar with the CDC’s information regarding H1N1 and the seasonal flu and consider getting a seasonal flu shot if you haven't already. Lastly, be sure to check out these articles on how to stay healthy at work, from fitting fitness into your workday to eating better on the job.

 

Remember: The healthier you keep yourself, the better a job your body will do in fighting off seasonal ailments. So have a helping of vegetables with that big turkey dinner.

 

How do you plan to stay healthy this holiday season?

 

Giving Thanks for a Great Job Seeking Experience (and a New Job)

As Thanksgiving approaches, I realize that despite months of underemployment, I have a lot to be thankful for this year. First and foremost: I have a new job. During my search for permanent, full-time employment, I got to know many generous people. I also had a chance to use my skills in ways I never thought possible, enriching my professional experiences and, ultimately, my value to employers. Sometimes, I even had great fun!

 

And with my unemployment ending, my story here on the Monster Blog is coming to a close as well. I leave you with this list of what I am thankful for this year -- not despite the ups and downs of the job search, but because of them.

 

Thankful for a New Job

 

I have accepted a business development position with a local engineering firm. This solid company manufactures high tech devices for a variety of industrial markets. Their biggest challenge -- and now mine, too -- will be to grow their small 5 percent market share. Part of my charter includes developing my staff and hiring a few new folks. I am glad to be on the hiring end for a change.

 

Mostly, though, I am excited by the prospect of working in a new professional environment. It's good to feel wanted by a firm for the skills I have to offer. Alas, the company needed someone in this capacity "yesterday," so there won't be much recuperation from the job search.

 

Thankful for a Return to Normalcy

 

Throughout this job search, I was never comfortable and I rarely got a solid night's sleep. Was my time management that bad? Not when you consider that as I was working the mini-jobs, I was also running the household singlehandedly, engaging with my 2 sons by day and job searching by night. Returning to a normal sleep pattern is just one of the things I am looking forward to when I start the new position.

 

With the job in hand, I can now focus on pulling all my miscellaneous paperwork into the done pile rather than the to-do pile. And with the return of a revenue stream, I'm also set to tackle those idle household fix-it projects.

 

Thankful for You, the Readers

 

I am grateful I could share my trials with you as I navigated this bumpy path to a new job. There was true solidarity in knowing many of you are experiencing similar situations. (For instance, all of us seem to rage at the job search black hole.) Your feedback was often a catalyst for another blog topic or deeper introspection on my part. In many ways, you helped me get where I am today.

 

Thank you all, and best wishes for your own career and job search.

 

How do you think you will feel once you land a position?

 

Racing to the Finish Line with 2 Competing Job Offers

Back in June, my sixth sense told me that all my hard work would converge and I'd be struggling with a decision about whom to work for. I even noted this premonition in my job search log book.

 

I know it sounds hard to believe, but having 2 companies pursuing me as a potential new employee is a mixed blessing.

 

The Hare and the Tortoise

 

The firm that’s in the lead to win my talents -- let’s compare that company to a hare -- is a small European-based manufacturer with its American subsidiary a few miles from my home. The position they offer is challenging and exciting: Create an entire department from scratch with little or no process hurdles. If I encounter any obstacles, I just stroll 30 yards to the president's office. So why am I struggling with taking this job?

 

I get the impression that this firm is lacking critical resources. For example, generating my offer letter has been a protracted and peculiar experience. The original hard-copy offer letter featured a major error in bold letters on the first page. Am I being too picky? My friends say to let it go. Meantime, as I wait for a corrected offer letter, the firm’s missteps have dampened my enthusiasm.

 

The other firm in the race is a turbo-charged-but-not-quite-nimble tortoise. It is a Fortune 500 multinational firm with locations close to my home. The company’s newly created position will relieve the vice president of doing 3 jobs in business and marketing development. The work will be well-known and understood by all in the department. At this stage, I am in the 5th round of interviews meeting with the very senior managers.

 

This opportunity came about as a direct result of my filling out employment applications on the firm's own job boards. I applied for several interesting positions that required many of my skill sets. About a month ago, a very smart internal recruiter was reviewing my resume and asked if I would consider this position in lieu of the one I had applied to. Since I had had an excellent experience with this firm a decade ago, I was delighted by her suggestion. Compared to the hare contender, I have no qualms about the scope or nature of the position with the tortoise company.

 

Which Firm Will Win This Race?

  

Timing is everything. I have a job offer in hand (albeit incorrectly written) and the strong possibility of a second offer coming. Is it worth taking a job that is in a state of flux from the start? Or do I continue to use valid reasons to delay the process with the hare firm in favor of waiting for the tortoise catch up?

 

As in any sort of competition, there is jockeying for position even in the last lap. I am bracing for a photo finish.

 

If you were in my shoes and had competing but very different job offers, what would you do?