The Monster Blog

What Motivates You at Work?

New Year’s resolutions come fast and furious this time of year, but in 2009, I’m keeping it simple. Sure, if I could lose weight and get in shape, it would be great, but I’m resolving to make my bed every day and put my purse in the same place when I come in the house. My motivations: to make my bedroom look better and avoid the mad search for my purse every time I leave the house.

As I started thinking about my resolutions and motivations, I began pondering motivation in general. What motivates me at work? Of course, money plays a role, but doing a good job is a motivating factor as well. And then there’s my family, a major reason I work in the first place. I want to do well for them too.

So as we enter a new year, I invite you to share your own motivations in the comments below. And if you’re not sure what your work-related motivations are, these articles can help you sort it out. Happy new year!

• “What Motivates You?”
• “Work Values Checklist”
• “Don't Just Tell Employers You’re Motivated -- Show Them”
• "Take Time to Think About Work"

This Festivus, an Airing of My Top 5 Grievances About Work

Today is Festivus, a holiday made popular by the ’90s sitcom “Seinfeld” that includes, among other festivities, an airing of grievances. I’m an equal-opportunity celebrator, so here are some of my grievances about work in general:

• Cubicles: There’s no privacy, which means taking your cell phone to some quiet corner of the office if you need to discuss sensitive information -- or maybe not, based on some of the conversations I’ve overheard over the years. I literally have had dreams of having an office with a door.
  


• Bad Coffee: I am not a morning person, so my java jolt is a necessary daily evil. But I need to buy it on the way in, because I’m not really down with office coffee.
  


• Unplowed Parking Lots: Here in the Northeast, we’re reeling from a massive ice storm and two snowstorms in a row, so this is on my mind. I’ve almost taken a header just walking out to my car on many a snowy day.
  


• Unproductive Meetings: I think most meetings are unnecessary, and even the necessary ones could be streamlined.
  


• Climate Control? I’ve yet to work in an office that was a perfect temperature. Artic air conditioners in the summer mean long sleeves despite the weather, and too much heat in the winter calls for dressing in layers.

What are your top five gripes about office life? Leave a comment below. And on a lighter note: Happy Festivus, happy Hanukkah and merry Christmas to all. For many of us, the holidays mean time out of the office and with family, and that’s nothing to complain about.

Is Your Job Search Ready for 2009?

Many people resolve to find a new job or otherwise improve their career situation in the new year. But amid a recession that will probably stretch well into 2009, is this still a worthy goal?

I would answer yes. You can start now: The holidays can be a great time to look for a job. In addition, budgets may be freed up in the new year for hiring, so laying the groundwork now could pay off later. And if you’re employed, you’ll want to batten down the hatches and hold on to the job you have.

So how do you accomplish all this? Check out these articles on kick-starting your job search, this one on job searching during a recession as well as the job search on Monster. And this article will help you safeguard your current job in tough times.

As always, if you have words of wisdom for your fellow workers, share them in the comments below. Happy holidays!

Are Office Holiday Parties Appropriate in a Recession?

It’s official: We are in a recession and have been since last December. It’s also official that in response, corporate holiday parties are down this year. According to executive search firm Battalia Winston Amrop, fewer companies are holding holiday events in 2008 (Word file download) than they did post-9/11, representing a 20-year low. Ouch.

The good news is that many companies are donating to charity instead. And for those fans of the company holiday party, other firms are scaling back rather than canceling the party outright, holding potluck events in the office rather than having catered affairs at expensive off-site venues.

I’m torn. On the one hand, there’s an argument that with economic collapse and layoffs all around us, celebrating is inappropriate. On the other, having some kind of event may get our minds off the dismal economic situation, meaning parties are more important than ever.

What do you think? Leave your comments below. And if your company is still holding a party, check out these resources and cautionary tales:

• “Office Holiday Party Etiquette”
  
• “Navigate Company Events”
  
• ABCNews.com: “Holiday Horror...at the Office Party”

Top 5 Things to Do After a Layoff

About eight years ago, I was laid off. Since I worked in downtown Boston and had to clean out my desk, I decided to take a cab home rather than lug my belongings on the train. I remember sitting in the back of the cab wondering what to do next.

And with another friend or relative losing their job (and asking me to keep my eyes and ears open for leads) seemingly happening weekly, a lot of people are feeling a similar pit in their stomachs. In recent weeks major layoffs have gone down at blue-chip companies like AT&T, Citibank and State Street Bank, as well as smaller firms. So I’ve compiled this list of the top five things to do after you lose your job. Hopefully you won’t have to use it, but it’s best to be prepared:

• Take Time to Mourn: Getting laid off is like getting dumped. You feel rejected and maybe even worthless. Indulge your sad side with a day in bed, a pint of ice cream and/or all the daytime TV you can handle.
  


• Get Moving: OK, pity party’s over. Time to take care of yourself. When I was between jobs a few years ago, I started each day with a brisk walk. Did it get me a new job? No, but it helped me feel like I was in control of something at a time where everything felt out of control. Plus, it’s good for you.
  


• Tell People: This is the hard part, but in this economy, there’s no shame in it. Send an email. Make some calls. Get the word out. Let your friends and family help, whether it’s through getting you a new job or providing emotional support.
  


• File for Unemployment: If you qualify, this will help bridge the financial gap between your layoff and your next job.


• Update Your Resume: If you’re wondering how to address your layoff, this article can help. And of course, once that resume is up-to-date, you can look for jobs on Monster.

Need more advice on how to handle a layoff? Check out these resources:

• “The Layoff Survival Kit”


• “Managing Your Layoff”


• “Laid Off? Six Steps to Manage Your Finances”


• “Bouncing Back After Being Laid Off”