Co-worker Problems?

How to Handle Difficult Coworkers


Do you love your job, but just not your coworkers? If this is how you can describe your feelings about your job, you may want to continue reading on. Unfortunately, when placed in a similar position, one that involves difficult or unruly coworkers, many individuals assume that their only option is to resign from their current position. Of course, it is more than possible for you to do so, but did you know that you do have other options?

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you have complications, problems, or a conflict with a coworker of yours, there are a number of different steps that you can take. These steps, which are outlined below, can help you retain your job and your income, which you may rely on to support your family. If you have been looking for an easy way to deal with one or more difficult coworkers at your workplace, you will want to continue reading on.

Before examining ways in which you can handle or deal with difficult coworkers, it is important to remember that circumstances should be taken into consideration. A small conflict may be one that you can handle on your own; however, more serious problems may call for more serious actions. With that in mind, one of the first things that you should do, when looking to deal with a difficult coworker, is speak with them privately.

When speaking with a coworker with whom you have a problem, you will want to be careful. When this conversation takes place, should it ever, you will want to be as pleasant and as friendly as possible. Many individuals do not realize that even a slight attitude can make a problem with a coworker much worse. If you are frustrated with a coworker who can never seem to get a project completed on time, you may want to offer to help them create a schedule. If you have a problem with a perfume or cologne that a coworker may be wearing, you may first want to explain any health complications that you may be having due to the scent.

As previously stated, it is important to remember that there extenuating circumstances that should be taken into consideration. For instance, if you feel that a coworker of yours is harassing you, in a sexual way or not, you may want to refrain from speaking to them. In certain situations like these, those who are unstable feed off contact from you and others in your situation. To protect yourself from any harm, you may want to consider contacting your supervisor right away.

Speaking of contacting your supervisor, if you have discussed your problems with a coworker personally and you have not seen any positive changes, you may want to consider bringing your supervisor in on the issue. When doing this, you will want to use your best judgment. If you regularly find yourself performing the duties and tasks for your coworker or if they mishandled important company documents, you should approach your supervisor without any question. Smaller issues you may want to refrain from bringing your supervisor in on, as you may actually end up creating a bad impression of yourself.

The above mentioned steps are just a few of the many steps that you can take if you are having conflict or problems with one of your coworkers. As a reminder, you are advised to use your best judgment when handling situations such as these.



If you would like assistance with your career, please contact me here: franlwatson @gmail.com (no space)

Your Prescription For A Healthy Career

Although these statistics were quoted from 2006, the information contained in this report is as valid now as it was then, if not more so as several hundred thousand more people have turned 60 since then (including me). My mother is 88 and still living on her own, my boyfriend's mother is 75 and living on her own.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that eight of the 20 fastest growing occupations are in healthcare. In fact, more new healthcare jobs will be created by 2014 than in any other industry.

Why are healthcare careers so hot? Here are some of the major reasons:
 Baby Boomers turn 60 this year. The population of elderly persons, who have greater healthcare needs, are increasing faster than the overall population.
 In addition, Boomers' aging parents, whose life expectancies have increased in recent years, have caused the demand for home healthcare and residential care workers to increase significantly.
 With the recent advances in medical technology, lifespans have increased, and new technologies make it possible to treat illnesses and injuries that in recent years may not have been treatable.
 With federal law requiring that the healthcare industry technologically update its record-keeping practices and with health insurance becoming more complex, the need for administrative support in healthcare will also grow.

On top of these facts, many of those employed in healthcare will soon be retiring themselves, leaving vacancies in the industry. Now you can see why people interested in pursuing a healthcare career can be virtually ensured a lifetime of secure employment.
The Path to Healthcare
While it's not always necessary to complete a four-year degree program to work in the healthcare industry, the majority of occupations require completion of some kind of training program. Nurses, for example, may begin their careers with an associate's degree and Registered Nurse (RN) certification program.

According to CareerBuilder.com's Spring 2006 quarterly job forecast, nearly one in five hiring managers in the fastest growing industries, including healthcare, will be hiring administrative and clerical staff. That's especially true in healthcare. Medical assistants, pharmacy assistants, dental assistants, and other administrative positions, which only require training programs of two years or less, will be among the fastest growing occupations.

With such a healthy future in the industry, the prognosis is good for those considering a career in healthcare.

Sources
 "Health Care" - Bureau of Labor Statistics
 "Survey: More Jobs Expected in Spring '06" - CareerBuilder.com

To your health
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca

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Job Tips

Are you reading the papers and thinking, “there are no jobs”? Do you know that approximately 80% of the available jobs are not advertised.

Are you spending 40 hours a week on your job search?

If you are looking for a full-time job, you should be spending 30 – 40 hours a week on job search activities – reading, researching, networking, preparing resumes, practicing interview techniques, etc.

Do you know how to use the computer/internet to help you in your job search – to look up information on employers and careers?

If not, sign up now and attend a local free computer workshop or class at your local school.

Is your resume up to date and targeted to a specific job or employer?

If not, you may be losing out on jobs you are qualified for.

Have you practiced your interview techniques with a friend or family member? Do you know what to say when the employer says, “Tell me about yourself?”

If not, sit down and list all the things you have done in every job and every volunteer activity. You may be surprised by all the things you have accomplished and forgotten about. The next step is to summarize your accomplishments to target the skills the employer is looking for.

If you need help with your job search, contact me.

Fran

Why Can't I Find Work?

The first question to ask yourself is, “where am I looking?” If the newspaper is your only source, you are cheating yourself of some great opportunities. If you are searching on the internet, you are also short-changing yourself. Many companies do not use either of these methods for hiring; they use networking techniques. You have heard people say, “It’s who you know,” and this is true.

Think about it for a minute. Which would you choose, a complete stranger or a person referred by one of your employees or friends? If you had a choice between placing a job ad that costs $100 - $200 or paying an employee a bonus of $50 for a referral, which would you choose? It makes economic sense for employers to use networking, and it makes good sense for you to do it too.

How do you network? To start off you make a list of everyone that you know, even slightly – your barber/hairdresser, the bank teller, the cashier at the grocery store, your next-door neighbour. Keep writing until you can’t think of anyone else. Then look at your list again and try to figure out where each person works and what kind of information they could provide you with. These are probably not the people who will be hiring you, but they may be the link to the person who will.

Have you let everyone know that you are looking for work and the type of work you are looking for? Or do you just say you are looking for “anything.” People need to know more facts than that. Will you really do “anything” or are there some limits on what you are willing to do. Take some time to write down a short summary of your skills and experience and what you are looking for. Use this when contacting employers.

Is your resume up to date? Does it have all your skills and experience on it? Is it targeted for the specific work area you are looking for, or is it so general that people have to try to guess what it is you are applying for? Do you have extra copies that you can give to the people in your network? Or are you waiting until that perfect job appears before you write it up? You should always have a current resume ready as you never know when that perfect opportunity will arise.

If you need help with your job search contact me. I am experienced in creating resumes that are targeted to specific employment areas and can help you develop your 30 second summary, or “elevator speech” as it is commonly known.

Why do people work?

Why do People Work? Many people would say, “For the money”, but is that the only reason???

We cannot possibly do everything for ourselves, so we need other people to do things for us, and then pay them for their work. In order to do that, we must also do things for other people so that we can earn money. Therefore, you might say that “for the money” would be true. But what about personal satisfaction??? Would you do ANY job if it paid well enough? Or are there some jobs which you wouldn’t do, despite the salary.

The things which you value like income, location, and free time can play an important part in your career choice. Other values might include: friendship, enjoyment, loyalty, family, independence, leadership, achievement, self-realization, expertness, service, prestige, security and power.

Some jobs provide an opportunity for expressing what we believe and value, while other occupations may go against our values. A job which supports your value system will interest and motivate you far more than a job which goes against your values, despite the monetary rewards.

Many people choose careers that do not pay very well because they enjoy the work and get satisfaction from doing the job or perhaps because it allows them to be close to home and family.

Some people choose to work in an area they are good at or because they have discovered that they have the skills needed for that particular position. Still others may choose to work at a job which provides enough money to pay for extra curricular activities or luxuries, such as a boat or skidoo or yearly vacations to distant locations,.

Look at the following list of “rewards” that people might get from work and see what your priorities might be.

WORK:

* lets me use my special abilities, skills and knowledge
*makes me feel that I’m doing something useful
*keeps me busy and helps fill in time
*lets me be creative
*involves doing a variety of tasks
*allows me to meet a lot of people
*lets me experience new things and learn more
*lets me see something for my efforts
*allows me to be responsible
*gives me power/influence over others
*provides opportunities to make friends
*lets me help people
*provides money
*allows me to be with others
*provides physical activity for me
*allows me to contribute to the community
*lets me control my own time
*allows me to satisfy my other needs
*offers me chances for improvement and/or promotion
*allows me to be known and liked by many people

Take a look at your current job and see if it fits your value system. If not, consider what changes you might need to make. If you are not working and you would like some help to choose the career that best suits your values or lifestyle, contact me.

Good luck
Fran