Resolved to Get Healthy in 2008?

Don't Forget These Friendship Exercises

If improving your health tops the list of your New Year’s resolutions, you probably already plan to exercise more and eat better. But don’t overlook another important factor in overall well-being – friendship.

Studies show that people with strong relationships and social networks are happier, healthier, and more successful. In fact, research by the Gallup Organization indicates that friendship between spouses accounts for 70 percent of satisfaction in a marriage, and friendships at work significantly impact job satisfaction.

“Any plan to improve your health in 2008 should include some work on relationships,” says USA Weekend columnist and relationship expert Dennie Hughes. “Strong friendships are as important to our health as eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly.”

Hughes offers the following advice for building your relationship health in the New Year:

Know Your Friends’ Roles

Like the song says, it’s a good thing to “Get by with a little help from (your) friends.” But, Hughes says, don’t expect all your needs to be fulfilled by one very best bud.

“If you’re like most people, you have multiple friends who serve different roles in your life – from confidante to confidence builder, cheerleader to collaborator. It’s perfectly okay to compartmentalize in this way,” Hughes says. “Depending on one friend to be everything puts a lot of pressure on that person,” she adds. “Look at a friendship for what it is. Know that person’s role in your life and maintain the friendship at the level that you’re both comfortable with.”

Experience the Power of Staying in Touch with Friends

"The mental and emotional boost from interacting with friends is powerful. Staying in touch with an old friend and talking about ‘back in the day’ escapades can remind you that there is more to you than just ‘soccer mom.’ Talking with a new friend who you don’t share a history with gives you a great perspective on how others see you now and the opportunity to change if you don’t like the feedback,” Hughes notes. “Just be sure the friends you choose to keep are as willing as you are to be a positive influence in some aspect: according to a new study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, friends who depend on you to be there for them but don’t give back supportive energy when you need them can cause a 44 percent greater spike in your blood pressure!”

It’s healthy to connect with friends regularly, both old and new, to learn what they’re up to and share what’s going on with you today. As a matter of fact, according to the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, connecting with someone from the past you haven’t spoken to in ages – or with someone you just met – offers up great mood-lifting potential.

But success in friendship health requires simple ways for friends to keep up with each other. Web sites like Classmates.com make it easier to stay up to date with friends. Creating a free membership enables you to easily update people on what you’ve been up to, and find friends not only from high school, but also college, work and military affiliations. There are more than 50 million members, so you are likely to find some familiar friends to stay in touch with.

Because Classmates.com isn’t a “dating site,” approaching a person you have something in common with through the site “takes the weirdness out of contacting someone.”

Finally, you can extend your network of friends and strengthen bonds with current friends by trying to get to know your friends’ friends. “I like to host a ‘meet my friends party’,” Hughes says. Invite your friends to a party and ask them to bring along some of their friends whom you don’t already know. Not only do you expand your social network with people you are likely to already have something in common with – your friend’s friends – it’s also interesting to see your friends through someone else’s eyes.

Courtesy of ARAcontent


Published in Networking Today, January 2008

Acing the Situational Interview

The phone rings. It's a recruiter calling to let you know that all the hard work on your résumé paid off and they're inviting you to come in for an interview. You're psyched up, until you hear about this new situational interviewing taking place – now, you're psyched out.

While situational interviews may be drastically different from what you know of standard interviews, they're not impossible to conquer. Instead of a recruiter asking you factual questions – such as, "So, what makes you experienced for this position?" or emotional questions like, "What would your coworkers say about you?" – they ask situational questions. In situational interviews, the recruiter is looking to glean how a candidate handles real work situations, his or her problem-solving style and what the potential employee's personality is really like.

To prepare for a situational interview, it's not important to study your résumé, but do study the buzz words in the job description. Look for qualifications that stand out, like time management, ability to multitask, autonomy, etc. These are key traits you'll want to convey during your interview, and you'll have to do so by illustrating the characteristics and giving specific examples, instead of just saying you possess them.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common situational interview questions that a candidate is likely to be asked.

1. Describe a challenging work situation. What did you do to solve the problem, and what was the outcome?
   

2. Tell me about a time when you had to think on your feet and reach a decision quickly.
   

3. In your experience speaking with clients and customers, tell me about an instance when communication became challenging and how you overcame that.
   

4. Give an example of a time you were able to be amiable and warm as a communicator.
   

5. Describe a time when you were successful working in an unstructured environment.
   

6. Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a co-worker and how you resolved it.
   

7. Can you describe a situation in which you had to think outside the box to solve a problem for a co-worker, client or customer?
   

8. Describe an instance in which you have disagreed with instruction or criticism from your boss and how you approached the situation.
   

9. Tell me about a time in which you had to really manage your time well, how you went about doing so, and how you were able to meet your goal.
   

10. Can you tell me about an instance in which you were able to positively motivate others?
    

In preparation for the interview, candidates should read through situational questions and focus on coming up with multiple scenarios from work history to illustrate his or her abilities. Tell your stories aloud. Keep your answers on target, make the scenarios relevant to the question and focus on the positive outcome. To structure your answer, focus on the following order: situation, action and outcome. If you keep the order in mind, the story should naturally progress to become well-rounded and on point.

Ask a friend or family member to ask you questions throughout the days or weeks leading up to your interview so that you can become comfortable telling your stories. Focus on keeping your answers positive and avoid the standard interview pitfalls. Never use profanity, bad-mouth a former or current employer or lie.

Even if you're not interviewing now, keep a running list of examples from your current employment to draw upon down the road. Once you've gotten your stories straight, they should be just as familiar as your résumé.

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Courtesy of ARAcontent. Snelling Staffing Services delivers temporary, career and professional staffing solutions to companies, with almost 200 offices throughout the U.S. For more information, visit www.snelling.com.

Published in Networking Today, November 2007

Feeling Underappreciated at Work? Demand Some Recognition!

If you're feeling underappreciated at work, you're not alone. Nearly 45 percent of global employees feel that their managers do not recognize them nor encourage them to use their talents, according to a worldwide employee engagement study conducted by BlessingWhite, Inc.

What's more, 40 percent of employees surveyed indicated they might leave their company or they are currently planning their escape. Yet it's common knowledge that an occasional pat on the back makes most people happier in their jobs, and more inclined to work harder and stay longer.

Workers are obviously feeling the competitive pressure of today's fast-paced, demanding global marketplace. Long work days and extra effort are becoming the norm. Smart employers who realize the need to recognize this extra effort are better positioned to hire and keep happy, productive workers, says Eric Mosley, chief executive officer of Globoforce, a provider of global, strategic employee recognition programs.

"People have a basic human need to feel appreciated, and employee recognition programs help meet that need," Mosley says. Recognition should not only come from managers to employees, but also be distributed among peers so that everyone within the company feels that they are contributing to the greater whole.

"Bestowing recognition is not just a nice thing to do, it represents a critical element in fostering an appreciation culture amongst employees and employers," Mosley says.

Keep in mind that recognition is only effective if it's based on relationships. If a stranger on the street gives you something, it may not necessarily mean very much. If, however, recognition is based on the fact that somebody knows you intimately (like your manager), recognizes the effort you have invested and takes the time to articulate their appreciation, it improves the value and impact of the recognition moment.

Whether you are currently working for a company or looking for a prospective employer, it is important to pay attention to how that company shows its employees that their hard work is appreciated. Ask your current or potential employer if they have an employee recognition program. If they do, then the company cares about the efforts of their workforce by acknowledging and ensuring that their employees are getting just as much out of the relationship as the employer.

Today's workplace is different, diverse and constantly changing. The typical employee/employer relationship of old has been turned upside down. The combination of almost limitless job opportunities and less recognition for employee loyalty has created an environment where the business needs its employees more than the employees need the business. A strategic, well-implemented employee recognition program can bolster loyalty and create an ongoing healthy employee/employer relationship.

Simply put: Demand recognition from your employer! Even small tokens of appreciation, like a thank-you note, can go a long way.

"You don't have to work for the highest paying employer. What matters the most is that the company provides a positive and attractive work environment," says Mosley. "One of the most important factors in measuring how employees 'feel' about the company they work for is how that company rewards and recognizes its most important asset -- its employees."

Courtesy of ARAContent

Published in Networking Today October 2007

Need a Raise? Tips for Asking the Boss

It’s that time. You’ve worked hard, proven yourself and in your mind, you deserve a pay increase. So what now?

“Ask anyone and they’ll tell you they are worth more than what they earn,” says Dr. Andy Ghillyer, vice president of Academic Affairs for Argosy University’s Tampa Campus. “Asking for a raise should be a four step process. Approach it by defining what you want to ask for and then measuring where you are at compared to the industry and/or your profession. The next step is to review your past salary increases to set a realistic expectation. Finally, implement your plan and make plans to follow-up.”

“The first thing that employees need to do is set an appointment with their supervisor to meet somewhere without interruptions,” says Marc Scoleri, director of Career Services at The Art Institute of New York City. Scoleri notes that often times, employees get so worked up about actually asking for a raise that they delay actually setting the meeting. “Get on the calendar early and be prepared for a potential cancellation or move in date/time,” says Scoleri.

Before going in for the “big meeting,” research the industry average of your salary for your position in your location. There are several resources to do this on the Internet such as www.salary.com. For example, the cost of living in New York City will be higher than in Tampa, Fla. The average salary for the same position should be higher in NYC. “Bringing the average salary information from your research to negotiate can be a helpful visual if you are making below the average amount identified by the research, so it is important to research before negotiating,” says Scoleri.

“Explain that you are very happy with your current role and briefly mention your achievements and ask if he/she is open to considering an increase in your compensation,” says Scoleri. If the answer is yes, provide your research. It is always ideal to have a list of accomplishments you recently achieved over and above your normal job duties.

One example includes implementing a new initiative that has a measurable impact for improving customer service, safety, net income or efficiency. Come in prepared to demonstrate that your contribution has gone above and beyond what was written on the job description back when you started. Let your boss know you do not expect an answer today, which will help because most likely he/she will not be able to immediately give you that additional 5 percent or bonus on the spot.

Always shoot a little higher than needed and be willing to take other compensation such as vacation days, incentives or one-time bonus for superior performance. Scoleri says, “If your supervisor says no, ask what it would take for future consideration, listen and take appropriate actions to prove you are an asset.”

“One question that many people have is when is a good time to ask for a raise,” says Dr. Ghillyer. “Know your company’s budget cycle. Don’t ask in the middle of the budget year. Chances are slim. You have to time your move.”

Another good time to ask is when you have an offer letter from another employer to use as leverage, but don’t use the ‘other offer’ card unless you are given no other option -- you may win this round, but you don’t want your boss holding a grudge for being ‘blackmailed’ into the raise. Negotiate before you are hired into a new position for additional vacation days or lump sum bonuses if the company states they have a maximum percentage for raises.

The last thing to remember is that there is no need to be nervous. Go in confident, but don’t go in too overconfident that you set your self up for a let down. Make your case and prove your worth by demonstrating your accomplishments and explaining why the company should reach a little deeper into their pockets for your performance. We all need a raise. Good luck.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Published in Networking Today, October 2007

Good Credit Management Skills Are More Important Than Ever

Consumers have many options when it comes to selecting a credit card that best fits their needs. For instance, some people may use credit cards strictly for big-ticket items, while others may use them for all their everyday purchases; some may carry a balance while others pay it off every month. Even though people use credit in different ways, one fact remains the same: good credit card management is important to everyone. "Consumers who focus on good credit management are likely to have greater control of their finances overall," says Margo Georgiadis, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Discover Financial Services. "Today, more than ever, consumers are actively looking for straightforward ways to increase their financial confidence."
To hone their credit management skills, Georgiadis recommends people consider the following steps:

1. Develop a consistent payment routine
Years ago, it was possible to tackle household bills on a certain day each month. But today's billing cycles rarely match up, which can mean several different due dates throughout the month.
People can more easily manage their monthly credit card payments by choosing a card that enables them to set their own payment due date based upon what works best. Developing a consistent payment routine can really pay off.
Sometimes even literally. The Discover Motiva Card provides cardmembers who make on-time monthly payments six times in a row their next month's interest back -- twice a year, every year when they pay on-time each month.

2. Pick a convenient time and way to pay your bill
For many, checkbooks are a thing of the past. In today's wired world, there are more payment options than ever making it easier and faster to pay bills.
Do your homework on what options are available and pick the method that's most convenient to your lifestyle or when you get paid each month. For example, some credit card companies allow cardholders to set up automatic direct payments online or by phone for recurring monthly bills. Others allow cardholders to schedule their payments in advance to align with their pay periods or let them pay their bill for free by phone or online -- even on the payment due date.

3. Use account management tools to save time and money
Many credit card companies offer account customization tools that enable cardholders to keep close tabs on their account and budget. To avoid fees, some companies allow cardholders to set up reminders to let them know that their payment due date is approaching, or if they're close to exceeding their credit limit. E-mail reminders can also be set to alert them when a large purchase has been made or help track when a return, credit or balance transfer is posted. In addition, cardholders are able to access their account summary information online to help them track spending, create a budget, and sort transactions by date, amount, description or category which can be helpful for tax preparation.

4. Use your credit card rewards to help pay down your balance or reduce expenses
Some credit card companies allow you to redeem cash rewards in the form of a statement credit, which helps you pay down your balance faster, or you can have the money deposited directly to your bank account. You also can take advantage of other redemption options such as the ability to double their rewards when redeeming for places where they already shop.
For more tips on good credit management and other information, visit www.discovercard.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent