Why Horrible Managers Thrive

Why Horrible Managers Thrive I was recently talking to a friend about a horrible manager he works under. The stories he tells yuck. Not creepy or inappropriate, but just horrible, horrible leadership. A few months ago I was chatting with a colleague about a horrible, horrible VP he worked under. Again, not creepy, but the types of management and leadership stories that make you cringe and think Id never work for that person. I bet most of you have stories of horrible bosses. Why does this happen? Why is it this still a thing today? I have theories. None of them are good. My theories are generally based on two things: The first has to do with the bad manager. I think the bad manager might be super charming (like a narcissist can be super charming), and this gets them their job. Maybe, they continue to be super charming to those above them, but horrific to those below them (on the org chart). Management doesnt really see this because they are too busy with their own stuff and have more of a hands-off leadership style. The second has to do with very poor leadership above the bad manager. Assuming the leaders know there are problems with this person, for various reasons they dont address the problems head-on. Perhaps they are afraid of the bad manager. I knew someone who had so much dirt on the owners of an organization that this person was assured a long career and a great retirement (she had a lot of power). I knew someone who was just a bully, and the leadership above this person was afraid to do anything lest they be bullied. Just a couple of the many, many examples. What is baffling, to me and the JibberJobber users Ive talked to about this (they bring it up, not me), is WHY are these people still in their positions??? Bad managers is a real problem in todays workforce. Having a bad manager put me in instacare thinking I was having a heart attack (it was just a pre-ulcer, which the stress of two degrees, having a family, and other stuff never did to me. But this bad manager had a serious impact on my physical health). Having a bad manager will have an impact on your grumpiness, your relationship with loved ones and neighbors, your self-esteem, etc. Why, oh why, do bad managers get to thrive? Its like the good employees get friendzoned (Im sure their is a better word for this) while the bad manager gets the big prize. What does this mean for our career management? Why Horrible Managers Thrive I was recently talking to a friend about a horrible manager he works under. The stories he tells yuck. Not creepy or inappropriate, but just horrible, horrible leadership. A few months ago I was chatting with a colleague about a horrible, horrible VP he worked under. Again, not creepy, but the types of management and leadership stories that make you cringe and think Id never work for that person. I bet most of you have stories of horrible bosses. Why does this happen? Why is it this still a thing today? I have theories. None of them are good. My theories are generally based on two things: The first has to do with the bad manager. I think the bad manager might be super charming (like a narcissist can be super charming), and this gets them their job. Maybe, they continue to be super charming to those above them, but horrific to those below them (on the org chart). Management doesnt really see this because they are too busy with their own stuff and have more of a hands-off leadership style. The second has to do with very poor leadership above the bad manager. Assuming the leaders know there are problems with this person, for various reasons they dont address the problems head-on. Perhaps they are afraid of the bad manager. I knew someone who had so much dirt on the owners of an organization that this person was assured a long career and a great retirement (she had a lot of power). I knew someone who was just a bully, and the leadership above this person was afraid to do anything lest they be bullied. Just a couple of the many, many examples. What is baffling, to me and the JibberJobber users Ive talked to about this (they bring it up, not me), is WHY are these people still in their positions??? Bad managers is a real problem in todays workforce. Having a bad manager put me in instacare thinking I was having a heart attack (it was just a pre-ulcer, which the stress of two degrees, having a family, and other stuff never did to me. But this bad manager had a serious impact on my physical health). Having a bad manager will have an impact on your grumpiness, your relationship with loved ones and neighbors, your self-esteem, etc. Why, oh why, do bad managers get to thrive? Its like the good employees get friendzoned (Im sure their is a better word for this) while the bad manager gets the big prize. What does this mean for our career management?

How do postgrads find jobs University of Manchester Careers Blog

How do postgrads find jobs University of Manchester Careers Blog Most postgrads are very internet-savvy, so when anyone asks me about finding jobs, the normal request is which websites should I look at for jobs in X?. They look a bit nonplussed when I start talking about using their contacts, developing their networks, making a list of who you know isnt that all just for business men on the golf course, or meejah luvvies, and completely irrelevant for academia or specialist postgraduate roles? Well, put away your prejudices, cos heres the proof. Postgraduate and graduate jobs, 3-4 years on A survey published last summer analysed how doctoral researchers, masters and undergrads who were employed in the UK found their current job, 3-4 years after graduating. The survey date was 2008, so all the participants had graduated around 2004/5. This is what it showed: (if you click on the image, youll get a slightly clearer version). This is from the excellent Vitae/IES/RCUK/CRAC report, What do researchers do? Doctoral graduate destinations and impact three years on, 2010. Here are some of these highlights. You can see that undergrads are most likely to have found out about their job from an employers website. Maybe its the experience of looking for jobs as an undergrad, or knowing friends who have found jobs this way, which perpetuates the belief that this is the most effective strategy. In practice however, both masters and PhDs had most success in using their professional, work or educational contacts or networks to find out about jobs. But what about academia? Theres more detail for PhDs in the report, which reinforces the view that its all about who you know and who knows you when it comes to getting jobs in academia (again, click on the image for a clearer view): The most striking use of contacts came for those working in research jobs in HE, ie mainly post-doc jobs, followed by teaching jobs in HE. Although jobs in universities are generally advertised (as shown by the numbers in HE who found out about the jobs from an employers website), those doctoral graduates who had been successful in getting jobs in HE more often mentioned their networks than the ads. Jobs outside academia Using your networks was still very important, especially for research jobs outside HE. Personal networks also started to come into play here. Only when it came to finding jobs which werent normally seen as doctoral jobs, were networks less effective. For teaching outside HE, ads were crucial (as any school teacher poring over the TES knows), and for other common doctoral occupations, ads and agencies were useful, alongside professional contacts. This latter group includes a high proportion of qualified health professionals (eg. clinical psychologists and medics) and significant numbers of function managers and engineering professionals, all of whom are attractive to agencies and advertisers: (from a separate Methodology companion report to the main What do researchers do? survey.) Speculative approaches Ill be honest, the one which surprises me most is the low number of doctoral grads saying they found out about their jobs through speculative approaches, particularly for research jobs outside HE. When I was recruiting techies in industry, we kept suitable speculative CVs on file, and whenever a vacancy arose, that was the first place we looked (before even thinking about an ad). Either thats no longer an effective approach, or my hunch is that so few people try targeted speculative approaches that even if theyre all successful, they will show up as   much smaller numbers. Anyone with some good data on this, Id love to see it! Multi-pronged approach The most effective strategy is probably to cover a number of bases (the survey above allowed multiple choices answers to the question, acknowledging that realistically most people use a range of approaches). Id put particular emphasis on approaches which have proven to work for most people (get those networks going), but also tapping into some of the less well used sources, just in case youre the only one who happens to spot that obscure ad, or whose speculative application hits the desk of a recruiting manager at just the right time. All Postgrad-highlighted Postgraduate academia job hunting networking 53.468610 -2.233701

5 Top Tips To Become A Gaming Journalist

5 Top Tips To Become A Gaming Journalist If you love gaming, maybe youd want to think about becoming a gaming journalist. Here are some tips on how to become a gaming journalist. Ofcourse, to become a gaming journalist the basics still need to be there: Good writing skills Need to stay updated on latest trends in video games Be passionate about the video game industry (its like finance journalist you cannot fake it) David Hutchinson, gaming journalist for The Times,  has these five top tips. Top tips to becoming a gaming journalist If you are writing for the specialist press then by all means go into frame rates and FPS type acronyms, but if you are writing for a more general site or publication, keep it accessible. Be honest and don’t read other peoples reviews until you’ve written your own. Write with interest and flavour, but avoid trying too hard to be funny as what you think as hilarious often falls flat. Use descriptives of the gameplay and environment. It’s not a ‘post-apocalyptic environment’; it’s a ‘post-apocalyptic environment with ashen skies and skeletal buildings’. It doesn’t matter if everyone else hates the game you love. If you can justify why you love the game, it’s a valid review. Don’t worry what everyone else thinks.  How do you become a gaming journalist? via Plusnet Community. 0

11 CV Factors You Shouldnt Forget

11 CV Factors You Shouldnt Forget If time spent writing your CV is really just time  spent staring at a blank screen, youre not alone, weve been there too. There are no two ways about it condensing all of your  skills and experience into one  slick  document can be challenging. We arent born knowing  how to write  a great CV, so its up to you to find out for yourself how to get the  basics right. From font size and  format to photos and filling in the gaps, there is a certain etiquette that should rarely  be broken.  Recruiters and employers  receive constant streams of applications    dont let a basic  mistake send  yours straight to  the bottom of the pack. StandOut CV has created an infographic to  answer 11 crucial questions. Heres our recap: 1. How long should a CV be? When it comes to length, try to think of your  CV as a tasty appetiser that will get  people coming back for more. It should be around 2 pages  long to  ensure that you get your message across  quickly, without dragging on like an old encyclopaedia, boring  employers and recruiters. If you  feel your  experience is as good as gold (and listing it all will make you a shoe-in for the job), dont worry too much about going over. Just be sure to  keep it at 3 pages or less. READ MORE: 5 Ways to Simplify a Long CV 2. What do employers look for in a CV? They want someone who has the  right skills and knowledge to do  the job at hand, so these need to come across in your CV. If you have the exact experience they are looking for, make sure it is clear dont make them have to read between the lines or join the dots. Spell everything out for them. If you dont have the perfect profile for the role but know you can do it, highlight your transferrable skills. Its always important to research your target roles beforehand to find out exactly what they are looking for in an applicant. 3. What font should I use in my CV? The saying keep it simple stupid exists for a reason and is definitely a principle that applies here. Forget cursive text that makes your CV look like an excerpt from Tom Riddles diary, and best you steer clear of Webdings altogether. Nice  symbols, though. Use a simple font that looks professional and is easy for recruiters and employers to read. Size matters too you cant go wrong if you stick around the 10/12pt mark. 4. Should I include a photo on my CV? Generally speaking, your best  Blue Steel neednt grace its presence on  your CV. Unless you are applying for an acting or modelling job (which would most likely specifically request photographs),  there is no need to include one  on your CV. It  will take up space that could be better used with text that demonstrates the value of hiring you. Show them how youre so much more than just a pretty face. 5. Do I include all of my experience on my CV? You should include all of your experience on your CV for transparency, but older or irrelevant  roles can be shortened down to brief summaries. All of your previous roles were NOT created equal. It is important to bring out the most relevant points and let other bits take the backseat. 6. Should I include my date of birth on my CV? Age is only a number, right? Employers do not make recruitment decisions based on a candidate’s age, so there’s no need to  include your date of birth. 7. Should I hide employment gaps on my CV? Take the guesswork out of your CV. You dont want recruiters or employers scratching their heads trying to fill the gaps themselves, so if you have long periods of unemployment you should be up front and explain them. Keep this short and sweet, after all, its just to let them know what was keeping you occupied during that time. Ideally use  constructive reasons such as personal projects, study or travelling. 8. Should I include interests on my CV? As a general rule, only include interests if they are relevant to the roles you are applying for and will make a positive  impact on your applications. If you feel including your passions or pastimes adds to the profile you want to show your employer, put them in, but dont get too carried away. Always keep it as professional as possible. 9. Do I need a cover letter? Typing a persuasive, personalised cover letter shows you are serious about your career and the opportunity.    It should paint a clear picture of who you are and what you are looking for, and why you want to engage in further conversation. 10. Should I include references in my CV? Employers wont contact references until they have intentions of  potentially offering you the job. You dont need to list them on your CV, instead a  one-liner like references available upon request will do the trick. 11. What if I have no experience? Everyone has to start somewhere, so no need to worry if this sounds like you. This is where you need to bring out everything you have done, that will  set you up for success in the working world. Think training, education, high school pursuits, extra projects, charity or volunteer work, etc. Top Image: Shutterstock

Tips on How to Write an Email Introduction For Resume and Cover Letter

Tips on How to Write an Email Introduction For Resume and Cover LetterWriting an email to introduce resume and cover letter is a great idea if you want to impress your interviewer. These are emails that the employers or prospective employer will receive through an electronic mail contact. However, these emails need to be specific and informative if you want them to be helpful in your landing.Writing an email is something that many people do but is still considered as one of the more important parts of the resume. In fact, it is the first impression for any job seeker. It is like the first touch with the interviewer where they will get to know your resume and that is why you need to make sure that you have a good one.Writing an email introduces the overall impression of your resume to the employer who would eventually decide if you are really right for their company. If you think about it, when you write a cover letter for a prospective employer, you are simply reading out your resume for him. You should be able to create a type of attitude and your impression will be huge.Writing an email can be easy for some but it also can be hard for others. If you need some tips on how to write an email introduction then read on. First, make sure that you have a message. If you do not have a unique message then it will not be effective.After that, it is time to prepare a resume. You can simply keep it as a paper resume. But if you want to give an email introduction to your resume, then you should prepare it to be written in the format of an electronic mail.Next, you need to explain the reason why you are writing your resume or letter. This will help the interviewer know what the specific purpose of your email is.After that, your information needs to be concise and grammatically correct. You also need to be able to spell and also be able to write English correctly. This is very important especially since it is an electronic mail.Lastly, you also need to include your contact information such as your e-mail address, a phone number and even your physical address so that the employer can get in touch with you. And finally, when you are done with the above tips on how to write an email introduction, the next step would be to read your email.

How To Pass An Online Test With Flying Colours - CareerAlley

How To Pass An Online Test With Flying Colours - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. We become what we think about all day long Ralph Waldo Emerson Like any type of test, online assessments can initially seem daunting, and with an average of 70 applicants for every full-time vacancy an ever increasing number of businesses are using online assessments as an additional tool to help them narrow down their search. Therefore, at some point in your job hunt its likely to have to take one of these tests. As any slight advantage you have could be the difference between you landing that dream job and missing out, here are some tips on how to prepare, and what to expect from these types of tests. Preparing for the Test. Good news, they obviously like your application and think that maybe, just maybe, you are the right person for the job. The recruiter obviously want to know you a bit better, what makes you tick, how do you think so have invited you to take an online assessment. Great, but now what? The work starts early on, not just the moment you settle down to take the test. The most common mistake candidates make at this stage is under-preparing for the test I assume by reading that the fact you are reading this blog means you are serious about your job hunt. That means that you wouldnt go to a face-to-face interview without being fully prepared would you? So why should an online test be any different? Practicing for the assessment tests will ensure you are prepared to face this part of the interview process. All the basic information you would research for an interview you should also learn for any online assessment. If you dont know what the company does, who they work with, what the job entails and what the latest market trends are then go away and learn these key details, and dont think about taking the test until you are confident on these points. These areas may very well not come up in the test but a basic knowledge will certainly help boost your confidence before the assessment, and if they do come up and you dont know then you be kissing the job goodbye. One of the key pieces of preparation is to find out what sort of test you are taking, and then practice, practice, practice. There are lots of resources online such as JobPrepTest which provides free practice tests that you can practice against the clock. Not only will these get you used to the types of questions asked and areas you might want to consider doing some more research on, but also the format and appearance of the tests which at first can appear alien. If you not sure what sort of test you will be facing then ask the recruiter, they be impressed with the fact that you are taking the test seriously and in most cases will give you more details on the test. Taking the Test. When you are planning on taking the test, make sure you block off some time where you wont be disturbed and can concentrate. Take the phone off the hook, send you kids off to get ice-cream and you partner to walk the dog. Maybe even go the whole hog and create your own Do Not Disturb sign. Some of these tests ask candidates questions that seemingly have nothing to do with the position applied for. For example, how strongly do you agree or disagree with statements such as I enjoy parties and other social occasions or I am nervous around large animals, even if they are in a cage at a zoo. Whilst they might seem inconsequential, they can have a profound impact on your application. Its important to answer all questions honestly, and not simply say what you think the recruiter wants to hear. Many tests will ask questions to test the same characteristics in various different ways. Although the test is not designed to catch you out, recruiters will notice any discrepancies in your answers and this could damage your chances of advancing. The benefit of the repeated practice you hopefully have done prior to the actual test is that you should be used to answering these types of questions to a time-limit. The tests introduction will tell you how many questions you have and the tests time limit. Use this work out how long you can afford to spend answering each question. Try not to get bogged down with one question, leave it and come back if you have time. If you find you are running out of time and you dont know the answer, then it might be the time to have an educated guess. If you are facing a multiple choice test, you might be able to quickly rule out obviously wrong answers and concentrate on the remaining answers. Similarly in a numeracy based test, you may be able to estimate the answer rather than working it out precisely particularly if you are running low on time. You can also take the Aptitude Practice Test. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search.Joey Trebif

Five Jobs with a Degree in Occupational Health and Safety - CareerAlley

Five Jobs with a Degree in Occupational Health and Safety - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Occupational health and safety careers prevent worker injuries on the job by ensuring that safety, health, and environmental regulations are followed. Typically, people interested in pursuing these careers need bachelors degrees and some on-the-job training to build skills in communications, industrial hygiene, safety and health standards, health hazard identification, handling hazardous materials, and waste management. Degrees often include chemistry, biology, or engineering. Various organizations certify occupational health and safety specialists, including the Board of Certified Safety Professionals and the American Board of Industrial Hygiene. Students must meet coursework, work experience requirements, and pass standardized exams to get these certifications. Masters degrees may be required for some advanced positions, and many types of careers exist in business, industry, and government. Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Occupational health and safety specialists test machinery and inspect lifting devices, scaffolding, and machine guards. These professionals look for hazardous conditions on job sites and try to develop ways to predict possible hazards in products, processes, equipment, and systems. Specialists make sure that protective equipment meets safety standards and that workers use the right devices for each job. These safety workers test potential hazards such as mildew, mold, explosive gases, and toxic vapors, making sure that work areas have proper ventilation systems. Occupational Health and Safety Technician Technicians often collect information for occupational health and safety specialists, investigating unsafe working conditions and preparing preliminary remedial recommendations. These safety technicians also assist injured workers after accidents, helping them recover and return to work. Technicians prepare reports for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, prepare documents for court proceedings, and help develop safety systems and procedural manuals for use on the job. Technicians often work long hours and travel often, and they face many of the same hazards as industrial employees. Management and employees sometimes prove hostile, and technicians and specialists find themselves in adversarial roles. The jobs could become stressful and dangerous, so expert training plays a key role toward success. Construction and Building Inspectors Construction and building inspectors work on all types of construction projects such as buildings, dams, bridges, highways, and sewer and water systems. These inspectors make sure that buildings comply with ordinances, local building codes, contract specifications, and zoning regulations. Areas subject to hurricanes and earthquakes often need additional safety measures to protect structures, and building inspectors make sure that construction companies meet all pertinent regulations. Inspectors also test soil and building sites to make sure foundations meet tolerance requirements. Responsibilities include inspecting structural quality, general safety, engineering, and environmental impacts of construction. Fire Inspector and Investigator Fire inspectors make sure that companies meet state and local fire codes and work with planners to approve blueprints for new construction projects. Jobs include fire safety inspectors, fire marshals, fire officials, and deputy fire marshals. These professionals must work with contractors, developers, engineers, architects, and fire service personnel. Fire safety staff work to develop fire exit plans, test fire protection systems, and make sure contractors correct code violations. Most of these professionals work with law enforcement agencies, but they could also work for private industry or insurance companies. Investigators collect evidence to determine the causes of fires, prepare reports, and decide whether companies are guilty of criminal negligence or culpability. Agricultural Inspector Agricultural inspectors work for the Department of Agriculture to inspect, test, and sample soil, monitor fishing and logging operations, and ensure the health and safety of agricultural commodities and processing equipment. On-the-job training courses help prepare job candidates to work in different regions throughout the state, and workers usually must have the ability to lift and carry up to 100 pounds. Inspectors conduct routine sampling, prepare technical reports, and learn investigative techniques specific to their assigned locations. These professionals must interpret statutory requirements, work well with other people, communicate effectively, and work with minimal supervision. Occupational health and safety careers prevent harm to property, workers, the public, and the environment. These professionals investigate unsafe working conditions, chemical hazards, and industrial hygiene. In any of these fields, the right training leads to lucrative and rewarding careers. Author Bio Ryan Ayers is a blogger that produces content in relation to the field of occupational health and safety. This article was written specifically to explain the career options and to encourage continual study in this area, such as an Occupational Health and Safety Degree. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook