We work in a contemporary world. A world where things are changing — whether it's when and where employees are working, how employers are handling their human resources or the constantly changing trends — the world of work is moving and shifting. And as wacky as that world can be sometimes, it's also fascinating if you have the right guide.

This blog is designed to be just that — a companion on your journey through the changing world of work. Here you'll find tips, tools and information on topics as diverse as the workforce itself: the aging workforce, working women, professional etiquette, generational diversity, the talent crunch, and more. So whether you're an employer or an employee, and whether you're beginning or close to finishing your career, I hope you find the information here useful for navigating the contemporary world of work.

Thanks for reading and have fun!

Melanie

You’ve heard me say it before — it may not be fair, but we are judged by what we wear and how we are groomed.  My favorite publication, DiversityInc.com, has hit the proverbial nail on the head with their article What Not to Wear to an Interview.

The ten things not to wear (or take) to an interview are ‘right on.’  Read the list carefully.  If you take your interview seriously, take this list seriously as well.

And I’d argue that what we wear to work could be improved by following this advice.  My particular favorites for the workplace are:

• Short skirts / tight suit
• Evening- or casual- wear
• Fancy nails
• Excessive make-up
• Heavy cologne or perfume

Anything to add?

I’m proud to work for a Fortune 1000 company.  But I’m not proud just because we’re 120 on the list — I’m proud because of what we do:

• We care about people and the role of work in their lives
• We actually put people to work — millions of people
• We give people experience that helps them advance their careers
• We provide training and development opportunities to underserved people who have barriers to employment

I’m lucky that I get to do meaningful work each and every day!  How special is that?

• A supportive work environment
• Customized benefits
• Equitable pay
• Learning and development opportunities
• Flexible scheduling
• Work / life balance
• Performance bonuses
• Fun
• An ethical company*

Would you add anything to this list?

*That ethical thing is important.  I define it as integrity in business dealings, integrity in dealing with employees and integrity in protecting the environment.

Recruiting and retaining talent is more important than ever before.  Many say — and I agree with them — that the companies with the best talent are the companies that are going to win.

I have a recruiting and retention suggestion for you:  get your employees involved in eco-friendly activities and use your environmental commitment as a recruiting and retention tool.

Here are a few simple, and inexpensive ways to ‘green-up’ your organization:

• Recycle (duh!)
• Encourage telecommuting to keep cars off the road
• Offer preferred parking for hybrid cars
• Offer preferred parking for motorcycles, bicycles and carpool vehicles
• Eliminate styrofoam
• Use real cutlery, dishware, mugs, napkins, etc., to cut down on paper
• Use paper bags to line your trash cans — or don’t line them at all
• Turn your computer off before leaving the office — every day
• Take advantage of video-conferencing, net meetings and webinars to cut down on travel
• Subscribe to newspapers online rather than having a paper copy delivered

And if you’re an employee and your company isn’t doing these things, suggest them.  Small ideas have big pay-offs!

Are you feeling burned out at your current job?  If so, take a vacation.  If you think that by taking some extended time off and contributing to your personal development you could benefit your employer, consider taking a sabbatical.  But consider it VERY carefully and take Eilene Zimmerman’s advice in her Career Couch column in the New York Times.

In the article titled The Gainful Way to Use a Sabbatical, several tips are covered:

• Take a sabbatical at your own risk.  Out of sight, out of mind?
• Don’t even ask unless you’re considered a high potential employee with long-term value to the company.
• Make sure what you’ll do during the sabbatical will eventually make a difference to your employer.
• Develop a plan for who will do your work while you’re away.

There’s plenty more good advice in the article.  Read it — then decide if a sabbatical is right for you.

I love DiversityInc.com.  It’s always full of good, interesting and very useful advice.  This time it’s about your wardrobe — How to Dress Like a CEO.

It may not be fair, but we are judged by our grooming and the way we dress.  And be honest, we all judge as well.  So read the article and take the advice — no matter what your career aspirations are.

• Dress for the job you want — not necessarily the one you currently have. 
• Don’t under-do.
• And don’t over-do.

And read the article — those five tips will serve you well!

Here is some interesting information…  Manpower just completed research to determine which jobs employers were having the most trouble filling.  Here’s the list:

1. Engineers
2. Machinists
3. Skilled trades
4. Technicians
5. Sales reps
6. Accounting and finance
7. Mechanics
8. Laborers
9. IT staff
10. Production operators

Interesting, but so what? 

If you’re a young person thinking of a career, consider getting technical, vocational or occupational training — there are plenty of job openings in those fields.  And if you’re not-so-young and consider yourself a life-long learner, think about training so that you can be the one to fill one of those openings.

According to the BLS, that’s the number of Americans who leave their jobs every day.  They could quit, be fired, be laid off, retire — whatever.  But that’s how many leave every day.  365 days a year!

So it’s no wonder that businesses are having trouble getting work done.  And there is a flip side — no wonder so many resumes are on those job boards!

We say we have 40-hours-per-week jobs.  But how many of us spend much more time than that at the office — and even more hours either working at home or (at least) thinking about work? 

So work is a whole lot more than a place we go from 8:00 to 5:00.  It’s a huge commitment. 

So why do we work?

• To earn a living?
• To get rich?
• To help others?
• To travel?
• To become famous?
• To develop skills?
• To learn new things?
• To make the world a better place?

I say “yes” to nearly all of those.  Do you have anything to add to the list?

It’s a shame that we have to wait for “a day” to appreciate people.  Don’t we appreciate our Moms every day of the year — not just on Mother’s Day?  Same for Dads in June?  So why do we wait until the 3rd week in April every year to give our admins the appreciation they deserve.

If you’re one who depends on your administrative professional, I want you to spend a few minutes right now thinking about what life would be like without him or her:

• Who would answer your phone?
• Who would greet your guests?
• Who would do your word processing?
• Who would finalize your presentation?
• Who would do your budget?
• Who would listen to your problems?

Think about it — and make sure you say “thanks!”

P.S.  If you want a simple way to say thanks, visit Manpower’s Administrative Professionals site — then click on ‘Send an E-card.’  But you can do more than just send a card — get him or her a gift, too!