How to Avoid Common Office Design Mistakes

How to Avoid Common Office Design Mistakes Sponsored by Workopolis:  Struggling to improve productivity and performance? Tried everything you could to get employees motivated and engaged? It might be down to some faulty office design. A badly designed office may  create a negative atmosphere by killing morale, collaboration, and effectiveness and job satisfaction. Freaked out yet? Don’t worry. You can always make changes. Here are some tips from the experts on how to spot and avoid common office design mistakes. Plan ahead If you’re hoping to redesign or reorganize your office layout, you’ll need time. Lots and lots of time. This is especially true if you plan on hiring a designer, as you’ll need your schedule to allow for proper consultation, creative brainstorming, and decision making. “Too short a schedule can lead to costly mistakes,” says Toronto architect  Heather Dubbeldam. “Providing more time for back-and-forth will result in better proposals, and ultimately, an easier decision when hiring a designer.” It’s worth noting that this process should also account for the time needed getting permits (if necessary), tendering contractors, and construction. As you can imagine, communication is an important part of this process, and to ensure that nothing ever slips through the cracks, assign a project manager to work with the design team. “Too often a client assigns a staff member who is already too busy or the principal of the firm who doesn’t have time,” Dubbeldam says. “Having a dedicated project manager, who can coordinate both sides, has the authority to make decisions, and can respond quickly during construction makes the process much easier for everyone involved.” Forget the corner office As nice as “the corner office” might be, this kind of private space is becoming a relic of the Mad Men era. “It’s less democratic to locate private offices at the perimeter, taking all the natural light and views,” Dubbeldam says. The trend today is to instead place enclosed spaces (like boardrooms and offices) at the core of the building, where bathrooms and elevator stacks have traditionally been located. This frees up spots with the best views for break rooms or multi-purpose work stations. “Private offices can borrow natural light across the workstation area, whereas if private offices are located on the perimeter, they block access to natural light,” Dubbeldam says. Pay attention to the acoustics It might be the last thing you think about, but sound matters when you’re designing an office. “Especially in open offices, the quality of the acoustics is really important,” Dubbeldam says. “Using acoustic materials to reduce noise levels can make a huge difference in how efficiently staff can work in a space, and in their comfort levels. You’ll need to find ways to reduce excess noise from other employees or equipment.” To cut down on unwanted reverb and echo, offices can also use rugs, upholstered furnishings, and wall panels to dampen sound. Ditch the one-size-fits-all approach One of the most common office design pitfalls is to go with a “me too” design. “There’s a temptation to say, ‘I was at this place and it was fantastic â€" let’s do that here too,’” says Robyn Baxter, vice president and regional leader of consulting for  HOK Canada. “But every company is different, so to implement something new just because you’ve seen it somewhere else can lead to failure. It’s not your solution â€" it was somebody else’s.” A better approach, she suggests, is to take a step back. Ask yourself why you’re making the change, and what you hope to accomplish. “Really understand your own needs between you start assigning your space,” Baxter says. “You can look to others for ideas and inspiration, but if you simply saw something cool and want to try it, that’s where you start getting into trouble.” Don’t force things “Every organization is on the quest to enhance collaboration,” Baxter says. “And a common mistake is to say, ‘Look, we have this corner, or we have a hallway that’s really wide â€" let’s put two chairs and a table there and call it a collaboration space.’” But unless these spaces are designed with collaborative work in mind, they will fall short. “If collaboration space is what you need,” she says, “integrate it into the team space, and design it appropriate to the task. Install a display, a place where you can share content, and a table at table height, with task chairs rather than loungers.” In other words, put design first, and don’t try to force a square peg into a round hole. About the author:  Workopolis  is Canada’s leading career site for job seekers and a leader in HR technology solutions for employers.

How to Write a Resume For Public Accounting Jobs

How to Write a Resume For Public Accounting JobsWriting a resume is a skill that is imperative for individuals who want to land a good job in the field of public accounting. The biggest problem with a lot of people who apply for jobs in this field is they have no idea how to write a resume. Even if they do know how to write a resume, they have no idea where to begin. If you are one of these people, here are a few tips that can help you be more confident in how to write a resume for public accounting jobs.If you don't know what a letter head looks like, then you need to start thinking about what that is before you start your write up. Many of the letters that you will find when you start searching for jobs at a public accounting firm will ask you to send them a resume first. If you cannot write a resume without having this information, then you should probably stay away from applying for any job you can get. Most likely you will be expected to send a resume along with some kind of let ter or cover letter to send to the company.When you are composing your cover letter, keep in mind that you will most likely not be allowed to include as much information in it. The idea is to get a written response from the company on how you would help the company, not to tell them all about yourself. As a matter of fact, it is best to keep your resume short and simple. After all, you will most likely only be sending it to one or two people, so don't go overboard.Most people who look for jobs in public accounting do not seem to realize that there are actually three sections to a resume. One section should be about yourself. Be honest with yourself and remember that all of the information that you are able to write about will be used by a hiring manager. The next section should be about your work experience. It is important that you emphasize what you have done before as well as the skills that you possess.In addition to your work experience, you should also describe the length of t ime that you have been working in accounting. This is an area that is often overlooked by most people who write a resume. You should also tell the hiring manager why you are the right person for the job. For example, if you have worked in accounting for years, it might be beneficial to mention this during your application as well as what this experience has taught you.Next, you should list some of your technical skills. Don't forget to mention any awards that you may have received, and any work that you did while studying in school. Last, but not least, you should highlight your leadership qualities. The hiring manager is looking for someone who is a team player, and you should prove to them that you are.These tips are based on common sense, but you should still try them out before you send in your resume. Ask a friend who has previously applied for public accounting jobs if they could help you out, or even ask around on the internet. Keep in mind that all companies are different, s o the writing tips may not apply to every company.As a reminder, if you do not get the job that you applied for, it does not mean that you are not qualified for the job. A lot of times it takes a little time to understand the company and its goals, and that is why it is essential to continue learning about the field of public accounting before you choose to apply for any job.

Transferring from the Integrated Masters to a BSc

Transferring from the Integrated Masters to a BSc Have you just been transferred to the BSc following your second year exam results? This blog is designed to help you adopt a positive mind-set if you are starting your final year earlier than you expected.       Develop a new career plan Having to transfer to the BSc may be frustrating if you had hoped to find an internship or a placement during what you assumed would be your penultimate year. As you approach your final year however, you can manage the anxiety you may now be feeling to adopt a new career strategy. You could re-frame your thinking so that it can start to feel like an opportunity to explore new possibilities Reassurance   If one of your concerns was how graduate employers might view a BSc in comparison to the Integrated Masters, let me offer some reassurance. As a general rule, graduate employers do not make a distinction in their recruitment and selection between 3 and 4 year degree candidates. Of course it could be argued that an Integrated Masters graduate has developed a deeper subject understanding and enhanced their skills during their fourth year of study. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they are a stronger candidate. Moreover, if a BSc graduate has work experience, they can evidence their employability skills  perhaps more convincingly than a 4th year of study may have done. It was interesting to note the overwhelming feedback I received from a variety of employers (in both public and private sectors) in 2016 when asked if they favoured an Integrated Masters applicant over a BSc one: ‘We have no preference for a Masters over a BSc as our primary method of selection is a maths test which we run ourselves. Students with a Masters may have an advantage in this test as they will have more experience in solving mathematical problems, but this is not guaranteed and we have given offers to students with BScs, Masters and PhDs in the past In my opinion, the BSc is enough to show competence and suitability… Masters level recruits go through the same training programme as graduates, we do not make a distinction between Masters and BSc applicants.’ If you are an Integrated Masters Engineering student, there is the obvious advantage of progressing more quickly to Chartered status as a 4 year student. But a BSc graduate can still progress to professional accreditation by pursuing a recognised MSc. The BSc degree is a significant achievement     You will still graduate from the University of Warwick with an impressive degree, from an institution currently rated the 4th most targeted uni in the UK by graduate employers (above both Oxford and Cambridge) Graduating a year earlier may present an opportunity to plan a different career, you may wish to consider a postgraduate qualification in a different specialism â€" you will still graduate no later than if you had completed the Integrated Masters Ask yourself if you still really have the subject interest, intellectual curiosity and passion for your subject for that fourth year of study? If not, you may now feel even more motivation to approach your 3rd and final year determined to achieve the best result you can You may feel excited at the opportunity to begin your career with a graduate employer a year earlier. You will hopefully continue to learn and develop, albeit in a the context of the world of work If you had planned to progress to a PhD, the switch to the BSc may feel particularly demotivating as for some institutions, the 4th year of study is the preferred route to a PhD. Doctoral study may still be a realistic option however, either directly from the BSc or via a Doctoral Training Centre The value of work experience   Gaining experience is very important, even more so if you are starting your final year earlier than planned. If you are concerned that you havent gained the work experience to demonstrate the employability skills all employers require, this summer could be very important for you. Remember that any experience is valuable â€" it will help you to answer some of the common graduate interview questions  typically asked by recruiters . If you are struggling to identify what could motivate you in a work context, how your values and interests might influence your career choice, experience may help you to also develop a sense of this. Dont wait until the start of term Remember that university careers services are available throughout the summer and could offer the advice, mentoring and support to help you manage the transition to your final year. Take the first step  in the summer that will help your future self to reflect that the BSc degree was in fact, the best option for you.

Why you should avoid colloquialisms in business writing

Why you should avoid colloquialisms in business writing Since the AOL Instant Messenger craze, our standards for written communication and business writing have changed completely. Through the introduction of acronyms such as BRB, LOL and the like, the lines between professionalism and colloquialisms have been blurred beyond recognition (BBR?). Here is a quick guide to appropriate business writing when addressing contacts inside and outside of your organization.   Outside of your organization Always be 100% professional when corresponding with anyone outside of your organization. Remember that tone of voice cannot be heard through email, so all you have are the words on the screen and the reader’s interpretation of them to get your point across. This means that you should write in complete, proper sentences and avoid using any acronyms, smiley faces, sarcasm, unnecessary ellipses, etc. In a business setting, it is typically ok to address everyone by their first name unless you are in an extremely formal situation, such as writing an offer letter, asking for donations or putting on a formal event. Inside of your organization When you are new or just getting to know someone, it is important to keep it formal, as you would with someone outside of your organization. However, when you are comfortable with those you work closely with, it can be ok to relax your communication style and be more casual in day to day communication. It is definitely still important to get to know your audience and take note of their tone, so you can mirror that and keep a balance of formal/casual that is comfortable for both parties. When you have a solid relationship with someone within your organization, colloquialisms and sense of humor are more natural to include, since the person on the other end is familiar with your personality. Overall, it is essential that whoever you are speaking with in a business setting feels respected and comfortable. Likewise, you want to be viewed as professional, organized and trustworthy when forming relationships and working on projects. More than tone and style, you need to understand the grammatical differences between commonly confused words such as your/you’re, there/their/they’re, to/too, etc. in order to truly be taken seriously in your business communication. If in doubt, look it up or ask a friend or colleague. With the majority of our communication occurring via digital communication (text, email, chat), it is important to always put our best word(s) forward. Have you ever felt uncomfortable by too casual of an email? Or do you think colloquialisms and abbreviations are more appropriate in our digital world? Let me know what you think in the comments or tweet me @mandyresh! Photo sources: Nicolas Nova (second from top), John Blyberg (center)

What Does It Mean to Update Your Resume?

What Does It Mean to Update Your Resume?Many people tend to overlook updating their resume, but the latest studies show that writing a well-written resume is one of the most important steps that they can take to land that dream job. The reason why this is important is because it will help your chances of being hired and will give you a better chance of getting the job you want. The way you go about doing this will depend on what you are looking for, but if you are looking for a job that is not listed in your current field, then you will want to focus on updating your resume.The simple fact is that people who do not update their resumes are much more likely to get hired than people who do. If you are not familiar with how the process works, then you may be wondering what an updated resume means. Basically, it is a document that lists all of the skills and talents that you have. It will list where you got your education, as well as the dates of employment, and indicate where you have t he most experience.Jobs that are not listed in your industry are ones that you may have left behind. If you took several years off, then it may be hard to find new work, so it is best to update your resume to reflect that. By doing this, you will make sure that you can get the job you want and also leave your past jobs behind.The truth is that most people don't realize that updating their resume is not as hard as it seems. The reason is because the basics are simple. The first thing you should do is get a good cover letter, which will be the second part of your resume. You should focus on listing all of the skills that you have in these sections, as well as being able to explain why you are qualified for the job.The honest sections should be listed first, followed by the skills that you possess. Next, you should write down the date that you first worked for that employer, and the dates of each job. This will be your first part of your resume.The next part is the information section. This will be the part that lists the names of the employers that you worked for, as well as the salary ranges that they offered. The last part of your resume should be your accomplishments. Make sure that each of these sections includes two lines per section, and then put them in chronological order.There are a lot of places online that you can get your resume. You should check each one out and see what you can find. Once you have completed this, you will be ready to send your resume to as many companies as possible. The best part about it is that you can even mail it to each company individually!When you send out your old resume, the recruiter will look over it. So you should take the time to send it out as soon as possible. While it may take longer to get a call back from a potential employer, they will know that you took the time to send out your resume, and it will ensure that you get the job that you are looking for.

Summary Sunday Social, Negotiating and Branding Skills

Summary Sunday Social, Negotiating and Branding Skills Social media, negotiating and distributing your brand are three very important skills everyone needs in todays world of work. At least thats my opinion. And it is why I have chosen these three posts to highlight this week! The Definitive Social Media To-Do List For Job Seekers by Tony Restell on CAREEREALISM This post shares how to make the most of the big four as Tony Restell calls them- LinkedIn, Google+, Twitter and Facebook. Tony says Social media gives you an opportunity to manage your brand and connect with those who can help your career. Let me ask you the same question Tony asks: The question is, can you afford not to have a social media presence? Social Media To-Do List For Job Seekers | CAREEREALISM The 4 Most Common Negotiation Mistakes â€" And How To Avoid Them by Brian Feloni on Business Insider Yuck, who enjoys negotiating? Well, it is a part of your life, isnt it? From negotiating a more favorable rate with your internet provider to increasing your earning potential, you are going to want to develop  win-win negotiating skills. The bonus:  in this article there is a link to    George Siedels Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills course on Coursera (free, by the way!). Why not learn the art of negotiation by learning from a business professor at University of Michigan Ross School! The 4 Most Common Negotiation Mistakes And How To Avoid Them Recruiters Are From Mars, Job Seekers Are From Venus Heather Huhman on Mashable Yes, there is a disconnect. Heres the post. The featured infographic is based on compiled data by MedReps.com. What do you think? Have you ever fallen victim to these communication breakdowns?

Developing a Career Insurance Policy

Developing a Career Insurance Policy Developing a career insurance policy is one way to protect yourself from a crisis. If youve ever been unemployed, I doubt you would say that collecting Unemployment Insurance and being without a job was the highlight of your career. But what did you learn from that experience? Did you change how you think about managing your career? What did you do differently? Did it convince you to take more control over your career? Networking Helps Too Many job seekers have learned how important it is to network.   They proclaim they will continue to network after they secure a new job. Unfortunately, life, work, and other obligations get in the way and this commitment to networking often fizzles out. Absolutely, networking is one form of career insurance.   However, there may be an even more pro-active and productive way to do thisand the best time to start on this path is while you are employed. I am talking about a portfolio career. What Is A Portfolio Career BNet defines a portfolio career as: a career based on a series of varied shorter-term jobs at either concurrently or consecutively as opposed to one based on a progression up the ranks of a particular profession. The portfolio worker is frequently self-employed, offering his or her services on a freelance or consulting basis to one or more employers at the same time. However, a portfolio approach can also be taken to full-time employment with a single employer, if the employee chooses to expand his or her experience and responsibilities through taking different roles within the organization. Think of it this way. You have a retirement account and maybe even financial investments.   You dont put all your money into the same fund, do you? You diversify your investments. And the reason you diversify your investments is to serve as a form of insurance in case one doesnt perform as well, youll be protected by the others.   This is exactly the same logic youll want to apply to your career. Why You Need A Career Insurance Policy Have you noticed more employers looking for contract workers or contingent workers?  Being a contractor or working on short term projects may be a great option to open yourself to new opportunities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, In May 2017, 3.8 percent of workers5.9 million personsheld contingent jobs, . These contingent workers are persons who do not expect their jobs to last or who report that their jobs are temporary. Using three different measures, contingent workers accounted for 1.3 percent to 3.8 percent of total employment in May 2017. Additionally, a 2018 report from Freelancers Union and Upwork estimates  that there are now  56.7 million Americans freelancers, an increase of 3.7 million in the past five years. NPR has a series of podcasts about the pros and cons of being a contract worker. You can find it here. How Do I Get Started? It starts with assessment.   What do you really enjoy doing?   What are your core competencies?   What would you do even if you didnt get paid for it? Begin listing all the tasks you enjoyed doing at work and outside of work. Are you great at analyzing data? Do you love organizing your home? Are you an SEO guru? I could go on and on. Where Can I Learn More About Portfolio Careers? Ive written several articles: Portfolio Careers Offer Multiple Income Streams, aka Job Security Diversify your Career Portfolio Portfolio Careers- Are You Ready For Multiple Income Streams?