Obesity affecting job performance?

Obesity is a serious nationwide problem that is affecting many people.   It is estimated that about 50% of the adult Canadian population is overweight or obese!  Our fast-paced lifestyles have resulted in no time for exercise and quick and easy meals and snacks that are high in fat and calories.

A recent survey issued by Stats Can has concluded that being obese also affects one’s job performance.  Obese workers are more likely to miss work than their thinner counterparts.  In fact, obese men under the age of 35 were four times more likely to miss work!  The study goes on to conclude that when obese workers are at the office, their performance tends to be sub par, and they are more likely to experience work related stress.  If that isn’t bad enough, obese workers are less likely to get hired, and if they do get the job, are less likely to get promoted or receive a raise.

Many of us have a busy lifestyle outside of work, meaning that exercise usually isn’t a top priority.  It is hard to find the time (not to mention motivation), to go to the gym, and grabbing fast food on the way home is much easier than spending a lot of time in the kitchen.  However, all it takes is small changes to make a big difference!  If you can’t find the time outside of work, consider taking some time at work to get some exercise in.  Here are some tips to incorporate healthy living into your daily routine:

• Plan and prepare your meals ahead of time. It makes cooking after a long day much easier.  Consider making all your meals on the weekend and keep them in the fridge or freezer until you are ready for them.
• Bring your lunch. Often when we eat out, our choices aren’t always the best and tend to be higher in fat and calories.
• Walk! Park at the furthest space in the parking lot.  If you use public transportation, get off few blocks away and walk the rest of the way.  If you live close enough, consider walking to work.  When you get to work, take the stairs rather than the elevator.  If you are on a high floor, walk a few floors and take the elevator the rest of the way.  Go for a walk on your lunch, even if it is just for a few minutes.  It will energize you for the remainder of the afternoon!
• Take a break! Every hour or so, get up and move around.  Many of us are stuck at our desks all day long, so get up and walk around the office.  Go make copies, fill up your water bottle or take that memo to your co-workers rather than calling or emailing.
• Use your desk. Stand up for a portion of the day. It doesn’t have to be for long, but standing does burn more calories than sitting.  Also, consider lifting weights (or just filled water bottles or cans) at your desk.  There are plenty of curls, lifts and pulls that you can do sitting at your desk.
• Encourage your co-workers. People generally do better at something if they are being encouraged by others.  Recruit your co-workers to go for a walk at lunch, or have a healthy recipe swap.

50 jobs in 50 states — What you can learn from Daniel Seddiqui

By now, pretty much everyone has heard about Daniel Seddiqui, who is working at 50 different jobs in 50 different states in 50 weeks.  While this seems like an impossible task, especially given the current economic situation, he is currently on week 23, and already has many more jobs lined up to complete his quest.  While I am not suggesting that everyone go out and do something like this, I so think that there are a few things to be learned from this adventure.

• Think outside the box. Seddiqui has a degree in economics, but is working in many different industries.  He has been a rodeo announcer, a cheese maker and even an archaeologist.  While some of these fields would require further education, he is dabbling in fields that have nothing to do with his education.  When searching for a job, focus on more than just the job title…you never know what you might be qualified for!
• It’s all about the transferable skills. When Seddiqui is done, he may decide that he still wants to work in finance.  However, even after his adventure, chances are he won’t have any finance experience.  However, he has gained MANY different transferable skills from working these odd jobs.  Remember that everyone has transferable skills, you just need to know how to use them to your advantage.
• Keep your options open Don’t settle for a job that you don’t like.  We all know times are tough right now, and I am not suggesting you up and quit your job, but always keep your eyes open.  See what companies are hiring and keep up with your network…you never know what is going to come up.
• Network. Think of the nation-wide network Seddiqui now has.  No matter what state he ends up in, he will know someone there.  Get out there, meet new people, and build your own network!
• Have some fun. If you are not ready to enter the workforce right after graduation, consider working or traveling abroad.  Check out www.SWAP.ca to learn more about working holidays, which give you a chance to not only see the world, but work at the same time!

Use social media with caution

It is obvious that we have become a digital society.  We use the internet for just about everything, including networking.  How many people, especially those who are job searching, actually know what comes up when their name is Googled?  Are you and your friends constantly putting pictures of your latest drunk night out on your Facebook page?  Are you using profane or offensive language on your Twitter account?  While these things may seem funny to you at the time, they may come back to haunt you in the future.  Believe it or not, a large majority of hiring managers admit to Googling a candidates name to see what they are really like.  Your online profile could be the difference between getting the job or not.

Don’t think that because you already have a job that you are safe.  If you call in sick, but are really heading out skiing or for a day at the beach, remember to tell your buddies not to post the pics on their profiles…people have been fired for this very reason.  You need to remember that the beauty of the internet is that ANYONE around the world can have access to your information, including your boss.

Here are some tips for cleaning up your internet presence:

• Google your name. You should constantly be Googling your name to see what comes up.  Be sure to clean up anything you don’t want potential employers to see.  You can also set up Google Alerts to let you know if anything new has been put up.
• Monitor your Facebook account. While you can control what you post on your Facebook account, you can’t always control what others put up.  If there are pictures that you know may hurt your job search chances, ask that they be taken down.  If they will not do so, at least remove the tag, so your name is not associated with the picture.  It is also a good idea to increase your security settings so only your friends can view your profile.
• Censor your blog. If you write a blog that is a little bit “edgy”, it might be a good idea to remove your name from it.  If, however, the blog will help you in your job search, be sure to have your name prominently displayed.
• Watch your Tweets. Be careful what you post on Twitter.  Remember that almost anyone can view these, and even one false move can hurt your chances of getting that job or promotion.
• Join a professional networking site. Consider joining a site such as linkedin.com.  This is a great way to build up your professional network and meet people in the field and industry you work in (or want to work in).

What your body language says at an interview

We all know that just getting an interview is tough, so you need to make the best of it.  What many people don’t realize is often it’s not what you say that is important, but how you say it.  This includes things such as tone of voice, inflection, and especially body language.  Here are some refreshers on body language that will help you out during an interview.

• The handshake. Believe it or not a handshake says a lot about a person.  To have a good handshake, first, make sure your hands are dry, warm and clean.  Extend you arm and hand, grasp firmly (not too hard and not too soft), shake once, and release.  It is also important to maintain eye contact as you do so.
• Eye contact. You should maintain eye contact 60-70% of the time during the interview.  Avoid shifty eyes as this shows dishonesty, and don’t look at the interviewer’s forehead, as this can be seen as condescending.
• Check your posture. Slouching shows disinterest, so be sure to sit up straight.  Plus, sitting up straight will increase your confidence, and help you feel at ease during the interview.
• Watch your arms. Many of us talk with our hands.  However, be sure to watch how you talk with your hands and try not to get too wild or exaggerated.  Your best bet is to place your hands in your lap or on the table.  Also, avoid crossing your arms, as this closes you off from the interviewer.
• and your legs. You should also avoid crossing your legs.  Don’t bounce your legs or move them around a lot.  This can be distracting to both you and the interviewer.
• Be mindful of your tone. You need to sound confident to appear confident.  You may have the right credentials and give the right answers, but if you sound meek and shy, you will most likely get passed over.  Also avoid sarcasm and watch your inflection (the emphasis of the sentence).

Help with your job search

A recent employment survey by Hewitt Associates has some good news for those of us that are currently employed.  The survey has indicated that the majority of companies are not looking at layoffs and early retirement packages for their workers, but would rather implement a hiring freeze or scale back on recruitment  in order to save money.  However, this isn’t great news if you are currently out of work.  So, how does one go about searching for a job during these tough times?  Here are some tips to help you with your job search during the current economic uncertainty.

• Use the internet to your advantage. While many employers are scaling back on their recruiting, 26% plan to use the internet as part of their recruitment strategy.  That being said, you need to use the internet to your advantage…go to MANY job posting sites, company web sites, job fair sites (to see who is still recruiting), or join a social networking site, such as Linked In.  For more tips, see “Successfully using the internet during your job search.”
• READ the job description. Once you have found some jobs you would like to apply for, carefully read the job description.  Take out key words and experiences and make sure that your resume matches what they are looking for (as long as it’s true).  Remember that the competition is tough, so you need to be sure that you match the job as closely as possible.
• Think outside the box. I am not suggesting that you do something crazy, but you need to look beyond the internet.  Look in the classified section of the newspaper, join a professional association or drop some resumes off in person.
• Be patient. The recruitment process can be a lengthy one.  Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get an interview for every job you apply for.  Keep plugging away and eventually your persistence will pay off.

Ways to avoid damaging your career

Due to the failing economy, workers at every level in almost every sector are fearful of losing their jobs.  While often times layoffs are unavoidable, there are ways to save yourself from the next round of lay-offs.  MSN Careers offers some ways in which to keep you in the good graces of your employer and hopefully off the chopping block.

1. Keep track of your accomplishments. Show your boss why you are an important member of the team.  Plus, having this information up to date will also help when/if you start to look for a new job.
2. Keep your skill set current. Have the most in demand and up to date skills to show your boss that you are irreplaceable.
3. Deliver results. Be sure to make the company money, rather than spend it.
4. Be both efficient and effective. Use your time wisely and effectively.
5. Don’t think that you are irreplaceable. Having this kind of cocky attitude is just the thing that will get you the axe.
6. Don’t be a know-it-all. While being informed is a great key to success, being a know-it-all is not. Stay up to date on current trends, ask plenty of questions and express your opinion only when it is relevant (and informed).
7. Give credit where credit is due. Don’t take full credit for projects you had help with.  Show your boss you are a team player and give praise to those who have helped you.
8. Toot your own horn. Don’t go overboard, but if you are particularly proud of something, let everyone know about it.  You need to show your boss what you are capable of in order to show him/her how important you are to the team.
9. Don’t lose perspective. Recognize where there is room for growth, both in your performance and skill set.  If you fail to do so, you will fail to grow and further develop yourself.
10. Be adaptable. Due to restructuring, you may be asked to take on different roles or tasks.  Embrace the change and show your boss how adaptable to change you can be.  Remember that often it is those who don’t adapt that are left behind.

Office Romances

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought I would tackle a rather sticky situation…The Office Romance.  While at one time considered taboo, office romances are becoming more accepted in our society.  In fact, a recent poll by careerbuilder.com has indicated that 40% of employees have dated a co-worker at some point.  Workplace romances also have a pretty good success rate, with 31% resulting in marriage.

This trend of dating co-workers makes sense…we spend the majority of our time at work or doing work, getting to know some of our co-workers pretty well.  Co-workers will often have the same schedules, have similar goals, and spending a lot of time together at the office gives you an idea of what their personality is like.  Our schedules are often so hectic, we don’t have time to go out and meet new people.  Getting to know a person at the office often takes a lot of the awkward “getting to know you” stages out of dating.

While there are definite bonuses to finding your mate at the office, be warned, there could be potential problems as well.  Be sure to find out about your company’s view on dating within the office, as some companies have strict policies about office romances. You also need to be prepared for office gossip and rumours.  Especially if you are dating a superior, chances are people are going to question your latest raise or promotion.  In my opinion, dating a direct superior or subordinate is a bad idea, but in the careerbuilder.com survey, more than 1/3 of those surveyed have admitted to dating someone in a senior position.

It is important to remain professional at all times.  You need to remember that this relationship may make your co-workers feel uncomfortable, so above all, show them respect.  Also, always keep your love life at home.  That includes the good and the bad.  Keep your PDA’s (public displays of affection, not your Blackberry), as well as fights and arguments at home.  If you continue to bring your love life into the office, chances are it will affect your performance and possibly cost you your job.

Remember that not all romances work out.  Are you prepared to see this person every day after you break up?  Are you going to be able to remain professional?  Some former lovers have even filed sexual harassment suits after n office romance went sour.  These are all things you need to keep in mind before you even start a relationship at the office.

ATTENTION CANADIAN 2009 GRADS!

CBC’s The National is looking for students who are graduating from either college or university this spring, and are trying to get their first jobs.

They are specifically looking for students going to school and looking for jobs in Toronto, but would also like to hear from students going to school in any other Canadian city.

All respondents should be willing to go on camera.

Please email the producer Jennifer Wallace at Jennifer.Wallace@cbc.ca  and include the following information:

Your name:
The name of  the University/College that you attend:
Your field of study:
Phone number:

New to the workforce? Consider finding a mentor!

If you are new to the workforce, graduating this year, or starting a new career, you need to seriously consider finding a mentor.  A mentor can help you with the transition from school to work, provide advice and guidance, as well as prove to be a valuable addition to your network.  Remember to view this relationship as more of a learning process rather than a give and take, and make the most of it!

• Finding a mentor. There are many different places that you can find a mentor.  Some companies have formal mentorship programs in place, but if they don’t inquire when you are hired.  Many senior staff members will be flattered if they are approached for the opportunity.  If you are not currently employed, or your company does not offer such a program, consider approaching your alumni association, a professional organization, or even your local Chamber of Commerce.
• What to look for in a mentor? Basically, look for someone who is in a position you long for.  However, be warned that you need to look for someone who has the ability to teach and guide you.  Just because someone has a great job, doesn’t mean they are a great teacher.  Assess what you are looking to gain from the relationship, and this may help you figure out who to approach.
• What to expect. A mentorship is a learning experience for both parties.  It is important to listen to what your mentor has to say, ask for help when you need it, and learn from them.  A good mentor should be able to assess your strengths and weaknesses (while giving pointers on how to improve), and help you develop the skills you will need to be successful.
• It’s all about R-E-S-P-E-C-T. A good mentorship is all about mutual respect.  As the mentee, you need to be respectful of your mentor’s opinion, and especially their time.  You need to remember that these are usually very busy people and their time is valuable.

Refresher – Seven interview tips

If you are one of the lucky few who have been granted an interview recently, you need to be sure that it goes perfectly in order to even be considered for the position.  Since times are tough, employers are being extremely picky about who they offer positions to, so be prepared to bring your “A” Game.  Here are some interview tips to help you ace the interview!

• Research. I cannot stress this enough!  You need to know as much as possible about the company, the industry the company is in,  your interviewer, the current market trends, etc.  The more you know, the better you will look, and the greater your chances of getting the position.
• Practice. Even if you practice in front of the mirror, it will help you answer common interview questions.   Better yet, ask a friend or family member to interview you.  After the “interview”, ask for feedback and pointers.  I do both these things, and when I am driving to the interview, I go over my answers to questions such as “Tell me about yourself”, “Why do you want this job?”  or “Why should we hire you?”  This usually helps with my nerves too!
• Expect the unexpected. Interviewers are starting to ask strange questions such as “If you were an animal, what would you be?”  These kinds of questions are used to see how you think on your feet, as well as your creativity.  For these kinds of questions, be sure to give a response, a reason for your response, and remember there is no wrong answer.
• Don’t forget the small stuff. Know where the interview will be held and be sure you know how to get there.  Also, make sure you dress the part.  Prepare your outfit the night before so you aren’t scrambling last minute.  If you are unsure of something, ask another’s opinion or  avoid it.
• Use your past experiences. When you are answering questions, always be sure to provide examples to back up your claims.  Have some stories picked out that show qualities that will be important to the job.  Choose three or four different stories that could be used for multiple questions.
• Ask questions.  Nothing shows your interest like asking the interviewer questions.  Try not to leave them all to the end of the interview, but try to work them into the entire process.  Most interviewers want to see the interview turned into a conversation, rather than a question and answer period.  Be sure to ask things like “Could you explain to me what a typical day would be like?”, “What is the corporate culture like here?”, “What kinds of growth opportunities exist?”, etc.  AVOID asking about salary, benefits and vacation time until the position is offered to you.
• Remember the thank you. Thank the interviewer for their time.  Also, remember in the next 48 hours to send a follow-up thank you letter.  This can be done as an email or a note/card sent in the mail, depending on the company, interviewer or type of job it is for.

Remember that often it is not the most qualified person that gets the job.  You need to dazzle the employer in your interview, as well as having the skills and qualification to do the job. It is hard to even get an interview anymore, so you want to make sure you outshine the competition.  Be prepared, be personable and friendly and most importantly, be yourself!