Ten reasons why candidates don't like employers

Here are the top ten employer behaviors that candidates hate:

1. Poorly written job descriptions with a list of demands but no benefits. Candidates need to know what is required for the job, of course, but they also want to know what's in it for them. Describe the working conditions, the great culture, a few perks. Give people a reason to apply to your opportunity.

2. Asking for the impossible. Some job descriptions ask for so much that no candidate could possibly have all of the credentials - or if this superhero miraculously existed - they wouldn't work for the salary offered anyway. (You want a developer who can code your website, create all of the graphics, write engaging content in three languages while selling all of the media? For $20 an hour?)

Looking for three plus years' experience coding apps for Windows 8 is also absurd when the product has been on the market for a few weeks, but we've seen that sort of logical fallacy in job postings before.

3. Being unprepared at the interview. Many candidates talk about sitting across the desk from someone who is apparently reading their resume for the first time. Jennifer says, "I once had a guy spend half the interview responding to emails on his blackberry and then showing me pictures of his family instead of interviewing me!" Job seekers stress about interviews, prepare in advance, and psych themselves up for the day. It is disrespectful to them when employers don't take the meeting as seriously or give their candidacy the attention it deserves. 

4. Not replying to applications. Candidates like to receive an acknowledgment that their resume was received. This doesn't have to be a phone call, or even a personalized note. The standard auto-response that thanks them for applying and lets them know they will only be contacted if they are selected for an interview is enough. That's because when you're applying for a job online or through email, you never know with 100% certainty that your resume got through unless you receive that confirmation. Emails hit spam filters or go to the wrong addresses, computers can freeze up or fail to process. Letting candidates know that you have their resume means that their chances now rest on the merits of their application. That's fair. It's stressful not to know if your career was blocked by a technical glitch.

5. Much worse, not replying after interviews. When a candidate has taken the time to physically come in to the office to be interviewed, they deserve an official word on whether or not they got the job. Just by being interviewed, they know they were on the short-list. People have a lot of hopes riding on job interviews, landing a new opportunity can be life-changing. So amongst the behaviours that job seekers hate the most from employers is to be left hanging, indefinitely, after a job interview. Give them a call and let them know either way. Or at the very least, send an email thanking them for their time and interest, letting them know that you've selected another candidate.

6. Allowing really long delays in communication with no explanation. Things can change, job seekers understand that. But when you say that you'll let a candidate know about a decision by the end of the week - and you can't make that deadline - send them a quick note. A simple, "Things have been crazy here this week, and we haven't been able to move forward with the selection process. We're going to regroup next week and will get back to you then…" will do. It's the silence and the not knowing what's going on when a job is on the line that candidates really dislike.

I once received a call back for a second interview fully two months after the initial one. I had accepted a different (and much better) job in the meantime, so I never found out what the delay was.

7. Asking for references right off the bat, even if you're never going to call them. This causes job seekers to waste some social currency. The problem is that most candidates warn their references to expect a call, and they give them the job description in advance so that they'll be prepared. They don't want to have to let their network know about every job that they are interested in or to make too many demands on their time. They only want to have to approach their references for the roles for which they are a serious contender and it's the references themselves that can make or break the deal.  

8. Going through the motions when an internal candidate or referral has already sealed the deal.Candidates tell horror stories of finding out that jobs they have applied for, interviewed for and even done a sample project for have been filled by the manager's nephew. The theory is that even when there is a clear internal front-runner, companies still have a policy of going through the motions of screening a few alternative candidates.

I have never seen this situation myself, but several managers I talked to confirmed that it happens. You can see how it grates on the 'alternatives' who've wasted their time. 

9. Indiscreetly talking about a candidate in public. This one was also written in to us. Linda shared: "My friend Evelyn was taking public transit to an interview – it was an interview for a position within her own company - a move to another division. While en route she overheard two women from her HR team talking about her, saying that she would never get the job, and wondering why she had even bothered to apply. She did not confront them, but was understandably upset that her own HR team would slag her and gossip about her in the open like that. She'd been with the organization for five years at this point and completely lost respect for the company."

10. Making it all about you. Once candidate told us the story about an employer who was so high on their own company that they spent the entire interview telling her how great the company was, how everyone wanted to work there, and how even being interviewed was a privilege considering the competition. Christina writes, "It was just really bizarre. They didn't actually ask any questions about me or my resume. Shouldn’t at least part of an interview be spent trying to a) get to know me, and b) telling me the good parts about the job? Selling me on the opportunity? It was like a cult."  

Here's something else to consider. When candidates feel that they have been treated shabbily, they'll not only walk away from jobs with a company, but they'll boycott its products as well. There's no negative word-of-mouth as passionate as that coming from a person who feels personally and professionally affronted.

How to find opportunity

When we are faced with a crisis or struggle we often despair.

But it’s in this struggle that the best opportunities emerge. If we’re keeping our eyes open.

A crisis is an opportunity to change grow learn reflect and become better. It’s where we discover who we are and how we can find a new way we couldn’t have imagined before the crisis presented itself. It allows us to practice patience and acceptance and find renewed hope — which is the most beautiful thing.

When I’ve lost my job it was an opportunity for reinvention and to strike out on my own.

When I’ve lost a family member to the unrelenting grip of death it was an opportunity to reflect on that loved one’s wonderful life and for our family to come together in a way never possible before.

When I failed at work I learned to improve and grow better.

When I injured myself I learned patience and new ways to be healthy.

When my children throw tantrums they are teaching me more patience and the power of raw emotions and the wonder of childhood and what happens when you lose perspective.

When my wife and I had arguments it was an opportunity to learn more about each other and grow closer and become better at finding common ground.

When I moved and missed my family on Guam terribly it was an opportunity to learn introspection and self-sufficiency and grow closer to family here in the States.

When I daily face the terror of the void staring at me face to face it is my chance to push back and assert my will and imprint my soul upon this malleable world.

And that my friends is beauty. It is the finding of renewed hope and growth when all else seems bleak and lost.

In the struggle is the possible if we dare to look.

Happier workers are Healthy workers .

When a business demonstrates to their employees that they care about each person’s individual health and well being  it results in increased morale and productivity. But when a business doesn't emphasize safety, the impacts of a work related accident can be felt for years.

A colleague of mine has a desk job that he enjoys, but Lou once had a lucrative job as a forklift driver at a lettuce processing plant. The job was fast paced, and emphasized high productivity and long hours at the expense of safety as forklifts buzzed from room to room at high speed with full loads on their pallets.

And one day as he was loading his pallet, another forklift driver drove blindly from one room to the other at high speed with a pallet obscuring his vision so he had to lean to one side to see where he was going.

The driver didn't see Lou, and Lou didn't have a chance. And if Lou had seen the driver he probably wouldn't have been able get out of the way in time. Lou wasn't just hit; he was dragged for 20 feet before the load tumbled on top of him. He broke his foot but also damaged two vertebrae in his back, was declared 32 percent disabled and had to undergo physical therapy for a year and a half.

This wasn’t an accident; it was avoidable if the company had required the drivers to follow established forklift safety regulations and not pushed expectations that required breakneck speeds.

Safety regulations require drivers to travel with the load behind them if it obstructs forward view, and drivers need to slow down and sound their horn where visibility is obstructed.

Whatever type of business you operate or manage, these tips will help get you started fostering a safety-focused workplace:

1. Talk About Safety

From the first day of an employee’s tenure at your company, let them know that their health and safety is important to you. Ask them to speak up when a problem arises, whether it’s them noticing a potential hazard around the work site or a persistent pain that develops in their wrist or elbow from long hours at the desk. There is a fix or prevention for nearly everything, and creative understanding and flexibility is the best way to deal with a diverse staff, each with their own individual needs.

2. Bring Your Safety Manual to Life

At most businesses, the safety manual is a huge document created to meet legal requirements, and few employees ever read through it. Although the legal language within them is necessary, you should also break it into layman’s terms for employees. These manuals often include a company’s plan for dealing with an emergency, something everyone on site should be prepared for at any time, without having to thumb through their manual for the correct page.

3. Make Training Fun

Whether you incorporate safety training as a component of regular meetings or schedule independent sessions, make a point to regularly focus on reaction plans and employee health. Safety training one month could include the staff practicing an evacuation plan in the case of a fire or earthquake. The next month might include bringing in an expert to demonstrate stretches that desk-based workers can use to prevent repetitive motion injuries and pain to their wrists, elbows, and back. When showing safety-oriented videos and presentations, consider catering a lunch for employees — small efforts will keep staff motivated and attentive.

4. Create Visual Safety Reminders

Most offices won’t require a ‘Hard Hat Area’ sign, but a potentially precarious staircase might warrant a ‘Watch Your Step!’ sign. Safety posters and signs can strengthen a company’s legal case in the event of an accident, but they’re most important for their value in reminding employees about potential dangers. The break room and bathrooms can be a great place for posters about fire safety or the importance of taking stretch breaks and remaining active throughout the day.

5. Encourage Speaking Up

An employee should never hesitate to point out a potential hazard. Something as seemingly innocuous as an overloaded wall socket could ultimately lead to a fire, threatening lives, livelihoods, and the future of a business. Pointing out safety concerns should never be viewed as nit-picking. Instruct all managers to encourage speaking up and welcome all reports with a concerned attitude.
In the event that you do recognize a hazard at your work-site  follow this process to eliminate or reduce the risk of injury.
A. Try to eliminate the hazard (Engineering controls)
B. Deal with the hazard (Administrative controls)
C. Use protective equipment to reduce the hazard’s risk

For example, a delivery driver that regularly carries heavy boxes could wear a back brace to reduce the risk of straining their back, but that requires constant usage. The best solution would be to utilize a dolly or hand truck (A), eliminating the hazard. If that’s not possible, teaching proper lifting techniques (B) will significantly reduce the risk of injury. The back brace (C) may be useful regardless, but always strive for elimination and solutions first.

When a company clearly makes employee health and safety a priority, their staff responds with loyalty and motivation. An injury helps nobody — it has dramatic effects on an individual’s life, costs them and the company money, and carries emotional consequences throughout the rest of the staff. By promoting safety at every level, your employees will smile and be more motivated to take care of themselves, and others, in the process.

Positive thinking: Reduce stress, enjoy life more

Positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health. Overcome negative self-talk by recognizing it and practicing with some examples provided.

Is your glass half-empty or half-full? How you answer this age-old question about positive thinking may reflect your outlook on life, your attitude toward yourself, and whether you're optimistic or pessimistic.

In fact, some studies show that these personality traits — optimism and pessimism — can affect many areas of your health and well-being. Positive thinking also is a key part of effective stress management. Positive thinking doesn't mean that you keep your head in the sand and ignore life's less pleasant situations. It just means that you approach the unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way.

With all this in mind, take a refresher course in positive thinking. Learn how to put positive thinking into action in your own life, and reap the benefits.

Understanding positive thinking and self-talk

Self-talk is the endless stream of thoughts that run through your head every day. These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative. Some of your self-talk comes from logic and reason. Other self-talk may arise from misconceptions that you create because of lack of information.

If the thoughts that run through your head are mostly negative, your outlook on life is more likely pessimistic. If your thoughts are mostly positive, you're likely an optimist — someone who practices positive thinking.

The health benefits of positive thinking

Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:

• Increased life span
• Lower rates of depression
• Lower levels of distress
• Greater resistance to the common cold
• Better psychological and physical well-being
• Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

It's unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body. It's also thought that positive and optimistic people live healthier lifestyles — they get more physical activity, follow a healthier diet, and have reduced rates of smoking and alcohol consumption.

Positive thinking: Reduce stress, enjoy life more

Identifying negative thinking

Some common forms of negative self-talk include:

• Filtering. You magnify the negative aspects of a situation and filter out all of the positive ones. For example, say you had a great day at work. You completed your tasks ahead of time and were complimented for doing a speedy and thorough job. But you forgot one minor step. That evening, you focus only on your oversight and forget about the compliments you received.
• Personalizing. When something bad occurs, you automatically blame yourself. For example, you hear that an evening out with friends is canceled, and you assume that the change in plans is because no one wanted to be around you.
• Catastrophizing. You automatically anticipate the worst. You refuse to go out with friends for fear that you'll make a fool of yourself. Or one change in your daily routine leads you to think the entire day will be a disaster.
• Polarizing. You see things only as either good or bad, black or white. There is no middle ground. You feel that you have to be perfect or that you're a total failure.
  

Focusing on positive thinking

Because your self-talk is mainly negative doesn't mean you're doomed to an unhappy or unhealthy life. You can learn to turn negative thinking into positive thinking. The process is simple, but it takes time and practice — you're creating a new habit, after all. Here are some ways to think and behave in a more positive way:

• Check yourself. Periodically during the day, stop and evaluate what you're thinking. If you find that your thoughts are mainly negative, try to find a way to put a positive spin on them.
• Be open to humor. Give yourself permission to smile or laugh, especially during difficult times. Seek humor in everyday happenings. When you can laugh at life, you feel less stressed.
• Follow a healthy lifestyle. Exercise at least three times a week to positively affect mood and reduce stress. Follow a healthy diet to fuel your mind and body. And learn to manage stress.
• Surround yourself with positive people. Make sure those in your life are positive, supportive people you can depend on to give helpful advice and feedback. Negative people, those who believe they have no power over their lives, may increase your stress level and may make you doubt your ability to manage stress in healthy ways.
• Practice positive self-talk. Start by following one simple rule: Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to anyone else. Be gentle and encouraging with yourself. If a negative thought enters your mind, evaluate it rationally and respond with affirmations of what is good about yourself.

Examples of typical negative self-talk and how you might apply a positive twist include:

Negative self-talk	Positive spin
I've never done it before.	It's an opportunity to learn something new.
It's too complicated.	I'll tackle it from a different angle.
I don't have the resources.	Necessity is the mother of invention.
I'm too lazy to get this done.	I wasn't able to fit it into my schedule but can re-examine some priorities.
There's no way it will work.	I can try to make it work.
It's too radical a change.	Let's take a chance.
No one bothers to communicate with me.	I'll see if I can open the channels of communication.
I'm not going to get any better at this.	I'll give it another try.

Practicing positive thinking every day

If you tend to have a negative outlook, don't expect to become an optimist overnight. But with practice, eventually your self-talk will contain less self-criticism and more self-acceptance. You may also become less critical of the world around you. Plus, when you share your positive mood and positive experience, both you and those around you enjoy an emotional boost.

Practicing positive self-talk will improve your outlook. When your state of mind is generally optimistic, you're able to handle everyday stress in a more constructive way. That ability may contribute to the widely observed health benefits of positive thinking.

"Waste your money and you're only out of money,but waste your time and you're lost part of your life"

32 most important email etiquette tips

Email etiquette
It is amazing to find that in this day and age, some companies have still not realized how important their email communications are. Many companies send email replies late or not at all, or send replies that do not actually answer the questions you asked. If your company is able to deal professionally with email, this will provide your company with that all important competitive edge. Moreover by educating employees as to what can and cannot be said in an email, you can protect your company from awkward liability issues. This article discusses the main etiquette rules and provides advice on how employers can ensure that they are implemented.
'By requiring employees to use appropriate, businesslike language in all electronic communications, employers can limit their liability risks and improve the overall effectiveness of the organization's e-mail and Internet copy in the process'

Why do you need email etiquette?
A company needs to implement etiquette rules for the following three reasons:
Professionalism: by using proper email language your company will convey a professional image. Efficiency: emails that get to the point are much more effective than poorly worded emails. Protection from liability: employee awareness of email risks will protect your company from costly law suits.
What are the etiquette rules?
There are many etiquette guides and many different etiquette rules. Some rules will differ according to the nature of your business and the corporate culture. Below we list what we consider as the 32 most important email etiquette rules that apply to nearly all companies.

32 most important email etiquette tips:

1. Be concise and to the point.
Do not make an e-mail longer than it needs to be. Remember that reading an e-mail is harder than reading printed communications and a long e-mail can be very discouraging to read.

2. Answer all questions, and pre-empt further questions.
An email reply must answer all questions, and pre-empt further questions – If you do not answer all the questions in the original email, you will receive further e-mails regarding the unanswered questions, which will not only waste your time and your customer’s time but also cause considerable frustration. Moreover, if you are able to pre-empt relevant questions, your customer will be grateful and impressed with your efficient and thoughtful customer service. Imagine for instance that a customer sends you an email asking which credit cards you accept. Instead of just listing the credit card types, you can guess that their next question will be about how they can order, so you also include some order information and a URL to your order page. Customers will definitely appreciate this.

3. Use proper spelling, grammar & punctuation.
This is not only important because improper spelling, grammar and punctuation give a bad impression of your company, it is also important for conveying the message properly. E-mails with no full stops or commas are difficult to read and can sometimes even change the meaning of the text. And, if your program has a spell checking option, why not use it?

4. Make it personal.
Not only should the e-mail be personally addressed, it should also include personal i.e. customized content. For this reason auto replies are usually not very effective. However, templates can be used effectively in this way, see next tip.

5. Use templates for frequently used responses.
Some questions you get over and over again, such as directions to your office or how to subscribe to your newsletter. Save these texts as response templates and paste these into your message when you need them. You can save your templates in a Word document, or use pre-formatted emails. Even better is a tool such as ReplyMate for Outlook (allows you to use 10 templates for free).

6. Answer swiftly.
Customers send an e-mail because they wish to receive a quick response. If they did not want a quick response they would send a letter or a fax. Therefore, each e-mail should be replied to within at least 24 hours, and preferably within the same working day. If the email is complicated, just send an email back saying that you have received it and that you will get back to them. This will put the customer's mind at rest and usually customers will then be very patient!

7. Do not attach unnecessary files.
By sending large attachments you can annoy customers and even bring down their e-mail system. Wherever possible try to compress attachments and only send attachments when they are productive. Moreover, you need to have a good virus scanner in place since your customers will not be very happy if you send them documents full of viruses!

8. Use proper structure & layout.
Since reading from a screen is more difficult than reading from paper, the structure and lay out is very important for e-mail messages. Use short paragraphs and blank lines between each paragraph. When making points, number them or mark each point as separate to keep the overview.

9. Do not overuse the high priority option.
We all know the story of the boy who cried wolf. If you overuse the high priority option, it will lose its function when you really need it. Moreover, even if a mail has high priority, your message will come across as slightly aggressive if you flag it as 'high priority'.

10. Do not write in CAPITALS.
IF YOU WRITE IN CAPITALS IT SEEMS AS IF YOU ARE SHOUTING. This can be highly annoying and might trigger an unwanted response in the form of a flame mail. Therefore, try not to send any email text in capitals.

11. Don't leave out the message thread.
When you reply to an email, you must include the original mail in your reply, in other words click 'Reply', instead of 'New Mail'. Some people say that you must remove the previous message since this has already been sent and is therefore unnecessary. However, I could not agree less. If you receive many emails you obviously cannot remember each individual email. This means that a 'threadless email' will not provide enough information and you will have to spend a frustratingly long time to find out the context of the email in order to deal with it. Leaving the thread might take a fraction longer in download time, but it will save the recipient much more time and frustration in looking for the related emails in their inbox!

12. Add disclaimers to your emails.
It is important to add disclaimers to your internal and external mails, since this can help protect your company from liability. Consider the following scenario: an employee accidentally forwards a virus to a customer by email. The customer decides to sue your company for damages. If you add a disclaimer at the bottom of every external mail, saying that the recipient must check each email for viruses and that it cannot be held liable for any transmitted viruses, this will surely be of help to you in court (read more about email disclaimers). Another example: an employee sues the company for allowing a racist email to circulate the office. If your company has an email policy in place and adds an email disclaimer to every mail that states that employees are expressly required not to make defamatory statements, you have a good case of proving that the company did everything it could to prevent offensive emails.

13. Read the email before you send it.
A lot of people don't bother to read an email before they send it out, as can be seen from the many spelling and grammar mistakes contained in emails. Apart from this, reading your email through the eyes of the recipient will help you send a more effective message and avoid misunderstandings and inappropriate comments.

14. Do not overuse Reply to All.
Only use Reply to All if you really need your message to be seen by each person who received the original message.

15. Mailings > use the Bcc: field or do a mail merge.
When sending an email mailing, some people place all the email addresses in the To: field. There are two drawbacks to this practice: (1) the recipient knows that you have sent the same message to a large number of recipients, and (2) you are publicizing someone else's email address without their permission. One way to get round this is to place all addresses in the Bcc: field. However, the recipient will only see the address from the To: field in their email, so if this was empty, the To: field will be blank and this might look like spamming. You could include the mailing list email address in the To: field, or even better, if you have Microsoft Outlook and Word you can do a mail merge and create one message for each recipient. A mail merge also allows you to use fields in the message so that you can for instance address each recipient personally. For more information on how to do a Word mail merge, consult the Help in Word.

16. Take care with abbreviations and emoticons.
In business emails, try not to use abbreviations such as BTW (by the way) and LOL (laugh out loud). The recipient might not be aware of the meanings of the abbreviations and in business emails these are generally not appropriate. The same goes for emoticons, such as the smiley :-). If you are not sure whether your recipient knows what it means, it is better not to use it.

17. Be careful with formatting.
Remember that when you use formatting in your emails, the sender might not be able to view formatting, or might see different fonts than you had intended. When using colors, use a color that is easy to read on the background.

18. Take care with rich text and HTML messages.
Be aware that when you send an email in rich text or HTML format, the sender might only be able to receive plain text emails. If this is the case, the recipient will receive your message as a .txt attachment. Most email clients however, including Microsoft Outlook, are able to receive HTML and rich text messages.

19. Do not forward chain letters.
Do not forward chain letters. We can safely say that all of them are hoaxes. Just delete the letters as soon as you receive them.

20. Do not request delivery and read receipts.
This will almost always annoy your recipient before he or she has even read your message. Besides, it usually does not work anyway since the recipient could have blocked that function, or his/her software might not support it, so what is the use of using it? If you want to know whether an email was received it is better to ask the recipient to let you know if it was received.

21. Do not ask to recall a message.
Biggest chances are that your message has already been delivered and read. A recall request would look very silly in that case wouldn't it? It is better just to send an email to say that you have made a mistake. This will look much more honest than trying to recall a message.

22. Do not copy a message or attachment without permission.
Do not copy a message or attachment belonging to another user without permission of the originator. If you do not ask permission first, you might be infringing on copyright laws.

23. Do not use email to discuss confidential information.
Sending an email is like sending a postcard. If you don't want your email to be displayed on a bulletin board, don't send it. Moreover, never make any libelous, sexist or racially discriminating comments in emails, even if they are meant to be a joke.

24. Use a meaningful subject.
Try to use a subject that is meaningful to the recipient as well as yourself. For instance, when you send an email to a company requesting information about a product, it is better to mention the actual name of the product, e.g. 'Product A information' than to just say 'product information' or the company's name in the subject.

25. Use active instead of passive.
Try to use the active voice of a verb wherever possible. For instance, 'We will process your order today', sounds better than 'Your order will be processed today'. The first sounds more personal, whereas the latter, especially when used frequently, sounds unnecessarily formal.

26. Avoid using URGENT and IMPORTANT.
Even more so than the high-priority option, you must at all times try to avoid these types of words in an email or subject line. Only use this if it is a really, really urgent or important message.

27. Avoid long sentences.
Try to keep your sentences to a maximum of 15-20 words. Email is meant to be a quick medium and requires a different kind of writing than letters. Also take care not to send emails that are too long. If a person receives an email that looks like a dissertation, chances are that they will not even attempt to read it!

28. Don't send or forward emails containing libelous, defamatory, offensive, racist or obscene remarks.
By sending or even just forwarding one libelous, or offensive remark in an email, you and your company can face court cases resulting in multi-million dollar penalties.

29. Don't forward virus hoaxes and chain letters.
If you receive an email message warning you of a new unstoppable virus that will immediately delete everything from your computer, this is most probably a hoax. By forwarding hoaxes you use valuable bandwidth and sometimes virus hoaxes contain viruses themselves, by attaching a so-called file that will stop the dangerous virus. The same goes for chain letters that promise incredible riches or ask your help for a charitable cause. Even if the content seems to be bona fide, the senders are usually not. Since it is impossible to find out whether a chain letter is real or not, the best place for it is the recycle bin.

30. Keep your language gender neutral.
In this day and age, avoid using sexist language such as: 'The user should add a signature by configuring his email program'. Apart from using he/she, you can also use the neutral gender: ''The user should add a signature by configuring the email program'.

31. Don't reply to spam.
By replying to spam or by unsubscribing, you are confirming that your email address is 'live'. Confirming this will only generate even more spam. Therefore, just hit the delete button or use email software to remove spam automatically.

32. Use cc: field sparingly.
Try not to use the cc: field unless the recipient in the cc: field knows why they are receiving a copy of the message. Using the cc: field can be confusing since the recipients might not know who is supposed to act on the message. Also, when responding to a cc: message, should you include the other recipient in the cc: field as well? This will depend on the situation. In general, do not include the person in the cc: field unless you have a particular reason for wanting this person to see your response. Again, make sure that this person will know why they are receiving a copy.

How do you enforce email etiquette?
The first step is to create a written email policy. This email policy should include all the do's and don'ts concerning the use of the company's email system and should be distributed amongst all employees. Secondly, employees must be trained to fully understand the importance of email etiquette. Finally, implementation of the rules can be monitored by using email management software and email response tools.

Co-worker relationship

We all have one. You might even be one. Inconsiderate, annoying or just plain ridiculous, some co-workers can really push your buttons either socially or professionally. If you’re all there to achieve a common goal, why is it so difficult to maintain good co-worker relationships at the office?
Find out what you can do to become a stand-up co-worker. Plus: Are you a pushover?

It’s essential that you have a decent relationship with your co-workers since you see them so often, and often work side-by-side on projects or on daily work duties. But many employees who work in an office or cubicle setting know that workplace bliss isn't as prevalent as you might expect, and office etiquette seems more like an obscure idea than a common practice. Of course, not everyone’s going to agree on everything and you may not like everyone you work with. But for an office to be productive there needs to be some degree of harmony. Here are five tips to become a more considerate co-worker:

1. Gossip Queen 
There’s a good chance that you have a gossiper among your co-workers, and if you are that person, listen up. Gossip can be detrimental to your career. Many times, gossip is inaccurate or completely untrue because information gets skewed along the way. Granted, people like to know juicy tidbits about the office, especially when it comes to salaries, fights and job status, but the more you gossip, the more people will eventually come to question your professionalism, honesty and trustworthiness.

2. Be Positive
There’s nothing worse than the co-worker who is always negative and constantly complaining about something. While venting frustrations may be okay to someone else in private, don’t let your whole office in on your woes. Be discreet about your complaints, and rather than letting them escalate, nip them in the bud quickly. Stop making big deals out of nothing. Also, don’t let yourself become the sounding board for that kind of annoying co-worker, because people might begin to associate your attitude with his or hers.

3. Silence is Golden 
Small office spaces give way to being exposed to annoying co-worker’s habits. Whether it’s loud music, excessive gum popping, be considerate to those around you:
 - Phones: Put the ringer volume on a low level or use a head set. Pick up the phone quickly and make sure to forward calls. Limit speakerphone use and keep your headset on.
 - Talking: Talking in low voices about work is fine. Talking loudly about your hot date is not. If you want your personal life to stay your own business, refrain from personal phone calls or talking to your neighbor about the wild party last week. Also, hold meetings with your co-workers or clients in a conference room, or away from the other offices.

4. Respect Privacy 
Your office space, desk or cubicle is your space, so why don’t you or your co-workers respect each other’s spaces? Privacy may seem like a silly concept when it comes to open work areas, but you should be able to expect a certain level of it. Here are a few tips for practicing office etiquette:
 - Don’t hover over someone’s desk if they’re on the phone, focusing on work or if they didn't invite you into their space. Don’t read each other’s computer screen or listen in on other’s conversations and then put your two cents in.
 - Don’t overpower your co-workers with smells. If you cook strong-smelling foods, don’t bring them to your desk to eat. Also, keep the cologne and perfume to a minimum. Believe it or not, too much scent can be nauseating to a neighbor.

5. Be a Team Player 
While it’s true that you should always be looking out for your own career and the direction it’s headed, it’s also true that you work for a company, a group of people working toward a common goal. It’s not okay to try to get ahead at the expense of another by putting them down or spreading false accusations. Chances are you probably won’t look any better either, because bosses want to see an ability to form team camaraderie. Bosses also want to see that you’re valued by others rather than feared or disliked.
Now, maybe you can anonymously leave this article at the water cooler or fax machine for your co-workers to “accidentally” find for lunchtime reading. Or, if you were the one in need of a little refresher course on how to be a good co-worker, post this in your cubicle for a constant reminder.

Are You a Pushover?
Would Nancy Reagan be proud of your ability to "just say no" or would you actually follow your friends if they jumped off a bridge? Being a pushover may make you more likeable, but it doesn't make you more respectable. Find out just how much you're willing to bend when push comes to shove.

I hope all of us take something from this TIPS to better days ahead. Everyone really need a great relationship to have the best TEAM.

Top Skills Employers Want - How to Get the Job

In today's competitive job market, made more difficult, employers are only interested finding new people who can not only contribute rapidly to the growth of the company, but also help to boost its efficiency and productivity.

What this means to you dear job seeker is that most employers will be looking for people who already have the most desirable job skills that meet the requirements of the organization.

So if you are one of those people who wish to make it to the job that you have been dreaming of, it is important for you to know the top skills that employers want.

7 Top Skills Wanted By Employers

This is a list of the important job skills a job seeker must have to be sure of landing a good job and just as importantly, keeping it.

1. The ability to find relevant information: Research Skill

Job seekers should possess the ability to systematically find relevant information through research not because they want a research job, but in order to do effective searches for the data needed by a particular activity.

2. Logical thinking: Information Handling

Most businesses regard the ability to handle and organize information to produce effective solutions as one of the top skills employers want. The ability to make sensible solutions regarding a spending proposal or an internal activity is valued.

3. IT Skill: Technological Ability

Most job openings will require people who are IT or computer literate or know how to operate different machines and office equipment, whether a PC or multi-function copier and scanner.

This doesn't mean that employers need people who are technology graduates. The simple fact that job seekers know the basic principles of using the technology is sufficient.

4. Getting your words understood: Communication Skills

Employers tend to value and hire people who are able to express their thoughts efficiently through verbal and written communication. People who land a good job easily are usually those who are adept in speaking and writing.

5. Efficiency: Organizational Skills

Organization is extremely important to maintain a harmonious working relationship in the company and the opposite, disorganization costs money. Hence, most employers want people who know how to arrange their work through methods that maintain orderliness in the workplace.

6. Getting on with others: Interpersonal Skill

Because the working environment consists of various kinds of personalities and people with different backgrounds, it is essential to possess the skill of communicating and working with people form different walks of life.

7. Career Advancement: Professional Growth

Employers prefer to hire people who are able to create a plan that will generate maximum personal and career growth. This means that you are willing to improve yourself professionally by learning new skills to keep up with developments in the workplace.

These are just some of the top skills employers want. Take note of these skills which demonstrate how to get the job and be successful in your every job seeking endeavor.

New Skills:

Increasingly leadership and knowing how to lead as well as the ability to speak another language is becoming a massive asset whether for jobs in the US and Canada or for working overseas in Europe, China, Japan, India or the Middle East - the major emerging economies.

For businesses to succeed in today's global economy, those capable of breaking down language barriers will be the primary candidates for new jobs. If you already speak more than one language let potential employers know by including this along with your other top skills when you send your resume or CV. If you do not already have this ability, it would be an advantage to start picking up a new language right away.

Top Skills Employers Want - How to Get the Job is one of the latest careers advice articles published by Peter Fisher