Coming Home to the Office The Case for Eschewing Remote Working

Coming Home to the Office The Case for Eschewing Remote Working A Skype meeting from the beach; Slacking your colleagues from your sofa; a Zoom meeting in your favorite wine bar. Digital nomads and remote workers can certainly enjoy some serious flexibility thanks to modern technology. And the latest stats from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the appetite for working remotely is steadily growing. However, with companies like IBM, Bank of America, Yahoo, and Aetna calling their employees back into the office is ‘working from home’ (wherever home may be) really all it’s cracked up to be? It’s cultural One of the main arguments in the case for working from home is that people feel more productive when doing it. And it’s true, offices are full of distractions â€" chatty co-workers and office noise were cited as the ‘top distractors’ in a 2018 Workplace Distraction Report. However, it would be wrong to believe that there are no obstacles to productivity for homeworkers â€" daytime TV, social media and household chores are among the most popular. But the problems of working from home can go far deeper than purely being distracted from the task at hand. Humans are social animals and we usually strive to form real-life relationships. Without daily interaction with colleagues, a sense of isolation can creep in and job-related frustrations can mount without anyone to vent to by the water-cooler. Working in a physical environment where values and goals are shared can help to foster a sense of belonging, which in turn can have a positive impact on employees’ health and well-being. The reality is that being able to work from anywhere in the world might help employees soak up the culture of Bali, the south of France, or their living rooms, but when it comes to company culture, remote workers can end up feeling more like an Englishman in New York when in the office. Let’s get down to business IBM, an early adopter of remote working, started to call its employees back into the office in 2017. The reason behind the company’s surprising move was technology real-time data and lighting fast communications requiring a response time that can only be provided by in-person collaboration. If your job demands very little personal interaction and collaboration, then working from home might be suitable. But some jobs are undoubtedly best conducted in an office environment. Take scrum teams for example â€" a group of individuals, usually in software development companies, who rely on close personal collaboration, much like in a rugby team, from whence it gets its name. The work they do is focused around daily activities for the whole team, including morning ‘stand-ups’ where each member is required to be present in order to plan the day’s work together. And this sense of working as a ‘collective’ is also true in creative roles.   When like-minded people collide, new ideas can come from it and productivity often increases, something many people struggle with when working independently from home. Particularly if your home isn’t set up for it. According to a study commissioned by Drayton, makers of the smart home heating system, WISER, found that only 26% of homeworkers work from a home office, and 10% even work from their beds. This might be tempting in terms of convenience, but it doesn’t create the most productive environment. And it’s not just your surroundings. Time differences can also throw a spanner in the works of productivity. While one or two hours’ difference is passable, working with colleagues on the other side of the world can create problems. In jobs requiring a rapid response rate, a ten-hour response delay is unthinkable. What about the customers? There are several good reasons for employees to work office-based, but what about the customers? They too benefit from your staff ‘staying in’. For one, there is the aspect of innovation â€" respect and trust in a team are best achieved on the premise where people see each other regularly and are able to form personal, tight-knit relationships. Creating an atmosphere in which creativity is welcomed and no idea is ‘too stupid’ is paramount for driving innovation. There is a reason why brainstorms to this day usually happen face-to-face in a designated room without distractions. In dis-jointed teams, people might be more apprehensive about vocalizing their concerns or the lack of familiarity with their co-workers might cause them to feel offended by well-meaning criticism. Secondly, with customer support in mind, let’s talk about problem-solving and response rates. When employees work remotely, they are not able to just wander two desks over to get an answer to an urgent customer question. Even with the technologies available to us, there is no guarantee that the other person is on the other end at the exact time you need them. Having a colleague physically sat next to you when you need immediate support is not only reassuring but enables a business to guarantee faster and better customer service. Lastly, working remotely comes with its own technological challenges â€" balancing a multitude of communication streams such as instant messaging apps and project management tools, and of course, emails, crucial customer information might slip through the cracks. A measured approach Working remotely has its benefits, especially for parents, carers, and people who require flexibility. But it certainly is worth considering the benefits of working in an office environment â€" for employees and customers alike. Nothing can replace the instant support and camaraderie real-life colleagues can provide. Considering that distractions in the office are the main reason cited for remote working, it ultimately comes down to companies providing the space employees need to enable them to thrive, including quiet areas and breakout rooms. When crucial needs are met, maybe then we can entice the workforce to come ‘home’ to the office. About the author: Martyn Davies, is the Director, of Rocket Software.

Would You Change Your College Degree

Would You Change Your College Degree Today is my amazing sister Ashley’s 21st birthday!   Ashley is a junior in the very prestigious Journalism program at the University of Missouri, Columbia.   She often calls me to vent about her tough assignments and projects, and questions how she ended up pursuing journalism.   Luckily, she is double majoring in Gender Studies, which (in my opinion) is her true passion. Listening to her rant and rave about college life brings back memories of feeling the same way.   There is confusion about choosing a major, paying lots of money to pursue it, and then wondering if it is even right for you.   College consists of certain crazy professors, crazy friends, and sometimes even crazy roommates on top of a very odd schedule. I always tell Ashley to think of journalism as a challenge.   If anything she can be proud of her achievement, even if she goes on to do something completely different in her career.   No matter what degree a student is pursuing, they are learning A LOT more than they realize! Many who say they are caught up in a quarter life crisis will state the reason behind the crisis as uncertainty of knowing what they want to do with their career.   Perhaps it is because we hold on so rigidly to the idea of following the career path we picked out when we were applying to college at age 17. For example, I have a Finance degree but know that my future career achievements will not be in the field of Finance.   It took me a while to admit to myself that I am not cut out to be a Financial Analyst or an Investment Banker.   Now that I have let go of those rigid expectations for myself, I have found so much relief in knowing that I love being creative, helping other women, and having a flexible career in which I can determine my own path.   Although I am still part of Corporate America, I have a road map of where Id like to go in the future which is an exciting first step! Don’t fight it if you aren’t sold on getting to the top of the field pertaining to your major.   Fighting it will lead to being unsatisfied in your job, and feeling like a little piece of you is dying at work every day.   Or, if you’ve tried something you thought you would love and don’t, stop stressing yourself out and try something different.   That’s all part of the fun of being in our twenties and trust me, even employers expect it. Happy Birthday Ashley and thanks for continuing to inspire me every day!

5 Reasons Why Taking a Holiday is Good for Your Career

5 Reasons Why Taking a Holiday is Good for Your Career Its summer  and the beach is calling! You love the idea of jetting away somewhere slightly more exotic than the grey interior of your office, but youre snowed under at work and theres no way you can deal with the workload thatll be left to pick up when you return. Sound familiar? STOP! Youre on track to working yourself into the ground. We all need a break from time to time, or youre putting yourself  at risk of stress and believe it or not, a bit of RR can actually benefit your career. If youve recently started a new job, or are trying hard to make a good impression, its a temptation to forgo your annual leave out of fear of it reflecting badly on you, or causing you to fall behind with  work. You may feel like its actually benefiting your career at the time, however it can in fact be damaging to your productivity if you dont give yourself a break. So if you think about it, taking a holiday is actually GOOD for your career. Just keep in mind that you should always give plenty of notice before taking time off and prepare any work or necessary cover ahead of time, so that your boss is not left in the lurch when youre gone. Here are a few reasons why taking a holiday can be beneficial. 1.  Taking breaks improves productivity You might think that working late and not taking  time off means you will get more work done, but  research has actually found that when working longer hours, employees arent as creative and find it hard to maintain the same intensity level in their work. So by working yourself too hard, it could actually be detrimental to the quality of your work. Week by the pool anyone? 2.Youll be healthier If you dont take the time off to relax and unwind, you are putting yourself at risk of becoming stressed. Stress can have negative implications for your health, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and depression. So its important to look after yourself, as well as  your workload! 3. Quality time with loved ones Chances are that if youre working long hours, you dont get to spend as much  time with your loved ones as youd like to. By taking some annual leave from work, you can set that time aside to spend quality time with them, whether it be at home or on a trip together. Spending time with your friends and family may be just what you need to unwind  and improve your mood after a stressful period at work. 4. New experiences There is so much to do and see in the world, which just isnt going to happen from the confines of your office. Take a break  and experience new things, or you may regret it later. If youve been meaning to take up a new hobby, this could be your chance to give it a go and you never know, it may even open doors to new opportunities in the future. So step away from the computer and go enjoy yourself! 5. Work-Life balance is important If a good work-life balance is not met in your  job, its likely that you will start to build negative feelings towards work or your employer, and it could also take its toll on your  health. In order to be happy at work and maintain the drive to work at the best of your ability, its important for you to be able to balance work and your personal life, so that you are not deprived of doing things you enjoy outside of work and are living  a healthy lifestyle. Image Credit: Shutterstock

How to Use the Superhero Pose to Take Control of the Interview

How to Use the Superhero Pose to Take Control of the Interview This article is sponsored by Talent Inc.,  the largest producer of professional content and career correspondence in the world. Have you heard of the superhero or power pose? This pose could make the difference between an uncomfortable and a successful interview. A power pose is a position of confidence and comfort. Your body gives off the signal that you feel comfortable in your surroundings and confident about yourself. How can I adopt the power pose? Sit or stand with your arms spread out like wings or put your hands behind your head and puff out your chest a little bit. Now, sitting or standing, spread out your legs. Take up as much space with your body as you canâ€"be expansive. Maintain this pose for 2 minutes. Studies show that assuming a posture of confidence, even when you don’t feel confident, can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might have an impact on your chances for success. Power posturing is true of primates and other species. If you look at pictures of apes, birds, and snakes showing off to potential mates and warning off enemies, they make themselves bigger to exude confidence and strength. If you look at pictures of wealthy people, successful people, professional athletes, and someone who has just accomplished something personally important, the image is that of openness, expansion, comfort, and strength. How does it work? When you assume the power pose for two minutes, your physiology will change. You will have a stronger presence.  In blind studies, interviewers that talked to subjects that had just completed the power pose described the subjects as passionate, confident, authentic, comfortable, enthusiastic, and captivating. You don’t have to pretend or try to assume those characteristics. They will simply be a natural part of you. Try it! Assume this pose for 2 minutes before an important event or before a conversation about something you really want. Before an interview, step into the restroom and do this in front of the sink or in a stall. Same before you take an important Skype or phone call; the caller won’t necessarily see you, but your voice will emote those positive characteristics. Using the power pose will change the way you think and talk during the interview. You will exude confidence you never knew you had. See this video for more details: Author:  Soozy G. Miller has been a business writer for over 25 years. From her home office in New York, Soozy works with clients all over the world to help them with their marketing and sales strategies and communication needs. In addition to CV writing, Soozy also provides services related to content marketing, social media, blogs, articles, web content, tech writing, book editing and press releases. Soozy leverages SEO Best Practices and assures superb grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

How to Use the Superhero Pose to Take Control of the Interview

How to Use the Superhero Pose to Take Control of the Interview This article is sponsored by Talent Inc.,  the largest producer of professional content and career correspondence in the world. Have you heard of the superhero or power pose? This pose could make the difference between an uncomfortable and a successful interview. A power pose is a position of confidence and comfort. Your body gives off the signal that you feel comfortable in your surroundings and confident about yourself. How can I adopt the power pose? Sit or stand with your arms spread out like wings or put your hands behind your head and puff out your chest a little bit. Now, sitting or standing, spread out your legs. Take up as much space with your body as you canâ€"be expansive. Maintain this pose for 2 minutes. Studies show that assuming a posture of confidence, even when you don’t feel confident, can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might have an impact on your chances for success. Power posturing is true of primates and other species. If you look at pictures of apes, birds, and snakes showing off to potential mates and warning off enemies, they make themselves bigger to exude confidence and strength. If you look at pictures of wealthy people, successful people, professional athletes, and someone who has just accomplished something personally important, the image is that of openness, expansion, comfort, and strength. How does it work? When you assume the power pose for two minutes, your physiology will change. You will have a stronger presence.  In blind studies, interviewers that talked to subjects that had just completed the power pose described the subjects as passionate, confident, authentic, comfortable, enthusiastic, and captivating. You don’t have to pretend or try to assume those characteristics. They will simply be a natural part of you. Try it! Assume this pose for 2 minutes before an important event or before a conversation about something you really want. Before an interview, step into the restroom and do this in front of the sink or in a stall. Same before you take an important Skype or phone call; the caller won’t necessarily see you, but your voice will emote those positive characteristics. Using the power pose will change the way you think and talk during the interview. You will exude confidence you never knew you had. See this video for more details: Author:  Soozy G. Miller has been a business writer for over 25 years. From her home office in New York, Soozy works with clients all over the world to help them with their marketing and sales strategies and communication needs. In addition to CV writing, Soozy also provides services related to content marketing, social media, blogs, articles, web content, tech writing, book editing and press releases. Soozy leverages SEO Best Practices and assures superb grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

What is commercial awareness and how do you demonstrate it - Debut

What is commercial awareness and how do you demonstrate it - Debut This article was written in collaboration with Shearman Sterling LLP. Explore exclusive graduate opportunities at Shearman Sterling LLP by downloading the Debut app.   Ah commercial awareness. Never have two words struck more fear in the hearts of law students than thee. If youre in the middle of trying to apply to vacation schemes or training contracts, you know that you have to show commercial awareness in order to seal the deal. But how? What even is it? And how does one go about improving it? How Google defines commercial awareness The first hit on Google comes from  WikiJob  and it states: Credit: Wikijob Alright then. Sounds simple enough right?In reality, this  is something that varies from company to company. Thats why weve enlisted law firm Shearman Sterling LLP for their help. Shearman Sterling LLPs definition We asked Frederick Lazell, a first seat trainee at Shearman Sterling to provide us with his definition of commercial awareness.  This is what he had to say: Commercial awareness is about being interested in what goes on in the world around you. Being interested in how the world works is what commercial awareness is all about. You can’t fake this interest, so having a genuine interest in a particular business area or industry will enable you to gain a deeper more valuable understanding of the area you work in. Don’t worry though. You can train yourself to be aware of the wider context in which you work and the more knowledge you gain about a subject any subject the more interesting it will become to you. You can improve by learning how a particular business works and always being hungry to find out more. Shearman Sterlings top five  commercial awareness tips Beyond giving us a pretty kick-ass definition of commercial awareness, Fredericks given us his top five commercial awareness tips. What a guy. 1. Find a starting point So, I would start by choosing some subjects that already interest you. Let’s say you’re an English student: then maybe the publishing industry; let’s say you’re a scientist: then perhaps pharmaceuticals or energy. Once you’ve found a starting point, follow just a few stories quite closely over a period of time. 2. Build a proper understanding Following just a few choice topics in depth rather than in breadth will help you build a proper understanding of what is going on. 3. Shake it up Dont just stick to a single source. Read the newspapers, (we recommend reading a variety of them), watch some documentaries, listen to podcasts while you walk to the gym. You will absorb more by taking things onboard in different ways. And the more you learn the easier it is to learn. 4. Burst your bubble Once you have found something you are really interested in, start having discussions with people about these stories. Ultimately, the law interview process is just about having a discussion with someone about a topic that is interesting to you. It is no different from a conversation that you might have over dinner or even over a couple of drinks at the pub. 5. Start improving your commercial awareness  now More than anything though, start early. Being able to hold intelligent discussions (that is the aim) about what’s going on in the world around you is about more than just reading the headlines the morning before. It is about engaging with what is going on and developing fully thought-through opinions about it. After all, it is important stuff and you might one day be working on it. So there you have it. Go forth, young Padawan, and smash those vacation scheme interviews. Let us know how you get on by tweeting us at @DebutCareers, and a huge thank you to the guys at Shearman Sterling LLP for their help. Feature Image ©  Unsplash Images   © Unsplash, Pixabay Download the Debut app and  unlock amazing law job opportunities with Shearman Sterling Connect with Debut on Facebook and Twitter

Pay It Forward for Job Seekers Good Turns in Tough Times - Hire Imaging

Pay It Forward for Job Seekers Good Turns in Tough Times - Hire Imaging Nina Mathews “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” ~ Mother Teresa A long-time client I’ll call Gabe, called me recently. This successful Vice President with a major health care organization reached out to me to help someone he knew who was in a job search and struggling financially. The deal was simple. He would invest in the services. I would consult withâ€"and prepare career marketing collateral forâ€" his friend.   He did not want her to pay him back. Her part of the bargain was that when she was back on her feet, she would offer the same career assistance to another job seeker in need. My client had made this arrangement with me before. That recipient had gone on to open her own business, and to date has helped other job seekers in many ways. For those not able to help by actually paying for services, there are other ways: Pay-it-forward networking. Unlearn the idea that networking is a formal event. It can be anything from a Saturday night gathering to a business meeting or annual conference. If you hear that someone’s in a search and you know someone they could reach out to, forward that information.   Better yet, introduce the two people to each other. Give an informational interview. Offer to spend 15-30 minutes talking with a job seeker about your career or industry. Serve as a reference. The reference check is often a crucial step in the hiring process. If you can speak to someone’s strengths, volunteer to be a reference. Contact organizations like professional associations or school alma maters/career services. Offer to participate in a career fair, resume review, mock interview or mentor a job seeker. Stay in touch. Looking for a job in a recession can be a discouraging, isolating experience. Call or email a job seeker you know to check in, offer your encouragement or take him/her to lunch. Do you have other ideas for paying it forward to job seekers who need help? Please share your thoughts in the comments section. Here are other ideas on helping those looking for work. Gabe reached out. He had expectations:   “Pass it along as you go.”   As we move into this holiday season, it’s a great time to think of this lesson. As Amelia Earhart said, “No action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”

How to Write a Good CV

How to Write a Good CVDo you have a great CV for NYC career seeking job seekers? If you did, then how come your resume is not getting any responses from these job seekers? Why do they fail to respond to your CV? Well, it's the resume writing quality that gives rise to rejection letters.The fact is, if you are sending a good resume to all your clients or potential clients you are going to get those rejections without a few reasons or other things you are doing. As an employer, you have to write for the individual needs of your clients. Remember that you are not sending them your resume but selling them on the services they can offer. To make your CV stand out above the rest of the resumes, here are some pointers.Is your resume a nice looking one? If it is a business looking resume then it will not get you any points. On the other hand, if it has little errors or it is not informative enough, the person may see it as nothing more than a cover letter. Why is this so? Well, an employer o r recruiter is likely to think about your cover letter as something more than your resume so he or she will not waste his time on something that is not so important.Now, you might be wondering how to write a good cover letter. You can get help from resume writing experts who can give you the basic information about how to write a good cover letter. Write your cover letter in the right way. Remember, a person may not even read your resume at the first glance. In order to get his attention, read it carefully and all that.Your resume should be very relevant to the job in question. Some people think that the employers only need to see one example of their work history before they will start looking at their resume. On the contrary, you will be surprised to know that the employers will start scanning your resume and checking out your past employment history when the qualifications are totally different from the one they need. It will not be a surprise that your resume will not get the at tention it deserves.There are many career opportunities for a person to choose from and there are some that will get them a bit more money or position in a company. It will be better if you choose a different job and try to learn something about it. It will help you know what type of job would suit you best in a later stage.The resume should also reflect your personality. Employers know that some people have a certain look to them so they only want to hire such people. Therefore, your resume should reflect that you are unique and different from the rest. Otherwise, no matter how you try to write your resume, no one will read it.And lastly, you need to use certain criteria while writing your resume. If you have all the answers, you will get a rejection letter in no time. So use some strategies to make your resume stand out above the rest.