Sixteen Tips for Feeling Happier at Work.

from The Happiness Project by GretchenRubin

Every Wednesday is Tip Day. 
This Wednesday: Sixteen tips for being happier at work.

Being happy at work is, of course, quite related to how much you like your job, but there are small steps you can take to boost your mood. Maintaining the comfort of your body, sprinkling a few small pleasures throughout your day, using your time wisely – a little thought can mean a lot more happiness at work.

As Samuel Johnson observed, "It is by studying little things that we attain the great art of having as little misery, and as much happiness as possible."

Your work space:
1. Check for eyestrain: put your hand to your forehead in a salute. If your eyes feel relieved, your space is too bright. When I got my three monitors (an investment which makes me ecstatically happy, by the way), I had to turn down their brightness levels because the glare was terrible.

2. Get a good desk chair and take the time to adjust it properly.

3. Sit up straight — every time I do, I instantly feel more energetic and cheerier.

4. Indulge in a modest splurge, i.e., consider whether there are ways to spend money that would make a big difference. Could you invest in some desk accessories to help you stay organized? Could you replace an inconvenient lamp with something that works better?

5. Get a phone headset. I resisted for a long time, but it's really much more comfortable. The phone headset is like the rolling suitcase: yes, you look a little silly, but it makes life a lot easier.

6. Don't keep treats around. A handful of M&Ms each day might mean a weight gain of five pounds by year's end. My husband used to work at an office that kept a kitchen fully stocked with treats. When he switched jobs, he dropped about ten pounds, which actually had me a little worried until we figured out the reason.

7. Periodically, take time to deep-clean the loose papers that have piled up. I never do this until I specifically schedule a time, but am always amazed at the wonderful calm it brings.

Your day:
8. Never say "yes" on the phone; instead, say, "I'll get back to you." When you're actually speaking to someone, the desire to be accommodating is very strong, and can lead you to say "yes" without enough consideration.

9. Take care of difficult calls or emails as quickly as possible. Procrastinating just makes it harder; getting them done gives a big boost of relieved energy.

10. When accepting a responsibility, imagine that it's something that you'll have to do next week. That way you don't agree to a task just because it seems so far off that it doesn't seem onerous.

11. Be honest about how you're spending your time. You feel overwhelmed, but are you really working hard? How much time do you spend surfing the internet, chatting on the phone, looking for things you've misplaced, or doing tasks that are really someone else's job?

12. Go outside at least once a day, and if possible, take a walk. The sunlight and activity is good for your focus, mood, and retention of information.

13. Even if you can't go outside, take a ten-minute break each hour. Studies show that the break boosts your retention level.

14. Don't let yourself get too hungry.

15. Try to make a lunch date with someone outside the office at least once a week.

16. Let yourself stay ignorant of things you don't need to know.

* I've never heard of Manhattanhenge, and yesterday I missed this once-a-year sunset spectacle…next year. How will I remember to figure out on what date it will fall?

* I send out short monthly newsletters that highlight the best of the previous month's posts to about 21,000 subscribers. If you'd like to sign up, click here or email me at grubin, then the "at" sign, then gretchenrubin dot com. (sorry about that weird format – trying to to thwart spammers.) Just write "newsletter" in the subject line. It's free.

Top Resources for Finding Work Online

from WebWorkerDaily by Samuel Dean

Written by Samuel Dean.

The Monster Employment Index, a monthly snapshot of U.S. online job opportunities maintained by staffing site Monster.com, provides a distressing view of the general employment environment at the moment, as seen below. Year-on-year, the index is down 30 percent. At the bottom of this page, you can see versions of the index for large metropolitan regions, some of them hit very hard. Fortunately, there are still some good work opportunities out there for those of us who work online. Here are my top resources for finding online work.

oDesk. Online staffing marketplace oDesk is a great place to start if you're looking for jobs in fields such as web development and design. Many of the jobs listed are for remote workers. Earlier this year, oDesk reported a surge in the number of jobs being outsourced to the U.S. from other countries — more than 300 percent growth over the past year. If you're looking for an assignment from an overseas employer, put up a profile and showcase your skills at oDesk.

Twitter Job Search. I wrote up TwitterJobSearch here. It searches Twitter for posts on who is hiring. The posted jobs range from full-time, to part-time work-at-home, to one-off hired gun positions. With Twitter being the social phenomenon that it is, many new jobs (particularly tech jobs) are posted daily.

Elance. If you're looking for freelance work, Elance is a great place to start, as we reported here. Elance now offers an escrow account service to help boost confidence between employers and freelancers. Employers can place payment into an escrow account via Elance that will be delivered upon completion of your project.

RentACoder. RentACoder works somewhat similarly to Elance. Buyers can receive bids from registered coders, and most of the jobs available or programming- or infrastructure-focused. You can find out how to post your technical skills and make contact with buyers here.

As you seek work online, there are some good best practices to follow. Celine has a good post on how to respond to job listings here.  She also has a good post on being organized in your hunt here.

Using LinkedIn — A Must for Freelancers

from FreelanceSwitch - The Freelance Blog by FreelanceSwitch.com

Sometimes freelancers don't use career tools because they think that these resources are only geared for job-hunters and corporate ladder-climbers. But some career tools are just too good to pass up, and I think LinkedIn Recommendations is one of them.

LinkedIn lets colleagues leave a positive review about you, and vice versa, which looks wonderful on your profile—but the benefits go beyond that. In the freelance business, testimonials are gold because it shows the depth of your capabilities and lends credibility to your name, too. If you have not done so already, it's time to start using this powerful tool to help boost your image and even get gigs.

Build your network, and then get friendly.

Once you create a free profile, you can use the search tool to find old associates and even search by company for people you used to know. The sky is the limit; add as many people as you know because a profitable networking connection can be anywhere—as can a good recommendation.

Specify your connection.

When you recommend someone (it's easy, just click "Recommend This Person" at the top right side of their profile) you'll need to say how you know the person. That's why it is important to have your profile completed; it will ask you which job you held when you interacted with the person, which is great if they forget how they know you.

Request a recommendation.

There's nothing wrong with messaging someone to ask if they can recommend your work. However, the key is to only message them once about it and not repeatedly ask—and of course, to be polite about it. It is okay if you're not in the position to recommend someone and you ask them anyway, but I try to ask people that I think will offer a mutual arrangement. (Honestly, I haven't had to request recommendations because so many people simply reciprocate once you endorse their work.)

Write a testimonial.

When you want to write a commendation, try to do it from a "good karma" kind of place; that is, don't get mad if you don't get an endorsement in return. It's important to pick people you truly believe in and write a useful review for them. Try to go beyond "She's very nice," or "He's very organized," and get into detail a bit.

For example, talk about a sales presentation you collaborated on and note that it produced a 50 percent increase in profits. This is just an example, but you get the point. The more of a customized feel, the better, I think. Remember: When someone else is looking at this person to hire or retain their services, they'll want to hear a bit about what makes them stand out; so be sure to keep that in mind as you write—just as you'd want them to do for you.

Get testimonials from unexpected sources.

LinkedIn provides a platform to get recommendations from those that may not otherwise give you one. Why? Because when you give a glowing review to someone, they're likely to pay you back. No amount of email messages asking, "Can you endorse me?" can do that. That's why I always take time to recommend someone I think deserves a pat on the back. That's also why you should be adding all of your clients on an evolving basis—you can build relations and possibly get a testimonial in the meantime, as well as possible future referrals.

The power of copy/paste.

Once you get a testimonial, it is a fantastic idea to copy and paste it onto your website or portfolio. This way, people that don't see your LinkedIn profile can still see what others say about you. (Likewise, include a link to your LinkedIn profile on your website or at your portfolio. Many people also put it in their email signatures.) I try to only use relevant recommendations elsewhere. Also, you may feel comfortable letting that person know you are using their words elsewhere, which is something to consider before getting copy- and paste-happy.

"But I work solo. I shouldn't have to network with anyone."

So what if you don't have much of a network and think this tool is pointless? I assure you, it's not. Even if you don't have a lot of acquaintances or colleagues starting out as a freelancer, you will have a place for them to find you—and you to collect their information—once the projects roll in and your network grows. (I always recommend that college students create a profile while they are still in school so they can keep tabs on professors and fellow students when everyone scatters after graduation.)

If you're past the entry-level stage, keeping track of old colleagues and friends also provides that "you never know" networking possibility—as in, you never know if a former associate will need your services or refer you to someone who does. And yes, you can use them to glean recommendations!

Once you get into your career and start hopping around among others—especially like freelancers bounce around—you'll be able to have one central place for all of your contacts. Then you can start mining recommendations, and the benefits of those are endless.

Kristen Fischer is a copywriter and author from New Jersey. Visit her on LinkedIn here.

Create a Log to Keep Track of Your Job Search [Job Search]

from Lifehacker by The How-To Geek

If you've submitted more resumes to more places than you can possibly remember, it's time to start keeping a log of where and when you've applied to each job.

Keeping a log is simple enough—you can create a spreadsheet with a list of the jobs you've applied for, the contact name, when you submitted your resume, whether you've followed up yet or not, and even the web site. Once you've put together your nicely organized list, you will be able to more easily tell when you should follow up with another email, or give them a call.

If you don't want to create the spreadsheet yourself, Microsoft has a handy template that you can use—Excel 2007 users can simply use the New Workbook option, type in "job search" into the templates search box, and download the template right there—otherwise you can download the template from the Microsoft Office site.

While you're at it, make sure to check out our top 10 tools for landing a better job, learn how much money you should ask for, and check out a few tips for negotiating your salary more effectively.

Got any tips for your fellow readers on how you are keeping tabs on your own job search? Share them in the comments.

Job Search Log [Microsoft Office Online via Lyte Byte]

10 Answers You Should Know Before Your Job Interview

from Dumb Little Man - Tips for Life by DLM Writers

With the competition keener than ever and the economy in a slump, you need to prepare for your job interview thoroughly. It's no longer enough to offer a firm handshake to your interviewer, make eye contact, and nod pleasantly now and then. You need to prepare a dynamic application letter and resume. You need to research the company. And you need to present a confident image and develop the ability to answer tough questions on the spot.

Although no one can predict the questions your potential employer will ask, you can think about how you'd answer some of the commonly asked ones. Here are ten questions for you to consider and a few hints about how to answer them:

1. Tell me about yourself.
   Chances are the employer doesn't want to know how much you weighed when you were born, when you learned to tie your shoes, or how much you had to drink last night. He or she wants to know how you would fit into the company and what your relevant job experience is. You might answer by asking the interviewer what he'd like to know. Or you might talk about your education, the fact that you're a team player, or whatever you think might be important to this particular company.


2. Why should we hire you?
   Even though five people may be waiting outside, you need to sound confident, calm, and capable. Explain how your experience has prepared you for the job. Emphasize the qualities you think the employer is looking for, such as your outstanding work ethic or the fact that you're a fast learner.
   


3. What is your worst characteristic?
   Some human resource specialists suggest that you make a virtue sound like a flaw. "I tend to be a perfectionist," or, "Everyone says I work too hard." But others say these answers have become clichés. Mention a minor flaw, such as, "I think I'm too outspoken at times, but I'm working on it."


4. Where do you want to be five years from now?
   Let the interviewer know you're looking for job stability and that you aren't planning to use this job as a temporary stopping point in your quest for a better position. You
   could say, "I'd like to be employed in a small company like this one, where I can learn,
   contribute, and advance."
   


5. Why did you leave your last job?
   Never put your former employer or your co-workers in a negative light. Don't blame them for your departure. Give a positive reason, such as you left to take advantage of another opportunity that was better suited to your skills.
   


6. Tell me about a problem you had in your life and how you solved it.
   Be prepared with a short answer that shows you're resourceful. "I really wanted to go to a private university, but my parents didn't have the money. I went to a community college for two years, worked part time and saved my money so I could attend the last two years at the college of my choice."


7. Have you had difficulties getting along with supervisors or co-workers?
   You'd have to be a saint to have had no problems with the people you worked with. You might answer, "Nothing major. I try to get along with everyone."


8. How do you deal with stress on the job?
   The employer wants to know if you're going to run out the door when things get stressful. Ask yourself if you thrive on working with deadlines or if you need creative time to function more effectively. Think about how you handle stress and be honest. "I focus on the work I'm doing," or, "I make time to work out at the gym."


9. What salary do you want for this job?
   Rather than stating a definite figure, tell the interviewer you'd expect to get somewhere in the standard range paid for this position.


10. Do you have questions for me?
    Always have a few questions. They show that you researched the company. Ask about a
    current issue the company is working on or how their recent layoff in another department
    affected company morale.
    

Remember-- the job interview is a two-way discovery process. By doing your homework and answering interview questions intelligently, you're striving to prove you're the person for the job On the other hand, you need to decide--sometimes in the midst of the questions---if the position you're applying for is what you want to do and if the company is where you want to spend most of your time for the next few (at least) years.

Written on 6/2/2009 by Mary Ann Gauthier. Mary Ann is a writer and an adjunct instructor of English in a private college. She helps her business students with job application letters, resumes, and interview questions and is working on a book on the therapeutic aspects of journaling.

Photo Credit:  slushpup

Facebook Offers Vanity Addresses

from WebWorkerDaily by Charles Hamilton

Written by Charles Hamilton.

Facebook users have probably seen the notices that from 9:01 pm Pacific Time tonight, the site will offer personalized addresses, like this:

http://www.facebook.com/your.name.here

If you have a fairly common name and want a vanity URL, it would be a good idea to get in early. Not everyone is eligible, however. Anyone who has just joined the site will be required to wait until June 28 to sign up for a custom address.

Organizations with Facebook Pages will be able to register a vanity URL only if their page was live on May 31 and had more than 1,000 fans at that time. Others will also need to wait until June 28. Trademark owners can prevent others from registering a protected name, however.

Such sites as LinkedIn, Twitter and MySpace have offered custom addresses for some time. With Facebook growing 8 percent in May, it seemed inevitable that Facebook would join the party.

Will you and your web clients be staying up late tonight to register a vanity URL at Facebook?

Are You Doing Business In The Cloud?

by Thursday Bram

All of my email addresses are directed to my Gmail account. Most of the documents I need on a daily basis are on Google Docs. I've been slowly moving towards living in the cloud. In a way, this has been very good for me: I can access just about everything I want, whether I'm in my office, at someone else's office, a friend's house or anywhere else with an internet connection. But there are downsides. If something happens to one of the services I use, I'm up the proverbial creek — and the same is true if something happens to my internet connection.

Business In The Cloud

Keeping personal data in the cloud is one thing, but uploading the information you rely on to earn a living is an entirely different matter. The benefits are huge. Just the ability to pull up files while visiting a client's office can make the difference in landing an account. But risks go hand in hand with those benefits — the likelihood of something happening to your data in the cloud is about on par whether it's personal or work-related, but the consequences can be far more complicated.

So far, it's been difficult to determine whether the risks outweigh the gains. Working from the cloud can be incredible: with just a netbook, you can often access everything you need for a project from half way around the globe. A business will to upload files to the cloud can make it much easier to work with telecommuting employees, along with clients who may need easy access to information. It doesn't hurt that many online applications come with a price tag that makes the cost of the software many companies currently rely on absolutely laughable.

Personally, I've found that moving my own work into the cloud has made a major difference in my ability to work on projects. I can work just as easily from a coffee shop as from my office. There were no barriers to me moving my work into online applications, though: if I had needed a supervisor to sign off on my choice of applications and whether they were online, getting to the point that I am now might have been almost impossible.

Getting The Okay

Depending on who you work for, moving into the cloud may not be a simple matter. If you're self-employed, you must reassure yourself that your information will be safe in the online applications you plan to use. That sort of reassurance can include:

• Security: If you're placing any sort of sensitive material online — financial information or files your competitors would be very interested in looking at — you'll want to double check that each application you use has sufficient security measures in place to protect your data.
• Backups: In the event that something happens to your data online, you'll want to make sure that you have a backup in place — even if that means manually downloading your data on a regular basis. Remember, not even Gmail works perfectly every day.
• Contingency Plan: Making sure that you have access to your information goes beyond creating a backup. If you're planning a presentation that relies on a file you've saved to an online application, for instance, have a contingency plan in place in case you don't have internet access or you're not on a computer with the right software to use it.

All that is necessary just to make sure that you're able to work in the cloud effectively. If you're adding an employer to the equation, though, things get more complicated. At a bare minimum, you'll have to convince your supervisor that your idea to work in the cloud is not only effective but will clearly help the company.

When it comes to working in the cloud, the "better to beg forgiveness than ask permission" approach seldom works. If you're thinking of taking even a small amount of your employer's information into the cloud, I'd recommend against it. Some employees sign contracts specifically stating that they will not share information with a third party — which can include Google Docs. Others get issued a company handbook stating essentially the same thing. That means uploading information to the cloud could constitute a firing offense if something goes wrong.

That doesn't mean that you can't convince your higher ups to move into the cloud, though: it just means that you're going to need to be able to reassure them on issues like security and backups before you even think of uploading one file.

Are You In The Cloud?

Have you already moved into the cloud? If so, it would be great if you'd be willing to share in the comments how you addressed the issues that go with keeping important information in the cloud. Personally, I stick with a handful of trusted sites, and I still have a few pieces of information I don't put into the cloud. For instance, I keep my financial records on just one computer in my office.

I do know some people who simply aren't interested in moving any of their work into the cloud, for one reason or another. If you fall into this category, it would be great if you'd share your comments on why, as well. Is it due to one of the concerns I listed above, or another issue altogether?