I’m very excited to have a guest post by Chloe Esposito of UnderitAll.com today. Thanks for sharing your story so honestly Chloe! I know there are many other women who’ve experienced the same thing. -Nicole

They say the way to success is to climb on the shoulders of those who have already been there.

So when I took a secretarial position at one of the largest media companies in the world, I thought it would be a great place to start. In fact, directing calls, coordinating and assisting executive meetings and learning to ease stress in times of last-minute needs and malfunctions became quite rewarding; rewarding until the vulnerability and hospital nature of my position made me a prime target for men trying to pick up women on the job.

After four years of college I didn’t think my most essential skill  would be defending my secretarial territory in a corporate jungle filled with overly aggressive and powerful men.

My naivety to the outstanding issue that surfaces in most work environments ended one afternoon when helping an executive set up a meeting. I noticed the executive’s middle-aged guest giving me ‘the stare down.’ It wasn’t long before the meeting was out and the same older man was at my desk asking if I was married. Shocked and embarrassed, since he had no shame in asking me in front of the entire office, I told him no, which later lead to a long and painful rant of how well he would treat me and how I should find out by getting drinks and dinner with him.

I had no idea what to do as the entire office stared at me. I remember sinking lower and lower into my chair trying to think of what to say next. However, the only thing I could come up with was a timid, “No, thank-you,” which obviously didn’t stand a chance with a professional negotiator.

I found out, however, that I did the right thing. I was told, “I’ve seen it happen before- young professional turns down older executive, squashes his ego, older executive seeks revenge, young professional gets fired.” If I wanted to keep my job, I would have to stay clear of harming any egos, and get back to work.

However, after many more instances, I became fed up. I finally threw in the towel when I saw a well-established journalist/anchor get off the elevator in a panic. A man who worked in the building had followed her into the elevator, assaulted her and then ran off when the elevator opened.

I didn’t care whom the man was. I called security, they reviewed the tapes, and within that same day, the man was fired.

No matter what anyone says, sexual harassment and discrimination should never be tolerated. The most disappointing part, however, is that most don’t speak up about it, and the ones that do, such as in the recent Herman Cain sexual assault allegations, often have alternative agendas…

However, what about those that are looking for justice?

According to a report, 17.3% of women and 4.8% of men in a sample group had quit their job because of sexual harassment and 7.1% of the women had missed work for the same reason. In another study, 96% of victims reported emotional stress manifested in nervousness, fear, anger or sleeplessness and 63% developed physical reactions such as headaches, nausea and weight loss. The most mind-boggling part is that employees who used confrontation to cope with the harassment tended to experience worse job outcomes than others did. [1]

Recent confessions from Megan Fox, Gwynth Paltrow, Charlize Theron and Lisa Rinna have proven just this by stating how famous directors and producers have asked them for sexual favors in exchange for fame. Megan Fox told GQ last year how devastated she was by the number of Hollywood directors who have tried to sleep with her since becoming famous, along with Gwyneth Paltrow, who told Elle Magazine she had worked very hard on a deal, only to discover that ‘the people’ wanted it to be completed in the bedroom. Lastly, Lisa Rinna lost an important role in a TV series after refusing to have sex with the producer.

Don’t get me wrong, the proximity and time spent with co-workers at the workplace can in fact lead to healthy and happy relationships. A recent sample even showed that 25% of men 35% of women found love at the workplace and accepted it as normal.1 The issue at hand here, however, is recognizing that underneath socially acceptable behavior in the workplace lays a solid truth: sexual harassment does in fact exist and people need to know how to recognize, act and responsibly handle threatening and uncomfortable situations that effect their careers.

Below are the 6 facts every professional should know about sexual harassment in the workplace:

1. Sexual harassment violates the law when you submit to sexual demands to keep your job or when behavior creates an intimidating, hostile and offensive working environment. If you find yourself in any of these situations you have the right to file a complaint because it is violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
2. Act immediately and speak directly to the person at the time harassment occurs. Make it extremely clear that you are not interested and do not like to be touched while talking. Perhaps the actor was not intentional? Either way, if it bothered you speak up.
3. If it persists keep a diary of what is happening with dates, times and places. Another option is to keep your phone with a recorder near by to record any ongoing instances. Record as much evidence as you can, for it can help you if the person does not stop.
4. Don’t be afraid to talk about it. After a few instances I encountered I talked to my boss about what I was experiencing. It turned out she was used to dealing with the issue long before I took the position. We collaborated on what I should do and say if someone approached me again. She also told her boss about the situation incase it happened again. It felt really great knowing the company had my back and was willing to take action if it happened again.
5. Retaliation is illegal so if you are transferred to a lower-paying job, passed over for promotion or let go; you can report this to an enforcement agency such as The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
6. If you’re a boss, business or company owner don’t risk ignoring complaints because you can land in serious legal and financial trouble. According to Foxnews.com, even though most sexual harassment charges don’t reach a jury trial and almost 60% of sexual harassment charges are determined to have “no reasonable cause,” victims were still awarded more than $121 million in 2009. In addition, if the case were to go to trial, victims could obtain an average of $275,000. So don’t push it under the rug!

Whether you have experienced, witnessed or heard a story like mine, it is my hope that we can all be prepared on how to take action immediately if this common, yet buttoned up, workplace predicament happens to you.

• Have you experienced sexual harassment in the workplace? 
• How did you handle it?
• Were you satisfied or upset with how the situation was taken care of?

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about my career since graduating college, it’s to trust your gut and do your due diligence.  Ok, that’s two things.  Let me explain.

I’ve worked for four different companies since I graduated college in 2006.  Of those, two were fantastic in their integrity, staff, core values and way of doing business.  The other two…not so much.

I had a gut feeling about the two that turned out to be shady. But, how exactly does one verify these often ignored gut feelings during a job interview process?  Well, you find a site that allows you to do a webcheck or business search on the directors, financial records, lawsuits and reputation of the company you are interviewing with.  I don’t know if there were sites like this 6 years ago, but if there were and I had known the truth, I probably would have re-considered 2 of my job offers.  All my gut feelings turned out to be true – wish I could’ve verified them before having to get back on the job hunt…

Another form of in-person due diligence is to meet with non-management team members of the firm you’re interviewing with.  I know this isn’t always possible, but it never hurts to ask. I believe company employees within the job function you are interviewing for will give you the feedback, honest answers and information you need to put facts behind your gut feelings.  Ask these folks:

• Do you like your job?
• Which managers do you like working for?
• Where do you see your future in the company?
• What’s the biggest challenge of your workday?
• What could this company improve on?

Have you worked for a company that turned out to be a bit shady?  What did you do?

Do you do due diligence before accepting a job offer?  What is your process?

You can read more about my experiences at shady companies in these articles:

• Interview Liars
• Confessions of a Former Sub-Prime Lender
• Big Lies About Your First Job

What resolutions should you be making in the new year?

When the calendar flipped to 2012, it ushered in a new year of potential and possibilities. As a job seeker looking to take the next step in your career, now is the time to make a resolution to turn the new year into a successful one.

As the world leader in workforce solutions, we know what it takes for professionals to succeed. So to help you, we’ve put together a list of recommended resolutions that can help you land your next great job.

Reassess your Career

Did you love your previous position? Did you want more out of your day-to-day? Is part of the reason things didn’t work out because you needed a more positive work environment?

Now is a good time to ask yourself these questions and determine whether or not you want to continue in the same line of work. John P. Strelecky, author of The Why Cafe, suggests that being unemployed is the ideal time to evaluate what you want to do with your career. According to Strelecky, 45% of Americans aren’t happy in their jobs, and if you are currently out of work, you are in the perfect position to explore a variety of options.

If you’re looking for a career change, try taking classes, volunteering or working on a contract or temporary basis to get the experience employers want to see. You’ll learn more about the industry and improve your chances of securing employment at the same time.

Refresh Your Online Profiles

Today, employers turn to social networks when evaluating candidates like you. That means Facebook isn’t just for friending old high school buddies. LinkedIn, Twitter, Google Plus and other online networking sites can also be great platforms to present and market yourself. Of course, you also need to check your privacy preferences to make sure the information you post can only be seen by appropriate audiences. You wouldn’t want a recruiter stumbling upon photos from your wild weekend getaway.

Your LinkedIn profile is especially important, as it is the most popular professional networking site. Click here for a list of recommendations to help you get the most out of your LinkedIn profile.

No matter what service you use, be sure to keep your information up to date to increase visibility and catch the eye of recruiters or potential employers.

Revamp your network

Building up a network of professional contacts – and potential references – could help you in your job search. After all, “who you know” is often just as important as “what you know.”

So how can you build a solid network? You can start by reaching out to former colleagues, bosses and associates immediately. Solidifying these relationships can take time and effort, and you don’t want to miss out on potential opportunities or potential references.

You should also be selective when it comes to building your network; don’t contact people in the hopes of getting a recommendation for a position if you have no prior history with them. Instead, start a conversation on a blog or social networking site, comment on statuses, offer advice where appropriate, and position yourself as a resource. Remember that maintaining your network is a continuous endeavor and remaining in contact with your colleagues will be a vital part of your success.

Rewrite your Resume

Without a doubt, your resume and your cover letter are two of the most important pieces of content in your job search. They are the first things recruiters and hiring managers see and a poorly written or unprofessional looking resume can cost you a job even if you are a great match. That’s why it is so important to make sure yours is up to date and appeals to prospective employers.

According to US News, there are a few steps you can take make a good first impression with your resume. First, tailor your resume to the job. Create unique resumes for each individual opportunity in order to highlight the skills that are specific to the position. Furthermore, be sure to read the application carefully and follow all the instructions. This simple step can provide you with a leg up on other candidates who are applying to jobs without taking the small details into consideration.

Lastly, keep your resume simple. Leave out any irrelevant information, personal information, and photos, etc. You want your resume to be easy to read for the employer. If it takes too much time or effort to review your application, a potential employer will likely move on to the next candidate.

Revitalize your marketable skills

The Government of Alberta detailed the three critical skills that employers are looking for:

• Transferable skills, such as computer and technology aptitude, are very flexible and useful in a variety of jobs and industries.
• Time management skills and the ability to effectively manage your workload and schedule are also paramount.
• Work-specific skills, the ones you will use every day in your chosen career path, should be continually refined. In addition to taking professional development courses, temporary positions can help you gain real world experience and bolster your skill set to appeal to future employers.

As an Adecco associate, you’ll have free access to our online skills training programs.  We offer access to thousands of courses across professional fields that will enable you to brush up on your skills- or learn new ones.

You have the power to make 2012 a truly awesome year. Take the time to enact these resolutions in order to enhance your job search and land your dream job.

But remember, these tips are just the start when it comes to putting your dream job within reach. For more tips and career advice, visit Adecco Staffing Services or contact your local Adecco office today.

And now for a Contest!

Adecco USA will be running a “New Year, New You” contest starting January 15, 2012. Check out the Adecco Facebook page for more details, and find out how you could win daily prizes throughout January 2012!

One grand prize winner will  receive an interview suit and laptop- stayed tuned, and you could be on the path to career success!

Ms. Career Girl Contest

Now that you have these great New Year’s resolutions, which one are you going to stick with? Do you have another resolution that would be great for women in the workforce? Leave a comment here and the best idea will win a $50 visa gift card!  The winner will be announced on our Facebook page on Friday January 13th at 5pm CST.

I worked for a content marketing agency that convinced its clients that the buying cycle has changed. It was there that I realized — there’s a lot that  recent graduates can learn from content marketers.  For those of you who don’t know what content marketing is — here’s a drilled down definition from a sort of pioneer of the new trend, Joe Pulizzi.

Customers don’t want to learn about products the way they used to anymore. They don’t want to learn from the company television advertisements. They want to read online blogs that are interesting to them and to skim reviews that seem more personal.

I’m here to share with you that, not only has the buying cycle changed, the hiring cycle has changed.  Employers don’t learn about or evaluate potential employees the way they used to. They’re overrun with applications, resumes, phone calls and email. As a result, we have to change the way that we deliver our own specialties, stories and skills to them. We’ve got to market ourselves differently.

The new trend? Adding interesting, new and thought provoking qualities to the traditional, informative and standard characteristics you’ve already mastered in your job-hunt approach.

What should recent graduates take away from this trend? Find better ways to get in front of your employers.

How to take your Job Hunting to the Next Level

Get Pretty  —  Use Infographics for resumes
Not much to say here other than infographic resumes are easier and more fun to look at.

Keywords: easier and fun.

They also have a greater tendency to go viral (depending on where you’re placing them) . If a black and white resume doesn’t make the cut with it’s first viewer, there’s absolutely no reason to pass it on. But a colorful, creative and attractive resume is shareable in and of itself. Not to mention, for more creative companies it shows initiative in the field of choice.

Get Even — Show Facebook your middle finger — Use LinkedIn as your professional social media page
Of course, I’m sure HR will or has already taken the time to peruse your Facebook page in search of evidence of you chugging a beer bong, but at least having a professional social media page shows you have created a distinction between your personal and professional life.

Now, I know that in one of my recent posts I referred to LinkedIn as a “useless rolodex”. What can I say? I’m an “in the field” kind of person. But I’ve definitely used it for quick reference, names and company positions — friends of friends, etc.

Plus, HR is continuously shifting its attention to LinkedIn’s platform and away from the traditional job boards. Here, Dan Schawbel refers to the job boards as “black holes” and encourages all professionals to add using LinkedIn to find a job to their job hunt strategy.

Get Personal — Use Youtube videos to show companies your personality, spunk and that you’re anything but shy
You may not use this if you’re applying for a librarian position — but if you’re doing anything related to sales rep, business dev, marketing, public speaking… or even teaching, letting influencers experience your personality through Youtube can be key to getting you in the door.

Dear Valve. Hire Me. — An awesome video animation by a young gamer looking for a job.

Google. Hire Me. — Another approach to using youtube to get a job.

Tweeting to communicate with potential employers
Now — I’ll preface this, (and anything I write about twitter — ever) by saying that I absolutely hate twitter. I really do.  I don’t really “believe” in its “powers”. I think the only way to be successful with it is by allowing it to totally distract you all day— unless you just tweet crap for the heck of it.

BUT — I do believe it’s a great casual way to get your voice on a company’s radar. PLUS! Companies are literally posting their jobs on Twitter now. Not too big of a surprise. No. But take a look at this snapshot of Totem.

See that guy David Maw that they retweeted right above their own tweets? I bet you anything that if he applies and is even remotely qualified, they’ll consider him over a blank face. You tweet merely to get in front of people — all of these things are ways to stay top of mind. Remember that.

Blogging to show industry knowledge or expertise
Now this, I do believe in. Blogging to show industry knowledge is a great way to show passion, timeliness and industry authority (or in your case, blossoming industry authority).

Here’s a blog and website of a friend of mine. She’s a great photographer and I love her combination of blog and site here to exhibit her skills.

Also, check out this post from boston.com. Apparently creative industries aren’t the only industries that appreciate reading their job applicants’ blogs. Here a recruitment manager for EnerNOC talks about his love for reading engineer blogs before hiring.

Another thing that I love about blogs is their ability to connect you to influencers and allow other influencers to witness your conversations. Remember what I said at the beginning of this post about customers wanting to read personal online reviews and  blog conversations? Well, this is pretty much the same thing.

Here employers can see the positive responses or praise you get from other influential industry members in exchange for posting great content and sharing your insights and opinions.

Ok, so are you all believing the hype yet? No? Good!

Fortunately for you, I’m not the marketer or blogger who pushes the same solution for everyone.

There’s still a long way to go and a lot of consideration to be had before sending in your content with a remarkably unique approach. Point being — the message can be lost on the wrong audience.

I was looking at a Lifehacker post on infographic resumes today and couldn’t overlook the comments section where professionals applying to different types of companies had to tailor or curb their desire to get creative with their approach.

So, do I think that appreciation for creativity and unique job hunting approaches is industry specific? Absolutely. For now, at least.

In fact, my dad asked me the other day if he thought he should get a twitter account to go with his website. My first thought — why in the world does an attorney need a twitter account?? He doesn’t have enough time in the day to tweet every two to three hours, and I don’t even want to imagine the legal liabilities that could come out of absent-mindedly dropping legal advice all over a twitter account.

So, in the spirit of selective marketing and promotional tactics if an IT applicant comes to me with questions for submitting a resume to a company of 500 or more — it’s very unlikely that I’ll suggest she send an infographic.

I might, however, suggest that while in an interview or simply on a coffee date with someone influential she slides out her iPad and casually points her audience’s attention to her industry blog or perhaps a monthly newsletter when asked how she keeps up with industry changes— or whether she has a strong enough voice to be an advocate for the company.

The Bottom Line is…

I love that content marketing encourages professionals in all sectors to use different strategies, platforms and buzz techniques to tell their stories in order to win the hearts and minds of their target audiences.

As it does traditional marketers, content marketing teaches recent graduates that to reach their target audience they’ve got to be willing to go the extra mile to make their story interesting to the employer, and not just strategic for themselves.

CONGRATULATIONS you got the job!

The night before, it’s almost as nerve wrecking as the moment you first walk into the reception of your new job  and the young fashionista of a receptionist gives you the once over with a sweet smile. It is the frantic search for that pair of patent heels you thought you had once upon a time. The worry if your new camel trench will match your carefully picked smock dress with the beautiful silk shirt that you had to buy and now you’re hoping your first pay check will cover.

Your emotions are all over the place in a whirlwind of nerves and excitement. The task of choosing that perfect first outfit with the right amount of class and sophistication, but still reflecting your personality, is seen as a big chore by most women;  a worry that we would rather not have. After all, the following day is the beginning to the rest of your life… No pressure! But should this really be as stressful as it is?

Work wear is like stylish armour. It protects us from the stresses of our, what seems like, never-ending meetings and ridiculously late nights at the office. It is the professional boost that is necessary to get us through those days.  After all, we spend so long in those clothes, we may as well adore what we are wearing, and this rule should not change for your first day.

Choosing the perfect outfit for your first day should not be scary. It is obviously essential that whatever you choose should be smart and sophisticated with a classical edge. However, by putting a twist of your personality in the finishing touches, it will finish your look successfully and create an individual image that will make you stand out from your new colleagues. You want to be noticed and remembered, to become the talk of the office for all the right reasons, not the wrong ones because as we all know, first impressions are crucial.

Now days, office wear has a huge selection to choose from.

Keep to these simple rules to create the right first impression but still adding some personality:

1.       Never under estimate the power of any accessory, try a statement necklace or neck scarf to create some individuality

2.       Do not over do on colour, one hue will keep the look smart and professional

3.       Make the base of your outfit a monochrome colour pallet but be daring with shades to keep it fresh

4.       Add a camel coat to a darker suit to keep your look vibrant and effortlessly fashionable

5.       Keep clear of tweeds mixed with plaid, you do not want to look like you are there for your first day at school

With these tips in mind, you can now walk in there with a smile on your face and feel confident in yourself by what you are wearing. Show them you definitely mean business.

Dear Nicole,

I graduated college about 6 months ago with a marketing degree and have had a really tough time finding a full-time job.  I was offered a sales job a few days ago but I am reluctant to take it.  My mentor always told me that once you get into sales, you are no longer seen as a marketing person but a sales person and that it can easily change your whole career path.

I don’t want to be ungrateful or too picky, but ultimately my goal is to build my marketing skill set and add value to client projects (not to be a sales person).  What would you do?

Thanks

Kristina

Hi Kristina,

Thanks for your email!  I’m sure many people are in a similar situation and appreciate you asking this question.  In fact, I was in a similar situation about 6 years ago.

I graduated with a Finance degree and was offered a job in sales during my senior year of college. I was so thrilled to get a job offer so early but was concerned with the exact same thing: would my professional skill set grow if I took a job in sales? Would I be in sales forever?  Am I cut out for a job in sales?

Ultimately, I ended up taking the sales job and –believe it or not- having that sales job on my resume ended up helping me at interviews and in different work situations many times.

Regardless of what you do, knowing how to sell, overcome objections, handle rejection and close deals is a crucial for almost any profession- even marketing.  I only stayed at my 1^st job for about 7 months before I took an opportunity in Commercial Banking (a job that really did develop my finance skill set and where I stayed for almost 3 years).

For me, sales was sort of like “business boot camp” for the real world: sales jobs teach you how to organize your time, set goals, figure out the “numbers game” of life, deal with the highs and lows of business, think like an entrepreneur and most importantly you learn how to get comfortable being uncomfortable.  Every cold call I made and every one-on-one client meeting I had was scary, but it got easier with time.

As you move up the ranks in your career, you’ll need to manage client expectations, close deals, get more clients and handle many ups and downs. For me, a job in sales was a great way to prepare for all of this.  Today I’m self-employed as a marketing consultant who must sell work in order to make a living and I’m so grateful for the excellent sales training and experience I had almost 6 years ago.

Ultimately this decision is up to you, but don’t discount the value of starting your career in sales.  If I were you, I’d take the job knowing that it won’t be perfect, and it may not be forever, but it will teach you something you needed to learn.  I’d also be sure to keep a blog or do some pro-bono marketing consulting on the side so you can keep your resume fresh in case you do decide to pursue other marketing opportunities.

Good luck Kristina!

Nicole

• What advice do YOU have for Kristina?
• How do you feel about starting a career in sales?
• Are you in sales? Have you ever worked in sales?  What advice would you give to someone starting out in sales?

Last week I received a great question from Ms. Career Girl reader Jill and decided to turn it into a blog post as many of us have been in similar situations. Jill is a very recent college grad who was quick to get it “all figured out” before getting her diploma.  Now that she’s there, she realized she might have jumped the gun.

Please read Jill’s question/situation below and help a sister out by giving her YOUR advice in the comments section!

Dear Nicole,

I just graduated from college in May and was lucky enough to land an accounting job at a foundation I believe in (a rare combination!).  I have my own apartment and I’ve made two new girlfriends here in my new city, but I’m starting to realize that I moved to a place I don’t have any personal ties to.  None of my family and friends are here, and even before I moved here, I have never been in love with it.

I moved here because, honestly, I was just so excited to even get a job as most of my friends from college were struggling to do so.  I figured my career was all I would need in this new city to be happy.  Although I love the mission of my place of employment, I’ve started to realize that the opportunities for growth here are slim: I work with only 1 other person and the expectation is that I log 55 hours per week even though I only get paid for 35.  You always said I should want my boss’s job, and I definitely do not want his!

Now for the advice:  I’m pretty lonely and unhappy here and I want to relocate to London as most of my friends and some of my family is there.  I’ve done some research online and have had luck with my job search so far.  Do you think I need to stay at my job (and/or apartment) a certain amount of time before leaving? If given the chance, is it a horrible thing to move on so soon?  Am I wrong for wanting to be with family and friends?  Am I being immature for wanting to re-locate so soon?

Thanks so much for your help!!

            Jill

Dear Jill,

First, thank you for being so honest in your email.  The hardest part about making positive changes is first identifying and then ADMITING you aren’t totally happy.  Kudos to you for identifying the source of your dissatisfaction right away, and for being proactive about getting yourself into a happier situation.  Some people would spend years complaining and sulking and feeling the need to stay somewhere they are miserable.

I too am a huge family person and my friends have become my family since graduating college.  I wouldn’t want to be far away from my “people” either.  I personally do not think you are unreasonable for wanting to have a network and support system all around you.

As for your job, BEWARE: almost everyone I know hated his or her first job out of college!  Many didn’t love their second job out of college either.  This is totally normal and part of where you are at right now.  BUT, you’ve identified some important things for next time around:

1. Going forward you should screen for companies that offer a clear career trajectory and opportunities for growth.  My guess is that you were so focused on getting a job during senior year that you weren’t thinking about anything else.  Don’t make that mistake the second time around!

2.  Next time you interview, make sure to ask about the office staff, size and culture.  If you had a great group of co-workers, you may feel completely differently about the city you are living in.  I think it is fine to ask to meet with other staff members during the interview process to get their feedback too.

And on your job search- I’m glad to hear you are having luck!  My guess is that finding accountancy jobs is a much easier venture than other fields!   A site like Total Jobs (which will do more justice for you given that you are in the UK) seems like a great place to find recent graduate jobs.

So all in all, I say go for the move!  You can always make your transition less stressful by using self storage for big bulky items until you fully relocate. Just make sure you are really moving for the right reasons and that this doesn’t become a pattern.

My mother always says to, “bloom where you are planted.”  Once you make the move, make sure to branch out and meet new people and commit to your new job.

PS- You may want to read my article about interview liars too so that you are sure to ask all the right questions and monitor your gut in your next job search/move.

Good luck!

Nicole 

As many of you know, I was laid off from my job about 6 weeks ago.

When I started at the company, I was promised a long-term career path full of opportunities for growth, autonomy and even shares in the company.  I would be a leader who built out a department, launched the company into new markets and eventually oversaw several managers.  The company preached its belief in work/life balance and flexibility even though I worked until 9pm most nights.  During the strange, multi-week interview process, I was told that if I was doing a great job, they wouldn’t be concerned with tracking vacation days and I could work from home on occasion. It seemed like the whole package and more, yet none of it ever happened in reality.

After less than 4 months, I was laid off along with a third of the company.  Some of the people who were laid off hadn’t even been with the company for 1 month! You can’t possibly expect me to believe that the leadership team didn’t realize times were tough before they hired people.  How irresponsible.

Some of these 3-week employees were recent grads who relocated to Chicago for the job.  Others left much higher paying gigs because they “believed in the brand” and wanted to get in on the ground floor of something.  I’m almost positive that people who’ve worked somewhere less than a month don’t qualify for unemployment benefits in Illinois.  How convenient.

I’ve been Ms. Positive “it all happened for a reason” for the last 6 weeks, but now I’m kind of pissed.  I feel the need to warn you about employer ploys like this before you accept what you think is your dream job.

Since I was let go, there’s been another round of layoffs along with execs cutting their hours in half and other leaders who supposedly left on mutual terms.  The sickest part is that this company is still hiring!  BEWARE!  In fact a whole new class is set to start in a few days.  My guess is that these newbies will be sold the “Kool Aid” like I was and terminated as soon as the company gets what it needs and/or inevitably feels the people are inadequate.

Any successful company or notable brand will tell you that its people are its greatest asset.  Studies of companies who FAIL, on the other hand, reveal a huge LACK of respect and value for their people.

Too many people go to an interview thinking they need to do or say anything to please the interviewer and land a job.

Please, please don’t do this.

It’s just like dating really: you are not a prostitute.  You have values and you will not date anyone who walks.  In a job search, you have values, career goals and bills to pay: don’t just jump ship because someone is selling you pipe dreams and vague perks.  Beware of companies who continuously sell you on their elusive “culture,” and won’t write any of their promises down on paper.

And even if they do write things down (like stock options let’s say) pay close attention to your gut feeling and to when these perks actually kick in.

I had a very weird feeling about this company even during the interview process. I felt totally disrespected and remember even being in tears about it a few times.  In hindsight, my first few weeks on the job were also very telling about the company’s integrity, the founder’s view of his people and the fate of so many of us who worked there.

Beware.  This isn’t the first time I’ve experienced one situation during an interview process only to be put into a TOTALLY different situation (my job selling sub-prime mortgages was a disaster and totally different than how it was sold to me at the interview).

If you’re a hot candidate and companies want you bad enough, they will tell you whatever you want to hear to get you in the door.

BEWARE!  ASK QUESTIONS. TRUST YOUR GUT. READ BETWEEN THE LINES. INTERVIEW THEM.  DON’T BE DESPARATE FOR A CHANGE. DON’T IGNORE THE OBVIOUS.

Today’s guest post is by Lenore Holditch.

If you’re anything like me, waking up for work each morning just gets harder and harder with each day. I’m not saying that I hate my job. I love it actually. But taking care of a household after an 8-hour work day definitely takes its toll: come the following morning I am a complete zombie. It’s hard for me to just get up and start moving—my morning cup of Joe doesn’t even kick-in until about an hour after I’ve sat in my office chair. Luckily, there are tons of natural stimulants that can ensure that we get rid of morning grogginess and be productive employees from the very beginning. To learn what they are, continue reading below.

1. Catch Some Real ZZZ’s. This is probably the hardest thing to do for busy career women with families but by far the easiest way to greet the sun with ease—get 8 proper hours of sleep. According to researchers, lack of sleep can greatly interfere with your performance at work. For example, sleep deprivation can heavily affect your levels of concentration, it can prevent you from understanding complicated information and instructions, and it can even affect your creativity process—and as you may already know, slacking in these areas can easily get you terminated. So to make sure you are performing at your best at all times, get some good shut eye.

2. Take a Shower, Polar Bear Style. Choosing to take a cold shower in the mornings as opposed to a warm one is an excellent way to perk up and rid any lethargic feelings in the mornings simply because cold water will immediately activate your central nervous system and give you a jolt of energy that can last for hours.  If the cold water seems too uncomfortable, you can also just end with a splash of cold water to receive some of the same boosting effects—meaning start with warm water and then quickly turn to cold as your shower comes to an end. This warm to cold technique will also improve your circulation system. Good circulation is a great way to perk you up since it helps oxygen travel through your muscles and brain, which brings up to tip number 3

3. Take a Morning Jog. Jogging, or participating in any form of exercise in the a.m. really, is the perfect way to invigorate your body and stay energized throughout the entire day. Exercise, like taking a cold shower, helps send oxygen throughout your muscles and gets your heart pumping which helps you become more alert at a faster rate. Exercising will also help your body build more endorphins which are chemicals that make you “happy.” And a happy employee generally performs better.

4. Eat Breakfast. Even if you have to grab a bite on the road or eat at your desk, eating breakfast is crucial. There’s a reason why experts say it’s the most important meal of the day—breakfast increases your glycogen levels; when they are low, you feel exceptionally tired. So eating a breakfast that includes some protein, carbohydrates and “some” fat, like a whole wheat waffle with some blueberries and a soft boiled egg (it’s a more suitable on-the-go option)  should be able to keep you going till lunch.

Tips for an Afternoon Boost

If you feel yourself getting drowsy mid-day, skip the cup of coffee and other caffeinated beverages; they’ll only dehydrate you and make you feel even more tired an hour or two later. Instead, try these simple tips to give you a little boost:

• Drink Water: simply put, your brain is comprised of 90 percent water. Thus is only makes sense that your brain needs a substantial amount of water to help it function correctly and improve concentration. It also regulates your blood volume, which keeps you alert.  So drinking 6 to 8 hours of water throughout your work day can do wonders. As a bonus, the urge to release all the liquids will keep you wide awake.
• Get Some Sunlight: Stepping outside and soaking in some sun rays is a great way to beat mid-day grogginess. This is because our bodies naturally respond to changes in light, which means simply going from dim lighting to bright lightning can trigger your body to “wake up.” While florescent lighting can help perk you up too, the sun on the other hand has the highest levels of short wavelength blue-light and works better.
• Eat a Healthy Snack: Lastly, munching on fruits, especially apples, when you feel sluggish is a sure fire way to give you a quick jolt of energy. This is because apples are easily digestible which means that you can acquire the emergency fuel you need to finish your work day.