Back in October of 2009, we linked to a New York Times article about twin girls who were struggling to make it in a tough New York job world. It was an interesting article and I commented at the time that it wasn't unlike stories of people that I knew...
...well--funny story--it ends up I do know the twins. We play in the same softball league together. Last night, while celebrating my softball championship win (woo!) with some members of the other team, one of our team members heard the story about these same twin girls who got written about in the New York Times.
And we got an update on the status of the twins: they now both write for ESPN.com about alternative sports. So while the job market is bad--and really bad for those in that 21-29 range trying to find traction in their post-college years--it sometimes perks up and people who seemed lost in the recession find jobs.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Astronology - 6 Months on Capitol Hill
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Wednesday, August 03, 2011
An Odd Way to Increase Productivity
It's not often that we find an article for this blog from Gawker, but we were forwarded this article with the title "Your Angry, Sarcastic Boss Is Actually Helping Your Productivity". I had to say I was at least a little bit intrigued.
Well the article wasn't exactly by Gawker, it was quoting an interesting article in the Journal of Applied Psychology. It showed that people who were exposed to anger and sarcasm worked harder and smarter than people in a neutral environment:
Well the article wasn't exactly by Gawker, it was quoting an interesting article in the Journal of Applied Psychology. It showed that people who were exposed to anger and sarcasm worked harder and smarter than people in a neutral environment:
"The test was done with engineering students who all listened to an interaction between a customer and a customer service rep. Those who listened to the calls where the customer was angry ended up working harder and faster on a subsequent problem than their peers who listened to a nice call. Those who listened to a sarcastic interaction worked as hard and quickly as those exposed to anger, but also had more accurate and creative results."It's an interesting conclusion, but there are not many lessons that can be learned here. You don't want your managers being angry or sarcastic--even if it does help productivity. One thing it does prove though, is that just because a group is productive, it doesn't mean their manager isn't a jerk to work for.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Astronology - 2011 SHRM Annual Conference and Exposition Recap
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Monday, July 25, 2011
Maybe You Should Quit Your Job
I hope you had a great weekend. We start you off on this Monday with an article from the Ottawa Citizen which says that you should probably quit your job. Once in a while, frustrated people at their jobs finally boil over the edge and decide they need to quit to do something else. According to the article "This happened to Kai Nagata [two weeks ago]. Kai was a Canadian TV reporter who suddenly resigned because he realized he could be doing more if he was doing something else. In his words: 'I quit my job because the idea burrowed into my mind that, on the long list of things I could be doing, television news is not the best use of my short life.'" Kai's story resonated with many people and this was picked up by media outlets outside of Canada.
Sometimes, though, it is better to find ways to make the job you are currently in better, or more fulfilling. Doing charity work outside of the work day (or with your fellow co-workers), can make you feel like you're giving back a bit more. Speak to your manager or your human resources representative and see if you can find something that works with your work schedule whether that is tutoring or mentoring local kids, doing Habitat for Humanities, or just helping clean up a neighborhood area which has gotten overrun. Sometimes the things you most want to do with your life, you can fit into your work-life as well. Then you don't have to be like Kai and quit.
Sometimes, though, it is better to find ways to make the job you are currently in better, or more fulfilling. Doing charity work outside of the work day (or with your fellow co-workers), can make you feel like you're giving back a bit more. Speak to your manager or your human resources representative and see if you can find something that works with your work schedule whether that is tutoring or mentoring local kids, doing Habitat for Humanities, or just helping clean up a neighborhood area which has gotten overrun. Sometimes the things you most want to do with your life, you can fit into your work-life as well. Then you don't have to be like Kai and quit.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Beat the Heat and Don't Take a Counter-Offer
If you live in in the Northeast and haven't yet been outside today, I'm going to preempt the weatherman and tell you it's hot...like REALLY hot. Like "wow" hot. And the stock market isn't even open yet. That's how you know it's going to be a hot day. If you are at work today, try some things to stay away from going outside such as getting a group of co-workers together and ordering food delivered or maybe waiting until the end of the day to run all your outdoor errands if they can wait. You need to find ways to beat this heat.
Today's article is a really interesting one from Forbes which says that if you receive a counter-offer from a company you're about to leave, turn it down. Of course, not every counter-offer is a bad one (although the author seems to have a lot of bad experiences with them), but the premise is correct: don't try to overreach in your job and if you already planned to leave a company, it's probably a sign that you should continue to do so. Playing one company against another can really harm your reputation and even get you blacklisted from some hiring firms. Not worth the trouble. Instead, the author suggestions, have a conversation with your boss and express your frustrations--before you accept another offer. As he says:
"Down the road, such a conversation will be far more valuable if you choose not to force your boss into a buyback offer. You will retain your reputation for honesty, and, in my experience, this will serves you far better than a single raise or promotion ever could."
That's some good advice on a very, very hot day here in New York
Today's article is a really interesting one from Forbes which says that if you receive a counter-offer from a company you're about to leave, turn it down. Of course, not every counter-offer is a bad one (although the author seems to have a lot of bad experiences with them), but the premise is correct: don't try to overreach in your job and if you already planned to leave a company, it's probably a sign that you should continue to do so. Playing one company against another can really harm your reputation and even get you blacklisted from some hiring firms. Not worth the trouble. Instead, the author suggestions, have a conversation with your boss and express your frustrations--before you accept another offer. As he says:
"Down the road, such a conversation will be far more valuable if you choose not to force your boss into a buyback offer. You will retain your reputation for honesty, and, in my experience, this will serves you far better than a single raise or promotion ever could."
That's some good advice on a very, very hot day here in New York
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Astronology - The Role of Self-Awareness
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Sunday, July 10, 2011
NYTimes: Somehow, the Unemployed Became Invisible
Once in a while, it's good to see things from the other side so today, on a beautiful Sunday in New York as many Americans dread the upcoming work week, it's important to remember that a lot of our neighbors (an amazing 14+ million) are out of work. From The New York Times a very interesting article about the unemployed becoming the invisible.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/business/the-unemployed-somehow-became-invisible.html
It's important to remember that as you weight the effects that laying off a worker can have on their life. Although it shouldn't preventing you from making the right decision, know that it's taking an average of 9 months to find a job in this market
-Andrew
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Summer Perks in NYC: Central Park SummerStage
If Bryant Park movie nights aren't your thing, maybe you want to head uptown to a much bigger and more famous park for some free concerts they have during the summer at the Central Park SummerStage:
About.com has a great description of what goes on at the SummerStage including talking about 30 of the free events that will go on during the summer of 2011. The SummerStage website has a list of all the specific events and an outline of who will be performing and what type of music. Much like the Bryant Park movie nights, SummerStage is a great opportunity to get out for a night with your company and enjoy a free event together.
The key in picking a movie or a musical performance, though, is to make sure you have something that everyone can enjoy without anyone getting offended. Pick something light and fun and always make the event attendance optional. Encourage employees to bring their families or significant others and get to know your fellow-co-workers. And make sure that employees know they can leave a little early to get in line--as long as they get their work done on time.
Done right, free perks like these can make the summer months seem a lot less dull for your fellow co-workers.
About.com has a great description of what goes on at the SummerStage including talking about 30 of the free events that will go on during the summer of 2011. The SummerStage website has a list of all the specific events and an outline of who will be performing and what type of music. Much like the Bryant Park movie nights, SummerStage is a great opportunity to get out for a night with your company and enjoy a free event together.
The key in picking a movie or a musical performance, though, is to make sure you have something that everyone can enjoy without anyone getting offended. Pick something light and fun and always make the event attendance optional. Encourage employees to bring their families or significant others and get to know your fellow-co-workers. And make sure that employees know they can leave a little early to get in line--as long as they get their work done on time.
Done right, free perks like these can make the summer months seem a lot less dull for your fellow co-workers.
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Guest Post: The Workplace Farewell
I hope everyone had a very happy Fourth of July. As everyone is getting back to the workplace over the next few days and going back into work mode, we have a guest post about the opposite: the workplace farewell. This one is submitted to us by Maria Rainier. Maria is a freelance writer and blogger for First in Education where she’s recently written about online landscape architecture programs along with a piece on tax examiner jobs. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, playing piano, and working with origami. Without further ado, here is Maria's guest post:
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It has become more and more common for employees to send out a mass e-mail to their co-workers announcing their departure. The e-mail usually offers some words of appreciation for co-workers, provides some details about future plans, and invites everyone to keep in touch. For most of us, the e-mails are forgettable, if not groan-inducing. But in a few rare cases, some disgruntled employees have become Internet legends for their memorable send-offs. Your writing skill and your ability to inspire or inflame aside, should you send out a mass e-mail bidding farewell to your co-workers when you’ve decided to move on to greener pastures? Or is it unprofessional not to send such a note?
To Send or Not to Send
There are many reasons to send out the farewell e-mail. If you work in a large company, it gives you the opportunity to notify those in other departments of your departure and the impending change in procedure. No matter the size of your company, the farewell e-mail also gives you the opportunity to express appreciation for your co-workers and to lay the ground work for maintaining those relationships after you’re gone.
There is no rule of thumb for whether you should or should not send the e-mail. The best barometer is your own company culture. If workplace farewells are common at your company, your co-workers may think you cold or aloof if you don’t send out a note. On the other hand, if no one sends out such notes, you may seem inappropriate if you do.
Follow precedent for constructing your note, but be sure to always keep it positive and end on a high note. If company e-mails tend to be long and reflective, don’t be too terse in yours. You don’t have to match previous examples sentiment for sentiment, but do try to convey the same overall tone (i.e., adding a few more sentences if you’re usually brief, or learning to pare it back if you tend to go on and on). Try to fit in, but always be sincere and do what feels comfortable.
Some Guidelines
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It has become more and more common for employees to send out a mass e-mail to their co-workers announcing their departure. The e-mail usually offers some words of appreciation for co-workers, provides some details about future plans, and invites everyone to keep in touch. For most of us, the e-mails are forgettable, if not groan-inducing. But in a few rare cases, some disgruntled employees have become Internet legends for their memorable send-offs. Your writing skill and your ability to inspire or inflame aside, should you send out a mass e-mail bidding farewell to your co-workers when you’ve decided to move on to greener pastures? Or is it unprofessional not to send such a note?To Send or Not to Send
There are many reasons to send out the farewell e-mail. If you work in a large company, it gives you the opportunity to notify those in other departments of your departure and the impending change in procedure. No matter the size of your company, the farewell e-mail also gives you the opportunity to express appreciation for your co-workers and to lay the ground work for maintaining those relationships after you’re gone.
There is no rule of thumb for whether you should or should not send the e-mail. The best barometer is your own company culture. If workplace farewells are common at your company, your co-workers may think you cold or aloof if you don’t send out a note. On the other hand, if no one sends out such notes, you may seem inappropriate if you do.
Follow precedent for constructing your note, but be sure to always keep it positive and end on a high note. If company e-mails tend to be long and reflective, don’t be too terse in yours. You don’t have to match previous examples sentiment for sentiment, but do try to convey the same overall tone (i.e., adding a few more sentences if you’re usually brief, or learning to pare it back if you tend to go on and on). Try to fit in, but always be sincere and do what feels comfortable.
Some Guidelines
Friday, July 01, 2011
Astronology - Making the Most Out of Social Media for Your Organization
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Sunday, June 26, 2011
Summer Perks in NYC: Bryant Park
The summer is a tough time at work for some employees with nice weather outside and slow work inside. Some companies can't afford to give employees Summer Fridays or other perks like that so they have to get more creative. Vault.com has some great suggestions of 10 great summer perks that some companies out there are giving to their employees. I wanted to add to that a few suggestions in New York City in a running series. Here's the first:
Bryant Park Movie Night - Every Monday night during the summer, HBO sponsors a summer film festival where they show old movies in the park. Get there at 5 PM with some blankets and hang out with your fellow employees. Once the sun goes down, the real fun starts as the movies (which this year run the gamut from "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest" to "Airplane" to "Dirty Harry"). Check out the summer film festival lineup here: http://www.bryantpark.org/plan-your-visit/filmfestival.html and try to get your whole department a night of fun and bonding at one of nicest events during the summer in NYC.
More to come in the next entry. If you have a suggestion for a summer activity in NYC, please let us know in the comments below
Bryant Park Movie Night - Every Monday night during the summer, HBO sponsors a summer film festival where they show old movies in the park. Get there at 5 PM with some blankets and hang out with your fellow employees. Once the sun goes down, the real fun starts as the movies (which this year run the gamut from "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest" to "Airplane" to "Dirty Harry"). Check out the summer film festival lineup here: http://www.bryantpark.org/plan-your-visit/filmfestival.html and try to get your whole department a night of fun and bonding at one of nicest events during the summer in NYC.
More to come in the next entry. If you have a suggestion for a summer activity in NYC, please let us know in the comments below
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Astronology - Technology in the HR World
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Friday, June 10, 2011
5 Years and Counting
As I drive up to Brandeis University for my 5-year reunion from graduating college, I am also celebrating another anniversary: my 5th year with Astron Solutions.
I'll always remember the Summer I started working for Astron. I started the summer with one of the worst jobs I ever had when Jennifer Loftus called and asked if I wanted to come in for an interview. As the call came as I was trying to unclog a jammed copier (from someone who thought it would be a good idea to photocopy 100 pages at a time), it could not have been a more welcome invitation.
The interview was my favorite I've ever been on and soonafter I started as a "Marketing Specialist" and I've been working for them ever since. The rest--as they say--is history. Can't believe it's been 5 years!
-Andrew
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