6 Tanda Anda Harus Berganti Jenis Pekerjaan

Kompas.com - Ada perbedaan yang mendasar dan kasat mata ketika Anda menjalani pekerjaan yang sesuai dengan minat Anda dan yang bukan. Meskipun berat dan penuh risiko, seseorang bisa sangat menikmati pekerjaan karena sesuai dengan minat dan hal yang disukainya. Lalu apa saja tanda-tanda bahwa ternyata selama ini Anda  melakukan pekerjaan yang tidaksesuai?

Mengutip situs Workopolis, setidaknya ada enam tanda yang dapat Anda kenali dan dapat menjadi pertimbangan bahwa sebenarnya Anda perlu berganti pekerjaan. Berikut uraiannya.

1. Anda Bekerja Hanya Demi Uang
Jika Anda berpikir untuk keluar dari pekerjaan tiap hari, merasa ketakutan bahwa Anda akan kehilangan pendapatan dan Anda harus secepatnya mencari pekerjaan baru, Anda sedang berada pada jenis pekerjaan yang keliru. Semua orang memiliki tagihan dan kewajiban yang harus dibayar dan bila uang adalah satu-satunya alasan Anda tetap bekerja, Anda sebaiknya mencari pekerjaan lain.

2. Anda Tidak Menikmati Pekerjaan Itu Sendiri
Jika Anda merasa pekerjaan Anda tidak nyaman, membosankan, atau malah menyebalkan, Anda sebaiknya mencari pekerjaan lain. Salah satu cara untuk sukses adalah memahami dan dapat melakukan suatu bidang dengan baik serta dilakukan dengan sikap positif. Dalam sebuah poling teranyar, 29 persen responden mengatakan, mereka menikmati pekerjaan adalah tujuan karier paling utama.

3. Anda Takut Pergi Kerja
Ketika pekerjaan menjadi suatu hal tidak menyenangkan hingga Anda merasa takut atau malas berangkat kerja, kemungkinan Anda salah memilih pekerjaan. Memiliki beban semacam itu bisa menimbulkan depresi dan penyakit lainnya yang disebabkan stres yang seharusnya tidak terjadi. Tetaplah sehat dan bugar, kemudian carilah perusahaan lain.

4. Rekan Kerja Tidak Melibatkan Anda dalam Pekerjaan
Manajer atau tim Anda mencari pengganti atau selalu mencari cara untuk tidak sependapat dengan Anda. Bila keadaan demikian terjadi, ini adalah tanda bahwa Anda harus mencari pekerjaan lain. Hal serupa juga berlaku bila rekan kerja memberikan prestasi pada orang lain yang padahal merupakan hasil kerja Anda, maupun selalu mempertanyakan keputusan yang Anda ambil dengan sikap pasif-agresif.

5. Pekerjaan Membuat Kehidupan Anda Tidak Menyenangkan
Anda bisa bertahan kalau pekerjaan Anda tidak menyenangkan namun Anda menerima besaran gaji yang cukup menarik. Jika Anda tidak menyukai pekerjaan Anda, gaji yang diberikan pun tidak sesuai, dan membuat kehidupan Anda menjadi tidak menyenangkan pula, ada baiknya Anda mencari pekerjaan lain.

6. Tidak Ada Potensi Berkembang atau Belajar
Jika posisi yang Anda tempati saat ini menemui jalan buntu, dalam artian tidak memungkinkan Anda untuk berkembang dan mempelajari hal-hal baru, kemungkinan Anda salah mengambil pekerjaan. Ketika Anda tidak mempelajari apapun dari pekerjaan yang Anda geluti, kemampuan dan keahlian Anda akan menurun nilainya di pasaran.

11 Dos and Don’ts for Quitting Your Job

Foxnews.com - When country singer Johnny Paycheck recorded ‘Take this Job and Shove It (I ain’t working here no more)’ in 1977, he really struck a chord. The song went to the top of the US country charts, inspired a film, and without a doubt, earned the heartfelt agreement of many disgruntled workers. But as a way to resign, delivering a line like this is not the best.

The improving economy is tempting many employees back to the job market after years of frustration in a job they were afraid to leave. Once the new job is secured, the temptation to say goodbye to your old organisation in a less-than-polite way may be hard to resist.

But however much you want to tell your boss to shove it, making a graceful exit is the only way to move on and maintain your professional reputation. Here are some dos and don’ts:

Do:

Consider your decision carefully. If you are leaving because of problems with the boss or a colleague, moving within the organisation may solve the problem. If so, talk to HR before throwing in the towel.

If you must go, check your employment contract. According to ACAS, it must state the required notice period.  Also check for other resignation procedures. Helen Farr, partner in the employment group at City law firm Fox Williams says: “You may be in breach of your contract if you don’t give enough notice, or give notice verbally when your employment contract says it should be in writing.”

Carefully construct your letter of resignation. Make it short, specify the date on which you want to leave (if you can be flexible say so) and explain that you intend to hand over projects or clients as smoothly as possible. Express gratitude for the opportunities and training provided. Be professional rather than emotional.

Work out what you are going to tell your boss and colleagues – it should be the same thing. Telling your boss you are seeking wider experience, but telling colleagues it’s because the boss is a monster is dangerous. One of your colleagues may blab before you leave. Remember, you will want a reference from the boss in future. Keep negative comments to yourself or save them for post-departure sworn-to-secrecy meetings with ex-colleagues.

Make a one-to-one appointment with your boss to explain that you are leaving and hand over the letter. Have a basic ‘script’ in your head so you know what to say when asked your reasons. Avoid criticising your boss, colleagues or company if possible. Certainly, avoid personal attacks.

If you do not want to work out your full notice period, then ask. However, keep in mind they may not grant your request.

Sort out issues such as holiday pay, expenses or bonuses owed, and the procedures for handing back equipment such as company mobiles. ACAS states that in most cases employees should be paid their normal pay during the notice period.

Don’t:

Rant.  Don't fume to colleagues. , friends, clients or on social media about the boss being an ogre, the team a bunch of losers or the whole organization going down the pan, even if it is all true. You may meet them again later in your career. Maintain a professional demeanor throughout.

Have a flaming row with the boss, even behind closed doors. It’s amazing how far raised voices carry. You will certainly emerge the talk of the office, and given the recording capacity of mobile phones, your argument could end up on the internet.

Just walk out, unless there really is no alternative. It’s unprofessional and bound to anger your boss and colleagues. “Flouncing out without the required notice puts you in breach of contract. The employer also does not need to pay you for the notice period,” says Farr.

Send an email, venting your frustration on your last day. There’s no reason to go out in a blaze of glory.

What Does It Mean To Do Something 'Like A Girl'?

Richard Branson's top 10 tips for success

Bbc..com - He is one of the most successful businessmen in the UK and an icon of entrepreneurship. His latest project is Virgin Galactic, which he hopes will one day become a space tourism company.

Here are his Top Ten Tips for success:

1. Follow your dreams and just do it

Follow your dreams, get involved in life, in the things that interest you. If you are going to create a business, make sure it is your hobby, your passion or something that you really enjoy.

You will live a much better life that way. Don't just set out to do something for the sake of making money.

I think lots of people have lots of great ideas, but very few people actually go out and try to put them into practice.

There are lots of people who think that somebody must have done that before, or you'll never raise the money or you shouldn't take a risk in life.

It's the people who say I'm just going to do it, that end up having a chance of having a much more exciting and rewarding life.

2. Make a positive difference and do some good

The first thing to do if you want to become an entrepreneur is basically to have an idea that is going to make a positive difference to other people's lives. A business is simply that.

If you're running a business you are in a position where you can make a hell of a difference in this world.

I also think it's great for the staff of a company that they can feel good about a company that is actually getting out there and doing good.

3. Believe in your ideas and be the best

You definitely need to believe in your idea. There's really no point in doing something in life unless people feel really good about it and proud about it. You've got to have passion for it and you've got to be able to inspire other people to have a passion for it too.

If an idea is a good idea you should be able to pitch it in two or three sentences and two or three sentences fit very neatly on the back of an envelope.

There was no point creating a new airline unless it was going to be palpably better than every other airline in the world, you've got to make sure that every aspect of what you do is better than the competition.

4. Have fun and look after your team

I 100% believe that it's important to have fun and if you're not having fun anymore, it might be time to move on. You should have fun from the top down and create the kind of environment that's pleasant to work in.

Make sure that you've got the kinds of people running your companies who genuinely care about people, who look for the best in people and who praise and don't criticise.

People are not that unlike flowers. If a flower is watered it flourishes and if a flower is not watered it dries up and dies and I think the same applies to people.

5. Don't give up

It's extremely important not to give up. There have been situations in my adventures, like crossing the pacific in a balloon, where the odds were stacked very heavily against us surviving.

Being an entrepreneur is not that dissimilar to being an adventurer. You have plenty of situations where your back is right up against a wall and you've just got to work day and night to make sure you overcome the difficulties a particular company finds itself in. Brush yourself down the next day and move on into something else.

I think I'm reasonably good at dealing with failure and not letting it get me down for more than an hour or two as long as I put everything I can into avoiding it.

Branson arrived on Necker Island in 1989 hanging from the bottom of a helicopter to marry his wife Joan Templeton

6. Make lots of lists and keep setting yourself new challenges

I make copious lists because I think it's the little details that make for an exceptional company over an average company. Details are very important and I think it's important to keep setting yourself new challenges and targets.

I do believe that the first of the year is a good time to write down your goals for the year. Unless you actually organise yourself and write down the kinds of things you want to achieve, there's a danger that as time slips by, you don't achieve a lot.

7. Spend time with your family and learn to delegate

One of the early things you have to do as an entrepreneur is learn the art of delegation. Find people who are better than you to run the companies on a day-to-day basis, freeing yourself up to think about the bigger picture and spend time with your family.

That's very important, especially if you've got children, they are what's going to be left when you're gone.

I know I'm a good entrepreneur, but I'm not sure that I'd be a very good manager and there is a difference. My mind is always thinking ahead and wanting to create new things.

I just think once I've set something up, it's better if someone else runs it. I can dive in and out and be a pain occasionally, but the day-to-day business is better for somebody else to do.

8. Try turning off the TV and get out there and do things

My mum brought us up very much to get out there and do things, don't watch other people do things, and don't watch television. I think that was a good way of bringing up kids. With my own kids, we've spent quite a lot of time in the Caribbean and we never watch television there.

I think I am capable of switching off on Necker Island which is where we sort of pull up the drawbridge. But what I'm doing I see as so fascinating, so rewarding, so interesting that I don't ever really want to switch off too much because I find myself in such a wonderful, challenging position that I don't want to waste that position and there are just so many important challenges going on.

9. When people say bad things about you, just prove them wrong

There are people who hang onto the coat tails of successful people and try to sell a few books on the back of their name. It's unpleasant but you know that if you sue them or kick up a fuss, all it will do is publicise the book. So I've had to learn the art of ignoring people like that.

I think the best thing to do is just to prove them wrong in every single way. This particular book, (Branson: Behind the Mask by Tom Bower), says that our spaceship programme is a white elephant, later this year we will prove them wrong.

10. Do what you love and have a sofa in the kitchen

You only live one life, so I would do the thing that you are going to enjoy. When life boils down, this might sound like a little much coming from me, I do have my own little island in the Caribbean, but when we are on that island, we tend to just live in the kitchen.

The truth is, so long as you've got a kitchen which has space for a sofa, and a bedroom, and a partner that you love, you don't necessarily need the add-ons in life.

Then, if you're doing something that really interests you, it will result in a much more enjoyable life rather than just doing something for the sake of making money.

The Skills Employers Wish College Grads Had

Foxbusiness.com - Turns out, the skills and education recent college graduates acquired during their time on campus might not be serving them well when it comes to proving their worth to potential employers.

“Soft skills have deteriorated more than hard skills in the view of CEOs and recruiters within companies,” says Candice Olson, founder of professional boot camp The Fullbridge Program.

According to a 2013 study by American Express (AXP) and Gen Y research firm Millennial Branding, managers have an overall negative view of young workers, and point to their lack of soft skills regarding communication and interpersonal interactions, time management abilities and willingness to work as a team.

A survey by York College of Pennsylvania's Center for Professional Excellence shows that many college faculty members do not think upperclassmen show a level of professionalism expected in today’s working world. Almost 40% of faculty responded that less than half of students demonstrate professionalism.

But these skills are hard to teach in a classroom setting, and tend to come with office-like experience whether it’s from an internship, volunteer work, participating in student organizations or part-time jobs.

“Soft skills include attitudes and behaviors that correlate highly with career success. They are what enable people with different skills sets and personality that make up an organization to work effectively together and without friction. They are essential,” says Olson.

The Fullbridge Program offers different programs that teach young adults the skills necessary to excel in the workplace. Olson says the admission process is “quite selective” and "is more like applying for a job than a school.” Each program is tailored to teach enrollees the skills to help leverage an education into a successful career. “None of this is taught in school, and you aren't born knowing it, but it makes sense to make sure it’s part of the portfolio. Otherwise good grades, sports and clubs are of no avail in getting and succeeding at work,” says Olson.

Jody Miller, CEO of Business Talent Group, says the pace of business today makes it tough for companies to justify taking the time to properly train new hires lacking soft skills. “Globalization and advancements in technology means the productivity and efficiency demanded from workers is higher, adding pressure to new workers. The expectations of entry-level employees and what they need to contribute is higher than ever before.”

Hiring prospects are already bleak for Millennials as many-entry level jobs disappeared in the wake of the financial crisis and companies have higher standards for recruits, she says. “You don’t want to hire someone who needs extra training and won’t be able to hit the ground running and get the job done.”

Texting is Different than Communicating

Despite their persistent use of social media and texting, a top complaint from employers about Millennial-age workers is their lack of communication skills. “Younger people are communicating at great levels but   it’s through technology,” says Lauren Stiller, author of You Raised Us, Now Work With Us. “This means their verbal communication skills are diminished. They are talking less to each other and their other communication skills are highly abbreviated and perfunctory.”

She points to her days working as a lawyer when someone would ask a younger worker to call a client with a message. “The older worker meant pick up the phone and have a conversation, but all the Millennial hears is communicate with the client, so they send a text because it’s more efficient in their mind.”

She stresses that younger candidates need to demonstrate they can hold a conversation, send professional emails and interact with the other staff and clients in a professional manner.

Strong social media skills can be a resume booster for companies looking to increase their brands’ exposure, but this expertise doesn’t translate into communication skills.  “Younger workers don’t inherently understand formal email communication, how to handle a conference call or handle workplace disagreements, which all require strong communication skills.”

Online Boldness Doesn’t Translate into In-Person Confidence

“I can’t tell you how many times I have been blown away by a candidate’s online profile and then be disappointed when they are sitting in front of me,” says Chantel Waterbury, founder of Chloe + Isabel, a jewelry direct-sales company that specifically targets Millennials in the hiring process. “I find many recent college students and grads don’t make eye contact, don’t carry themselves well and don’t speak with authority, which can be a little disheartening to the interviewer.”

The interviewing process isn’t just about learning more about what’s on a resume, it’s also the time to see how candidates interact with others and present themselves in a professional setting.

Being able to give a presentation and contribute in a meeting are skills every successful employee needs to have, says Waterbury, but they require confidence and a level of professionalism in regards to how to best articulate thoughts and ideas as well as provide criticism and critique.

There’s No ‘I’ in Team, But there is in 'Attitude'

David DeLong, author of Graduate to a Great Job and Make Your College Degree Pay Off says the best way for young workers to get on a company’s payroll is to prove their ability to work with others and maintain a positive attitude.

“We have a more diverse workforce than ever before and employers want to know that you will be able to fit right in with everybody, whether it’s veteran engineers, clients from around the world or another new hire.” Having a positive outlook and determination to get a task done also needs to be conveyed to employers, he adds.

“Proving soft skills on a resume is difficult, but it’s all about giving examples of your strong communications skills, ability to work well with others and ability to overcome obstacles. You have to prove to the company you will bring value.”

Simple Ways To Make More Money

Aol.com - Who doesn't want to make more money? While we've all heard that money doesn't buy happiness, it's nice to be able to decide for ourselves if it's true or not. How can you earn more dough? You may be surprised to learn how some simple steps can make a difference in your bottom line.

1. Bring it. If you've been at your job a long time, it's likely you're not making an effort to exceed expectations. It's human to get comfortable and start to phone it in. The problem with a lackadaisical attitude is that you're less likely to be tapped for promotions, and no one is going to want to go to bat for a raise for you if you're just getting by.

2. Be better at what you do. Your attitude and effort are important, but what you actually know trumps everything else when it comes to earning power. Before you complain that your company would rather hire younger, inexpensive labor, ask yourself, "What do they know that I don't?" If your manager isn't making the effort to suggest professional development opportunities, it's up to you to figure out how to make yourself less disposable and more marketable.

3. Dress the part. There's a reason for the advice to "dress for the job you want to have." You don't need to go to extremes to change your appearance (plastic surgery is unlikely to be the panacea for your money woes). But, it doesn't hurt to take a long look in the mirror. If you still have the same hairstyle popular in 1975, it's time for a change. Treat yourself to a makeover. Ask for a consult at your local department store, or invite a fashion-forward friend to go shopping. You'd be surprised by how a new look may propel your career and earning potential.

4. Ask for a raise. Maybe it's not that easy -- your organization is under a pay freeze, and no one has had a raise in three years. However, there are plenty of companies where people are getting raises -- or bonuses -- and you may be surprised to learn that the squeaky wheel sometimes does get the grease.

Before you make a beeline for the boss' office -- make sure you've taken care of numbers 1 and 2, first. No one is going to give you a raise if you're just marking time. If you haven't done anything "raise worthy," it's time to ramp it up. Make a point to take on a challenging project and to suggest answers for your company's biggest problems. Ask for your raise immediately following a big success and it will be harder to ignore your request.

5. Get a new job. If it's clear you aren't moving up in the pay scale at your current job, no matter what you do, it's up to you to take action. If earning more is a priority for you, start thinking about how you can land a new job.

6. Grow your network to make more money. If you're thinking about a new job in the near future, you need to start thinking about whom you know. Why? If someone refers you for an opportunity, you are much more likely to earn an interview – and the job – than if you simply apply to an online ad. You're busy, but if you're too busy to network and demonstrate your expertise, you'll face obstacles in your job search you could otherwise overcome. Re-join that professional organization you dropped years ago. Sign up for committees and start meeting influential people.

Find online networks and identify people who may be willing to become your allies and job search champions and it will be easier to land a job. Don't join and start asking for help – contribute to the conversations and prove you have what it takes to be a leader in your field.

7. Look for trends. A great way to make more money: lead, don't follow. Keep ahead of the crowd and identify issues that may face your organization or industry. If your head is in the sand, you won't realize that there's technology coming down the pike that will replace your job. Make a point to know what's going on in your field, and do everything you can to stay ahead of the curve. You'll make more money in the long run and be less likely to get caught in an unexpected layoff.

One example? Automated checkouts in the grocery store. How can you stand out from the crowd and make more money? Start thinking of ways to make the human cashier invaluable. Run the fastest lane, provide the best customer service. Suggest ideas to improve the store's services and reputation. In the long run, you will earn the raises and be more likely to keep your job.

8. Specialize. Have you noticed that people who seem to earn more money are the ones with very specific skills? There's a reason for that -- it's a shifting trend away from hiring generalists who know a little about everything to valuing people who are very skilled in a particular area. Keep your eye on the trends, identify your niche and move quickly to be the go-to person in that crucial area.

Job Search Stress? 4 Key Ways To Manage Your Angst

Huffingtonpost.com - Even under the best of circumstances looking for work is difficult. Life as you know it has changed and your overall well-being is affected. After all, you've temporarily lost your income, your title and your role as a contributing team member. Moreover, unless you've switched careers a number of times in the recent past, much of the job search process is unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Few people enjoy the aspect of selling themselves and fewer still are okay with the resulting feelings of personal rejection when your sales job falls flat.

So what can you, as a job-seeker, do to relieve some of the negative feelings and stress that are often such a major component of the process? Here are four key ways to help you boost your spirits and keep your momentum going:

#1 Avoid isolation. Getting out and about as much as possible serves a number of purposes. Since networking is by far the most likely route to your next position, you should be meeting people at every chance you get. There are several ways to interact with others and each of them could payoff by providing you with valuable connections as well as an added boost of confidence.
 

• Take a class in your area of specialty. You'll not only be building your skill sets, you'll have the added benefit of networking with your classmates and the instructor. Ask to meet briefly with him or her and begin the conversation with an open-ended question along the lines of: "I'm targeting positions in the field of XYZ. Do you have any advice or suggestions for me?" You're likely to get some useful information and, many times, even contact names that could prove extremely helpful.

• Become active in professional associations and groups relevant to your line of work. The contacts you'll make at these meetings are likely to have direct links to managers and other decision-makers in organizations where you'd like to work. Also, you'll have access to information and job listings that might not otherwise be available.

• Volunteer in a related field. The very act of serving others will raise your feelings of wellbeing and may lead you to unexpected opportunities and liaisons.

• Join a job search group. Being around people who are going through a similar situation will go a long way to lesson any feelings of isolation you may be experiencing. In addition, you'll have opportunities to share job search tips, exchange leads, and provide emotional support. Many such groups meet on a regular basis and supply what I term "compassionate accountability." Group members promise to perform a number of job search activities and are then obligated to report their progress at the following meeting. So, by joining this type of group, you'll be getting a combination of tips, support and motivation to move forward... a stress-busting combo for sure!

#2 Write out a financial plan. Worrying about finances during a job search can zap your energy and disrupt your focus. Rather than expending valuable time worrying about your expenses, make a list instead. Identify your necessary expenses: rent, mortgage, utilities, food, etc. Also factor in additional funds for non-essentials: clothing, transportation, recreation, etc. Then take the time to create a budget that will pull you through until you land your next position. Engage the family in this activity so that everyone knows where they stand and, if needed, this might be a good time to draw upon the services of a financial planner.

#3 Track your progress and make it tangible. One of the most frustrating aspects of looking for a job is the fact that you're expending vast amounts of energy--generally without seeing an immediate return on your investment of time and effort. Therefore, even the simple process of keeping a checklist is important. By tracking how many face-to-face contacts you've made, the number of emails you send out each day, or the amount of phone calls you've made can give you a sense that you are making progress.

It's also helpful to take a break from your search activities by doing a small chore where you'll realize a tangible result. Cleaning out your sock drawer or weeding a patch of garden may seem like simple busywork--but these small projects can boost your mood by providing a sense that at least part of your life is under your control. So give yourself regular opportunities where you can see immediate results and reap some tangible benefits from your labors.

#4 Finally, as much as possible, give yourself some TLC (Tender Loving Care). For most of us, looking for work is right up there with learning you need a root canal. But by using these tips, you should find the process at least a little easier. Taking small, consistent steps and making certain to network as much as you can will help. So will getting sufficient sleep, eating right, and engaging in some form of daily exercise. And don't forget to give yourself small rewards on a regular basis.

After all, who knows? With a little luck and the right attitude, you might just find yourself landing a job before you'd expected. And returning to the ranks of the gainfully employed is most certainly a huge and welcome stress reliever!