How To Douse The Tension of Conflicts in the workplace

How To Douse The Tension of Conflicts in the Workplace

How to douse the tension created by the conflicts in the workplace is very important for every individual that wants to scale through office politics without adding more stress to their lives. Some people do encounter not the success they dreamed of in their life career, but the frustration of having their “dream bubble” burst right before their own very eyes. 

These aspiring professionals were stopped dead in their career tracks not because of some mistakes but because of harassment in the workplace.   Their “fall from corporate grace” was due to a combination of envy, jealousy, and a fair amount of backtalk from their detractors.

You may be faced with the challenges of constant changes in leadership and movement personnel in your department or division.  Even all efforts put across to suggest office innovations and other alternatives to make work efficient can still become the “butt” of jokes to you.  

Having a better understanding of your boss can equally make the matter worse in some cases. Having a good recommendation for any good work done, within the hearing range of the older employees as well as the new ones can as well make your detractors try even harder to discredit you. It is a well-proven fact that envy really poisons the working atmosphere. 

You may even become a victim of nasty jokes and false rumors, thereby turning you into the office scapegoat.  The question then is: 

What exactly have you done to deserve such treatment? 

Oh! Because you are confident and brilliant and a genius in your field to some extent. However, your only perceived weakness is the fact that you’re the youngest person in the department. YOU ARE INDEED IN WHAT IS CALLED THE “BOILER’S ROOM”. You may try as much as possible to know why these older colleagues of yours are somewhat nasty and the intimidation is becoming more frequent. My advice to you is that you shouldn’t give it a damn, because if you weigh yourself down with taunting and sarcasm, this will eventually make you suffer from anxiety and panic attacks.  

Believe that you are only one among thousands of people who experience harassment and other forms of bullying in the workplace.  Anyone can be a target. Harassment often begins with unresolved conflicts between workmates that could even escalate into problems that would eventually require the attention of management.

Harassment at work is one of the most distracting situations that any worker or professional can face. Work, needless to say, is important not only as a means to have a livelihood. It is also crucial to one's ego and craving for achievement. 

Getting along with everybody is not the solution. It doesn't mean you have to please people and compromise your principles. Being warm and sincere can melt the cold atmosphere.  But it is important to set standards for yourself. Treat others with respect and dignity, and most likely, you would be treated in the same manner. Appearances also matter, following a dress code or adopting sensible attire gives a good impression. 

Other ways to maintain your good professional standing and mutually beneficial relations with co-workers include:

•  Be dependable and trustworthy.
• Do not be oversensitive. Not all criticisms should be considered harassment. Try not to take anything said to you with much seriousness. Regard such comment or complaint as non-consequential.
• Seek support from higher management when the pressure is too great and if you already feel resentment or despair.

Although there is no 100% guarantee that workplace harassment can be stopped, you must still take the initiative to stop the maltreatment.  If the bullying cannot be stopped by management, maybe it is time to consider the next option: switch jobs or find another job.

Remember, life is too short to stay in a job that causes you misery. Nor is it the end of the world if you leave a company where you are no longer happy.

Do you want to know more about how to be successful in your career? Let me introduce you to an ebook written by a professional Career Consultant Steve Austin. The title of his book is 

Career Success With Ease: What You Need To Know To Achieve Success In Your Career Adventure

Tips On Effective Resume Writing

Tips On Effective Resume Writing

Creating an effective resume is a crucial step in the career planning process.  Most job seekers rush into creating a resume before they fully understand their product (themselves).  A resume advertises you. It sells your ability, experience, potential benefits, and value.  It also stimulates the interest of prospective employers to find out more about you and invite you to an interview.  

A common myth is that a good resume will get you a job.  The reality is, however, that a resume will best interest the reader enough to want to meet you.  The need to prepare ahead for the interview is another area you should not toil with. Dress well for the interview, present your idea logically during the interview by stating your achievements and accomplishments, ask the necessary questions that will show that you have an interest in the job and the company’s progress, and don’t oversell or undersell yourself. Try your best and leave the rest for them to decide. 

After the interview, there may be the need for you to do a follow-up as well as write a thank you letter for giving you the opportunity to attend the interview. and if perhaps you're employed, it is important for you to maintain your competitive advantage.  

The world of employment is dynamic.  Employees need to become just as competitive and strategic about their careers as their employers are.   More significantly, employees need to take responsibility for their own careers.  If you want to continually compete and win in today’s job market, you must maintain a competitive edge in your job performance in order to do so.  Just as every one has strengths, everyone has weaknesses or hindrances to performance that they must manage and overcome in order to grow professionally.

Some Helpful Tips On How To Write An Effective Resume

• Keep your resume brief – especially in describing responsibilities.  Describe the key outcomes or accountability of the position, not the tasks!

• Eliminate any information which is extraneous or that could create a negative effect; for example, marital status, religious or political affiliations, sports or hobbies, salary, and references.

• Make sure it is formatted neatly with the latest software to help you.  Be sure it has plenty of white space and use the grammar and spell checker.  Final copies should be printed on at least (20) pounds of bond paper in ivory or white.

• Check to make sure you use a consistent format throughout your resume.  If you used bold headings, make sure all headings are bold.  Also, make sure your verb tense is correct. 

• Have your resume reviewed before finalizing it.  Typos and spelling errors are almost guaranteed to eliminate you from being considered.

• Do not underestimate the importance of using a cover letter in your job search!  Cover letters reflect the time, care, and preparation you have given to your search.  They also demonstrate enthusiasm and confidence which can help you begin to develop a rapport with the reader.   

The Interview

The interview is an exchange of information between the candidate and the company for the purpose of determining if there is a fit for the open position.  You have certain qualifications to offer and they have certain needs to fill.  Your qualifications have already separated you from the pack and brought you to the final selection process. 

 The following tips will provide you with some techniques and information to help you fine-tune your presentation:

• Dress conservatively.  Men:  wear a suit and tie, dark colors.  Women:  wear a suit or a dress with a jacket, conservative colors, simple jewelry, little makeup, and perfume.  Neatness is critical!
• Arrive about 5-10 minutes early.  Be nice to everyone you meet at the company.
• Sit up straight, leaning forward slightly; this helps to convey an attitude of high interest and energy.
• Be positive, friendly, enthusiastic,, and sincere.  Practice will help you to relax and be yourself.  Be positive about previous employers and managers.
• Maintain good eye contact.
• Rest hands comfortably in your lap; gesture appropriately as you speak.
• Speak at adequate levels and avoid monotone patterns; don’t drift off at the end of sentences.  Speak with assurance.
• Be an attentive listener; ask questions and clarify meanings; answer concisely and clearly, do not ramble.
• Anticipate general questions and those related to your experience.  Prepare answers ahead of time.  Picture yourself answering these questions confidently.
• Anticipate behavioral interviewing questions that demonstrate that you have the behaviors, competencies, and attitude to do the job. 

Take cognizance of all these points and others before going in for your interview. I wish you the best of luck in your search!

Thank you.