By J.T. O'Donnell
Every office has one. The employee who is quick-witted and always seems to know when to throw in a snappy bit of sarcasm to make everyone chuckle about an obnoxious client or less-than-exciting new company policy. Their sharp sense of humor is often used in to lighten the mood and diffuse tense moments. And yet...
When does the sarcastic employee cross the line?
Do they realize the negative impact they can have while desperately trying to seek a laugh? More importantly, can their sarcasm eventually hurt their career?
True story...
Back in my early twenties, I worked for a start-up company that was full of fellow young professionals. We were all recent college grads looking to finally start to make some good money and had hitched our stars on the excitement of working for a cutting-edge company that gave us stock options and hopes of a big payout in the not-so-distant future.
In the beginning, our team was on fire. The company expanded quickly and the energy was intensely fun. But then, some things happened to tarnish the rosy of glow of start-up life. A round of layoffs, followed by a change in our commission structure had us all working more and making less. We were frustrated and angry. And looking back, our lack of workplace experience showed in that we didn't know how to react to what was happening. Many of us started commiserating after work over drinks, eyeball rolling became the norm throughout the day, and a somber, secretive-type communication style replaced our light-hearted banter of earlier days. Times were tough.
Then one day, a very sarcastic co-worker decided to take venting his frustrations to a whole new level. He started crafting top secret e-mail rants. He would wax on about various managers, poking fun at everything from their voice to their sense of fashion. Now that I think of it, his daily e-mails were almost like blog posts. Initially, people looked forward to getting them and you could hear a certain style of 'chuckle' that always told you who, across a sea of cubicles, was reading the latest one. His e-mails were like a guilty pleasure served up to ease the stress of working in a downtrodden corporate culture.
But then, as things got progressively worse on-the-job, so did the intensity of the employee's sarcasm. And, somewhere along the line, the e-mails went from funny to uncomfortable.
In an effort to retain the interest of his readership, the employee's sarcasm took an evil turn. He expanded upon who he wrote about, sometimes leaving people off the e-mail list just to make fun of them. No one was off limits to this employee. If someone looked at him the wrong way, the result could be a page-long demoralization. Furthermore, his obsession with producing these e-mails seemed to have a direct impact on his performance. Not only did he start failing at work, his work relationships started failing too. People became afraid of being associated with him, especially when they realized that getting caught reading one of these e-mails could get them in trouble. And then it happened, the ultimate betrayal...
The sarcastic employee was turned in by another employee who had found out he was being 'ragged on' in these e-mails repeatedly. The company IT guy researched and found out just how much work time had been spent on writing/distributing the e-mails and the employee was let go. Talk about tough to explain on job interviews:
Hiring Manager: "So, why did you leave your last job?"
Sarcastic Employee: "Well, I was trash talking everyone in the company in e-mails during work hours and got caught."
To make matters worse, it had been his first real job (i.e. professional setting), and now he had no reference. He couldn't get any of his former co-workers to agree to talk to potential employers for him either because we were all promptly instructed on the 'no reference giving' policy by the HR Manager right after his departure.
So, here's my question: Was he the only one to blame? Yes, he wrote the e-mails, but it was the initial reaction he got from all of us that fueled him to write more, which lead him down a path to destruction.
My takeaway from the experience was this: There's humor and there's sarcasm. We need the first in the workplace, but not necessarily the second. Being funny at work isn't a problem, as long as you're not sarcastic.
What are your thoughts? Do the sarcastic people in your company cross boundries at times? How do you respond to them? Is there room for sarcasm in the workplace? Does using sarcasm put your career at risk?
July 02, 2009
Learn how to land a career you love
There are typical red flags employers watch for in job interviews. Any one red flag can reduce your chances of getting a job offer, so here's what you need to avoid in your next job interview...
1. Poor Communication
This includes everything from talking too little, talking too much, or simply having poor nonverbal behavior like a lack of eye contact or making the situation uncomfortable with poor body language. When it comes to questions and answers, a job candidate who can't provide effective responses to questions that are necessary to assess their experience and skills is always a problem.
Be prepared to address every point you have on your resume. And when an employer presents a follow-up question like "Tell me more about..." they are trying to dig deeper either because they're curious, or you provided an insufficient response.
An inability to communicate well in a job interview will leave the employer questioning whether you do have the experience and skills you say you have on paper.
2. Question Of Permanency
When an employer puts out a job offer, it's going to be to someone they believe is committed to the job—not to someone who's simply looking to fill in an employment gap until a more fitting job comes along. Any reasonable job seeker wouldn't present such a front, but sometimes casual conversation can lead you to say things that are better off unsaid.
Avoid talking about challenges in your job search or how you were looking for a job in fashion marketing, but somehow you're now applying for this job in healthcare marketing. It brings to question if you're really interested in the job the employer has to offer.
Also, avoid talking about any long-distance relationships and try not to mention that your spouse and kids remain in another state. The employer will question if your personal situation may impact your job loyalty down the road if a relocation package is not going to be a part of the offer. And if they ask where you want to be in three years, answer with a position that corresponds with their growth opportunities.
3. Bad Talk
The purpose of the interview is to demonstrate why you're a great candidate for the job and effectively convey what you have to offer. It's not about letting your frustrations out about a boss you don't like or people you don't like working with. Any bad-mouthing simply sends a negative message about your character. It'll also make the employer question if you can manage workplace relationships professionally.
Often, bad-mouthing occurs when employers ask questions like, "Why are you leaving your current job?" Stay focused on answering with a positive response that relates back to the goal of improving yourself and utilizing what you're capable of offering.
4. Not Dressing The Part
Yes, it's wrong to judge a book by its cover. But in a job interview, this is what happens. If you're not dressed the part to look like you suit the job, it's going to be hard for the employer to see that, too.
It might also make the employer think that if you can't even manage to present a well-groomed appearance for a job interview that you'll be a slacker when on the job—and that's not going to work, especially if this is a position where you may have interface with customers or business partners that require a professional appearance.
5. It's All About The Money
Salary is a factor in determining whether the job offer is ultimately right for you, but bringing it up too early in the interview process comes off as though you're only in it for the money. And when you're the one to bring it up, it puts you at a disadvantage. You create a situation where you need to reveal your desired salary before the employer offers insight to what they're considering, which may end up being much lower or much higher from what the employer has budgeted.
The point is to first make the most impressive mark you can. If you're the one they want, they'll bring up the topic of salary and you'll have an idea of what they're offering, which you can then further negotiate so it meets your expectations.
Employers take into account many factors during the job interview. It's not just about the experience and skills you put on paper. Now, you can avoid all the typical red flags to keep yourself in the running.
Need help preparing for your next job interview?
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Or, join our career growth club today and get access to one-on-one career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, online tutorials, and unlimited networking opportunities—all in your back pocket!
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This article was originally published at an earlier date.
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Online networking should be the foundation of your job search. It should be the main focus, the priority. A strong networking strategy will help you network your way into a new company by allowing you to go around job boards and avoid the ATS. It is, simply, the best, most effective way to find a new job.
If the thought of networking scares you, you're definitely not alone. But, in order to find your next job and grow your career, you need to overcome your fears and make online networking a priority. Here are a few things to know about online networking before you start building your professional network for career and job search success.
When It Comes To Networking, Quality Is Better Than Quantity
With online networking, it's easier to meet people and add them to your professional network. But, if you're connected with hundreds or even thousands of people on LinkedIn, how many of those people do you actually talk to on a regular basis? How many of those connections do you have an actual professional relationship with?
As you build your professional network, remember that quality is always better than quantity. What good is it to have a lot of connections if they're not providing you with any value, and you're not providing them with any value either?
One of the aspects of an effective job search strategy we teach at Work It Daily is the interview bucket list, which is a list of the top 10-20 companies you'd love to work for. With an interview bucket list, you are able to conduct a targeted job search by proactively trying to network your way into those companies through reaching out to current or past employees. This means the quality of your connections will be better than if you were just connecting with a bunch of random hiring managers and other professionals not directly related to your job search or career goals.
Online Networking Is About Connection
You might not like the idea of online networking because you think it's all about asking for favors, but this couldn't be further from the truth.
Strategic networking is about connection. Effectively building your professional network revolves around connecting with others through common experiences, interests, and goals. Think about it. That's how you build relationships, right? That's how you make friends. So, the foundation of every relationship, including professional relationships, is connection through those things. It is not about asking for favors. It is not about the give and take.
Once you connect with someone and establish a relationship with them, you want to consistently provide them with value—you want prove yourself to be a valuable connection and person to have in their network. You do this by sharing relevant content, introducing them to other connections, and offering your support. It's only after you establish a relationship with someone in your network that you'll ask them for a favor, and feel comfortable doing so. And they won't hesitate to help you out because they know you'd do the same for them. That type of relationship is only possible through genuine connection.
A Strong LinkedIn Profile Makes A Big Difference
Most of your online networking will probably happen on LinkedIn, the popular social networking platform for professionals of all ages and skill levels. Not only is a strong, optimized LinkedIn profile a crucial tool in your job search, but to your peers, it also helps you seem like a credible person in your industry—a person someone would want to connect with and learn more about.
To optimize your LinkedIn profile so you stand out as someone with authority and credibility in your industry (and also as an active member on the platform) add keywords to your headline, fill out your "About" section, and change your profile photo to a photo where you look professional, yet approachable.
If you're trying to build your professional network on LinkedIn, remember that when you're networking on that platform your LinkedIn profile is someone's first impression of you. Make sure it's a good one.
Want More Networking Opportunities?
Now that you know how important networking is and you're ready to overcome your networking fears, you might be wondering where to find the best networking opportunities.
Well, good news!
With a Work It Daily subscription, you get access to our one-of-a-kind professional community with unlimited networking opportunities!
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We All Have Numbers
For those in sales who are responsible for meeting quotas on a regular basis, coming up with quantifiable achievements is easier for you than it is for most professionals. A quick peek into an online CRM tool or your own sales tracking are likely to reveal stats and rankings against your peers. For those not in sales, don't worry. Numbers exist—albeit a bit hidden as percentages, fractions, and so on.
Digging Up Numbers
Take a step back and think about your goals for the past month, quarter, or even year. Here are eight questions to get you thinking.
- Did you save money? By how much?
- Did you save time? How long did a task take before or after?
- Did your company grow? Is it bigger in terms of employees, number of locations, or profitability?
- How is morale? Have you contributed to more people staying versus jumping ship?
- How many people have you promoted?
- Interface with more clients or prospective leads than you used to?
- Did you finish a project more quickly and with less money than projected?
- Did you negotiate savings with a vendor? How does this benefit your team or organization?
Turn your answers into figures ideally suited for a well-optimized, achievement-driven resume.
Numbers Are Everywhere
Whether you alone can take credit for an achievement or it makes sense to share accolades with your team, there are quantifiable achievements everywhere you look in your career. If your role contributed in a small way to a much larger success, capture that story using numbers. Your work history will take on new meaning. Everything can (and should) be quantified. The results are sure to resonate with readers in a compelling way. If something can't be quantified, it doesn't belong on your resume. Remember that the next time you're trying to fluff it up.
If you're doing your job right, you're either saving or making your company money. You are accomplishing something quantifiable at work. So, transform those everyday tasks on your resume into resume-worthy quantifiable achievements today and see how much of a difference it makes in your job search!
Need more help with your resume?
Check out our FREE resources page!
Or, join our career growth club today and get access to one-on-one career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, online tutorials, and unlimited networking opportunities—all in your back pocket!
If you want FREE career advice in your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily Dose!
Struggling to find the right job?
Check out Work It Daily's Incredible Companies page to see snapshots of companies hiring. Work It Daily also highlights job opportunities on a daily basis on TikTok.
This article was originally published at an earlier date.
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I like to think about it in running terms. Hustle culture would have you believe that you can sprint forever. But that isn't possible. At some point, your legs are simply going to give out and hurl you face-first into the ground. Intentional hustle, on the other hand, is like doing a 100-yard dash a few times. You have a goal, you meet it, and then you have a bit of time to rest and reset. The important thing here: it's sustainable.
Achieve Balance
If you are working too much, not only are you not spending enough time with friends and family, but you are also robbing yourself of opportunities to take on projects that will benefit your career in the long run. Burnout is real and so is your body's need for sleep and self-care.
Sleep is a magical thing. A study done in 2018 by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found those who reported getting 5 to 6 hours experienced 19 percent more productivity loss, and those who got less than 5 hours of sleep experienced 29 percent more productivity loss when compared with those who regularly got 7 to 8 hours of sleep.
To see the full results of the study click here.
Discover Your Flow
You'll notice that there are different levels of stress and flow in your work and life. It's not about finding a perfect balance between the two, but rather finding the sweet spot for you. You need to understand what makes you flourish and what drains you, so you can plan your days and projects and accordingly.
Planning well and taking notice of what you enjoy will allow you to steer your free time and career towards projects and learnings that light you up. Hustle on things that make you happy. It is harder to burn out doing things that you truly enjoy.
Slow Down
When you work too hard, you miss out on the nuances of the world that matter the most to you. You can see a beautiful sunset and not even notice it if you're racing to get done with a project at work. Conversely, when you stop working so hard, you have time to enjoy life's little pleasures, recharge, and be present for the people in your life.
There are so many awe-inspiring things and people out in the world, but you have to look up from your screen to see it all. As a creative, I know without a doubt that my work gets stronger when I take the time to meander and explore the world around me.
Being intentional with how you choose to hustle is the key. A strong work ethic is incredibly valuable, but the idea of ambition as a lifestyle, not so much.
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Here are five tips on how to approach people you don't know, or don't know very well, and what you can say to get them to connect with you on LinkedIn:
1. Have A Reason To Connect
Don't send a blank (or default) invitation to connect. It's unlikely that the person you're trying to connect with will accept it.
If it's a hiring manager who interviewed you, but you didn't get the job, it may still be a relationship worth maintaining. Your message could say, "Thank you for the interview opportunity. I would love to be considered for future positions that come up and have you as a professional connection no matter where we may possibly cross paths again."
The act of simply taking the time to write a personal message with your invitation makes you worthy of consideration.
2. Share What You Have In Common
In your LinkedIn connection request, find ways to form an instant bond by sharing what you have in common. For example, when you're both a member of the same group, club, or volunteer organization, it's easier to approach the individual.
People also want to know or be reminded of how you know them or found them. So, you can say something like, "I'm also a member of XYZ on LinkedIn. I noticed you're the head of the marketing department at 123 Company, and I was hoping you could share some advice to how you got started in your career because I'm looking to pursue a similar path."
This approach is less likely to come off like a cold call. If there are other things you have in common, like a similar education or background, share that as well.
3. Mention A Mutual Acquaintance
Whenever possible, it's easier to start an introduction with the help of a mutual acquaintance. After the help of an introduction, it's up to you to build rapport.
If you connect with someone who works for a company you want to work for, you may consider a message like, "I'm a former colleague of John Smith, who's told me a lot about you and your work. I'm considering a position at 123 Company. Would you mind if I ask you some questions related to your experience with the application and interview process?"
The saying, "It's not what you know. It's who you know," has never been truer. Take advantage of your current connections and use them to expand your professional network today.
4, Don't Ask For A Job On First Contact
Avoid sending your resume on first contact, or asking if your new connection knows of any job openings at their company. Your first message to a new connection should focus on starting a conversation, and you can effectively do that by asking for general advice rather than requesting for a job.
Also, remember to keep questions open-ended so you can build conversation, not end it.
5. Congratulate And Give Recognition
Who doesn't like to be greeted with a nice word of recognition like "Congratulations on the recent award!" or "Great article! I found it really insightful"? It informs the individual you admire their work, making it easier to get their attention and find a reason to connect with you.
If you're already connected, giving kudos to this person will strengthen your relationship and make them more willing to help you in your career.
Having a good network of connections is NOT about quantity, but the quality of the people and the strength of the relationships. Take the time to really evaluate who is worth connecting with, and when you do try, have a compelling reasons to why you want to connect with them so they will sincerely consider your request.
Need Help With Your LinkedIn Profile?
Every professional needs a well-optimized resume and LinkedIn profile if they want to build their professional network and stand out to hiring managers and recruiters. If you're applying to jobs and not seeing results, your LinkedIn profile and resume could be holding you back.
Thankfully, getting the help you need doesn't have to be expensive. Get your resume & LinkedIn profile reviewed by a Work It Daily coach today!
For a LIMITED TIME ONLY, take $30 off our Resume & LinkedIn Review package when you use the code: FALL30.
This post was originally published at an earlier date.
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