How to Find a Good Boss

Having done my rounds in many different industries – from washing dishes to working in an office environment – I know that finding the ideal boss can be as difficult as an Antarctic expedition. However, HotJobs has compiled a handy little list to see if your boss is actually on your side.

1. Does your boss showcase your work?
2. Does your boss solve problems?
3. Does your boss let you complete your work?
4. Does your boss listen to your suggestions?
5. Does your boss treat you and your co-workers equally?

Understanding the Inner Workings of the Office Introvert

I found this article very interesting because it hit on a lot of issues that I haven’t heard discussed before. You see, I would consider myself an introvert, and have often faced the problems laid out here.

Introverts are often perceived as antisocial, shy, slow, and unenthusiastic. However, this couldn’t be any more untrue. Pamela Braun, a Champlin, Minnesota-based career counselor states that “the introvert, processing internally, often has as much going on inside as the extrovert is demonstrating on the outside."

So how do you relate to an office introvert? Here are some suggestions:

Think Before We Talk: "Colleagues and bosses need to realize that introverts often don't know what they think immediately, and that they need time to think things through before coming to a conclusion," says Joe McHugh, vice president of executive services for the Edina, Minnesota, office of Right Management Consultants. So, McHugh stresses, it's critical to "circle back to introverts after they've had some time to consider things."

Recharge (Alone): "Don't assume that an introvert lunching alone is lonely," says New York City-based business communications consultant Nancy Ancowitz, who coaches introverts on self-promotion strategies. What seems like loneliness might be an introvert's private recharging time.

Play to Our Strong Suits: Introverts are often great researchers, writers and strategizers, and they're also "inclined to be good listeners," says Ancowitz. So when you need someone patient, persistent, focused and methodical to oversee a project, chances are you'll find a great candidate in your workplace introvert.

Interruptions - Everybody's Got 'Em

Everyone gets busy on the job. You’ll have a computer screen full of documents that you’re working on simultaneously, an inbox full of unread e-mails, three phone lines ringing, and someone standing impatiently in front of your desk.

Office technology makes everything seem more urgent. However, writer Anya Martin offers some concrete advice to pushing through the interruptions.

Martin suggests taking the following steps to putting the productivity back into your workday.

1. Prioritize
2. Be Polite
3. Silence Socializers
4. Turn Your Desk Around
5. Multitask
6. Do It Now
7. Turn It Off
8. Race Away from the Rush

Hopefully if you take these into consideration your day will be… hold on a second, the phone’s ringing.

Tips for First-Time Managers

Some may see it as a blessing, and others a curse, but at one point or another in your career you may find yourself in a management position. The best thing to do if you find yourself teetering on the top rung of the ladder is not to panic. Joyce LeMay, the department chair of business and human resource programs at St. Paul, college offers up some tips to thwart you from devolving into Bill Lumbergh in your new role.

According to LeMay, the key to thriving in each new position is to keep learning. "New managers need to be patient as they build their skill level in all areas of management," she says. "Mentors are key to improving the success of new managers." In addition to finding a mentor, LeMay also offers these words of advice.

• Take time to understand the business in which you are operating.
• Develop time-management skills.
• Practice active listening skills.
• Know how to motivate and lead employees.
• Continue your own training and development.
• Don’t stay isolated in the office.
• Don’t pretend you know all the answers.
• Don’t take all the credit.
• Don’t expect employees to be perfect.
• Learn to delegate effectively.

So, m’yeah, if you could just go ahead and follow this advice, that would be great… m’kay?