February 2011

CareerTips

If You Can’t Be With the One You Love, Honey, Love the One You’re With!
By: Ann Golden

Remember that song? I never really liked that message, but in these times of high unemployment and limited opportunities, you might apply it to your current “job” situation, while you start working on Plan B, your career transition. Confidential clients come to us in just that scenario –employed and unhappy. There are times when the work environment is the problem, not the work. Sometimes that means a “toxic manager.” It could mean that you need coaching on the art of confronting. Sometimes, it could mean that you have simply chosen the wrong career and need to make a change for a happier and more productive work-life balance. So here are some tips if you are not happy in your current job:

Examine Your Reasons

It’s important to examine your reasons for seeking change. Nine times out of ten, individuals change careers because they are unhappy in their current position. Consider what is causing the unhappiness, look underneath the feelings/emotions. More often than not, people make sudden career change decisions motivated by emotion rather than logic. Emotions tend to cloud our judgment, and keep us from making an informed, calm, rational decision. Don’t let this happen to you. Before leaving your current position, take a look at why you wish to leave.

Continue reading here to gain valuable tips and information.

Toxic Managers
By Terry Hollon

Never has the saying “People join companies, but they leave managers” been more true. In today’s dynamic business environment, where rapid change is the norm, the immediate manager has become increasingly critical to employee satisfaction and, ultimately, retention.
For years, workplace research has consistently identified the employee’s relationship with his/her immediate manager as the primary driver of both satisfaction and retention. While a company’s reputation as a “good place to work,” product/service quality, pay and benefits package, and opportunity for advancement might attract employees, it’s the day-to-day interaction with their immediate manager that causes them to stay and remain motivated. Exit interviews conducted with thousands of employees who voluntarily left their organizations revealed that a “bad boss,” more recently dubbed a “toxic” manager”, is THE deciding factor in the decision to leave.

What Is a Toxic Manager? Click here to read more.

Share the Love ~ Volunteer!

Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers. There are non-construction opportunities. Please check the list below and see if you might be able to share your gifts with them.

February 19 – Materials Maintenance Workday
With the start of a new build season upon us, we have to ensure all our tools are in working order. We will also be sanding and repainting the scaffolding. Please sign up for this day on our volunteer scheduling website: VolunteerUp.
Experienced QuickBooks Volunteer
Our Construction Department has recently begun working with QuickBooks and needs someone with experience on this software that can provide some training, as well as help with some data entry on a weekly basis.
Development Data-Entry Volunteer
Our Development Department is getting busier and busier as donors are regularly being added to our donor base. Kyle Meleski and Larae Harvey would like to have someone help with data entry and implementation of other special projects. This person needs to be available 4-6 hours each week if possible.

For more information about any of these opportunities please contact Karen McDonald, Volunteer Coordinator at karenm@habitatgreenville.org or 864-672-6345

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

United Way agencies

Ready 4 Reading

Habitat for Humanity

Mauldin Miracle League

Greenville Literacy

Meals on Wheels

Greenville County Library System

American Cancer Society

Greenville Area Opportunities - searchable by category

Golden Career Strategies Speaks:
Recent Speaking Engagements & Sponsorships

Myles Golden conducted a workshop for The Commerce Club of Greenville on “Branding  for Membership Development and Retention” on January 6, 2011.

GCS ~ Silver Sponsor for GSATC (Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Technology Council)