Technology and Employment News and Information, Tips and Techniques

Technology and Employment News and Information, Tips and Techniques

Archive for category Let’s Chat

These Boots Were Made For Walking…by Joshua Kreig

Nov 19

Posted by withinthecode in Career Change, Guest Writers, Interview Tips, Job Search, Let's Chat | No Comments

Joshua Kreig @ Recruiting Now Inc.(You are marching into big bosses office, jumping up on the desk, laughing like the Mad Hatter, and relieving yourself in the midst of a big sissy fit!! Oh the glorious drama. HA! HA! HA! … BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!)

  • “I hate to wake up in the morning knowing I have to go to work.”
  • “I no longer feel challenged at my job.”
  • “I don’t even like this line of work.”
  • “I need more money.”
  • “My colleagues are getting on my nerves.”

Any of that sound familiar? Maybe it is time to think of a career change. More than likely it is a combination of factors causing your discomfort. It is important to maturely assess the situation, plan and then act. Barbara Woodward, a monster.com career guru, advises, “Career movements are challenging and require a certain amount of logistical preparation. Carefully consider the move you are about to make. Ensure that any move is part of how you have defined what it is you want to achieve.”

Assess
Often we are unsatisfied with our jobs because we are no longer feeling challenged, both professionally and personally. A situation that started out exciting has begun to pale with the routine, hidden requirements and hoop leaping. Sometimes we enter jobs for the financial freedom they promise rather than the creative opportunities. Maybe we feel we are no longer financially compensated enough for the quality and quantity of work we are being asked to produce, especially when we look around and see others being treated better or reaping more rewards. Would more money make you happier? Many people work five hell-days to play the two they have off.

Maybe you are in a position to renegotiate the terms of your job to make it more fulfilling or less stressful: a transfer from one department to another, or a little more cash, or benefits. Sometimes a leave of absence or vacation is all that is necessary to recharge the batteries.

Are there personality conflicts that you feel you cannot overcome? Our colleagues greatly influence our happiness. Are there processes within the management structure to aid conflict resolution between staff? Have you tried to resolve these conflicts to no avail?

(Click here for the full version of this article by Joshua Kreig at Recruiting Now Inc – News and Views)

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Women in Business…by Janet Hanson, 85 Broads

Nov 19

Posted by withinthecode in Let's Chat | No Comments

Hi Janet, Thank you for taking the time to chat with us.
  1. Can you provide our readers with just a brief summary as to how 85 broads came along? And when you began?
    When I left Goldman Sachs in 1993, I was really tremendously sad that there was no easy, efficient way for me to stay connected to my friends and colleagues at the firm. I know this sounds like the Stone Age, but “back then” there was no internet or cell phones — the only way I could stay connected to my GS friends was to call them on the telephone or write them a letter or get in my car and drive down to 85 Broad Street. 85 Broads was founded in 1997 but it wasn’t until we “dot-commed” the network in 1999 that our members were really and truly globally connected. Hands down, this was one of the most exciting moments of my entire life.
  2. What would you say is the “star attraction” or more direct, how would women benefit from becoming a part of 85 Broads? Why would women today want to join an organization such as 85 Broads? Great question. One thing the media has not picked up on (yet) is that as women get older, they “prune” their network of relationships. They primarily focus on their immediate family, their colleagues, and on an intimate circle of friends. I think what is so awe-inspiring about 85 Broads is that we the antithesis of “pruning” – we encourage women to connect with other fascinating women who will enrich their lives and expand their knowledge base in a way that probably haven’t done since college or graduate school. In essence, I think the “star attraction” of being a member of 85 Broads is to find new opportunities every single day to inspire and be inspired and to stay in the game!
  3. Since the inception of 85 Broads, is there any one event or even connection that stands out that reaffirms for you, 85 Broads was one of your best endeavours.
    An event we had a few years ago that featured Wendy Kopp, founder and CEO of Teach for America; Jacqueline Novogratz, founder and CEO of Acumen; and Linda Rottenberg, founder and CEO of Endeavor. All 3 of these women are so amazing in their own right but together they rocked the house! Also any event that Susan Payne has spoken at! Susan runs our London chapter and is the CEO of her own hedge fund, Emergent Asset Management. She is also immensely proud of her Canadian citizenship!
  4. What would you say to women out there now who are looking for example to start a new business, take on a new career, follow their academic dreams but may have those infamous “fears of change or new beginnings”?
    The first thing I would tell them to do is read “More Than 85 Broads” which features 95 amazing members of our network who are true trailblazers! It’s an amazing book! My other piece of advice is to work with the smartest, most ethical, and most optimistic people.
  5. One last question Janet, what future growth do you see occurring for 85 Broads or would like to see?
    I have had the most amazing life. My “formal” career ended when I left Lehman Brothers in 2007. But instead of just finding happiness in my two kids and my two dogs, I wake up every day knowing that I’ll have the incredible good fortune to “meet” dozens of fantastic women who have just joined 85 Broads from all over the world! Most people would no doubt be surprised to hear that I actually approve every single application submitted for membership! The women who join the network might be in college or they might be the CEO of their own company – that is what is so amazing – I have been inspired and empowered by women from all different walks of life. Each one, in their own special and unique way, is an absolute rockstar. That is why I created this network – I don’t ever want to wake up one day and not be inspired!
Janet, thank you for sharing your thoughts with our readers and at Recruiting Now we also look forward to promoting and supporting 85 Broads as a means for women to connect, mentor and share their knowledge and support.
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Women in Technology – A casual Conversation with Anya Galkina, Web Design Guru.

Aug 9

Posted by withinthecode in Let's Chat | No Comments

Hi Anya, Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with us.

  1. How many years have you been working in web design? 
    Proud maker of the Internet since1999! When I was starting out, Wired Magazine was really excited about the fact that HTML lists could now display bullets. It’s amazing how the technology has evolved. Now there are people walking around who don’t remember a world without the Internet

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  2. What currently are your main areas of specialization? 
    Digital design and communication. The Internet is an incredible tool. I see design and communication in terms of storytelling, and telling a story online is the richest way I can think of doing it. Seeing how far the online medium can be pushed is one of the biggest thrills I know. Aside from coming up with creative ideas, I also love learning more about the technical side of things, and solving techie brain teasers – it’s a very different challenge than thinking about communication strategy, but it is a lot of fun as well.

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  3. What are some of the significant changes you have seen in technology over the past few years – are there any that stands out for you? 
    What really stands out is how the technology has transformed every aspect of our lives. I am not surprised that people working in IT and digital communication come up with innovative stuff all the time – one of the things I love about the industry is how many brilliant people I get to work with. What astounds me is that this technology has become a part of the fabric of our lives to a degree I honestly did not anticipate when it was in its early stages. From using a smartphone GPS to navigate an unfamiliar city in real time to live reporting on world events via Twitter, it’s become everything we take for granted about our daily lives. It’s redefined the music industry, media and publishing, retail, work, socializing – everything. I am watching what’s coming next with great anticipation!

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  4. You are currently studying in Los Angeles – what program are you studying?  
    In addition to being a professional and passionate web nerd, I am also a fine artist. Right now I am taking something of a sabbatical and studying classical painting and drawing at a couple of LA schools: the Art Center College of Design and the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art. I never realized that aside from being a shopping, partying and fashion mecca, LA is also a hotbed of incredible art schools and world-renowned teachers of drawing and painting. This is because of the presence of animation and film studios, where concept artists and character designers are in serious demand. In LA, drawing skills are a thing of prestige on par with a really impressive car.

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  5. How would you say your current profession and current path of study intertwines or contributes to one another? By this I mean do you find that one benefits your perception of another?   
    I see some similarities in the work culture of the LA art students and the world of web design – everyone is driven, determined to be the best and passionately in love with knowledge and with what the medium of choice can do. Basically, I traded one nerd circle for another!Having a balance between my art and design passions enriches my work in each of them. Art nurtures creativity that is essential in being a good designer. And design has taught me a professional attitude towards my work and pride in my skills – and importantly, the knowledge of how to market myself online, which I can’t wait to apply now that I have a window of time to do it.

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  6. With your many years of work experience within a technology based field – have you ever felt that challenges do exist there for women working in technology or business? Have you ever encountered such challenges and if so how?  
    Absolutely. On one hand, the technology field is great in that skills and experience trumps everything – the key thing is to be able to get the work done, so prejudice often has to take a back seat to the simple realities of meeting a deadline. On the other, even though we have come a long way, we still have a way to go, in terms of resolving problems of male privilege in the developed world. 
    The power players and decision-makers in industries using IT services – big business, advertising and government – are men, by a huge majority. This scenario tends to be one where the big cheeses don’t mind using women’s skills and labour, but are not willing to share the driving seat with them. I have seen women groomed and promoted for positions of power, but it is not a given the way it is with male workers, and the higher you climb, the fewer women you’ll see. A woman who wants recognition in the form of power will have to fight against a general tendency of exclusion.  
    My own personal strategy has been to support my women colleagues as much as I possibly can, whether it’s in the form of encouragement, sharing my networking connections and leads, or help with a technical problem. Banding together is a very powerful tool.

 

Thanks again Anya, enjoy your time in LA and let us know when we can welcome you back in Toronto.

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Coming Soon…Let’s Chat

Jul 1

Posted by withinthecode in Let's Chat | No Comments

Let’s Chat will be a very exciting and interactive forum whereby we interview industry leaders, clients, specialists and post the results of the interview for all our readers to review.  Some of our posts will be based in an engaging format, while others will be articles and discussions by our guest writers.

This is one of my favorite sections as it not only allows us to provide our readers with new and dedicated information from our industry specialists, but it also provides us with amazing new opportunities to grow and expand our own in-house knowledge base. This way we can provide even better assistance and services to both our clients looking to hire great people and our Candidates who are looking to work with great companies.

To us, this is a wonderful example of  what a “win-win” concept should truly convey.

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