Work Avalanche

Distraction- the Key to Greater Focus from The Edge

Work Avalanche — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:09:02 +0000

Distraction has a negative connotation in our work obsessed, productivity-minded culture. We view focus as the key to workplace success, and feel that by being focused and harnessing shear will power, we can muscle our way through the task at hand. A recent blog on HBR.org, however, turns that notion on its head, and suggests that the relationship between focus and distraction is really much more nuanced.

The blog cites a 1960’s psychological experiment involving children and marshmallows to illustrate the critical role that distraction plays with respect to the exercise of self-restraint. In the experiment, children were presented a single marshmallow, but told that they would be given another if they could wait 20 minutes before eating the first. The vast majority of research subjects could not wait more than 3 minutes. Those that were able to wait the full 20 minutes were able to do so not by focusing on not eating the marshmallow, but by distracting themselves from their desire to eat the marshmallow altogether.

It turns out that controlled distraction is an important ingredient of self-restraint. To be successful and “stay the course”, professionals must utilize techniques similar to those employed by the research subjects who successfully delayed gratification. This has never been more important than now. We live in uncertain times. The more we pay attention to cable news or fret about the uncertainties of the economy the more anxious we become, and the less able we are to focus on the things that are really within our control. So next time you find yourself anxious about something beyond your control, instead of obsessing about it, exercise the art of distraction. Read a book, host a dinner party, or do something fun with your kids. Distractions such as these will help you keep the unproductive and potentially self-destructive impulses of the moment at bay, so that you can focus on what’s really important.

Suzanne Meiler presentation on Thinking “Out of the Box” by Debra Hooper

Work Avalanche — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:31:54 +0000

Suzanne Meiler, guest speaker and former Alumni of Living Arts College, presented an “Out of Box” discussion on how to make it as a professional in the game industry. Meiler comes from an extensive background in environmental modeling having over 10 years experience in the game industry working for conglomerates such as Random Games, Red Storm Entertainment, Destineer/Atomic Games and most recently with Vaco as a Director of Design and Gaming recruiting top industry professionals. She has focused on managing a large team, hiring, scheduling, performing art critiques, and producing documentation.

“Don’t be a Jack of all trades and master of none.” – Suzanne Meiler

Working in either motion pictures or the game industry requires practice by exploring your art skills, whether it is traditional painting, life or architectural drawing. Whatever it takes to improve your skill set to be prepared in your field, just do it! Focus on one specific genre and explore texture, lighting and prop layouts. What is most important is that you stand out and have the work to prove it! Think out of the box by making your own iPhone application or work with other students to design a game.

“Don’t burn bridges.” – Suzanne Meiler

Wherever you work, keep good ties with former supervisors and colleagues. Forming working relationships can help build your experience in the workplace and open up other opportunities down the road.

When developing your portfolio what message are you sending to potential employers?

Below is Suzanne’s Checklist on Portfolio Basics

1) If you are an environment artist, have examples on your website. A CD/DVD is nice, but having a website is more important.
2) Make sure when building your website you have a clean header, it is easy on the eye and your work speaks for itself.
3) Attach your demo reel on your website link, NOT your blog.
4) Create a menu that is easy to navigate.
5) Present a variety of skills with a focus.
6) Design your website using media other than Flash. Industry professionals can view websites on their iPhone and it will not upload if the website is designed in Flash.
7) Separate your personal blog from your professional website.

Networking can increase your chances of finding a job by joining organizations such as IFFA, Game Initiative, GDC and E3. Facebook, LinkedIn and other industry related social media websites have also had a great impact in the digital media world.

“Preparing a resume, building a portfolio and networking are top priorities to land a job in the industry.” says Meiler. Writing a resume is not always easy, so take a step back and think about what you want, do research on potential employers and write a resume that sells.
When applying for jobs, send an email or apply online, create a cover letter which is brief and to the point, research information about the company and read the job postings carefully. Write a list of questions an employer would ask and be prepared to ask questions regarding the position. And last but not least, follow up with the employer with a thank you letter.

“Suzanne was spot on. She cares about this industry and she cares about our students. Suzanne said exactly what the students needed to hear. It showed through her presentation. She illustrated her points accurately and eloquently using her experience in the industry and her position now as a recruiter. “ – Kwame Hawkins

Meiler provided students a glimpse of what to expect in the world of animation in the game industry and ended the discussion with questions from the students. She is most notable for the environment designs on AAA titles such as the Ghost Recon series, Rainbow Six, and Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2. At Atomic she worked on the highly anticipated and controversial game Six Days in Fallujah.

Original Blog from My Creative Mentor

How to take charge of your career — and take it to the next level by The Edge

Work Avalanche — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:49:34 +0000

How to Make a Difference in 2010
After fending off a near collapse in the financial markets and hanging on through the throws of “The Great Recession,” the close of the calendar year offers an opportunity to turn the page and consider what we can do to lead change and make a positive difference in the New Year. A recent blog on HBR.org suggests four high-level ways to make a difference in 2010, regardless of your position:

Be imaginative. Change requires adaptability and creative-thinking. Think big and encourage co-workers and those working under you to do the same. Champion creative ideas that merit attention.
Be relevant. Consider how your organization or department serves its clients and other stakeholders, and reflect on what you can do to deliver more value. If you have people working under you, make sure they understand how their role impacts the value proposition and encourage them to seek out opportunities for improvement.
Be specific. To lead change, you have to be able to make vague aspirational goals and big picture ideas specific by laying out concrete objectives.
Be actionable. Manage productivity by breaking large projects into smaller actionable parts. Delegating clearly defined tasks will help you increase accountability and efficiency.

For other AICPA Newsletters

Photo Source: ideallist.org

Generational Titles- are you Millennial, Xer, or a Boomer? survey results from the Pew Research Center

Work Avalanche — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:51:19 +0000

Generational names are the handiwork of popularculture. Some are drawn from a historic event;others from rapid social or demographic change;others from a big turn in the calendar.

The Millennial generation falls into the thirdcategory. The label refers those born after 1980 –the first generation to come of age in the newmillennium.

Generation X covers people born from 1965through 1980. The label long ago overtook the firstname affixed to this generation: the Baby Bust. Xersare often depicted as savvy, entrepreneurial loners.

The Baby Boomer label is drawn from the greatspike in fertility that began in 1946, right after theend of World War II, and ended almost as abruptlyin 1964, around the time the birth control pill wenton the market. It’s a classic example of ademography-driven name.

The Silent generation describes adults born from1928 through 1945. Children of the GreatDepression and World War II, their “Silent” labelrefers to their conformist and civic instincts. It alsomakes for a nice contrast with the noisy ways of theanti-establishment Boomers.

Pew Research Center Complete Report

Photo Source: Marcin Wichary

Six Questions to Ask During Your Next Job Interview from The Edge

Work Avalanche — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:24:21 +0000

While it is common for job candidates to approach interviews as if they are one-way interrogations, interviewers are looking for more than a few good answers. The questions that you ask your interviewer can be as much a determinant of your success as how you respond to theirs. A recent post on FINS.com, details six favorable traits you can convey by asking the right questions:

Career Focus: Asking about your career path and how you will be able to grow within the organization shows that you are focused, forward-thinking, and eager to grow.
Client Focus: Client-service is the bread & butter of public accounting. Asking about the organization’s client base and the industries in which they operate, shows that you understand the importance of a firm’s relationship with its clients and are eager to understand their needs.
Profit-Mindedness: Asking about the organization’s revenue expectations and taking the opportunity to share your accomplishments demonstrates business savvy and an entrepreneurial flair.
Knowledge of the Culture: Many organizations work hard to establish and maintain a strong corporate culture. Ask questions that demonstrate recognition of the importance of culture and a genuine desire to fit-in.
Technical Expertise: Accountants operate in a highly complex and constantly changing regulatory environment. Asking how recent legislation or evolving standards are likely to impact the company conveys that you understand that environment and are up to speed on the latest developments.
Interest: Clarifying next steps at the end of an interview conveys genuine interest in the position and demonstrates a proactive mindset.

Additional AICPA information.

Photo Source: doostangblog

“What am I doing wrong?” 5 Tips to Help You Land Your Next Job Faster by Scott Gordon

Work Avalanche — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:30:55 +0000

Entering an interview as early as one year ago you assumed that you would come away knowing that you’ve got what it takes to do the job you were applying for. Today I hear more and more job seekers ask the question, “What am I doing wrong? I know I can do this job. Why can’t I get hired?

Before the bottom fell out of the global economy it was safe to say that if you had 60% to 70% of the listed requirements on a job description that you had a decent chance of being hired. Back then, the market was thin on talent and some employers found themselves grateful to have found someone that could do the job, albeit with partial abilities.

Below are 5 simple tips that will put your job search in the fast lane.

Tip #1

Don’t embellish on your resume

Lying on a resume is more obvious today that it ever was. I’m a recruiter – I expect to find something that you’ve listed but haven’t really done or done very little of. Don’t. We were always told that it’s perfectly OK to “fib a little” on your resume. Why do you list it if you know you don’t have that skill? I know why…because if makes your resume look stellar. It adds to the already glowing list of other things you’ve accomplished in your professional career. Psych 101 says that the things you’ve listed nearest the top of a resume and mentioned multiple times are the things you are more comfortable in doing. Most job seekers today are straining to add words and tasks so their resume looks better than their competition. It’s going to come back to haunt you, so don’t do it. Highlight what you are best at but also come clean when asked about something you’ve not done. Your candor will get your farther.

Tip #2

Don’t price yourself out of the market just because you think you deserve it more than the next person.

Trying to recover from a previous lay off by over pricing yourself today is a bad idea. Assume there are 15 other people applying for the same job. You must, must, must be more aggressive in this market. Pride is the 800lb gorilla – Let go of it and land the job even it means taking a small pay cut. The person that is next in line needs the job more than you. It’s not going to last forever and you’ll recover and be back to where you were soon enough.

Tip #3

Don’t apply for jobs that you know you can’t do.

If you are a Software Quality Assurance specialist, don’t apply for a Senior Director of Regulatory Compliance. Read the job description in full detail and only apply to the positions for which you have the skills. It feels good to send out a bunch of resumes but going through the motions isn’t going to get you a job any faster.

Tips #4

Apply once and follow up with an email to confirm receipt.

Sending 28 resumes to the same company won’t get you a call back any quicker than sending 1. My inbox fills up typically between 2am and 6am with multiple submissions of the same resume. The additional submissions are deleted. The contact management tools of today are smarter than you think and if you submit more than once, it’s automatically 86’d. Some CMS’s won’t allow you to submit more than once so make your first shot your best one. After submitting, send a simple email to the contact asking to confirm receipt. Most of the time you’ll get a reply. If you don’t….send another email. Recruiters today are averaging 150 to 300 resume submissions per day. It’s a lot to dig through and takes time, so be patient.

Tip #5

Use a Recruiter

I when I say use, I mean USE. Find a reputable recruitment firm and partner with them. Part of what I tell people today during interviews is that we are all in this together. It’s no longer a “Me – Tarzan, You – Jane” type of experience. Use their contacts, search with them vs. sitting at home waiting on a call. If you come across a job listing that fits your skill, call your recruiter and ask what they know about the company. There’s a better than average chance they’ll know someone on the inside that might be able to get you in the door faster. Word to the wise: If you don’t trust your recruiter, find another one. This is your career, this is how you put food on the table and this is how you pay your mortgage – don’t waste your time with someone that’s only in it for their own personal gain.

Photo Source: Nina Matthews

People Skills a Difference Maker – excerpt from the AICPA “The Edge”

Work Avalanche — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:37:36 +0000

Personality may not be the number one factor in a company’s decision to hire a CPA job candidate, but it’s becoming an important tie-breaker. In a recent survey conducted by Accountemps 31% of CFO respondents cited personality and interpersonal skills as the most important selection criteria when choosing between two evenly matched candidates. That’s a huge jump from 5 years ago when only 1% felt that people skills were most important.

Why the change? A recent article in the CPA Insider attributes the new-found emphasis on interpersonal skills to a shift in how finance departments are being positioned within their organizations, from operational necessity to strategic asset. This change in perception finds finance staff increasingly called on to collaborate with internal and external clients, placing a higher premium on effective communication skills.

To enhance your interpersonal communication skill set, look for opportunities to practice. Stay attune to the challenges of other teams. Listen to really understand the problem and present well reasoned solutions. Public speaking clubs like Toastmasters also provide numerous opportunities to present in front of an audience. Honing this often over looked competency will open opportunities and give you an edge when competing against other similarly qualified candidates.

Photo source: llawliet

The challenges of a May-December workplace By Anthony Balderrama

Work Avalanche — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:30:42 +0000

The standard workplace looks very different than it did a few generations ago. Technology alone has revolutionized the way most organizations function. Look beyond the contemporary furniture and laptops to see another difference: your boss. Gone is the image of your manager or boss as a curmudgeon with an ill-fitting short-sleeved, button-up, yellowing shirt with an askew tie. Today’s bosses look very different, and not just because they can wear jeans on casual Fridays.

According to a new CareerBuilder survey, 43 percent of workers 35 and older currently work for someone younger than them. For workers 45 and older, the figure climbs to 53 percent. And for the 55 and up group, the number leaps to 69 percent. While you can still think of many complaints to lob at your boss, the old standbys of “he should’ve retired 10 years ago” or “she’s been in the industry so long she’s lost her edge” are passé. Today’s bosses are young and far from retirement.

When asked if reporting to a younger boss was difficult, young workers expressed the most trouble. Here is the breakdown of workers who find taking orders from a younger boss difficult:

16 percent of workers 25-34
13 percent of workers 35-44
7 percent of workers 45-54
5 percent of workers 55 and older

What’s the problem and what can you do about it?
Are you one of these workers whose boss has fewer candles on the cake? If so, these complaints might sound familiar to you.

“They act like they know more than me when they don’t”
“They act like they’re entitled and didn’t earn their position”
“They play favorites with younger workers”

Experts over at PrimeCB, a site dedicated to career opportunities and guidance for mature workers, stress the importance of working together. We are talking about your career, after all, so ignoring your troubles won’t make life easier. Here are some ofPrimeCB’s tips:

Understand others’ point of view: You and your boss are coming from different points of views. You don’t necessarily share experience, education or work history. Neither of you is wrong—just different. So try to be open to the other person’s approach.

Adapt your communication: Whether you’re interacting with your boss, co-worker or direct report, you should always be mindful of what communication style is most effective. Many (though not all) younger workers favor new technology to communicate, such as IM and e-mail. Some older workers (though, again, not all) prefer to talk face-to-face or at least pick up the phone. Both parties should work to make communication go as smoothly as possible.

Keep an open mind:Neither you nor your boss is inherently right (or wrong) because of your age and work history, or lack thereof. Approach each other as two professionals and base all judgments on performance. Making assumptions about your boss because he looks like a high schooler or she’s the same age as your daughter doesn’t do you any favors.

Photo Source: Amateurgourmet

“The one thing all famous authors, world class athletes, business tycoons, singers, actors, and celebrated achievers in any field have in common is that they all began their journeys when they were none of these things. Yet still, they began their journeys.” Mike Dooley

Work Avalanche — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:25:22 +0000

Managing Entrepreneurial Stress… Even When You’re Not the Boss by The Edge

Work Avalanche — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:25:13 +0000

In today’s hierarchically flat, always-on work environment, more and more low- and mid-level managers are expected to manage their departments like small business owners, presiding over their own piece of the operational puzzle. And with post-crisis cutbacks and burgeoning work weeks, more and more of them are suffering the extreme stress and work-life tension common to entrepreneurs. The Wall Street Journal provides the following tips for managing stress when you are the boss:

Take Mental Health Time – Find innovative ways to leave the office behind. Indulge creative interests such as dancing, painting or cooking, or take some time to read a book, go for a walk, or soak in the tub.
Make Fitness a Priority – Build exercise into your routine. Studies show that exercise not only relieves stress, but also enhances creativity and improves self-esteem.
Eat Right – When we’re under pressure we tend to shortchange mealtime and rely heavily on unhealthy snack foods. Take time to have a sit-down meal, and keep healthy options such as carrot sticks, nuts and dried fruit on hand for those times you just can’t get away.
Get Your Rest – Wringing more productivity out of your day by skimping on sleep is unsustainable and can lead to memory loss, poor-multitasking and a host health problems. If stress is keeping you up, jot down a list of to-dos before bed, then spend a half hour relaxing, meditating or reading a book. Taking short naps during the day can also help.

Photo Source: Jacob Botter