Progress

 

Progress! On the home front we have the shingles dropped for the roof and are waiting for the permits to be approved.  It’s nice to see progression and a relief to get this process started. Our neighborhood is getting cleaned up slowly and everyone is in the process of repairing their homes.   

Workwise we felt a slowdown a few months before the election and heard about a lot of real estate construction projects being put on hold or scrapped and sold. Now I’m hearing that the market is freeing up. I’m hopeful that since we are past the election cycle we can all get back to work! 

Checking Out: Maui Style

I totally checked out for two weeks. I haven’t done that in 20 years – seriously 20 years. In this business it’s hard to totally walk away but this time I did - I ignored work completely. I focused on my family, our friends in Maui, playing in the water in Maui and totally enjoying life. It was fabulous! I came back re-energized - I was happy to be back recruiting! After 24 years recruiting - I was reminded of that via LinkedIn – ugh! - I think I needed a few weeks off to just fall off the work wagon and get refreshed. If you have the time to take, I highly recommend it! Go plan a vacation!!! 

A PSA on Professional Profile Pictures

1. No bathroom 'selfies'. Please, for the sake of my sanity and your integrity, do not post pictures of yourself in the bathroom on any social media sites. Or - as a rule of thumb - avoid taking pictures of yourself in the bathroom period.

2. No visible phones or cameras. It's unprofessional and, really, no one cares to see what model phone you have. It's quick and easy to ask someone to take a picture of you and the result will be received much better.

3. Ladies - NO cleavage. Sit up straight and wear a sensible and work-appropriate shirt in your picture. Unless you're being considered for a position at Hooters, employers do not need to see that. 

4. No props. Played football in high school? Great - ditch the ball in the picture. Caught a prize winning bass? Good for you we don't need to see it unless you are a boat captain. When it comes to posting on a platform for professionals, those sort of accomplishments do not need to be highlighted in your profile picture.

5. Look happy. People respond well to smiling. Companies want content and fulfilled people working for them. Find or take a picture with something you love - your kids, you pets, your partner - and crop them out. The picture will convey genuine happiness while maintaining professionalism.

Work at Work

I don’t write about my kids much in here.  I realized that while at work I’m supposed to be working, not doing kid stuff, and I think that stretched into my writing. So, even though my world is split between work and the kids/family -  I mostly write about work.  Work at work is easier than mom at work most days.  Although a few weeks ago I was volunteering for the school Carnival and my kid’s life spilled into work.  I enjoyed it.  It was fun to combine work and the Carnival – it livened up my already busy day. Who doesn't love a good Carnival? 

This Monday on the other hand was the opposite, having home spill into work wasn't fun. Our oldest kid came down the flu - the kind no one wants to get because it's brutal.  I spent Monday nursing a sick kid and attempting to work because I needed to check references on a candidate I placed. Yes, the references could have waited one day, but that’s not my personality. When I say I’m going to get it done – I get it done.  So, Monday was spent 80% on my kid and 20% of the day getting my work done.  It wasn't perfect but it worked out.  He’s healthy now and the references are checked and tomorrow he’s off to his last 3 days of school. 

My Splitworld sometimes goes 80/20, 50/50 or 100% depending on the day but the good thing is I've finally realized that it's OK not to feel like I need to be at 100% at all times because I still get  it all done!  It may be a bit unconventional but it works for me and my family. 

Photo credit goes to my friend Christy  - **Christienne Grey Photography 1760 Monrovia, Studio A Costa Mesa, CA 92627www.ChristienneGrey.com

House Rules

At my home we have house rules posted on the wall. These rules are simple but work and I thought they might apply in the work place too. So here is the home version and the work version:

Home:
Play don‘t hurt – not hitting, pinching, body slamming, tripping, etc.
Do as you are told.
No complaining/whining.
No name calling.
No foul language.
Be friendly and thoughtful.
Respect is earned, not given.

Work:
Play well for the team - don’t hurt the team.
Do what your boss asks you to do unless it’s illegal and unethical.
Find solutions to problems don’t complain about them.
No name calling. Has calling your co-worker a nasty name actually furthered your career?
No foul language – we all have better vocabulary than that. Do you really need to let out a f-bomb all the time?
Be friendly and thoughtful – works at the office too. It never hurts to be good to your team.
Respect is earned not given.