About Avery Partners

Avery Partners provides affordable knowledge and expertise in the IT, Finance / Accounting, and Healthcare sectors. Services include: Project Management, Human Capital Outsourcing, Management Consulting, and Staff Augmentation. The company has national capabilities and currently operates in over 20 states. We can reduce costs, eliminate hassles, increase service levels, and add value to each function we touch.

How to Get a Promotion Without Having to Ask for One

Are you interested in advancing within your company?  If you are, your first though may be to ask for a promotion.  Of course, it is more than possible for you to ask for a promotion, but do you know that they are not always well received?  For that reason, you may want to consider holding off on asking for a promotion.  Instead, you may want to take steps to get yourself noticed at work, in a good way.  In fact, you may even find yourself being presented with a promotion, without you ever having to ask for one yourself.

As nice as it is to hear that you may be able to get a promotion without ever having to ask for one, you may be unsure as to how you can go about doing so.  A few of the many steps that you can take to help you get a promotion are outlined below.  With that in mind, it is important to remember that there are no guarantees.  With some companies and supervisors you can, literally, be the hardest worker in the world and still never see a promotion in your life.  Although there are no guarantees when trying to acquire a promotion yourself, it is important to remember that you have nothing to lose.

One of the many ways that you can help increase your chances of getting a promotion is by taking the time to help out your other coworkers, especially when they may be having any complications or problems with a particular task.  Extending a hand is a great way to get yourself noticed.  If you are interested in receiving a promotion, it is likely that you would like to be in management.  Managers are not only required to develop project task lists for their team members, but they are also supposed to offer guidance and assistance when needed.  Should you take the time to offer that same guidance and assistance to your coworkers, you are more likely to find yourself being noticed by your supervisors.

Another way that you can work to improve your chances of receiving a promotion, without having to ask for one, is by taking part in any optional meetings. These meetings may include in person meetings, video meetings online, or business conference calls on the telephone.  Even if your attendance is not required, but is allowed, you will want to participate in these events.  Even if you choose not to speak a word, your in person attendance will likely be noticed. The information that you learn about your company in these types of business meetings may also help to improve your chances of receiving a promotion, as you may retain knowledge that other employees are currently unaware of or unconcerned about.

You can also improve your chances of receiving a promotion, without having to inquire about one yourself, by offering to work as much as possible.  This extra step is one that you may want to take; however, you should consider your current social and family life as well. If you are able to work extended hours, work on weekends, be on call, or log in as many overtime hours as possible, you may want to consider doing so.  Your presence in the office after hours will likely be noticed and taken into consideration when it comes time to hand out promotions.

Another one of the many steps that you may want to take, to help improve your  chances of getting a promotion without having to ask for one is offering to volunteer for any activities that may be associated with work, but not necessarily for work.  This best example of this is by volunteering to play on your company’s softball or volleyball team.  This simple action not only allows you to have fun and possibly make new friends, but it also gives you ability to say that you “fully,” support your company.  Volunteering for something that is associated with your company, without any pay, typically creates a good impression.

The above mentioned steps are just a few of the many ways that you can go about trying to get a promotion without having to ask for one.  In the end, if all else fails, you may want to consider examining your other options, such as inquiring about a promotion or seeking employment elsewhere.

How You Should Handle a Difficult Boss

Do you love your job, but not necessarily your boss?  If you have a difficult boss, your first impulse may be to quit your job.  Of course, the decision to quit your job because of your boss is your decision to make, but you shouldn’t put your future or your finances in jeopardy because of someone else.  For tips on how to handle difficult bosses, you may want to continue reading on.

One of the best ways to go about dealing with a difficult boss involves having an open line of communication, as often as possible.  You may be surprised how many conflicts and problems arise from miscommunication.  What you may interpret as a mean, mad, or upset boss, many actually just be the result of miscommunication.  Even if you aren’t required to update or report to your boss, you may want to consider doing so.  This is especially easy if you and your boss work in the same establishment.

Another one of the many ways that you go about handling a difficult boss involves keeping your opinions to yourself. As much as you want to, you will want to refrain from talking badly or gossiping about your boss.  Unfortunately, many individuals, possibly just like you, do not realize who talks to who or how fast word can travel.  If you and your supervisor already have a strained relationship, you will not want to make it worse with workplace gossip.

You can also try and improve your workplace relationship with your boss by extending an olive branch. You may want to go out of your way to be polite and offer assistance.  For example, you may want to consider offering to work late or offer your assistance for a project that may have a tight deadline.  Also, something as simple as saying hello or acknowledging your boss may be enough to improve their attitude or demeanor toward you.  You need to remember that working in management can be difficult.  That is what leads many managers to have the demeanor’s that they have.  Many feel as if they need to be professional and demanding, all at the same time.

If you have tried all of the above mentioned approaches and are still having problems dealing with your difficult boss, you may want to consider going over your supervisor’s head.  In most cases, you will find that your supervisor has someone that they need to report to.  While this approach may be able to help you deal with a difficult boss, it is important that you use your best judgment. You do not want to go above your supervisor with small problems, such as a rushed meeting.  Issues that you may want to bring to the attention of your boss’s supervisor include sexual harassment or multiple promotion denials.

Another approach that you can take involves quitting your job.  However, as stated above, you may want to refrain from doing so.  It is advised that you do not let another person, such as your boss, ruin your opportunity to have a good job or receive funds to pay yours bills and support your family. Before you make the decision to hand in your resignation, it is advised that you seriously consider your decision to quit, as well as the consequences for doing so.  If you are sure that resigning from your job is the best decision, you will want to do so in a pleasant and appropriate manner, no matter how you feel about your supervisor, and contact a recruiting company to help with your new job search.

How to Ask Your Employer About Working from Home

Do you love your job, but just not the people in which you work with or the workplace setting in general?  If your answer is yes, you may want to think about asking your employer if you can work from home.  Even if working from home is an idea that you do not feel your employer will support, you may still want to give it a try.  After all, inquiring shouldn’t cause any harm.

Before outlining how you can go about asking your supervisor if you can work from home, it is important to make sure that it would even be possible for you to do so.  This requires examining a number of different points. First, you will want to examine if it is even possible for you to work from home.  Can you complete all of your tasks and duties from home?  You will want to make sure that your job is something that you can even do from home. For instance, if you are a company greeter and your job involves greeting and directing all clients to the right department, you will likely be unable to perform your required tasks at home.

Secondly, you will want to examine if you have the equipment needed to work from home.  The equipment that you will need to work from home will all depend on your company, as well as your job tasks.  Although there will be some variances, you will likely need to have a business phone, business phone service, a copy machine, fax machine, a computer, and possibly even high speed internet.  If you do not already have these items in your possession, you will need to examine the cost of purchasing them.

Thirdly, you will want to examine your ability to work from home. As nice as it is to be able to work from home, you should know that working from home isn’t right for everyone.  You will want to make sure that you are able to stay focused and stay on task without supervision from your boss.  If you cannot do so or if you are unsure if you will have a problem, you may want to reconsider working from home.  Saying that you are more than capable of working from home, when you are actually not, can have dire consequences.  You may end up putting your job, as well as your good name in jeopardy.

If, after considering the above mentioned points, you think that you would be a good work at home candidate, you will want to work on your approach.  You will not want to ask your supervisor about working from home on an impulse.  You will want to carefully plan out your approach.  You want to so in a professional matter.  You should ask about working from home in a formal meeting that you have set up. Try and avoid asking your supervisor over the phone or in an email.

Before your scheduled meeting is to take place, you will want to make sure that you have “all of your bases covered.”  You will want to create a pros and cons list that you can use to outline both the advantages and disadvantages of working from home.  You should also have a good reason as to why you, in particular, want to work from home, as your employer will likely ask.

When asking your supervisor about the possibility of working from home, you will want and need to sell yourself.  That is why it is advised that you create a pros and cons list.  You will also want to prepare for this meeting with practice.  See if any of your friends or family members would like to play the role of your boss in mock meeting.  Practicing your approach may help to ease any nervousness that you may have.

How to Handle Difficult Coworkers

Do you love your job, but just not your coworkers?  If this is how you can describe your feelings about your job, you may want to continue reading on.  Unfortunately, when placed in a similar position, one that involves difficult or unruly coworkers, many individuals assume that their only option is to resign from their current position. Of course, it is more than possible for you to do so, but did you know that you do have other options?

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you have complications, problems, or a conflict with a coworker of yours, there are a number of different steps that you can take. These steps, which are outlined below, can help you retain your job and your income, which you may rely on to support your family.  If you have been looking for an easy way to deal with one or more difficult coworkers at your workplace, you will want to continue reading on.

Before examining ways in which you can handle or deal with difficult coworkers, it is important to remember that circumstances should be taken into consideration.  A small conflict may be one that you can handle on your own; however, more serious problems may call for more serious actions. With that in mind, one of the first things that you should do, when looking to deal with a difficult coworker, is speaking with them privately.

When speaking with a coworker that you have a problem with, you will want to be careful.  When this conversation takes place, should it ever, you will want to be as pleasant and as friendly as possible.  Many individuals do not realize that even a slight attitude can make a problem with a coworker much worse.  If you are frustrated with a coworker who can never seem to get a project completed on time, you may want to offer to help them create a schedule. If you have a problem with a perfume or cologne that a coworker may be wearing, you may first want to explain any health complications that you may be having due to the scent.

As previously stated, it is important to remember that there extenuating circumstances that should be taken into consideration. For instance, if you feel that a coworker of yours is harassing you, in a sexual way or not, you may want to refrain from speaking to them.  In certain situations like these, those who are unstable feed off of contact from you and others in your situation. To protect yourself from any harm, you may want to consider contacting your supervisor right away.

Speaking of contacting your supervisor, if you have discussed your problems with a coworker personally and you have not seen any positive changes, you may want to consider bringing your supervisor in on the issue. When doing this, you will want to use your best judgment.  If you regularly find yourself performing the duties and tasks for your coworker or if they mishandled important company documents, you should approach your supervisor without any question.  Smaller issues you may want to refrain from bringing your supervisor in on, as you may actually end up creating a bad impression of yourself.

The above mentioned steps are just a few of the many steps that you can take if you are having conflict or problems with one of your coworkers.  As a reminder, you are advised to use your best judgment when handling situations such as these.  If you do feel you need to find a new job, you may want to find a recruiting company to help.

Finding a New Job: How to Use Career Training to Your Advantage

Are you interested in changing careers or changing jobs?  If you are, your first impulse may involve automatically quitting your current job and going right out and applying for new jobs.  Of course, the decision is yours to make, but you may want to refrain from taking this approach, as there are no guarantees. Instead, you may want to take the time to find the perfect jobs to apply to, as well as use career training to your advantage.

As you likely already know, career training comes in a number of different formats.  In all honesty, career training typically caters to different careers.  For instance, if you are looking for a career in healthcare, you may be required to attend medical school, even just to receive certification for nursing. On the other hand, if you are interested in working as a secretary, your career training may involve courses that teach typing or office management skills. Although career training comes in a number of different formats, it can dramatically improve your chances of successfully changing careers or jobs.

As previously stated, career training courses come in a number of different formats. With that in mind, career training, no matter what classes or courses you take, is designed to help educate you on one particular career field, such as nursing, accounting, or office management.  Although career training courses can vary greatly, you often walk away with a large amount of skill and knowledge. In fact, depending on the career courses or classes that you take, you may be able to walk away with a degree or a certificate of completion. These are documents that you can give all prospective employers access to for verification of your training, knowledge, and skills.

One of the many reasons why career training can assist you when you are looking to change careers or even just jobs is because it can help you stand apart from your competition. Although career training is still popular today, not as many job seekers take advantage of it. This means that you can really use career training to your advantage. For instance, if you are interested in applying for a job as a secretary, you can take a few office management classes, typing classes, or computer software classes before you start applying for new jobs. By taking this approach, your job training is new and fresh. This not only gives you an advantage over those who do not have career training behind them, but it also gives you an advantage over those who received training a year or more ago.

As ideal as it is to hear that career training can offer you assistance, when looking to change jobs or careers, you may be curious as to how you go about getting that training, especially if you are still currently employed.  Career training is offered through a number of different centers, which are commonly referred to as career centers or vocational training centers. You may also be able to receive career training at your local community college.  What is nice about many of these establishments is that they offer affordable and flexible training classes and courses.  In fact, you will likely find that a good percentage of career training classes are taught at night or on the weekend. This is what essentially enables to you receive career training while still holding down your current job.

As outlined above, it is relatively easy for you to go about enrolling yourself in career training courses, for a wide variety of different career fields.  There are also a number of benefits to doing so. Of course, the decision as to whether or not you want to use career training to your advantage is your decision to make, but if you are serious about changing jobs or changing careers, it is something that you should seriously consider.  In all honesty, what do you have to lose by at least examining all of your options first?

Do You Need a New Job? Signs That You May

Would you like to change jobs or change the path of your career?  If you would, you are definitely not alone.  In the United States, millions of Americans wish that they could be working for another company or even working for themselves. Although many Americans wish that they could switch jobs, not everyone actually needs to. That is why you may be wondering if it is really in your best interest to find a new job.  To get your answer, you will want to continue reading on.

One of the many signs that you may want to consider looking for a new job is if you if regularly find yourself working overtime.  Although a little bit of overtime here and there is okay, as it can be considered a part of the job, you shouldn’t have to work overtime each and every single week or even everyday.  It is also important to mention overtime pay.  Do you receive time and a half or other compensation for your overtime hours?  If you are in a salary position, you may be being taken advantage of.  If you are putting in a ton of hours, but not receiving compensation for those hours, a new job may be in your best interest.

Another one of the many signs that you may want to consider searching for a new job is if you find it difficult to get time off from work.  Of course, when examining time off, it is important that you do not take advantage of the situation.  Regularly requesting time off from work because you “just don’t feel like working,” is not acceptable. With that in mind, if you need to take time off for medical illnesses or a family emergency, you should be granted that time off. Work is important, but you shouldn’t be asked to compromise the health of you or your family for it.  If you are being asked to do so, you may want to consider finding a new job.

The inability to move up the company ladder is another sign that you may want to think about finding a new job.  If you are interested in advancing in your company or have been trying to do so for some time now, but unsuccessfully, you may want to consider seeking employment elsewhere.  In today’s society, there are some situations where you can work as hard as possible and never receive a praise for your hard work, see a pay raise, or see a promotion.  You will want to try and avoid or get out of these types of situations at all costs.

Speaking of money, if you aren’t making enough money to support yourself or your family, you may want to consider searching for a new job. With that in mind, if your only choice is to make more money, you may want to first consider speaking with your supervisors.  It wouldn’t do any harm, especially if you are already interested in leaving the company, to ask for a pay raise. If you are able to see an increase in pay, you may want to consider staying at your current job.

In keeping with money, you will also want to examine the commute that you must make to and from your current job.  If you have a long expensive commute, it may be within your best interest to at least search for a new job.  Unfortunately, when accepting a new job, many individuals do not consider the commute to and from work.  If you are not careful, you may find yourself spending a large percentage of your time on the road or a large percentage of your income on gas.  If you are currently doing so, you may want to seek employment closer to home.

The above mentioned signs are just a few of the many signs that you may want to consider seeking employment elsewhere. To be honest, you really do not need a reason to quit your job.  With that in mind, should you wish to do so, it is advised that you use your best judgment.  This involves not quitting on impulse or without a solid plan in place.

Asked to Relocate? Questions You Should Ask Your Employer

Have you recently been asked by your employer to relocate?  If you have, you are facing a decision that more individuals are finding themselves faced with each year.  With many companies finding it difficult to financially survive in high cost living areas, many are choosing to relocate to areas where it is cheaper to operate a business.  If you find yourself being asked to relocate, there are a number of important questions that you should ask your employer before officially making your decision.

One of the many questions that you will want to ask your employer, if you have been asked to relocate, concerns the pay.  As previously stated, many companies are choosing to relocate to areas where it is cheaper to operate a business.  This often involves lower pay for employees.  That is why it is important that you determine what your pay will be. As a current employee, you shouldn’t be asked to take a reduction in pay, but there are no guarantees.

Another question that you will want to ask your current employer, if you are asked to relocate, involves your current position.  Are you working in management or do you hold another high position?  If you do, it is important that you determine if your position will stay the same or increase.  Relocating at the urging of your employer shouldn’t mean that you receive a reduction in status or a reduction in salary, but, as previously stated, there are no guarantees.  That is why it is important that you make sure you find out as much as you can about your new position before you officially decide to uproot your life or the life of your family.

In addition to asking about keeping your current position, should you decide to relocate for your job, you will also want to inquire about your expected duties. As previously stated, many companies use relocation as a way to save money.  This may also involve eliminating positions and having the remaining employees carry a larger workload.  If you would be expected to perform more duties, you may want to negotiate yourself a higher salary, but the decision is yours to make.  As a reminder, these are all questions that you should ask before you make the decision to relocate for your job or not.

Another one of the many questions that you will want to ask your employer, should you be asked to relocate for your job, concerns relocation expenses.  If you are not given a relocation option, you may want to find out if your employer will cover the cost of relocating for you or your family.  This financial assistance may not be great, but it may be enough to help cover your travel expenses or the costs of hiring a moving company.  Most employers will notify you upfront if they plan on assisting you with the cost of relocating, but, if not, it wouldn’t hurt to ask.

In addition to asking your employer the above mentioned questions, you may also want to take the time to learn as much about your relocation destination as possible.  You will want to focus on points such as the current real estate market and crime.  If you have children, you will want to examine the local school districts.  If you have a spouse, you may want to examine the current job outlook, to see if they would be able to find employment in the area, and so forth.

Are You Working a Dead-End Job? Signs That You May Be

Have you ever felt like you are working at a dead-end job?  If you think that you are, you are definitely not alone.  With that in mind, just because you think that you may be working a dead-end job, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are.  However, if you would like a little bit of proof or verification, you may want to continue reading on.

One of the many signs that you may be working a dead-end job is if you find yourself in the same position, for years and years.  If you were hired with the intention of no advancement, your current position may be fine for you. With that in mind, if you have goals and have yet to see those goals accomplished, it may be a sign of a dead-end job.  You should never have your work go unrewarded, especially if you were employed by the same company for years.

Another sign that you may be working a dead-end job is if you have been working at the same pay level, also for a number of years.  In fact, many employers automatically give their employees pay raises yearly or even quarterly.  If you have been employed by the same company and for an extended period of time, you may be working a dead-end job.  There is good news though, if your only issue is pay, you may be able to turn your dead-end job into a great job.  You can do this by inquiring about a pay raise.  Many employers expect this, especially after an extended period of time without a raise; therefore, you may have nothing to lose by at least asking.

The above mentioned signs are just a few of the signs that you may be working a dead-end job.  As previously stated, however, it is important to remember that you don’t have to keep on working in what may be deemed as a dead-end job forever. There are a number of different steps that you can take to see success.  One of those steps involves speaking to your supervisor or supervisors.  This may involve asking for an increase in pay or asking for a promotion, should any positions be available.  In today’s society, you will find that not all individuals want the responsibility of a promotion; therefore, you will want to let your supervisors know that you are not one of those individuals.

Another one of the many ways that you go about getting out of what you may refer to as a dead-end job is by creating a stir, but in a good way.  Despite your possible frustration, you may want to consider giving your job, dead-end or not, a second chance. With that second chance though, you are urged to take action.  Be sure to do good deeds in front of your supervisors, volunteer to work late or cover someone else’s shift in an emergency and so forth. As previously stated, your supervisors may mistakenly believe that you are currently satisfied with your job.  You will want to show them that you want more and that you are capable of handling more.

Another option that you have, when looking to rid yourself of a dead-end job, is seeking employment elsewhere.  If you have a family to support or bills that must be paid, you may only want to use seeking employment elsewhere as a last resort, but it is still a resort that you may want to examine.

Job Hunting: Should You Lower Your Expectations

Are you in need of a job? If you are currently unemployed you may even consider yourself to be desperate for a new job.  If you are, you may end up wondering if you should lower your expectations, to make it easier to find a job right away.  If so, you are definitely not alone.

When it comes to determining whether or not you should lower your expectations, when hunting for a job, there are a number of important factors that need to be taken into consideration.  One of those factors is your need for a job.  For instance, do you have a family to support?  Do you have rent, mortgage, or car payments that need to be made?  If you do, your need for a job may actually be quite high, especially if you are not receiving money from your state’s unemployment fund.  If your survival depends on having a job, you may need to lower your expectations, even just temporarily.

Another factor that needs to be examined, when determining whether or not you should lower your expectations, when hunting for a job, is your expectations.  For instance, are they reasonable?  Are you interested in working as a doctor?  If you are, do you have a degree in medicine?  If not, you expectations are not only too high, but they are unreasonable. The first step in not being required to lower your expectations, when searching for a job, is making sure that your expectations are reasonable. For instance, if you worked as a retail cashier for a while and attended business school, you may want to think about trying to acquire a job as a retail store manager. This type of goal is one that is just right, as it isn’t too unrealistic.

It is also advised that you examine the current job forecast for the industry that you would like to work in. In keeping with the above mentioned example of a retail store manager, if the retail industry isn’t doing too well, there is a good chance that not as many new retail stores will open up in or around your area.  This may limit the number of retail store manger jobs that are available.  In this case, you may need to lower your expectations or just change them, to include something different.

Of course, what you need to remember is that if you do need to lower your expectations, when hunting for a job, especially if your survival depends on it, it doesn’t have to be permanent.  For instance, if you are required to take a job as a retail store cashier, but you are actually qualified to work as a school teacher, your retail store job doesn’t have to last forever.  When working and making a little bit of money, possibly enough to help your family or pay your bills, you can continue on by searching for teaching opportunities.  If you keep after your goal long enough, you should be able to find an opportunity that you are more than qualified for.  If and when that time comes, you could choose to give up the job that caused you to lower your expectations.

Although you may not necessarily want to take a job that you may consider to be beneath you, there may come a time in life when you have to.  If and when that time comes, it is important that you remember that nothing has to be permanent or forever etched in stone.

Interviews: How Should You Dress for Them?

Are you in the process of changing careers or even just jobs?  If you are, you may be in the process of scheduling job interviews.  In fact, you may even have a number of job interviews already lined up.  If that is the case, have you started preparing for your job interviews?  Job interviews can be tricky and extremely important at the same time. That is why you are advised to proceed with caution and refrain from walking into a job interview without having done even the simplest amount of preparation.

When it comes to job interviews, one of the biggest mistakes that a job seeker, possibly just like you, makes involves their appearance, namely the clothing that they choose to wear.  When it comes to a job interview, it is important to remember professionalism, professionalism, and professionalism again. In fact, professionalism cannot be said enough when it comes to job interviews.  Your appearance, namely the clothes that you choose to wear, says a lot about you, your seriousness, and your professionalism. The worse mistake that you can make is showing up for a job interview like you were simply taking a trip to the mall. Not carefully planning out your appearance, especially your clothes, can have you eliminated from the job running instantly.

Although it is important to hear that you need to dress professionally for a job interview, you may be curious as to why it is so important to do so.  Professional clothes, such as a dress or a paints suit, shows that you are serious about the job and making a good impression.  Your professionalism and responsibility will also be brought into light as well.  You may be surprised to know that many job interviewers remember the appearance of their applicants, namely the clothes, before all else.

If you are serious about finding a job or landing the job of your dreams, you will want to dress professional in nature. With that in mind, different individuals have different definitions of professionalism.  When trying to determine what you should wear to a job interview, there are a number of factors that should be taken into consideration.  For instance, it is advised that men try and wear dress pant suit sets.  This is ideal; however, if the temperature is ninety degrees outside, it may be difficult or impossible for you to do so.  In that instance, you may want to opt for a light pair of tan pants and a golf shirt.  In the same instance, women should consider wearing knee length skirts instead of full length skirts and so forth.

In addition to dressing professionally for a job interview, you may want to consider doing the same for you submission process.  If you will be submitting your job applications or resumes in person, it is advised that you dress in a professional matter.  This is because you may get the opportunity to quickly meet with the supervisor who will be handling all job interviews. This is your best opportunity to make a good first impression of yourself.  It is also important to mention that many supervisors, especially those in retail, choose to give job interviews right on the spot. That is why you may want to dress as if you were attending a job interview, even when just submitting your job applications and resumes.

Although you may have a suitable outfit in your closet already, you may want to consider going shopping.  In fact, you may also want to consider making an appointment at your local barber shop or hair salon.  If you have the funds needed to do so, you may want to purchase a new job interview outfit or have your hair trimmed.  You may be surprised, but these simple steps can uplift your confidence like you would never believe. This confidence can help you successfully breeze through your next job interview.

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