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One of the main reasons that workers become unhappy at work is bad management. A bad boss can turn even a good working environment into an uncomfortable and unhappy workplace. They have the ability to assign good or bad tasks, and ultimately fire us. This power imbalance is why a good relationship with your manager is so important. You are not powerless to quietly accept a bad boss and have a responsibility to do speak up in an attempt to change the situation. However, you must recognize that some bosses are intentionally bad because they receive benefits to which they are entitled and you could be seen as a threat, in which case you must know how to defend yourself.

Steps

1. Take action at once. It is vitally important that you do something as soon as you realize you are being victimized by a bad boss.
2. Choose the right time to talk and never approach them in the middle of a meeting or when you see him in the hallway. Make sure you’re in a quiet, undisturbed place so that you have their complete attention, and you are calm and collected.
3. Try to show how his or her actions reduce motivation, hurt business, or increase expenses. If you can, explain the changes that would make working conditions better, and make for a happier atmosphere. Suggesting specific alternatives makes it easier to make positive changes. Agree to follow up at a later date, to evaluate the new situation.
4. Praise your boss when they get it right. Many managers never receive praise because somehow, it is mistakenly believed that praise should only flow from managers to employees. You may be nervous about approaching your manager to offer advice, but good managers are truly grateful for constructive, useful feedback, and will appreciate any opportunity they get to learn how to do a better job. Still, this article is about “bad” bosses – but when you have the chance to give them a good work, take it.
5. Don’t become the victim indefinitely. If you have truly tried to make it work between you and your boss, but they did not accept or appreciate your attempts, escalate your complaint to higher management. If that complaint falls on deaf ears (or if there’s no higher authority to appeal to) it’s time to move on! Try to get an interview for another position within the company (with someone you know to be a great boss), or in another organization.
6. Keep in mind that there is a difference between a bad relationship and a bad boss. A bad boss is one who is intentionally mean or unethical and not receptive to dealing with you in an honest and open way. In this case, you must be prepared to defend yourself against false charges your boss could impose on you. Make sure that all communications between you and that boss happen in front of others.

So don’t be a Victim anymore..!!!

Why do you need email etiquette?

• Professionalism
• Efficiency
• Protection from liability

What are the etiquette rules?

• Be precise and to the point
• Answer all questions, and pre-empt further questions
• Use proper spelling, grammar & punctuation
• Address the recipient always
• Use templates for frequently used responses
• Answer swiftly

Dos:

• Use proper structure & layout
• Add disclaimers to your emails
• Read the email before you send it
• Mailings > use the bcc: field or do a mail merge
• Be careful with formatting
• Take care with abbreviations and emoticons

Don’ts:

• Do not overuse Reply to All
• Do not attach unnecessary files
• Do not overuse the high priority option
• Do not write in CAPITALS
• Don’t leave out the message thread
• Do not forward chain letters
• Do not request delivery and read receipts
• Do not ask to recall a message
• Do not copy a message or attachment without permission
• Do not use email to discuss confidential information
• Do not send emails without a meaningful subject

Golden Rules:

• Use active instead of passive
• Avoid using URGENT and IMPORTANT
• Avoid long sentences
• Don’t send or forward emails containing libelous, defamatory, offensive, racist or obscene remarks
• Don’t forward virus hoaxes and chain letters
• Keep your language gender neutral
• Don’t reply to spam
• Always use spell-check
• Use cc: field sparingly
• Address “To” to the person who needs to reply, rest can be CC. Minimize
• debating on mails, and if necessary call for a meeting
• In case you cant reply to mail on time, let the person know the reason for such delay
• Be polite and not authoritative/commanding.
• Respond to escalations/priority emails
• Subject should be easy to understand and appropriate
• Never write emails in fit of anger or when you are not mentally/emotionally balanced

Out of Office:

Microsoft Exchange has the ability to automatically reply to e-mail sent to you when you are out of the office. You can either use the default reply, or customize   the message to say whatever is appropriate

Out of Office Sample Template:

Hello,

Thank you for your e-mail, I am currently out of office and do not have access to my Inbox. All mails will be actioned on my return.

My working Days/Timings are:-

Monday to Friday – 9:30 IST to 18:30 IST.

• For any Product related queries please mail to Support@company.com.
• For any escalations require immediate attention please mail to : Manager@company.com
• For any urgent queries please feel free to contact me on +91-9849XXXXXX.

1. From the moment you make initial contact with any company or organization you wish to work with,    you are in negotiation. You may not be discussing money openly, but you are making a permanent imprint on the minds of the hiring authorities.
2. Delay all discussions of salary until there is an offer on the table.
3. You are in the strongest negotiating position as soon as the offer is made.
4. Know your value. You must know how you can contribute to the organization. Establish this in the mind of the hiring manager.
5. Get employers enthusiastic about your candidacy, and they will become more generous.
6. There is no substitute for preparation. If you are well prepared, you’ll be confident, self-assured, and poised for success.
7. Prior to going into employment negotiations, you must know the average salary paid for similar positions with other organizations in your geographical area.
8. Prior to going into employment negotiations you must know, as best you can, the salary range that the company you’re interviewing with will pay, or what former employees were earning.
9. Prior to going into employment negotiations, you must know your personal needs and requirements, and how they relate to numbers 7 and 8 above.
10. Remember, fringes and perks, such as Incentive plans, Leave Policies, health benefits, pension plans, and so on, have value. Consider the “total” salary package.
11. Salary negotiations must be win-win negotiations. If they’re not, everybody loses in the end.
12. Be flexible; don’t get hung up on trivial issues, and always seek compromise when possible.
13. Listen carefully and pay close attention. Your goals will most likely be different from the goals of the employer. For instance, the firm’s main focus might be “base salary.” Yours might be “total earning potential.”So a win-win solution might be to negotiate a lower base salary but a higher commission or bonus structure.
14. Anticipate objections and prepare effective answers to these objections.
15. Try to understand the employer’s point of view. Then plan a strategy to meet both the employer’s concerns and your needs.
16. Don’t be afraid to negotiate out of fear of losing the offer. Most employers expect you to negotiate as long as you negotiate in a fair and reasonable manner.
17. Always negotiate in a way that reflects your personality, character, and work ethic. Remain within your comfort zone.
18. Never lose control. Remain enthusiastic and upbeat even if the negotiations get a little hot. This might be your first test under fire.
19. Play hardball only if you’re willing to walk away from, or lose, the deal.
20. What you lose in the negotiations will most likely never be recouped. Don’t be careless in preparing for or conducting the negotiation.
21. Be sure to get the offer and final agreement in writing.
22. You should feel comfortable asking the employer for 24 to 48 hours to think about the deal if you need time to think it over.
23. Never link salary to personal needs or problems. Compensation should always be linked to your value.
24. Understand your leverage. Know if you are in a position of strength or weakness and negotiate intelligently based on your personal situation.
25. End salary negotiations on a friendly and cheerful note.

A resume is a personal marketing document that communicates your career objective and value to a hiring company. A strong resume is carefully planned and developed (not quickly typed up) in an appropriate format (style) designed to showcase your experience and accomplishments in direct relation to a specific position.

Basic Resume Formatting Rules

• Bold and enlarge your name at the top.
• Keep the sections lined up and consistent.
• Use an Arial or Times New Roman font (or similar).
• Font size shouldn’t be smaller than 11pt or larger than 12pt, except for your Name and Headings.
• Do not include pronouns such as “I,” company street addresses, salary, or reasons for leaving.
• Two-page resume: be sure to fill the second page at least halfway down the page.
• Place “Continued” at the bottom of page one, and your name and “Page 2″ at the top of page two.
• Use graphics sparingly unless you are in a creative field. It is safe to use a border and shading.
• Leave out personal data, photos, and unrelated hobbies, unless you are an actor/actress or model.
• Proof, proof, and proof again!

Common Mistakes, Do’s & Don’ts

• Name and/or address is too small / too big (headings and name should be at least font Size 14 to 16; address 11 or 12)
• Font size for entire resume is too small / too big / all caps (not counting the headings, text should be no smaller than 11; no larger than 12)
• Needs an Objective or Title Heading (make it clear to the reader what position you are seeking. If you unsure, consider career counseling or purchase/rent a book on career choices)
• Could use a Summary or Profile statement (show your career overview)
• Objective is weak, cliché, unclear, or vague (State what you can do for the employer; not only what you want from them)
• Resume does not support Objective (be sure to make a connection)
• Lacks accomplishments / career achievements (sell it, don’t tell it!)
• Lacks industry-specific terminology / Keywords (“speak” the reader’s language)
• Jobs are not in the proper order- (Always mention Current to first jobs)
• Sentences are too choppy-five words per bullet (expand; make it interesting)
• Wording is weak; statements are too simple (use action verbs and a thesaurus)
• Same information repeated too many times (use a functional/combination format)
• Too many typos and grammatical errors (read it backwards; have a friend proof-read it!)
• Unrelated jobs go back too far in years (keep it to 7-10 years in most cases)
• Includes too much unrelated information (stay on track; keep the position in mind)
• Does not include enough related information (show how well rounded you are)
• Uses pronouns – “I, He, She, His, Her” (not necessary or is understood)
• Style is outdated looking (headings are underlined and followed by colons “:”, the word “duties” is used, and uses “responsibilities:” as subheadings)
• Second page is too short – only a third down or less (condense/combine)
• Second page does not include your name (what if the second page is misplaced?)
• Too much or not enough white space (looks empty, inexperienced)
• Uses the full address for employers (list only the town and state)
• Uses full employment dates such as 12/11/01 (list only the month and year)
• Lists reason for leaving or explains situation (if you must, save it for the later)
• Includes a Professional References Available upon Request statement at the bottom of the resume (not wrong, but not necessary.
• Remember, this is not an option. If the employer wants references, they will ask for them)
• Includes a cover letter / salary information on the resume (use separate sheets)
• Includes unrelated personal interests and hobbies such as “enjoy reading, long walks, music, travel, knitting, and puzzles” (include interests ONLY if it is related to your career Objective)
• Includes personal information such as married, homeowner, two children (Leave off. It is unrelated to the position, and risks possible discrimination)

Managing Your Career Is Up To You

A rewarding career doesn’t just happen. You need to be committed to it and manage it carefully. Whether you’ve just started working or are already sitting in the corner office, keeping your career on track is crucial. Career management demands careful attention and constant evaluation. It’s an on-going process that will keep you in charge of your growth and direction
 
Here I have outlined some key points to successful career management:

Assess Yourself

People are very different. Certain people belong in certain kinds of careers. You have special gifts that fit you for some jobs and disqualify you from others. If you’re in the right place, you’ll skyrocket. If not, you’ll struggle. In order to learn where you’ll be happiest, get to know yourself.
Take time to assess your skills, temperament, aptitudes, likes, dislikes, and natural gifts. Design your ideal work life on paper, then risk to create your dream. There’s no reason you can’t enjoy your work. If you need help designing or implementing your plan, seek the advice of a professional career counselor.

Establish your career goals

Establishing goals on your career path will provide you with a way to measure your success and will help guide your progress. It’s important to be realistic when you set goals. You need to take into account the things that are most important to you and the things that may factor into decisions you may be faced with during your career. Your goals should address subjects like professional achievement, earning potential and lifestyle desires.

Success takes hard work

Any meteoric rise takes preparation and hard work. It’s not enough to be ambitious. The lessons and skills you learn on the path to accomplishment can be as rewarding as the goal itself. Indeed, it’s wiser to think in terms of “everyday successes” or little wins, rather than focus on the giant jackpot. Little wins add up to big wins and are more easily achievable. They include the satisfaction of resolving a customer dispute, gaining a new skill, writing a report, getting a good performance appraisal, improving on an existing ability, and learning to handle constructive criticism. These little victories are the building blocks of a good reputation, the name you acquire for yourself through your work.

Add to your Education

Continuing your education can enhance your career and your earnings potential. Earning your degree may enable you to become eligible for a promotion or a raise. Or it may help you become more successful in your current position. A degree may also provide you with the background you need to land a new job or change career fields. Attending seminars or workshops and joining organizations is another to way to keep up-to-date and well informed on work related issues.

Honor your talents

The more we are able to develop our much intelligence, the more capable and evolved we will become. Understanding yourself as a multifaceted individual with many talents and possibilities also enables you to expand your vision of your own career potential. Many ambitious people don’t invest fully in their own talents. When you commit yourself to developing your full potential, you’ll enjoy the career-building process more because you won’t be focusing exclusively on external rewards. The process of growing and developing all your abilities can be inherently satisfying and allow you to create a unique and meaningful career path.

Get Employer Feedback

You should try and set up a regularly scheduled performance reviews with your employer, if your company doesn’t already require it. You may also discuss things informally with your superior to discuss your status, goals and progress. That way you can find out if your performance has met or exceeded expectations. If there are areas that need to be addressed or advancement opportunities in the future, you will be better informed and ready to meet those challenges. 

People Skills

“People skills” are just as important as “technical skills,” because even in highly technical jobs, you have to work with others. Many outplacement candidates are technical superstars who’ve been fired. They knew their jobs, but couldn’t collaborate or get along with others. Average performers with strong people skills often last longer. Whether you are an entry-level shipping clerk or a CEO, a warm, enthusiastic, caring, and positive attitude–outwardly expressed to others–is your single biggest career asset.

Contribute to Succeed

Your accomplishments will help to determine your marketability. In selling yourself, it’s results that count. Try to contribute something substantial and measurable every single day. And make sure you keep a written record of your results.
 
Career management is a skill which calls for commitment and dedication. It’s a life long process that will help you at every stage of your career.