Career

While some people are enjoying the lazy days of summer poolside (how I wish I was one of them!), many others are hitting the pavement looking to find the perfect job. But with the large pool of recent college grads plus seasoned professionals looking to make the next big leap in their careers, how do you get noticed among all the prospects?

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When it comes to being productive at home or work, any little way you find is exciting. Add in business travel and productivity becomes a #1 goal. Each minute is scheduled, each task on a checklist, little to no room for error.  ...read more

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Traveling for business is no longer an excuse to miss an e-mail or two that comes your way – these days everyone is expected to work as though they haven’t even left the office. Whether you need to be accessible to clients 24/7 or prep for that big presentation while in the airport, these helpful tips will ensure you don’t miss a beat when hitting the road.

Think portability – Finding the right bag to travel with is key to helping you get through airport security quickly and to making sure you have everything you need for your time out of the office. Weatherproof bags with lots of pockets are ideal – the extra pockets will help you stay organized.

Be location independent – Keeping files on a USB flash drive or smartphone enables you to print from anywhere. FedEx Office Print & Go allows you to access these important documents from your flash drive or smartphone and print them on self-service copy machines at FedEx Office.

Get connected – Luckily, free Wi-Fi seems to be everywhere these days, even at FedEx Office. As a safety tip, don’t carry important documents on your laptop only. ...read more

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I have an awesome team. We work hard and spend a lot of time together, and it always feels good when I can give them a “shout-out” for their achievements. I’m especially reminded of this as Thanksgiving rolls around. We will all gather around the table next week to give thanks for family, friends and health, but I think we should also remember to express our gratitude to the colleagues who make work life a little easier.

As managers, we might not always be able to reward our teams and colleagues with raises, bonuses or glamorous two-week cruises to tropical paradises. Luckily, there are some things we can do to show them our appreciation.

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When I was a fresh out of college, in my first “real” job with my first “real” paycheck, I remember that one of my first big purchases was a nice set of luggage. I agonized over the style, the brand, the features, the pieces I needed…I wanted it to be a quality set that I could use for many years to come. I finally settled on a sturdy collection of wheeled, expandable luggage. (I’m not a light packer!) With all those decisions and all the options for snazzy colors and styles available, you may be wondering what color I chose…Just basic black, along with the rest of the world, it seems!   ...read more

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How – and where – we work is changing. I’m sure many Out of Office readers know people who work from a “home office,” which I’ve learned can be anything from a clearing on the kitchen table to the local Wi-Fi hotspot. You might even be a home-office-based worker yourself!

I know professionals who work in their pajamas, take their dogs for walks during lunch hour and have no problems getting through rush hour traffic to pick up kids from soccer practice or daycare (like one of my best friends). With all of this flexibility, who wouldn’t want to work this way?! For some, it’s ideal. And for others like me, it can be hard to focus on work when there’s so many distractions around the house (e.g., my dog Oreo anxiously placing his toy ball at my feet for a game of catch).

Truthfully, there are a lot of things to weigh when considering the telecommuting work style. I’ve been doing my homework, weighing some of the pros and cons, and wanted to share some of the great resources out there for people who are already taking advantage of a home/mobile office or those who might be looking to start.

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Guest blogger Julia Kosygina is a summer fellow at Ketchum, the public relations agency for FedEx Office. We thought it would be great to share some of her post-interview learnings with readers also on the hunt for a temporary or full-time position this summer.  

 

You just had a great interview with the company of your dreams, but with so many great candidates out there you have some stiff competition for the job.  Everywhere, employers are sifting through stacks of resumes and hiring only the candidates who have killer credentials and personalities to match. 

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Reports about the economy seem to be taking a bit of a turn for the better lately, and it appears that companies are even beginning to hire again in some sectors. Many Out of Office readers may be on the job hunt now, or kick-starting time with a new organization or position. No doubt, starting a new job can often feel exciting and a little nerve-wracking too, because it takes time to learn the ropes with your team and organization. I can definitely relate to this having just started my current role with FedEx Office a few months ago. Being the new kid on the block, I wanted to share some tips and advice I’ve come across online that could be helpful for those of you starting a new job soon.

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• Learn how your team communicates – Workplace columnist Anita Bruzzese, points out in her blog 45 Things, that some teams may prefer face-to-face communication over receiving numerous e-mails, or vice versa. Figure out what’s working on your team and make it work for you.

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Guest Blogger Vicki Bell is a professional recruiter for FedEx Office. She has worked in Human Resources for over 20 years, including 10 years as a recruiter at FedEx.

As a professional recruiter, I’ve had quite a few resumes cross my desk over the years. When sifting through piles of applications – particularly in a tough job market like the last year – a well written and targeted resume always catches my attention. If you’re applying for jobs and need to spruce up your resume, here are a few tips to help you stand out from the crowd.

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• Be Relevant: Make sure to highlight job skills and experience that align with the job description for which you’re applying.
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• Use Bullets: Resumes are often reviewed very quickly, and short bulleted sentences help the person reading your resume to easily scan it.  
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• Include Bold Font: When used sparingly, bold font calls attention to your accomplishments and make them pop.

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