Work Tips & Office Tips

If you own your own business and have a web site, make sure it is easy to use. If it is difficult to use, people will leave.

Choose an area of your home for your home office or working space. Spend some time getting organized. Getting organized now will save a lot of headaches later.

TAKING LABELS ON THE RUN For desktop help, I suggest getting two paper-storage containers--the kind that go under your printer on your desktop. Mine is from Rubbermaid, but there are other brands to choose from. Stack both of them on top of each other and put your different types or colors of paper in one, and your LABELS in the other. This way both are at your fingertips for the time when you need to do a quick mailing. (heeheehee, quick?)
Actually, I have pre-programmed my computer to quickly print out a stack of envelopes when I feel like I just have to get out a quick hello or update to my clients. If I want to take my work on the run, I print out a stack of labels and take them with me to my doctors appointments (where we wait forever to be seen) or other appointments where waiting is routine. There's not a lot of time to be wasted in this busy woman's life!
Submitted by Susie G.

Keep track of all of your business expenses, they may be tax deductible. A good accountant is well worth the money.

Use an answering machine or voice mail, with a professional message, for busy times. Turn off the telephone ringer and let the machine get it.

Take small breaks during the day to spend time with your children. A break to play can be refreshing.

Have a family meeting and make a schedule for your working hours. Make it clear when you will be working but be flexible.

Mark out family days on the calendar and don't work those days, but do work on the others!
Nancy Ann W.

For work that requires complete concentration, wait until your children are asleep.

A good tip for working moms is to cook a weeks worth of meals on the weekend, label them with the days of the week and come home and prop your feet up!!
Submitted by Toni M.

Remember while things are downloading to your screen to do office chair exercises with your arms.
Submitted by Madlyn C.

Join an e-mail discussion group with other work at home parents if you work from home.

If you work at home with children, set up a play area for your child or children near your work area.

In order to get more out of life, enjoy the free time you have with loved ones. And at work to advance sometimes you have to be aggressive.
Submitted by Carey M.

At the end of the day or the beginning of a new project, clean off the top of your desk and put everything in it's place.

Only keep the items that you use often on top of your desk.

To make filing easier, color code your files. Use a different color for each section in your file cabinet and don't overload your files.

Sort through the mail as soon as you get it, over the trash can. Throw away everything that you don't need to keep.

Group telephone calls to save time. Set aside a phone time for the day, and devote it to making your calls. This will enable you to handle your return calls efficiently. 

Decide what information, materials and supplies you use most frequently. These should be closest to you, while less-used items can be stored elsewhere.

Sit in the guest chairs in your office for a while one day and you may find a new point of view at work.
Submitted by Corie A.

Take time off to relax. You will accomplish more when back on the job.
Submitted by Gladys P.

Using phone headsets will allow you to continue working with both hands while talking to callers.

Stagger the tabs on files to make it easier to find what you need.

The career steps are there for a reason, use them in sequence.
Submitted by Carey M.

Try to find time to read the newspaper daily. It will give you something interesting to talk about with others.
Submitted by Gladys P.

When going on an interview, don't be heavy handed with your perfume or cologne. Most interviews take place in small rooms, magnifying the smell. Give the recruiter with a lasting impression of your skills and abilities, not your grooming habits.

When on a job interview, remain focused and listen to the questions, give a direct answer to the question being asked.

When writing your resume, use keywords in your text. Most companies now use software to sort through the volumes of resumes they receive. Many times the software will only select resumes containing the specified keywords.

If you want to start your own business, try it part-time. If you don't try, you'll never know.

When going on an job interview, be prepared. Research the company and be knowledgable.

If you are starting your own business, start small and gradually grow without incurring debt.

When applying for a new job, provide a list of credible references. You should keep your references updated and informed regarding your current job and responsibilities.

If you want your resume to receive the proper consideration, make sure your cover letter clearly indicates the position you are applying for. Then your resume will be forwarded to the appropriate person.

If you work from home with your children with you, hire a babysitter to come to your home and watch the kids while you work. You will be right there if they need you.

Keep a basket or briefcase filled with work that you can take along to the park on a nice day. If you have kids, go to the playground and they can play while you are there with them. Cell phones and laptop computers allow you the luxury of a virtual office.

When leaving a job, giving two weeks notice is standard in almost every industry. Remember, you may find yourself working with some of these same people in the future, don’t jeopardize your reputation or good work record by leaving on a bad note.

Don't spend too much time creating the cover letter. Usually when a resume is received, the cover letter is stapled to the back of the resume so the resume can be processed and scanned.

Don't trample the boss on your way out the door from work at 4:30 on a nice sunny Friday! Let him trample you instead, so you have an excuse to take an extended weekend.
Submitted by Robyn C.

When running a small business, it is very important to know which direction you are going and make sure you stay on track.

Carry clear nail polish with you. It's great for fixing runs in your pantyhose!

Every job seeker should be prepared to provide a list of business references and/or letters of recommendation. Most employers appreciate this information upfront.

Before making a phone call, have a clear and specific purpose of what you are trying to achieve.

Does your desk chair scratch your floor? Place bunion pads under the legs of the chair.

When going on a job interview, be courteous and professional to everyone meet. You never know who may have an influence on the hiring decision.

Are your ink erasers smudged? Use fine sandpaper or an emery board to clean them.

Need an extra desk? Place a wooden, hollow core door on top of two 2-drawer file cabinets.

When working from home with children, choose work that you can start and stop as needed.

For those that own their own businesses, hire a professional to do your taxes. It will be well worth the money spent.

When working from home, set your hours to work and stick with them as much as possible.

When dealing with customers, be honest. Let them know up front what you can do and what you can't do.

Don't put off tasks because you don't like to do them. Do these tasks first, if that will work with your schedule.

A resume is a list of all your skills and abilities. List all of the duties and responsibilities you had from various jobs.

When you have a very important phone call to make, write down all the points you want to hit and questions to ask. You'll save time on follow-up calls.

Are you constantly waiting for your boss's signature? Choose a folder in a bright color (bright red, hot pink) and place the papers in the folder. They won't be able to ignore it.

Always treat clients the way you would like to be treated. Always be neat in appearance, use good manners, speak clearly and be helpful.

When doing something new, if you don't understand, ask questions. It's smarter to ask questions and do it right the first time than redoing the work.

Don't forget to take a break. A five minute break will be refreshing and you will be more productive when you return.

You should research a company before seeking a job. Do your research first and you'll have less to do later when a problem arises. Find out company policies.

Businesses of all types and sizes should have an online presence. A website will give your business credibility and publicity opportunities.

When writing a resume, keep the cover letter short and individualize it specifically for the company you are applying to. Use the same paper color for your cover letter and resume.

When answering questions in an interview, be precise and honest. Never
speak of past employers or coworkers in a negative way.

When you know you'll have a lengthy discussion on the phone, get rid of papers on your desk. When they are in front of you, you'll be tempted to look at them.