9 shows to binge watch that may help you with your career too

9 shows to binge watch that may help you with your career too9 shows to binge watch that may help you with your career tooWe are only a few weeks away from the premiere of the highly anticipated Murphy Brown reboot (September 27th on CBS in case you forgot.)Murphy Brown, whichpremiered on the same network in 1988 and nabbed two Outstanding Comedy Series Emmys, welches a seminal show as the protagonist was a blunt, hard-hitting television female news journalist who was described by series creator Diane English as living like a man and making no apologies for it whatsoever. In addition to all the wonderful feminism, it was also just a show about a group of coworkers dealing with their jobs and life as it came at them. Something we can all relate to.The entire Murphy Brown series is available to stream on CBS All Access if you want to be fully caught up before the reboot. Or, there are plenty of great shows you can binge watch right now that will allow you to completely relax and also m ay serve you with a career lesson or two.Parks and Recreation (Netflix)From the always energetic Leslie Knope to Ron Swansons irresistible blunt machismo to Andys slovenly adorableness, this was the group of people we wished we worked with all day (and we want all the waffles.) The lessons from this show are countless when it comes to dealing with your coworkers, office romance and not working when you have the flu unless you are Leslie Knope. littlesebastianforeverThe Mary Tyler Moore Show (Hulu)Similar to Murphy Brown, this was an extremely important show when it came to women in the workplace. And though it debuted in 1970 some of the office situations totenstill feel way too familiar. Moore once explained that her character was breaking new ground for women by going in and bringing up to her boss the fact that the man who had the job before her was making more money and why was that? Plus, its hilariousThe geschftszimmer (Hulu, Netflix)Though the lessons are buried under so much hilariousness that sometimes you cant catch your breath, there is a reason why this show is still constantly referenced to. From dealing with the most annoying and awkward boss ever to making the best of a boring job to finally finding your real passion streaming this show will always put you in a good mood.The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime)From the brilliant mind behind Gilmore Girls, Amy Sherman Palladino introduced a to an amazing character last year that was all about reinventing yourself and realizing its never too late to pursue your passion if you just let yourself. When Midge Maisels husband suddenly leaves, the perfect Upper West Side housewife thinks her life is over except it is just beginning because she finally found her voice. The winner of the Golden Globe for Best Comedy Series and a well-deserved win for Rachel Brosnahan who plays the title character stream it now before Season 2 begins this fall.Scrubs (Hulu)If you love a little silly humor then this is the show for you. Yes, they are doctors saving lives but that doesnt mean it cant be funny too You have to find the jokes when you work in a tough industry like that. JD and the gang certainly do.Suits (Amazon Prime, USA Network)Yes (the now) Princess Meghan Markle is no longer on the USA Network show, which has been on for 8 seasons, but it is still good and you can stream all the past seasons. So many great lessons from this show including finding a great mentor, how to be a strong leader and faking it until you make it (however we do not condone lying about going to Harvard Law School and saying you are a lawyer when you are not.)Corporate (Comedy Central)You probably havent heard of it as it only had one season on Comedy Central (but its been renewed for a second one) but the show is truly brilliant in its satirical look at the dark underbelly of corporate life. Written byJake Weisman and Matt Ingebretson, who also star, they work for a giant corporation, Hampton Deville that makes really unnecessary things, like the worlds largest tablet and possibly some weapons of mass destruction. If youve ever fretted over Casual Fridays or what to do when a coworker asks you for a favor then this is the show for you.Scandal (Netflix, Hulu, ABC.com)Nothing like some good old-fashioned workplace drama. Yes, this one involves the President of the United States and so many outlandish conspiracy theories but at the end of the day we learned that a glass of red wine and a creamy white cashmere sweater can solve anything. Thank you Olivia Pope. Its been handled.

What Is a Performance Improvement Plan, What to Do If Youre On One

What Is a Performance Improvement Plan, What to Do If Youre On OneWhat Is a Performance Improvement Plan, What to Do If Youre On One A Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is a tool used by managers and HR to help employees identify and create an action plan when therbeie are deficiencies present in your performance . While receiving a PIP can feel scary, they should bedrngnis always be perceived negatively. If you receive a PIP, and it seems your organization is truly interested in helping you improve. To help youturn the situation around, here are a few tipsWork closely with your manager to understand exactly where your performance might be lacking. Once you have those specific measurable behaviors and results targeted, you can work with your babo to create an action plan.What can you do each week to improve? What classes or trainings can you enroll in to upskill yourself? What will success look like? Set out a timeline and agree on target objectives that will ho ld both you and your boss accountable.Oftentimes, we can become complacent in our roles, thinking we dont have anything more to learn, or that our development has reached a plateau . If you find yourself in this mindset, it could be a good time to get your ego in check and remember that there are always ways we can improve. Consider everything you still have left to learn, and use that to drive your internal motivation. Ask yourself, am I really doing everything I can do to be my best self at work and put my best foot forward?Reflect on your daily practices and behaviors, and consider what you felt went well, and what could be improved. Evaluate your mistakes of the past and seek feedback from friends and colleagues.If there are internal factors that are affecting your work, these should be addressed. For example, you may not get along with your boss. You might not have the necessary training needed to succeed. You may not understand the products youre selling. These are all inte rnal factors that can be worked through with collaborative efforts and training. Take the time to assess your environment at work to see if there is something blocking your success.There may be external forces impacting your work. Family dynamics, relationship stress, mental health and financial struggles are all realities of our day-to-day lives. If youre experiencing any of the above, your performance at work is bound to suffer. If youre needing extra support, let your boss know. Take advantage of any employee assistance programs offered, and get the help you need.When we first start a new job , we have a desire to prove our success and earn our stripes. As you get more comfortable in a role, on a team and in a company, its easy to lose your sense of gusto and roll on autopilot. When you show up to work each day, try and remember that sense of drive you had at the start. Ask yourself, what can I do to help make my bosss job easier? How can I support my colleagues? How can I spo t and solve for gaps in my organization?View this PIP as a fresh start, and a second chance to show your company what youre worth.It never hurts to have a backup plan in case things with your current job dont work out. If youve never received any negative feedback, and you know your performance is truly where it should be, it could be that pressures for layoffs are coming from above or that your manager might have it out for your termination. While this is an unfortunate worst-case situation, it would be wise to protect yourself by kicking off a discreet job search .Hearing negative feedback about yourself is never easy. However, being able to take criticism and use it to drive improvement is a necessary step in creating a deeper sense of self-awareness at work. Before you freak out and jump to the conclusion that youre getting fired, take a deep breath and focus on what you can improve each dayStacy Pollack is a Learning Specialist with an MA in Educational Technology. She is pass ionate about building leadership programs that engage and contribute to the success of her organization. She loves to share her perspective on workplace development, human resources, career building, and networking for success. Connect with her on LinkedIn , Twitter , or at www.stacypollack.com

Job Searching When You Have a Criminal Record

Job Searching When You Have a Criminal RecordJob Searching When You Have a Criminal RecordIf we took a poll among the readers of our Simplyhired.com career blog, wed probably find more than a few with career regrets or college day antics they wish they could take back. While many of these rise to a level of no more than cringe-worthy, some of us may have ended up on the wrong side of the law or the backseat of a police cruiser as a result of our regrettable actions. As a younger version of ourselves, the only consequence we worried about welches our parents frowns of disapproval. As an older, wiser and job-seeking adult, however, having a criminal record can create barriers to great jobs and successful careers.If you find yourself in the history of minor crime boat dont despair. Weve got a few pointers for job searching when you have a criminal record that may help overcome obstacles and will definitely get you started on the right foot towards scoring a great job.Answer the Question HonestlyWhile not every employer performs background checks or cares about criminal records, many do and in fact, ask about any such issues as part of the application process. The trick here is to answer openly and honestly. While many applications have elective fields, leaving the criminal history section blank only to have a surprise pop up on your background check or in a question during the interview process can submarine an otherwise successful interview. Likewise, lying outright on your application is a sure fire way to employment-related disaster.Read the questions on this topic carefully. Some employers want to know about all arrests while others only care about actual convictions. In addition, minor, non-violent misdemeanors are often irrelevant when an employer is only inquiring about felony issues. Finally, many employers only look back a certain number of years meaning your childhood transgression may be out of scope. Be sure that you fully understand the facts of your case and carefully and deliberately complete the application supplying only the information requested.Know Your RightsIf you have a criminal record of arrest or conviction its a good idea to brush up on your rights under the law when it comes to employment before applying for a new position. Some states limit an employers ability to question for minor offenses or convictions that have been erased from your record over time. Additionally, many states offer the ability to eliminate items from your publicly available criminal record after a period of years, community service or participation in prescribed rehabilitation programs. Start with your states Department of Labor office and consider speaking to a reputable criminal record to fully understand your options and what may or may not come back to haunt you.Take ResponsibilityIf you have to disclose a conviction or arrest, its best to avoid beating around the bush. Practice on trusted family or friends how to answer questions on the topic. You should accept responsibility for your actions and have an explanation for how you and your behaviors have changed since your conviction. If youve disclosed your background on the application or will have to disclose as part of a background check, be forthright about addressing the situation at the outset of your job interview. After brief introductions, try to clear the air or be candid by bringing up the topic first and foremost. Chances are if the employer was leise willing to interview you after seeing the information your additional honesty in addressing the topic will score points and help overcome any lingering doubts.Choose Potential Jobs WiselyDespite the length of time, type of rehabilitation, or expressions of regret, some jobs just arent going to be interested in hiring someone with any kind of criminal records. Sensitive jobs in the education or legal fields may even have limitations on the ability to hire those with criminal records. Think outside the box whe n it comes to positions for which to apply. Entry-level jobs are often more lenient when it comes to transgressions. There may also be local resources that help those with criminal records connect with employers who employ those with blemishes on their resumes. Last but not least, be sure to take our previous advice and look into programs and laws that may help rehabilitate your criminal history, eliminating any room for worry when it comes to obtaining future employment.Have you had had luck finding a new position with a criminal blemish in your CV? Drop us a line in the comments with other helpful suggestions and they just may be incorporated into our next update.