This post, written by me, was originally posted on Fiscal Phoenix. The content is reposted with permission. 

My (former) workplace has a very lax dress code. It started a couple of winters ago when the weather was really bad. Our cabinet secretary relaxed the business casual dress to code to allow us to wear jeans every day (since no one really wanted to ruin their nice clothes in the snow and slush). She extended it indefinitely and here we are, over a year later and I get to wear jeans to work all the time. It’s not too bad considering wearing jeans saves me a ton of money on a work wardrobe.

There are some rules. No flip flops, low cut shirts, shorts or tank tops. If we are attending a meeting or have to be in court, we must wear business clothes (this is fine for me as business clothes are usually a pair of dress pants and a button down shirt). I don’t mind the rules because overall, I’m happy with the dress code and I’m not going to do anything to mess it up.

This is the only job I’ve had where the person in charge allows for such casual attire every day of the week. All of my other jobs required business casual Monday-Thursday, with dress down Fridays. It’s dress down Fridays that we’re going to talk about now.

You know that episode of The Office where Dunder Mifflin institutes casual Friday and what the workers show up in is…less than acceptable? I’ve seen similar around my various workplaces and it frustrates me to no end. Not so much because I’m conservative but because there are unspoken rules about what is and what is not acceptable attire in the workplace. For instance:

• Pajamas. Are never, ever acceptable to wear to work. Unless you work from home, in which case pajamas are probably your uniform. But if you work in an office, around other people, have the courtesy to get dressed. Putting on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt is not hard work.  Coming to work in your pajamas shows a lack of respect for the workplace and is definitely a way to get yourself into some hot water.
• Sweats. There are a good number of women I’ve worked who dress to the nines Monday-Thursday and then show up on Fridays in what I would wear to clean my house. Dirty, wrinkled sweats, stained shirts from various vacations spots they’ve been to, and grimy sneakers. Believe me, I don’t begrudge anyone her comfort. But if you’re going to wear sweats and t-shirts to work, make sure they’re clean and presentable.
• Mismatched clothes. Remember Punky Brewster? How she never matched? Well, believe it or not, there are people—adults—that come to work dressed like that. I’ll never forget the woman who came to work in a tie-dyed shirt, olive colored sweats, athletic socks and opened toed sandals. It was a disaster and completely unprofessional. Dressing like this is not a good way to get people to take you seriously.
• Jeans or shirts that are too tight. You know those people I’m talking about. The jeans that show a little too much or shirts that are way too revealing. Clothes that are fine if you’re in a bar or at home but show way too much for the office. Not only can this be deemed inappropriate by your co-workers and supervisors, you have to take note of the clients’ response as well. I worked with a woman who dressed like this daily and our clients were teenage boys. This had an…influence on their behavior when she was around. It got so bad our boss sent around a memo revising the dress code and she was reprimanded for her clothes. That’s not really a mark you want.

We don’t like to think that how we dress at work has an influence on how we’re perceived, but it definitely does. And how you dress on casual Friday is just as important as the rest of the week.

One of my lifelong goals is to write a book. Like a real book. That’s sold in stores (online stores count, too).  And purchased by people who are not related to me. For years, I’ve started and stopped a number of books because…well, for a variety of reasons but mainly because I’ve always convinced myself that I’m not dedicated or talented enough to finish them.

But this year, I said fuck that. I know I can finish a book. I mean, I’ve already started one (that’s what the word count measure in the sidebar is supposed to track). Why not actually finish it? Good question, I thought. So I told myself that I would. As extra incentive, I’ve entered National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. I’ve tried it before but have always, always failed. And I’m tired of failing. So, for the month of November (the duration of NaNoWriMo), I’ve committed myself to finishing the book I’ve already started. In order to accomplish that, I’ve had to adjust some priorities:

For instance, the schedule here on DMS will change from 4-5 days per week to 3-4. I know this makes many of you weep but I promise that things will go back to normal in December. I need to give myself extra time to write and focus on the book. I’ll still be writing original posts and guest posting on some other sites, but I need to decrease the frequency on DMS. Because when the book is done, I plan on having it editing and then searching for an agent to assist with publication. That’s how seriously I’m taking this.

I will not be as present on social media, specifically on Twitter. As many of you know, I’m a big fan of Twitter (if you don’t follow me already, stop by and say hi). But sometimes I get so caught up on what’s happening there that I forget what I need and want to do. Also, my brain is so full of noise from Facebook and Twitter and every other outlet that I need some time off to quiet what’s going on in my head. By quieting that noise, I’ll be able to focus on my book.

Instead of writing when the moment strikes, I need to dedicate a certain time every day to work on my book. Knowing that I’m going to write at that time will allow me to prepare my thoughts and ideas and pour them all out at once, instead of in a slow drip whenever I can fit them in. Given the other obligations I have during the day, most of which are not negotiable, I plan on giving up most TV for the month. I figure the best time for me to write is between 5:30-6:30 AM, which means I need to be in bed by 10 PM (to get up at 5 AM). I like watching TV but I’m willing to let it go to achieve this goal.

As upset as I am by this one, I need to temporarily put my eBook on hold. Another goal of mine is to write a independent living manual, geared towards anyone who is living on their own for the first time. It’s something I’ve wanted to accomplish for years; in fact, when I was working a full-time job, I would often jot down notes or make lists or outline chapters for this book during nonbusy periods. I even began writing the book earlier this month (mainly by formalizing the outline and culling all the previously written posts I’m including in the manual). But I know myself and I know that I can’t work on two major projects at once without feeling like I’m going to have a panic attack. So, for now, the eBook is on hold.

The last thing I’m planning on doing to make sure that I finish the book is having an accountability buddy. I already belong to my local Facebook group and the forums on the NaNoWriMo site, but that’s a bit impersonal. Having someone that I know on a personal level and can talk to about certain frustrations and excitements (and to keep me on track) is essential. So I’ve partnered with Cait from Blonde on a Budget Aloysa from My Broken Coin for this year’s challenge. She’s a pretty good task master so I know she’ll keep me focused and working towards my goal. I’m also using you, my amazing readers, as my accountability group. I figure if I’m not writing here, I better be doing something productive or I’ll feel like a big, huge liar And a fake. And I really don’t want that. (Also, if you’re participating this year and want to find me on the NaNoWriMo site, my username is demom06. I’m happy to have as many writing buddies as possible.)

I’m hoping that at the end of the month the progress bar is completely full and I can announce to you all that I won NaNoWriMo. No, that’s not true. I don’t hope. I know that will all happen at the end of the month. And then I can start working on the next step.

Readers, what have you given up, recently or in the past, to achieve a goal? Did it work for you or not? 

 

This post, written by me, was originally posted on Fiscal Phoenix. The content is reposted with permission. 

When I began my career with my current former employer, I was a juvenile probation officer. I was good at my job, too. Sure, my clients never really stopped committing crimes but my notes were always up to date, I saw all my clients every week, made my contacts and had good relationships with all parties involved in the kids’ care (except one mom. We didn’t get along too well). I was respected among my coworkers and I had a ton of potential. I was even employee of the year one year. Yeah. I was good.

But I wasn’t happy. I was frustrated with the system and many of the rules governing our authority as probation officers. The crimes the kids were committing were getting worse and the system was getting softer on them. It was hard to continue to care. So, I got another job. I was still working in the same juvenile justice system but in a capacity that was easier for me to handle. Until a supervisor position opened up in the same office I had just left. I decided that I could put up with a lot of the frustrations for more money. I took the time, filled out the application and was called for an interview.

That’s when everything went sour.

When I entered the interview room, I knew the odds were stacked against me. To begin with, the Regional Manager who would supervise me in the new capacity was…unhappy that I had left. The next person on my panel was a trainer who really, really didn’t like me (to this day, I still don’t know why). I can’t remember who the third person on my interview panel was but I do remember that it was not a friendly face.  I began the interview nervous. And it only got worse.

Because the interview panel was visibly not pleased with having to interview me, I got a very lukewarm reception when I sat down. They then proceeded to ask me questions that were not on the script (I work for a government agency and not following the script is definitely frowned upon), which made me even more nervous. I started becoming defensive and copping a bit of an attitude. I would have much preferred that they said to me “Jana, there is no way on Earth we’re hiring you. You deserted us, we’re pissed, and we’re not giving you the position that clearly belongs to someone else. Let’s just sit here in an awkward silence until the interview is over” but we had to go through the formalities of finishing the interview.

I walked out of the interview knowing I didn’t get the job. I tried to tell myself that I was fine with it, but really, I was upset. However, looking back, there were a few lessons I learned from that debacle:

• Never let them know you’re nervous. The fact that I was visibly shaken meant that the interview panel could pounce on my weaknesses.  My nervousness meant I couldn’t concretely answer questions or think logically. This allowed them to score me lower in certain capacities.
• Don’t think that your prior reputation means anything. Even though I had a stellar reputation as a probation officer, in that interview room, it meant nothing. I had to prove to them why I had that reputation. But I let my ego get the best of me and actually told the trainer who hated me “I’m not going to sit here and defend my work ethic to you”. Don’t do that. Interview panels don’t like that kind of reputation.
• Always smile. I was not happy with the interview panel. In fact, I was downright angry. And I’m pretty sure, since I have the worst poker face on the planet, they could tell. By showing that side of my personality, I didn’t exactly impress them and didn’t convince them that I could handle contentious situations.
• Dress appropriately. Oh, right. I was about 10 weeks pregnant during my interview. I gained a lot of weight very quickly and most of my clothes didn’t fit. I had no time—and no money—to buy clothes for the interview so I had to do the best I could do. But I looked like a slob. I’m pretty sure this put them off as well.

I’ve made a ton of mistakes during interviews, but the mistakes I made during this one have haunted me for the last 6 years. It was a position I really, really wanted and I knew I would have been great at. But letting my attitude and personal feelings get in the way, prevented that from happening.

Have you ever screwed up an interview for a job you wanted? What did you learn from the mistakes?

This post was originally written by me as a staff writer for Fiscal Phoenix, which is now on hiatus. This post is reposted with permission. 

One of the dangers of working in a government job is previously accumulated and sharp skills languish. In many positions, the skills acquired prior to the job lapse as we become more acclimated to the systems, paperwork and language of our new job.  It’s easy to become complacent and forget that there’s a whole world out there that does not use the skills you’re learning.

But what if you’re someone who is averse to standing still? What if you like to learn and acquire new skills not only to improve your job performance but improve yourself? What if you don’t want to stay in the same position for your entire career and you know the only way to advance is to acquire or polish old (or new) skills? How do you do this in an environment that doesn’t promote those opportunities?

Fortunately, it’s easier than it seems. You have to dig deep and be proactive in order to acquire new skills, but it’s not a hopeless situation.  Here are some ways to build or advance skills:

• Take a class at a community college or through an online program.This is probably the most expensive option since you’ll have to pay for it yourself. But if you can manage it, this is a way not only to advance your skill set but it’s a great way to network with others. You never know what kind of opportunities you’ll learn about by meeting people outside of your office.
• Self-teach. Books from the library, blogs, YouTube videos…those are all cost effective ways of teaching yourself a skill. For instance, I know almost nothing about coding for websites but it’s a skill that I want to learn. When I’m playing around with my personal blog and I’m stuck on a particular issue, I’ll do a quick Google search and I can usually find the answer. Which not only makes me proud of myself but it also means that the knowledge will stick with me.  And the best part? It’s free!
• Ask a co-worker. If you have a co-worker who has a particular skill that you want to learn, ask him or her if she wouldn’t mind teaching you. Don’t be afraid to ask. In my experience, most people are very willing to teach someone what they know. And, if you’re afraid of looking foolish, don’t. Because at one point, the expert you’re asking didn’t know anything either.  As someone who’s been on both the asking and the teaching end of this, I can tell you that is an extremely effective method for learning.
• Join a professional network. Similar to taking a class at a community college, this could be a pricey option but the benefits are worth the price. Many professional networks offer continuing education options for members or even one day workshops. They often offer online resources for skill building, as well as host of members you can use as teachers or mentors.
• Attend work sponsored conferences and workshops. While your workplace may not provide specific trainings, there are often conferences and workshops that provide a cursory overview of certain skills. Even a 3 hour workshop can provide you withbackground knowledge and, in some instances, it might be enough to give you an advantage over someone else. And, since they’re work sponsored, they’re typically free.

Readers, how do you develop your skills in an environment that doesn’t allow for those opportunities?

So there’s this guy I know. We’ll call him Charlie because, well, that’s his name. Charlie is an older gentleman (seriously, older. This guy is in his 70s or 80s) who retired to South Florida after spending his career as a New York City bus driver (I know you are in shock that a New Yorker retired to South Florida. It is quite a surprise). He had made a good living, bought an apartment in a retirement complex (again, I know you’re shocked) and was ready to spend the rest of his years in retirement bliss.

But as Charlie socialized with his neighbors, he noticed that a number of them, for whatever reason, could no longer drive. The trolley and shuttle that catered to his neighborhood only goes to certain places and those places are not necessarily where the more…active residents wanted or needed to go. Also, seniors kind of live on their own schedule and that schedule didn’t necessarily jive with the shuttle.

So Charlie got an idea.

Since he could still drive, liked to drive, and had an impeccable sense of direction from his years a bus driver, Charlie realized that he could start his own car service company. He already had a built in market; all he had to do was advertise.  (It is at this point in the story I make complete assumptions and guesses because I don’t really know the details of how he gained most of his clientele). He found some of his friends, like my grandmother, who don’t or can’t drive and he started offering them car service to their doctor appointment, hair appointments, the mall. He even makes airport runs! Which is amazingly convenient for the seniors and their visiting families.

He then developed a pricing plan, offering discounts to loyal (and frequent) customers. He provides excellent customer service (no joke. When I was in his shuttle, he refused to let me pick up my own suitcase. It was a little weird watching this old man lift my bag but he really wouldn’t let me do it). He’s available when his customers need him and he’ll even make special accommodations. And, from what I understand, he’s even hired a few extra drivers because he can no longer handle the demand on his own.  I also understand that he’s making quite a nice living.

We can all learn some things from Charlie:

Identify a need. And then fill it. Charlie figured out that his friends needed reliable transportation because it was missing where he lived so he started his own car service company.

Ask yourself: where do you see gaps? When you talk to friends, online or in real life, what do they often say they wish they had? What services or products do you think are missing but are necessary?  Once you answer those questions, you have your business idea (or ideas)

Use your skills. Charlie spent his career as a driver. He’s good at it, he likes to do it, and he was able to parlay that into a business because people need to get around.

Ask yourself: what are you good at? What do you like to do? Are your skills profitable? Do people need your skills? Once you answer those questions, you have your action plan (and possible your marketing plan).

Be fair. Charlie understood that his customers live on a fixed income, with some budgets tighter than others. He developed a pricing strategy that was comfortable for his customers but still allowed him to turn a profit.

Ask yourself: what is a good price to charge for this service or product? How can I be fair but still make money? At what point do I raise my rates? How can I make my customers comfortable with my pricing but still turn a profit? Once you answer those questions, you have your pricing structure.

Don’t be an ass. Charlie is so nice and helpful. He likes to talk and tell stories which makes him fun. It’s a pleasure to ride in a car with him (although maybe a little scary. He is around 80 after all).  His customers really seem to like him, too, which is why they keep using his service.

Ask yourself: How do I want to treat my customers? What have learned from both good and bad customer service interactions? How can I put them at ease and make it so they want to keep working with me and recommend me to their associates and friends? Once you answer those questions, you have your customer service strategy (and possibly your advertising strategy).

All of these are great, important lessons to learn. But the main lesson we can learn from Charlie?

It’s never too late to start your own business.

So what are you waiting for?