How To Play Office Politics Without Getting Dirty

If you’ve been working hard for the same employer for several years and find yourself standing still as colleagues pass you on their way up the corporate ladder, it could be due to your resistance to office politics While workplace politicking can be a dirty game, it is an undeniable part of organizational life, and it exists in both public and private sectors. It's understandable why many refuse to engage; however, there are some useful tactics to help ease any concerns and better navigate through the political waters.

Accept office politics for what it is. When people come together in a group of any kind a culture forms within that group and from that culture comes politics. Some might refer to it as a herd mentality or groupthink—but at its core, it’s office politics. The intensity of office politics can vary, but it’s always present, so it’s important to accept it and learn how to maneuver around it to achieve your career goals.

Don’t take it all so seriously. One of the biggest mistakes professionals make is 

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Are You Working At A Dead-End Job?

Americans spend more than half of their waking hours at work, yet according to recent data, more than 70% of workers are professionally disengaged. Being “checked out” or unhappy at work can lead to poor performance and low productivity and the feelings can also spillover to your personal life. While legitimate factors such as the economy, expectations of doing more with less or working harder for lower pay and little recognition may be to blame, there could be other variables at play.

A major unrecognized factor to workplace discontentment is that professionals may in fact be at a dead-end job and it's time to do something about it. But before taking the leap into finding new work, it’s important to identify possible warning signs of a dead-end position, including:

• A raise is not in imminent;

• A promotion is unlikely;

• Offering suggestions for improving processes or procedures are not well received or implemented;

• There is little or no encouragement to take on more responsibility;

• The workload keeps increasing without more compensation and upward mobility does not seem within reach.

If a job meets several of the above criteria, it’s time to find the next professional move—but that doesn’t necessarily mean jumping ship to a new employer. Consider the following:

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Why You Can’t Replace Face Time With Social Media

Social media has infiltrated many facets of our lives, but when it comes to landing a job or career advancement, nothing beats in-person networking. Too many professionals rely on social media, instant messaging and email as replacements for human interaction and connection in the office and during the job hunt. While online networking can be efficient with establishing initial and then maintaining regular contact with potential employers, without actual face time, a social-media only relationship will lead to professional dead ends.

No one wants to hire based on just a resume or an online profile. When organizations are looking to promote from within, leaders are more likely to consider an employee they just chatted with at a company picnic than one who stays confided in a cubicle. A case of office politics? Maybe, but people prefer to hire and promote those they trust before strangers whose online profiles or correspondence can be staged or orchestrated.

However, face time is more than just a professional 'must do.' It's an opportunity. Here's why:

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Why Temping Is Good For Your Career

With the U.S. economic recovery still facing headwinds, insecurity still hangs over many business owners as they worry about how the ongoing fiscal uncertainty will impact their bottom lines. For this reason, a growing number of employers have shied away from adding full-time workers to their payroll and instead favor hiring temporary or freelance workers to fulfill a short-term need or to work on pending projects. Recent data shows an estimated 17 million Americans are currently employed on a temporary or contract basis, making up 12% of all employed people in the U.S.

Many Americans favor full-time employment because of the benefit packages and the steady workflow, but if approached correctly temporary or freelancing work can be a valuable asset to a career. Here's why:

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What Job Seekers Can Learn From The U.S. Marines

After getting swept up in a round of corporate layoffs, it's easy to succumb to the fear and uncertainty about what the future holds. And if you don't land an appropriate job in what you deem to be a reasonable amount of time, it's probable that you will reach a point where you become incredibly frustrated, feel hopelessly paralyzed and even start to give up.

Overall, this can be a miserable experience unless you are prepared with valuable tools for empowering yourself to pull through. Long-term job seekers can learn a lot can from the example set by our servicemen and women every day while fighting for our safety and freedom. A strong work ethic and the ability to triumph when faced with adversity are key in the armed forces--both for accomplishing the intended mission and for staying alive.

In my last job on Wall Street, I became familiar with a Marine Corps mantra often said by my former boss, who is a Marine Corps Reserve. He encouraged his team to...

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How Older Workers Can Stay Relevant In The Office

Age discrimination is illegal in the hiring process, but it's not illegal for employers to replace high-paid workers with younger employees who come with smaller salary demands. With technology constantly changing, older workers face the stereotype of being stale and out of date with the latest trends, which is why it's incumbent upon employees at any age to use an Occupreneur™ approach for remaining relevant, invaluable and employed.

An Occupreneur™ is someone who manages his or her career as an entrepreneur would manage a business. Entrepreneurs don't sit around waiting for someone to make decisions about their careers. They stay on their toes by reinventing and finding new ways to serve their clientele.  And they let their revenue streams serve as feedback on whether their approach is working or if adjustments are needed.

If you're an employee who feels that your career is dependent on the decisions made by others, or feel that you have no power over your employment status, it might be time to change your frame of mind. Attitude is everything: If you believe you're a valuable asset, then act like one. Employers will take not of your confidence and skill and reinforce your value.

Here are some steps to take today that will put you in the driver's seat for the remainder of you career:

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