What Not To Do in a Job Interview

Job interviews can be awkward. They give you just a couple of hours at most to serve up the perfect snapshot of your qualifications and personality. The pressure’s on. If you slip up, you may lose the opportunity or agree to something you don’t truly want.

Navigating a job interview is an art form that comes more naturally to some than to others. When you’re interviewing for a job, there are a lot of things you should do and tools you can employ to ensure interview success.

There are also some things that you shouldn’t do if you want a second interview or job offer. You also don’t want to give a false impression—even if it’s a good one—because it will come back to bite you later.

Don’t Do These 12 Things During a Job Interview

Employers are evaluating more than just your resume during the interview process. Here is what not to do when you’re interviewing for a job.

1. Don’t arrive too late or too early.

Arriving on time is the most basic prerequisite for a job interview. This goes double for online interviews, where there’s truly no excuse to be late. Prepare your travel carefully and leave a cushion for unexpected delays. If you are late one time due to an emergency, be very communicative with your contacts and try not to do it again.

However, don’t arrive too early for your interview and force yourself to sit nervously in full view in a waiting area. Plan to arrive no more than ten minutes earlier than your interview appointment time. You can grab a cup of coffee nearby if you get to your destination earlier than expected.

2. Don’t dress too casually.

Err on the side of overdressing to demonstrate that you are serious about the opportunity. Research the company’s website and social media pages to learn about their culture, and always dress one step up for an interview. Click here for tips on how to dress during online interviews, which come with their own set of rules. 

3. Don’t appear disorganized.

You want to appear organized and focused. Don’t come to a job interview with a thousand bags or papers in tow. Keep it to one, neat, professional bag with a pen and a few copies of your resume, references, and other application requirements. Bring a tiny notebook and take copious notes throughout the interview. Keep your paperwork neat in folders or binders, and make sure that everything is easy to find so that you don’t have to rummage around.

 If you’re doing an online interview, neaten up your background. Don’t let the boss see all of those candy wrappers littered around your workspace.

4. Don’t come unprepared.

By the time you walk into a job interview, you have hopefully researched the company and the potential position. While most hirers won’t expect you to know everything about a new job, you should peruse the company’s website and social media outlets, and have plenty to say about your position. If you come into the job interview without preparing, one can only imagine your performance on the actual job.

5. Don’t be rude to anyone you meet.

Everyone in the office is part of your hiring process. You never know if you’re riding the elevator with the CEO – and frankly it shouldn’t matter if she’s the CEO or the receptionist. Treat everyone you encounter with the utmost respect. Rudeness toward your fellow colleagues is an instant dealbreaker for many companies.

6. Don’t look at your cell phone.

You want to be as engaged and present as possible, so don’t glance at your cell phone during an interview. Most of us are semi-addicted to those incoming messages and alerts, so knock out the temptation by silencing your cell.

If you have kids, an elderly person, or another potential emergency in your life, you can set your phone only to ring when certain numbers call you. Your interviewer should understand if you absolutely must take an emergency call. Otherwise, put it away.

7. Don’t use negative body language or negative expressions.

If possible, do not lean back, slouch, or display disinterest through your posture. Lean slightly forward to engage your interviewer(s) and show an interest in what they are saying.

If you find that you haven’t smiled in awhile, try it. Interviewers want to know that you’re enthusiastic about the position. Other negative expressions that suggest anger, nervousness, dejectedness, or anxiety should be left at home. Remain calm and professional at all times so that your emotions don’t distract from your qualifications. You can always scream into your pillow later on. 

Of course, if a disability or mental illness precludes you from doing any of these things, an interviewer by law must not hold it against you.

8. Don’t interrupt or talk too much.

Listening is an underrated interviewing skill, and routinely interrupting a hiring manager is a huge no-no. Make sure you know what your interviewer is driving at before you launch into an answer. You don’t want to do all of the talking.

Here are tips for listening and responding during an interview. Getting into a cadence of listening and speaking is particularly important in virtual interviews, where interruptions can bring the conversation to a halt. 

9. Don’t lie.

There are many reasons why you shouldn’t lie during a job interview. You might get caught inflating your qualifications, for example, which will almost certainly cost you the job. 

Furthermore, there’s no reason to lie when you can instead emphasize your willingness to learn or refuse to answer potentially discriminatory questions. For example, communications coach and career brand strategist Lucy Samuels said that if an interviewer asks how much money you made at your previous job, you can deflect by saying, “I would much rather focus on the current position.” Or you can focus on your research and say, “I’ve researched this role, and this is the salary that’s appropriate.” 

In fact, many states have made illegal the interview question “What did you make at your previous job?” and it is against federal law for job interviewers to ask applicants about their pregnancy status, age, and potential disabilities, among other subjects. 

10. Don’t eat in a distracting way.

As a rule of thumb, try to avoid eating or chewing gum during a job interview. Eating is an informal experience, and you want to avoid unnecessary distractions or mess. Eat beforehand so that you’re not hungry. Stick to one cup of coffee, water, or tea, then proceed to sip and ignore it throughout the interview.

If you are in a situation where you absolutely must eat, such as true lunch interview, you still want to make the food as straightforward and unmemorable as possible. Order a small portion of something that can be gracefully consumed, like a salad, for example, instead of pizza or oily pasta. Don’t let eating get in the way of your conversation. Here’s more information on how to handle an interview at a restaurant.

Also, avoid ordering alcoholic beverages at all costs. It doesn’t matter if anyone else is drinking; you want to stay 100 percent lucid and professional.

11. Don’t play favorites.

Do not unintentionally play favorites during group interview situations. There is a natural tendency for most of us to feel a stronger chemistry with one or more of our interviewers than the others. You might look at the comfortable person more often or address your answers or questions to her more frequently.

Make a deliberate effort to focus equally on each of your interviewers since it is likely that each of them will carry weight in the decision-making process. If you have to sit in a group interview, here’s how to handle that situation with finesse.

12. Don’t accept or reject an offer right then and there.

Your judgment is usually clouded during a job interview. Often your adrenaline is high and you want to please the boss. Alternatively, perhaps you had an encounter with someone in the office that rubbed you the wrong way, so you’re feeling down on the job overall. Either way, an interview is no time to accept or reject a job offer. Don’t give them an answer right away. You need to be away from the interview environment and alone with your feelings.

If you’re still interested in a job offer later on, you can start the negotiation process. You may even want to negotiate for things beyond salary, like your start date or the company’s remote-work policy. These things take time to consider and should never be hashed out in an interview.

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What To Wear for a Zoom Job Interview

What should you wear to a Zoom job interview? With more companies conducting job interviews over Zoom and other video platforms, choosing an outfit has become a whole new ballgame. What looks good in person may look like a sloppy nightmare in video calls. Job seekers are learning how to style themselves from scratch.

Joseph Rosenfeld is a personal stylist and corporate image consultant who has seen his clients struggle over what to wear in the digital atmosphere.

“It’s not just about how you want your clothes to show up on Zoom, although that is a part of it,” Rosenfeld said. “It’s more of a story about your overall presence. Visuals are really important. That’s the prism through which everyone is going to receive your communication. On Zoom, you have just a little bit of real estate to do it.”

Here are tips on what to wear, and how to look stylish and maximize your Zoom presence during a job interview. 

10 Tips for What To Wear to a Video Job Interview

1. Groom, groom, groom.

Grooming is a major part of personal style, and it’s a great way to display your professionalism during a job interview. You may not have the best haircut, but you should be able to style your hair as neatly as possible, said Rosenfeld. If you wear makeup, put on a little more than usual so that the contrast shows through the fuzziness of your webcam feed.

“Keep a clean face,” said Rosenfeld. “I think it’s fair and important to say that any gender identity should maintain good grooming standards. Make yourself look bright for the camera so that when you’re seen by people, you leave them with a good impression.” 

2. Avoid busy patterns.

Unfortunately, video call feeds are fuzzy sometimes thanks to buffering issues. Busy patterns are not advised.

“You may be known as a zany person, but it’s better to actually tone it down and consider wearing something solid or wearing a pattern in a very controlled way,” said Rosenfeld. “You want people to focus on you and not feel as if they have to turn off their camera because they’re dizzy.”

3. Think about color and contrast. 

During a job interview, you want to stand out in all the right ways. Rosenfeld said that a great place to start is by matching the color of your eyes.

“If you can repeat that on your body, whether it is a top, a blouse, a shirt, an appropriate piece of knitwear, it can be pieces—that’s a wonderful opportunity to amplify the authenticity of a person,” said Rosenfeld. “Eyes to me are always the window of the soul.”

Skin coloring, makeup, hair, outfit, accessories, and background should all be working together in medium contrast, according to Rosenfeld.

For example, a woman with light hair and white skin may want to avoid white walls, or else she’ll blend into the background. However, she’ll also want to avoid too much contrast—such as black walls and black sweaters against a white background—or the effect might be “bobble-head syndrome,” where the head almost looks as if it’s floating in space. Someone with darker skin already has the advantage of contrast against a white wall. 

4. Your outfit should be a “culture fit.”

You want to look as if you fit into the company culture, according to Rosenfeld. That doesn’t always mean wearing a suit and tie, and it certainly doesn’t mean dressing down. It means taking cues from the company culture and dressing just a bit fancier.

“Talk to people at the company. Look at the company’s website. Understand what the values of this company are, and ask yourself, ‘How do I visually align with those values?’ Then, amp it up.”

Rosenfeld pointed to Apple as an example. The brand’s overall style is minimalist—so an interviewee at the company might opt for an elegant and sleek outfit while avoiding tons of embellishments.

“You’re courting the people you’re interviewing with,” said Rosenfeld. “If you’re working for a small startup or a tech giant and they don’t have a dress code, that doesn’t mean you’re going to wear a tank top to a job interview. You’ve got to be able to come up with something that says okay, I get this culture.”

5. Pick a few favorites.

If all goes well, you will likely be called for more than one interview. Pick a few of your favorite outfits in order to feel confident and present. 

“Choose a special one,” said Rosenfeld. “Why not take out your favorite shirts or dresses in order to bring your good energy? Have a selection of your faves.”

6. Choose the Right Accessories

For an added bonus, accessorize.

“A lady, for example, can tie a scarf around her neck, which will bring more focus and attention to her face,” said Rosenfeld. “It will make her feel confident and secure in her presence so that she leaves people with that impression. She’s comfortable, confident, focused. You’re focused on her.”

7. Background matters a lot.

Your background is just as important as your outfit, and the two go hand-in-hand, according to Rosenfeld. Your Zoom window shows only a small frame, so everything stands out. Keep your background tidy.

“Background has never been a part of personal style as it is now,” said Rosenfeld. “Now that you’re broadcasting from the comforts of home, it is important to set up your background properly so that it’s a proper representation of your professionalism.”

You can use the composition to your advantage and create an interesting, conversation-worthy background, as long as it’s not distracting.

“If you play a musical instrument, why not have one out so people can see? It makes sense that you should be surrounding yourself with elements of the best of you,” said Rosenfeld. “They’ll see that you’re an interesting, multi-faceted person.” 

Your background color and lighting will dictate what you should wear. 

8. Set up good lighting.

Unless you’re interviewing for a cinematographer position, your hiring manager probably doesn’t expect you to have perfect lighting during your Zoom call. However, there’s no point in dressing your best if you don’t have decent lighting.

“It’s important to have the lighting situation in the room be correct so that when you’re wearing colors, they show up as boldly or vividly as you may want,” said Rosenfeld.

Here’s how to make sure you’ve got the best lighting:

• Play around with the lighting in your shot.
• Make sure the sun isn’t blinding—and bear in mind, this will change depending on the interview’s time of day.
• Bring in some lamps for warmer tones.
• Close drapes or throw blankets over your lamps to reel in the bright lights.

 

Tip: Be crafty. Your hiring manager doesn’t need to know how much duct tape you used to tone down your fluorescents.

9. Framing matters.

When framing your shot, make sure your head and the top half of your chest are totally inside the frame. Sit up straight, and center yourself in the shot.

“The framing is about letting people remember what your presence is like in person. Don’t look too slouchy or chill or laid back just because you’re at home. It’s important to let people see you’re taking it seriously,” said Rosenfeld.

10. Test beforehand, always.

Always run a quick test before you enter a job interview. That means taking a selfie or seeing how you look through your computer webcam. 

“You should be doing this before every call,” said Rosenfeld. “Go stand against that background and take a selfie. Honor what that looks like. If it looks wrong, you can always change outfits. That’s the advantage of being at home.” 

Bonus Tip: Wear pants.

You want to feel professional, focused, and confident. So, wear pants, even if the employer can’t see them, said Rosenfeld.

“It is still really part of your presence,” said Rosenfeld. “And I’m not trying to say, ‘Oh put on heels or dress shoes.’ I’m not suggesting that we take it too far. But I do think that it is important to send the right message to yourself, which then sends the right message to other people. Wear pants, 100%.

How To Get Set For Your Interview

It’s always a good idea to make sure all your technology is in working order for your call. Here’s how to set up a Zoom test call to practice for your interview and to make sure all your audio, video, and internet connection are working properly.

If you haven’t interviewed online much or at all, review advice on how to ace a video interview and make the best impression.

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How To Start a New Career at 60 and Beyond

If you’re asking whether starting a new career at 60 years old or older is possible, keep reading, as I answer this question and share steps for transitioning later in your career.

Before diving in, I want to share context on how this article came about: I recently authored an article on how to make a career change at 40 or 50, which resulted in several outreach messages from job seekers inquiring, “Okay, Kyle, but I’m late-career. Is starting a new career at 60 possible? If so, how do you change careers if you’re an older worker?”

Is Changing Careers at 60 Possible?

For starters, yes, it’s absolutely possible to change careers at 60 years old. However, those who are late-career face unique challenges (and opportunities) compared to younger job seekers, which you need to be aware of.

On the one hand, there is a stigma that older workers are less adaptable and stuck in their ways. (Continue reading, as I explain several ways you can counteract this stigma in your job search in the next section.)

On the other, older workers have additional experience and accomplishments that can set them apart from those who are earlier in their career, which you can use to your advantage in the competitive job market.

Now, before I dive into how to change careers after 60, I want to share a few examples of clients who have successfully made late-career switches:

• A 65+-year-old retired four-time entrepreneur landed a senior sales executive role after a significant employment gap.
• A 60+-year-old professor transitioned from academia to a tech startup and received a significant salary increase.
• A 60+-year-old operations leader transitioned from manufacturing to software development and received a promotion and salary increase.

 

How to Start a New Career At 60

So, how do you successfully switch careers after 60? Here’s where to start:

1. Be realistic about your career change goals.

You must start with a realistic goal for your career change. While my mission is to help people “achieve the impossible,” I also want you to be successful, which means being cognizant of the realities of the world and the current job market.

Consequently, you might find it helpful to categorize your career change goals into a few buckets:

• What are requirements and deal-breakers for you? (Example: minimum salary and no toxic workplace)
• What are your preferences? (Example: technology industry)

 

As you set your job search goals, ask yourself what’s most important to you and whether you might be able to find it somewhere else. If you’re drawn to the larger salaries and total compensation packages associated with the tech industry, for instance, consider whether there are adjacent industries you would also be open to.

2. Find companies that hire older workers.

Next, begin to identify potential employers that align with your career change goals. Candidly, not all employees are right for you if you’re switching careers later in life. You’ll want to target those organizations that are open to both older workers and career changers.

One way to find companies that hire more experienced workers is to look at those who have completed the AARP Employer Pledge. As of writing this article, more than 1,000 employers have completed the pledge to promote equal opportunity for all workers, regardless of age. As a career coach specializing in tech, I was excited to see Amazon, Apple, LinkedIn, and Microsoft on the list.

3. Work on your internal confidence.

As you begin to identify target companies and positions, your confidence might take a hit. Identifying your career accomplishments can help with this by significantly boosting your confidence as you head into the job search. I encourage you to grab a piece of paper and write out all your major career wins. Aim for multiple pages!

Taking it a step further, practice communicating what sets you apart from younger, less-experienced candidates. If you’re targeting product management roles, for instance, I want you to write out at least a dozen reasons why a company should hire a 60-year-old product leader over a 30-year-old product leader. Then, strategically weave these statements into your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile.

4. Be open to learning.

Finally, be open to learning through this process. If you notice you fall short of any of the job requirements, for instance, see it as an opportunity to hone your skills. Although you’re not required to check off every item in the job posting, it can help to get closer, particularly if it’s a skill or software you can quickly pick up. There is a plethora of on-demand courses available on LinkedIn, which can help counteract any age-related stigma.

Speaking of LinkedIn, the platform can be incredibly powerful as you begin applying for roles. You can see if you have anyone in your network who works at your target companies or knows someone who does. And if you don’t have any connections, you can also send a networking message requesting an informational interview to learn more about the company and culture.

Tip: if you want some extra support and guidance, consider hiring a resume writer or career coach to teach you more about the nuances of the current job market.

While changing careers at 60 and beyond takes more effort, it’s still possible if you have the right strategy and believe in yourself. You’ve got this!

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10 Reasons You Didn’t Get the Job

Job searching is tough on your self-esteem. It’s hard to tell yourself that it’s nothing personal when employers appear to be rejecting you as a person (or at least, as a professional).

But the truth is that a lot of the time, it really isn’t about you. Hiring managers have goals, constraints, and considerations that you can’t see from your end of the interaction. Further, they’re human, too—sometimes, they miss out on great hires for reasons that have nothing to do with the candidates’ skills or abilities.

That said, there are things you can do to help ensure that your application gets the right kind of attention from hiring teams.

10 Reasons You Didn’t Get the Job That Have Nothing To Do With You

Here’s what you need to know about the factors that might keep you from getting hired.

Things You Can’t Control

Internal Hires

Most companies post job listings both externally and internally when they have an opening. However, there are many reasons why they might prefer to choose an internal candidate if one becomes available. For one thing, they’re a known quantity;

Bad Communication

A typical hiring process involves multiple people, departments, and decision-makers—and often, these entities are not communicating well with one another. It’s not uncommon for a recruiter to promise something that a hiring manager knows nothing about, or vice versa. Sometimes, these mix-ups extend to entire job reqs, which is why you might see job openings disappear even if they’re unfilled.

Changes in Priorities

Layoffs, reorganizations, changes in management—all these factors can affect budgets and hiring decisions. Sometimes, the hiring manager is the last to know about them.

Financial Woes

Whether it’s a global recession, an industry downturn, or an isolated example of one employer hitting a rough patch, money troubles frequently mean hiring freezes. You obviously can’t affect the economy or an individual company’s financial fortunes.

The Hiring Manager Doesn’t Recognize a Good Thing (You)

Maybe you had a disconnect with the hiring manager during the interview. Perhaps they’re looking for a different skill set, work history, or approach. Or maybe they’re biased against you based on irrelevant factors that are way beyond your control. Recognize that even if it’s about you, it’s probably not about you. It’s their loss.

Things You Can Change

Failing to Use Your Network

At least a third of new hires come through employee referrals, according to SHRM. This makes sense, as data shows that employees who come via referral are more likely to be a good fit and stay at the organization than those who don’t. It’s worth looking at LinkedIn the next time you target a job opportunity. You might be surprised to see how many contacts you have in the company.

Sending the Same Resume and Cover Letter to Every Job

Employers don’t want to hire just any qualified applicant. They want candidates who really want to work for their organization and in their open roles. Customizing your resume and cover letter ensures that your enthusiasm shows through.

Even more importantly, it ensures that your application makes it through the applicant tracking system (ATS), which sorts resumes for consideration. Make sure your resume and cover letter contain the keywords from the job description in the listing to maximize your chances of getting your information in front of the hiring team.

Spamming Employers With Applications to Multiple Roles

One way to structure your job search is to start by targeting the employers you’d like to work for. Once you have this list, you can narrow your search by focusing on these companies’ roles.

However, resist the urge to apply to every opportunity you see on their corporate job site. You’ll look less than focused and maybe even desperate—not a good place to start a potential salary negotiation, even if you hear from the employer.

Not Following Up After

Your parents were right: it’s important to say thank you, and as quickly and authentically as possible. After a job interview, send a thank-you email within 24 hours. Include specifics about your enthusiasm for the role and why you feel that you would be an asset to the organization. You may also decide to include any questions you didn’t get a chance to ask during the job interview.

After you send your thank-you note, you can also follow up once more to gauge their interest. If the hiring team gave you a timeline during the interview, wait until this period has elapsed before sending your note. Otherwise, wait at least a week.

Don’t push it beyond that. Employers want to hire candidates who are passionate about the work, but they don’t like to be hounded.

Falling Into a Self-Blame Spiral

It’s easy to feel down on yourself while you’re struggling through a lengthy job search. But remember that there are many issues at play here beyond your profile as a candidate. Be responsive to feedback from hiring managers or recruiters, but be sure to give yourself grace, as 

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Signs You Should Turn Down a Job Offer

It can be a difficult decision to make, to turn down a job offer, especially if you have been looking for some time. Remember though, that you spend a lot of your time at work, and it is really important that you find the right fit.

Taking the time to evaluate whether the job you have been offered is the right job is well worth it, for your sake (and your family’s) as well as for your potential employer. Remember, you’re not the only one who has turned down a job—here are some of the most common reasons for rejecting a job offer.

In addition to the job content, evaluate both the salary and the benefits. After you have crunched the numbers, consider some of the other factors that aren’t as quantifiable. Those are as important as the compensation package. When considering both types of factors, sometimes it can make good sense to say no thank you.

13 Signs You Should Turn Down a Job Offer

Review these warning signs that should, at least, get you thinking about whether it makes sense to accept—or decline—a job offer.

Your gut says no.

One of the best bosses I ever worked for told me to listen to my gut, and he was right. If you left the interview with a knot in your stomach and hoped you wouldn’t get an offer though the job offered a high salary and greater responsibility, it may be time to decline.

Nobody has anything good to say.

At lunch, you had the opportunity to meet some potential colleagues who report to your prospective boss. When you asked them to describe her management style, they hesitated and struggled to convey any positives.

You’re not sure what you would be doing.

The employer was unable to communicate a clear sense of what your job would entail. If more information would help you make a decision, it’s fine to ask for more details.

You’re looking for work-life balance.

You are a parent and need to balance between work and family. It became apparent during the interview process that a key to a successful career in the organization would be working late many evenings.

There’s too much turnover.

Turnover in your prospective job is much higher than normal for the industry.

The career ladder isn’t clear.

You are interested in career advancement, and a career ladder rising from your prospective job is not well defined.

There’s too much to learn too soon.

Neither formal or informal mechanisms for training appear to be in place, and the job would involve a steep learning curve for you.

Your values don’t mesh with the company’s mission.

Your personal values are at odds with the mission or practices of the organization. For example, you are a dedicated environmentalist and the organization has a reputation as a major polluter.

The company isn’t as successful as you would like.

The company is losing market share in its industry, and success in your role would require a well-respected brand.

The salary isn’t enough.

The salary offered is a step up for you but significantly below market for the job, and the prospect of gaining salary increases is not clear.

Tip: Consider negotiating salary if the offer isn’t too much for a stretch from what you were expecting to get paid at your next job. 

The base salary is too low.

Compensation is heavily weighted with commissions and/or bonuses and the goals for achieving adequate compensation do not seem reasonable.

You would have to get up and talk.

The employer is looking for someone who excels at public speaking or requires some other skill that is not a strength for you, and you are not interested in developing that skill area.

There isn’t enough room for personal and professional growth.

The salary and benefits are great, but you wouldn’t be developing the knowledge and skills that would qualify you for the next step toward your ultimate job.

 

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How To Manage Burnout at Work

Burnout is on the rise, with more than 40% of the global workforce reporting it according to a recent report from Future Forum. Prevention is key when dealing with the stress of work.

But how do you cope when you start experiencing burnout at work? Are there steps you can take to begin recovering once you’re burnt out?

Continue reading to learn seven proven strategies for combatting burnout at work.

7 Ways to Cope with Burnout at Work

1. Develop a mindfulness practice.

One of the first steps to take when you start experiencing job burnout is to focus your awareness on the present moment, which can seem counterintuitive since we have a tendency to want to evade negative feelings.

The following are a few of my favorite mindfulness techniques I’ve picked up over the years.

• 4-7-8 Breathing Technique: Breathe in for a count of 4, hold for a count of 7, and exhale for a count of 8. Repeat.
• 5 Senses Grounding Practice: Acknowledge 5 things you see around you, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, and 1 you can taste (or 1 thing you appreciate).
• Mindful Walking: Walk slowly and deliberately, with a focus on your senses, your steps, and your breaths.

The key to each of these techniques is to slow down, tune into yourself, and listen to what your body needs in the present moment.

2. Take a break from work.

This next tip for coping with burnout may sound obvious, but many workers forget to use all their PTO, especially when faced with never-ending task lists. However, time disconnected from work is critical to combatting and recovering from burnout.

Note: Some companies allow you to cash out some or all of your unused PTO annually. While this may be tempting, money will rarely resolve your burnout problem. What you really need is time away from work to recharge and truly recover.

3. Engage in meaningful self-care.

Now, what do you do with your PTO when you take it? Self-care looks different for everyone, and it doesn’t have to be extravagant, yet I argue it’s best when used purposely and intentionally.

In fact, some of the most rewarding time off can be simply lounging around the house or planning a staycation. Personally speaking, I fight burnout with day trips to Disneyland and weekend-long Netflix binges.

Depending on the severity of your burnout, you might consider a lengthier sabbatical to allow yourself time to recuperate.

4. Ask your manager for help.

While a break can help you recuperate, you’ll eventually need to return to the office. If your workplace is contributing to your burnout, you’ll want to consider speaking with your manager about how they can support you and your recovery.

It’s important to come to these conversations with potential solutions in hand, as you know your situation best and must advocate for your needs. And if you’re uncomfortable approaching your boss, which is understandable, you may consider speaking first with your human resources liaison.

5. Leverage your company’s EAP.

While on the topic of HR, be sure to check if your company offers an employee assistance program (EAP) as part of your benefits package. Common services available through an EAP to help you manage burnout include:

• Short-term psychological counseling
• Coaching programs
• Referral services

Many employees are uneducated on the wealth of free and low-cost mental health and wellness benefits available to them, so be sure to spend ample time getting up to date on what your company has to offer.

6. Speak with a mental health professional.

Beyond the resources provided by your company’s EAP, you might also consider consulting with a therapist, spiritual guide, or other mental health professional. A trained practitioner can provide you with tools and resources to effectively cope with burnout at work.

Both your EAP and Psychology Today are good places to research and find a mental health professional to support you in navigating and recovering from burnout.

7. Consult a career coach.

Lastly, a certified career coach who specializes in mental health and well-being can be a great resource as you begin recovering from burnout. Importantly, you want to find a coach with expertise in supporting people who are experiencing burnout, since it requires a special skill set and approach.

Final Thoughts on Managing Burnout at Work

Remember that you’re in control when it comes to how you respond. If your current workplace is exacerbating your burnout, consider whether it might be time to look for a new job that is better for your mental health. You’ve got this!

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How To Move Up the Career Ladder

Do you want to have a title—and maybe a salary, too—that’s loftier than the one you currently hold? Moving up that proverbial career ladder requires a mix of hard work, strategic networking and relationship development, and often, a little bit of luck. 

8 Tips for Moving Up the Career Ladder

If you’re eager to advance in the workplace, and build a personally fulfilling career, follow these tips. 

1. Know What You Want

Are you interested in an eventual c-suite role? Do you want to manage a team? Are you hoping to have “senior” in front of your job title? It’s easier to move up the ladder if you have a sense of where precisely you want to wind up. So start with a goal—then, create a plan to get there. 

Think through how to break down your end goal into steps, and then how you’ll each step. You may need to get another degree, relocate, upgrade your skills, or head to another company to achieve certain steps. 

2. Communicate Your Ambitions

Next, share some specifics (no need to give a PowerPoint on your 10-year plan, or share every tiny detail) with your manager. Being open and sharing what you want can be powerful. Tell your manager you hope one day to hold title X may make him or her view in a new way—and give you new, challenging opportunities that’ll allow you to grow and shine. 

Plus, once your manager is aware of your goal, he or she can potentially give you meaningful feedback. There may, for instance, be a specific path to an internal promotion. 

3. Build Strong Relationships

Careers thrive based on who you know. No need to be craven about your relationship-building. Instead, take the time to get to know your manager and colleagues. 

Be friendly and helpful, and put in the time with small talk and show up at optional company-wide events. Getting things done is important, but people do generally seek to work with folks they get along with. So it’s strategically wise to get along well with colleagues. 

It can also be helpful to find a mentor at work, who can guide you through sticky situations, as well as giving you advice on the path to promotion and getting positive attention. 

4. Go Beyond Your Job Description

Think of the tasks in your job description as the bare minimum. Aim to help out co-workers when they’re swamped, and go the extra mile on your own tasks.

The caveat: Avoid being the person on the team who handles all the work without acknowledgement and commensurate remuneration.

Let your manager know when you put in extra hours or help out colleagues—bring it up during one-on-one meetings, your annual review, and when you ask for a raise or promotion. 

5. Put Yourself in Leadership Positions

That can mean giving presentations and leading up projects—but it can also mean speaking up in meetings, coming up with big ideas, and generally being a person the company turn to for solutions. Again, the theme here remains—if you want to move up the ladder, you’ll need to do more than maintain the status quo.

As you plan your moves up the career ladder, it can be helpful to think: What is the person one rung up from me doing well? Emulate them in ways they’re successful (and avoid mimicry in areas where they’re less than successful). 

6. Track Your Accomplishments

And put them in terms the company can respect, such as revenue gained, clients won, or expenses cut. Don’t boast, but do share when you have accomplished something noteworthy. 

7. Reflect the Company Goals

There are all sorts of projects that you can devote your energy toward. Prioritize the ones that roll up into the company’s big picture fiscal goals whenever possible. 

8. Dress the Part

That doesn’t necessarily mean wearing a suit! But do model your appearance and behavior after the people who are in positions of authority at the company.

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