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10 Cool Office Spaces

Glassdoor Team — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

While beige office walls may help keep some focused on the work at hand, for others it’s often seen as a blank canvas for fostering creativity. Whether it’s halls decorated like the New York City subway system or a floor-to-ceiling spiraling slide, these 10 companies show how to use and design office space in a whole new way.

See which photos employees have shared on Glassdoor that make up our list of 10 offices you wished you worked in:

1. Epic, headquartered in Verona, Wis., has designed an office hallway to look like the New York subway. More Epic Photos.

2. Google keeps some fun in mind at one of their offices as employees can literally slide from one floor down to the next. More Google Photos.

3. Microsoft employees pull up a seat around this large touchscreen tablet table. More Microsoft Photos.

4. Infosys brings games to one of their offices by adding in a bowling alley. More Infosys Photos.

5. Box, headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., has a playful take on seating arrangements as they added swings to their office. More Box Photos.

6. Facebook employees can take advantage of a video game room. More Facebook Photos.

7. Groupon breaks away from traditional office norms by adding color and modern design to their office. More Groupon Photos.

8. Edelman, a multinational public relations company headquartered in Chicago, Ill., also adds bright colors and modern design elements. More Edelman Photos.

9. Autodesk employees collaborate in architecturally interesting spaces. More Autodesk Photos.

10. HUMAN Healthy Vending adds comfy chairs that line its reception space. More HUMAN Healthy Vending Photos.

What’s your office like? Share your office photos on Glassdoor.

10 Cool Office Spaces is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

Don’t Let Your Job Search Consume Your Days

Vickie Elmer — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:42:51 +0000

If your 2013 goals are ambitious or numerous, your time management and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously must be well muscled. And if you’re squeezing in a job hunt between a full-time job, volunteer work and family or friends, you may need help.

If you need a time management trainer, you could take lessons from Melinda Emerson, an author, writer and social media whiz who hosts the weekly #smallbizchat on Twitter. She writes about social media and small business for the New York Times and with her team creates corporate content to engage small business. She’s also a single mother who expects to start a regular television gig this year and is finishing her second book. Her focus is small business success, and she easily works 55 hours a week on all of this, including her social media updates to 195,000 Twitter followers.

So, she knows something about making multiple projects fly.

“It’s a moving target every week,” said Emerson, whose work day stretches from 6:45 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a break for time with her son, JoJo, and some days, a workout. Here are her top five strategies to juggle it all, while actively searching for a job:

1. Make the Morning Productive. If it works for you, get up early and get started. Spend the hour before you need to get ready for work on important priorities and follow-up. ”I try to get five things done before 11:00 a.m.,” says Emerson, usually a mix of personal priorities and professional advancement and needs. To see that she hits the right five, she makes a list the day before that might include time with a personal trainer, key emails sent, or a conference call.

2. Find Great People to Help. You may need a professional resume writer or a career coach – or a cleaning lady. Or, as Emerson does, you may need a personal assistant/nanny and a researcher/writer, webmaster, blog manager and stylist. Most of them are on monthly retainer after finding her via Twitter or a Twitter referral. The busiest people get help with their life and work and find great people who can take over some tasks.

3. Segment Your Days. Decide the rhythm and purpose of your days. Make the priority for one day all of your planning and preparation, research and such, then another day may focus on meeting with clients and potential clients. Emerson spends all day Monday writing; she skips meetings and calls that day. And Fridays she reserves for in-person meetings in Philadelphia or nearby. If you’re job hunting, choose a day, a month or every other week. Then batch your meetings, connections and outreach, to conserve the amount of personal and vacation days you consume.

4. Get Ahead. Don’t do everything right on deadline. See which parts of your work can be done in advance – and then do that. Emerson has blog posts written a month ahead. She does the same for other writing projects. “A good idea is still a good idea, three weeks from now,” she says. Plus when you don’t have crazy deadlines always looming, many people will be happier, more creative – and more productive.

5. Track All Your Projects. Use a white board, as Emerson does, or a Google doc or some project management program. But keep everything in one place so you can see at a glance what projects you want to complete that month – and which ones you must move forward if they are to be finished by deadline.

Emerson believes it’s important for those who want to be entrepreneurs to start their business while they’re still working full-time. Her first book, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, spells out how to do that. Yet she learned a lot on time management from another book: The 7 Minute Difference by Allyson Lewis. And if you’re focused and clear about your direction, you’ll have time to read it and other improvement books, too.

Don’t Let Your Job Search Consume Your Days is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

4 Ways To Win Workplace Negotiations

Personal Branding Blog — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:36:54 +0000

At some point in your career you have negotiate whether it’s negotiating a job offer or negotiating how a work project gets handled. For example, when it comes to deciding whether to accept a job offer, you are likely to be involved in some form of negotiation, e.g., salary, number of vacation days, starting date, etc.

Since most of us are not regularly engaged in negotiations of any kind, you might want to take some pointers about how to successfully negotiate from expert Stuart Diamond, a Harvard Law School graduate who teaches negotiation tactics and strategies to students and Fortune 500 executives at The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Professor Diamond’s negotiation research spans over two decades and is informed by data generated from over 30,000 people in 45 countries. He offers FOUR basic tips for what he calls “never-fail” negotiation (Hey, Washington, D.C., are you paying attention?!):

1. Don’t Think About “Winning.” Diamond says that if you think about negotiation strictly from the standpoint of “winning,” you’ll probably just end up losing. “Negotiation is not a competition,” he points out, “it’s a collaboration.” Instead of winning, you should focus on meeting your goals. “If you think of it as ‘winning,’ you will think about beating them,” he says. “And if you do that, you will not collaborate as much.”

Diamond’s Advice: Define what your true, principal goal is in the negotiations and then make sure that your actions (and reactions) are helping you meet/attain that goal, not largely undermining your efforts in that direction.

Example: If your true, principal goal is to land the particular job you are in contention for, but not every aspect of the offer at this point is necessarily to your liking, first concentrate on doing that which will help you realize your goal, i.e., getting the job offer. Then, to the extent possible, honestly negotiate those parts of the offer which are causing you concern. Keep in mind, however, that some aspects of a job offer simply may not be negotiable at all, e.g., company health insurance plan, while other aspects certainly can be, e.g., salary.

2. Ask What You Can Do for the Other Person. Negotiation is very much a “give and take proposition,” Diamond stresses, and when you ask the other person what you can do for him or her, it can go a long way toward successful negotiation.

Example: When interviewing for a new job (even though you should already know at least part of the answer), ask the hiring manager what needs he or she is trying to meet by filling the position. Then, clearly demonstrate how you are prepared to meet the hiring manager’s needs.

3. Uncover and Then Clarify Any Misconceptions that May Exist. Whenever there is a conflict/disagreement between what you think is the root cause of any “sticking points” during negotiation and what the other person thinks the root cause may be, don’t automatically assume that you know what the other person is thinking or what, specifically, may be motivating him/her to take any particular position. Ask the other person what his or her perceptions of the situation are, and then seek further clarification, if necessary! “Anytime you have a conflict with someone, ask what (they) are perceiving,” Diamond advises. Knowing what the other person’s true perceptions are—and not what you think or suppose they are—no matter how discordant these perceptions may be with your own, gives you a better starting point for persuading the other person to see things the way you see them, he adds. Why? “Because you (will then) understand the pictures in their heads,” he says. (Emphasis mine.)

Example: Suppose the hiring manager is adamant that he/she simply cannot go any higher on the salary offer on the table. Rather than merely assume that he/she is just being “contrary,” if possible, seek to learn why the hiring manager is taking that position. It may be something as simple as restrictions built into the company salary administration system, restrictions that the hiring manager cannot override.

4. Never Threaten, Issue Ultimatums or “Walk Out” on Negotiations. When faced with an apparent impasse during negotiations of any kind some people respond in, shall we say, other than a professional manner. They may make threats and/or issue ultimatums (“If that’s the way things are going to be, I no longer want to even discuss the issue . . .”), or, they simply “walk out” on negotiations, either figuratively or literally, and any potential deal under consideration can quickly and easily be doomed from that point on. Here is what Diamond has to say about acting in such an ill-advised fashion: “Keep your emotions in check or you’ll be checking out of your negotiation.”

Example: As a “headhunter,” unfortunately, I experience “hard-line” reactions/responses from time to time—from both candidates and hiring managers. “There is no way I am even going to consider such a ridiculous (salary, benefits packages, etc.),” a candidate might say, when I present a hiring company’s offer to him or her. “This is all we are going to offer for the position and the candidate can either take it or leave it,” a hiring manager may say, when I come back with a counter-offer from the candidate. Obviously, when either (or both) parties to job negotiations take such apparently irrevocable positions, there can be no winners, only losers.

Importance of Professional Brand in Successful Job Negotiations

All four negotiation tips Professor Diamond offers are certainly “right on the money,” as far as I’m concerned and based upon nearly a decade of being professionally involved in job negotiations of one kind or another. However, it is significant to note that, in the case of job candidates, in any case, successfully negotiating any aspect of a job offer presupposes that the candidate has branded himself/herself in such a fashion as to be in a position to negotiate.

If the candidate has in fact branded himself/herself as clearly and unmistakably being among the very TOP candidates available for the position under consideration, then he or she certainly is in a position to be taken seriously and genuine negotiation is possible. If that is not the case, however, then there is a far greater risk of the hiring manager issuing a “take it or leave it” ultimatum and moving on to the next candidate. – Originally posted on the Personal Branding Blog by Skip Freeman

4 Ways To Win Workplace Negotiations is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

Employees’ Top Work Resolutions For 2013 & Preferred Holiday Perks

Glassdoor Team — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:00:48 +0000

Have you thought about what your New Year’s resolutions will be for 2013? Perhaps you’re thinking you’ll eat healthier, exercise more, spend more time with friends and family, or find love. What about resolutions tied to your job and career?

Many employees are already starting to think about what their work-related resolutions will be, and perhaps not too surprisingly one in three (32%) are focused on getting a raise, one in four (24%) want to work on their leadership/management skills, and another one in four (23%) plan to look for a new job. Two percent of employees said their top work-related resolution is to help get their boss fired.

Other top priorities among employees for the New Year are below:

The top work-related resolutions are part of an annual Glassdoor survey¹ which looks at feedback from more than 2,000 U.S. based employees² and job seekers to find out not only what is top of mind come the New Year, but also get their take on gifts from employers.

Employer-Gifted Holiday Perks

Holidays are well-known as a time of giving. So if you’re an employer, what gifts do you think employees most want to receive? It seems like the time for gold watches is a thing of the past, but cash still rules.

Nearly three in four employees (73%) said that a cash bonus would be among their top choices for employer-gifted holiday perks this year, followed by a salary raise (60%), and paid time-off (36%). Employers may also want to hold the free beer and wine because for a second straight year, holiday parties, even with an open bar, continue to be an unpopular perk (5%). See how in demand various holiday perks are this year compared to last:

What are your 2013 work-related resolutions?

See more from the Glassdoor annual survey including employees’ expectations around how difficult it will be to take time off as well as bonus expectations.

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1) This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Glassdoor from November 8-12, 2012 among 2,059 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

2) For the purposes of this survey, “employees” were defined as U.S. adults 18+ employed full time and/or part time unless otherwise indicated.

Employees’ Top Work Resolutions For 2013 & Preferred Holiday Perks is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

4 Tips To Avoid Holiday Stress During Your Job Search

Heather Huhman — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:00:18 +0000

Last week,Felix Baumgartner stepped to the edge of a platform 24 miles high, ready to jump to Earth. For Baumgartner, coming to the edge wasn’t a bad thing. But for job seekers, being pushed to the edge isn’t always good.

Today, the job search can certainly feel like you’re standing on the edge of a 24 mile high platform. While job seekers are applying for more and more jobs, most aren’t hearing a peep back from employers. It’s a stressful process. And with the holidays around the corner, stress related to the job search is likely to increase even more.

But let’s use some foresight this year and prepare for the upcoming holiday season amidst unemployment, underemployment, and meeting holiday budgets. Before you jump off the edge, consider these tips in avoiding holiday stress during your job search:

1. Prioritize your career goals.

The holiday season will be ripe with seasonal job opportunities. TheNational Retail Federation project 585,000 to 625,000 temporary retail hires for the holiday season. So maybe retail’s not your thing? Before you write it off, consider prioritizing where you’re interested in applying for a seasonal job. Are there any seasonal jobs that would align with your career goals? Not all jobs will, but it’s worth it to take a closer look at other opportunities within the company too – not just seasonal positions.

If you’re not interested in seasonal jobs, make a timeline. If you don’t find a full-time job by X date, you’re going to apply for seasonal jobs. By doing this, you don’t miss out on a job opportunity — big or small, permanent or temporary.

2. Budget your holiday expenses now.

If your budget is tight this year, avoid the stress of holiday shopping and start creating your holiday budget now, especially if you’re unemployed. Don’t feel pressured to give the same quality gifts you gave prior to your unemployment. It’s still very early, so if you have the opportunity to put gifts on layaway, this is a great way to budget your money and pay off your gifts little by little without accruing interest. If this isn’t enough, cut back the number of gifts you give or consider volunteering your time instead.

3. Don’t forget it’s the holidays for hiring managers, too.

Be prepared to continue your job search throughout the holidays, but don’t expect too many interviews during the season. It’s the holidays for hiring managers and recruiters too, so like everyone else, they might be distracted, stressed, or on vacation. That doesn’t mean you should stop applying or get frustrated. Just be mindful of this as you continue your search.

4. Enjoy yourself.

It’s been said time and time again, but job search stress during the holidays can be remedied by taking a step back and enjoying time with family and friends. Listen to some holiday music when taking breaks from job applications.

So don’t find yourself at the edge this holiday season. Job search stress is often magnified by holiday stress, especially for the unemployed. Avoid this stress by planning ahead for the holidays.

4 Tips To Avoid Holiday Stress During Your Job Search is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

How to Exercise in the Office

Heather Huhman — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 16:00:44 +0000

Today’s workforce is increasingly made up of office jobs, mostly due to our post-Industrial economy. But many reports show that even if you’re getting the recommended amount of daily exercise (30 minutes of moderate activity each day), it still may not be enough to counter the negative effects of sitting at your office desk all day.

According to a post on Forbes, fewer than 20% of today’s jobs involve physical activity, and many people sit for as long as four hours a day at work. In fact, many continue to do sedentary activities when they come home, like watching TV or sitting at the dinner table.

Sitting for prolonged periods of time increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. But many of us can’t quit our jobs to become pro athletes, so how can we break up our days and ensure we’re being active at work? Check out these tips for getting more exercise in the office:

Park farther away. If you can’t walk to work to sneak in some exercise, try to dismiss the urge to park in the closest available spot. Any bit of extra activity helps, and in fact, parking at the back of the lot can start to add up in terms of calories burned.

Use a stability ball. Swapping out your desk chair for a stability ball can help you to burn more calories, tone your abs, and improve your posture and balance. Additionally, you’ll have an exercise tool readily available for when you want to stretch or do mini-workouts. You won’t even have to get up!

Keep weights or a resistance band at your desk. Pull these out whenever you have a break, or even when you’re taking a second to sit back and brainstorm. There are a number of exercises you can do with these tools in the office.

Invest in a treadmill desk. Treadmill desks work to ensure you’re getting exercise while you’re working at your computer. Stand while you work or walk at a comfortable pace of 1-2 mph. You can purchase a treadmill desk or make one yourself—check out some of your choices here. They’re an attractive option if you work from home, but you can also consider asking your boss about installing one in the office. I recently purchased one from LifeSpan, and I can say that walking 3-4 hours per day has given me new energy at work! Worried about not being able to walk and type? I was too, but I’ve found that I can do pretty much anything while going 2 mph.

Working in an office all day doesn’t necessarily mean you have to fall victim to a sedentary lifestyle. Use these tips to stay active, and good luck!

How do you squeeze exercise into your day at the office? Share your tips below.

How to Exercise in the Office is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

INFOGRAPHIC: Facebook vs. Google: Talking Tech Talent

Glassdoor Team — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:30:51 +0000

It’s no secret that Facebook and Google often compete for talent. If you’re looking at job opportunities at these two iconic tech companies, it can be tough to decide which company might be the right fit for you from a culture and compensation perspective. On one side, Facebook is currently leading the way in terms of social networking and has its much anticipated IPO coming up. But, on the other side, Google has solidified its place in Silicon Valley as the leading search engine and perhaps has gone through many of the growing pains of going public that Facebook has yet to go through.

To help shine a light on which company may be right for you, who better to turn to than the employees who work at these companies, along with recent job candidates who can dish on the interview process? In this Glassdoor infographic, see how Facebook and Google compare from an insider’s perspective:

See open Facebook jobs and Google jobs.

Tell us what you think – which company would you prefer to work for?

INFOGRAPHIC: Facebook vs. Google: Talking Tech Talent is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

Should Monday After The Super Bowl Be A National Holiday?

Glassdoor Team — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:40:46 +0000

Every year, there are a few brave souls who suggest that the Monday after the Super Bowl should become a national holiday. After the Super Bowl two years ago, Yahoo! Sports wrote, “You shouldn’t have to work today. You shouldn’t even have to get out of bed. This should be a day where you can sleep in, sleep off the effects of all the “soda” you drank yesterday.”

These may not be the most compelling reasons for an employer to condone a day off, but it is true that much of America will be tuned into the game on Sunday. Last year, a record 111 million viewers tuned in to watch the Green Bay Packers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While it’s not likely to receive national holiday status anytime soon, we at Glassdoor were curious to see if many people are planning to take time off to recuperate from overzealous Super Bowl celebrations. We also wanted to uncover the productivity level and mood in the office for those who do punch in. Here’s what employees had to say in our Superbowl survey*:

20% of employees say that morale is typically better in the office the day after the Super Bowl
However, 22% of employees also note that it’s commonly a less productive day than usual
One in ten (8%) employees plan not to work the day after the Super Bowl
One in ten (9%) employees plan to take Monday off as a vacation
3% admit that they will take a ‘sick day’ the Monday after the Super Bowl

When we asked employees if their employers offer any sort of perks on the Monday after the Big Game, several Glassdoor users noted that they are either allowed to work from home, use as a flex day, or have their regular Monday morning meeting postponed for later in the day. Some also reported that their employers buy breakfast for employees the Monday after the game.

What’s your work experience typically been like on the Monday after the Super Bowl? Let us know below.

* Online survey was conducted between 1/28/11 and 2/3/11. Included responses from 500 Glassdoor users including those who are employed (full/part/self) or unemployed but looking.

Should Monday After The Super Bowl Be A National Holiday? is a post from: Glassdoor Blog