Tips to Avoid Job Traps That Impact Well-Being

My name is Ryan, and I have a tendency to overserve. It's driven by a real love for my clients, a deep passion for what I do, and a clear calling from God to transform lives. While it's a manifestation of my commitment, it sometimes leads to overextension, affecting my ability to serve more clients and potentially harming my business. I have been working with some people close to me to figure out how to grow in this area. While I never want to stop serving, my business needs me to be better about balancing it. Here are a few things I am learning: 1. Set Clear Boundaries: The first step is setting and communicating clear boundaries. It's essential to delineate the scope of your offerings. Generosity should have its limits to prevent burnout and maintain quality. Clients will respect your professionalism more when they understand and see you adhering to these boundaries. 2. Value Your Own Time and Expertise: Recognize the worth of your time and skills. It's a common pitfall to undervalue what we bring to the table. Charging appropriately and respecting your own professional limits is crucial. This not only ensures fair compensation but also encourages clients to value your services more. 3. Schedule 'Giving Back' Time: Allocate specific time slots in your schedule dedicated to going the extra mile for clients. This could be additional consultations or support sessions. By scheduling these in advance, you prevent ad-hoc overextensions and keep your work-life harmony in check. 4. Communicate Openly: Transparency with clients about the value and scope of your services is critical. Clear communication can foster a mutual understanding and appreciation of the professional relationship. It also sets realistic expectations, preventing misunderstandings and over-demands. 5. Prioritize Self-Care: Lastly, always remember the importance of self-care. A well-rested, healthy professional can serve clients more effectively. Regularly investing in your own well-being ensures you have the energy and enthusiasm necessary for high-quality service. As I said, I am learning as I go. If I am honest, I will always lean towards overserving (which I am ok with). But I want to get better so my business gets better!

📣 Attention job seekers! 📣 When scrolling through job postings, it's crucial to be aware of certain key words that may hint at a chaotic or stressful work environment. Here's a handy list of things to keep in mind: 1️⃣ High-pressure: Watch out for phrases like "fast-paced" or "deadline-driven." These can signal a work culture that values quantity over quality, potentially leading to increased stress levels. 2️⃣ Long hours: Beware of phrases such as "overtime required" or "long hours." These may indicate that the job expects employees to regularly work beyond typical hours, possibly affecting work-life balance. 3️⃣ Constant multitasking: If a posting mentions "strong multitasking skills," it might suggest a work environment where you'll be juggling multiple tasks simultaneously. This can be overwhelming and increase stress levels. 4️⃣ Lack of support: Look for indications of limited resources, lack of training opportunities, or an absence of a supportive team structure. These factors can contribute to feelings of isolation and make it harder to navigate challenges. 5️⃣ Unclear expectations: Be cautious if a posting lacks clear and specific responsibilities or uses vague language regarding expectations. Clarity is essential to ensure you know what will be expected of you in the role. Remember, these are just a few examples. Take the time to carefully analyze job postings to identify any potential red flags. Prioritize your well-being and seek out a work environment that supports your growth and happiness. 🌟 #JobSearch #CareerTips #WorkLifeBalance #JobPostingTips

What’s one piece of advice you wish someone had told you early in your career? For me, it’s writing down dealbreakers before starting to interview. It saves you time, energy, and unnecessary hassle, so it’s worth the time investment, in my opinion. Overselling a role or “positioning” it the right way are still common practices, and unfortunately, many job seekers fall for these tricks. “Oh, you’ll do [irrelevant to the role task for three months] and then assume your role.” Or “I’ll get back to you on that” when asking important questions about the culture and work environment. Vagueness and/or random tasks will catch up sooner rather than later, and then we will return to square one again. Having a system in place to prevent that is crucial in this market. Open a Word document and start drafting what you wouldn’t like to do at all, long-term or short-term. This trick would’ve made a world of difference in avoiding workplaces that weren’t a fit.

Job scams are unfortunately prevalent, preying on hopeful job seekers. Here are the seven most common job scams today and how you can protect yourself: 1. **Fake Job Listings**: - **How to Spot**: The company might not have an online presence or the job details might be too vague. - **Avoidance Tip**: Research the company, verify its legitimacy through its website, and cross-reference the job on their official careers page. 2. **Work-from-Home Schemes**: - **How to Spot**: Promises of high pay for little work or the need to pay for a starter kit. - **Avoidance Tip**: Be wary of unsolicited job offers and always research the company thoroughly. 3. **Mystery Shopper Scams**: - **How to Spot**: You're "hired" to evaluate a money transfer service and are sent a fake check to deposit. - **Avoidance Tip**: Legitimate mystery shopping opportunities do exist, but they never involve check-cashing or money transfers. 4. **Re-shipping Fraud**: - **How to Spot**: You're asked to receive and forward packages (often stolen goods). - **Avoidance Tip**: Avoid job listings that focus on re-shipping items, and never provide your home address. 5. **Job Placement Services**: - **How to Spot**: Services that guarantee a job placement for a fee. - **Avoidance Tip**: Remember that reputable agencies earn their fee from employers after a successful placement, not from candidates. 6. **Salary Payment Scams**: - **How to Spot**: You're overpaid with a fake check and asked to wire back the difference. - **Avoidance Tip**: Be cautious about accepting checks from unknown entities and never wire money to employers. 7. **Phishing Attempts Using Job Applications**: - **How to Spot**: You receive an email asking to click on a link to complete your job application or for personal details. - **Avoidance Tip**: Never provide personal information unless you're sure about the company's legitimacy. Always hover over links to check their destination before clicking. **General Guidelines**: - Never pay money upfront for a job opportunity. - Avoid sharing personal information like your Social Security Number unless you're sure of the company's legitimacy. - Trust your gut; if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. - Always research a potential employer before applying or sharing personal details.

The importance of being vigilant when searching for a job cannot be overstated. With the rise of online job postings, it's crucial to recognize potential red flags that could indicate a scam or an undesirable work environment. *Unprofessional Activity on #LinkedIn When reviewing job postings, it's essential to pay attention to the company's online presence. A poorly maintained or unprofessional LinkedIn profile can raise concerns about the employer's professionalism and attention to detail. This could be a sign of a company that is not serious about its online presence or may not prioritize the quality of its job postings. *Inconsistencies in #Job Experience When reviewing job postings, it's crucial to verify the accuracy of the job descriptions and requirements. Inconsistencies in job titles, responsibilities, or tenure can raise doubts about the employer's credibility and ability to manage job postings effectively. *#Outdated #Work Experience An outdated LinkedIn profile can also be a red flag. If a company's profile is not updated regularly, it may indicate a lack of growth or commitment to professional development. This could be a sign of a company that is not invested in its employees career *Poorly Written Job Postings When searching for jobs online, it's crucial to be cautious of job postings with poorly written job descriptions or typos. This can indicate a company that is not serious about its job postings or may be trying to mislead potential applicants. Look out for vague job descriptions, contradictory language, or excessive use of buzzwords like "rockstar" or "wizard". *#RedFlags in Job Descriptions Some common red flags in job descriptions include phrases like "work under pressure," "fast-paced environment," or "multitasker." These phrases can indicate a company that is demanding and may not prioritize work-life balance. Additionally, job postings that use clichés like "family culture" or "rockstar" can be a sign of a company that is trying to create unrealistic expectations. *#FakeJob Postings Fake job postings are a significant concern in the job market. These postings often use stock language, photos, or unrealistic promises to entice applicants. Look out for job postings that ask for personal information, payment for job applications, or unrealistic job requirements. Be cautious of job postings that seem too good to be true or lack details about the job or company. *Red Flags in Job Postings Some common red flags in job postings include job requirements that do not make sense, lack of details about the job or company, or excessive use of buzzwords. These red flags can indicate a company that is not serious about its job postings or may be trying to mislead potential applicants. Additionally, job postings that use stock language or photos can be a sign of a company that is trying to create unrealistic expectations.