Watercooler Wisdom

Ah, summer. The days feel longer, the sun is shining, the kids are out of school and the beach/mountains/your favorite vacation spot are beckoning. But what about your responsibilities at the office? No worries! We here at the Out of Office blog have some tips to help conquer the frenzy that always arises in the days leading up to that glorious summer vacation! ...read more

Guest blogger Barbie Tate is a senior account executive at Ketchum, the public relations agency for FedEx Office. From her days as a college peer career counselor to present, she has seen many different approaches to networking. We wanted to share some of Barbie’s experiences with readers who are searching for the big trends in career building.

Calling all professionals and recent grads! Everyone knows that networking is a great way to meet future employers. Most job hunters these days carry business cards with them, but a plain contact card can easily get lost in the shuffle. Along with your sturdy handshake and confident smile, a great way to stand out is by distributing “resume business cards.”  ...read more

Guest blogger Julia Kosygina is a summer fellow at Ketchum, the public relations agency for FedEx Office. We thought it would be great to share some of her post-interview learnings with readers also on the hunt for a temporary or full-time position this summer.  

You just had a great interview with the company of your dreams, but with so many great candidates out there you have some stiff competition for the job.  Everywhere, employers are sifting through stacks of resumes and hiring only the candidates who have killer credentials and personalities to match. 

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Remember the old days when transparencies, flip charts and 35mm slides ruled meetings? These days, presenters have countless new options for helping an audience understand and engage. With all the technology and tools available, I’ve found several favorite ways to stand out and make a great impression – and some have even been inspired by the overhead projector era! 

Some things to think about include: ...read more

Guest blogger Stephanie over at Ketchum was recently telling us about how she moved to a new office space and was shocked by the amount of stuff she had accumulated in her six years in the old cubicle. Boxes and boxes of annual reports, press kits, news clippings, files from folks who had long since left the team on projects that had long since ended. In short, she was a veritable archive of PR program paraphernalia. 

Was all of this stuff necessary to keep? No. Did she? Yes. So why did she keep it all? In my mind, it always comes down to “what if.”  What if I need it in the future?  What if someone else (gasp, the boss!?) needs it in the future?  What if, what if, what if.  Well, she was drowning in the stuff those “what if’s” created, and I bet a lot of other office workers are too!

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Is it just me or are you tired of looking at the same old stuff on your cube (or office) walls??? The only thing I’ve changed in my work space in the past six months is my wall calendar. And while I love the picture of my sweet dog Oreo, it has to be at least five years old. Sad, I know. So, I think it’s time to give my cube a makeover. I found the following resources on how to jazz up your cube. Check them out and let me know what you think. ...read more

At my work, the “pregnancy bug” seems to be going around. Whether it’s their first or second child (or their sixth in some cases!), expecting mothers agree having a baby is an exciting time. All the planning and preparation can be overwhelming, especially when added to the unbalanced hormones. Baby showers are a welcomed escape because you get to leave the planning to someone else! Many women have multiple showers thrown for them by family, friends, and co-workers.  

A few years ago I threw a baby shower for a close friend of mine and I wanted every detail to be perfect. When it came time for celebrating my own pregnancy, I could truly appreciate all the time, love, and effort that go into planning such an event.  

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Reports about the economy seem to be taking a bit of a turn for the better lately, and it appears that companies are even beginning to hire again in some sectors. Many Out of Office readers may be on the job hunt now, or kick-starting time with a new organization or position. No doubt, starting a new job can often feel exciting and a little nerve-wracking too, because it takes time to learn the ropes with your team and organization. I can definitely relate to this having just started my current role with FedEx Office a few months ago. Being the new kid on the block, I wanted to share some tips and advice I’ve come across online that could be helpful for those of you starting a new job soon. ...read more

My team at work is a little food obsessed. Okay, truthfully, we’re a LOT food obsessed. We start talking about lunch around 9:30 in the morning. So when it comes to team builders, we find there is nothing better than a potluck. A little time with colleagues with good food and good conversation can really build team unity.

There is not much to planning the perfect potluck but there are some key things you can do to make them effortless. ...read more

Very few people actually enjoy interviews. I’ve been on both sides -- as the interviewee and the interviewer – and I know it’s difficult. So, I decided to share some helpful interview tips I’ve picked up over the years, and a few places I’ve found online that may help you get ready for your next interview.

First – be confident. Remind yourself that there’s a reason you’re going to this interview, and it’s because you are the right person for the job (whatever that job may be!). Confidence always shines through and can sometimes be a make or break factor when it comes time to make a selection. If you don’t believe in the product you’re selling – yourself – why will the company? Here are a few other helpful hints from some of the experts online:  ...read more