Dynamic Career Solutions by Dynamic Bio Resumes

Dynamic Career Solutions – Issue 3 – February 1 – February 15, 2011

Contents Feature Article 11 Job Search Tips for 2011

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Expert Career Tips and Advice Career Catch-22

Pg 7

How do you get experience if nobody will hire you without any?

Impressing a Potential Employer

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How to Answer Tricky Interview Questions

I'm Experiencing Job-Search Burnout

Pg 13

How to handle the frustration of a long-term job hunt

Online Recruitment

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State-of-the-art Job Search Strategies

Just for fun How humor can help you at work

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Flexing your funny bone can significantly enhance your professional prospects

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Dynamic Career Solutions – Issue 3 – February 1 – February 15, 2011

11 Job Search Tips For 2011 By: Kaitlin Madden It's 2011 and it's time to take This year, it's no longer up to to you to get hired. Forget doing. Reflect on last year if about that, too. This year, the right job for you and be the best candidate for that be tough, but you're going to competition.

control of your job search. companies to hire you, it's up about how the economy is you must, but then forget your focus will be on finding doing everything you can to job. The competition may still be better than the

Here's how to turn the tables in your favor. 1. Narrow your search. Stop applying to jobs that you're not qualified for or don't really want. It's a waste of time. Be honest with yourself when evaluating job postings. If you had to start the job tomorrow, do you have all the skills you'd need to succeed? Or are there areas of the job description that you don't have experience in? While it's always great to be willing to learn, most companies want to hire someone who can jump right in and get started without being trained from scratch. Focus your time on creating great applications for jobs you are well qualified for instead. 2. Know exactly what you want. Narrowing down your job search may force you to ask yourself tough questions like: What kind of job am I really after? And, what skills can I offer an employer? If you're unsure of the answer, make one list of the job skills you excel at and one of the skills you like to use most. Use these skills as search terms in your job search. 3. Re-evaluate your skill set. If you feel like you've looked at every job posting on earth and you still can't find one your skills match up with, then it's time to get some new skills. The good

news for those who are unemployed is that it's the perfect opportunity to go back to school. You won't have to divide your time with your job obligations, and there's also the possibility that the economy will have recovered a bit by the time you graduate school -- giving you a double leg up. There are even government funding and programs available for out-of-work job-seekers that want to enroll in training or continue their education. 4. Set goals. Yes, your overall goal may be to get a job, but setting short-term, specific job search goals for the year will help you grow and force you to continuously evaluate your progress. Improve your networking skills, for example, by making January's goal to join a professional organization and February's to attend a college alumni event. Holding yourself accountable for achieving these goals will boost your self-esteem and motivate you to continue searching by providing you with new leads and information. 5. Try something new. If you're stuck in a job search rut, add a new strategy to your repertoire. Instead of only job searching online, try working with a

Dynamic Career Solutions – Issue 3 – February 1 – February 15, 2011

recruiter and setting up informational interviews with industry contacts, too. A

multi-faceted approach will get the best results.

6. Get a leg up on the competition. If you come across a job that seems perfect for you, do something that will subtly help you stand out from the crowd. When you find a job posting you want to apply to, find out the name of the hiring manager or someone who works in the same department, and send the person an e-mail directly. It's 2011, which means almost anything can be found online, including names and e-mail addresses. A LinkedIn search on the company should turn up a list of employees and their titles, from which you can select the most appropriate person. Then, search the company website or press releases for the company's e-mail format.

Bluehost.com for around $10, and web hosting can cost as little as $3 per month. If you're not particularly tech savvy, premade blog templates give you a professional look with minimal hassle. Wordpress.com has tons of template options and also provides great technical support for novices.

7. Get a hold of your online reputation: When an HR manager searches your name online (and they will do it) you can either take control what they see, or you can leave it to the powers of the crawl search gods. Search results that are professional, consistent and that establish you as an expert in your field will be far more impressive than Facebook pictures from Thanksgiving. Things like a Facebook or LinkedIn profile and a Twitter feed will all show up on the first page, so signing up for these sites and populating the accounts with up-to-date, professional content will make a great impression. 8. Start a website: If you want to take your Internet presence one step further, starting a website will showcase your skills and talents in a thorough and interesting way, and it'll add to your professionalism and give you credibility. Plus, it's not as costly or as timeconsuming as you might think. Domain names (i.e. YourName.com), can be registered on sites like GoDaddy.com or

9. Stay current: You should always be in the loop, even if you're out of work. Read trade publications, comment on industry blogs, and stay on top of any emerging technologies or policies that may impact your career path. This will not only help you have a great conversation with an interviewer and keep your professional edge, but it may also give you new ideas about where and how to look for a job. 10. Sell yourself: An interview is no time for modesty, especially in times like these. When you land an interview, go prepared with at least five examples that demonstrate your best qualities. That way, when an interviewer asks, "Why should I hire you," you can talk about how you're such a quick learner that you taught yourself Photoshop in a week and how your entrepreneurial spirit lead you to start your first lawn-mowing business at age 16. Be sure to leave the interviewer with the phone numbers of references who will back you up with glowing recommendations. 11. Keep that glass half-full approach, all year: A job search will always have its frustrating moments, because things don't always happen when or how we want them to happen. But instead of letting setbacks ruin motivation, take them as lessons. Your lack of interviews may mean it's time to re-evaluate your career path or skill set,

Dynamic Career Solutions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Issue 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; February 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; February 15, 2011

which could lead you to a more fulfilling career. This type of positive attitude will be much more productive in helping you find your next job. The bottom line is that job searching will be tough this

year, but landing a job -- even your dream job --can still be a reality. A proactive job search is your best bet, so take the necessary steps to ensure you get the job you want.

Dynamic Career Solutions – Issue 3 – February 1 – February 15, 2011

Career Catch-22 How do you get experience if nobody will hire you without any? By: Beth Braccio Hering It's an age-old dilemma facing job seekers ranging from new college graduates to workers trying to transition into a different industry: Employers want to hire people with experience, but how do you get that experience when nobody wants to hire you because you don't have any? While getting a foot in the door may not impossible. Here, experts show best self forward to convince you can do the job. Examine transferable strengths Lacking history in a given field doesn't automatically translate into being an undesirable applicant. Oftentimes, things learned in one workplace are valuable in another. "I can think of more than one instance in which a candidate was able to sell himself for a specific role despite having little or no experience and who then moved on to being a fantastic fit for the position long term," says Julie Rulis, talent acquisition manager for Western Union. "It's much easier for companies to train their employees on technical skills versus core competencies like leadership skills, analytical abilities, motivation, ambition and problem-solving. These traits span multiple industries and functional areas." David Couper, a career coach and author of "Outsiders on the Inside: How to competitions. He leveraged that experience into a full-time job in business development with an advertising agency."

be difficult, it's how to put your employers that Create a Winning Career ... Even When You Don't Fit In," suggests looking at how your past field and your desired one might be comparable. "Processing insurance claims is similar to processing medical claims. If you wanted to move into health care from financial services, it would be reasonable to make this comparison." Look outside the workplace Employment is not the only thing that shapes a candidate. "Do an analysis of activities you have taken part in outside of work and list the skills you have used," Couper says. "These activities could include anything from chairing a PTA committee to upholstering a chair at home. A coaching client of mine got experience in fundraising for charities through his extreme cycling hobby where he raised money to fund major Create a functional résumé Your task is to show a prospective employer what you can offer, not what

Dynamic Career Solutions – Issue 3 – February 1 – February 15, 2011

you lack. Thus, ditching a regular résumé dedicated to career history in favour of a functional résumé that focuses on abilities may be helpful. "If an applicant lacks experience, his résumé should highlight examples of professional skills, such as problemsolving, time management or other skills related to the particular industry and position he desires," says John Robak, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Greeley and Hansen, a leading national niche firm headquartered in Chicago that specializes in innovative engineering solutions. "Most importantly, the job seeker should outline how his skills will be beneficial to an employer as well as detail the ways in which he can apply these skills in the position he is seeking." Couper adds that having a cover letter that includes a referral from a personal contact may go a long way. "Having a recommendation from someone the employer respects will help to counteract any negatives he may see in your background."

can position him or herself accordingly and be prepared for any questions that come up," Rulis says. If the interviewer does bring up lack of experience, experts suggest trying to redirect the conversation back to skills you do possess. What not to do: lie. "Don't pretend," Couper warns. "The interviewer knows if you have experience or not. For example, a hiring manager I knew would ask candidates if they had experience using Microsoft Excel. If the candidate did not know what a pivot table was then the manager knew that he did not have in-depth knowledge." Show dedication Finally, it is critical to demonstrate to employers that your interest in their industry is more than a passing thought or an attempt to land any job. Ways to do this include: Researching a company before an interview. Consistently reading up on the field. Attending professional conferences. Talking (and networking) with appropriate people.

Sell yourself in the interview

Or, go a step further:

Armed with a solid sense of what you bring to the table, the interview is the time to make the connection clear to the hirer. This involves not only knowing your strengths, but also how those abilities fit with the company's goals and needs.

"For those job seekers that lack experience, complete an internship or volunteer your time within the industry you are seeking employment. These options will help a job seeker build relevant skills, demonstrate commitment to the industry and gain some experience."

"It's really important to spend time understanding the role before the interview takes place so the applicant

Dynamic Career Solutions – Issue 3 – February 1 – February 15, 2011

Impressing a Potential Employer How to Answer Tricky Interview Questions By: Kate Lorenz Does the thought of going on a job interview cause your palms to sweat and your body to break out in hives? Stop itching; you're not alone. The vast majority of job seekers admit to emotions ranging from mild uneasiness to downright panic leading up to their interviews. The good news is there have been no reported cases of job seekers who died of nervousness during a job interview. So relax and follow these simple tips for keeping your anxiety at bay before and during your interview. First, take the proper amount of time to prepare for your interview. Being wellprepared will boost your confidence and lower your anxiety. Experts recommend that you spend at least three hours preparing for each interview. You should draft answers to the most common interview questions and practice speaking them out loud. You also should read up on the company with which you will be interviewing and prepare some questions of your own. This lets the

interviewer know that you are truly interested in the company and the position. As a final step in your preparation, make sure you have good directions to the interview site. Some job seekers make a dry run to the interview site to ensure the directions are correct and to estimate the amount of time they will need to get to the interview on time. Going into a job interview is often like entering the great unknown. Although every interviewer is different and questions vary from industry to industry, there are some questions that are common across the board. Reading through the following questions and developing your own answers is a good place to start in your preparation. Once you have done that, remember practice makes perfect! Nothing impresses a potential employer like being ready for whatever is thrown your way.

Why should we hire you? Here's the chance to really sell yourself. You need to briefly and succinctly lay out your strengths, qualifications and what you can bring to the table. Be careful not to answer this question too generically, however. Nearly everyone says they are hardworking and motivated. Set yourself apart by telling the interviewer about qualities that are unique to you.

Dynamic Career Solutions – Issue 3 – February 1 – February 15, 2011

Why do you want to work here? This is one tool interviewers use to see if you have done your homework. You should never attend an interview unless you know about the company, its direction and the industry in which it plays. If you have done your research, this question gives you an opportunity to show initiative and demonstrate how your experience and qualifications match the company's needs. What are your greatest weaknesses? The secret to answering this question is being honest about a weakness, but demonstrating how you have turned it into a strength. For example, if you had a problem with organization in the past, demonstrate the steps you took to more effectively keep yourself on track. This will show that you have the ability to recognize aspects of yourself that need improvement, and the initiative to make yourself better. Why did you leave your last job? Even if your last job ended badly, be careful about being negative in answering this question. Be as diplomatic as possible. If you do point out negative aspects of your last job, find some positives to mention as well. Complaining endlessly about your last company will not say much for your attitude. Describe a problem situation and how you solved it. Sometimes it is hard to come up with a response to this request, particularly if you are coming straight from college and do not have professional experience.

Interviewers want to see that you can think critically and develop solutions, regardless of what kind of issue you faced. Even if your problem was not having enough time to study, describe the steps you took to prioritize your schedule. This will demonstrate that you are responsible and can think through situations on your own. What accomplishment are you most proud of? The secret to this question is being specific and selecting an accomplishment that relates to the position. Even if your greatest accomplishment is being on a championship high school basketball team, opt for a more professionally relevant accomplishment. Think of the qualities the company is looking for and develop an example that demonstrates how you can meet the company's needs.

What are your salary expectations? This is one of the hardest questions, particularly for those with little experience. The first thing to do before going to your interview is to research the salary range in your field to get an idea of what you should be making. Steer clear of discussing salary specifics before

receiving a job offer. Let the interviewer know that you will be open to discussing fair compensation when the time comes. If pressed for a more specific answer, always give a range, rather than a specific number. Tell me about yourself. While this query seems like a piece of cake, it is difficult to answer because it is so broad. The important thing to know is that the interviewer typically does not

want to know about your hometown or what you do on the weekends. He or she is trying to figure you out professionally. Pick a couple of points about yourself, your professional experience and your career goals and stick to those points. Wrap up your answer by bringing up your desire to be a part of the company. If you have a solid response prepared for this question, it can lead your conversation in a direction that allows you to elaborate on your qualifications.

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Dynamic Career Solutions – Issue 3 – February 1 – February 15, 2011

I'm Experiencing Job-Search Burnout How to handle the frustration of a long-term job hunt By: Anthony Balderrama If life were a movie and you had just been laid off, you would buy a one-way ticket to some serene location and spend weeks or even months relaxing. You would unwind and examine your personal goals and return when you want. You might spend your days eating, playing and loving. For most of us, getting laid off or quitting a job is immediately followed by a fastpaced job hunt. Even workers who are fortunate enough to have savings accounts to live off of for a while don't have enough money to pretend like unemployment is a vacation. Instead,

most jobs seekers attack their job searches aggressively and don't relent until they hear the words, "We'd like to offer you the position." The problem with such a steadfast approach is that you can grow frustrated quickly. After a few weeks of constantly browsing job postings, writing cover letters, sending them off, and repeating this procedure over and over again, you may find you don't have the energy to keep going. You can't stop, however, because you do need a job. So how do you avoid getting burnt out? And if you realize you're in the midst of a jobsearch burnout, how should you get over it?

We asked people who have been there themselves or who have helped others get through it. Here's how they suggest job seekers handle burnout: "Rejection is humbling and much of our self-worth has been defined by our income. To avoid burnout: 1. Date your next job application and interview. See it as distinct and different from all the rest, a new opportunity. You only need one job success. 2. Keep up energy levels with exercise. You will shed stress and release endorphins. Your focus will improve. 3. Socialize with friends and talk about other things. Have fun and laugh! 4. Learn from failed interviews to tweak your resume, presentation and skills. Hone up on what you are lacking." - Debbie Mandel, author of "Addicted to Stress" "Burnout is subtle, and can strike at lots of stages of the job hunt. Here are a few ways I advise my clients to avoid that low down burnout experience:

Dynamic Career Solutions – Issue 3 – February 1 – February 15, 2011

1. Regard your job hunt as a job and organize your job hunt day like any other business. Set a goal of the number of calls you'll make, and resumes you'll send out each day, and be sure to reach that. 2. Create a job hunt team or group with whom you keep in contact on a regular basis. This can help in many ways to give encouragement, and even job leads. 3. Make sure to network through alumni, colleagues, professional associations, online groups, and even relative and friends. 4. Be sure to maintain a routine of physical fitness and exercise. At least a brisk walk every day can supply exercise and sunshine necessary to keep your mood elevated. 5. Get up, get dressed and go to your office (even if that is your kitchen table) every day, just like you would if you were employed. " - Sandra Lamb, career, lifestyle and etiquette expert "I always say you get more than you give with volunteering and job seekers definitely do. This is a great way to keep your skills sharp (think teamwork, client relations, fundraising, etc) and your mind energized. I have to remind all job seekers that volunteering is a fun and easy way to network which makes it a win-win-win. You're networking, helping out an organization and avoiding burn-out." - Adriana Llames, author of "Career Sudoku: 9 Ways to Win the Job Search Game" "I've been looking for a job since about February or March. I just landed a part-time, telecommuting job, and as busy as I've been I know I'm not as fast or productive as I once was because of how long it took me to find a job. I was sending out résumés, interviewing, networking, applying online to the high heavens. Sitting at home while everyone else was finding a job I started feeling unproductive, and, frankly, like a loser. But things are looking up, and to anyone who starts to feel the same way I did, I'd tell them to just pull through it. Sometimes just taking a walk or a day at the park can help your mood a lot." - Akua Harris "There are several things we suggest when a person has stayed active in a job search, and nothing seems to be happening: 1. Take a few days off: Think of something you enjoy doing that doesn't cost any money and go and enjoy. Sometimes just a few days off is enough to refresh a person. 2. Get physical: When a person exercises for at least 20 minutes, endorphins are released that make the person feel good. Exercise several times in a day if possible. If, for example, you are a runner, then run for 30 minutes longer than usual. Do something physical -- paint a room, wash the car, clean the garage. Then energy can return.

Dynamic Career Solutions – Issue 3 – February 1 – February 15, 2011

3. Our experience is people get burned out when all they are doing is answering want ads or Internet listings. We project a 2-4 per cent response on mailing out résumés or following up on Internet postings -- that's not a very good response. Instead, we ask our job-seeking clients to take a more pro-active approach: Contact the decision-maker (usually the person who supervises the position, not HR) and ask what the job involves and be ready to talk about one's experiences and accomplishment, and research the organization to see if it's one you would like to work in. Continue researching the position; if you want the job contact the decision-maker again and say, "I've thought a lot about what we've talked about, and what you need doing involves some of the things I do best -- and I want to be your top candidate." (You don't want to be anything other than their top candidate, do you?) Ask the decision-maker what you can bring to her or him to help the person make a decision. And then do it."

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Dynamic Career Solutions – Issue 3 – February 1 – February 15, 2011

Online Recruitment State-of-the-art Job Search Strategies By: Oswald J. Eppers Online recruitment started almost the same time in the USA and in England in the early 90's with providers like Monster.com in the USA, Jobserve.com in the UK and Allstarjobs.ca (started in 1997). A job bank at that time merely had a few thousand of open job positions and the chance of putting employers in touch with jobseekers was quite remote. Since those early days, we have seen an explosion of job search sites and the technology has improved a lot for the benefit of both, recruiters and jobseekers. Nowadays, typing "Job Search" in search fields of Google or Yahoo, you get millions of pages dealing with this subject. Now we have a new problem: how not to get lost in this jungle of ultimate Career and Job Search Services (of which many require an inscription fee). What do we really want? Using the Internet in first place has the advantage of speed and the possibility to look in any geographical area for the required job that the candidate is qualified for, or aspires to. With the Internet installed at home, it is possible to investigate the potential employers, ask questions and apply for the position, without even taking off your pajamas. How do we explain the recent evolution in online recruitment technology? Even if you feel relatively satisfied with the current search offerings of top job search engines like Monster.com, Careerbuilder.com or Hotjobs.com, there are still many doors open for improvements and a lot of research is going on in the field of vertical engines, meaning-based search, intent-driven

search, new clustering methods, and much more. ALL-IN-ONE JOB SEARCH ENGINES A recent trend in job search engines is the emergence of all-in-one or metasearch engines (sometimes also referred as vertical job search engines), allowing jobseekers to search across multiple websites. Among the most popular engines are Indeed (in the USA), Wowjobs (in Canada) and Trovit (in the UK). Probably the most powerful of all is Indeed, which was founded by Paul Forster and his partner Rony Kahan in the year 2004 to cover the US job market. According to Hitwise data, Indeed saw its market share increase by 302% in the year 2006 and this only seems to be the beginning. The success of Indeed and other metasearch or all-in-one search engines is the fact that job seekers can go to one place to find all jobs, overcoming the limitation of the job boards, which have a finite number of listings. A simple comparison of major job search engines reveals that there is no need any more to look in all the individual engines to find the best fits for the job you are looking for. There are more job sites than you can count, ranging from the top job sites like Monster and CareerBuilder to small, niche sites in just about every career field you can imagine. Indeed is searching in more than 1200 engines at a time and brings you the result in seconds on your screen. With a couple of clicks of your mouse, you search the major job sites, company sites, associations, and other online job sites

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by keyword and location to get job listings that match the criteria you selected. With it's high-tech search strategy, Indeed clearly leaves behind other so-called meta-job search engines like Jobster and SimpyHired. With Wowjobs and Trovit, metasearch engines focused on the Canadian and UK job market, and respectively the situation is very similar. POSTING YOUR RECRUITMENT

RESUME IN SERVICES

A developing trend with both jobs search engines and jobs boards is that many now encourage users to post their resume or CV together with contact details. The fact is, it`s proven that posting your resume in a proactive way in the mayor resume distribution systems will put it on the desk of hundreds of recruiters and can more than double the chance of getting a job! The advantages of Resume Posting are: - You more than double your chance of getting "discovered" by a recruiter who is looking for a person with exactly your experience and abilities. - You put your resume in the hands of hundreds of recruiters, almost instantly! - You are sending your resume only to recruiters focusing on your specific industry or job categories. - You save a lot of time and money and you get an instant edge - with only little effort from your part! - Your resume is passing a pre-selection system and when it comes on the desk of hiring managers they will read it very carefully. Resume posting has become an attractive business for the recruitment companies as they sell the access to their resume bank to headhunters and recruiting managers. Anyhow, jobseekers should be aware of the risks of uploading personal information to the Internet

since they have no control over what will happen with their data and their resume might be seen by their current employer or even by "identity thefts". TAKE A BREATH AND SLOW DOWN The question is still if all the improvements in search technology also improved the overall performance of recruitment efforts. Finding a job still is hard work. It is very helpful to slow down, take time, and analyze if you are happy with your current situation and what career is really right for you. In our modern world, the best job success is earning good money with work that gives you a sense of purpose, expresses your talents and passions, and is consistent with your values. A lack of many Job Search Sites is that they do not assist the jobseekers in finding their best career fit and even confusing people in trying to evaluate their current situation. Job searching is a shortterm pursuit of a position that matches your financial and career goals. Career planning is a long, progressive process of choosing education, training, and jobs that fit your interests and skills. This planning process also includes the evaluation of career change or selfemployment opportunities. Deciding what type of work you want to pursue requires knowledge and understanding of your interests, your values, your motivation, and the skills you enjoy using the most. This is helpful whether you are choosing a career for the first time or changing careers for the twentyfirst time. The Two-Approach Guide for Effective and Easy Job Search is intended to guide jobseekers through this process instead of simply offering hundreds of links without explanation and leading to confusion. One aspect that even the

Dynamic Career Solutions – Issue 3 – February 1 – February 15, 2011

most powerful Job Search engine cannot cover is the fact that probably the majority of job vacancies are never posted in journals, newspapers or on-line and you only find them using the right contacts or your Network. This "hidden job market" only can be exploited by keeping focus on people who have experiences, and contacts that might be interesting for you. Good possibilities to build up your Network, are for example job fairs or similar events where you meet hiring managers, job lead sources and other valuable contacts. CONCLUSION

a powerful tool for a fast, efficient and economical job search and the performance is improving constantly. But every jobseeker should be aware of the fact that even the most powerful job search engine should be considered only as a single tool in the Job Search Strategy and that still most jobs are found using personal Networks. Finding a job is all about people, the people you know, and people you meet who have the job information and who will inevitably help you get a job. Online Job Search using all-in-one or metasearch engines definitely makes life much easier but should not be overestimated.

Using state-of-the art job search engines, online recruitment has become

Dynamic Career Solutions – Issue 3 – February 1 – February 15, 2011

How Humor Can Help You at Work By: Robert Half International Looking for something to smile about at work? How about this: Flexing your funny bone can significantly enhance your professional prospects. Ninety-one percent of executives surveyed by Robert Half International consider a sense of

humor important to career advancement. Consider the following real-life office pranks from a Robert Half survey that asked executives to describe the funniest April Fools' jokes they have observed in an office environment:

"A few people used plastic wrap to cover the opening around an employee's cubicle and then filled the workspace with small foam balls." cookie with children's a co-worker."

toothpaste and offered it to

cleaned out everything from another person's office." loaded his office with sand and beach toys." a colleague's mouse so he couldn't move it." -worker's desk for a scare." -- the computer, desk and pictures."

Displaying levity on the job can help you build rapport with those around you, facilitate open communication, and contribute to a positive work environment. And, perhaps most

importantly, a comic touch can work to relieve tension on even the most stressful days. But keep in mind that not all high jinks are well received. It's crucial to take into

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consideration your organization's and coworkers' perspectives when it comes to comic relief. Humor should be work

appropriate and never mean spirited or at the expense of others.

Here are some tips to ensure you're not an April Fool: Say no to sarcasm. People often use humor as an indirect way of berating others. Here's an example: "I can't believe you're here on time -- what's the occasion?" Sarcasm is rarely a good idea, so keep these types of comments to yourself. Be the butt of your own joke. Go ahead, poke fun at your foibles. Doing so can put others at ease in your presence, and you don't risk offending someone else by making him or her the target of your joke. For example, if you trip while giving a presentation, a comment like, "I hope you're as head over heels about this idea as I am" can help ease any awkwardness. Just be sure to keep your comments light; you don't want your co-workers to think your attempt at humor is a cry for help. Laugh with others. You can be perceived as having a great sense of humor without ever telling a joke. Just tune in to the humor styles of those around you and share in the fun. Create a 'funny file.' You have files for various projects or committees you're involved in, so how about developing a "funny file," as well? Create a folder filled with appropriate workplace cartoons (such as the Dilbert comic strip), amusing newspaper articles, humorous letters or e-mails from friends, or anything else that tickles your funny bone. The next time one of your co-workers feels overwhelmed or under the weather, you can surprise him or her with a snippet from your file. Just be mindful to avoid items that are offensive or otherwise in poor taste. Convene a fun committee. Invite co-workers to join in your quest to "up the office fun factor." Together, brainstorm ways to add excitement to the workweek -- surprising co-workers with breakfast or treating the team to an afternoon at the park, for instance. Just be sure to consult your department head before executing any plans; you'll want to obtain his or her approval and determine other details, such as budget and scheduling.

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Issue trivia quizzes. What did Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes name their baby? From which state did the last "American Idol" hail? Most people enjoy keeping up with pop culture, so why not create a friendly competition around it? You also can grill people on sports, geography or food - whatever topics the team finds interesting. Even if the only prize for answering the most questions correctly is posting the name of the winner in a prominent spot, the joy of conjuring up random information and discussing the "stumpers" can increase the general playfulness of any work area. Capture Kodak moments. Keep a disposable camera on hand for all to use to capture those moments when you and your colleagues are at your best -- or worst. Then, post the pictures on a community bulletin board. A candid snapshot from the day everyone unintentionally wore lime-green shirts, for example, is bound to brighten the mood. A culture of fun at work can improve communication, reduce stress and increase productivity. So don't be afraid to flex your funny bone -- just be sure to do so in a business-appropriate way.

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Dynamic Career Solutions – Issue 3 – February 1 – February 15, 2011