Behind closed doors: Bye Bye cubicle HEL-LO OFFICE!

After 4 years as a Benefits Administrator, I've gotten promoted into a HR Generalist role. I am very excited to learn my new job.  My hard work has definitely paid off.  I have created a very positive reputation among my colleagues and have also had several successes within the company.  So, along with my promotion, I have gone from a cubicle to office! Yes, more work, more travel and more intense projects will come my way, but I will be doing all of that gladly in the privacy of my office. Now, I've worked in cubicles in most of my jobs, so I was not a stranger to them, but it gets loud, I get nervous leaving things at my desk, like my ipod, I had nowhere to hang my coat in the winter and frankly, I had to always be on the lookout and ready to protect my computer screen as at any minute someone would be sashaying around the corner and my computer screen with non-work related images (oh! not that - I mean shopping or celeb blogs) would be viewed. 

As happy as I am about my upgrade (you have to walk into my office and then stand directly behind me to see what is on my screen, also my ipod and docking station is now safe because of my ability to lock my door when I leave and no one has to hear me cuss out Comcast about my high bill nor do I have to hear my neighbor cuss out their significant other), I do want to be the first to tell you that an office isn't a sign of making it or an indicator of great skill. Your talent is still king, whether you are sitting at a receptionist desk, a cubicle or working out of your car. Not all professions require an office and not all companies accommodate their employees with them.  My mother has been on her job for 33 years, has had an office for 30 of them but recently the culture has changed and she is now packing up her office to go to a cubicle. If you don't have an office at work and you really just want one, create a space at your home.

Working in Human Resources confidentiality and privacy is extremely important.  Having an office allows you to speak with employees related to performance issues, advancement opportunities or the dreadful reduction in workforce conversation.  So really, me having an office benefits the employees I service throughout the company! 

Either way, I am pleased with my career progression and ready to start decorating my new space.  Should I call HGTV???  Hey, TV show idea, right...

I believe I will see it!

Nine times out of ten, I am a "Believe it when I see it" kind of gal, but I can't hold my excitement any longer.  We have hired my replacement and I will be moving to my new job and office (hello door!) in three weeks! 

Yes, all pending a negative drug test, fraud free background check and minus any second thoughts the candidate may have resulting in her rescinding her acceptance of the job offer.  Dun DUN DUNNNNN!!!  

But I am staying optimistic, that all goes well and I can successfully pick up my new cactus (yes, a cactus) for my desk from Lowe's in the next couple weeks.

Fingers Crossed!!!!

Here comes the boss! How to stay out of trouble when surfing the internet at work.

Lately, I've found numerous websites that want you to look at their websites at work and not get in trouble for it! Websites like, http://www.tnt.tv/ provides a "Boss Coming? Dramatic Pause" link to a bogus MS Excel spreadsheet, so while you are watching a show, if your boss walks by or into your office you have an immediate solution to your wrongdoing. Who is catching up on episodes of their favorite TNT show at work - I don't know, but I find this hilarious and diabolically clever!

How did I learn about this you ask, not at work! One weekend a while back, when I was trying to catch up on TNT's police drama "Dark Blue" (which I like and hope comes back this summer, hopefully I wasn't the only one watching it), I discovered this interesting marketing tool and job saver.

I work in a cubicle with my back and computer screen facing the walk way. This could cause lots of problems for me, if I'm too slow to turn my head, peep the intruders, and click on a work appropriate website or document and commence working. Working in a cubicle, for the past three years, I've fine-tuned my hearing so that I can effectively surf the web or online shop and stay on my toes!

There are some job boards that also have these faux documents that allow you to search for jobs and always escape the job hunt with one click, when the coast isn't clear. This particular job board I was on, actually took you to a document that was about developing management styles. Now listen very closely here - I would never suggest looking for a job at work, ever. Unless you know how to delete your internet cookies and files completely and without a trace - I suggest you leave those activities for your home computer. Companies already have internet guidelines, and to tell you the truth yahoo and hotmail sometimes are against the rules too. Please don't lose your job over facebook.

While you should stick to more safe websites like msn.com and cnn.com, you can always make your own "boss is coming - getaway vehicle" by opening up actual work documents you are working on or have a standing new email message template from outlook and there you go. After that, you must, I repeat must, master the mouse click or the ALT - TAB combo to get you out of the inappropriate screen in enough time!

Good Luck!

What's on your desk?

I watch a lot of HGTV and one of my favorite shows is "Designed to Sell". Homeowners who are having trouble selling their homes get help from design pros who reposition and stage their homes. This staging gives off a perception of a lived in home, if the house is empty or a less personalized decor feel, leaving the potential buyers feeling like that they could see themselves living there.

Ironically, I have been staging my desk at work long before I had even known what HGTV was. I have incorporated what I call desk staging into my daily work routine and you should too.

Every morning when I come into work, I turn on my computer, open up my MS Outlook, unlock all my drawers and then I begin the staging process. I pull out my notebook with my to do list on it, some file folders, a couple of HR forms, pension forms that need processing, perhaps a benefit survey that needs to be completed and any other items that I may possibly work on throughout the day and neatly and strategically place these items on my desk.

Now, I initially started staging my desk to give the impression that I was busy. So you could say the items were more like props, so while I was catching up on the shows I watched the night before with coworkers, I could always easily pop back in my seat and get straight to work or appear to be working.

But more recently, I find that staging my desk, helps me prioritize my tasks for the day. Because I am a visual learner, putting the things I have to do out in the open where I can see them allows me to stop the chitter chatter sooner with my coworkers, and get to work.

So, I say - try it, whether you are trying to find a better way to effectively complete your tasks each day, or to to present the illusion that you are super busy, when actually you are checking your hotmail account, paying your bills or talking about what Ellen said on American Idol.