We work in a contemporary world. A world where things are changing — whether it's when and where employees are working, how employers are handling their human resources or the constantly changing trends — the world of work is moving and shifting. And as wacky as that world can be sometimes, it's also fascinating if you have the right guide.

This blog is designed to be just that — a companion on your journey through the changing world of work. Here you'll find tips, tools and information on topics as diverse as the workforce itself: the aging workforce, working women, professional etiquette, generational diversity, the talent crunch, and more. So whether you're an employer or an employee, and whether you're beginning or close to finishing your career, I hope you find the information here useful for navigating the contemporary world of work.

Thanks for reading and have fun!

Melanie

My guest blogger this week is Maggie McKisson — the (talented, but unemployed) daughter of Manpower’s VP of HR.  To learn more about Maggie visit her LinkedIn profile.

Now for Maggie’s words of wisdom…

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My dad approached me about writing this entry for Melanie’s Contemporary Working blog over a glass of wine during my first visit home after taking the big plunge and moving to Chicago — jobless.  His sales pitch was, “Just a short message about a young person in the workforce.”  With a chuckle I replied, “You mean a young person NOT in the workforce!”

After graduating in May of 2008, I moved home — like many of my friends.  However, I was quite sure I’d find something great shortly thereafter.  I don’t need to tell you that the market is bad.  While others are feeling it in much more significant ways, I never imagined finding a job would be so difficult.

My game plan has been to get my name and resume out to as many people as possible.  I quickly had to get over the scary prospect of picking up the phone and pleading my case.  But for the most part, every person I’ve encountered has been extremely kind and willing to help in any way they can.  Unfortunately none of these connections has led to a job!

While I’m enjoying every minute of city life in Chicago, the last year at home had some significant positives:

• Bonus time with Mom and Dad:  I am so lucky to have parents who made living with them fun.  I wouldn’t have the confidence to pursue a job that makes a difference without their continued, loving support.
• Volunteering:  Lots of free time has given me the opportunity to identify organizations I feel are doing excellent work in the community.  I’ve gotten involved and I love it.
• Planning ahead:  My latest plan is studying for the GMAT with the hope of getting my MBA in the near future.  It doesn’t hurt to plan ahead!

I remain confident that I’ll find the perfect job for me.  And I look forward to being in a position where I can help those who have been so kind to me over the last year.  And I still fill my free time with volunteering, studying and exploring the city.

But for now, Find a Job will remain at the top of my To Do list.

My guest blogger this week is Cathy-Ann Paige — Vice President and General Manager for Manpower’s Northeast Staffing Division.  As you read her blog, you’ll notice that she’s been with Manpower a bit longer than I have so I’ve known her for nearly 28 years.  She’s a good friend (and fellow dog lover).  To learn more about Cathy, read her professional bio.

From Cathy…

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Change is growth… That was the poster in the Manpower office when I first applied for a position with the company in Springfield, Massachusetts over 28 years ago. 

It’s all the rage these days to change companies every three to five years.  Statistics tell us that the average student graduating today will work at seven to ten companies over the course of a career.  I see evidence of this every day when I get invited to join someone’s LinkedIn network or I get “Facebooked” by someone (when did that word become a verb?).

Have I changed jobs that often?  I must admit that I have.  By changing jobs every three to five years I’ve learned new skills, met different people and developed my career.  It has been a very rewarding experience and I regret nothing.  And I’ve always been lucky enough to do work that is meaningful and has value.

The most important thing I always look for at work is getting the balance right for me.  Am I challenged enough?  Learning new things?  Meeting people I enjoy spending my time with?  And most of all, does the way I spend my time earning a living matter in the world?  If work is not meaningful, it isn’t the right company for me.  

So back to the day I walked into that office in Springfield.  I was a newly minted college grad looking for my opportunity to change the world.  Here I am 28 years later, older and somewhat jaded, but still having fun every day.  Yes, I changed jobs often — but I always stayed at Manpower.

My point is this, you don’t have to leave where you are to find what you are looking for.  I found a lifetime of meaningful work and challenges at one company. When you search for a career think about the right company and explore your options to stay and grow. Change may mean growth, but it doesn’t always have to mean a new company — if you pick well.

I’ve hired a twelve-year-old neighbor to walk my dogs for me several days a week.  Benny is adorable, articulate and empathetic way beyond his years.

When he saw me bald for the first time a few days ago his instant response was, “You look good, but this doesn’t change you as a person.  You’re still who you are.”

Good answer, Benny.  What a guy!

A few weeks ago — in Don’t Ignore Me – I blogged with advice on dealing with someone who is seriously ill.  I have a few more bits of advice to add:

• Please, please don’t give me medical advice (unless you’re on my team of doctors).  I trust the medical care I’ve chosen and I really don’t want someone — I know you mean well — undermining my confidence by making a recommendation that is different from what I’ve decided is the best course of treatment for me.  Again — I know you mean well.  But I don’t want my decisions second-guessed by a lay person.
• I also don’t want you to tell me how or what to eat.
• And since I’m now bald, there is another “elephant in the room” for me.  If someone  looks different, my advice is to acknowledge it.  If you ignore it I either think you’ve never looked me in the eye so didn’t notice that I’m shiny bald OR you’re afraid and choose to ignore it.  Remember — don’t ignore me!

My intention with this advice is not to sound parental or judgmental — so please take it in the spirit I’ve intended.  I hope I can increase your comfort level and the comfort level of those who are sick.

P.S.  I still feel great!  Stay tuned for pix of my bald head.

Today’s guest blogger is Michael Doyle, Manpower’s Vice President/General Manager of the Southeast Staffing Division.  Michael lives in Raleigh, NC with his wife and two children.  Want to learn more about him?  Check out his professional bio.

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Like Melanie, I do admit to watching reality TV.  My kids love Wipe Out on Wednesday nights on ABC.  When I’m traveling, I often receive texts from my nine-year-old (using his mom’s phone) about the show.  I’m lucky — texting Dad is cool!

Anyway, let me get to the point:  Watch the show and then try to tell me that it doesn’t remind you of a typical week at your job.  Obstacles, mud, surprise attacks, spinning wheels, waterfalls….  The expectation is that you complete the task at a fast and furious pace.  Always on the clock.  Constantly dodging “bullets.”

Each contestant can be compared to a day in the week.  Some crash and burn.  Others conquer the bouncy red balls in record time.  I dare you to think of your job the way the contestants think of Wipe Out — what an awesome challenge!

I choose to rule the world tomorrow.  Can you promise yourself the same?

Do you have any better examples of strange places to find workplace inspiration?

What do blogs, blawgs, Magic Johnson and Mark Toth have in common?  I’m not going to give it away — find out for yourself by reading the latest Staffing Industry Analysts 10 Most Intriguing People in Staffing. 

You don’t want to miss it!

Last week I talked about how you should act when your friends and acquaintances are ill or suffering a loss.  If you haven’t read it yet, take a look back — you might learn something.

This week I want to tell you what I’m trying to learn as the person who is ill.  I emphasize trying — I’m trying very hard to do as I say, but I find some of it difficult.  Some of it is easy for me,  some very hard!  Here we go:

• Try to be as normal as possible — go to work, go to the grocery, walk the dogs.  Normal is good!
• Be open and honest with people. Let them know what’s going on (if you think they want to know).
• Don’t be too gory with your details — TMI for some.  But others might want to hear about the real deal so share with those.
• Try your best to remain positive.  I believe people will get tired of dealing with a ‘sad sack’ all the time.
• But having said that, if you’re having a really bad day, you’re allowed to show it.  You can’t be unrealistically upbeat all the time.  This is one of the hard ones for me because my middle name is Pollyanna.  I did give in to how I felt one day and it surprised some people.
• And this one is the most difficult for me — don’t be macho about asking for help.  Ask for help from your doctors and ask for help from your friends.

This isn’t fun, but I want to be known for handling it well — and for teaching people on both sides of the situation how to get by.

P.S.  I’ve had two chemos so far.  My first week wasn’t great, but I’m determined this one will be better and that I’ll establish my new normal.  And I still have hair for another week or two!

Please know that the worst thing you can do when someone is ill or dealing with a loss is to ignore them.  While you might be a bit uncomfortable and not know the exact right thing to say, avoiding the issue just makes it worse.

Trust me — once you’ve broken the ice and acknowledged ‘the elephant in the room,’ everyone (including you) will be more comfortable.  And who knows what the exact right thing to say is? 

Try these:

• “I heard about your illness (or your loss).  I’m so sorry.”  (That’s enough.  No need to babble.)
• “Whatever you need, don’t hesitate to ask.  In fact, I will be flattered if you ask me for help!”
• If possible, offer specific suggestions for help:  “Can I drive you somewhere?” “Would you like some company this afternoon?”  “What’s your favorite meal?  Is tonight okay for me to drop it off?”  “Do the dogs need walking?”
• “I can’t tell you everything will be all right — because I can’t promise that.  But I can promise that you will handle whatever you have to face.”
• “I’m here for you — no matter what!”

My biggest fear is that others will be afraid to face me, will ignore me or avoid me.  I’m confident that other people in my situation feel the same way.  So take the plunge — face your fears and face your friend in need.

P.S.  And it’s okay to cry!

If you’ve been following my blog, you might have noticed that I’ve been silent for the past few weeks.  Here’s why…

Ten years ago I was treated for breast cancer.  I just learned that the cancer has metastasized to my bones.  While this isn’t great news, I’m thankful that it’s only in my bones — it hasn’t spread to any of my organs.  More good news:  I tolerated chemo therapy quite well ten years ago and I’m confident my body won’t let me down this time, either.

I’m not writing this because I want you to feel sorry for me (although concern and support are always welcomed).  But I do want you to know that things here will change a bit over the next few months.

This will still be your place for world of work insights.  I’ll occasionally blog with articles and opinions — just like you’re used to.  But I’ll add a few posts now and then on what it’s like having a serious illness and going through treatment, while continuing as an executive at a Fortune 500 company.  I might throw in some etiquette tips on the best ways to deal with people coping with illness or loss.  You might get to see my dogs again.  And I might even post a picture of me bald.

But even better, I’m asking my colleagues at Manpower to step in as guest bloggers.  You’ll hear their perspectives on the world of work and I’m confident you’ll benefit from what they have to say.

So please, please stay tuned.  There are great posts to come!

P.S.  I actually liked being bald the last time.

Here is my take on From the Ground Up – Episode 2.  Recall that this is Debbie Travis’ new show on Fine Living.  She has found a relatively motley crew of frustrated young people who don’t like what they’re currently doing:  bartender, roofer, drifter, lawyer, chambermaid, esthetician, bill collector, business analyst.  Debbie’s point is there is a great future in the trades and she’s hoping they will find something they love — and rebuild their lives from the ground up.

Last week, many disliked the hard, dirty work of cleaning up the construction site.  This week, the test was leadership and teamwork.  We saw:

• Leaders who were so unsure of themselves, the teams walked all over them. 
• Leaders who were so power-hungry, cocky and full of themselves, that the teams revolted.

We also saw followers who:

• Were not willing to learn the job.
• Wanted to take over the task, even though they weren’t the leaders.

The key lessons of the show were all about communication, flexibility, understanding and trust.  These are traits we can all improve to create functioning teams with good leadership.

If you have young people in your house who are struggling to find their passion, I recommend this program.  There are lessons to be learned at every turn.