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"DO OR DIE-THESE COMMANDMENTS CAN SAVE YOUR JOB!"

Dear Kathryn:

You'd think at the ripe old age of thirty-four I'd have conquered my problem of staying focused on the job. My reviews state that I'm very capable and technically excellent, but keeping up with my work and staying focused is a challenge given the dozens of interruptions I have all day.

My review is coming up in October and I want to slap myself into high gear before I'm issued a probation notice and possibly a termination slip. (I think I'm about to get fired for the second time in three years.)

While my bosses have identified my problem in consistently being behind in my work, they haven't offered any suggestions on how I can stay on top of it. I seem to be overloaded; however, others in similar positions seem to get their work done.

I feel as though I'm sinking and have no life raft! Throw me a line, please!

RHONDA T., Waterbury, CT

Dear Rhonda:

You have a problem that is not at all uncommon, however one that is not frequently talked about and resolved by department managers. You'll have to take the lead here and better understand your own work style, motivators and distractions.

-For example, some folks are terrific in the morning and fabulous between the hours of from 7am to 10am. Not having co-workers and phones ringing are mental interruptions that for detail oriented work can be killers. Understand what works for you and manage your workload accordingly, doing the work requiring the most focus first. This is your job, and if you want to keep it, this productive ability analyzation and then putting into action is critical.

-If you know returning emails and phone calls are intrusions that take a lot of time plus tend to linger in your mind even after completing, take care of them and then take a five minute break to clear your head.

-Try to keep personal conversations limited to breaks. Having a debate with your mate will linger in your mind and cause you to ruminate about personal life issues that are distractions.

-Shortcut! Everything does not need to be perfect. Determine what needs the third read or review and what doesn't. Don't forget to delegate, as your doing the same task twice is twice the time.

-If you have a staff, delegate sorting through mail, memos and other time-consuming, and many times junk stuff, to your staff. Spend your time only with the materials that require your expertise and talent. Even thought painful, ask your staff to spend a few weekend hours with your training them how to handle the more minute stuff you can send their way.

-Hunt, hunt, hunt! Many times we waste valuable time reinventing what we already wrote, read, and analyzed all because we lost our original notes. Disorganization and lack of systems causes us to waste time searching for material we should have been able to put our fingers on instantly. Spend your own time creating some filing and tickler systems that will enable you to quickly find needed materials.

Dear Kathryn:

I am re-entering the job market after an eighteen month absence and am shocked by employers' unsupportive attitude.

Only two years ago when I left my job to have a child, my old employer was supporting flex hours, understanding mother's needs and accommodating day care hours.

Of the last thirteen interviews I've had, employers have point blank stated the full forty hour work week schedule they maintained had zero flexibility. They grilled me as to whether I had any obligations that would interfere with their work day. Naturally, I said yes and stated I'd be flexible to accommodate the missed hour here or there due to kids commitments by working from home. That was met with a "we'll let you know if there's further interest." No word from any of my interviews!

I can't lie about my family obligations there seems to have been a sea change amongst employers. They are not understanding the much needed work/life balance parent s require, especially in today's unstable world.

How do I get a job with their bad attitude and my family's needs?

SUZANNE R., Vernon, CT

Dear Suzanne:

Your observation of an employer's attitude shifting within the last year is accurate.

While six years ago, pre 9-11 and the economic situation being somewhat different, employers were willing to accommodate an employees needs. With the layoffs and cutbacks experienced in the last three years affecting remaining employees to work harder then ever, company's are scrutinizing budgets and expenses even more closely.

Employers are taking a harsher attitude about getting the most from their employees and are not focusing as much on employees needs. Many people find this as a surprising move by employers, as the number one reason why women change jobs is family obligations, according to several surveys.

Everyone knows turnover is extremely costly. Regardless, according to The Society for Human Resource Management, for the first time in five years, employers are getting rid of many time-tested family friendly policies.

Now, to your specific dilemma; think like an employer would.

If you as the boss, has a choice between the candidate with no encumbrances, vs. the candidate with the need to leave at 4 pm with zero availability for last minute overtime, which candidate would you choose, given equal skill levels?

Employers also report that they are more likely to accommodate a person already working for them then someone new.

You need to focus your job search by first identifying those employers that still have family-friendly policies in place--why invest time interviewing with those dead set against it a flexible schedule?

Next, even if it's only for the next six months, you need to have a support system you're your family in place that would allow you to get your foot in the door of a company that may start you out in a normal work schedule.

Invest creative thinking time in developing support from friends, church, and other mothers. As employers have reported, they're many times more flexible with those already on board.

Talk to other working mothers at every occasion and engage them in conversation as to where they work and the accommodations or lack thereof their own employers have made. Word of mouth experiences from working mom's will give you the most accurate info as to which employers are flexible.