You glance longingly over to the empty cubicle next to yours. Nobody's home.

Why is it that your cubicle neighbor is always there less than you?  It’s not because they are busy with important meetings or running errands for your boss, but because they are outside with their smoky treats.  They are determined and persistent, weathering not only the good days but the rainy and stormy days as well to feed the daily habit.

Do not misunderstand; many smokers take only their two allotted 15 minutes break in addition to their lunch break.  However, those that take advantage of this system get under my skin.  Unfortunately for the work smokers (and I cannot deny that I was in that category at one point in a past stressful job), there are other consequences than just criticism for frequent smoke breaks.

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Ten years removed from college, and for the first time in a decade, I'm flirting with the idea of continuing my education. I'm honestly not sure where this newfound idea is rooted. Boredom? Ego? A challenge? Thirst for knowledge? The truth will shake out over the next few weeks as I begin to familiarize myself with the GMAT, online programs, and the positive/negatives of the endeavor. (My sneaking suspicion is that the MATH will ultimately keep me away.)

Here are some questions that need to be answered before I move forward...

Read more of my post at U.S. News & World Report.

Summer hours are nearly over.  If you were fortunate enough to enjoy shortened workdays on Fridays, or a seasonally lax dress code, the gravy train is about to end.  The relaxed vibe of summer is about to expire, bringing forward a plethora of  patio furniture sales and the countdown to the winter holidays. Don't fret that all of those vacation days have been used up. There are a few small things to do to ease the transition between seasons.

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Annual review time is right around the corner.  That means I'll have to recall not only what I accomplished, but how my subordinates performed over the past 365 days.  I do a decent job of keeping notes of landmark events, but many of the smaller projects escape my memory.  I'll have to scour through dozens of pads and thousands of e-mails to try to put together a case for all of us to get a raise.

Thanks to IDidWork, a new Web 2.0 tool, it looks like things will be easier next year.  The simple Web app allows you to log what you've been doing at work, so none of your accomplishments, no matter how minor, are forgotten.

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With the goal of "eliminating unemployment in America," the VP of Distinctive Personnel, a state certified employment service agency, brings a unique approach to hiring.

Check out the swords behind him!

A new Web site, moneybackjobs.com is calling out the job boards:

"The industry as a whole has become too rigid, too slow to change, and unwilling to think outside the box."

Ouch.

While we are in agreement with this statement, and dig the fact that the site is opening up a revenue stream for job seekers, we're not 100% sold on the concept.

If a job seekers lands a job through moneybackjobs, they are rewarded  5 - 7.5% of their starting salary after 30 days at the new job.  Employers are charged 10 - 12% of the candidate's starting salary when they make a hire.  Employers can currently purchase a block of 10 job posting for $450.

So what’s the catch, you ask?

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George Jetson was hired to push a button. Nothing more. Nothing less. His boss, Mr. Spacely, never wanted to hear from George about how he could push the button differently or be more productive.

Where I'm going with this is how there are many jobs where you are merely expected to carry out a function—that's it—case closed.

For some people, this type of work is easy and appreciated. Others find it boring, frustrating, and claustrophobic.

I always promised myself I would never become the "button pusher." 

Read more at US News and World Report.

Attention professional and amateur resume writers...

It's been a full year; it's officially time to update my resume.

Despite writing this blog and staying ahead of the curve on online career resources, I realize that I've hit a wall. It's time for fresh eyes to come in and give my resume a tweak - or an overhaul.

Over the years, we've received many e-mails asking if hiring someone to re-write your resume is worth the money. Here's the answer: I have no idea, but I'm about to find out.

Welcome to the Jobacle Resume Challenge. The mission, should you accept to choose it, is simple. Take my current resume and rework it as you see fit. Make your changes and the results will be featured on Jobacle.com. A winner will be chosen by our panel of Jobacle writers. We'll explain the process of working with a resume writer to our readers and provide your link and contact information - even if you don't win.

The winner will receive bragging rights, an approved Jobacle icon to place on their Web site, a three-month banner on Jobacle.com announcing your superior resume writing skills and a $100 donation to the charity of your choice.

Interested? Fill out this form to get started. There's no set criteria. Our writers and readers will know an amazing resume when they see it. (But we are suckers for creativity).

Challenge runs until September 15, 2008. Resume will be provided after you indicate you are interested. Good luck!

Recently I started a new job, and last week I was introduced to my boss, who happens to be an old school friend. Upon seeing him I felt happy about the whole situation, but then I started to get a bad feeling about working under someone whom I know quite well. There are a number of positives and negatives outlined below.

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Bad acting, cheesy dialogue, unrealistic scenarios. It all reminds me of health class in middle school. Remember those videos demonstrating the dangers of drug and alcohol use and how to handle the peer pressure? I can picture them now...

"Just try the pot Jimmy, come on man, you'll like it!"

Jimmy looks confused.  The voice over narrator asks, "What should Jimmy do?"  

Ahh, good times. So what reminded me of those superbly produced educational videos? A relatively new site called Employaid.  

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