Because I work at home alone, I’m always looking for new ways to procrastinate besides shop on Overstock.com. So after much important research for a Jobacle post, I came up with this idea.With all the Super Bowl fervor, I wondered what it would be like if your office ran like a Super Bowl party?AGENDA FOR MONDAY’S MEETING"Let’s go over the key topics, people. Bullet points, please."· Yet again, Phil forgot to bring in the guacamole for Monday’s staff meeting. Everyone knows you can’t face Monday morning without some smashed avocado and chips. Geesh, Phil!· A company-wide email from HR reminds us that wearing a Cheesehead is considered to be inappropriate and borders on harassment. The same goes for waving yellow things to antagonize your cube-mate. It’s important to take this seriously and be in … [Read more...] about Why Can’t Work Be More Like a Super Bowl Party?
Career Advice Blog
Would You Hire Your Boss?
Everyone has a different style when it comes to their management skills. Every boss has their good and bad points and unfortunately, not every employee responds to their management in the same regard. Because of this, the job of a manager is very difficult and some people find themselves either trying to please everyone or going in the other direction of not caring how the employees respond to them. When it comes to the qualities that a boss possesses, not every manager can be great in all area. Some managers will excel in certain things and be poor in others. Because of this, it is interesting to think if they were to interview for their position or another one in the company. Which leads us to today’s question: Would you hire your boss? There are several attributes that every manager should possess, regardless of their skill set or their background. The manager needs to firm and follow through with their plans and have firm convictions. When a boss is not confident, this sends a … [Read more...] about Would You Hire Your Boss?
What 10 Career Tips Would You Give to Your Children?
Our two daughters are starting out on their careers. These are the 10 tips I have shared with them. I pray and hope that over the years ahead they will learn these quickly and painlessly. And as the world of work evolves, we hope that green printing becomes the standard to respect and protect the environment. 1. Security. Your security lies with you not whoever you work for. Have faith in your abilities, believe in yourself and whatever happens over the years ahead remember that people will treat you as you expect to be treated so just remember how good you are. 2. Employers come and employers go. The days of one job for life are long gone. The chances are that you will work for five or maybe ten different employers over the years ahead. There will be times when you think that you have made it and your future is secure. This might well be true but never forget that at the end of it all your future is yours … [Read more...] about What 10 Career Tips Would You Give to Your Children?
3 Critical! Imperative! Important! Job Interview Reminders
Job interviews can be stressful experiences, but they definitely don’t have to be. If you’re well prepared then the interview process can actually be really fun and exciting, especially when you realize you’re winning them over. In this article we’ll cover three great job interview tips which will help you land a job. 1. Pay attention to your non-verbal messages.Punctuality, Presentation, Posture. These are the primary non-verbal signals that your interviewer will use to build their overall impression of you. It’s important to show prospective employers your calmness, confidence, and dependability. Arrive on time for your interview. By on time, I mean 15 minutes early. Be sure to factor in conditions that may slow you on your trip. If you know you’re facing a long and hot walk to the interview location, then try and find an air conditioned café outside to cool off at. The 15 minutes wait in the reception of the business is not the place to … [Read more...] about 3 Critical! Imperative! Important! Job Interview Reminders
10 Jobs That Didn't Exist 10 Years Ago
As a successful freelance blogger, I am doing work that I never imagined was possible...that's because the job of blogger did not exist!I always knew that writing would play a major role in my life, and I enjoyed studying journalism. But after a class trip to a major New York paper, I was turned off to the profession. Something about burning the candle at both ends and living on caffeine was utterly unappealing. Blogging allows me to make a decent living and write on my terms. What a beautiful concept! Like blogging, there are other jobs that did not exist a mere 10 years ago... 1. Social Media/Online-Community Manager: Social media managers focus on building their employers' brands through the use of social media sites and tools (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Youtube), whereas online-community managers specialize in fostering user discussion and evangelism for the marketers they support.2. Telework Manager or … [Read more...] about 10 Jobs That Didn't Exist 10 Years Ago
Does Taking Online Classes Save You Money?
Online degree programs continue to become more popular and more widely accepted. Traditional universities are increasing their online college classes and courses. Many people are attracted to the flexibility these options offer and wonder about the economics of taking classes online. Does taking classes online really save you money? Like many things, "it depends." The online courses themselves are typically less expensive even though the lessons are the same. When traditional on-site universities offer online courses, there is usually a slight discount of 5% or so versus the traditional course offering. This is to encourage students to opt for online classes. Exclusively online universities are typically less expensive than traditional universities due to the lower overhead, absence of prestigious faculty members, and lack of extensive facilities. In either type of program, the student also potentially saves on the following: • … [Read more...] about Does Taking Online Classes Save You Money?
New Year’s Resolution Already Broken? Work at a Gym!
As another New Year gets underway, most of us are afflicted with either guilt over the way we've let our bods deteriorate, or being bored to death listening to other peoples' similar stuff. Worst of all, of course, is having to hear all of the penitential resolutions about joining a gym, starting a work out program, etc. ad nauseum. … [Read more...] about New Year’s Resolution Already Broken? Work at a Gym!
5 Career Lessons Inspired By “The Fighter”
Winner of Golden Globe awards, SAG awards, and likely several Oscars, The Fighter is a brisk-paced movie about Micky Ward, the one-time boxing champion.Actor Mark Wahlberg plays Ward in the lead role; Christian Bale steals the show as the boxer's colorful brother Dickie.Between knockouts, greed, and drugs, The Fighter offers several important career lessons:Choose a life partner who supports your career choices.Micky Ward's wife in the movie is portrayed as a spouse who supports her husband's career choice, despite its endemic risks (permanent injury, sporadic payday, etc.).It's hard to stay positive, productive, and proactive through every leg of a career journey. Having a partner who believes in you and pushes you to improve can actually help you succeed. We could all use a cheerleader, and if you’re lucky, your spouse will take on that role.Listen to advice, but make your own decisions.There’s no shortage of career advice blogs, job counselors, and other people who … [Read more...] about 5 Career Lessons Inspired By “The Fighter”
4 Tips to Improve Self-Discipline
Andrew (Jobacle editor) just asked me if I’d like to tackle the topic of improving self-discipline. I said, "Sure, as soon as I finish playing this game I downloaded to put off writing an article." Oops - looks like my self-discipline could use a make-over...But truthfully, being self-employed takes an incredible amount of self-discipline. Just as there are countless distractions in the traditional workplace, there are just as many in the home office. And when you don’t have a boss or co-workers observing, you can be tempted to slack off. It’s the mortgage statement that usually gets me back on track.Here are some things that (usually) work for me:1. Reward yourself – It might sound counter-intuitive to reward yourself for being disciplined, but it actually will reinforce that good, productive behavior. Sometimes when I’m on a tight deadline, I will “allow” myself the reward of getting away from the PC for 15-20 minutes to take a … [Read more...] about 4 Tips to Improve Self-Discipline
Choosing a Necktie That Fits YOU
The fashion world has for a long time been a woman’s world. Now, men are getting to it and though a rather old piece of fashion, the necktie is getting more emphasis. Men are looking for ways to incorporate the right choice of neckties in their daily wear. Not only that, they also want to make the correct knots when it comes to tying these accessories. Tying a necktie is an important art that every man concerned with his looks should learn. There are numerous how-tos and articles that will give you tips on how to do that right. But of most importance here and now, is the way you choose the necktie. This is where more emphasis should be placed. The first thing you should be keen on is the type of fabric. Neckties should be attractive and attention getters. To make them so, you should go for fabrics that are shinny in nature. Satin or silk will give you the best of the shines but you should be keen to make sure that the fabric is 100% satin or silk. The color of the fabric is … [Read more...] about Choosing a Necktie That Fits YOU