Career Advice Blog

You’re probably not. An expert, I mean. Many of us think that we’re experts at so many things, but in reality, we’re just small fish in a big pond. There’s a theory out there that says it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert at something. A few weekends of tinkering or even a few years of casual practice won’t work. Reading a book on a topic won’t even cut it. 10,000 hours of dedication to a single subject is a hefty investment. Let’s calculate how much time it would take to become a real expert on something that isn’t related to your job (according to this ubiquitous and completely random 10,000 figure). · If you only practice on the weekends for maybe 10 hours total, then that makes 1,000 weeks (just over 19 years). That’s a long time to practice on something that may not even interest you that far down the road. · If you double it to 20 per week by studying 2 hours extra per weekday in addition to … [Read more...] about So You Think You’re An Expert, Eh?

Your cube is gross. There, I said it. You really need to clean it up. Toss out the old candy wrappers. Shred those old files (and any incriminating holiday party photos). But that’s just the surface of the whole cubicle mess. We want you to get energized and see things in a whole new light! Let’s dig a little deeper, shall we? Physical When it was time to leave my old job, I had accumulated loads of junk on and around my desk. Now, part of the problem was that I was pretty organized for the first year and a half, because I had two cubicle spots to spread out my work (i.e. “junk”), and when someone was placed in the second slot, everything had to be crammed back into my side. Another part of the problem is that I was always too busy with work to actually stop and pick up the papers, handbooks, and countless other piles of stuff. However, I was putting myself through a hassle for no reason at all. Taking the time out of your day, week, or month to clean up your … [Read more...] about Clean Your Cubicle

An open letter to Spencer Pratt and heidi Montag... Dear Speidi,This is a challenge: sit in my cubicle for a day and I guarantee it will be harder than anything you have experienced in the Costa Rican jungle.Challenges include 8-hour meetings, cleaning out the community refrigerator, withstanding co-workers never-ending stories, and surviving the infamous paper-cut chamber.Your privacy will be stripped away; your posh lifestyle checked at the door. Reservations for lunch? Hell no. You get a brown bag with a turkey sandwich and 45 minutes. Ready...go! And you better have exact change for the vending machine.Your canned tans will fade under the heat of fluorescent lights. Too hot? Too cold? Whatever. Your boss controls the thermostat so he'll decide how comfortable you will be.Want to call your agent to get you out of here? No problem. Just keep in mind that the Communications Policy you signed indicates that any calls/Internet activity may be monitored. Your fellow cubemates will do … [Read more...] about I'm a Cube Dweller, Get Me Out of Here

Some of the stranger Jobacle topics come to me while I am driving to and from work. Today I would like to speak to you about your pre-work bathroom ritual. Come on now, don't be bashful. From what I gather, people have very stong opinions on going to the bathroom at work. So let me ask: How desperate are you to "eliminate" waste before you get to the office? … [Read more...] about Do You "Eliminate" Before Work?

"Show me yours and I'll show you mine." That's a popular stance amongst Gen X and Gen Y in today's workforce when it comes to revealing salary. Boomers, however, tend to keep their salaries shrouded in secrecy. Regardless of the year you were born, this Website, which reveals the salaries of almost EVERY New York State worker, is the subject of heated debate at Jobacle HQ.The goal of SeeThroughNY, the site which is taking salary reveals to a whole new level, is to give "New Yorkers a clearer view of how their state and local tax dollars are spent." Simply select the branch of government, enter the agency/area in which they work and punch in their full name (you will need to get the exact spelling that appears on their payroll).Voila. You will be presented with '07 and '08 payroll data. And it's accurate...to the penny.I just spent the last hour looking up the salaries of almost everyone I know. The database is comprised of over 263,000 employees.On one hand, I understand why this … [Read more...] about I Know How Much Your Earned Last Summer

My poor e-mail address; riddled with more and more phony job offers everyday.  The latest came from some fake named Priscilla FURLONG...Hello.Your CV reviewing resulted in job offer.Our company offers acquisition under the free zone scheme land, realty relocation, legal, etc.We plan to expand our activities in US and need a team of creative people to make our company competitive.We're looking for right candidates who will be able to support the sales in the fastest and way possible.As Customer Service Manager you must rule processes for transactions; process orders from customers by E-mail, via phone or in person; ensure that payments disbursed timely; compose and collect information for monthly reportsBase salary is about 2 – 3 thousands of USD a month (after your trial period expires).Plus you will get bonus – 5% from each transfer.We will reimburse your entire Money Gram, cellular, banking expenses.Our company not only offers you the job, this is your chance to … [Read more...] about The Fake Job E-mails Keep On Coming

  Over the past two days, we have covered some of the great aspects of a teacher’s job. Some of those would be wonderful if we could blend them into our own jobs (sabbaticals, teaching others, and student teaching), because they would help us to work better overall. Today, we are going to see one of the problems with the teaching industry that needs to be solved. When you started your job, I’m willing to bet that you worked your tail off. As time went on, your performance may have stabilized some, but you always try (successfully or not) to keep it above the “You’re fired!” level. The association of bad performance and termination is an easy one to make, and it doesn’t take much prodding for you to see that you have to do well or you get canned. What if that fear wasn’t there? Can you honestly say that you would perform better if you weren’t held accountable for your work results? As for myself, I know for sure that I would spend a … [Read more...] about What if Everyone Was a Teacher? Part 3