Career Advice Blog

There are now offcially too many outlets where employees can anonymously rate their workplace. With so many factors affecting each person's work expeirence, the information on these boards are only a tiny slice of the pie, not the whole picture.Getting some of that workplace frustration off your chest can be very theraputic, just be sure to not let the angry exercise become routine.Last year we put together the Jobacle Master List of Job Vent sites. The latest to come to our attention is Jobeehive. What differentiates the site from the pack is that you must submit information about your employer before February 11, 2009 in order to help determine their overall score for 2008.Ratings are 100% anonymous. The majority of companies posted are either U.S. or India-based.Be sure to visit the full list of job rant sites and leave your favorites in the comments section. … [Read more...] about Rant, Rave and Vent About Work…Again

Just about everyone has heard of a 5k, 10k, or marathon. However, ultramarathons are a relatively unknown segment of the running world. In November 2007, I joined the ranks of those dedicated (and slightly crazy) runners when I completed the Dizzy Fifties 50k in Huntsville, AL. For those of us that aren't interested in the metric system, the total distance was 31 miles. Since completing the race, I have looked back and seen the different ways it helped me in my work life.Take a Bold StepI used to be very quiet at work. I sat quietly and worked without interacting with anyone else. When I decided to start training for the race, I started talking with others and becoming more verbose. My supervisor noticed my change in behavior, and I began to ask for more difficult assignments. I took the initiative to increase my value at work.Never Give UpSome of those assignments were difficult. Very difficult. Keeping-me-up-at-night difficult. However, working on a project at work is a lot less … [Read more...] about How Running an Ultramarathon Changed My Work Life

The media—and that includes blogs—love to drop the term recessionproof.News flash: It's impossible to recessionproof anything. That's like trying to stop a world war with a slingshot or hold back the ocean with your retaining wall. If the stuff is gonna hit the fan, it will find you. Sorry if it hurts, but that's life.There is seemingly no escape from the mood of economic doom and gloom that has permeated American society. But I have important news for you: All this recession talk is hurting your career. Jobacle.com urges you to vaccinate yourself against the latest illness plaguing working stiffs: recessionitis.How do you know if you're suffering from recessionitis?Read more of my blog at US News & World Report. … [Read more...] about How to Vaccinate Against Recessionitis

Like many of you, The Shawshank Redemption is my favorite movie. In fact, it's arguably the greatest film ever to get completely snubbed by Oscar. I'm not usually a movie quote guy, but I think this flick has much career advice to offer.  There are some spoilers below, so if you've never seen the movie (shame on you!) stop reading and go Netflix it!"Get busy living or get busy dying" - Andy DufresneAndy utters these words to Red the day before he makes his triumphant escape from Shawshank. We'd never compare work to prison (nah!), but we do think it's a fair question to ask yourself on a regular basis. Are you 'dying' where you are working or 'living?' More..."How often do you really look at a man's shoes." - RedSorry Red, more often than you might realize - especially at the office. While you might not be violating any dress code laws, your shoes ARE noticed by your colleagues (and not just the freaky fetish guy in I.T.). Paying attention to every detail of your wardrobe - … [Read more...] about Career Advice From Shawshank Prison

It's a cardinal sin at work. Even though you know what the person in the cubicle next to you is earning annually, you can never use that information when negotiating a higher salary for yourself.But does the same rule apply to benefits?We're brought up with the workplace mentality that it's 'every person for themselves.' We each have the power to negotiate a better situation: more days off, special hours, and so on. However, I pose the question of whether or not this is fair. Shouldn't it be a level playing field for all? 'What's good for the goose is good for the gander?'(I never realized that a gander is just a male goose, meaning that what's good for the woman is good for the man.)If Judy is getting tuition reimbursement, shouldn't you?If Luke is given time off to study, shouldn't you get it too?When one department leaves early, why can't yours?We're not here to whine or cry about how everyone else is getting major perks while others suffer. Rather, we'd like to gauge how YOU feel … [Read more...] about Are Your Work Benefits Equal and Fair?