We've probably all felt like this at some time or another... … [Read more...] about Office Rage Caught on Tape
Career Advice Blog
New National Survey: U.S. Workers Are Bitter
Politicians take heed: more than half of US workers say the American Dream is unattainable and nearly half blame the political system for the deterioration in their economic circumstances, according to a new national survey.The workplace poll, conducted in May 2008 by Zogby International for The Marlin Company, The Workplace Communications Experts, found that nearly three-quarters of US workers (74.7%) say the American dream is not as attainable today was it was eight years ago; 52.4% say it is simply unattainable for the average American (see charts). The survey defines the American dream as "the opportunity to have a nice home, financial security for you and your family, and hope for the future."The workplace poll also found that nearly half (45.1%) of US workers admit to being "bitter" because "the political system has caused a deterioration of [their] economic circumstances." Nearly half (47.5%) of 30-49 year-olds surveyed report feeling bitter, … [Read more...] about New National Survey: U.S. Workers Are Bitter
Office Rx: Mind Your Own Business
Like a lot of us, I too tend to sometimes concentrate on what appears to be an endless array of human failings. Behavior and conduct (not by me of course) that's so disgusting, so enraging, that, paradoxically, I almost feel drawn to. Like picking at a scab, or making a toothache hurt more...I really need (or want) confirmation of the crappy way I view my colleagues and, really, the world. And, where's the best Petri dish to peek at this pathology? You guessed it, at work.So, the corporate environment becomes almost a biosphere, a colony of cubes, housing our co-workers. Busy and active, they cease being people, and instead are nothing more than a bunch of bacteria. Germs mindlessly swimming through the company agar, looking for that next promotion, raise, or whatever. Worse yet, some even seek to infect your environment with an unhealthy dose of their hypocrisy, deceit or sheer stupidity.Not to belabor this rather loose medical model, but hey - there has to be a cure for … [Read more...] about Office Rx: Mind Your Own Business
How to Prank Your Company's CEO
Yesterday was like any other day at the office. It was boring, dull, and as flat as a small black dog squashed by a large yellow steam roller. So, a couple of the guys and I got together in an effort to escape the nightmarish reality of work. However, we realized that some of our usual pranks had become void of excitement, and the boredom we were experiencing had robbed us of our jouissance. To overcome this, we decided to make a prank call to our CEO. But much to our dismay, this proved to be rather difficult, as the company we work for is a Fortune 500 one, and you cannot just call up his secretary and get transferred. So, after a lot of trial and error we finally got hold of the CEO’s personal cell number. We called him up, said the word 'PENIS,' hung up, and giggled like little school girls. Here’s how we got his number: The Executive and Non-Executive Board Information is key for a successful blag. If you go into the company Website, you should be … [Read more...] about How to Prank Your Company's CEO
Sick Day Calendar: Summer Edition
I won't stop saying it until we drill it into your over-educated, stubborn head: Only a sucker loses sick days at the end of the year!With Memorial Day behind us and the days of summer upon us, we hope you're doing more than just taking those white shoes out of storage.Golden sun, ocean waves and cold beers should be enough reason to call in sick, but if your struggling for a 'good reason,' consider some of these June 'events':- Adopt a Shelter Cat Month- Effective Communications Month - National Accordion Awareness MonthHeck, call in on Monday, June 8 to celebrate your Triple Crown winnings after you bet on Big Brown at the Belmont Stakes.Your boss will use days. Your boss's boss will use days. Don't play the hero. And if you're holding out for a "perfect attendance" award - click away from this blog. Now! ;-)Download the Jobacle Sick Day Calendars here:Black Calendar // White CalendarGet the full list of official 2008 sick days here. … [Read more...] about Sick Day Calendar: Summer Edition
Hate a Coworker? Use the 3 P's!
At one time or another, we've all had a coworker that got underneath our skin. OK, if I’m being honest, I’ve had colleagues I wanted to call a hit on just so I wouldn’t have to hear their whiny voices anymore. The unfortunate part about these situations is that it always affects your work- whether you are working on a project with the offender - or if they're just an interruption during your day. In some instances, there is potential for resolution. However, you may come across people in the workplace that you just plain can’t stand. There is no straightforward answer on how to deal with a coworker that you despise. I deal with them by using what I call the 3 P’s. *Patience: I know, patience is a virtue. Think of them as a small child; they don’t know any better, so be patient with them. *Professionalism: Remember, you are in a professional work environment. This isn’t Melrose Place, … [Read more...] about Hate a Coworker? Use the 3 P's!
Trade Skill Videos Deliver Good Insight
“You know, like nunchaku skills, bow hunting skills, computer hacking skills... girls only want boyfriends who have great skills.” These wise words from Napoleon Dynamite are the theme of the promoted video on the new Australian website skillsone.com.au. If Napoleon is right, it looks like I’m going to be single for a long time. Luckily for Australians, the Australian government has funded a program to increase interest in trade skills within the country. The funds back the Institute for Trade Skills Excellence. The first aim of the Institute is to “improve the profile and status of trades.” One of the ways they plan on achieving that goal is through the new video-based skillsone.com.au site. The site is actually pretty cool. The videos are broken down into eight different categories of trades such as Building and Construction, Automotive, and Manufacturing. Dozens of videos exist for each category, and most of the videos seem to be profiles of … [Read more...] about Trade Skill Videos Deliver Good Insight
The Worst Jobs in the World. Period.
As we humans creep towards a completely hedonistic society, we do not ask or request to be happy all of the time, we demand it. Accordingly, it is not surprising that we are constantly looking for a job that “defines us,” and will allow us not only to express ourselves both creatively and intellectually, but will also make us whistle as we work, whilst offering a very generous salary with health care and dental. This is probably the reason why, in the Western world, so many people job hop in order to achieve these goals. Well, let me tell you, you should count yourself lucky; you could have been stuck with one of these ridiculous, sometimes embarrassing, sometimes down right degrading jobs. Here are 5 of the worst jobs I could find in my meandering. 5. Inside of the ass cleaner I don’t know the technical name for this job, but they basically stuff a large plastic tube up a person’s ass into the deep, dark realm of the colon. Then they pump luke warm, … [Read more...] about The Worst Jobs in the World. Period.
Getting 'Snake Bit' at Work Could Be Your Fault
Snake bit: To be cursed, extremely unlucky or destined to fail at anything you try.Fear of snakes has always haunted mankind, and for at least some of us, it's too creepy a subject to even think about. After all, it's a phobia that we've carried with us, ever since we left the primeval ooze - and remains with us - even into the age of the cubicle. I don't know if you've ever heard the expression 'snake bit', but it's one of those primo descriptives that says a helluva lot, leanly and cleanly. The term refers to some poor sap (hey, it could well be you or me) who suffers from a virtual cascade of bad luck. Knowing no racial, gender, age, religious or other boundaries, real bad luck is, well, an equal opportunity inflictor. And it can slither into our lives and bite us. Despite our best efforts, we think that we can't shake it off.Sure, it can start slowly, like a guy cutting himself shaving, and the damned bleeding won't stop, even hours later. And it continues, even when the … [Read more...] about Getting 'Snake Bit' at Work Could Be Your Fault
New Media Hire Launches Job Board
If you're looking for new media job postings, there's a new job board you'll want to check out: NewMediaHire.com. Covering everything from blogging gigs to online video production, the Website promises the freshest leads in the rapidly-expanding digital technology niche.Jobseekers can apply for free, while job posters will pay $199 per posting ($25 per internship posting). Employers can also peruse anonymous resumes, only paying a nominal fee when the reach out to a potential candidate - and the person says they are interested.NewMediaHire lets you pinpoint your job search with RSS feeds that can be sent to your computer or mobile device.As a new media professional myself, I plan to upload my resume to explore the effectiveness of the system and the quality of the job leads.Discussion forums are promising for the new media field, though at this point, are lightly trafficked. During several different visits, I was the lone troller.Featured jobs scroll on by on … [Read more...] about New Media Hire Launches Job Board