As I continue to look for a house, I've realized that there is a good chance that I might end up living very close to the same area where I work. That means my commute, which right now is about 30 minutes, could actually drop down to under 10. Perhaps even five!At first you might think, 'wow, that's great!' You can go home for lunch - maybe even catch a quick nap. You'd bring siesta back to NYC baby! But upon further examination (because I must over think everything), I'm starting to wonder if it's possible to live too close to work. Among the negatives:1) No excuses. You will always be expected to be at work, regardless of the weather, irrespective of car trouble.2) The chosen one. Living close to work will likely increase the odds that you will be asked, or expected, to do something on the weekend or afterhours.3) Unwanted passenger. If your colleagues run into car trouble, and are forced to take public transportation, who will … [Read more...] about Living Too Close to Work: A Problem?
Career Advice Blog
Is Workology the New Online Watercooler?
If you're not a part of a social network, you probably don't spend much time on the Internet. The phrase "social networking" has been around so long, it can't even be considered a buzzword anymore. Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn... they all take up a large portion of many people's lives. LinkedIn is an example of a site that attempts to link social networking with business networking. A new site called Workology takes a similar approach. I decided to give Workology a try. The site seemed easy enough to use, and they let me get started quickly, only asking for a name and e-mail address. Here are a few features that I found useful: 1. You get a personal "mini site" with your own URL. Here you can outline qualifications, experience, education and recommend other "experts" among other things. Mine is pretty bare right now, but you can check it out here. 2. The "Knowledge Market". It is a big discussion group where you can post jobs or ask … [Read more...] about Is Workology the New Online Watercooler?
WorkHack: Get Out of Work Free Card
I'm about to hand you a "break in case on emergency" button to add to your get-out-of-work arsenal. PhoneMyPhone does exactly what it promises, ringing your phone at a time you pre-designate. You can also tell the system how many times you want to be called consecutively (up to 10). Back to back to back calls reek of catastrophe, and should be a shoo-in to get you out of work with few questions. The calls keep coming until you pick up. Your IP address is captured and all calls are logged, so if you're thinking of driving that ex-girlfriend crazy, think before you click.As seen on RotorBlog. … [Read more...] about WorkHack: Get Out of Work Free Card
Are You Safe From the "R" Word?
Everyone seems to be talking about the “R” word lately. Although it’s a scary and extremely overused term these days, it unfortunately has become a reality that we are perhaps living in: a Recession. Who are the lucky people, you wonder, whose careers won’t be affected by this dirty word? Here is a list of “recession proof” industries: Security. Do you really think that crime will stop for a spiraling economy? If anything, we’ll probably need to beef up our police force. I’ve already contemplated just driving away at the gas pump a few times now. Energy. I will employ people to find alternative fuel options if necessary. Enough said.Education. Our children still need education, even if we hand them over a bankrupt country. Actually, education is probably more important than it has ever been since they will need to fix our problems that we created.International business. … [Read more...] about Are You Safe From the "R" Word?
Bring the Secret of Ho'ohana to Your Job
There's not one of us who, at least sometimes, doesn't find ourselves slodging through our daily cubicle continuums, leading lives of quiet desperation, oppressed by the seeming sameness of everything and everybody. Where the world just appears to us in monochromatic grey. Where everything tastes, feels and even smells metallic and stale. And, beyond all of the personal feelings of mega-blah, you also know that your work will at best be on automatic pilot. Yet for some, at least those of us who are blessed with an active fantasy life, there's always an escape- a slip through the portals of the mind, and there you are...the time and place totally up to you. And so, like with swearing as a tensional outlet, the daydreams that give you a refreshing break are (but not quite) almost as good as R&R. They're stimulating, refreshing and will help salvage your mind. It might even help your creative juices to begin flowing once again. Aloha, dear readers, upon my return from Hawaii. Though … [Read more...] about Bring the Secret of Ho'ohana to Your Job
Identifying Deceit in the Workplace
Last week I told you about a chunky honey that needed some loving, and how it all ended with a sexual mishap, and a unexpected offspring that was an article about body language in the work place. This week, as promised, I have some more useful tips which will help you gain an advantage in the big bad world of work. Today we will focus on deceit and doubt gestures that are commonly seen around the office. The Mouth Block It you ask a small child a question and they lie to you, it is very obvious they are doing so. They fidget a lot, avoid looking you in the eye, and usually cover their mouth. This mouth cover can also be observed in adults when attempting to be deceitful. Basically what happens is some of the fingers of the hand covers the mouth, and the thumb is pressed tightly against the cheek. This action occurs because the brain sub-consciously instructs the hand to hide the deceitful words being said. A fake cough can also accompany this gesture. This fake cough is an … [Read more...] about Identifying Deceit in the Workplace
RealMatch Delivers Upgraded Job Tools for Seekers and Employers
This past weekend I stayed up until 2am filling out an eHarmony profile. Regular readers might find this odd considering I am happily married. The profile was for a friend, and let me tell you, finding that special someone who shares '29 degrees of compatibility' with my buddy was no easy task. The questions were exhaustive and the process was exhausting. After 60 minutes and $175, the system ran a scan for matches within a 30 mile radius of NYC. Guess how many they found: ZERO.RealMatch, a career Website, promises better results; and we're confident they can deliver.Launching a brand new user interface today, the Website promises job seekers and employers a 'whole new way' to go about their business. If you're searching for a new gig, you can find openings based on your skills and preferences in under three minutes (take that eHarmony!). Employers get to spread the word about vacancies for free, only paying when they choose to contact a … [Read more...] about RealMatch Delivers Upgraded Job Tools for Seekers and Employers
Cruel and Unusual Dress Code
Earlier this week I begged for your help. My boss insists that my tie knot be knotted high and tight, resulting in the suffocation of your humble blogger.Straight out of the 'things could always be worse' chapter, check out how China's paramilitary paramilitary police are forced to roll.Nothing like a pins in your collar to perfect posture.Read more about uniform torture here. … [Read more...] about Cruel and Unusual Dress Code
5 Ways to Invest Your Tax Rebate Check Into Your Career
For the 130 million households receiving an economic stimulus check, it's a very exciting time. You are probably daydreaming of new furniture, a new bathing suit for the summer or perhaps that 'can't miss' diet plan. Whatever your refund dreams, set aside part of it to put back into your career. Just as Prince told us to party like its 1999, invest your money into your career like we’re in a recession. How, you say? Here are a few ideas: 1. Buy a new suit. That suit you bought for your first interview has lost a few buttons over the years (or decades), and yes, everyone notices. If your profession doesn’t require a suit, spring for the required outfit to spruce up your appearance.2. Purchase a relevant career book. If you want to get ahead, career-focused and motivational books can lend a helping hand. Even if after graduating high school/college you made a vow to never read again, some rules were made to be broken.- … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Invest Your Tax Rebate Check Into Your Career
WorkHack: Buy YOURNAME.me
Starting today, domain names with a dot me extension will be sold for the first time to the general public. Originally reserved for the tiny nation of Montenegro (extra points if you can spot it on a map), the country has decided to ride the social networking wave by removing previous restrictions on .me domain name ownership. Smart move. After suffering financial losses of over $6 billion in the late 90s, the dot me revolution could help the territory dig out of debt.Domain registration service EnCirca will be facilitating the sale process and has announced the following roll out schedule:* May 6 - May 20, 2008: General Sunrise* May 20 - June 6, 2008: Quiet Period* June 6 - June 26, 2008: Land Rush* June 26 - July 17, 2008: Quiet Period* July 17, 2008: Open RegistrationI would recommend marking July 17 on your calendar today. That's the day you would be wise to purchase YOURNAME.me. It's a natural fit for an online resume and a smart way to take ownership … [Read more...] about WorkHack: Buy YOURNAME.me