Career Advice Blog

After two years in the same position, I was promoted last week.  Hold the applause.  While I'm happy at the level of faith my company has showed in me, I might be suffering from something I'm coining as postpartum promotion.I finally got what I wanted; higher pay, a larger staff, greater visibility, etc.  However, the adrenaline rush I thought I'd experience was simply not there.  Sure, it felt good for the remainder of that afternoon, but the positive feeling vanished - quickly.Am I an ungrateful and negative bastard?  I tend to think not.  After a little self-reflection in the shower this morning (sorry for the visual), here are a few reasons why I think I'm not that psyched.- From the start I've felt overworked and underpaid, so a promotion barely  levels the playing field.- The reality is that the amount of work I have is not proportionate with the pay. Not close.- No tasks were taken away, but plenty were added. - A (hypothetical) 10% increase, … [Read more...] about My Anticlimactic Promotion = Identify & Cope

Just as Benjamin Franklin convinced us that nothing in the world was certain but death and taxes, nothing in the office is as certain as boredom and consequently, gossip. Gossip is an inevitable and unavoidable pettiness in the workplace.  No matter your stance on it, it will always prevail and it will always be there.  Just as we manage daily our grasp on death and taxes, we must manage and deal with office gossip.  Here are some tips on coping: 1. NEVER be the person spreading the gossip.  Unless you want the nickname Chatty Cathy, and then by all means, go for it. 2. When it eventually comes your way, remember that office gossip is similar to the game telephone you played as a kid.  It certainly isn’t the same information it was when it started.3. When the information comes your way, play ambivalent.  I don’t care if you just found out that your boss is sleeping with the CEO of your company and it finally explains how the idiot has kept … [Read more...] about Office Gossip: As Certain As Death and Taxes

Some people squirm at the mention of the word "vocation." (Not to be confused with vacation - how could anyone be uncomfortable with a vacation?) Some people equate it with the word "calling," which usually implies some sort of religious component. Some people picture chains when they think of the word. They avoid thinking about "vocation" because it means being locked into something for the rest of their lives. I think vocation is something different than that. I prefer this definition: Activity pursued as a livelihood. It says nothing about work. It doesn't mention a job. It is broader, more encompassing. Even the word livelihood can have a broader definition than the more narrow view that it is a means for support or sustenance. To really live, to have a thriving "livelihood," humans need much more than money. We need purpose, we need human interaction, we need support. If we take vocation at its broader meaning, it can start to provide for … [Read more...] about What Is Vocation?

If you haven’t already taken my advice and left your job, you should do so now. If you’re still not walking out the door, then all I can do is offer some friendly advice. Below are some ideas I used to follow when I worked at my last testosterone fueled job. This job was proper “boiler room” stuff, and these suggestions used to help me stay motivated and happy, so hopefully, they can help you too. Do it NOW, not later When you have one of those annoying chores to do, do not sit there and think about it. Just do it (as the marketing-gimps in Nike like to say). The more you think about doing a task, the less likely you are to do it. Each negative thought you associate with the task will increase the perceived difficulty level, making you feel less empowered to do it. This will also make you more stressed, so when you are eventually forced to do “that report” or “those figures,” you probably will not do a good job. So, quite simply, go do it now…avoiding all that unneeded stress … [Read more...] about Maintaining Happiness & Motivation at Work

Long-time readers of this blog (and podcast listeners!) might be aware that I'm on the prowl for a new house.  Always the obsessor, I'm in full research mode.  Maps, charts, grids, financial tables and so on.  Given that this is the single largest investment I might ever make, it certainly warrants extensive research.  And that got me thinking... We should all put this amount of effort into the job hunt.  But I'm willing to bet that many of us don't.  Here are a few reasons why you should make your job hunt like a house hunt. Is It the Right Price (Salary): When looking for a home, it is important to first understand what you can afford.  The same way it's key to know what salary range you are comfortable with.  It's easy to fall into the trap of looking for a job that offers less (or more) pay than your qualifications and experience dictate.  Whether it's a house or a job, narrowing down your search will yield better results, over a … [Read more...] about Search for a Job Like You're House Hunting