Like a high school career test, but with more ads.Choosing a career is one of those horribly stressful choices in life that can take a lot of time, energy and thought. And whenever something takes so much effort, human beings have this habit of looking for an easier way. Thus career tests were born. You probably remember these tests from a high school career class. If you're like me you thought they were a waste of time, and manipulated the answers to see what kind of crazy career you could make it come up with. The career test at Project Career is a lot like those tests, except with a ton of annoying ads imploring you to sign up for some online university. The test asks you 105 questions about your interests and then provides an assessment that ranks your interest in certain fields such as Social Services, Finance/Accounting and Health Care. Here are some pros and cons with the test:Pros* Fairly straightforward interface* Lots of good information about the careers that match your … [Read more...] about Review: Career Test at Project Career
Career Advice Blog
The Truth About Teachers
More Sex and the City than Head of the Class, many of today's teachers are just like you and me: potty-mouthed servants living paycheck to paycheck, suffering from the Sunday Night Blues.As a kid, teachers were in a league of their own. They existed only to teach. I never pictured them heading home, cooking dinner, paying bills, and so on. While none of these are major revelations, it's a good time to remind you about the truth surrounding one... >They curse. No big surprise here. But did you know that many of them curse about the children. F'n bastards,' 'little prick,' as*hole,' etc.No word is too vulgar to describe the misgivings of students. You might think your child is not applicable. Think again.>They have sex. Some even with each other. Of course there's the occasional headline-grabbing sexually depraved animal that takes advantage of children. No. I'm talking about full-on consensual, legal, legitimate … [Read more...] about The Truth About Teachers
What Employers Want From Entry Level Grads, etc.
Here's a look at some of the big career news from the past week.JOBACLE: For the blog, March came in like a lion...and is leaving like a lion! Over 15,000 unique visitors, new partnerships and lots of freelance work: I can't thank you all enough! Your continued support is appreciated.ENTRY LEVEL EMPLOYEES: CollegeGrad.com, an entry level job Website, has released the results of a survey examining what employers want most from recent college grads. The results:#1 - The student's major (44%)#2 - The student's interviewing skills (18%)#3 - The student's internship/experience (17%)#4 - The college the student graduated from (10%)#5 - Other miscellaneous qualifications (5%)#6 - The student's GPA (4%)#7 - The student's personal appearance (1%)#8 - The student's computer skills (1%)Five hundred "top entry level" employers participated. Are we really supposed to believe that only 1% of the folks care about appearance? C'mon! This is the real world. … [Read more...] about What Employers Want From Entry Level Grads, etc.
Office Supply Review: PileSmart® Office Organizer
Earlier versions of the Working Podcast used to include the Office Supply Review. Every few weeks I toy with the idea of bringing it back as a blog feature. After all, if we are going to be your #1 source for everything work related (minus the BS) then we might have to talk about the sweetest supplies on the market.Pendaflex has announced the launch of the PileSmart® Office Organizer Pack, a kit designed to help people organize their desks by making sense out of their piles of crap work. I employ a similar method, but it involves binder clips and stacking papers in different directions. This sounds much more efficient.Included in the kit:- PileSmart Desktop Organizer Tray: Slightly slanted towards the back corner to keep your papers looking neat, this sturdy depository ensures that your files are identifiable from every angle.- 10 PileSmart Project Sorters: Clear covers with 10 multi-color sections will help you keep related - yet different - project … [Read more...] about Office Supply Review: PileSmart® Office Organizer
Sloppy Men's Dress Code Rules the Cube
What the hell has happened to the way the average American white collar male looks today? If I didn't know better, and just looking around, scanning offices and cubicles, I would swear that I had just landed in SLOBovia, no passport or visa required.True, the number of studies, books, advice columns, etc. are virtually endless in stating the very obvious - that looks do indeed count. And not just first impressions, either. In fact, a recent book by Prof. Gordon Patzer 'The Power and Paradox of Physical Attractiveness,' states that not only is physical attractiveness a very potent measure of a guys' future, but that this is a universal phenomena, transcending all cultures and countries. So what happened to the gentlemen at my office?Well, this thinking is directly at odds with, yup, you guessed it, the ethos of our old pals at HR and EEO. One might say that to them, ugly for men, anyway, is 'in,' and plug-ugly is, well, even better. I'm not sure if this is due to the phony glorification … [Read more...] about Sloppy Men's Dress Code Rules the Cube
Proof That You Are Never Stuck at Work
Being stuck at work, feeling trapped or powerless, is nothing more than a mind f*ck. You have a lot more control than you think. Don't believe me? I'll prove it to you. Enter Exhibit A: The Energy Wheel. Life expectancy varies from country to country and is based on many factors. However, assuming you are reading this from North America or Europe, there's a good chance you will live for more than 25,000 days. Each day brings a new feeling. A new chance to make it what you want. At this very moment, you might feel stuck at work or in a 'dead-end job' or career, but you are not. Take a look at the image below. Life is continuous change. At any given moment you could be anywhere within the Energy Wheel. Cause while it might look like only a few options, it actually represents the full range of feelings you can experience when at work. HOT NEGATIVE = Conflict HOT POSITIVE = Inspiration COOL NEGATIVE = Stagnation COOL POSITIVE = Accomplishment In the past, I've … [Read more...] about Proof That You Are Never Stuck at Work
How to Develop an Executive Persona
This is a guest blog by Chris O’ HaraEver noticed that everyone in executive management positions speak in the exact same annoying, almost clone like, subdued, yet slightly rude, Ben Affleck voice. They even have the same mannerisms in the way they act and dress. It’s like there is a secret training club where directors go and learn these skills. Actually there is a club, and I’ve been there, but tell no-one, or I may be at risk of losing my spleen. Here are 4 ways to develop an executive persona: 1. The look:Imitate the way these people dress; they look smart and clean - like they should be taken seriously. Buy a good quality suit, one that looks expensive but doesn’t stand out too much. You can find these in clothing outlets for a decent price if you look closely enough. The key is in the way it fits. Not too baggy, not too tight. Also, cut your hair and make sure you are clean shaven. Think American Psycho. You may even want to buy a pair of … [Read more...] about How to Develop an Executive Persona
Busted for Drinking on the Job
Getting drunk at work is a science for some, an art form for others. What happens if you down a few drinks and management finds out? The gang from The Knife Parade, a New York-based sketch comedy group, have an idea. Check it out below. … [Read more...] about Busted for Drinking on the Job
Your Career Is Like a Bonsai Tree
BONSAI: A living plant transferred into a pot or tray that can continue to live semi-permanently. It is often said that there are four disciplines that must be mastered to successfully grow and care for a bonsai tree: horticultural, technical, artistic and philosophical. I propose that the elements to perfect your career are really no different. Here's how: Ongoing Relationship - Sure there's birth and death, just like there is hiring and firing. However, the in between is an ongoing process that will always be in a state of flux. Unlike other things that happen in your life, you must remember that pleasure in your career will not come from completing work, but rather from the act of making it fruitful and worthwhile. Just like the bonsai, your job is a "living sculpture." Nature vs. Nurture - Bonsai growers often develop a deep relationship with their tree. Not only does this result in a great feeling of tranquility, but since you are in control of many of the elements, … [Read more...] about Your Career Is Like a Bonsai Tree
My Boss's Hair Is On Fire!
My boss was standing down the hallway, drinking from a water fountain. Everything seemed normal, until I noticed the flames. They were orange and blue, rapidly spreading across my boss's hair. The weird part was, he didn't care. I rushed over, cupped my hands under the stream of cold water and began to douse the flames. The fire went out without a fight.My boss stood silently; unphased. If anything, he seemed annoyed that I had drawn attention to the fact that his head was ablaze.I remember smelling the air, expecting the unmistakable odor of burnt hair. It never arrived. And then I woke up.Thankfully, it's been quite some time since I've had "work dreams." You know the type: you wake up annoyed and/or exhausted, feeling as if you just spent the last 7 hours on the job. (If I'm gonna spend one-third of my life dreaming, I'll be damned if it's about work! Learn five ways to control your dreams.)This dream was vivid; … [Read more...] about My Boss's Hair Is On Fire!