Career Advice Blog

Ok, I know American Idol has absolutely nothing to do with this blog. In fact, I won't waste your time - if you could care less about my take on America's reality darling - then move along.Now into it's sixth season, I don't understand why people still flock to the show.  And here's the biggest reason why: The entire top 10 is guaranteed a certain level of fame and success.  How can I feel bad for anyone who "loses" the competition when I know at the end of the season they will be on tour, getting paid to do what they love to do, which is a lot more than I can say for you and I.In order to make the show more interesting I think it's clear what they have to do - and it's quite simple.  Just add a clause to the competitor's contracts that reads something like this:If you are a member of the top 10 and you are voted off the show you are not allowed to: record and release a CD for one full year or appear on any form of media, thus not using the buzz of A.I. to … [Read more...] about American Idol Formula No Longer Works

Some people are scared of being fired.Some bosses are scared to fire people. And a growing number of workers are scared that someone's gonna go postal over a bad review.So... Is the workplace the new Fear Factor?According to the American Institute of Stress, 40 percent of worker turnover is the result of job stress, and some one million workers are absent each workday because of stress-related complaints. A good boss will work hard to eliminate elements of fear and anxiety form the workplace.  The result will be better communication, greater everyday clarity and increased creativity.  There's an excellent article that was published by the Department of the Navy's Total Quality Leadership Office that is a great detailed read.  Check it out.A career-minded individual must be careful not to let fear box them into short-term thinking.  This is when you look to avoid or resolve a situation quickly just to get it off your plate and out of your hair. Whether it's taking on … [Read more...] about Fear in the Workplace

If you wanna make money, stay away from media.  Sure you'll be able to exercise your creativity, but that doesn't pay the bills, right?  Working in "creative fields," I've resigned myself to be lost in the middle class for all eternity.  That's cool.  At least I get to enjoy myself (not really, but that's what I tell myself.)I only bring this up in light of the ol' hottest salaries post from yesterday.  Ever notice how artsy fields NEVER make the cut?  Just to reinforce that this is a global issue, check out these numbers from the Council of Labor Affairs in Taiwan:Lowest Paying JobsBeauty salon worker: $18,680Mass transit workers: $19,713Restaurant employees: $20,103Craft workers: $20,190Film workers: $20,294Ah, it's nice to see they have plenty of beauty school dropouts in Asia too!People are always scared to reveal their salaries - but instead of hearing about what you make now - I'd love to hear about your crappiest paying job.  Mine was … [Read more...] about The Lowest Paying Jobs. Share Yours!

In a truly professional environment, word that a colleague is being fired should never trickle down to your level. It's business between the big wigs and the person being released from their duties - that's it.  In the real world, however, it doesn't seem to work out that way.  In this day and age of full disclosure (aka diarrhea of the mouth) you might get word before your poor colleague does.  This puts you between a rock and a hard place. Do you tip them off or keep your lips sealed and plead the fifth?I made the mistake of pulling the ol' "between you and me" at my first job many years ago.  What a mistake.  But a lesson learned.  I posed this question to the wisdom-filled folks trolling around on Yahoo Answers.  Here's what a few people had to say:*If the person is being fired on unreasonable grounds it is up to THEM to seek justice through the legal system. You are not responsible for their job just as they are not responsible for your … [Read more...] about Firing Tip Off, To Tell or Not to Tell

Why do lists like "The Hottest Salaries" get "dugg" so frequently?  I can understand lists that give you a fighting chance, a la, up and coming cities, etc.  But this recent Business 2.0 list does not deserve the front page of Digg.First off. the info is culled from '05 and '06.  That means, by the time you say "hey, lemme give that a try" - the career choice is already flooded and likely on the decline dollar-wise.Secondly, what the heck is HOT about these?HR coordinator = $40,200(anyone can plan the company picnic)Restaurant general manager = $49,800(crazy hours, mad stress, little payoff)Assistant store manager = $39,100(this will never be HOT to anyone with a degree)The list is filled will holes.  Yet, all the career blogs are all over it. Why does the career genre on the Web herd people around like sheep?  Why do we follow?  I don;t always succeed but I will always try to give you a fresh take - so please subscribe.I can … [Read more...] about Hottest Salary List Is Ice Cold

Everyday they fly in front of my face and escape my swatting hands.  These damn gnats are everywhere at work!  Now as a Buddhist layperson, I have made a conscious effort to let these little bastards live.  So I realize that I might be part of the problem.  However, I am sick and tired of them landing in my salad and heading straight for my mouth.  So while you can't use a sledgehammer to kill a gnat you might want to try some of the methods below.- Don't leave any food around - Make sure the trash is emptied regularly- They lay eggs in drains, plants and other "safe" areas with a food source.Here's a recipe that should keep them away from your desk or anywhere else where they are uninvited.Vinegar + Liquid Soup = Gnat killerThese little buggers like vinegar, and when they take a cool, refreshing drink, the liquid soap will kill 'em in their tracks.Since I'm not a natural born killer, I'd be happy just repelling the gnats to someone else's cube.  … [Read more...] about How to Kill Cubicle Gnats

It's graduation time, which means a whole bunch of fresh-faced "adults" are ready to jump headfirst into the workforce. For those of you already doing a perpetual doggy-paddle, I'm sure you welcome these rookies with open arms.  As I rattle my brain to look for excuses to escape the backyard barbecues and stuffy Italian restaurants that always follow the cap-and-gown festivities, I thought back to that now Web-famous commencement speech given by Mr. Conan O'Brien.See, we were once there.  The world sat before us for the taking. We were gonna break down the cubicle barriers and redefine what a career was all about.  But we grew tired of updating our resumes with new objectives. Four-percent raises became good enough.  But Conan's words of hope let us believe there's hope ahead.  Below you will find  a transcript of his Commencement Speech to the Harvard Class of 2000.  I suggest you read it and welcome new hires with a smile.  And not … [Read more...] about Welcome to the Workforce, Love Conan

For the first time in two years, the U.S. airline industry has seen an increase in employment opportunities.  Don't jump for joy just yet.  The rise was miniscule, but it's better than a decline.According to several airline recruiters, many companies are now hiring at all levels. The large U.S. air carriers employ over 66% of all airline workers.  Since they are almost through with their restructurings (June '07), the upward trend looks like it might really be taking off.What I'll never understand is how these guys constantly file for bankruptcy and then "emerge" from it.  It almost annoys me as much as AT&T brainwashing all of us to think they're Cingular and now trying to reverse it again by becoming "the new" AT&T! … [Read more...] about Work for the Friendly Skies