Career Advice Blog

Ever since we re-launched the Web site you guys have been e-mailing in your workplace gripes.  I figured I'd take the morning off (and do some real work) and let you release some of your workstration! "I wear a suit everyday and my female co-workers wear sweatpants. If I came in looking like I was heading to the gym, my boss would send me home…maybe forever." –Anthony (Pawtucket, RI)"My 401K plan sends me a piece of mail every single day. I never understand any of it. By the time I retire, there won’t be any trees left." – Rosemary (Long Beach, CA) "With all of the technology currently available, why are so many of us still chained to desks?" –B. (NYC)"People need to understand that revolving doors are not motorized.  You need to push the damn thing and not rely on other people to do it for you!" –Josh (Boston, MA)"Sitting in a cubicle for eight hours a day, five days a week, should pay a … [Read more...] about 11 Items From the Office Rant Box

The most popular workplace jokes often revolve around repetition.  "Another day, another dollar."  But there's a reason for this.  Life, believe it or not, is not all that interesting.  As much as it will pain you to accept (and you'll fight it!) there are a pre-determined number of ways we can react to situations.  Yes, you are NOT unique. All of us have scripts, games and tapes we play on a daily basis - especially at work.  Learn more at this previous post.Today I want to look at two games I tend to come across quite a bit.See What You Made Me Do!                                      You're working on a presentation and are under a tight deadline.  A work colleague stops by your desk and asks you if you want to order lunch.  This interruption … [Read more...] about See What You Made Me Do!

Ah, the illusive promotion.  While it's the coveted carrot that many employers use to keep us in check - the reward is not always - well, rewarding!  Here are a few things to consider before you're blinded by a raise.1) Avoid a no-win situation. Often a promotion comes along with increased responsibility - sometimes in the form of managing staff.  But what if the staff is "unmanageable." You know the type... they're angry, bitter and washed up.  They make threats of walking out but end up going nowhere.  Not only with this crew be difficult to reign in, but they'll plot against you and resent you every step of the way.  Maybe you can turn them around.  Or maybe you're just dreaming.2) Two steps forward, no steps back.  Like any chess game, you can't just bust out those Rooks without having a plan. If you're in a true "career," you need to be at least two steps ahead.  This promotion might bring along some short-term … [Read more...] about When to Turn Down a Promotion…

According to executive coach Marsha Egan, it might be time to fight e-mail addiction."There is a crisis in corporate America, but a lot of CEOs don't know it," Egan said. "They haven't figured out how expensive it is."From wasting time on the company dime to cheapening your quality of life, e-mail addiction is looming over the country like a greedy shadow.  While coach Egan is looking at it from the angle of "wasted productivity," I think the personal ramifications are quite large as well.Ask yourself: How often do I check... how many accounts... how often is my inbox empty... am i checking during movies... what if i added up all the time i'm checking accounts...Man, I'm in bad shape - and I don't even use a Crackberry.  How much is too much?Next time I have the urge, I'm going to resist.  Maybe I'll limit myself to three times a day. Do y'all think there's anything to "e-mail addiction?" … [Read more...] about Drugs. Porn. E-mail?

Hey gang!  Just wanted to remind you all that Eric and I are on vacation this week - but that doesn't stop the Working Podcast from rolling on.  Unlike most of our shows which are jammed with all kinds of short segments - Show #59 has one topic: meetings.In part one of a three-part series the Voice of Reason gives his take on meetings - from the perspective of an attendee.  You know the drill, you're asked to attend - only to have to suffer through other people's presentations.  VOR shares six tips to make these types of meetings more manageable.  We'll be back with a "regular" show next week.  In the meantime, please subscribe so you don't miss upcoming episodes with tips for presenters and head honchos.Your feedback is encouraged! … [Read more...] about Art of the Meeting: Attendees

It's snowing in New York and we all should have the day off. I asked someone in HR this morning how much snow we would have to get to get the day off. "Enough snow to make (our) boss not want to come in."An honest answer. I'm sure kids were glued to the morning news - waiting to see if their school name scrolled along the bottom (ah, memories!)  As an adult, this is one of the many childhood pleasure stripped away.Here are three reasons why we should get snow days off.  Please leave a comment with your reasons.- It's stressful.  From having to devote extra time to the commute to the standard worrying - ranging from "what if i get stuck" to "argh!  i didn't bring lunch from home and have no cash on me" to "who will watch the kids if school is closed" - Why not take the stress away and let us (where applicable) work from home?- It's dangerous. Over 1,571,500 traffic accidents a year are weather-related. That's almost 25%.  … [Read more...] about "Snow" Down Employers!