Wouldn't it be nice if you could anchor yourself so deep into the fabric of the organization that you work for that you become immobile? It's no easy task, and there will always be elements out of your control. However, by learning from one of my favorite geological wonders, the volcano, we can give ourselves better odds to hang on to our gig. Here's how to be like a volcano. ACT LIKE LAVA Lava flows until it fills every crack. When it comes to your company, you should be identifying voids and doing your best to fill them. This will help you become "one" with the organization, hence laying the foundation for the future - just like hot molten lava. BIG & POWERFUL You can chop down trees, relocate entire houses and tear down stadiums. But one thing you've probably never seen is anyone taking down a volcano. No one f*cks with the volcano because they can't. You want to put yourself in a similar spot, and since growing another few feet isn't an option (even with advanced … [Read more...] about Bulletproof Your Job: Be a Volcano
Archives for 2008
Zolio: Crossroads Between Facebook and LinkedIn?
A growing Web site, Zolio.com, provides solutions for both job seekers and employers. Their Web site states that the reason for starting the site was “to create your professional identity after Facebook and before LinkedIn.” Essentially, this site was designed to help new job seekers (right out of high school or college) to build their resume and professional identity on the Internet. However, the Web site proves to be beneficial for entry-level employees, experienced workers, and employers alike.The free site allows job seekers to build a resume by focusing on the content without worrying about the format. It also allows job hunters to upload documents, videos, or other items to impress employers.Zolio takes it a step further by offering a personal URL to add to an email signature or a job application. If that isn’t enough, add the “Z” icon to your website or your social networking page for interested employers to click on and link back to your zolio … [Read more...] about Zolio: Crossroads Between Facebook and LinkedIn?
Empathy Can Bring Back 'Lost' Employees
You are giving an update, doing a presentation, or even just observing your associates in their work environment. Yawns, texting, and computer screens displaying non-work activities (unless you work for Facebook) have all infiltrated your work space.How do you wake them up and regain their focus and attention?It is not an easy task, and consequently, there is no easy answer. Among many things, the solution depends on the primary age group, their personalities, and your culture at work. However, here are some questions to start asking yourself about your employees. 1. The most important question of all is the most obvious: why are they unfocused?- Do they have personal troubles going on in their life (i.e. a break-up, divorce, death in the family, money troubles, etc)? If you know the answer, this is a good start. They felt comfortable enough to share the problems going on in their life which likely means you have a decent working relationship.- Are they under or over challenged in … [Read more...] about Empathy Can Bring Back 'Lost' Employees
Crash Course in Finding the Work You Love
For anyone seeking a change in career, or post-retirement options for that matter, the new book by Samuel Greengard, 'Crash Course in Finding the Work You Love', is a veritable treasure trove of everything one might ever want or need in pursuing such a life sea-change.This is a highly readable book that offers a broad array of interesting facts, figures and case studies about career change. The author, who describes his own journeys along the personal self reinvention trail, is truthful and helpful. Unlike similar books, this author achieves his objectives without an iota of pretension. Given the many, many books already published that deal with this subject matter, Greengard is to be commended for both his candor and ability to distill and simplify the many complex issues entailed in such an endeavor. The number of people reinventing themselves at age 45 and beyond is growing into nothing less than a tidal surge, and AARP, armed with their wealth of knowledge and resources on second … [Read more...] about Crash Course in Finding the Work You Love
Do You Have a 5-Year Plan?
I have always been on a "path." First I was on the straight A’s through middle school, graduating with honors from high school, playing all the typical sports to show my team spirit path. Then I was on the joining all the right clubs and volunteer organizations, finding the right college, picking a flexible degree, completing the required internships, and finding the perfect job to prove my hard work after college path.I’m exhausted just thinking back on it.I'll be completely honest and open: over the past year, I LOST THE PATH.As 2009 rapidly approaches, it has struck me that I need to get back on a plan. It used to bother me when people asked me where I saw myself in five years; now I understand it was because I never could quite picture anything after college.It truly is such a simple concept. If you want to lose 20 pounds, do you make a plan to do it? Of course you do! Making obtainable goals and reaching them gives us the motivation to keep going and hopefully to … [Read more...] about Do You Have a 5-Year Plan?
Working Podcast: Episode #81
Episode #81 of the Working Podcast brings you free career advice, employment news and the hottest job Websites:- 6 questions to ask a professional resume writer before you hire one. - A song about having an office job in a time of war.- Learn about the Layoff Tracker, JobRadio.fm and HowCast. Direct Download … [Read more...] about Working Podcast: Episode #81
Walk Through Work With TrekDesk
Health benefits at work just took on a whole new meaning with the TrekDesk. This new workstation with a built-in treadmill is garnering interest- and controversy. Let’s start with the positives of TrekDesk. *This helps Americans reach the Surgeon General set goal of 10,000 steps per day; which coincidentally, is equivalent to 3 hours of walking on the TrekDesk. *Recent research has come out reporting that there is a correlation to sedentary lifestyles and weight gain. WHAT??! I know this is mind-blowing news, but the supposed latest information is that sitting actually “switches” off the employee’s ability to burn fat properly. Let’s continue on to the potential problems with TrekDesk. *While this machine alleges to allow employees to walk without sweating, how true is this claim? This could cause some serious stink issues in the workplace. *Have you ever actually tried to read while on a treadmill? Some of us lack … [Read more...] about Walk Through Work With TrekDesk
One Memo. Two Reactions. Who Are You?
It was Friday morning, 9am. Another seemingly quiet day at Company A. Then the memo went out."It is with great excitement that we announce the merging of Company A and Company B. We expect this union to strengthen our position within the industry and create a plethora of new opportunities for all levels of staff."The blood rushed from Mike's face as he finished reading. He was thinking about the house he just bought, the flailing economy, and the baby on the way. Losing his job was NOT an option.Jenny stopped by Mike's cube. "Did you get the memo," she asked. "Pretty cool stuff, eh?"Mike was dumbfounded. "Yeah, 'cool stuff' if you can get by on $405 a week. We're probably all gonna lose our jobs.""Chill out man. First, I highly doubt they'll touch us, we're the higher grossing division. Second, they might ask you to head up the entire division! Maybe more responsibility and a larger staff will lead to a bigger paycheck.""But what if they tap my counterpart at Company B to run the show? … [Read more...] about One Memo. Two Reactions. Who Are You?
Kiss Your Raise / Bonus Goodbye?
The rumblings have already started; there will be no end-of-year raises this year at my place of employment. Only time will tell if these rumors come to fruition, but I think it's safe to assume that a majority of American employees will receive smaller salary increases (if any) and should expect anemic holiday bonuses. (Unless you work at ExxonMobile)We here at Jobacle fully anticipate these 'bad news' memos to start hitting your inbox any day now. Even if your company is doing well, they are still going to safeguard the cash this go around. Since we love taking the pulse of what's REALLY happening in the workplace, we respectfully ask you to share these types of 'economic downturn' memos with us. Whether it's a slash in pay raises, a cut in hours, the merging of two entities, or no more open bar at the holiday party, let us know what's happening in your neck of the woods.At your request we will keep your submission confidential, remove the company logo, etc. Send it through … [Read more...] about Kiss Your Raise / Bonus Goodbye?
Is Your State an Unemployment Loser?
CNN Money has released September 2008 unemployment rates ranked from best to worst by state. South Dakota takes the winning rate with only 3.2%, while the union's smallest state, Rhode Island, shamefully reports an 8.8% unemployment rate. Coincidentally, the state I am trying to move back to almost doubles the unemployment rate than the one I currently live in (OH vs. VA). Someone put the Buckeye State on an economic fitness plan!But what does this really mean? First, unemployment rates are clearly an indication of how local businesses are fairing. Second, the higher the unemployment rate, the higher your competition most likely is. Thus, you will have to try harder to land a new job or simply keep the one you have.The job market is tough right now, no matter which state you are hunting in. Here are a few tips to help you along the way. * Make a weekly resume submission goal. To figure this out, calculate how many you were previously submitted in a week’s time, and then DOUBLE … [Read more...] about Is Your State an Unemployment Loser?