One of my favorite things about the Internet is how it allows shoppers to comparison shop before pulling the trigger on a purchase.For example, it worked like a charm when searching for New York movers. I came across Citymove, a free service that has moving companies compete for your business based on pre-selected criteria. As a consumer, I like choices. And that's why I dig the reverse-auction business model. So now foolishly, as I've done many times in the past, I'm going to share an idea. (If it already exists, let me know! And if it doesn't, don't steal it!) How about a Website where you can post your crappy old resume and have resume writers bid for the job. They can try to win you over with action verbs and templates before you hire them. You also can negotiate price and deadline.It seems like a no-brainer. Resume writers get increased exposure and new clients, while employees end up with more reputable options. … [Read more...] about Reverse Bidding Resume Writing Idea
Want to Add a Job Board to Your Website?
By now job searchers have realized that anyone can have a job board. And that's scary. But also kinda cool. Finding a new job on the Web via a board comes down to quality not quantity. Actaully, it also comes down to luck. So while those SimplyHotMonsterBuilder sites boast millions of postings, you know that very few of the jobs are the real deal. SmartJobBoard, a job board software company has just released version 3.0 of their turnkey solution. For about $50 a month, any company can add a fully customizable job board to their Website. There is even Wordpress and PhpBB forum integration.According to SmartJobBoard CEO Rodion Telpizov, “This new version of our job board script is aimed to make the configuration process more clearly to users. Using permission management system, we’ve added to the new release, software administrator can easily set needed permission to site users with a few clicks...We’ve also optimized the … [Read more...] about Want to Add a Job Board to Your Website?
Do You Respect Your Coworkers on a Professional Level?
Think before you answer: Do you respect any of your co-workers on a professional level? Do any of them make you want to strive to be a better worker> … [Read more...] about Do You Respect Your Coworkers on a Professional Level?
Using Attitude Adjustment in the Workplace
I’m Not Talking about Lacing the DecafI’ll be honest. As a therapist, I’m not a huge fan of what some aspects of the “positive psychology” movement have become - more on that in a bit. Martin Seligman, a psychologist who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania, is considered to be positive psychology’s founder. A Web site, Authentic Happiness, describes it as “a new branch of psychology which focuses on the empirical study of such things as positive emotions, strengths-based character, and healthy institutions.”I love his ideas and have used them with patients long before it had a name. It always seemed healthier to focus on people’s strengths and positive qualities than get stuck in pathology mode. My concern is that the idea is often distorted and very far removed from its original focus and intent. (I also believe it can be dangerous for clinicians to ignore patients' serious, underlying issues while applying these … [Read more...] about Using Attitude Adjustment in the Workplace
Options Are a Job Seeker's Best Friend
Image this...It's your final two weeks at a job. After years of searching, you're finally moving from that drab cubicle in the suburbs to a corner office downtown. The pay is twice as much as you earned before and the decision-making power is exponentially higher. All in all, it's a HUGE career upgrade. Without even realizing it, your mind is fast at work on a list of 'nevers.'"I'LL NEVER WORK IN THIS INDUSTRY AGAIN""I'LL NEVER WORK FOR THIS COMPANY AGAIN""I'LL NEVER SEE THESE ANNOYING PEOPLE AGAIN"Your final two weeks starts to feel like it will never end. You find yourself restless. This leads you to act slightly combative, almost arrogant. After all, you have a new job, perhaps it's time to let people see how you "really" feel.When you're not busy muttering about work disdain under your breath, you are turning to isolationism. The hope is that you can slip out like a ghost. Come Monday morning, people will wonder where you … [Read more...] about Options Are a Job Seeker's Best Friend
Does Work Suck? 9 Tips to Break Out of the Funk
We all suffer through bouts of work fatigue. These periods vary in intensity and length. It can range from "work sucks" to "how the hell did I get trapped in this suffocating job?!" I have several "tools" in my "box" that I go to when I experience work frustration. Here are a few actionable items that help me break out of a work rut. I REMIND MYSELF TO BE THANKFULI look at the nice things I have and remind myself that they would not be possible without my job. The house, the car, the phone, the food and the relative comfort would disappear if I told my boss to shove it.I think about the 10% of Americans who would kill for my job.I write a list of things I like about my job, because no matter how much you dislike a gig, every job has redeeming qualities.I TAKE EXRTA GOOD CARE OF MY HEALTHRegular exercise, a well-balanced diet and enough sleep should help ward off any of the medical fallout that work aggravation can bring about. I incorporate … [Read more...] about Does Work Suck? 9 Tips to Break Out of the Funk
24 Ways to Make Money While Unemployed
From selling blood to delivering phone books, the gang at Coupon Sherpa has put together 24 Ways to Make Money While Unemployed. … [Read more...] about 24 Ways to Make Money While Unemployed
Your Employer’s Wellness Program Might Hit a Wall
Federal Law Prohibits Asking Certain QuestionsLast week, I wrote, "Parity for Mental Health Insurance Coverage," about a new law that will mandate employers who offer employee health insurance to cover mental health and substance abuse treatment. In a related area, I found this article by Cari Tuna in the Wall Street Journal, “Wellness Efforts Face Hurdle.” The article talks about employers offering incentives to employees so that they will join “wellness” programs. Most incentives take the form of cash, gift cards or reductions in insurance premiums. Entrance to these programs usually starts with a health survey, often requesting information about family history.But a recent federal law, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, passed in November, 2009, now limits employers or health insurance company’s ability to collect information that discloses genetic-testing results or family history. The EEOC (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) … [Read more...] about Your Employer’s Wellness Program Might Hit a Wall
Office Olympics Ideas
The Winter Olympics are about to get underway. You know, the ones with actual athletes? While there's enough snow here in New York to get some freestyle aerial skiing done during lunch, we'd rather stick with indoor Office Olympics. The following made-up events will get everyone at work involved in some kooky team “sports,” and may even boost morale. They are most enjoyable when organized using billable time (what?), and without the knowledge of “the boss” (or whatever you call that guy who signs your check). Cue the opening ceremony and lets get started! The Pencil Pusher. In this game of skill, contestants have 30 seconds to lodge as many sharpened No. 2 pencils as possible into suspended ceiling tiles. Because projectile objects will be flying through the air, safety glasses are recommended. The Banker. Contestants take turns shooting rubber bands at the ceiling, in an effort to bank them into a coffee mug placed in the middle of a conference table. The player with the … [Read more...] about Office Olympics Ideas
Working Podcast #97: Surviving the Toxic Workplace
Today's topics: A new book on "Surviving the Toxic Workplace." Have You Reinvented Your Career? ABC News wants to hear from you. Get the details on the latest episode of the Working Podcast. Direct Download … [Read more...] about Working Podcast #97: Surviving the Toxic Workplace