As if corporate America didn't already suffer from enough obsessions as it continually tries to make an even larger profit while pretending to be humanistic, a new neurosis has now taken root on the company psyche. That is the seemingly urgent need to label everyone in an easily-digestible capsule. What better way to force human labeling than the requirement that we all wear, and 'proudly' display, the company ID card. It beats, I suppose, bar-coding on our collective forehead. Although that may well come next, along with retinal recognition and an assortment of other biometrics.From the White House to the Big House (even prisoners get to wear ID cards), everyone's marked. It's like we've all become canned goods in the supermarket soup aisle. In a similar way, we've become effectively labeled and branded. The ID card really tells a great deal, just like Campbells Soup; content, price and, for some, expiration date. They say it's because of security, that everyone needs to be on … [Read more...] about Livestock Get Branded, We Get Company IDs
Get Ready…Here Come the Interns!
Winter is fading into spring, and I for one, am waiting with open arms. Aside from enjoying sun-drenched days from the discomfort of my cubicle, I'll also be paid a visit by some of my favorite annual guests: THE INTERNS.Wide-eyed on day one, disgruntled by the end, these college-aged kids come in for a resume boost, three credits and to get mom and dad off their back. Sometimes there's nothing like new ideas and energy to brighten up the joint!CollegeGrad.com, which specializes in entry-level jobs, has announced the Top 200 Intern Employers for 2008. That will equate to more than 46,000 interns. Walgreens alone plans to hire 7,350 interns.Read more here.Other interesting results yielded by the survey include:53% of participating companies plan to hire more interns than last year25% will be hiring fewer interns than last year2008 will have 0.52% more interns than 2007Looking for an entry-level gig? Find out which companies are filling positions in '08.While targeting … [Read more...] about Get Ready…Here Come the Interns!
Man Takes Bullet to Miss Work
Daniel Kuch, a Washington resident, has admitted to having his friend shoot him in the right shoulder in order to get out of work.Jeez. We never thought anyone would take our Sick Day Calendar THAT seriously.Allegedly, Kuch was looking to avoid a mandatory employer drug test. He figured the shooting, which he originally told police was a drive-by, would get him off the hook long enough to let the drugs leave his system. At least the drugs didn't impair his judgement.Kuch has been arrested for lying to authorities, and his buddy (what a friend!), Kurtis Johnson, gets charged with reckless endangerment. I've heard a lot of crazy excuses for getting out of work, but this one has got to take the cake. Even at my most desperate moments, I've never thought of getting shot to escape the perils of work. Saying your shot is one thing, but actually taking the bullet is another mess entirely. … [Read more...] about Man Takes Bullet to Miss Work
Free Resume Feedback From Your Peers
This is a guest post by Kate Gatto.Company: Razume.comSlogan: Your Resume Review CompanyPros: Resume rating scales; information blackouts for privacy.Cons: Anonymity; inability to ask follow up questions; weak profile pagesRazume is an online community that lets you upload your resume and get it reviewed by a community of users who have also submitted their resumes. This lets you get comments and suggestions for improvements on your resume in an entirely anonymous atmosphere. Your privacy on Razume is 100% guaranteed. As a matter of fact, it's mandatory. You are forced to block out any identifying information on your resume when you submit them for review. Which is great if you don't want your boss to know that you're getting ready to go back on the market. However, it's lousy if you're hoping to do your search under the radar while making connections.Razume might want to consider hiring the Resume Hunter.The anonymity of your commenter's is a double-edged sword: … [Read more...] about Free Resume Feedback From Your Peers
The Longest Job Interview Ever
He got his start laying pipe for the Atlas Water and Sewer company. Eventually, he climbed the ranks, becoming responsible for a staff of 800 and annual revenue exceeding $120 million. His name is Victor Kipling. This is his weekly column. As the late, great Lee Marvin tells his Dirty Dozen, 'there is no escape, there is no appeal.' And so it goes for all of us, as we're constantly bombarded with the political bluster and bombast that yet another presidential primary season brings. Thanks to media super-saturation, be it on the blogosphere, in print or on the tube, they all provide the same inanities, day after tiresome day. We now see and hear these three potential candidates running between venues, imploring, pleading, demanding and sometimes even whining, doing almost everything they can in order to get our support. And all on our uncomplaining dime, no less. One can almost feel sorry for these three, 'cause, and whether you support one or the other, or none … [Read more...] about The Longest Job Interview Ever
Know Your Employer Before You Accept a Gig
While we're not quite sure that the world needs another Website that allows employees to spill the beans on their current and former employers, we'll tell you about JobBite anyway. Cause any career destination that helps put the power back into the hands of the job seeker is a good thing.JobBite is completely anonymous and does not require users to register to read or submit reviews. The reviews are designed to provide potential employees with insight about an organization that they might otherwise not be privy to. From corporate culture to the dress code, share any information you feel would be helpful in assisting a job seeker make an educated decision. Companies are found on the Website via search box or alphabetical listing.As with all sites of this nature, success lies with you, the user. If JobBite quickly accumulates a mass amount of reviews, they have a fighting chance. … [Read more...] about Know Your Employer Before You Accept a Gig
Calling In Sick? Schedule an E-Mail
These days, some employers feel it is acceptable to call in sick via e-mail. (Which really makes it e-mailing in sick). While we at Jobacle don't necessarily agree with the practice, we want to alert you about a new tool that could help you sleep late on these days you play hooky.LetterMeLater is a free service that allows you to write e-mails, using your existing e-mail address, and schedule delivery when you desire. Just pick the day and time and your e-mail will be sent.Potential uses include:- E-mail your boss at 4am. 'I've been throwing up all night...'- Set up invoices to clients to auto send so you don't forget.- Schedule regular e-mails to staff members.Fear not. The recipient has no way of knowing that the received message was scheduled. Your e-mail address appears as the return address.This tool can eliminate the annoyance of setting your alarm early to contact the office. Use with caution. Texting and e-mailing sick into work can be shaky … [Read more...] about Calling In Sick? Schedule an E-Mail
The Early Bird Gets Promoted
Your morning commute is packed with many variables, most of which you can't control. What you do have power over is when you wake up and when you leave your house. Giving yourself a healthy time cushion to arrive at the office early has many benefits.You'll Be More Relaxed: Rushing to get to work on time starts your day off on a stressful note. Being able to get organized in the morning, plan your day and prepare for tasks that lie ahead are elements that will make you feel better prepared, thus reducing stress.Good Practice: Ever have that one friend who always shows up late? And every time they do, you get pissed off because it's a clear disrespect for your time. You never want to be viewed as 'that guy.' Not by friends, family or an employer. Showing up early sends a message that you value other people's time and it...Shows You Care: Aside from being a good human being and an example for others, coming in to work early everyday will set a consistent tone, a quality upper … [Read more...] about The Early Bird Gets Promoted
Rules for the Last Two Weeks of Work
How to Leave a Job the Right WayAfter months of endless resume submissions, you finally aced that interview and scored a gig that pays you $9k more a year. Good for you! You're already dreaming about those final two weeks at your current job. You'll tell people how you really feel. And if they ask you to do something annoying, you'll be damned if you grin and bare it.Not smart.The final two weeks at a job are never easy. There are many psychological issues at play - including detachment - coming from both you AND your colleagues. It never ceases to amaze me how differently people tend to act when you're on the way out. Be ready for it.Some folks will be genuinely happy for you. Others will be downright jealous. You must keep in mind that you had the courage/luck to get out of the trenches. Those who are still there are reminded that they are "stuck." Believe it or not, most people do not have the initiative to make a … [Read more...] about Rules for the Last Two Weeks of Work
Be Held Accountable for Career Goals
This is a guest blog post by Sally Lawton. Company: Stickk.com Slogan: Take a Contract Out on Yourself Pro: Provides scientifically backed methods for sticking to commitments Con: Are you really willing to stake money on a resolution? Make a promise to find a new job, finish a degree on time, or learn a new professional skill, and most of the time, it’ll never happen. There is a lot going against simply resolving something for yourself, but Stickk.com is out to change that. Developed by researchers at Yale University, Stickk creates contracts with yourself, and lets you create the incentive to finish. While the focus is on smoking cessation, fitness, and weight loss, users can create a plan to meet professional goals, too. Let’s say your plan is to find a better job. You create either a one-shot contract with a firm dead date to find a job in six months, or an ongoing contract to submit 10 resumes a week. For encouragement, you choose a referee. This person – a close … [Read more...] about Be Held Accountable for Career Goals