Ever have one of those weeks at work where everyone around you irritates you? While you might not be surrounded by the sharpest tools in the shed, it's important to remember that when you feel this anger towards people, it's really you that has the problem. Accepting people for who they are is easier said then done. I am looking forward to the weekend so I can recalibrate and come back with a more positive attitude next week. I must learn to better accept other people's character traits. Thanks to Joyce for the Forward of the Week, it's already helping me cope better.The Two PotsAuthor Unknown A Water Bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which he carried across his neck.One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.For a full two years, this went on daily, with the … [Read more...] about Forward of the Week: A Motivational Smile
New Trend – Texting in Sick: Career Suicide?
"OUT SICK. CU2MORROW"Late last year a tile store sales clerk named Mark Morrison won over $14,000 after a court found he was wrongfully fired for calling in sick to work via text message. I guess that would really make it 'texting into work sick.'The case found that the employee was unaware that the company's policy required an actual voice call. He thought any ol' communication would do.At my full-time job it is acceptable to e-mail your director and let him/her know if you'll be out sick. When I first started with this employer, the method sounded shaky, leaving too large a loophole for scheming employees.The first time I called in sick I opted to go the old school route, leaving a voicemail. I know, how 1990's of me. Upon my return, my boss called me into his office and questioned where I had been the previous day. I explained that I left a voicemail on his personal office line. We both glanced down at the phone and found an … [Read more...] about New Trend – Texting in Sick: Career Suicide?
Romance Your Job This Valentine's Day
What if you looked at your employer as a girlfriend? Wouldn't you do everything you could to score? Or at least round first base?With Valentine's Day around the corner, Shawn Graham, author of Courting Your Career and Randy Bitting, co-founder of InterviewStream, offer 10 ways to can romance your dream job:1. Know your type. Self-awareness is critical to an effective job search because it enables you to determine what you want from your next opportunity. When you know what you’re looking for, you can target careers or organizations that fit your wants and needs.2. Play the field. Reaching out to family, friends, alumni from your college or university, or others will allow you to gather information about a company of interest. Then you can reference them during the interview, in addition to sending a signal to the company that you’re ‘into them’.3. Always get their number. When … [Read more...] about Romance Your Job This Valentine's Day
Career Lessons From Eli Manning
While Eli Manning might not be considered an elite quarterback (yet), he certainly has outplayed top-echelon QBs. Brett Favre and Tom Brady to name a pair. Proof that stringing together fundamentals can sometimes be enough to achieve victory. Here's what Eli has taught us.Living Up to HypeSometimes people actually live up to the hype. Eli Manning entered the NFL in 2004 as the 1st Overall Pick. After several seasons as a rather pedestrian quarterback, Eli has elevated himself with an impressive championship run. Success doesn't always come overnight, Whether there's buzz surrounding you or a colleague, always give people a fair chance to prove themselves. If you don't, you could be short-changing the organization.It's All In the Family?While it would be unfair to site nepotism or favoritism to the junior Manning's success, let's be honest, the family you are born into can be a determining factor when it comes to success. At the very … [Read more...] about Career Lessons From Eli Manning
Super Bowl Ads Target Office Workers (and fail)
Super Bowl XLII will be remembered for many reasons. However, the commercials, which cost advertisers $2.7 million a pop for the air time, were lackluster at best.Over 300 million eyes deserve better. Especially when you consider over 30% of Americans watch the annual game just for the ads.Being a career and employment blog, let's zero in on ads that had to do with working.CAREER BUILDER: Last week we expressed our excitement that CB was finally getting away from animals and concentrating on motivating passive job seekers. In this humble bloggers opinion, the ads were NOT effective and fell flat. I recognize that it's easy to sit here and criticize without offering a better solution. But giving away ideas for free would just be foolish. What I will say is that my biggest beef is that the job-seeking individual watching the game couldn't connect with the characters in these ads. Want our attention? A heart jumping out of a woman's body isn't … [Read more...] about Super Bowl Ads Target Office Workers (and fail)
Link to Jobacle. Get Rewarded.
Ever since we were spanked by Google for participating an a little paid post activity, we have been working diligently to reclaim some of our lost ground. Many bloggers downplayed the importance of Goggle PageRank, even - prematurely might we add - speaking of its imminent death. I'd be lying if I said sliding five whole ranks didn't adversely affect the blog.For February, I'd like to try something a little different. During the month link to any Jobacle page and we'll put a banner promoting your Website into our rotation. It will run site-wide for 30 days, meaning you'll get thousands of impressions.Just contact me at jobacle at gmail dot com and let me know you blogged about us. Feel free to send a 160 x 50px banner my way. If you do not have one, I'll be more than happy to create one for you.We're never scared to link to other career blogs and employment Web sites since we are confident that our unique posts and Working Podcast speak for … [Read more...] about Link to Jobacle. Get Rewarded.
Slobs Get Paid! Messy Office Contest
Are you proud of your lack of organizational skills? Do you have a pathological aversion to conforming to society’s standards of neatness? If you answered 'yes' and think your office is a stinky fire hazard, you can nab one of the eight remaining slots in MyFax's Messy Office Contest. A panel of “Messperts” will pick two out of 10 slobs to advance to the finals for a $10,000 cash grand prize. Weekly prizes are handed out as well. Check out the competition so far. If you're game, upload a photo or video of your office before February 25, 2008 noon EST. The winner, voted on by the general public, will be announced by March 5, 2008. The Internet fax service provider, which currently adds more than 10,000 new subscribers a month, is hoping this viral campaign will help build their brand and sell their service. I've got some work issues, but being messy ain't of 'em! Good luck! Here are the rules... … [Read more...] about Slobs Get Paid! Messy Office Contest
A Bicycle: The New Conference Room?
In an effort to "get the juices" flowing, many companies turn to some interesting tactics to get people to brainstorm. I've been part of my fair share of off-site meetings. They've brought us to mansions and fed us upscale soul food. They've brought in an "independent third party" to help keep us "on-point." They even splurged for an overnight trip to a popular amusement park. In the end, the result was always the same: watered-down ideas from the same jaded employees who would have all preferred an extra dollar in their paycheck. I've moved on to a company with much smaller pockets. Nowadays, taking us off-site consists of traveling up the block to one of our satellite offices. Does that mean we don't communicate as well as my former fancy-pants company did? Not likely. But if you have some extra money in the budget and are looking to bring people together in the most awkward way possible, The Dutch Bicycle Company has the answer: The Conference Bike. I kid you not. Powered by … [Read more...] about A Bicycle: The New Conference Room?
Presidential Candidates Invade Your Office
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. His opinions and views do not necessarily reflect those of Jobacle.com. In the interregnum between New Years and Valentines Day, the weather can be kinda dreary, and there's not a helluva lot going on. So, the power elite has decided that, not unlike the Roman emperors of old, we proles deserve a distraction. It will keep us compliant like sheep - as any corporation dare hope for. So, instead of circuses and chocolate, they have granted us 'the Supers' (or should I say 'Sewers'). Yes sirrr, the next week or so should provide enough alleged amusement to carry us to the next holiday. Because not only will we be afflicted with the usual Super Bowl stuff with all of its hype, but worse yet, we have the presidential primaries to … [Read more...] about Presidential Candidates Invade Your Office
10 Rules for Starting a New Job
This is a guest blog post by Sally Lawton.You’ve done it before – the first day. Whether it’s school or work, you’ll always have butterflies. A few rules will help:1. Pat your self on the back. You got a job!2. Be an anthropologist and observe the culture. Does everyone leave right at 5:01, or stay later? Do people take work home? Follow the pack, at least for the first few weeks.3. The first days are usually slow. Use that time to research. Read any document to which you have access. This will help you get ahead of the game.4. To the point above, help your coworkers in those first slow days. They’ll like you, and you’ll impress your boss, too.5. Take initiative. Show your boss that you don’t need to have them find you task. Even if all you do is alphabetize the file drawer, show that you can work without needing to be spoon-fed. 6. Dress up a little the first couple of weeks. Casual office? Avoid a suit, and choose nice slacks. Ladies may have … [Read more...] about 10 Rules for Starting a New Job