The two seconds you get to generate an initial feeling in someone is HUGE. Sure, you can change their minds with subsequent interaction, but a first impression has the power to stay with someone for life. For example, when I met my wife (about 12 years ago) I thought she was a gangster chick and she thought I was a Puerto Rican player. After one date I quickly discovered that she was a school-teaching softie and she learned I'm about as Rican as Christian Hans Andersen. So much for first impressions.We were able to debunk the myths we had created in our minds by simply spending some time together. Unfortunately, you might never get to that point with a potential employer. Similarly, famous people are often judged on exchanges that take up mere seconds of their lives. That's why you'll often hear strong opinions from people after they've had an encounter with a star, "He was so nice and down to earth."Why? Because he signed an … [Read more...] about Lessons From the Stars: First Impressions
Talking Age Targets Mature Job Seekers
If you're a "mature" worker living across the pond in Europe, congratulations, you have a new career portal, TalkingAge.com.Seeking the so-called 'grey market,' the Website aims to offer career, financial, HR and social networking opportunities to elder job seekers.According to those spry folks at TalkingAge:"The over 65’s spend the longest amount of time online, and Internet surfers over the age of 50 account for nearly a third of all time spent online by British Web users. Significantly, nearly half of over 50’s want to work beyond retirement age, yet more than 80% have already experienced some kind of ageist rejection by employers. TalkingAge combines jobs, communities and advice for the first time to serve this increasingly crucial segment of the workforce."Of course, targeting jobs to people of a certain age is a legal no-no, so the jobs posted are available to candidates of all ages.Like many of the new Websites we tell you about, this one is in … [Read more...] about Talking Age Targets Mature Job Seekers
A Dream for American Workplaces
Stuck at work on Martin Luther King Jr. Day? Yeah, we are too. But that doesn't stop us from honoring Dr. King by dreaming out loud:We have a dream...That companies pay you what you're worth. Pay is based on your experience, accomplishments and ability to perform in the future. We have a dream...That America's vacation day standard increases (Brazil = 30, Finland = 35, Russia = 28, etc.).We have a dream...That passive-aggressive behavior is abandoned and if someone has something to say to our faces - they say it!We have a dream...That everyone gets an hour for lunch and that everyone TAKES their hour for lunch.We have a dream...That more industries adapt the education system work model; either give the summer off or six weeks on, two weeks off.We have a dream...That the work week shrinks to four days. We guarantee that everything would still get done.We have a dream...That stinky foods are banned from the office.We have a dream...That employers realize only .01% … [Read more...] about A Dream for American Workplaces
Master List of JOB VENT Sites
Venting about work can be very therapeutic, but it can also be a dangerous habit-forming addiction. Rehearsing anger is not only bad for your career, it is bad for life. However, on occasion, there is nothing like anonymously releasing your work frustrations. There are certainly no shortage of Web sites that allow you to rant about your boss or expose your co-workers annoying behavior. Stick with Jobacle, one of the world's leading career advice blogs and your source for free career advice, employment news and Master Lists about work!Disgruntled WorkforceBlog that accepts work rants. Writing must be approved by site owner. Simple.FuriocityFrom apples to work - rant about anything.I Gotta RantMessage board for rants on anything.JobacleA little shameless self-promotion. The Working Podcast, the #1 career Internet radio show plays your rants! Just leave a voice mail at 888/786-1080 and listen to a future episode for your venomous … [Read more...] about Master List of JOB VENT Sites
Research Companies at The Work Review
This is a guest blog post by Sally Lawton. Company: TheWorkReview.comSlogan: How does your job compare?Pros: Honest reviews, anonymous postingCons: Limited sample size, outliers affect results Tired of interviewing with a seemingly nice boss only to find out your first day that they micromanage? Whether you’re considering a career move or looking for a summer job that will not ruin your vacation, TheWorkReview can save you. Visitors to TheWorkReview search for jobs three ways: clicking on their state and browsing an alphabetical list, searching for a specific business, or searching by business name and address. It even refines by address, so that job seekers can see individual branches of stores. Disgruntled employees hoping to warn off job seekers will appreciate the anonymity of the reviews. Users do not even have to create an account. Your boss will never know. Moderators review content for profanity, discriminatory reviews, and real names. Over and above these limits, … [Read more...] about Research Companies at The Work Review
Jobtonic Launches Redesigned Website
In the past on the Working Podcast we've covered JobTonic, a UK-based job site that rewards people for referring a friend, acquaintance or co-worker for an available job.JobTonic has taken recruitment referral technology to the next level with an overhauled Website that, according to them, is 'user seductive.'Well I don't know if we'd jump in the sack with these fine folks, but the new Website is snazzy and easy to navigate.The JobTonic gang says that the number of job vacancies listed on the site is at an all-time high, so there's never been a better time to recruit a friend and get paid.If you're looking to make a few bucks on the side, you can also add a widget to your own site and start earning.Facebook users can now get in on the action by using the 'refer-o-matic' app.I always knew anyone could be a recruiter! … [Read more...] about Jobtonic Launches Redesigned Website
Spot & Defeat a Modern Day Dictator at Work
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. When they say that 'those who don't learn from history are condemned to repeat it', they must have-had to have-been thinking about horrific dictator bosses and how to deal with them. Because, as we all know, human nature just ain't gonna change, no matter what spin we put on it or what euphemisms the corporate world uses to manipulate us into thinking otherwise. And that's why it's no surprise that history is replete with the proverbial bad boss; the psychotic, the cruel, the blood-thirsty tyrant who has caused bookoo human misery and, what's more, is damned proud of it! Like all psychopaths, these types of humangarbage come in all shades, types and stripes. More relevant to us, they infect all levels of the work-a-day world, … [Read more...] about Spot & Defeat a Modern Day Dictator at Work
Research Careers With Government Website
This is a guest blog post by Sally Lawton. Company: CareerVoyages.govSlogan: Good Jobs, Better Pay, Brighter FuturePros: Detailed information, statisticsCons: Dry content, out-dated data, unfocusedThe government cares about your career, especially if you are interested in a high-paying, high-growth industry. CareerVoyages.gov (a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education) points users in the direction of these industries by laying out specific career paths and providing hard numbers on hiring and salary.According to CareerVoyages, among the high-growth and emerging industries that users should consider are advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, construction, energy, financial services, healthcare, homeland security, hospitality, information technology, retail, transportation, biotechnology, geospatial technology, and nanotechnology. Clicking on each of the industry icons provides detailed overviews of each industry and how to get … [Read more...] about Research Careers With Government Website
How to Stay Positive at Work
Episode #77 of the Working Podcast brings you free career advice and employment news: - Tristan Loo, founder of the Synergy Institute shares the secret to getting your 2008 resolutions back on track. - 9 Positive Items for your desk. These small items can help you be happier at work. - The Career Filter explores Positive Sharing, Vital Affirmations and Happy News. There are three ways to listen: - Stream on our homepage (shows plays instantly) - Stream from the player below (about a 60 second load time) - Download direct … [Read more...] about How to Stay Positive at Work
Forward of the Week: The Lost Dr. Seuss Poem
The Lost Dr. Seuss Poem (I Love My Job) I love my job, I love the pay!I love it more and more each day.I love my boss, he is the best!I love his boss and all the rest.I love my office and its location, I hate to have to go on vacation.I love my furniture, drab and grey, and piles of paper that grow each day!I think my job is really swell, there’s nothing else I love so well.I love to work among my peers, I love their leers, and jeers, and sneers.I love my computer and its software;I hug it often though it won’t care. I love each program and every file.I’d love them more if they worked a while.I’m happy to be here. I am. I am.I’m the happiest slave of the firm, I am.I love this work, I live these chores.I love the meetings with deadly bores.I love my job - I’ll say it again - I even love those friendly men.Those friendly men who’ve come today,In clean white coats to take me away!!!! … [Read more...] about Forward of the Week: The Lost Dr. Seuss Poem