Being a follower of the philosophy of Taoism I find myself returning to the Tao Te Ching time and time again whenever I feel the need to be reminded of a basic set of fundamental rules to guide my life. As basic as these principles are, it is so easy in today’s high-speed culture to lose site of the little things that can add up to so much. Having said that I would like to share with you one of Taoism’s strongest teachings, and one that I find so helpful with regards to my career: Focus on the path and the goal will take care of itself.Unlike today’s goal-driven society Taoist masters only ever speak of “the Way.” In fact “the Way” is the closest translation we have in the English language to describe Tao. So many of us find ourselves so bogged down and distracted these days (often self inflicted) that we begin to miss the little steps. The ones that often lead to bigger problems. As a result we regroup and try to regain some level of control. … [Read more...] about Goals Are for the Unenlightened
New Phenomenon: Fainting at Work
In light of Marie Osmond's fall on Dancing With the Stars, I thought it was a fitting time to revive one of the very first Jobacle blog posts: Fainting at Work - What You Need to Know!For the second time in my career (lucky me!) a co-worker fainted within 10 feet of me. I'll be honest. I heard a thump, looked up, saw nothing - and assumed all was ok. Two minutes later a secretary noted, "Oh my God, _______'s down." All kidding aside, I feel like crap for ignoring the thump. So, if you hear an inexplicable sound - investigate. Aside from ignoring the poor guy as he lay motionless (it's our understanding that it was a case of extreme exhaustion from overworking), I realize that I hadn't a clue what to do. Sure, call 9-1-1. I left that to someone else. Then I bee-lined for the HR office and let them know, figuring someone there would be equipped for this type of situation. They weren't. Beyond that, I was pretty helpless. In … [Read more...] about New Phenomenon: Fainting at Work
Management: What Have You Done for Me Lately?
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. I confess. I have been sneeringly called ‘Mr. October’ by my baseball buddies. They say that I only care about the final outcome, the proverbial bottom line, and they’re right. Why wouldn’t I want to see the very vetted, the best of the best, compete against each other in the World Series? If this means that I forfeit the privilege of being considered a true-blue, all-American baseball fan, well then the hell with it. Now, you may well ask what, if anything at all, has this to do with the Cubicle Continuum? Just consider the Joe Torre story. There’s some mighty meaty stuff to think about here. Stuff that certainly transcends Torre, the New York Yankees, or even baseball in general. Because, in the end, … [Read more...] about Management: What Have You Done for Me Lately?
Resume Writing 101
Today's WorkHack: Use your resume as a tease. Pretend you're about to go on a blind date. Which woman would you rather date? Miss A) Slender, brunette, funny, family oriented. Miss B) 5' 11", dark/curly hair, loves to tell jokes, single mom. Miss A tells the truth without giving away too may details. On the first date she'll share her real deal, but if she gives away too much early on, she won't even get the date. You must think of your resume the same way. The goal is to get you in the door - only then - can you work your magic. Be clear about your experience and background but do not give away too much. If not, you'll end up like Miss B, spending Saturday nights alone teaching yourself to crochet. Learn more Resume Writing 101 by printing or downloading the document below. While designed for graduating college students, it warrants a read from job seekers of all ages. … [Read more...] about Resume Writing 101
Trouble at Work? Be Like Manny.
"It doesn't happen, so who cares? There's always next year. It's not like it's the end of the world." That, my friends, was a comment made last week by Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez when the Sox were one game away from post-season elimination. Since then, the Red Sox battled back and have gone on to beat the Cleveland Indians in a best of 7 series. This season Manny earned $18,279,238.00. Being a big Yankee fan I had my usual knee-jerk reaction, which basically came down to cursing Manny. I’m not a fan (obviously) and it usually makes my skin crawl to see Manny succeed… which is often.Once I picked up my eyes (that had rolled out of my head) I began to wonder if Manny was onto something. Granted, I think the guy should keep his bullshit comments to himself. But I must say that after watching the Yankees bad pitching and lack of any offensive threat - maybe what they needed most of all was to not play this game as if it were life and death. I can’t … [Read more...] about Trouble at Work? Be Like Manny.
Podcast: Salaries Revealed and Ms. Spears
It's another exciting episode of your favorite employment podcast that loads you up with free career advice: The Working Podcast! Here's what you'll hear... -Learn how to be the anti-Britney Spears at work. - Interview with the co-founder of Payscroll.com, a Web site that reveals salaries and has a career questions and answers section. - A tool that shows you what you earn a second.- Comment contest winners announced. 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 Podcast: Salaries Revealed and Ms. Spears
How Much Money Do You Earn a Second?
It's Friday, and you have our permission to punch any of your co-workers that go around announcing, 'TGIF.' Here's your weekly Jobacle Mishmash.1) Most of you make an annual salary and have moved beyond hourly wages, but we know you're still curious to see how you earn money in real time. Thanks to this nifty clock you can calculate how much you're making per month, week and hour. It's fun and depressing - all at the same time! 2) Hey boss, F**K YOU! Dropping an F-bomb or two around the office could land you that long-deserved promotion. Okay, maybe not. But a new study says that occasional cursing among colleagues can foster solidarity and help express feelings of stress and frustration.3) Halloween at work can be scarier than any Michael Myers movie! Subscribe to the Jobacle blog now and stop by to trick o' treat next week when we talk about some ghoulish office events. Also, be sure to place your order now for this year's most popular … [Read more...] about How Much Money Do You Earn a Second?
Part-Time Dream Job: NFL Referee
There aren’t too many (if any) full-time positions in the world today that pay as high as $70k a year and require little to no education. There is on the other hand one part-time position that does have that earning potential and it doesn’t require you to do anything illegal either. You might want to pick up a whistle because that is currently the going salary for an NFL referee. That’s right. Think you can handle a taxing four hours for 16 Sundays every fall and winter? Perhaps you’d like to travel the country and have a pass to be right in the middle of all the action. If so a part- time career might be waiting for you. Of course nothing that good could come so easily. First you’re gonna have to earn some stripes.Now, if you are one the lucky few, you’re going to want to be smart with all this extra money coming in. Refereeing is a contractual gig and there is always the chance that you could not be picked up next season. Referees are also reviewed … [Read more...] about Part-Time Dream Job: NFL Referee
The Office – The Worst Toy EVER
For centuries parents have warned their children that they should be in no rush to grow up. Aside from the obvious "additional responsibilities" and inevitable medical woes, one of the reasons moms and dads want you to stay young is to protect you from the dreaded 9-to-5 rigmarole that they are subjected to.Then let me ask you this: What parent in their right mind would buy the Pretend and Play Office!?I came across this horror show yesterday while wandering around Target aimlessly as my wife shopped for Halloween goodies.$30 gets you an "official-looking" briefcase, pretend stapler and ID badge - plus dozens of other "office essentials." Pushing pencils, filing papers and fingering a laptop are hardly feeding the imagination. I wouldn't wish those tasks on my worst enemy, let alone some innocent, wide-eyed kid.We are a work-obsessed culture. The cult DVD success of Office Space; the rise of The Office around the globe; … [Read more...] about The Office – The Worst Toy EVER
Your Business Name on Your Car
Custom vehicle magnets seem to be gaining in popularity. I'm not sure about your neck of the woods, but in mine, you can't escape seeing realtors big faces stuck on cars. BuildASign.com offers low prices (as los aw $21 with unlimited colors) if you're looking for a custom banner, magnetic car signs, parking, political, or plywood signs. Maybe these realtors are on to something. Should I put a huge JOBACLE.com on the side of my car? … [Read more...] about Your Business Name on Your Car