The Resume Hunter has quickly become one of the most hated people on the Internet. The funny thing is, he's here to help! Not too many Web sites offer a free snapshot critique of your life on paper and help teach you how to write a resume. The bottom line is, if you're going to make your resume public, then you should have thick enough skin to handle some constructive criticism. This is an exercise we all can benefit from. Without further fanfare, let's check out the resume of one Kenneth S. Criscione. In Context: Right off the bat, Kenneth states that he is an "Automotive Professional." This is a great tactic to use when your resume is floating around the Web. Regardless of where it ends up, the reader knows what he's about and can quickly decide to read on or click out and bail. Find Me: As we've seen on a majority of online resumes so far, there is simply too much personal information up on the top. Aside from the fact that anyone can show up at Ken's doorstep, with so many … [Read more...] about Resume Samples and Advice
I Hate My Job: The Video
See...you're not alone! People have hated their jobs since the beginning of time! … [Read more...] about I Hate My Job: The Video
57 Best FICTIONAL Companies to Work For
Earlier in the year FORTUNE Magazine wowed" us with their "100 Best Companies to Work For." Odds are though, you probabaly think that work sucks no matter where you are. Are you telling me no one has a crappy, passive-aggressive, nightmare-of-a-boss at Google? C'mon! In honor of this list, and the countless other useless career lists, we have one of our own: Jobacle.com presents the 57 Best FICTIONAL Companies to Work For. Since they're not real companies, work can't suck as bad! This list is by no means complete. Please add your picks in the comments section below. And don't forget about the Worst Fictional Bosses too! We'll be talking about this on a future episode of the Working Podcast - so please subscribe now!57 Best Fictional Places to WorkArcade Flower Shop, Three's Company: Never any misunderstandings.Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, Harry Potter: Diagon Alley's finest.Victoria's Circuit, Futurama: Lingerie … [Read more...] about 57 Best FICTIONAL Companies to Work For
Forward of the Week: The Trouble Tree
Yesterday was the first weekday in over nine months that I did not post a new blog entry on the Jobacle blog. It was a nice streak while it lasted. It was just one of those work days where everything was just nuts. I won't bore you with the details. However, I also endured a week from hell with the contractor from hell. Who knew so many things could go wrong in a 25 square foot bathroom! With that in mind, choosing The Forward of the Week was a breeze!The Trouble Tree The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door he underwent an … [Read more...] about Forward of the Week: The Trouble Tree
Is Your Office Drowning in Bottled Water?
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.Hydrophobia, aka Rabies, is a devastating, dramatic and yet rare disease in America today. The name stems from Latin, meaning ‘fear of water’; which aptly describes one of Rabies primary symptoms. The poor victim, though suffering extreme thirst, is at the same time afraid of the very water he craves. By the way, it’s also almost always fatal.Yet, office workers today seem to suffer from the very opposite illness; that is fear of NOT drinking enough water. Because everywhere you look, almost everyone has a bottle of water handy. Strolling down the office hallway to see a colleague - or to simply attend a meeting - hardly merits taking a 24-ouncer with us. The risk of dehydration is assuredly very remote. After all, … [Read more...] about Is Your Office Drowning in Bottled Water?
WorkHack: Saving Your Eyesight
If you're an office slave like me, odds are you spend a huge amount of time sitting in front of a computer monitor. If that's the case, you are probably already suffering from double vision, burning and headaches - all signs of eyestrain. You my friend, need to improve your eyesight.Now I certainly don't pretend to be a doctor, (though Dr. Andrew G.R. has a nice ring to it), but there are several common sense type things you can do to save yourself from pushing your eyes to the limit and eventually needing eyeglasses, lasik surgery - or worse!1) Contrast is your enemy. One of the biggest causes of eyestrain is a dark computer screen with a bright background behind it. If you have a bright light or window behind your monitor - do what you can to darken the area around the screen.2) Think long. Given the name "eye STRAIN" you would think long distances would be the culprit. Not true. Close viewing is the problem. Your goal should be to keep all items … [Read more...] about WorkHack: Saving Your Eyesight
Office Rant: Haircut RAGE
Yesterday I arrived at work with a spankin' new haircut. Ok, so it's pretty short - but is it necessary for everyone to comment? I HAD to vent. Hence the audio blog below. Be warned, I might drop an F-bomb or two cause I was not a happy camper. Hopefully today will be better than yesterday. Click on "Haircut RAGE" to listen. … [Read more...] about Office Rant: Haircut RAGE
Keep Enemies Close, Your Boss Closer
Back in school I was the guy who sat in the next to last row. Maybe it was my little way of raging against the machine. Or maybe I just wanted to be able to doodle without my teachers seeing. I dunno. But recently, when I attended a meeting at work, and my boss asked me to "move up," my blood began to boil. It was a reminder that nothing changes. The reality is, 20 years later, I'm still being told what to by a "superior."After a few deep breaths, clarity began to set in. I mean, c'mon Andrew G.R., you're 31 now and maybe it's time you actually did the unthinkable and sit NEXT to your boss.As tough as it is to rid yourself of the instinct to sit away, here's how sitting next to your boss around the conference room table could impact your career in a positive way. We recommend you try it at least a few times (unless of course your boss has offensive breath!).Better Comprehension. You might look like a kiss ass, but there's no denying that … [Read more...] about Keep Enemies Close, Your Boss Closer
Leave Comments. Win Prizes!
One of my goals when I started the Working Podcast (and eventually Jobacle.com) was to create a community of real people who had hit some career roadblocks and were ready to take positive action. I am beyond thrilled at how the Web traffic has grown - particularly over the past six months. However, I'd still like to see more blog comments and podcast feedback. Here's your chance to help me accomplish that goal - and possibly win some cool prizes.From now until October 15...- You are entered once for every public blog comment you leave on ANY post. It should be relevant, intelligent and pithy. Basically, anything but obvious spam.- You are entered twice for leaving an audio comment that will be used on a future episode of the Working Podcast. This can be a quickie job tip, feedback or anything else career-related. Heck, even give your career Web site a plug. Leave a message @ 888/786-1080.- You are entered three times by linking to us from … [Read more...] about Leave Comments. Win Prizes!
Office Popcorn Could Kill Us All
We recently complained about "popcorn nukers" in our Office BINGO game. The smell wafts through the air, causing a distracting paralysis. Often, you can set your watch to this activity.Well, now we know that this behavior is not just irritating - but potentially deadly as well! The culprit seems to be diacetyl, a buttery-tasting chemical that causes coughing, shortness of breath, and eventually bronchiolitis obliterans - an obliteration of the tiny airways in the lung.Not fun. Popcorn Lung is no laughing matter.Apparently, Wayne Watson, the deceased popcorn victim ate TWO bags a day (poor co-workers!) and tended to huff the steam since he liked the smell.Every office has at least one popcorn nuker. You can learn more about the case from The Pump Handle, the blog that brought this disturbing story to light.As soon as someone in the office opens that bag of popcorn and the fumes escape, I have to go outside because I cannot stop coughing, choking and clearing … [Read more...] about Office Popcorn Could Kill Us All