If you haven’t noticed, there happens to be an app for everything these days! Whether it be the iPint or the Ocarina, which means you can now drink beer and whistle a tune all at the same time, it just so happens there are some very useful apps for the career world. If you don’t have these on your phone yet, here’s a few of the best career apps on the market. To Find a Job 1) Career Builder Just like the online version and with all the same user capabilities as the online layout, the CareerBuilder app is super easy to use and boasts a 2-million-job database. It knows your location and searches for local jobs based on an easy keyword search. 2) Indeed.com The app for the noted Indeed.com website (a Jobacle favorite) has joined the top ranks of career apps and was listed as one of the top 10 most useful iPhone apps by pcmag.com in 2009. As with CareerBuilder, you can search for jobs, save searches and email job postings. 3) Job Finder Job Finder does much of the work for you. … [Read more...] about 10 Top Career Apps
Fake Job Post: Bill Starway Wants Your Credit Report
Craigslist strikes again. A hotbed for scammers, pedofiles and sexual deviants, the free online classified advertisement board is still a go-to website for many job seekers. In reality, there are real opportunities listed; I know, I've made some legitimate money. But let the (alleged) scam below be a reminder to be vigilant when looking for a job on Craigslist. These credit fraud punks have been sending the following email to job seekers -- from Nashville to Long Island -- who knows where they will strike next! --------------- HelloThank you so much for your interest in our opportunity. I appreciate you contacting us.You definitely seem qualified for the position, and more so than the other 16 applicants we received resumes from. I would like to take the next step with you. However, before I am able to schedule a formal meeting, my company will require that you acquire a recent (past 14-21 business days) credit report. We started this because our company had some bad … [Read more...] about Fake Job Post: Bill Starway Wants Your Credit Report
10 Ways to Look Busy at Work
Well, for starters, you should probably stop reading blogs while on the clock, but hey, who I am I to judge? Theoretically, this is a career advice blog, so, under the ruse that this little jewel will make you look better in the eyes of your boss, let’s just say you can keep reading. After all, if you follow my lead, you should have him thoroughly convinced that you are, right now, in deep, deep thought about the analytical data behind a marketing scheme that’s destined to make his name known ‘round the globe in the next 8 months. You’re such a star employee! 1) Write “stuff” down. So, here’s the first thing you need to look busy: you need to get yourself a sharp looking notepad. I don’t really care about the color nor whether or not it’s 25% recycled, just get a classy lookin’ notepad and a pen. And write stuff down all the time. Whenever it occurs to you. Whether you’re actually making an ongoing grocery list or a new song comes through on Pandora that you want to take note … [Read more...] about 10 Ways to Look Busy at Work
How to Request a Letter of Recommendation
If you need to know how to request a letter of recommendation, our special career podcast, Reference Letters 101 is sure to help! How important are reference letters? Do they expire? Answers to these questions and more are available by simply hitting the play button... … [Read more...] about How to Request a Letter of Recommendation
Is Your Credit Score Hurting Your Job Search?
Are you looking for a new job? In addition to making sure your resume is in order, you may want to take a look at your credit score and your credit reports. Many potential employers pull your credit file before they hire you. No, it doesn't seem fair; if your finances were in such great order, you might not need a new job, right? Right or wrong, here's their rationale: - Studies show that employees with extensive debt or who are in financial trouble are at greater risk of committing corporate fraud or embezzlement. - As the self-improvement gurus say, “How you do one thing is how you do everything.” If you're irresponsible with your finances, you may be irresponsible on the job, too. (They say!) - If your finances are a mess, you may have trouble concentrating, which could lead to poor work performance. (Again, isn't your financial mess why you need the job in the first place?) Raise Your Credit Score in a Hurry If your credit score is less than stellar, there are ways you … [Read more...] about Is Your Credit Score Hurting Your Job Search?
Top 7 Workplace Etiquette No-Nos
At the risk of sounding like an old f—t or Andy Rooney (My apologies, Mr. Rooney, I didn’t mean to imply anything), what is wrong with people these days? Is observing a few rules of society at work such a difficult thing?This AMEX Open Forum article, "Ten Etiquette Blunders," made me a little nutty. How can people really not know how to act at work? I work from home now, so I don’t deal with this stuff. But I’ve worked in more offices than I care to count. Here’s my own list of work etiquette no-nos.1. Get out of my space, man. Editor Andrew addressed this very well in his post, "Violated at Work: The Death of Personal Space." With respect to people of other cultures who have different norms about this issue, in the U.S., most people don’t like “close talkers.” Please observe my boundaries. Don’t sneak up on me in my cube from behind or even think of touching me to get my attention.2. TMI. Do we really need to … [Read more...] about Top 7 Workplace Etiquette No-Nos
6 Ways to Lose Money from Lack of Sleep
What is the first comment from coworkers at the water cooler? "Man, I'm tired. I couldn't sleep." And most everyone else nods in agreement. Yes, we're all tired. Sleep deprivation is as rampant as fat rolls in our United States, yet we assume it's a price we pay to get ahead. Sure, I'm tired, but I'm getting 6 hours of sleep. That's enough, right? While a very small percentage of the population thrives on 6 hours of sleep, if you're constantly tired, you aren't in that elite group. You may feel like sleep is a waste of time, or just something old people do, but the fact is getting even an hour less of sleep per night has drastic, long-lasting effects. Sleeping 6 when you need 7 (or probably closer to 8) hours means you're losing out on an entire night of rest every week. Just what will this "cost" you in the long run? 1. Blood Pressure MedicineA recent study found that people who get less than adequate sleep are significantly more likely to increase their blood pressure over … [Read more...] about 6 Ways to Lose Money from Lack of Sleep
LIVE BROADCAST: What Employees Want! (Tune In This Thursday)
Back in 2005 when I decided the world needed an "edgy" career advice podcast, I had no idea that I'd be sitting here six years later celebrating over 1 million downloads, a successful blog, and even more passion than when I started.But here we are.The big question now is where to take the Working Podcast next.That leads me to this week's experiment. For the first time ever we will attempt a brief live show on BlogTalkRadio. If the demand is there, we will start to have regular LIVE career advice radio shows. And as you already know...it won't be your mama's radio program. Forget that housewife in the middle of the country who is recycling everything she read at the local bookstore. This is real career advice for real people. But before I put the cart before the horse...Join us THIS WEEK on Thursday, February 24 at 8:00pm ET for "What Employees Want." If you are looking to hire people for your company, get an idea of what today's … [Read more...] about LIVE BROADCAST: What Employees Want! (Tune In This Thursday)
5 Jobs That Bring the Most Happiness
All of us would like to believe that somehow, someday, we will end up with a job we love. There are those lucky few who have them now. And by and large, it’s difficult to pinpoint specific occupations that bring the most happiness because different types of jobs make different people happy. For example, some people can find no greater joy in life than becoming a teacher, while others wouldn’t have the first clue how to entertain and teach a classroom full of children. And there are individuals who would love nothing more than to jump out of an airplane every day strapped to someone’s back (whereas most of us wouldn’t go near tandem skydiving no matter how much it was paying). The point is, happiness in a profession can depend largely on the person. However, there are a few jobs that just about anyone can enjoy, so check the list and see if there are any that could offer you a chance at occupational happiness before you perform … [Read more...] about 5 Jobs That Bring the Most Happiness
How to Use Your Corporate Charge Card Wisely
It's even better than a key to the executive wash room. It's your own shiny American Express Gold Corporate Card. While membership has it's privileges, it also comes with a whole new set of responsibilities to side-step. As a former employee corporate cardholder and a current personal finance writer, I thought I'd share some tips on how to make the most of your corporate charge card -- and not get fired. 1. The size of the client dictates the quality and (quantity) of the meal and drinks.Looking to land a Fortune 500 big spender? Go ahead: Order the lobster, filet mignon and several bottles of Cristal. If it's a big enough client, you can pick up the bar tab for the whole place. When your boss gets the bill, just go on and on about how those boys at [giant mega-corporation] really drink like fish and they would have already signed the contract... if they hadn't passed out on it. 2. Let your colleague pick up the tab. The editorial department at the publishing company where I worked had … [Read more...] about How to Use Your Corporate Charge Card Wisely