Career Advice

I live on my laptop. I wish I could say this is because I am a writer and so I work a lot on it, but this would only be half true. While I work via my computer, I also spend several hours more looking at funny websites, watching videos of cute things animals do, spamming forums and chatting with friends from around the world. I am the worse about doing things that are actually good for me, as I would rather do things that are fun for me. It was this that prompted me to start looking up the effects of too much computer time on my health, and the results of this search were frightening. Of course, not scary enough to actually get me to stop. Just enough to make me start figuring out ways to battle some of the more dangerous consequences of a life of too much Facebook and lolcats. Mini (Office) Workouts – So, you are at the office and you just finished filing the first set of budget reports. Your eyes are drooping and you are so bored you could cry. You need a burst of … [Read more...] about How to Stay Healthy When You Live on Your Computer

Tweet The most popular work lies are revealed below.  But why lie?  It might simply be time to leave your job. Click over if you're looking for the ultimate guide on how to quit a job.   … [Read more...] about Getting a Job: Most Popular Lies Revealed (Infographic)

Working in an office is not quite as glamorous as it might sound. Although compared to digging ditches, pushing paper sounds downright highfalutin. No matter what your profession is, you'll always perform your best when you're using the right tools.In my home office I have five go-to office supplies that I cannot live without.1. Personal organizer/weekly plannerLife seems to get busier and busier as each year passes. Not only are there deadlines and projects at work but if you have kids (or a social life) there are events and activities to keep track of at home as well. I like the BusyBodyBook Personal and Family Grid Organizer.Each two-page spread provides a page on the left to list projects, tasks, to-do lists, phone numbers, etc. as well as a page on the right with five side-by-side columns which allows you to track a variety of projects and schedules. The columns are useful if you are coordinating schedules between family members or co-workers as it allows you to dedicate one … [Read more...] about 5 Office Supplies I Can't Live Without

Our two daughters are starting out on their careers. These are the 10 tips I have shared with them. I pray and hope that over the years ahead they will learn these quickly and painlessly.  And as the world of work evolves, we hope that green printing becomes the standard to respect and protect the environment. 1.       Security. Your security lies with you not whoever you work for. Have faith in your abilities, believe in yourself and whatever happens over the years ahead remember that people will treat you as you expect to be treated so just remember how good you are. 2.       Employers come and employers go. The days of one job for life are long gone. The chances are that you will work for five or maybe ten different employers over the years ahead. There will be times when you think that you have made it and your future is secure. This might well be true but never forget that at the end of it all your future is yours … [Read more...] about What 10 Career Tips Would You Give to Your Children?

Online degree programs continue to become more popular and more widely accepted.  Traditional universities are increasing their online college classes and courses.  Many people are attracted to the flexibility these options offer and wonder about the economics of taking classes online.  Does taking classes online really save you money?  Like many things, "it depends." The online courses themselves are typically less expensive even though the lessons are the same.  When traditional on-site universities offer online courses, there is usually a slight discount of 5% or so versus the traditional course offering.  This is to encourage students to opt for online classes. Exclusively online universities are typically less expensive than traditional universities due to the lower overhead, absence of prestigious faculty members, and lack of extensive facilities. In either type of program, the student also potentially saves on the following: •     … [Read more...] about Does Taking Online Classes Save You Money?

Winner of Golden Globe awards, SAG awards, and likely several Oscars,  The Fighter is a brisk-paced movie about Micky Ward, the one-time boxing champion.Actor Mark Wahlberg plays Ward in the lead role; Christian Bale steals the show as the boxer's colorful brother Dickie.Between knockouts, greed, and drugs, The Fighter offers several important career lessons:Choose a life partner who supports your career choices.Micky Ward's wife in the movie is portrayed as a spouse who supports her husband's career choice, despite its endemic risks (permanent injury, sporadic payday, etc.).It's hard to stay positive, productive, and proactive through every leg of a career journey. Having a partner who believes in you and pushes you to improve can actually help you succeed. We could all use a cheerleader, and if you’re lucky, your spouse will take on that role.Listen to advice, but make your own decisions.There’s no shortage of career advice blogs, job counselors, and other people who … [Read more...] about 5 Career Lessons Inspired By “The Fighter”

Andrew (Jobacle editor) just asked me if I’d like to tackle the topic of improving self-discipline. I said, "Sure, as soon as I finish playing this game I downloaded to put off writing an article." Oops - looks like my self-discipline could use a make-over...But truthfully, being self-employed takes an incredible amount of self-discipline. Just as there are countless distractions in the traditional workplace, there are just as many in the home office. And when you don’t have a boss or co-workers observing, you can be tempted to slack off. It’s the mortgage statement that usually gets me back on track.Here are some things that (usually) work for me:1.  Reward yourself – It might sound counter-intuitive to reward yourself for being disciplined, but it actually will reinforce that good, productive behavior. Sometimes when I’m on a tight deadline, I will “allow” myself the reward of getting away from the PC for 15-20 minutes to take a … [Read more...] about 4 Tips to Improve Self-Discipline

The fashion world has for a long time been a woman’s world. Now, men are getting to it and though a rather old piece of fashion, the necktie is getting more emphasis. Men are looking for ways to incorporate the right choice of neckties in their daily wear. Not only that, they also want to make the correct knots when it comes to tying these accessories. Tying a necktie is an important art that every man concerned with his looks should learn. There are numerous how-tos and articles that will give you tips on how to do that right. But of most importance here and now, is the way you choose the necktie. This is where more emphasis should be placed.  The first thing you should be keen on is the type of fabric. Neckties should be attractive and attention getters. To make them so, you should go for fabrics that are shinny in nature. Satin or silk will give you the best of the shines but you should be keen to make sure that the fabric is 100% satin or silk. The color of the fabric is … [Read more...] about Choosing a Necktie That Fits YOU

If you frequently sit staring at a computer monitor for work and you often experience headaches or eye pain, you may be straining your eyes. While eyestrain caused by computer use doesn’t necessarily mean long-term health complications, it can be unpleasant and painful. If you have noticed any blurred vision, dry or watery eyes, or your eyes are burning, itching or feel more sore than normal, take these small steps to help reduce the strain: Begin New Healthy HabitsIt’s important, especially if your job relies solely on computer usage, to take eye breaks. When you feel your eyes starting to strain, force them to look at and focus on something else besides the screen. Use your finger as a starting point and focus on it right in front of your face. Then focus on something in the distance. Vary your distances and objects, holding your eyes on each for just a few seconds. If your job allows it, stand up and move around at least once an hour. Take a restroom break, stretch, or … [Read more...] about Tips for Better Eye Health at Work