It's the dream of any kid who has ever picked up a baseball. 27 up, 27 down. Sure it ranks behind the bottom of the ninth grand slam and the over-the-wall-homerun-robbing catch, but the perfect game definitely cracks the top 5.Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle became the first major league pitcher in five seasons to hurl a flawless game. And that got me thinking...WHAT WOULD MY PERFECT GAME LOOK LIKE?I'm not a baseball player. I'm your average middle class, blog-writing, new-media loving Webaholic who mostly operates under the radar. I have work goals that I would like to accomplish; career feats that I am driven to achieve. But when I sit down, take a few deep breaths and clear my mind, I still have no idea what my version of a perfect game would look like.That's a problem.Since dream chasing is an important aspect of success, I'm now determined to put more thought into what ultimate perfection looks like for me. Is it an error-free presentation? Consecutively successful … [Read more...] about What's Your Job's Version of a Perfect Game?
Career Advice
The Argument for Outdoor Offices
Ever check in to a hotel in Hawaii or Greece or some other paradise that does not receive an abundance of rain? The 'open-air' lobbies you find in certain regions are plucked right out of a dream. All of the services you'd expect from a front desk reception area without the stuffy indoors. Who needs a roof when you have azure skies and plentiful sunshine?So if these hospitality employees can conduct business outside why can't I? Being leashed to wires in the 21st century seems silly and unnecessary. Wi-Fi is prevalent, we all own cell phones, and office rents are astronomically high. It might be the perfect time to move the office outside.I'm serious. Why are you being so negative?! Allow me to quell your fears.WHAT ABOUT THE WEATHER?I understand that an outdoor office environment will not work in certain places. For example our Jobacle readers in Mobile, Alabama, receive the most rain in the 48 contiguous United States (approx. 67 inches a year). Same goes for our career friends in … [Read more...] about The Argument for Outdoor Offices
Fake Job Offer of the Week
From: Christine WRIGGLESWORTHHello.We would like to offer you a position of a local manager of our company in your area. Presently we have 5 vacancies open for this position, and we offer you to take on one of them. But first we would like to tell you a bit about our company.Financial and construction group “NST Construction” was created as a solid structure that unites several large companies which successfully operate on the market, in order to coordinate their financial and technical cooperation.These days NST Construction is functioning as a contractor with 100% of work performed by the company. This includes the complete construction process, controlling terms and quality of constructing, development of construction schedule, regulating financing, providing supply of all necessary building materials and equipment.Since our company does not hold many branches we use a network of local managers worldwide. This allows us to stay atop the market in the present difficult … [Read more...] about Fake Job Offer of the Week
Why Managers Should Care About Employee Loyalty
By Timothy Keiningham and Lerzan AksoyAuthors of Why Loyalty Matters: The Groundbreaking Approach to Rediscovering Happiness, Meaning and Lasting Fulfillment in Your Life and WorkThe landmark Ipsos Loyalty Study, the largest study of loyalty ever conducted, found less than 30 percent of US employees say they are loyal to their company. Only about 25 percent of US employees think their employer has earned their loyalty.The long-term success of any company depends heavily upon the quality and loyalty of its people. Few corporate executives would disagree with this idea conceptually. But it is also true that most treat the economic value of employees in enhancing customer relationships and company profits as "soft" numbers, unlike the "hard" numbers they use to manage their operations, such as the cost of labor.The problem with this is that when the going gets tough, managers focus on the hard numbers. And the reality is that at some point every company will go through tough times. That … [Read more...] about Why Managers Should Care About Employee Loyalty
A Cure for Faded Black Dress Socks…and other work fashion tips
Faded black socks; the story of my life. Since I am a corporate monkey who is required to wear a suit on a daily basis, I am forced into wearing black dress socks. The problem is, after several washings, no matter what method or detergent is used, the socks fade. And gray socks with a black suit can just kill the entire look.I often think too much is made about "dress for success" - but who am I to argue with the man who has revolutionized the fashion industry - and cured one of my greatest pet peeves. Meet the Blacksocks.com SOCKSCRIPTION: a fresh shipment of black socks shipped directly to your door several times a year.Samy Liechti, Blacksocks’ founder, shares career fashion tips to keep you looking smart from head to toe.1. Choose a conservative suit in black, navy or gray in solid or a small pinstripe. Remember—the quality of the fabric speaks as loud as the color. If the fabric could also be used on your grandmother’s sofa, chances are it’s not appropriate … [Read more...] about A Cure for Faded Black Dress Socks…and other work fashion tips
Why You Should Write Your Boss’ Eulogy
Don't hate me for saying this but being the boss isn't easy. As if playing corporate politics and making difficult decisions without a safety net weren't enough, the boss also has to take the brunt of your work frustrations. While most of this activity occurs behind his or her back, it can't be easy knowing that there are people who live to criticize you. All bosses, even the evil ones, have redeeming qualities. Some are fathers. Others are law-abiding, church-going citizens. A few of them might even be damn cool, albeit away from the fluorescent lights of work. Part of the problem is that we only get a fraction of the picture, and that slice is the one that tells us what to do and when to do it. We're trained to despise authority, so the boss rarely gets the benefit of the doubt. But what if your boss died? Suddenly. At his or her desk. I know it's a morbid thought, but this exercise has the potential to open your eyes to new possibilities, and maybe, just maybe, get you on … [Read more...] about Why You Should Write Your Boss’ Eulogy
Dear Coworkers, Stop Googling Me!
I phoned in this morning's blog post - literally. This audio blog is for you - yes you - the coworkers who keep Googling me! I know who you are, and I really wish you'd find something else to do with your time. All kidding aside, it is a fact that Googling everyone and everything is a 21st century way of life. But that doesn't make it any less irritating when people are barely know are uncovering every last detail about you. … [Read more...] about Dear Coworkers, Stop Googling Me!
Coworker Pet Peeves
We all work with someone who annoys us. It's a fact of life. And despite the fact that we'd like nothing more than to sic a horde of vampire bats on those annoying coworkers, we're pretty much helpless to act. However, because we all deal with some type of similar behavior, we can come together and laugh about the habits that drive us nuts. A little while back, I posed this question on Twitter: “What are some coworker habits that drive you absolutely crazy?” The responses came pretty quickly after the initial question, and they ranged from silly to disrespectful to gross. @RaiscaraAvalon said that "overpowering, gag a maggot perfume" was her pet peeve (and the guys sometimes aren’t any better with their cologne) @AliciaSanera carried the body odor conversation even further by asking, "What is harder to address: termination of employment or B.O.?" It’s very interesting what we learn from each other, and I bet you have something you’d like to add. The … [Read more...] about Coworker Pet Peeves
Billy Mays: American Success Story
I always had a sweet spot in my heart for pitchman Billy Mays. Not just because I think my impression (BILLY MAYS HERE!) is pretty solid, but because Billy was a true American success story. Whether you loved or hated his style, there is no denying that he built himself up into an iconic figure. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone not familiar with his trademark delivery and appearance. (Black hair dye, some hair gel and a blue shirt.)Here are several career lessons to be learned from the college dropout.- Have your own style. Loud. Obnoxious. You might call it yelling, Billy called it projecting. Whatever you label it, it was undoubtedly effective. Standing out from the pack and becoming associated with success (OxiClean, Awesome Auger, etc.) can only help your career. Attach yourself to winners and future victories have a better chance to follow. It might appear that Billy accepted every product that came his way, but there were hundreds - if not thousands that he rejected.- Sell … [Read more...] about Billy Mays: American Success Story
My Career: More Questions Than Answers
I tend to know what I want out of life. And if I make a mistake, I correct it as quickly as possible. More often than not, thanks in part to a perfect mix of in-tune instincts and obsessive research, I make the right choices.Marrying the perfect woman. Check.Buying a great house. Check.Landing my dream gig...No check. Why is it that in a world where I am confident about the decisions I make, I am still unsure about my career choices and where I am heading next?I like what I do. It pays the bills, it's challenging (at times), and I generally like the people I work with. Yet at this job, and everyone that has preceded it, I find myself asking the same question over and over again...IS THIS IT?It was this reoccurring question that led me to start Jobacle.com back in 2005. I'd like to hope I'm closer to the answer than ever before, but I'm simply not sure. It's a moving target.My first mistake might have been expecting this feeling to fade; the answer to rear its glorious head. But … [Read more...] about My Career: More Questions Than Answers