Today, I'm a flashlight. No, I don't give off light and have batteries stuffed who-knows-where. I am demonstrating the qualities of a flashlight in the way that I work. It's actually a simple concept to grasp. A flashlight emits a wide, dim beam that illuminates a large area but doesn't do much else. A laser is a tightly focused beam that can be used as a signal or a tool for precise work. (By the way, why do we let children have small, handheld devices that can sear their corneas irreparably? Not the best idea for a toy.) I had to ask myself that question after seeing how my day went. I got to work early because I had a lot of things to take care of. However, instead of getting the things done that I had planned, I did a little of this and a little of that, frittering away my time until I ended up spending most of my day planning to get started on something else. Some others at Jobacle know how that goes. I think that a lot of us spend our time as flashlights. We are low-intensity, … [Read more...] about Do You Work Like a Flashlight or a Laser?
Career Advice
Hide Your Computer Screen From Your Boss
This is no time to be slacking off at work, but if you're tired of your coworkers and boss peering over your shoulder to see what's on your monitor, you might need Double Vision. The free download allows you to browse the Web using a 'transparent' screen.Other features include:* Web video viewer* Click through video* Transparent web* Quick Hide* Auto Mute on Quick Hide* Double Vision Mode* Custom transparency levelsProceed at your own risk. Now get back to work! … [Read more...] about Hide Your Computer Screen From Your Boss
Zumeo: Live Resumes, Networking & Assessment Tool
Every day it seems like there is a new job site to check out. With an ever-increasing number of people out of work, networking and job searching are definitely very popular Web searches. One relatively new site that may show up in a search is Zumeo. It has been talked about on sites like Cheezhead and TechCrunch, and it will likely continue to get press due to an increased focus on the social networking aspect of the job search.Zumeo is a combination job search and social networking site, and a great line on the site reads, "Zumeo: Come for the jobs, stay for the networking." To get a better feel for the site, I decided to create an account and see if it was anything like the dozens of other sites I've tried in the past. Well, it certainly was different! After providing the requisite education/work experience (used to create a "Live Resume"), I was invited to discover my strengths through a career assessment test. The test consisted of several questions regarding jobs I enjoy, … [Read more...] about Zumeo: Live Resumes, Networking & Assessment Tool
How I Found My Job During the Recession
After getting laid off, I entered my own personal “Unemploymentality”. And unfortunately, I didn’t immediately find the silver lining. Instead I retreated to the biggest pity party I had ever thrown myself. What finally woke me up from my coma?An impromptu phone interview that resulted in an in-person interview (remember I almost acted desperate on my first interview?). This ultimately transpired into...a JOB!I wish that I could give you some grand story about how I left my last job embracing the pink slip in hand, smiling and skipping into a fierce and determined frenzy that culminated into a newer, shinier, and prettier occupation.Instead, it was the hard work I did in the few weeks prior to the actual layoff. Once I entered the world of unemployment, I pretty much fit the stereotype down to the bath robed drone staring off into the television.So what beautiful words of wisdom do I have to leave my fellow pink-slippers? What magic key is there to unlock the door to … [Read more...] about How I Found My Job During the Recession
Why the Obama Salary Cap Is Lame
Those ever-so-popular executive compensation packages have been in the news quite a bit lately thanks to President Obama's decision to force companies to limit the amount of money they give to bank executives if that bank gets a bailout check. I think it's a bad idea for companies or the government to limit executive pay (although I may be the only one), and here's why.So Long, SuckersThink about this. Imagine that you are one of those highly-paid executives, and your company suddenly adopts a plan that will limit your pay. Now you have a choice. You can either stay at your current job and get less pay, or you can move to a company down the road that would love to get your skills working for them (and they will be paying a premium for your services). What are you going to do? We both know that you're going to move to the new company for more pay. Why would you expect an executive to do anything different?You Get What You Pay ForIf you want a good, top-shelf executive to run your … [Read more...] about Why the Obama Salary Cap Is Lame
Just Like a First Date, Leave Desperation Out of a First Interview
It holds all the same signs. Sweaty palms, rambling stories, nervous laughter, and in some unfortunate situations, begging and pleading.Sounds like a desperate first date, right?Sadly, I found myself precariously on the brink of desperation during my first interview since joining the Pink Slip Brigade. With job security and stability suddenly at its highest premium to me, I was practically salivating at this managerial position working for a state-funded university.As I sat in the front office awaiting a turn to impress my future bosses, I realized that I quickly needed to calm myself down. Here is how I turned from desperate to playing hard to get.1. Interviews are about confidence and highlighting your attributes as they relate to the intended position. Trying to convince your boss that “you’ll do anything necessary to get the job done” sounds desperate and somewhat slutty in comparison to telling them exactly what you think needs to be changed to get the job done … [Read more...] about Just Like a First Date, Leave Desperation Out of a First Interview
Work Is On Infinite Repeat
What's up with all of the repeating? Lately I've noticed that too many people - young people - repeat themselves again and again. We all know repetition has a distinct persuasive effect on us. That's why kindergarten teachers and fast food restaurants go back to the well so many times in a row.But when it comes to the world of work, and everyday interactions, too many people are repeating themselves.Here are reasons not to repeat.- You bore me, and I'm already bored enough.- You lose credibility. I start to think you don't care who you're talking to, you're just talking for the sake of talking.- You are not Dylan Thomas and have no reason to distinguish free verse from prose.- Your motives are transparent. You are trying to convince me of something but I am on to you, therefore, I will not change my mind.- Repetition creates familiarity, but familiarity breeds contempt! Just cause you shove it front of my face again and again doesn't mean I'll buy it.If I happen to repeat a message, … [Read more...] about Work Is On Infinite Repeat
Going Home for Lunch: A Recipe for Stress?
Does anyone out there know what percent of office workers go home for lunch? It's something I always wanted in my work-life, and now that I have it, I'm not convinced it's all I thought it was cracked up to be.It takes me between 12 and 22 minutes in each direction--short enough to be a viable option, but long enough to make it not worth my time.We've talked about the downside of living too close to the office. But now let's see if there's a real benefit in heading home for lunch.Read more of my blog post at US News and World Report. … [Read more...] about Going Home for Lunch: A Recipe for Stress?
Is That a Pearl or Just Sand in Your Crack?
We all know that pearls are found in oysters. We also know that pearls are very valuable. However, do you know how a pearl is really created? An irritant (such as sand) gets inside the shell, and the oyster releases a chemical to coat the foreign particle. After many, many coatings, the piece of irritating material has become a pearl! Now, have you ever sat in the sand on a beach and gotten sand inside your clothing? It is quite uncomfortable! Imagine how the oyster feels not being able to get the sand out of its shell.Those two ideas can also be related to your career. Have you ever had a great idea or a desire to do something important with your life? Is it a business idea? A dream to work at another company? A desire to retire early and sit on the beach (in a sand-proof suit, of course)? That's your piece of sand. Now, instead of just letting it irritate you until you can't stand it any longer, treat that irritant like an oyster would. Use it. Grow it. Make it a focus of your life.I … [Read more...] about Is That a Pearl or Just Sand in Your Crack?
Super Bowl Ad Roundup 2009: Jobs & Careers
The economy is all jacked up. The country seems like it's on an out of control freight train heading towards a 10% unemployment rate.I can't get a raise. You can't get a new job.But some companies out there have $3 million to spend on 30 seconds. The Super Bowl might be over, and by this time next year no one will remember who won. But will you remember any of the ads...even tomorrow?! The fatwalleted companies who broke the bank certainly hope you do.Here are our thoughts on the work-related job and career stuff. As always, your thoughts are welcome in the comments section below. Check out an audio recap below and don't forget to use those Sick Days! Direct DownloadCareerBuilder.comThese guys need to throw in the towel already, as their Super Bowl commercials get less funny each year.The concept is things to look for to figure out if you need a new job. From a woman screaming in her car in the work parking lot, to a toe-picking, Speedo-wearing co-worker, the ad illustrates … [Read more...] about Super Bowl Ad Roundup 2009: Jobs & Careers