Career Advice

Even if your employer doesn't have a program in place to pay for continuing education, you still have a shot of getting them to foot the bill for an advanced degree.  Sometimes, all you have to do is ask. Your boss might even be willing to pay for GMAT prep as well as credit-based courses. In this blog entry we're going to address requesting an online degree since they are A) more convenient for you and your employer B) becoming more widely accepted C) we get a lot of e-mails questioning their validity. Here are some things to know before you decide you're going to ask your job to pay for an online course: KNOW YOUR EMPLOYER Before approaching your boss, it is of paramount importance to understand the state of your company.  Are economic times lean?  Is a massive reorganization underway?  These could be hindrances or they could help you structure a solid case.  The key is to have an idea of what is happening internally at the organization and use it to … [Read more...] about Get Your Employer to Pay for an Online Degree

Career Protection, an agency that offers employees counseling on negotiating better benefits, severance pay, and retirement packages, has released its Annual Layoffs Forecast for 2008, and it ain't pretty.Over 1,375 corporate executives nationwide completed the confidential annual survey regarding workforce reduction plans (Survey conducted January 2-25, 2008).  And the results yielded a 37% increase in companies planning layoffs and reductions in their workforce this year - the  worst such forecast in five years.With the economy on the verge of a recession, if it isn't already there, grim layoff news is not a surprise. However, now is an excellent time to remind you that in some cases, severance packages are negotiable.  Upon accepting one, a company will expect you to sign a General Release of Legal Claims in exchange for the package, this is your leverage.  While we've never personally used Career Protection or similar services, with the job market in a state of … [Read more...] about Severe Job Cuts Loom in 2008

The two seconds you get to generate an initial feeling in someone is HUGE. Sure, you can change their minds with subsequent interaction, but a first impression has the power to stay with someone for life.  For example, when I met my wife (about 12 years ago) I thought she was a gangster chick and she thought I was a Puerto Rican player.  After one date I quickly discovered that she was a school-teaching softie and she learned I'm about as Rican as Christian Hans Andersen.  So much for first impressions.We were able to debunk the myths we had created in our minds by simply spending some time together. Unfortunately, you might never get to that point with a potential employer.   Similarly, famous people are often judged on exchanges that take up mere seconds of their lives.  That's why you'll often hear strong opinions from people after they've had an encounter with a star, "He was so nice and down to earth."Why?  Because he signed an … [Read more...] about Lessons From the Stars: First Impressions

This is a guest blog post by job hunter Sally Lawton. Career Websites make it seem as if all you have to do is post your resume, and abracadabra, the phone will be ringing off the hook with glamorous job offers. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. Checking the count of employers viewing my resume on Monster makes it very clear that job seekers must dust off their offline job skills in order to make the internet job search work for them.  For all of the pizazz that career websites offer, it is ultimately the tried and true methods of pounding the pavement, networking, and polishing your resume that will guarantee success. Indeed, those who maintain these skills will have the most success with all aspects of their job search, both online and off. I was reminded of this quite unexpectedly during my most recent, and successful, job search.As any self-respecting Internet nerd would, I began my job search online. I posted my resume to several career Websites, both traditional and … [Read more...] about The Online Job Search Is Not Enough

If you're like the Jobacle gang you're likely living paycheck to paycheck. What if we told you that there's a way to save money while you're at work. You'll hardly be able to retire young, but you can set yourself up for some financial wiggle room. Here are some helpful penny-pinching MoneyHacks: Buy In Bulk – The vending machine at work charges $1 for a bottle of water. For the price of three I can buy a 24-pack at the local supermarket. Water often goes on sale for $3.99 for two dozen. Even if you don't want to wait for a sale that standard price is usually $5.99. Either way, it's better than visiting the vending machine. It doesn't have to stop with water. Other good items to buy in bulk include cereal, tea or any other item you like to snack on. Never Order In – Aside from the obvious expense of tax and tip for the delivery person, it's commonplace to overpay for your food when a work group orders in. Bringing food from home will not only save you money, … [Read more...] about WorkHack: Save Money While at Work

When it comes to work, many of us have the same resolutions.  We figured we'd save you the time and type them up for you. If you truly want to get your career on the right track or just have a better attitude towards work, we recommend you start off slow, picking one or two of the items below and building from there.Set a Deadline on "Perfecting" Your ResumeThe longer you wait to send it out, the longer it will take you to land a new job. You need to get it error-free but not at the expense of never finishing it. Resumes are fluid. Do not be afraid to hit the send button.Narrow Down What You Want to DoJust saying that you want a new job is a temporary solution. You must ask yourself the hard questions. You also need to rely on family and friends to give you an unbiased view at what you are good (and not so good) at.Stop Reading This WebsiteOk. I really don't want you to give up your Jobacle addiction but I would like you to take more action and do less research. Trolling … [Read more...] about 13 Career Resolutions for YOU in 2008

 A new year is upon us and that means it's time for the Official Sick Day Calendar from your friends at Jobacle.  Get your excuses ready now!  Remember, only a sucker loses days at the end the year!BLACK Calendar   //  WHITE Calendar Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: You have a dream. And it's four straight days away from your boss's ugly mug and Microsoft Outlook. Call in sick on Friday, January 18 and Tuesday, January 22.  Winter's in full swing and the "flu" is hard to fight.  Make MLK proud!Valentine's Day: Romance has a price. You'll be oozing so much love that a full 24 hours to recover is in order. Get the sniffles so you can snuggle on Friday, February 15.President's Day: Honor thy country. Since you didn't even know Hayes and Tyler were presidents, you better take off Friday, February 15 and Tuesday, February 19 to study.  I sense a headache.And for those of you with big cajones, you can bridge Valentine's Day and President's Day … [Read more...] about Sick Day Calendar 2008

Are you buying a gift for your boss this holiday season?  I’m not.  And I actually like the guy. I am a big believer that employees should NOT buy their bosses holiday gifts. Every year we all wrestle with the issue of who to buy for at the office and what to get them.  Here are some rules and reminders that will hopefully alleviate some of the holiday pressure.DO IT PRIVATELY: If you plan to give a gift to your boss or a colleague it should be done privately.  Public displays of gift giving open you up to criticism and judgment.“Oh my God, did you see what a kiss ass Andrew is?”“He didn’t tell me he was giving XYZ a gift!”“That’s all he spent?”Gift giving is a personal choice that should come from your heart.  Do your best to keep it quiet and personal.LEARN THE CULTURE: The holidays can be particularly difficult if you’re the newbie at the office, as you have no idea what to expect.  Rookies … [Read more...] about Office Gift-Giving Rules and Reminders

The world's population is roughly 6.6 billion people according to Wikipedia. Despite the enormity of that number, there are a disproportionately lower number of outward personality traits one can display; i.e. - the wallflower, the overachiever, the comedian, the bully, etc.  Unless you work in an office of only three people, you likely work with people that encapsulate a good assortment of these characteristics.Out of these traits, the one that fascinates me the most is the over-opinionated know-it-all that loves to share his or her opinion as fact. You know the type.  They catch you in a break room and give you the lowdown on politics or the problem with today's music or the key to the Jets failed season.  Or, if you're really unlucky, they'll chew off your ear on a multitude of subjects. Their focus is usually on what they see as a problem, and their conviction often comes off as arrogance.Not only do they know everything, they also love to unload this … [Read more...] about How to Avoid a Know-It-All at Work