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Sitting at my desk.  Minding my own business.  And then it hit.  A smell that was like no other.  Fortunately, I've never smelled a dead body in my life.  But I imagine it smelling something like this.Apparently, it's called natto.  And it got the whole office talking.  In fact, I don't think that poor Asian girl I work with is ever coming back.A Google search turned up that natto is a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans.  Man, I like soy - but this stuff is rancid. Seriously, we're all so distracted now that it's impossible to work.Granted, if our bastard employers gave us the lunch hour we deserve, eating at your desk would be a non-issue.Do you think certain foods should be banned from the office?  I've got my list below (by no means complete!) and I'd love to hear from you.   Visit the message board to join the conversation.Natto (a new reason to bring up an old topic!)EggsTunaSalamiAny type of nuked … [Read more...] about Should Offices Ban Smelly Foods?

A clear desk means a clear mind.  It also means a quick exit!  But that doesn't mean you don't have room for some personal items.  We're anchored to our desks for the majority of the day - so we might as well make the best of it. Here are some personal items that I have found very useful to keep on my desk.  Your results may vary.  I'd love for you to share your ideas in the comments section below. And this is the kind of stuff you won't mind leaving behind if you ever get fired!Plant This Did you know that the large seed in the center of a papaya can turn into the perfect office plant?  Aside from giving you a boost of oxygen, a plant is something that can still thrive - even as your career dies! To learn more about the benefits of desk plants and what kind will work for you, listen to episode #42 of the Working Podcast.Breathing ReminderPut a tiny symbol in your field of vision (mine is on my monitor) that serves no other purpose than remind you to take … [Read more...] about 9 Positive Items for Your Desk in '07

Start the year off right - plan your sick days now! Print the official calendar and get your excuses ready.  Only a sucker loses days at the end of the year!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 12 and Tuesday, January 16.  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 Thursday, 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 16 and Tuesday, February 20 to study.  I sense a headache.  *And for those of you with big cajones, you can bridge Valentine's Day and President's Day for a mini six-day festivus.Easter: It can't be "Good" Friday if you have to … [Read more...] about Official 2007 Sick Day Calendar

U.S. News & World Report has published the "Get-Ahead Careers for 2007."  You can find the article on Yahoo - but quite honestly, we feel it's a waste of time.  It's the same recycled list that you get every year.  With amazing advice such as:"Many experts predict further terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. If that should happen, watch for a hiring boom in the areas affected. A cyberterrorist attack, for instance, would produce lots of jobs for computer-security experts. If the water supply gets poisoned, toxicologists will suddenly be in high demand."Genius!"Immigration. The growth in America's Hispanic population seems likely to skyrocket, creating a virtually unlimited demand for translators, English-as-a-second-language teachers, and bilingual workers in healthcare and the legal system.Brilliant!!Don't get me wrong, many of the career sites have some great stuff to offer.  And when they do, we'll let you know about it.  But it's … [Read more...] about Yawn. Get-Ahead Careers for 2007.

Today's history lesson! ;-) THE STAPLER: It holds together TPS reports and keeps down the carpet.  We can thank the analness of King Louis XIV of France for these "fastenating" devices.  Apparently, he insisted that the insignia of the royal court be inscribed with what came to be known as staples.  As the use of paper picked up steam in the 19th century, Samuel Slocum created a device that stuck pins through paper to keep it together.  Since momma didn't raise no fool, he was awarded U.S. Patent No. 56, 587.  Thankfully, staplers are about 2.5 pounds lighter than their predecessors - but that doesn't stop that last damn staple from jamming every time. THE PAPERCLIP: File this under 'anyone could have thought of that.' A thin wire bent into a looped shape that holds papers together via pressure.  The kick in the nuts is that the paperclip's inventor apparently WAS raised by a fool: he never got a patent.  However, that didn't stop the Gem … [Read more...] about The History of Common Desk Items

Santa hooked you up.  You got sweaters, watches, and shiny new shoes.  Sure you're lookin' sharp - but you still have to report to that same dead end job tomorrow.  Your family should have known better (haven't you complained enough?) and bought you what you really need: something to save you from cubicle misery.  Hopefully you got some cash.  If so, here are four ways to spend it to get your career on the right track.Resume RevampYou never could get those bullet points lined up right. If you are leaking onto a second page and you're only on your third job, it might be time for a re-write.  It's a small investment considering you can make that money back in a single paycheck.  Don't shrink that font to an 8-point, let a stranger make you sound a whole lot better than you are!  *Listen in on the 01.07.07 relaunch of the WP for your chance to win a CV overhaul!Career Counselor SessionsStop talking and start doing!  A good career … [Read more...] about 4 Ways to Spend X-mas Cash on Your Career

The end of the year means that every organization under the sun asks 10 people what think about something and then publishes the results.  Check out a quick roundup of recent career surveys below.  But first, allow us to spank your ass raw for not using all of your vacation days.  Congratulations America, you wasted 574 million vacation days in 2006!  Are you proud?  Seriously people, make 2007 the year you grow a sack.  No excuses.  If we don't take advantage of the little our employers give us - we get what we deserve.   It's YOUR time.  No guilt, no pay back, no thinking about "what are they gonna do while I'm gone."  I'll tell you what they'll do.  The planet will continue to spin and your company will be AOK.  #s: 58% Vow to Network More 75% Will Look for a New Job 69% Avoid Crucial Conversations32% Fake Illness to Get Out of Work62% of HR Folks Think Good Candidates Are FadingShame on those who … [Read more...] about U.S. Wasted 574 Million Vacation Days in '06!

Odds are you're all gifted out and getting ready to focus your attention on 2007 and the obligatory New Year's resolutions.  Listen, you'll still eat like a pig when no one is looking, you'll never exercise regularly and you'll still park like an asshole.The GOOD news is that a new study shows that almost 75% of people who make career resolutions actually keep them.  Rather then give you the typical "brush up that resume" type resolution, our resident career counselors are hard at work preparing a great segment for our podcast relaunch on 01.01.07 that will give you some fresh and new things to strive for.Making resolutions is easy.  Keeping them is hard.  Here are some tips from Online Recruitment Magazine on sticking to your guns and making 2007 the best year ever!1. Choose a resolution that’s meaningful. Resolve comes easier when it is focused on something specific. Forget your list of 10, go with two! 2. Be realistic. Everyone has setbacks, so … [Read more...] about 5 Surefire Ways to KEEP Your Resolutions