Earlier this week I begged for your help. My boss insists that my tie knot be knotted high and tight, resulting in the suffocation of your humble blogger.Straight out of the 'things could always be worse' chapter, check out how China's paramilitary paramilitary police are forced to roll.Nothing like a pins in your collar to perfect posture.Read more about uniform torture here. … [Read more...] about Cruel and Unusual Dress Code
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5 Ways to Invest Your Tax Rebate Check Into Your Career
For the 130 million households receiving an economic stimulus check, it's a very exciting time. You are probably daydreaming of new furniture, a new bathing suit for the summer or perhaps that 'can't miss' diet plan. Whatever your refund dreams, set aside part of it to put back into your career. Just as Prince told us to party like its 1999, invest your money into your career like we’re in a recession. How, you say? Here are a few ideas: 1. Buy a new suit. That suit you bought for your first interview has lost a few buttons over the years (or decades), and yes, everyone notices. If your profession doesn’t require a suit, spring for the required outfit to spruce up your appearance.2. Purchase a relevant career book. If you want to get ahead, career-focused and motivational books can lend a helping hand. Even if after graduating high school/college you made a vow to never read again, some rules were made to be broken.- … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Invest Your Tax Rebate Check Into Your Career
WorkHack: Buy YOURNAME.me
Starting today, domain names with a dot me extension will be sold for the first time to the general public. Originally reserved for the tiny nation of Montenegro (extra points if you can spot it on a map), the country has decided to ride the social networking wave by removing previous restrictions on .me domain name ownership. Smart move. After suffering financial losses of over $6 billion in the late 90s, the dot me revolution could help the territory dig out of debt.Domain registration service EnCirca will be facilitating the sale process and has announced the following roll out schedule:* May 6 - May 20, 2008: General Sunrise* May 20 - June 6, 2008: Quiet Period* June 6 - June 26, 2008: Land Rush* June 26 - July 17, 2008: Quiet Period* July 17, 2008: Open RegistrationI would recommend marking July 17 on your calendar today. That's the day you would be wise to purchase YOURNAME.me. It's a natural fit for an online resume and a smart way to take ownership … [Read more...] about WorkHack: Buy YOURNAME.me
My Necktie Is Killing Me Slowly (and other fashion tales)
Way back when I remember an interview with a rock star. I don't remember who it was, but I vividly remember his answer to a question.Q: What sets famous people apart from 'regular' people.A: Tailored clothingThink about it. Even when the stars wear absurd looking clothing, it always seems to fit right.This rocker's secret was having his measurements taken in the U.S. and then having his clothes custom made overseas. In his words, it actually worked out to be cheaper than buying from your local chain store. Proving that point is new Website IndoChino. These guys will custom-tailor non-designer suits (made in China) starting at $199. Not sure if my washed up rocker friend is behind this great idea.Speaking of clothes fitting right...I need your help with a serious problem, Every day I'm being suffocated. Perhaps you read about my anticlimactic promotion. Well since then, my boss has been riding me about my tie know. I'm NOT kidding. I … [Read more...] about My Necktie Is Killing Me Slowly (and other fashion tales)
Jobs That Can Give You a Heart Attack
When asked to list the most dangerous jobs, my mind immediately thinks of those that require physical labor: deep-sea fisherman, loggers, miners, and even pilots. Just as the workplace is changing to a more virtual environment, the dangers are changing from physical to mental. The New York Times recently had an article that named blogging as a dangerous profession after three well-known bloggers suffered heart attacks. Well of course this scared me a bit, being a blogger myself, so I decided to do some research. Stress has been the buzz word for quite a few years now and subsequently is changing the list of “jobs that are most likely to kill you.” While deep sea Alaskan fishermen and lion trainers still rank on top, other unlikely jobs are joining the list because of stress. A Canadian study completed last October showed that there was a definite link between job stress and heart problems, confirming what most knew all along. So what are … [Read more...] about Jobs That Can Give You a Heart Attack
I've Seen the Future of Online Job Hunting
I can be a fairly critical guy. I'm not afraid to identify things I don't like about something. I say this because the latest site I'm reviewing I am truly very impressed with. I have difficulty identifying a major flaw. The site is called JobScore.com. The purpose of the site is to connect job seekers with employers. "So what? There are hundreds of websites trying to do the same thing," you may say. What sets JobScore apart is the innovative technology integrated into the site. The innovation is not just for the sake of innovation, but has a clear correlation to increased usability for each party involved. Simply put, the site looks incredible and has some outstanding features that set the bar for the future of job hunting online. The gist of the site is this: you upload your resume to the site. The software identifies important information from your resume and creates a profile on the site for you. You then fill in the profile with more specific information. You can … [Read more...] about I've Seen the Future of Online Job Hunting
Common Office Body Language
Last week I noticed a rather plump-looking lady rimming a glass with her big sausage finger, whilst intermittently and seductively glancing at me. She was also twirling her long blonde hair with the index finger of her other hand. So I did what any extremely intoxicated man would do. I brought that chunky honey home and fell asleep on her back moments before intercourse. This experience opened my eyes to a whole new hidden underlying world. It conjured up the notion in me that people can be read and understood simply by their body language. So, after some quick research and a lot of unscientific induction, I have arrived at this...4 ways to utilize body language in the work place. Mirroring In body language terms, the word mirroring basically means adopting the identical gestures and postures of the person with whom you are speaking. This copying is a means by which one person “tells” the other that he is in agreement with his ideas and attitudes. This knowledge … [Read more...] about Common Office Body Language
Office Chair Racing Goes Outdoors
What happens when you head downhill and race over a ramp in your office chair? Seventy participants christened the inaugural German Office Chair Racing Championship. We're already working on the Jobacle Chair Prix to bring this magical event to the U.S. So grease those wheels and stay tuned! … [Read more...] about Office Chair Racing Goes Outdoors
The Secret to Polishing Shoes, Quickly
As a kid, I vividly recall dad sitting on the side of the bed, methodically laying out a series of tools. Included were a cloth, a wire brush, a small tin and a bottle of liquid. What the heck was all that stuff?Bring some old-school good business sense back to the work game, without the mess and the all of the tools. Totally portable and entirely fool-proof, Shine to Go shoe polisher is the latest tool you need to add to your arsenal for career success.I'm one of those unlucky blokes, who despite my limited interaction with the outside world, must be strangled daily by a necktie. That means nothing less than spit-shined shoes will do. But it never works out that way. My shirts are nice and pressed. My tie is knotted to perfection. And my favorite Cole Haan shoes look like I walked through the forest to get to work.But a clean, well-groomed, tailored look undoubtedly commands respect. According to FHM Magazine, 89% of men in the U.S. and … [Read more...] about The Secret to Polishing Shoes, Quickly
Government Workers Love Office Bingo
Our nation's desk-bound civil servants have too much time on their hands. While casually checking the Jobacle traffic logs from the past few months I noticed an alarming trend:Government workers love to play Office Bingo. Hundreds of them!For some reason, the little game we devised last year, has clearly resonated with folks logging on from a .gov computer.If you're bored at work, we kindly ask you to play along too!DOWNLOAD BINGO CARDAn ApologyWith the warmer weather cloaking NY, I'm having a little trouble keeping my blog/podcast focus. It could be my anti-climactic promotion at my "real" job, or my never-ending house hunt. Or, perhaps, just the distraction of girls in their summer clothes. Who knows. We are however working on some great future content. From the secret of the perfect shoe shine to a look at the "coolest" jobs on the planet, please subscribe now so you don't miss a beat. … [Read more...] about Government Workers Love Office Bingo