He got his start laying pipe for the Atlas Water and Sewer company. Eventually, he climbed the ranks, becoming responsible for a staff of 800 and annual revenue exceeding $120 million. His name is Victor Kipling. This is his weekly column. As the late, great Lee Marvin tells his Dirty Dozen, 'there is no escape, there is no appeal.' And so it goes for all of us, as we're constantly bombarded with the political bluster and bombast that yet another presidential primary season brings. Thanks to media super-saturation, be it on the blogosphere, in print or on the tube, they all provide the same inanities, day after tiresome day. We now see and hear these three potential candidates running between venues, imploring, pleading, demanding and sometimes even whining, doing almost everything they can in order to get our support. And all on our uncomplaining dime, no less. One can almost feel sorry for these three, 'cause, and whether you support one or the other, or none … [Read more...] about The Longest Job Interview Ever
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Know Your Employer Before You Accept a Gig
While we're not quite sure that the world needs another Website that allows employees to spill the beans on their current and former employers, we'll tell you about JobBite anyway. Cause any career destination that helps put the power back into the hands of the job seeker is a good thing.JobBite is completely anonymous and does not require users to register to read or submit reviews. The reviews are designed to provide potential employees with insight about an organization that they might otherwise not be privy to. From corporate culture to the dress code, share any information you feel would be helpful in assisting a job seeker make an educated decision. Companies are found on the Website via search box or alphabetical listing.As with all sites of this nature, success lies with you, the user. If JobBite quickly accumulates a mass amount of reviews, they have a fighting chance. … [Read more...] about Know Your Employer Before You Accept a Gig
Calling In Sick? Schedule an E-Mail
These days, some employers feel it is acceptable to call in sick via e-mail. (Which really makes it e-mailing in sick). While we at Jobacle don't necessarily agree with the practice, we want to alert you about a new tool that could help you sleep late on these days you play hooky.LetterMeLater is a free service that allows you to write e-mails, using your existing e-mail address, and schedule delivery when you desire. Just pick the day and time and your e-mail will be sent.Potential uses include:- E-mail your boss at 4am. 'I've been throwing up all night...'- Set up invoices to clients to auto send so you don't forget.- Schedule regular e-mails to staff members.Fear not. The recipient has no way of knowing that the received message was scheduled. Your e-mail address appears as the return address.This tool can eliminate the annoyance of setting your alarm early to contact the office. Use with caution. Texting and e-mailing sick into work can be shaky … [Read more...] about Calling In Sick? Schedule an E-Mail
The Early Bird Gets Promoted
Your morning commute is packed with many variables, most of which you can't control. What you do have power over is when you wake up and when you leave your house. Giving yourself a healthy time cushion to arrive at the office early has many benefits.You'll Be More Relaxed: Rushing to get to work on time starts your day off on a stressful note. Being able to get organized in the morning, plan your day and prepare for tasks that lie ahead are elements that will make you feel better prepared, thus reducing stress.Good Practice: Ever have that one friend who always shows up late? And every time they do, you get pissed off because it's a clear disrespect for your time. You never want to be viewed as 'that guy.' Not by friends, family or an employer. Showing up early sends a message that you value other people's time and it...Shows You Care: Aside from being a good human being and an example for others, coming in to work early everyday will set a consistent tone, a quality upper … [Read more...] about The Early Bird Gets Promoted
Rules for the Last Two Weeks of Work
How to Leave a Job the Right WayAfter months of endless resume submissions, you finally aced that interview and scored a gig that pays you $9k more a year. Good for you! You're already dreaming about those final two weeks at your current job. You'll tell people how you really feel. And if they ask you to do something annoying, you'll be damned if you grin and bare it.Not smart.The final two weeks at a job are never easy. There are many psychological issues at play - including detachment - coming from both you AND your colleagues. It never ceases to amaze me how differently people tend to act when you're on the way out. Be ready for it.Some folks will be genuinely happy for you. Others will be downright jealous. You must keep in mind that you had the courage/luck to get out of the trenches. Those who are still there are reminded that they are "stuck." Believe it or not, most people do not have the initiative to make a … [Read more...] about Rules for the Last Two Weeks of Work
Be Held Accountable for Career Goals
This is a guest blog post by Sally Lawton. Company: Stickk.com Slogan: Take a Contract Out on Yourself Pro: Provides scientifically backed methods for sticking to commitments Con: Are you really willing to stake money on a resolution? Make a promise to find a new job, finish a degree on time, or learn a new professional skill, and most of the time, it’ll never happen. There is a lot going against simply resolving something for yourself, but Stickk.com is out to change that. Developed by researchers at Yale University, Stickk creates contracts with yourself, and lets you create the incentive to finish. While the focus is on smoking cessation, fitness, and weight loss, users can create a plan to meet professional goals, too. Let’s say your plan is to find a better job. You create either a one-shot contract with a firm dead date to find a job in six months, or an ongoing contract to submit 10 resumes a week. For encouragement, you choose a referee. This person – a close … [Read more...] about Be Held Accountable for Career Goals
Top 25 Careers to Pursue in a Recession
Gambling? Prostitution? Alcohol? Nope, it's not another trip to Vegas. Those are vices that might keep you employed if we hit a full-blown recession here in the United States. As times get tough, the gang ar HR World want to keep you working. Check out their list of the Top 25 Careers to Pursue in a Recession.To check out more links that can help make work better, visit the Career Filter for resources mentioned on the Working Podcast. … [Read more...] about Top 25 Careers to Pursue in a Recession
Office Approved: Sex, Politics, Religion
In many ways, it seems that everything comes in threes. For example, there's the trinity, the trifecta, the three musketeers, the three blind mice, the triple crown...and bookoo more. And yet, as diverse as all of these 'threes' are, the one thing that they do have in common is the almost mystical quality that this number possesses. Which brings us to the ominous, but age-old adage, and that is that we are always warned to avoid talking about any of 'the three no-nos'; religion, sex or politics, while at work. The clear implication, of course, is that if you get caught discussing these in any but the most plain vanilla way, it won't even take three strikes to be out...And the PC police where you work will be more than happy (in fact, it's their specialty) to be (you guessed it, but another trio) judge, jury and executioner, if they think that you violated their set of ever-expanding rules and regulations.It is certainly ironic, not to say damned undemocratic, that we have to be so … [Read more...] about Office Approved: Sex, Politics, Religion
Exercise at Work With a Treadmill Desk?
Can you type and walk at the same time? I'm not talking about thumbing your portable device as you walk into work. I'm talking about walking while you tap on your keyboard and paw at your mouse.The creators of the Walkstation certainly hope you were born with the ability to multi-task.In what's possible the world's first truly "portable" office, the Workstation is exactly what it sounds like, a treadmill with a built-in work surface.Topping out at 2mph, and constructed with a whisper-quiet motor, you'll be able to burn calories without distracting your co-workers. That is, of course, assuming that they won't be jarred by the fact that you're walking in place all day.Since one of Jobacle's missions is to Make Work Better, it's difficult for us to mock something that adds an additional layer of personal development to the place where we spend the majority of our time. So while my instinct just wants to laugh at the thing, I won't knock it until I try it. … [Read more...] about Exercise at Work With a Treadmill Desk?
Jobacle Podcast Booms! Your Feedback Needed
Every few weeks I deliver a post that reveals The State of Jobacle. I believe this transparency helps forge a tighter relationship with our readers.- The Jobacle blog continues to grow, drawing in over 10k unique visitors a month.- The Working Podcast is experiencing a tremendous resurgence, totaling over 60k downloads in February alone. Wow!- Please, please, please take four seconds (literally!) to give us high marks.- I've been toying with the idea of revamping Jobacle to a more magazine-type Web style. Preview the testing site and let me know what you think. I'm undecided. Your feedback will determine what happens.- One of our regular bloggers, Sally Lawton, is moving on to greener pastures. If you are interested in filling her post, check out some of her work here and drop me an e-mail at jobacle (at) gmail (dot) com.- So far in 2008, the top five posts are:How to (Not) Write a Goodbye Letter to Your Co-Workers8 Types of Office Crushes2008 Sick Day CalendarOffice Animals: … [Read more...] about Jobacle Podcast Booms! Your Feedback Needed