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It seems like almost every career blog and Web site offers up the same recycled advice.  As our regular readers and listeners know, Jobacle dot com tries its best to bring you a unique take in an already over-crowded genre.Notice how the same "writers" and bloggers show up in all the same places?  All they do is troll each others blogs looking to riff on the same tired topics.  We're not going to name names.  You know who you are.  And so do most of your readers.With that said, we are calling on career bloggers to issue a fresh voice.  We kindly request you join in on a joint post, "The Best Career Advice You've Never Heard." We don't want to hear how you should never burn bridges and how you should always maintain eye contact - quite the contrary.  Share some out-of-the-box concepts and explain how they could actually help a career.  They can reflect a sense of humor.  The only criteria is that your item is different, … [Read more...] about Career Bloggers: Dare to Be Different

According to a new survey conducted by ExecuNet, a career-networking firm for executives, IT and sales pros are not very happy at work.  But guess who is: HR.  Maybe it's all of those raises and extra vacation days they keep approving for themselves.Based on 2,149 executives earning an average salary of $221,000, the survey turned up the following.  Here's the % who say they are "satisfied" with their current gig:HR = 67% CFOs = 63% Marketing = 44%Sales = 42%IT = 41%It doesn't really surprise me that the majority of people are not satisfied at work. What does surprise me is that the tech world is at the bottom.   The top five reasons cited for dissatisfaction included limited advancement opportunities (13 percent), lack of challenge/personal growth (both at 13 percent), differences with culture (10 percent), "boss not a good match" (10 percent) and compensation (9 percent). Why are HR pros so darn happy?  Is it the power to hire and … [Read more...] about Why Is HR So Darn Happy?

Here are some quickie reminders on how to make your life a little less stressful.  Even if you only pluck a single nugget from the list below - you'll be better off! 1. Get up 15 minutes earlier in the morning. The inevitable morning mishaps will be less stressful. 2. Prepare for the morning the evening before.  Set the breakfast table. Make lunches. Put out the clothes you plan to wear, etc. 3. Don't rely on your memory. Write down appointment times, when to pick up the laundry, when library books are due, etc. ("The palest ink is better than the most retentive memory."- Old Chinese Proverb) 4. Do nothing you have to lie about later. 5. Make copies of all keys. Bury a house key in a secret spot in the garden. Carry a duplicate car key in your wallet, apart from your key ring. 6. Practice preventive maintenance. Your car, appliances, home and relationships will be less likely to break down "at the worst possible moment." 7. Be prepared to wait. A paperback book can … [Read more...] about 50 Easy Ways to Reduce Stress

 What if everyone in the country had to spend one week of the year living on minimum wage?On July 24, 2007 The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 will become law - raising the federal minimum wage in 3 increments: to $5.85 per hour 60 days after enactment (July 24, 2007), to $6.55 per hour 12 months after that (July 24, 2008), and finally to $7.25 per hour 12 months after that (July 24, 2009).$5.85 an hour.$205 a week before taxes.$12,000 annual gross.Sure, 13 states already have it set higher then the federal rate - but c'mon!Respect the people who make the world move.  If we try living on their salary for just a week, I guarantee we'll have a new respect for the minimum wage employee.Are you ready for the Jobacle.com Minimum Wage Challenge?We don't want to make this overly complicated. So if you decide to participate you can still live in your house and pay your mortgage.  You can still get behind the wheel of your SUV.  And yes, if there's a medical emergency, you can … [Read more...] about Bloggers: Take the Minimum Wage Challenge