They're hard to ask for - but essential to the job search. Or are they? Certified career coaches Christine and Jen from Make the Leap answer all of your reference letter questions. When to ask. Who to ask. How important are they? Do they expire? Direct Download And for you super lazy blokes, you can generate fake reference letters here. … [Read more...] about A to Z on Reference Letters
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101 Ways to Get Fired: Book Giveaway
We'll make this simple. We've got five copies of a neat little book, "101 Ways to Get Fired" by David Cordell. It's jampacked with humor, fake name plates, phony business cards, etc. All you have to do is contact me and give me some feedback on our blog/podcast. Whether it's good or bad - I won't hold it against you! We'll randomly pick five folks tomorrow and ship out the books pronto. Your other option is to link to us from your blog or Web site. Just let me know here. If you don't wanna roll the dice, you can buy the book or tide yourself over with an interview with the author. … [Read more...] about 101 Ways to Get Fired: Book Giveaway
A Waste of Your Time (I Swear!)
John Chow, the “root of all evil" (at least when it comes to cross-promoting link madness), is giving away a shiny new Nintendo Wii. The contest is sponsored by 1234Pens.com - fine folks who make promotional pens. Heck, we could use a few pens with our fancy sheep on them... Anyhow, this post puts me in the running. So it has little benefit for you, dear reader. Sorry for the imposition - and if I win, I'll find a way to give back and make it up to you. I promise. … [Read more...] about A Waste of Your Time (I Swear!)
Office Bathroom Upgrade Ideas
I've gone five times. And that might be too much information for you, if so, stop reading now (but subscribe for later). And that's five times TOTAL during my career. Let's just say I tend to keep number two away from the workplace when possible. However, my lack of use hasn't kept me from thinking of ways to improve the office lavatory. A few simple enhancements would make the bathroom a much nicer place to be. Keep in mind this is from a man's perspective. Feel free to share what you'd like to see changed below. - No cracks. Doors should close flush. I shouldn't have to worry about the door swinging open mid-business or getting locked in. - High doors. Why can't the doors be built to the floor? Shoes are a dead giveaway - and we all look under the stall. - Music. Muzac. Anything but silence. It's already awkward enough, how hard would it be to play some music? - Urinal dividers. They should be wide and long - cause I don't need … [Read more...] about Office Bathroom Upgrade Ideas
New Way to Circulate Your Resume
Everyone is jumping on the Scribd bandwagon. I'm not sure how useful/big this site will turn out to be - but I gotta give props to this dude who put his resume out there for the world to see. And from what I can tell, he was one of the first. I think it might be yet another great vehicle to disseminate your info - BUT I would certainly not share all of your contact info... As you can see below, you can upload a document and allow people to embed or download a text file, pdf or even hear audio.Curious to hear what you think about using Scribd from a career perspective. … [Read more...] about New Way to Circulate Your Resume
Get Drunk at Work: The EZ Way
If you don't operate machinery, drive a vehicle or give a flying F about your job - you might want to consider drinking alcohol at work. You're likely to be A LOT more honest with your boss. In honor of St. Patrick's Day, the annual excuse (as if you lushes needed another) to get all sloppy, we've asked our resident mixologist Todd the Bartender to talk about drinking at work.Jobacle: What's the quickest way to get drunk at work?Todd: Let me start by saying that if you listen to any of my advice you're a fool. Is that enough of a disclaimer? Ok, anyway, I'd opt for eating nothing all day and drinking vodka with a straw. Other good options are the obvious full-grain Everclear and even regular wine. Since it's meant to be sipped, chugging will actually get you buzzed quicker then some drinks with higher proofs.Q: What about the smell factor? Is anything really odorless?A: Well vodka is as close to odorless as you're gonna get - but processing gives virtually … [Read more...] about Get Drunk at Work: The EZ Way
They Made Me Do It: Blogvertise.com
I've just signed up for Blogvertise.com and they require I post a link about them before I am "approved." Obviously, you can smell my skepticism. Our blog and podcast receives great traffic - yet we have NOT been able to turn that into one red cent (okay, that's a lie - we've made 56 cents so far with AdBright.)All this means for you dear reader/listener, is that I might occasionally tell you about a product that suits this blog. I will always disclose if I am being compensated. But I wouldn't call us sell-outs yet... programs like this seem to fade like a fart in the wind. Hopefully this one hangs around.Here's to us making a few dollars to cover hosting costs, you having a great weekend and an extra hour of living! Turn back those clocks tonight, you desk slaves! Sorry for the meatless post. ;-) … [Read more...] about They Made Me Do It: Blogvertise.com
Ode to the Recruiter, A Poem
Listeners of the podcast know that I am always preaching that this show is only as good as YOU make it. Anyone can babble on for 20 minutes on how you should be handling your career - but we strive to be more. A community where we laugh and cry together about the world of work. That's why your e-mails, videos, etc. are key to our success. It also makes my life easier! ;-)Today we turn the blog over to one of our listeners, Sergei in San Diego. He'd like to share the following:Ode to the RecruiterFour months ago, I had time to relaxOh some time off, free from e-mail from faxThree months ago, I was still holding outFor that one perfect job, I still dreamt aboutTwo months ago, I was starting to findNo money for bills, and I longed for the grindOne month ago, I started to panicSent out more resumes! I became crazy and manicSo here’s to the recruiter, lord of my fateReader of the resumeKeeper of the gateJust one year ago, you were my best … [Read more...] about Ode to the Recruiter, A Poem
.36% Chance of Landing the Job
When you landed your gig you were up against a bunch of nameless/faceless competitors. Probably a handful. Maybe a dozen. Heck, perhaps a few hundred if you've got it all "cushy." However, take a moment to thank those florescent lights over your head and that creaky chair you're sitting in. You could be in Greensburg. Honda has a new plant that they're building in Greensburg, Indiana that will employ 2,000 associates when mass vehicle production begins in the fall of 2008. But in 2007 they've started "limited hiring." That would be 18 spots to be exact...yielding over 5,000 applicants. Put simply, each candidate has a third of a percent chance of becoming "part of the dream." If you wanna play the Honda lotto - apply here. Read more here. … [Read more...] about .36% Chance of Landing the Job
My Life as an Airport Screener
Barbara S. Peterson has written a great article for Conde Nast Traveler - Inside Job: My Life as an Airport Screener.I frequently see these ads online, on craigslist and in the Pennysaver...and even at my most desperate moments, wondered what kind of person would put themselves up against these types of conditions. Here an excerpt: Six months earlier, I had spotted a job advertisement online for part-time airport security screeners. The posting was notable for its dry recitation of the drawbacks of the job, as if to discourage all but the most desperate from applying. "This is a very physically demanding job with unique requirements," it read; I'd have to stand for up to four hours without a break, lift seventy-pound bags, and walk the equivalent of two miles during my shift. I would be expected to maintain my cool while dealing with constant stress from the noise, crowds, and "disruptive and angry passengers," which I couldn't let distract me from my … [Read more...] about My Life as an Airport Screener