How to Deal with your Crazy Boss
Fri 22 Jun 2007 – 15.39
Got a crazy boss? For your sake, I hope not, but chances are, you do. (that fact is disturbing in and of itself). However, there is hope — and a plan. From Bing comes a pretty lengthy list of ways to deal with your crazy boss, depending on which type of crazy boss you have. Here’s an example:
The Bully: Be ostentatiously loyal. Rationale: Bullies demand a visible show of fealty, day in and day out. This means looking out for his interests and bringing matters that could cause him discomfort to his attention before anyone else does.
Check it out, defilly worth a read for the chuckle factor alone.
•• List Here »
posted by Scott in careers.
Mon 18 Jun 2007 – 11.45
Not Clay Aiken
I didn’t know you could make $100,000 doing that. The purpose of this Forbes.com slideshow list is to make us say hmm, and perhaps revise our own career choices. Then again, most of these I would never want to do, even for $100,000 a year.
posted by Scott in careers, personal finance.
Tue 12 Jun 2007 – 11.48
We knew this, right?
Psychology Today, the website that I never visit, but always seem to be reading, has posted another lengthy article about how childhood in America is being extended further and further into one’s 20s. In fact, Psychologist Robert Epstein says:
The trend started a hundred years ago and now extends childhood well into the 20s. The age at which Americans reach adulthood is increasing—30 is the new 20—and most Americans now believe a person isn’t an adult until age 26
The interview is actually quite interesting, especially if you are feeling a bit disturbed by the fact that people now classify you as an adult. The whole point of this blog/podcast is to discuss these issues, so what do you think of a statement like this:
Imagine what it would feel like—or think back to what it felt like—when your body and mind are telling you you’re an adult while the adults around you keep insisting you’re a child. This infantilization makes many young people angry or depressed, with their distress carrying over into their families and contributing to our high divorce rate. It’s hard to keep a marriage together when there is constant conflict with teens.
Deep stuff.
posted by Scott in careers, life.
Do a Background Check on Yourself
Tue 05 Jun 2007 – 22.49
I was talking with a friend the other day about how he has never given two weeks notice for leaving a job, and never cleaned an apartment on moving out. I remarked how negative that must appear when someone performs a background check. He then told me about the time he got arrested for parking tickets in the middle of class!
But I digress. Our friends at The Consumerist have compiled a list of useful links you can use to perform a background check on yourself, to certify all the information is accurate, and to ensure nothing catches you by surprise on your next job interview.
posted by Scott in careers, life, personal finance.
25 Places Neo-Grads Want to Work
Thu 31 May 2007 – 11.27
Now that you’ve graduated from university, where do you want to work? Chances are, if your like most people, it’s one of these top 25 employers desirable to young graduates. Needless to say, the competition is tough, and your BA in Theatre Studies probably won’t cut it. But for those of you who have the mental mettle, have a look at this BusinessWeek Article and view the slideshow
•• Article Here »
•• Slideshow »
posted by Scott in careers, education.
Planning for Retirement from Age Twenty
Wed 30 May 2007 – 11.27
Ok, so when I saw this I immediately knew it had to be posted on this here blog. By now, the story is a few weeks old, but the info is still a fascinating and important read for anyone who plans on having a working life and then eventually retiring. Which is most people.
You have to take this article with a grain of salt because it is based on two conditions that I personally feel are a bit of a stretch for most twenty-somethings: A.) no debt, and B.) the ability to save 20% of income each month. Clearly, most of our first (and second and third) jobs out of university don’t pay much, so you’ll need to spend, what, 95% of your income just on living. As for no debt, well, that would be fun. (I almost accidentally typed ‘fund’. How Freudian). Turns out that I meet a lot of folks these days with no debt, which I find strange. I guess I never realised how much money was truly made and stashed by the parents of my schoolmates. Jerks.
The Simple Dollar is a useful blog about personal finance. Might be worth a bookmark. Can’t say too much for their design, however.
posted by Scott in careers, personal finance.
Mon 28 May 2007 – 11.46
O that someone would have pointed me toward such a blunt look at life in the after-degree.
Cracked.com isn’t a source for profound thought, but in this cheeky look at life after G-Day, are some very serious themes. We’ve discussed issues like these on the show, but never in a proper “graduation episode”. For example: Moving Back into Your Parents’ House, Finding a Job, and Using Your Degree.
Have a read, especially if you’re a recent or soon-to-be graduate. I’d love to hear feedback about these issues and perhaps we on the podcast can discuss what is generally considered to be the hardest, most depressing time in the life of a 21st Century, Middle-class twenty-something. Bonetti and Joaquin have hinted so, but I’ll come right out and say it — the year after your education finishes is the worst year of your life. And if you can that period to twelve short months, I envy you. Sorry to be so depressing.
posted by Scott in careers, education, life.
20 Tips for Productive Free Time
Thu 24 May 2007 – 10.32
Remember when I was on that productivity kick a few weeks ago? Yea, those were good times.
From LifeHack.org comes a clever list of things to do during the day to be more productive during your free time. This assumes, of course, that you have free time. Trust me, you do. Turn off CSI, it’s not a good show…
Here’s a sample:
Clear out inbox. Got a meeting in 5 minutes? Use it to get your physical or email inbox to empty. If you’ve got a lot in your inbox, you’ll have to work quickly, and you may not get everything done, but reducing your pile can be a big help. And having an empty inbox is a wonderful feeling.
posted by Scott in careers, life.
Sun 13 May 2007 – 10.39
Remember a while back when I posted the story about Donna Freedman, the woman who survived (and thrived) on $12,000 a year? Well, apparently she’s become a regular fixture on MSNBC. She’s written a little something something about how to make spare cash picking up odd jobs that pay…
I earned $35 for watching a porn film. I sell my blood, a couple of teaspoons at a time, to medical researchers. I get a monthly rent credit for being the go-to gal in my apartment building.”
posted by Scott in careers.
Fri 11 May 2007 – 10.43
Want to jumpstart you career for the 21st century? Go Green. Seriously, it’s not just Al Gore whose career has been given a fresh injection of bio corn-diesel; an article from PayScale.com reveals the new professions that are cashing in on environmental awareness/responsibility. According to Dr. David B. Goldstein, author of the new book, “Saving Energy, Growing Jobs”,
“With efficiency you’re talking about jobs in existing buildings, homes, jobs at construction sites … they provide opportunities that people are looking for,” Goldstein said. “Installing efficiency systems-that’s pretty hard to outsource. Installer jobs in your home are always going to be American jobs.”
Go check out the article for yourself and make sure you check the graph, which actually has salary figues:
posted by Scott in careers.