Podcast: Workplace Nutrition and Fitness Tips

The summer is over and now is the time to start eating healthy at the office. Kevin Larrabee of TheFitCast shares tips on how to avoid "pilot ass" and keep your energy level up. You'll also find out how office "friendships" can hurt your career. Plus, the three hottest free career resources on the Web.

There are three ways to listen:
- Stream on our homepage (shows plays instantly)
- Stream from the player below (about a 60 second load time)
- Download direct

Also, a special thanks to the Globe and Mail up in Canada for writing about the Jobacle career blog and podcast!

7 Holiday Weekend Gas Saving Tips

This post is for my fellow commuters who have the luxury of driving to work everyday.  I know, we're destroying the environment, but it's just so much better then waiting for buses and trains (something I've spent too many of my years relying on!).

Even though gas prices have dropped a whopping 10 cents from this time last year, it's still super expensive.  Hopefully these tips will help you this Labor Day weekend and beyond.

1) Roll up the windows.  When air flows into the car, it causes resistance - in turn - producing a drag that will reduce gas mileage by 10%.

2) AM/PM.  When filling your tank, try to do so early in the morning or late at night.  Your goal is to do it at the coolest time of the day.  Cooler temperatures mean denser gas, and that means you're getting more mileage for your money.

3) Humpday.  Buy on a Wednesday.  I don't care what anyone says, these gas guys jack up the prices late in the week to bang us into the weekend.  Once sales slow down in the middle of the week, they need to compete for your business by dropping down prices.

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4) Timing. Don't be a stalker, but you should try to learn your regular gas station's routine.  Odds are they raise or lower their prices at approximately the same time everyday (usually around 10am).  Beat price trends by showing up to fill up before they have a chance to milk another few cents out of you.

5) Down the road.  Let's say you get to your regular station and the guy is already up on the ladder changing prices - and you know the price per gallon is heading up.  Well, keep on driving!  Head to the station down the block.  You have a 50/50 chance that they haven't adjusted their price yet.

6)  On the border. If you're on a highway for a road trip, you already know you are going to pay a premium at gas stations right off the exit ramp.  Here's the trick.  If you've gotta fill 'er up, try to do it at gas stations that sit on state borders.  Not only to they price aggressively, they often receive tax advantages that get passed along to you in the form of cheaper prices.

7) Inflation.  Be sure your tires are inflated to the max.  For each pound pf pressure your tire is underinflated, you'll consume 1% more fuel.  If you're like me and wait until you feel yourself sliding on every turn, not only are you risking lives, but you're wasting money.

Got a gas-saving tip?  Share it below!  You can also roll the dice and carpool.  Learn more by downloading this episode of  the Working Podcast.

I'm NOT Getting Out Early Today...R U?

Please allow me a 30 second rant.  While most people who hold down standard office jobs will be hitting the road a few hours early today, I'll be anchored to my desk to the very last minute, just as I would on any other day.  You see, my company feels the need to hold everyone to the same standard.  So, if a low-level administrative person needs to hang around to pick up phones - so do you.

It sucks.  And it's stupid.  And it's unfair.  (if you think otherwise - speak up!)

Please tell me I'm not alone...or feel free to rub it in!  I'd love to hear what your company's policy is regarding days before a holiday.  I should note that this policy applies for every single holiday.  Bastards!

7 Dangers of Joining a Work Clique

As sure as sun on a summer day, relationships will form under the glow of fluorescent lights.  How else are you supposed to pass 40 hours a week of nothingness?  And while I'm the first to admit that amazing relationships can happen at work (what up E. Smith!) these bonds often have an us vs. them foundation - which in reality - is not a true basis for a friendship.

In my humble experience, many office relationships are rooted in negativity, which is a problem for everyone involved: you, your clique, the company, the industry, the universe!

However, there's another risk associated with a work "buddy," and that's a loss of your identity.  Before you rush off to lunch with the same co-worker(s) everyday, please consider the following.

They Feel Left Out.  There might only be two or three of you, but it's clear that you are a unified team.  And when there's a team, there needs to be an opponent.  In this case, that's everyone except your "buddy!"  You see, the entire office feels that you have a secret - or worse yet - that you are sitting back making fun of them.  No one wants to be the butt of your inside jokes.  The closeness of your relationship has the rest of your cubemates feeling like outcasts - even though there's more of them then you!  This means...

People Won't Trust You.  Wearing your alliances on your sleeve isn't good if you're on a reality show and it isn't good at the office.  People are going to be hesitant to share anything with you that they don't want your "buddy" to hear.  Also, being "in-cahoots" with anyone lends itself to a notion of shadiness - which means you could end up...

The Office Misanthrope.  I know what you're thinking, "but I don't need these other people, I have my clique."  But what if tomorrow you "buddy" is gone?  Unexpected firings and life issues make the workplace a dynamic place, despite how static it might often feel.  And if you are "abandoned" you end up...

Looking Like a Hypocrite.  People will see right through your actions when all of a sudden you're chatting them up in the hall and appearing at office functions. Even though they might be nice to your face, they know the deal.  Over time they will forget, but I'm a huge believer that there's...

No Going Backwards in Relationships.  What if you partner up with this "buddy" early on and then decide that you want to try to distance yourself?  It's very tough to bring space into a relationship after the "rules of engagement" have already been set.  It's like when you were in the ninth grade and you saw your girlfriend for 16 consecutive weekends.  Then on the 17th, you decided you'd rather shoot hoops with the boys and head home to play Metroid.  Good luck!  Your mileage may vary, but there's no doubt that you've...

Lost Your Individuality.  And that sucks.  Odds are you've got plenty of awesomeness to share with the world.  Don't let a "buddy" coerce you into holding back.  Life is tough enough trying to live according to morals and standards that you feel comfortable with. You are an individual! Why risk being judged (or even praised) for someone else's actions?  It never feels good.  It also sucks when...

The Rumors Start. There's no place on earth impervious to gossip and the office is about as conducive as it gets for some juicy, image-tarnishing slander.  I don't care if it's two guys, two girls, a girl and a guy and a poodle - the rumors will start.  The Gods of Cubicle Boredom wouldn't have it any other way.

Ok, so we've covered some of the problems of "partnering-up" at work.  Wondering if you're guilty?  Here are some warning signs:

- you eat lunch together everyday
- you both get quiet when others come by
- people say things like, "where's your other half"
- your boss comments on your partnership
- you feel guilty talking to others

As always, these blog entries are open-ended and eagerly awaiting your input! I'd love to hear whether you agree or disagree.   Bring your ideas to the party, and together, we can make work better!

The Resume Hunter: 3-Minute Review #2

It's time for our weekly assault - I mean analysis - of a random online resume. In short, I give it a quick 180-second scan and talk about the good, the bad, and the downright stupid. As always, the information below is not to make fun of anyone. Rather, it's an exercise where we can all learn from common resume blunders. Hopefully Ms. Ilvana Do Socorro Azevedo Siqueira will consider our comments below.

Remember: If you're going to post your resume for the world to see, make sure it's good!

- Proper English. I understand that English is not everyone's first language. However, if you do not have an excellent command of the written word, I highly recommend you hunt down one of the gazillion services that will gladly take your money. It's a small investment if it leads to the job of your dreams.

Due to the language issue, I won't bother to pick apart all of the awkward phrases, but there is one that really bothered me: "I was supposed to train all users." Huh? That makes it sound like you were asked - but didn't do it!

- Are We Dating? This might be a cultural thing, but I find it odd that Ms. Azevedo Siqueira includes her photo, age and relationship status. While we probably could have a healthy debate on the inclusion of a photo, there's no room for Match.com-type stats.

- Stalker, Anyone? Here's a recipe for disaster - a female's photo and her home address aimlessly roaming the Web. Not smart.

- Wrong header. Under "PROFESSIONAL PROFILE" she lists "I’m a dynamic, selfconfident person who likes challenges." While a truly generic statement that doesn't hold any weight, it also has no place under this header.

- Playing With Time. Jobs are dated only by year, this leads me to believe that you are hiding inconsistent work experience and lapses in employment. You don't need to include exact dates, but using years, coupled with every job being referred to in the past-tense, implies that you are not currently working.

- Don't Abbr. It's impossible for everyone to know every abbreviation. When in doubt, spell it out! Even if it's industry-specific. What if a layperson or HR specialist looks at your resume? Case in point - under "objective" she lists "Work in TI" What the hell is TI?

- Unskillful. "Internet searching" is not a skill. I mean, you might be good at it, but come on!

- Random Typos: Emplyment, Addictional, selfconfident

Ms. Ilvana Do Socorro Azevedo Siqueira states that she is an MBA grad. Quite frankly, I'd expect a better resume from someone with that level of education.

Before you upload that resume, get it nice and shiny cause The Resume Hunter is on the prowl.

The Verge of Fax Extinction

 

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.

The photo in the magazine showed a harried executive standing over his pert, proper and suitably concerned secretary. Tie askew and with a frenzied look in his eyes, the text tells us that this man has just learned, once again, that his field office managers had failed to follow instructions, and caused him to miss another deadline. How was he to explain to his boss this all too frequent lapse? Sure, he knew that once again his subordinates would claim that they never received the assignment, or that their response was lost in the mail, or employed a plethora of other excuses; ones that would even make a lazy high school student green with envy.

‘Ah, what to do?’ the ad asked…and then of course answered its own question.’ Yes! The space age solution to guarantee accountability’-at least in the early 1980s-was none other than the then sleekly designed telefacsimile machine, soon to be known simply as ‘the fax’. Once installed, according to the ad, document receipt was not only guaranteed, but that a printed verification would crank out to the sender. No longer would staff be able to hide behind the grey skirts and proverbial inefficiency of the U.S. Post Office.

And so, for a few years, the fax did indeed do its job…and left field staff with a lot less wriggle room than they had previously enjoyed.

But due to the inexorable march of technology, the fax was retired and replaced in turn by the beeper, then the cell phone and finally the infamous blackberry. Yes, the umbilical cord that ties each of us to our offices has been wound more tightly than ever; binding us ever closer to the office and the legion of responsibilities we often want to ignore. Who knows what new techniques are in the offing? Big Brother telescreens in every home? Brain implants? While we don’t know the answer, we do know that they’re working on it; that’s for damned sure.

Make Work Like the First Day of School

What do butterflies and tears have in common? Nothing, except you probably experienced both on your first day of school.

Sure, you're all grown up now.  But I'm willing to bet that you can bring yourself back to the emotional rollercoaster that was the first day of school!

Going back to academic prison after a sun-soaked summer of kickball, sleepovers and block parties was always an anxiety-ridden time.  However, aside from the natural stress, the first day was always kind of exciting. It was a clean slate.  Hot new girls.  Fresh beginnings. Hot new girls. New start.  Fresh new clothes. Hot new girls.

Anything was possible, and this year, you would keep that spiral notebook neat (at least until tomorrow.)

Why not make your next day at work like the first day of school?  Here's how:

- Get enough sleep.  Not only are Zzzzzs important for physical and mental restoration, but the right amount will help you create a more positive attitude, give you more energy, and enhance your coping skills. However, if you don't sleep well the night before that big presentation - don't over think it!  Our bodies are resilient, and odds are, you'll still do AOK.

- Eat a good breakfast.  Mom didn't let you run off to school without a bite to eat, why should work be any different?  If you're not lucky enough to have mom stop by with her magical French toast, a quickie bowl of cereal will do the trick.  People who skip breakfast have slower reaction times and are more accident-prone. You'll also have more energy, a faster metabolism and increased efficiency.  Many of you probably eat at your desks.  On this first day of school, I suggest you try eating at home.

- Lay out a new plan.  I'm not a big movie quote guy but like Penelope Cruz says in Vanilla Sky, "every passing minute is a another chance to turn it all around." This is your chance to set goals - some realistic, some far-fetched. They are your goals and can be anything you want them to be. On the first day of class you write them down, then spend the rest of the school year working to achieve them.

- Be prepared.  This is also known as Do Your Homework.  When we're not ready for a task, we tend to be anxious. Think about it.  Pretend you're back in seventh grade.  Knowing you had a completed assignment put you at ease.  However, an incomplete assignment had your stomach in knots, wondering if the teacher was going to randomly call your name.  You would take the time to plan for bad weather or a long road trip, why not for the day ahead?  

Additionally, it's important to learn the lay of the land.  There are probably parts of your office building you have never visited.  Go there!  Bathrooms, break rooms, exits, stairwells, etc.  Knowing these spots will boost your confidence.  Plus, in this day and age of fear and terror, it's important to have a mental blueprint of your surroundings in case of an emergency.

- Introduce yourself.  First impressions are important. It's never easy because anything that has the risk of rejection we tend to avoid.  If there's anyone you come across that you don't know on a first-name basis, bite the bullet and say "hi."  Talking to colleagues you don't know is key to success .

- Keep a journal.  Listeners of the Working Podcast have heard the Voice of Reason urge them to keep mini-diaries of their workday. It's a great way to analyze your emotions and the truth about the situation you're in.  You can spot trends and quickly identify potential problems.  More often then not, the problem is rattling around in YOUR head, not your boss's!  Since it's the "first day of school," get a new pad and at the end of everyday write down a brief description of what transpired.  Accomplishments, setbacks, emotions, etc.  Even a single sentence will do the trick.  Even after all these years the most popular assignment on the first day of school is "tell us about your summer vacation."  It works because it a) puts you at ease, back into your comfort zone b) delivers a sense of closure that writing or storytelling can bring c) gives people a glimpse of your personal life.

- Ease into a schedule.  One of the hardest things about heading back to school after the summer is the dramatic change in routine. If you are changing jobs or embarking on a career transition, we recommend you try to slide into it gracefully.  Going "cold turkey" can be quite jarring.  On occasion, there are times when time simply won't permit you to prepare. In these case, we recommend some visualization exercises.  Do some deep breathing and picture how it will be. Play it out like a movie.  See everything. The good, the bad, etc.

- Don't be a Lunch Loner.  When I made the transition to a job that had a driving commute, I was amazed at the number of people who sit in their cars by themselves.  Alone time can be golden.  But on the first day of school you should get off on the right foot and mingle with your cohorts.  Anything less is a cop out and makes you look anti-social.

- Arrive On Time. My sister's sage piano teacher once shared some wise advice when tickling the ivories: "Be there before you have to be there so you can be there on time." Arriving early will help reduce the stress associated with rushing.

- Wear a new outfit.  I don't know about you, but on the first day of class I felt like "the man," decked out in stiff new denim and a fresh, off-the-rack sweater.  Looking back now, I looked nowhere as cool as I thought I did.  But confidence is a state of mind.  On your first day of school, if you look good, you'll feel good.

Most importantly remember that everyone feels the way you do!  Back in school we all worried that we wouldn't be able to read fast enough and that the "cool" kids would deem us geeks.  These fears followed us all the way to work.  It's time to let them go.

Be a good student and share your "Back to School" advice below.

Now let go of the butterflies and choke back your tears, we're off to school -- I mean work!

6 Reasons to Turn Down a Promotion

To quote a wise man, "Mo Money, Mo Problems." Ok, so maybe I wouldn't classify the Notorious B.I.G. as "wise," but when it comes to careers, he's spot on.

On episode #69 of the Working Podcast we explore the reasons why a promotion isn't necessarily a good thing. Also, you'll hear a podcast exclusive, an interview with Graham Langdon, the 21-year-old founder of the Million Dollar Wiki. The entrepreneur gives you insight to his overnight Internet sensation and explains how you can make money too!

There are three ways to listen:
- Stream on our homepage (shows plays instantly)
- Stream from the player below (about a 60 second load time)
- Download direct

Psycho Smurf Dreams About Work

A big shout out to Manuel, a listener of the Working Podcast who lives in Detroit, MI.  He sent in this picture.  We know it's not Smurfette, but can't identify this blue bugger.  So we've affectionately named him Psycho Smurf, cause only a nutjob would be dreaming about work with an ear-to-ear grin across his/her face.

Speaking of work and dreams, is it just me, or do you ever go through a spell where  you consistently dream of work?  Sometimes it's not anything good or bad  - just the fact that you are there.  It's a regular, boring day.  And then you wake up and have to do it for real.

Please tell me I'm not alone... 

The Dalai Lama's Instructions for Life

I'm gearing up for one of those five-hour meetings that my company always seems so enthralled with.  That means my patience, among other things, will be tested.  In order to get through these marathon exercises of torture, I have to dig deep.  Today I'm leaning on the Dalai Lama's Instructions for Life to help me keep everything in perspective.

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

3. Follow the three Rs:

      Respect for self
      Respect for others and
      Responsibility for all your actions

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

7. When you realise you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day.

9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.

17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.