Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

MyBlogLog has truly validated for me the vast wasteland known as the Internet - especially where the career genre is concerned.  Look, I want to play nice with fellow bloggers because I know that inbound links, approved comments and guest blogging is where it's at to make a few cents off of your Google AdWords.  But Jesus!  Every Web site has lists and tips.  Will this ever end?

Don't get me wrong - I can call a spade a spade and I realize that Jobacle is NOT above the law. Sometimes it's just too difficult to father a completely unique idea. 

But I'm already tired of workhacks, lifehacks, healthhacks, drivinghacks, etc.

7 Ways to Save Money = Yawn. 

4.5 Ways to Better Breath - Snore.

I have a lifehack, and it's a list that consists of ONE thing:

If you truly want to be productive and get things done... GET OFF THE COMPUTER.

Man, I'm a grumpy SOB today.  But at least this is original content.   Nah, it's probably already been written about 1,000 times.

I'm going to do something which I did for about the first year of this Working Podcast project - and that is NOT worry about what any other Web site or blogger is covering.  MyBlogLog will be dead to me.  The vicious cycle of carbon copy career advice has to end.  We're not big enough to make it happen ourselves - but maybe you'll subscribe and join us for the ride.

At least I can sleep tonight knowing I'm trying to be original. And tune in tomorrow - for 7 Common Resume Mistakes.  Just kidding.  Or am I?

Enclosure

What happens when you take a great group of street musicians out of the subways and into a professional recording studio? Hailing from Manhattan by way of Beantown, take a listen to Spokinn Movement.

 Direct Download

Buy some stuff.

Today we're lucky to have a guest blog entry from Lance of YourHRGuy.com.  Lance's blog is excellent - giving some great insight into to the HR profession while not ignoring the needs/demands of the common worker.  Take it away Lance...

Andrew talked about when to turn down a promotion and I am going to talk about when that is the worst thing you can do.

Promotions are usually seen as a positive, but as Andrew pointed out, promotions can also be a bad thing.  So given this extensive list of when not to take a promotion, when can you not ignore or reject a promotion opportunity? Let's find out:

1) It's a win/win. Sometimes we find the perfect situation. You're going to have a great boss, the people working for you are amazing, the job fits right in line with your career path and of course, there are big bucks involved.  Some idiot in the back of your head is trying to tell you that something isn't right.  Ignore him. He is an idiot after all and if you see this opportunity, you cannot pass it up.

2) You're young (or you're old). If you are like many sub-30 year olds, you are single and have relatively few strings holding you in one place. That means that if you are living in Boston and that dream job and/or promotion is in Dallas, the only thing you have to consider is how much you hate heat and humidity.  Similarly, if you have just happily emptied your nest, you've probably feigned promotions outside of your area for at least the past 20 years. Both are ideal times to take that new promotion.

3) It is a new line of business for your company. If your company is trying a new market out and they want you to run it, you should jump for it.  Not because it is easy (because it isn't) and not because it pays the most (because it usually doesn't).  You take it because the promotion is almost all upside. If you make new gains in that experimental market and show yourself to be the least bit competent in doing your job, this can be a wide open door to choose your schedule and compensation in a couple years.  Worst case scenario is that you try your hardest but the market blows and you are seen as a tireless worker until they happily pull the cord on your program but figure out a better place to be at the company. There will be some people doubt this but I haven't seen this go wrong unless the guy is a slacker.  You aren't a slacker are you?

4) The promotion will excite your passions. Let's say you've been working the last few years and you feel bored with it all and uninspired. That same feeling you got when you woke up every day excited to jump on a bus, then the train, then a cab to work for insertyourdreamjob.com here.  Then a promotion comes your way and you become excited and start thinking about all the new things you are going to start on. You know what I mean? If you do, take that job.  Even with minimal pay increases, I have found it to be incredibly rewarding to reignite that flame of passion. I think I got that from a romance novel...

5) The person you are replacing was just promoted and will be your boss. It seems silly, especially from the HR perspective, to talk about the inherent bias that a boss has for his or her former position. If the person is hiring the replacement and the chemistry is there, go for it. Almost all the bosses I've known have a special place in their heart for their former position and the person they placed in there.  The only caveat I'll add here is that you know the boss is going to be good.  After all, attaching yourself to a bad boss is one great reason to avoid the promotion.

6) The pay is too good to pass up. There comes a point in our professional career when we can be bought into a bad situation for the right price.  A 5k price tag might not do it but a bigger one might.  And when you talk of the possibility of buying a house or reaching a major savings goal, nothing can get you there faster than a shot in the arm of the green stuff from work for taking on an impossible task or impossible people.

Which isn't to say that there aren't bad situations in all of these that might make these unrealistic for your situation. Largely though, these are the reasons that I don't think you can refuse. 

It looks like the Web site Freecareersearch.com has uploaded a quickie video on YouTube to promote their site. And quite honestly, we haven't poked around the site long enough to make a judgement on whether or not it's worth your time. However, one thing DID jump out at us.

The video depicts a woman selling peanuts, which the site bills as "the worst job ever." And maybe it is. But have they considered the other side of the nut?

She's independent; Might be her own boss; Might make her own hours; Maybe takes pride in offering the most freshly-roasted game in town, etc.

It's so easy to piss on someone else's job. But maybe they don't dislike it as much as you think they do. What also grabbed my attention is the following - the video has the following tags associated with it (chosen by the poster):
Peanuts; Career; Job; Food; Funny; Goofy; Business Transactions; Depression; Xenophobia; Carelessness: Cultural: Sensitvity: Cult

Weird. And I'm not calling these guys out for doing anything wrong. I just wonder why a career-related video from a "legit" site would use tags such as Xenophobia (typically used to describe fear or dislike of foreigners or in general of people different from one's self.)

I suggest you guys watch the video, check out their Web site and let me know if this is a little nutty. The Web is flooded with sketchy career sites and advice, we're just trying to keep a little peace and order.

Ever since we re-launched the Web site you guys have been e-mailing in your workplace gripes.  I figured I'd take the morning off (and do some real work) and let you release some of your workstration! 

"I wear a suit everyday and my female co-workers wear sweatpants. If I came in looking like I was heading to the gym, my boss would send me home…maybe forever." –Anthony (Pawtucket, RI)

"My 401K plan sends me a piece of mail every single day. I never understand any of it. By the time I retire, there won’t be any trees left." – Rosemary (Long Beach, CA)

"With all of the technology currently available, why are so many of us still chained to desks?" –B. (NYC)

"People need to understand that revolving doors are not motorized.  You need to push the damn thing and not rely on other people to do it for you!" –Josh (Boston, MA)

"Sitting in a cubicle for eight hours a day, five days a week, should pay a million dollars a minute. The original creators of the corporate lifestyle should go play with a dirty needle." -Michael (NYC)

"Attention Corporate America: Would it kill you to pipe some music into your bathrooms?  Do you think I like hearing Pete from sales in the third stall every morning making all kinds of grunts and splats?  Cheap bastards." –Brian

"I hate when my boss says, ‘Now I just want you to know, this is no refection on you…’ Simply put, it is a DIRECT reflection on me! Just say it, you don’t think I’m fit to be a manager!" –Traci (Oceanside, CA)

"Someone needs to introduce my boss to a breath mint." – Mark (Orlando, FL)

"My favorite is when we have a meeting about setting up a meeting.  Just say what you have to say and let's get on with it." –Teddy (Reno, NV)

"I have a guy in my office who is constantly leaving anonymous signs everywhere! 'If you jam the printer, fix it' or 'Please don't clog the toilets.' Meanwhile, EVERYONE knows who is writing them!" -Tom (Greenville, SC)

"I eat lunch at my desk, and everyday without fail, my boss has to ask me a pointless question two bites in!" -Jeremy K. (Mystic, CT)

Now it's YOUR turn!  Write us your vent or leave a message on our toll-free hotline, 888/786-1080.

A new guy started at work today.  On his way out the door at noon I couldn't resist:

"Ya think you get a lunch break, eh?"

That kind of humor makes me sick.  I don't want to become one of the sheep - so I will continue to put my heart and soul into this Web site.  Before you know it I'll be yelling, "Banker's Hours!" at folks leaving work on time.  Sickening.

The first step is recognizing the problem.  Next time you enter cliche-ville, please stop.  If this Web site can save just one person from workplace Velveeta - we're a success.

The most popular workplace jokes often revolve around repetition.  "Another day, another dollar."  But there's a reason for this.  Life, believe it or not, is not all that interesting.  As much as it will pain you to accept (and you'll fight it!) there are a pre-determined number of ways we can react to situations.  Yes, you are NOT unique.

All of us have scripts, games and tapes we play on a daily basis - especially at work.  Learn more at this previous post.

Today I want to look at two games I tend to come across quite a bit.

See What You Made Me Do!                                     
You're working on a presentation and are under a tight deadline.  A work colleague stops by your desk and asks you if you want to order lunch.  This interruption "causes" you to make a "typo" or lose your train of thought.

"ARGH!" you proclaim.

"SEE WHAT YOU MADE ME DO!"

This type of reaction from an individual has a tendency to repeat - until people realize they should stay away from the individual in order not to "distract" them.

Of course the "slip" is not your co-workers fault - and the person loves blaming others. The reason we all play this game is simple: vindication. You avoid responsibility and it gets you off the hook.  People who play this game too often might find themselves without any lunch pals.

"LOOK HOW HARD I WAS TRYING"

There are three variations of this game.

1st Degree: Imagine a colleague at work announces that they have been diagnosed with some sort of illness - but they say they'll continue to work - without any change in productivity.  This likely will have your colleagues admiring your fortitude.

2nd Degree: A colleague is diagnosed with an illness but remains silent about it.  Eventually, they collapse at their desk, proclaiming "Look How Hard I Was Trying."  It's a person looking for love but results in guilt.

3rd Degree: A colleague is diagnosed with an illness, continues to work and doesn't tell a soul - not even their family.  This is the ultimate slap in the face to those you love and respect because they never had a fighting chance to help you.

There's dozens of others I'll share in later posts - so please subscribe now.  For now, just recognize these games.  In yourself.  In others.  And do what you can to break the pattern! We have a full week of work ahead - so why not make it a little different!  ;-)

There is certainly no shortage of opinions on video resumes. Some believe it's the "next big thing" - while others believe that they'll never catch mainstream wind. Regardless of what you think, Robert Clarke Snooks needs a career - and he's using Web video to ask for YOUR help.

He seems like a solid media professional. Too bad we're working with an invisible budget here at Jobacle or we'd consider bringing him on board!

Learn more at helpmefindacareer.com.

Ah, the illusive promotion.  While it's the coveted carrot that many employers use to keep us in check - the reward is not always - well, rewarding!  Here are a few things to consider before you're blinded by a raise.

1) Avoid a no-win situation. Often a promotion comes along with increased responsibility - sometimes in the form of managing staff.  But what if the staff is "unmanageable." You know the type... they're angry, bitter and washed up.  They make threats of walking out but end up going nowhere.  Not only with this crew be difficult to reign in, but they'll plot against you and resent you every step of the way.  Maybe you can turn them around.  Or maybe you're just dreaming.

2) Two steps forward, no steps back.  Like any chess game, you can't just bust out those Rooks without having a plan. If you're in a true "career," you need to be at least two steps ahead.  This promotion might bring along some short-term growth - but you need to make sure it's not the top rung on a short ladder.

3) Balance the scales. You need to know where your work/life balance priorities are - both now - and in the future (to the best of your ability).  If you're planning to get pregnant, buy a house or take an extended leave - this might not be the right time for you.  Know where you want the balance to be - and don't rock the boat.  Above all, be honest with yourself.

4) Add up the little things. So many of us are blinded by money. We hear about an extra five grand a year and we jump at the opportunity. After taxes, you could be looking at $70 a week.  Maybe you're getting moved to a smaller office.  Maybe the number of hours you will have to work is not proportionate to the raise.  When deciding, look at the small perks and see if they add up to a major factor.

5) Time to say goodbye? Have you jumped the shark with your current organization? If so, will a few thousand dollars make you wake up with a new attitude? Unlikely. Why give yourself the stress of learning new tasks and "putting on a happy face." If you honestly think it can be a second chance at carer success - go for it.  Anything else will leave you with some sleepless nights.

6) New job, new boss. A promotion could mean a new boss. I have found this to be one of the most overlooked - yet potentially important factors - when trying to decide whether to accept or decline. The best gig at a Fortune 500 Company can easily be ruined by a crappy, short-sighted boss.

We're not suggesting you make the prospect of a promotion into a science. Sometimes, it's well-deserved and exactly what the doctor ordered. However, don't let a few extra dollars or the pressure to say "yes" blind you to reality.

In a few days/weeks we'll talk about strategies to decline gracefully.  Please subscribe now.

According to executive coach Marsha Egan, it might be time to fight e-mail addiction.

"There is a crisis in corporate America, but a lot of CEOs don't know it," Egan said. "They haven't figured out how expensive it is."

From wasting time on the company dime to cheapening your quality of life, e-mail addiction is looming over the country like a greedy shadow.  While coach Egan is looking at it from the angle of "wasted productivity," I think the personal ramifications are quite large as well.

Ask yourself: How often do I check... how many accounts... how often is my inbox empty... am i checking during movies... what if i added up all the time i'm checking accounts...

Man, I'm in bad shape - and I don't even use a Crackberry.  How much is too much?

Next time I have the urge, I'm going to resist.  Maybe I'll limit myself to three times a day.

Do y'all think there's anything to "e-mail addiction?"