Pearls Before Swine comic hit the nail right on the head.  Work really hard for your entire life so you can make some money and hopefully retire at a reasonable age.  Then maybe get to enjoy a couple of good years before you start pushing up daisies.

[via Pearls Before Swine]

What Happens When Your Startup Goes Bankraupt

Sam Biddle writes about an employee at Meez, a gaming company that just recapitalized itself. In order to pay off a $16.04 million debt, it did a reverse stock split of 8,000,000 to 1. This left the employee with a nice fat check totaling- 56 cents. At least the CEO took the time to hand-write the check.
The employee says

People all too often don't hear about the harsh reality that sometimes happens. You bust your ass for years and inflict a self brainwashing mentality that your product kicks ass, only to find out that it a series of mistakes were made that end up forcing a company into the situation that we see here.

I doubt this will stop people from joining/creating Startups, but it's worthy reminder of the possibility of failure. So if you're in a Startup, make sure to eat as much snacks from the breakroom as you can, it just might be all that you get at the end!
[via LifeHacker]

Little Penguin Responsibilities

"Some days I just wish I could be transformed into a little penguin.
That way I could completely ignore all of my human responsibilities."

You're preaching to the choir little penguin....

[via Sebastien Million]

How to Get a Job With No Experience

LifeHacker replies to a question about how to get a job with no relative experience. The article covers four important points.

1. Everybody has experience. It may no have been your previous job title, but like most jobs, you end up doing a little bit of everything. It's important to find those small tasks that might be a useful skill or important to the job you're applying to.

2. DIY to gain experience. I believe this one is very important. I know when I was looking for my first job, I did a lot of DIY websites/coding projects that I believe would enhance my skills and make me more marketable. Although I don't use any of those skills today, I believe it showed my initiative to work hard and showed my potential employers that I have skills.

3. Internships. I believe this is a good way to get your foot in the door. Just make sure you are benefiting from this relationship and the company is not just getting free labor. Take the initiative to work on projects that help both you and the company.

4. Be charming. I was terrible at interviews. I suggest to practice with others and have them critique you. They might be able to notice any annoying mannerisms that you might have or suggest how to enhance your presence and demeanor.

I thought it was a great article and helpful for anybody who is looking for a job in these tough economic times.

[via lifehacker]

Addicted to Reddit

I know exactly how this guy feels. Clicked 8 pages into reddit's front page, check subreddits, refresh front page again. Endless cycle!!! [via reddit.com]

Co-Workers From Hell

WalletPop has a slideshow depicting 15 types of co-workers from hell. My favourite out of the list is the 'Facepicker'

As a corporate trainer I have seen a few odd balls. However, the worst person I clearly remember was in a new hire class I trained. Long story short, she would pick her face and eat it while I taught the course. It became so bad she had to excuse herself to the bathroom to blot the bloody mess she called her face. Other new hires came to me saying that she was a distraction and they couldn’t put up with her. Her favorite time to pick her face was directly after lunch, I still get a tad sick to my stomach even thinking of Facepicker. She eventually got fired because she could not perform the job. I hope she never works with people again.

I don't know of any facepickers at my office, but in elementry school I remember a classmate who was a booger-eater. I wonder if he's graduated into a facepicker? *checks facebook*


[via WalletPop]

Now hiring: Everywhere you didn't want to work

With unemployment in the US hovering around 9% and over 14 million unemployed, people are starting to look for jobs in once unlikely places. Higher skilled and expierenced individuals are applying for jobs at such places as slaughterhouses, sewage plants, prisons and poultry plants.

The articles describes several individuals that have done just that. Although not ideal, each seem thankful for their jobs.

It's depressing how the economy has shrunken, and labor has downshifted. Unfortunately this seems to be the growing trend. As much as I complain about my job, I am thankful that I'm not in their position... yet....

[via Yahoo!