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!

Graduate sues university because nobody will hire her

Trina Thompson, a graduate from New York's Monroe College with a bachelor of business administration degree in information technology, can't find a job, so she's going to sue her college. She says that they haven't done enough to get her employed. She wants $72,000 (college tuiton and $2000 for compensation).


Oh yeah, it's one of those stories you can't believe is real. On one hand, it sucks for her because she's spent so much money getting a degree that has become worthless; on the other hand, she's responsible for herself getting a job. It's too easy to blame others for her own problems. She's got to work her networking resources and apply; she can't sue herself to retirement... Or can she?



[via CNN

Mike Rowe commentary on labor

Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs talks about labor, passion, and sheep testicles. He talks about how his experience on a sheep farm made a lasting impression about how he views dirty jobs. Each experience has given him insight about what he calls a Civil War on Labor. Society's view on manual labor/trade has changed, so much that manual labor is viewed negatively or oversimplified.

A change in how manual labor is viewed is not only good for trade jobs, but it is also good for society in the whole. It is these types of jobs that is lacking from American's workforce today.

[via Youtube]

Professional Athlete Pay Scale

A chart showing how much athletes get paid compared to various jobs. Suffice to say, a LOT! If I didn't have such short legs...!
[via ]

Waking up and getting ready in 5 minutes

On a Japanese TV show, a guy demostrates how he gets up and gets ready for work in under five minutes. It's amazing that he gets dressed, eats, and brushes his teeth so quickly.

I know for me, this would be impossible, as I'm groggy when I wake up, but there are some useful tips I think anybody can apply. I especially like how he puts on pants and ties his tie; I think that is useful.


[via YouTube]

Highs and Lows of a Quarter Lifer

The highs and lows of an average guy. I can definately relate to the disappointment of college, the alcohol, the joy of independence, and the impeding sense of uncertainty and despair. I guess I'm just another average guy. *shrugs* I'm screwed.

[via MadAtoms]

CMO Responds to Gizmodo's article

The CMO of BestBuy, Barry Judge, actually responded to Gizmodo's mock article yesterday! I'm glad he's got a sense of humor and nice comebacks. It's almost like he knows us. Friends?

[via Barry Judge]

Revelation

Revelation by Jay Van Dam. Somedays at work I feel just like he does in these pictures- trapped. I'm still waiting for my revelation. *starts chewing through box*

[via WhiteZine]

How the US spends it's Paycheck

Visual Economics did a very nice, easy readable chart of the average expenditures of an US consumer. The data is from the Department of Labor's survey. The spending on goods seems a bit excessive, but they seem correct to me.

I think I need to keep track of my finances better. Got to retire early, ya' know.

Click on the link for a larger picture.
Visual Economics

7 Types of Best Buy Employees

Gizmodo wrote an article about the 7 types of employees that you see at Best Buy. It's true, I see these guys all the time. It's also why I avoid Best Buy like the plague.

[via Gizmodo]

Shirt for Graduates

It's amazing how much online technologies have affected our lives. When I was in college all I had was Google!

Low Ink

Thats where pandas come from!

[by Nocturnal Devil @ deviantart]

Unpleasant Truths, Comforting Lies

Ain't that the truth!

Job?! F*ck It!!

This is a hilarious pamphlet that Packard Jennings sent in those business-reply-letters. It's a how-to-guide to quit your job and start your own little tribal community. Follow the link for the full pamphlet!

[via Packard Jennings]

Tags: job, business, reply, mail