- Three Ways to Eat for Free
Hungry? There are some things to consider before 'diving in.' https://www.jobseekerscookbook.com/?p=113 - Prepare for a Field Hop
Instead of settling for another crappy job, consider a favorable alternative! https://www.jobseekerscookbook.com/?p=65 - A Grab Bag of Interview Advice
How to gather and sort interview advice with a deck of note cards. https://www.jobseekerscookbook.com/a-grab-bag-of-interview-advice/
Retail the Tenth Circle of Hell!
{ Dear Cookbook, It looks like I’m going to have to go back to working a retail job. I really don’t want to, but I don’t have anymore contacts in my old field and I need to keep the roof over my family’s head. Do you have any tips that will help me transition into such a volatile environment? Thanks in advance, James }
James, have you really tried everything you can think of to get another job? Because frankly, jumping into the retail environment is not something I’d take lightly. In fact, I’d rather muck out horse stalls in my underwear while singing showtunes before I took another retail job. . .but that’s just me. You might think I’m being a little dramatic here, but considering the inconsistent hours, store meetings, power-hungry managers, grumpy customers and angry coworkers, it seems fairly obvious that retail work is best avoided. Reading this, is it any wonder I refer to retail as the ‘tenth circle of hell?’ A place so horrific the rest of hell seems like a walk in the park. Continue reading
Should You Eat Before an Interview?
{ Dear Cookbook, There’s not a lot of money for food these days, is it really that important to eat before an interview? My dad always used to say if you were hungry you’d work harder. Doesn’t this apply to job interviews too? Thanks, Ethan }
Now that I’ve been established as a ‘leader’ in my field, I get a lot of pretty lame questions. And even though I think they are lame, it’d look bad if I didn’t answer them. And Ethan, this is one of those questions. You’re wondering why it’s important to eat before an interview? Well, let me tell you why: #1 you don’t want your tummy to grumble and #2 you can’t afford to be weak.
No tummy grumbling. Seriously, if your tummy starts grumbling during an interview you might as well be holding up a cardboard sign that says “will work for food.” Not to mention if your interviewer somehow overlooks the fact you haven’t eaten, he’s going to low ball you on your salary because he knows you’re desperate. And that’s if you’re lucky. What if the interviewer mistakes your tummy grumbling for gas? No matter how broke you are, this is a cardinal rule you just can’t afford to break. Continue reading
Become the Office Superstar!
{ Dear Cookbook, I’m tired of everyone else getting credit at my workplace! How can I become the office superstar? Thanks, Martin
Well, Martin you’ve brought up a good point! Thanks to today’s tough economic times, the workplace is not what it used to be. It used to be that if you were a hard worker and the boss didn’t hate you, you’d probably get noticed for some of the work you do. Well, I’m sorry to tell you this, but times have changed and that’s just not the way that it works anymore. These days, the only way you are going to get noticed is if you become the “office superstar!” Because it’s not about how much work you do, but about how big your attitude is. So stop working so much, nobody notices anyways! Instead, take notes and learn how to become a superstar!
First things first, no more coming to work early and staying late. In fact, you have a whole new take on your work schedule. You are going to come to work late and leave early, EVERY DAY. Just like a real superstar or heir to a large fortune, your bosses don’t make the schedule – you do. Continue reading
