Housecleaning

So, I haven't really done much with the layout, structure, and visual elements of this blog in quite some time, and it's definitely due for an update. I'm trying to come up with an idea for a very basic logo, symbol, or even a mascot to represent the site. In addition, I want to update the blogroll (mostly additions, and making sure everything I've listed is still active).

I make no guarantees as to how long this will take. :) Hopefully before the end of the month, but don't hold me to that. Along with that, I hope that a bit of housecleaning and polish will encourage me to write here more.

So, if you want to be included in the blogroll and have a blog that is about or sometimes covers workplace issues of any sort (not just about freelancers, contractors, or temps) feel free to let me know in the comments.

Ambition vs. Hard Work

Ambition and hard work are not the same thing. They're often confused for each other, and it is true that people with one often have the other. But they're not synonyms.

I've known people who were hard workers, but not terribly ambitious. They were great at what they did, and always made sure their output was the best quality possible along with seeking out ways to be better at their jobs and make themselves more effective. However, they didn't necessarily want a position with more responsibility or to advance in their company. They were happy where they were and were content to be allowed to stay in their position indefinitely rather than being promoted or making a lateral move to a different team or part of the company.

On the same note, I've known people with plenty of ambition, but who weren't willing to do the grunt work and the primary job functions they were hired to do. Instead, they focused on doing projects and work that would get them noticed and would look good on a review, rather than the mundane tasks that won't make a person stand out (even though someone has to do them in order for the team or company to fulfill its mission).

I don't blame anyone for wanting to be promoted -- I want it as much as anyone else. And I know that a lot of people with ambition realize that hard work is essential to getting where they want to go. But it's important to recognize the difference between wanting to have accomplishments and recognition, and wanting to be good at what one does.

A Quote on Company Culture

Your culture is what people do when no one is looking.

-- Herb Kelleher, Chairman, Southwest Airlines

Sick Days

I had to take a sick day earlier this week on account of having a fever. I've been accruing paid time off since last fall, when I hit the eligibility point at my company (non-exempt employees have to put in a certain amount of time before they start getting PTO). As such, I'm not going to be out any money for being home sick for a day.

But in my previous life as a contractor, paid time off was a whole different story. I received it, but only after working for six months, and it wasn't very much: five days for the whole year, accrued at a slow pace. And if I were to find myself not working for a few months, it would go away and I would need to start all over again in my next contract. Still, this was better than the situation for contractors at some other companies, who didn't receive any paid time off at all. Needless to say, I didn't intentionally take time off very often, and when I did, I factored the lost income into budgeting and planning. What's more, I only took time off for being sick when I was feeling so terrible that I had no other choice.

It's easy to say "don't come to work when you're sick," which most places do, especially after last year's H1N1 scare. But actions speak louder than words, and if your staffing firm, outsourcing company, or agency doesn't pay their contractors and consultants to stay home when they're sick, what are you really saying to them?

Shameless Plug

Yep, I'm back. I would be remiss if I didn't plug my wife's awesomely revamped blog, now located here. I think it looks pretty sweet, myself, but then I am biased.

Getting Back in the Groove

Yep, another long absence. I've got to get better about this. Sigh. Well, it's another chance to use my "lame excuse" tag, at least.

Spicing it Up, and Standardization Thoughts

JobSpice is a neat online resume creation tool. If you haven't seen it already, I recommend checking it out.

In my ideal world, every company would use the same application system and want resumes in the same format, so that we all wouldn't have to spend so much time and effort not only submitting resumes and applications, but reviewing them (on the receiving end) as well. I'm kind of surprised there hasn't been more standardization on this front yet, but who knows? It could happen. Until then, though, tools like JobSpice will make things easier by helping the resume creation and editing process take less time.