Slightly Off KIlter

Normal is overrated

Career Center

  • Would you Take That Extra Step?

    I’ve been job hunting for a while now. Popular advice tells me to “leverage my network” because insiders can help me gain access to the “hidden job market” (the jobs that aren’t posted). Popular advice tells me that I should also try to build a job based on my unique skills and experience. Popular advice… Continue reading

  • From TANSTAAFL to Purple Sneakers?

    People who know me know of my current obsession interest in Yahoo!’s recent changes to their telework policy. I just can’t wrap my mind around a good reason for it. It’s not about productivity (studies show that many people are more productive when they’re not in the office). It’s not really about collaboration; most people… Continue reading

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  • Yahoo!’s WFH Edict And Ensuing Debacle

    Yahoo! recently decided to bring its “free range” (i.e., remote working) employees into the office. Much of the Net has an opinion on this edict. This is mine. Disclaimer: I worked at Yahoo from June 2006 – Nov 2011. I left before Marissa Mayer came on board. I have a vested interest in the future… Continue reading

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  • Working From Home

    I read this today in the Huffington Post: Marissa Mayer’s Work-From-Home Ban Is The Exact Opposite Of What CEOs Should Be Doing Lisa Belkin Senior Columnist on Life/Work/Family, The Huffington Post What others see as the future of the workplace, and what parents see as a most important tool for juggling home and work, Marissa… Continue reading

  • Never Assume (Trust but Verify)

    The job description read, in part: • 5+ years experience working with Windows, Mac and Linux systems, including systems administration for all three I do know how to use Windows but I am much happier, and far more productive, when most of my general work can be done on Mac OS X. I can do… Continue reading

  • Highly Sensitive People and the Interruptive Workplace

    Good News: I have a new manager and increased scope at Dayjob. My job title and description will be adjusted to formally recognize what I’ve actually been doing for the past three years. Bad news: New manager wants me in the office “more often”. It’s the only point on which we disagree. But it’s a… Continue reading

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  • Evolution of a TWikiist

    I’ve had a rather eclectic career. Most of the time, I’ve been a programmer, starting with Unix (shell, awk, and some C), then moving into Perl. At other times, when the mood suits, I’ve been employed as a technical writer. These days, I’m the company TWiki adept. Continue reading

  • What Advice Would You Give? (Part 2)

    fter reading Tim Walker’s though-provoking What “Real Advice” Would You Give Your Company?, I clicked over to a related question posted in October of this year. Continue reading

  • What Advice Would You Give

    Tim Walker (Hoover’s Business Insight Zone) asks What “Real Advice” Would You Give Your Company? I’ve given companies advice like this in the past, usually after I’ve given notice. Here’s what I’d say. Continue reading

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  • Job vs Company; I’ll Take the Job

    When I began working for Cotheme (the Company that employs me), it was with decidedly mixed feelings. I hadn’t gone looking for as job there; they found me. I wasn’t in their customer demographic. I didn’t use any of their products or services. The location was at the far edge of how the distance I… Continue reading