thecareerbeat.com Blog

Web entrepreneur/millionaire had humble start

Internet entrepreneur Gurbaksh Chahal — known as “G” — gives a quick story about his rise to business success in yesterday’s NY Times.

Chahal has become a much-watched figure in San Francisco after the sale of his advertising network, BlueLithium, to Yahoo! last year.  He is parlaying some of that status into television, as he will be part of the reality TV show “Secret Millionaire” later this year on Fox.

His story of humble beginnings and religious persecution in San Jose is inspiring.  I am also impressed at his ability to start two companies (ClickAgents, BlueLithium) and make them successful — all before turning 25.

He’s also a good self-promoter, from the look of his blog. It will be interesting to see what he does next.

Unemployment jumps; hold on to your job!

This morning the government reported an increase in the unemployment rate for August, to 6.1 percent from 5.7. This sobering news will make plenty of people want to keep their jobs!

The news release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics said that the economy lost 84,000 jobs last month.  Losses continued in manufacturing, construction, and employment services, but the health-care, mining and energy extraction industries saw gains.

Health care continues as the jobs juggernaut, adding 367,000 jobs in the last 12 months, according to BLS

There are lots of ways to making sure you stay employed, besides making sure you do a good job. One of the best is to make sure you gain favor with your boss.

“I’m not talking about a brown-noser, but someone the boss likes and who’s doing a good job,” says Stephen Viscusi, author of Bulletproof Your Job. “Bosses find legal excuses to let go someone they really don’t like, nine times out of 10.”

For more, read “Getting on the Boss’s Good Side.”

Judge performance, not gender identity

Most Americans agree that transgender employees should be judged on performance, not on their gender identity, according to a new survey.

The research shows that 71% of heterosexual adults agree that job performance should be the measure of an employee, regardless of whether or not the employee is transgender.  The 2008 Out & Equal Workplace Survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive in conjunction with Out & Equal and Witeck-Combs Communications.

In other workplace news relating to the LGBT community, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation released its annual Corporate Equality Index, rating U.S. employers (using a 100-point scale) on their treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender employees.

I’m happy to report that my employer, Yahoo!, received a perfect 100 for the second year in a row.  

Career tips for autumn

Now that school is starting up again, it’s a good time for non-students to think about where they are headed, especially in terms of their professional futures

For example, year-end performance reviews are coming up.  Have you thought about how you are doing against your stated goals for the year? Now is a good time to take stock, and there is still plenty of time left in 2008 to make some adjustments.

How about your resume — is it up to date?  I looked over a friend’s resume this past weekend, and it was another needed reminder that I need to update mine.

A new article, “4 Expert Career Tips for Fall,” offers several more good ideas for getting into good professional shape — especially if you’re hoping to land a new job in the next few months.

Hiding after a layoff

People who get laid off or lose a job involuntarily are more likely to shun social engagements, according to a new study.

The study, published in the September issue of the journal Social Forces, found laid-off folks were 35% less likely to be involved in their communities than their employed counterparts.

This was especially true of people in their 30s and 40s, and I can certainly relate. When I was laid off more than two years ago I felt ashamed or loserish, and I disengaged. I shared that experience two weeks ago with some journalists who are dealing with layoffs. I moderated a panel called “Life After a Layoff: Your Job Is Toast But You’re Not.” Several of them were in the same boat.

But being with people who are supportive — especially in social settings — can be just what recently laid-off people need! And this is also where networking can happen, even when you are not expecting it.

Unemployment can also provide opportunities for career growth. For more, see “Five Ways to Make Unemployment Work for You.”