Articles written by Matt Bird in Jobs & Careers

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What is Helium

About me - Matt Bird

What's there to say, really? I'm a Canadian Journalism student who loves to write. I've done it since I was a child and I hope to continue writing 'til I'm in my grave. Prior to Journalism I went to the University of Toronto, St. George Campus for English

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Jobs & Careers > Career Path & Goals Bad reasons for quitting your job: 1 of 66
I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that you dislike your job. Most of us can say the same, to varying degrees. And chances are good your dislike is justified: just about every job out there has its downsides. That's the reason we make money for them, because we wouldn't DO them otherwise. And you may even want to qui... More..
Jobs & Careers > Employers The ten worst types of employees a boss can have: 2 of 30
All too often employees complain about their bosses. I should know, I've done plenty of griping myself. But the bosses can have it hard, too, and there are some employees who just can't cut it, regardless of what field they're in. Here's a list of ten of the worst employees any boss can have, in no particular order. (Yes, th... More..
Jobs & Careers > Occupations (Other) Jobs you'd love to have: 4 of 44
Whenever it comes to these kinds of lists I'm always tempted to go the silly route. Sure, I could be like most other people and provide a realistic compendium of jobs I hope to test out some day - but what's the fun in that? Why not go for the jobs that you never have a chance of getting? So I'm going to do it again. Here's ... More..
Jobs & Careers > Office Politics Office tips: How to tell coworkers they smell bad: 2 of 20
You're sitting in your office. You need to get this report done and zipped up to the boss before lunch. But, god help you, you just can't do it - because there's something distracting you, something that's occupied your brain for the last few weeks. And not in a good way. The new guy, man, he just smells horrible. It happens... More..
Jobs & Careers > Career Path & Goals When to quit your job: 6 of 30
As easy as it SOUNDS to just up and quit a job, it's seldom so easy as that. There are lots of little considerations to take into account: will you be able to get another job right away? Do you have enough money to survive the downtime between jobs? Is it really the right decision in the end? Most of the time it's not a simp... More..
Jobs & Careers > Professionalism 10 tips for the fine art of slacking: 1 of 5
Make no mistake, slacking IS a fine art. Paradoxically enough, it takes a lot of effort to slack - perhaps more than it would to actually do your work. Yet you'll invariably get a great deal more satisfaction by knowing you've made an honest day's pay by contributing absolutely nothing of value to your team. Yet there are sl... More..
Jobs & Careers > Jobs & Careers (Other) The trials of the world of retail: 5 of 17
Though I only worked in retail for a year and a half, I have enough memories from the experience to last a lifetime - and most of them insist against ever doing it again. I won't deny that the job had its perks. Because I worked in the Electronics department of Wal-Mart I got to watch all the new movie releases for free (som... More..
Jobs & Careers > Office Politics What is the stupidest question a customer has asked you at work?: 8 of 27
"Can you tell me how to download full games for free? I don't want to pay." Yes, this was an actual question from a customer. He was a younger guy, maybe 19 or 20, and he came strolling into the Electronics department of Wal-Mart without, obviously, many brains in his head and probably about as much money to match. I've had ... More..
Jobs & Careers > Arts & Entertainment Jobs How to learn to draw manga and anime characters: 3 of 10
I've found that the biggest stumbling block to drawing anime or manga characters lies in the face. The proportions, though somewhat similar with some art styles, are usually so radically different that western-oriented artists might have a bit of trouble at first. The biggest problem - literally - is the eyes. Anime eyes are... More..
Jobs & Careers > Professionalism Bad ways to quit a job: 2 of 6
Anybody who's quit a job they didn't like has invariably been tempted to go about things the wrong way. We usually KNOW they're wrong, too, and that's why we don't follow the circuit of our brains: we just stick to submitting a letter stating our reasons for leaving, perhaps work a few more days to cover their butts and then... More..