....or at least looking like you're working hard. In case you don't know, George Constanza is a reoccurring character on the T.V sitcom Seinfeld. I was inspired to post it by the convo Rondo started in the shout box. Here's to you, Rondo!

1. Never walk down the hall without a document in your hands. People
with documents in their hands look like hardworking employees heading
for important meetings. People with nothing in their hands look like
they're heading for the cafeteria. People with a newspaper in their
hand look like they're heading for the toilet.

Above all, make sure you carry loads of stuff home with you at night,
thus generating the false impression that you work longer hours than
you do.

2. Use computers to look busy. Any time you use a computer, it looks
like work to the casual observer. You can send and receive personal
e-mail, calculate your finances and generally have a blast without
doing anything remotely related to work. These aren't exactly the
societal benefits that the proponents of the computer revolution would
like to talk about, but they're not bad either. When you get caught
by your boss - and you will get caught - your best defense is to claim
you're teaching yourself to use new software, thus saving valuable
training dollars.

3. Messy desk. Top management can get away with a clean desk. For the
rest of us, it looks like you're not working. To the observer, last
year's work looks the same as today's work; it's volume that counts.
Pile them high and wide. If you know somebody is coming to your
cubicle, bury the document you'll need halfway down in an existing
stack and rummage for it when he/she arrives.

4. Voice Mail. Never answer your phone if you have voice mail. People
don't call you just because they want to give you something for
nothing - they call because they want you to do work for them. That's
no way to live.

Screen all your calls through voice mail. If somebody leaves a voice
mail message for you and it sounds like impending work, respond during
lunch hour when you know they're not there - it looks like you're
hardworking and conscientious even though you're being a devious
weasel. If you diligently employ the method of screening incoming
calls and then returning calls when nobody is there, this will greatly
increase the odds that the caller will give up or look for a solution
that doesn't involve you. The sweetest voice mail message you can
ever hear is: "Ignore my last message. I took care of it".

If your voice mailbox has a limit on the number of messages it can
hold, make sure you reach that limit frequently - send yourself a few
messages. Your callers will hear a recorded message that says,
"Sorry, this mailbox is full" - a sure sign that you are a hardworking
employee in high demand.

5. Looking Impatient and Annoyed. According to George Costanza, one
should also always try to look impatient and annoyed to give your
bosses the impression that you are always busy.

6. Appear to Work Late. Always leave the office late, especially when
the boss is still around. You could read magazines and storybooks
that you always wanted to read but have no time until late before
leaving. Make sure you walk past the boss' room on your way out.
Send important emails at unearthly hours (e.g. 9:35pm, 7:05am, etc...)
and during public holidays.

7. Creative Sighing for Effect. Sigh loudly when there are many people
around, giving the impression that you are very hard pressed.

8. Stacking Strategy. It is not enough to pile lots of documents on the
table. Put lots of books on the floor etc... Can always borrow from
library. Thick computer manuals are the best.

9. Build Vocabulary. Read up on some computer magazines and pick out all
the jargon and new products. Use it in conversation with bosses.
Remember: They don't have to understand what you say, but you sure
sound impressive.

10. Most importantly, don't let your boss see this list!

So if you have any tips feel free to add to the list. Happy Working!