The Gamification of Job Hunting: Brain Dead TV Meets The Unemployment Line

Last fall, CBS announced casting for a new reality TV competition series — The Job — now set to debut on Friday, February 8, 2013 (8:00–9:00 PM, ET/PT). Five contestants will compete for their dream job with a featured employer or hope for an offer from one of several guest employers. Think The Apprentice (NBC), but with more winners. The good news? Winners won't have to work for Donald Trump. A group of well-known companies have lined up to audition job candidates. The bad news? It's another manufactured reality show. Meh.

Indeed - How Much Are You Worth?

Every once in a while I come across a tool that allows me to compare the value of certain skills of mine in different cities. Like me, you may be thinking there is no single job description that accurately covers everything you do for a living. Sure, but you gotta start somewhere.

Take one aspect of my work -- online community development -- and you'll get an idea of what those job responsibilities alone might pay in certain locations, if that is your only area of expertise. If you're in the middle of job negotiations, this could be an effective, eye-opening, way to present your salary case. Remember, it's just a free tool, so if your target career appears woefully underappreciated, don't say I didn't warn you. I'd recommend relying on more than just one Web site and more than one job title to figure out what you should be earning.