Q: I took some time off this year, and I think it affected my performance review. I got only a 2 percent raise. Does this mean I am a problem employee?A: The dreaded performance evaluation happens every year. You hope against hope that the project you completed is recognized. You also hope the extra work you put in is also recognized. But to your dismay, you are told that in spite of your hard work, you are eligible for a 2 percent increase, which after taxes isn't much.Without knowing the details of your situation, I could paint a typical scenario.During your review, your manager informed you... view article details

Convince Your Boss Not to Fear the Flex This article is adapted from Chapter 5, “Negotiating for Work Flexibility,” of the new book, The Working Dad’s Survival Guide: How to Succeed at Work and at Home.Lots of working parents benefit from working alternative work schedules, such as telecommuting a day or two a week or shifting hours around family responsibilities. However, for the most part, companies will not come to us to ask us about our needs for flexibility. We have to take the first step. This can be difficult, but most good things in life are.To increase our chances of success,... view article details

When Your Work Is Done, Get Out of There Pamela Selle wants you to go the heck (we softened up her original language) home. Seriously. If it is 6 p.m. or if you are done with your projects for the day or your brain is just burned out from the last eight hours of staring at a monitor, Selle says, just get out of the office. It's tough to be the first one to leave the office for fear it makes you look bad, but going home when your work is done does have benefits. It's better for your productivity, it's better for your employer, and it is most assuredly better for you. In February, Phila... view article details

Are you as satisfied with the work you do today as you were a year ago? Do you have fun doing your job? Do you work in a creative environment where coworkers trust and nurture one another? Are you proud of the work you do, and the products or services your company sells? Does your employer put the customer ahead of all else? If you're looking for a job, will you settle for less than a job that brings you joy?As contrary as it may seem, most people in the U.S. workforce have some choice in what they do for a living and where they work. That means most workers can hold out for a job with some de... view article details

Job description Engineers research and develop solutions to technical needs in society. They design products, materials, machinery, factories, systems, structures, and much more. Their main work lies in ensuring efficiency, and working to constantly improve the quality of all aspects of life. They also analyze the impact their projects have had on the environment and society. Most engineers specialize in a certain area, there are more than 25 specialties recognized by professional engineering societies and each area has many divisions. Engineers will also sometimes choose to specialize in a s... view article details

How to Handle Giving an Employee a Poor Performance Review Having a positive employee review is easy. You applaud your employee’s accomplishments, discuss plans for the future, and (hopefully) give them a handsome raise. Sadly, the same does not apply when you have to give a poor performance review to an employee whose efforts have been iffy at best. Here’s how to handle a negative employee review so that both you and your employee both feel positive and motivated at the end of it. 1. Most likely, your employee already knows his work has not been up to par. But there is a chance that yo... view article details

Ready for a new job? We’ve got all the pointers and relevant trends to help you decide on a great role with competitive pay and modern-day perks. Here’s the top articles pertaining to the job search we feel are worth the read: 1) What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? If you are considering a career change, it may help to channel your childhood self and figure out – “what do I want to be when I grow up?” We gathered all-ages advice on that here. It may also help to simply see what sorts of jobs generate a range of five- and six-figure salaries. Here’s our list of in-demand jobs that pay over... view article details

Going back to school is a great way to invest in your future. Learning new skills can lead to better work opportunities and increased income and programs designed to help you attain a short or long term professional goal are helpful in giving you the edge you need in today’s competitive job market. Finding the right college or professional program is very important. You need to find a school that is affordable and flexible. But finding time for additional learning outside of the workplace presents a significant challenge to most employees. Here we highlight some terrific advantages to pursuing... view article details

Putting a price tag on a priceless job is hard to do, but we gave it a shot anyway. On Mother’s Day, Salary.com, the leader in compensation data, planning and analytics, would like to honor all the Moms out there who work their hardest day-in and day-out. We would like to recognize both professional and stay-at-home Moms on their unwavering dedication to their families and other responsibilities. We selected a handful of jobs that reflect a day in the life of a Mom, and using Salary.com’s Salary Wizard we uncovered that the medium annual salary of a mother is $162,581– rising nearly $5,000 fr... view article details

Performance reviews present an opportunity for employees to demonstrate their accomplishments and distinguish themselves and their value to the organization. It is important to maximize use of this critical tool, as it has significant impact on pay, professional development, and job security. Here are ten tips to make the annual performance review work best for you, while also making it easier on your boss to write you a terrific review: 10. Know Your Role During Performance Review If you are uncertain about any aspect of your job, seek clarification. A great place to start is a detailed list ... view article details