If you're a fast-tracker striving for career advancement like a heat-seeking missile then this is a podcast you can't afford to miss. On this week's episode of Salary Talk, Aaron flies solo in this interview with Donald Asher, author of 'Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn't and Why' and 'Cracking the Hidden Job Market,' who deals exclusively with career professionals who aren't happy unless they're earning a promotion every 12-18 months. You'll find out why raises aren't about past performance, being indispensable isn't a good thing and discover why talent is a distant second to timing. Asher's insi... view article details

Switching fields may seem taboo, but it's quite doable, especially now when labor markets are tight. Almost half of the 164 employers who responded to our MONEY/Salary.com survey say they regularly target mid-career changers when recruiting. One reason: Switchers are dedicated to their move, with 32 percent saying they'll spend 'as long as it takes' to get the necessary certification and schooling.What are they looking for? Pay and advancement, sure, but also fulfillment and a sense that they can control their career paths.Steve Mullins, 44, already has a good job: He's a telecommunications en... view article details

There is no right or wrong way to write a resume. But competition for jobs is fierce right now. You need to develop a resume that sets you apart from the masses. It can’t be a passive piece of paper. It must be a passionate representation of who you are and why you are the best person for the job. In today’s competitive job market, it’s important that you help employers see the benefits of hiring you over someone else. Organizations need to know that you will help them attain their corporate objectives. Your resume is the first step in expressing that message to them. Here are some helpful ti... view article details

Look Beyond Salary & Benefits Before Accepting a New Job Evaluating the Intangibles You finally have the formal job offer in hand. But wait! Suddenly, out of nowhere, that long-shot interview you went on paid off. Now you've got not one, but two job offers in hand and you need to make a decision. Granted we're talking champagne problems here, but this is a decision that will affect you for years to come, so you'd better look at every aspect of both jobs and examine everything carefully. This will be your home away from home for the foreseeable future and a lot is riding on your decision. He... view article details

5 Things You Should Know About Salary Requirements "What are your salary requirements" is a difficult question for job applicants to answer on a resume or in an interview. Many candidates think it's a trick question – it can be embarrassing to talk about salary and they're afraid of giving an unreasonable answer, so they give up their chance to negotiate salaries and accept their first offer. It requires information and research about salary requirements to give a reasonable answer to this question. This article will tell you what kind of preparation is required to answer th... view article details

Your resume gets you in the door, but your performance in the job interview ultimately gets you the position. That is, if you don't botch it. The questions you face at every job interview is different because the companies and people asking the questions vary so widely. However, there are a few questions that seem to have universal appeal to hiring managers doing the asking, and those are the questions for which you can and should prepare. They are questions meant to either throw you off your game, make you think on your feet, and/or determine how you handle yourself under pressure. Sometime... view article details

Survey Results Show Employees Crave At Least Some Structure When It Comes to Dress Codes Dress codes are, and always will be, a hot topic that gets fairly contentious in a hurry. Employers need to spend considerable time pondering office dress codes---whether or not to have one, what is permitted/prohibited and how to implement it---and consider the kind of work environment and image to project. Depending on your company and your personality, there are many factors to consider. For instance, if you're opening a beachside surf and skate shop your dress code will likely be much more informal tha... view article details

It might not be fair, but the way you look plays a part in how much you’re paid. Looks Do Matter Discriminating against people based on their physical appearance is wrong -- both morally, and in many cases, legally speaking. The way you look usually has no bearing on how you’ll perform in your job, and in a perfect world everyone would be judged solely on his/her merits. But the harsh reality is this isn't a perfect world, and discrimination -- whether intentional or inadvertent -- still plays a role in the workplace. And while it should never be condoned, job seekers and employees need to be ... view article details

Getting Back Into the Swing of Things First of all, congratulations on the new job! Whether you were unemployed and searching for something new, or you took time off to raise kids or take care of loved ones, welcome back to the workforce.But at the same time, it's understandable that you're a little leery about transitioning back to the working world after a prolonged absence. Will people like me? What have I missed? Is the technology different? Can I really meet these new challenges in unfamiliar territory?Before you start your new chapter, take a minute to read about a few tips for ... view article details

You've Gotta Want It! Has your gym lock been repurposed for use as a paperweight? While it might be quite effective at holding down all those 'must read' memos, it looked better dangling from your gym locker. Remember? The gym? You first wandered in months ago. Hopeful. Resolved. You made promises. Signed papers. And bought a lock.Sure, it’s tough to fit in fitness. Especially in the dead of winter with crowded gyms full of people clinging to their New Year's resolutions and temperatures that make working out outside more than a little icy. Not to mention the fact that your job may re... view article details