Is Transparency Good or Bad? Transparency is one of the most misunderstood concepts in executive circles. Clear to all ranks however, is the notion that a perceived lack of it can have a crippling effect on a leader’s reputation.Consider both current U.S. presidential candidate and incumbent, on the issue. When the latter, Barack Obama, took office, his Administration promised that it would be 'the most open and transparent in history.' All evidence to the contrary, say prominent critics who point to the government’s alleged disappointing track record in processing Freedom of Informat... view article details

Your bedroom closet redo might have happened during a last-minute quest for clothing donations at tax time. But now it's easier to get dressed for work and less likely that you will grab the navy blue jacket to wear with your black pants.Hold that thought. Mull it over as you sip your coffee, chiding the driving faux pas of your fellow commuters. Could this spring cleaning moment have other applications? What if you were to clean and organize your workspace? Here are some de-clutter tips that might just get you promoted. Or at least help you find your daily planner. Do a drive by Chec... view article details

Our Office Dress Survey was Revealing We asked about office dress codes and boy did you answer. Loudly. Nearly 4,600 people responded to our survey and proved dress codes are, and always will be, a hot topic that gets fairly contentious in a hurry. Dress codes---whether to have them, what clothing should be allowed/prohibited and how to implement them---will all vary depending on the atmosphere of the individual companies. A small beachside surf and skate shop will likely be more informal than three-piece suits worn by employees at a Fortune 500 company. But whether yo... view article details

As your own agent, you've done some salary research, you've visited Salary.com, and you know what you’re worth. You know what combination of compensation elements will make a prospective position your dream job. Now you need to negotiate to get those compensation goals and nail down your dream deal.Your Dream DealWhat’s in a dream deal? It’s that combination of statistics and characteristics that, taken together, make up your dream job.Learn the typical range of base compensation for your dream position in your industry, in your area.Find your fabulousness factor: where your compensation ought... view article details

Failure to Adapt to the New Working World Will Leave You in the Unemployment Line by 2020 Times Are Changing While the year 2020 may feel futuristic, in reality it's just around the corner. Will your career be prepared to fly into orbit, or will it stall on the ground? We’re predicting 10 global trends we believe will shape the future workforce. In addition, we'll share tips and hints that help you plan for and respond to these trends. Read on to make sure you'll be considered relevant and not a relic. 10. Global Talent Seeking As countries continue to invest in emerging economies -- spec... view article details

What is a Severance Package? You've just been notified of your last day of employment. Your supervisor hands you a severance agreement and release, and your mind is flooded with questions about your severance package. If you are an employee at will, your employer can terminate you at any time, without notice and with or without severance. After the shock, here are nine things you should consider when reviewing a severance package agreement and managing the transition from one company to your next opportunity. 1. Last Paycheck vs. Severance Package For most people, the first questions that c... view article details

How to Set Career & Salary Goals You Can Achieve This Year New Year, New Goals Everyone knows the beginning of the year is the time for setting goals. Lose weight! Get in shape! Spend more time with friends and family! It’s also the time to set goals for your career. If you do, there’s a good chance you’ll become rich. Didn’t you hear about that study on goal setting? In his book What They Don’t Teach You At Harvard Business School, Mark McCormack tells of a study conducted with new graduates from the 1979 Harvard MBA program. In that year, the students were asked, "Have you set clear, writ... view article details

Looking for a Job? There's an App for That Today’s tsunami of technology means savvy job seekers have jumped on the app wagon in an effort to give themselves the leading edge in the job search process. Mobile apps allow job seekers to search discreetly for positions – anytime, anywhere – and respond to postings quickly. There are apps that help with career planning, organize the job search process, alert job seekers to compatible positions, and can even upload and send resumes to recruiters. This article explores the 8 mobile apps (in no particular order) every job seeker should know about. 1.... view article details

From CNN Money and the compensation experts at Salary.com MONEY Magazine and Salary.com have unveiled an exclusive list of the 50 Best Jobs in America. MONEY and Salary.com started by analyzing government and private data on industry growth and compensation levels. But in an improving employment market in which workers are looking for more than just a paycheck, MONEY and Salary.com dug deeper, surveying 26,000 workers about their job satisfaction and grading careers based on factors such as stress level, flexibility, creativity and ease of entry into and advancement within the field. These ca... view article details

You've just been notified of your last day of employment. Your supervisor hands you a severance agreement and release and your mind is flooded with questions. How can this happen? Can they do that? Unfortunately, if you are an employee at will your employer can terminate you at any time, without notice and with or without severance. After the shock, here are a few things you should consider when reviewing a severance agreement and managing the transition from one company to your next opportunity. 1. Last Paycheck vs. Severance Package For most, the first questions that come to mind are "what's... view article details