Last week, we brought you '9 Reasons You Should Nap at Work,' which discussed the benefits of daytime snoozing and highlighted some companies that encourage their employees to nap on the clock.This week we tackle the more practical aspects of catching some ZZZs at work.1. Understand your company's culture and rules Before you put your head down on your desk and start snoring, do your homework.Many employers discourage napping. Others consider it grounds for firing. Gradually, however, more companies are allowing or even promoting naptime in the office. Some progressive companies have... view article details

Exceeding your annual performance expectations may seem impossible. But, according to Nick Camelio, Vice President of Human Resources at Salary.com? that doesn’t have to be the case. The key to exceeding your performance expectations is to be an active participant in establishing your goals from the start. By focusing on key objectives and defining a plan that makes sense for you and your employer, you are on your way to meeting and exceeding your performance goals. To help get you started, Camelio offers the following 6 tips:1. Understand your Role The first step ... view article details

It has long been understood that, for men with thinning hair, the comb-over is rarely a wise choice. In fact, thanks to recent research by Wharton School lecturer Albert Mannes, there is now evidence that men who embrace baldness by shaving their heads can seem more dominant, confident, and masculine than those who let hair loss run its natural course.  Mannes' research was inspired by his own experience after he shaved his head in his mid-30s and noticed that people reacted to him differently. 'They were more standoffish and, on a few occasions, even deferential,' he said in an e-mail. Becaus... view article details

The holidays bring with it extra expenditures that can be difficult to manage especially in light of the current economic situation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, over the past 24 months, consumer prices have risen 7.8%, making it increasingly difficult for consumers to keep up with the essentials. Information Resources, Inc., an independent market-data firm, recently conducted a survey of how consumers’ shopping and spending habits have changed in recent months. The results, while not surprising, are quite interesting. They report that the majority of consumers earning less t... view article details

Where's the Beach? There’s a radio advertisement running on one of the stations I listen to regularly. It’s an ad for “the beaches of South Walton” and hopes to inspire listeners to vacation there. The problem is, the ad's writers assumed a lot about the audience when they created their piece. They barely mention the beaches are in Florida and allude to the 'white sands,' which requires some knowledge about Florida to conclude the beach must be on the Gulf coast -- because the Atlantic Ocean’s beaches don’t have white sand.Unless the goal was to specifically target people who already ... view article details

To negotiate your pay package, you first need to identify the right opportunity. It is true that any time will work, but there are some natural 'money moments' that are perhaps more logical for negotiating a pay package. One obvious opportunity is when you are interviewing for a new job. In fact, for an executive not to negotiate at that moment would be considered foolish. If you're not interviewing for a new job, the obvious moments are fewer but they still exist. Performance review time is a good time, as are the end of a significant project, and promotion or change-of-role events.Start earl... view article details

Dear Heather,Over the past three years I’ve developed a friendship with a co-worker. We’ve weathered a lot, both at work and in our personal lives. I respect him tremendously and appreciate how easily we’ve been able to relate to one another through administrative upheavals, divorces and the like. There has always been an underlying spark in our relationship, but we’ve been careful not to ignite it, as I am technically his superior (he’s an adjunct teacher in a separate department and could probably teach elsewhere). I’m also recently separated and still in the process of sorting through the e... view article details

There is plenty of advice out there about writing a good resume. From grammarians parading the benefits of a bullet proof resume -- at least from a spelling and grammar perspective -- to hiring managers threatening to toss out your resume for failing to 'suit their tastes,' almost everyone has an opinion. Nothing is necessarily wrong. Resume writing is inherently subjective.But despite the diverse viewpoints, there are some clear differentiators that go into the making of a great resume. I am not talking about writing just a good resume. Today’s job market demands greatness. For better or wors... view article details

'Dear Heather,I hate my job. Ten years ago, it was fun and challenging. Even two years ago, I felt like my opinion was of value, and that I was having a positive impact on the company’s direction. At this point, however, after some unfortunate corporate choices at the upper levels, I have more responsibility than actual power. I’ve been forced to implement decisions I disagree with as if they were my own. My heart races when I walk into the office, and I actually cried during my commute this morning. My husband is doing OK at his job, but my income has factored heavily into the family budget. ... view article details

Talking about salary is always tricky. Bring it up too soon and you might screen yourself out of an interview. Put it off too late and you could be at a disadvantage towards the end of the process. And sometimes---as is the case with this week's guest---your hand is forced because your salary is a matter of public record. So what do you do if you're going for your dream job but your current job has paid you peanuts? Are you at a disadvantage because they don't take you as seriously? If so, how can you make sure you don't get lowballed? As always, our expert Jack Chapman has your answers!QUESTI... view article details