Get Back in the Game Whether you are fresh out of college, having a midlife career change or deciding retirement isn’t for you, you first must realize job searching has changed. It's different than it was a decade ago, and it's different than it was last year. It’s difficult to keep up with all the changes, but if you want to be competitive in the job market you have to stay ahead of the technology as much as you can.So if you're starting from scratch, here is my advice to stay and get ahead of the game.It Starts with the Resume Although some people will say they are being ph... view article details

The Negotiation Process Begins Earlier Than You Think Have you ever felt undervalued or offered a lower salary than you are worth? Were you afraid to ask for a higher salary?If so, you are not alone. Many people avoid salary negotiation out of fear. However, even among those who are willing, it is a common misconception that the process must begin with a job offer. Salary negotiation begins much earlier in the job seeking process. How much earlier? As soon as you submit your resume. While this might be a surprise to some, it’s important to be aware for those who potentially risk under... view article details

For many, if not most, of us, the Internet is an essential work tool. It lets us send e-mails, share documents, participate in video conferences, conduct research, and browse cat videos (only during breaks, of course). Now, three communities are taking things even further, deploying widespread networks with speeds at or above 1 gigabit per second in the hopes of boosting economic development.How fast, exactly, is 1 Gbps? Well, the average Internet speed in the United States is somewhere between 5 and 6 megabits per second, according to various reports. These 1-Gig systems, therefore, are as mu... 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

There is, it seems, a skills gap in this country.Even as the national unemployment rate lingers above 8 percent -- 12.5 million people -- tens of thousands of jobs are going unfilled as employers contend that they just can't find qualified candidates. Applicants need to get more education, more skills, more experience, according to hiring managers.But the problem may not lay with the job-seekers alone, according to Why Good People Can't Get Jobs, a recently released book by Peter Cappelli, a management professor at the Wharton School. Companies' own expectations and practices, Cappelli argues,... view article details

In Part I of this article we discussed  six common roadblocks faced in the workplace, and how to recognize them. In Part II we’ll talk about specific strategies that will allow you to knock down roadblocks, so you can happily and successfully reach your destination.Roadblock #1: All talk, no action. Instead of daydreaming about how great your life would be if you reached your goal, take action.Strategy: Adapt the adage “There’s no time like the present.” Set goals that are SMART—Specific, Measurable,Attainable, Relevent, and Time-Bound. Taking this important first step will brea... view article details

Should we fly? Or surf?  Prior to 2001, business travel spending was on the rise. It seemed as if everyone was jet setting off to meet a client, or attend some conference or another. Since the attacks on September 11th, things have changed. While it is true that business travel, and travel in general, has increased from the decimated levels we saw in the fourth quarter of 2001, they are still nowhere near where they were prior to that time. The reason for this seemingly slow recovery is that there actually has been no 'recovery' at all. The travel industry, in general, has all but recovered fr... view article details

Q. I am being seriously considered for a position with a large Washington, DC-area IT consulting company. They have told me I will get the job, but are waiting to open a location closer to my home. We briefly discussed salary and I was told they would only be able to offer me 10 percent over my current salary. I confirmed that this was not due to their budget, but to their contracts with the U.S. government. The recruiter told me the government limited them to offering no more than 10 percent over someone's existing salary regardless of their previous salary. I have never heard of this and hav... view article details

The Career Coward's Guide to Career AdvancementHello and welcome to Salary Talk, the official podcast of Salary.com.We'll be bringing you interviews with renowned authors on all things related to salary, job hunting, career coaching, negotiations, resumes and more. The podcasts---which will run between 15-25 minutes in length---are available free of charge. You can listen to them while on the site or download the interviews to your mobile device and listen later.Our inaugural interview is with Katy Piotrowski, M.Ed., author of the Career Coward's book series.She has been a career counselor in ... view article details

Do you have a boss who frequently flies off the handle? A co-worker who constantly whines? A sabotaging supervisor? Every workplace and every department has them -- difficult people. Whether these people just 'get on your nerves' or are having a serious impact on your success, learning how to deal with challenging people takes skill.You'll meet 10 difficult personalities in Parts I and II of this article and learn some strategies to help you handle them.The Bully Meet Tom Tempestuous. Tom knows that most people dislike conflict and hassle, so his strategy is to throw fits and temper... view article details