Just like an interview, a job offer can tell you a great deal about a potential employer. An offer can reveal how serious the employer is about the offer, how valuable you are to the company, and most importantly, whether you should make the move. Jobs are customarily offered over the telephone or in person. The employer should offer more than just, 'Congratulations, you've got the job.' He or she should explain the offer in detail and answer your questions.It is appropriate to respond to a job offer within two to four days. Rarely would an employer expect you to accept a position on the spot.... view article details

Today's high unemployment rates mean that more people than ever are experiencing joblessness, and for longer periods of time.While being without a job is not ideal, you can use the time for self-discovery, to open doors, to make yourself more marketable, and to expand your experiences.This article shows you how to make the most of unemployment, by illustrating 7 dos and 7 don'ts.Do focus on the present and live in the "now" Think about what you can do today to improve your job situation, whether it's buffing up your resume, reaching out to a contact, or doing research on companies you... view article details

Why You Should Bank on Taking It to the Bank When asking for a raise or promotion, many people ask the wrong way and ask for the wrong reasons.The wrong way to ask is to walk into your boss’ office and beg for a raise, demand a raise, or give an ultimatum. The wrong reasons to justify an increase are excuses like you need the money for rent, you heard that a friend of yours makes more than you, or you want to buy that new Jaguar convertible you saw on TV.In fact, if you’re like many Americans, even if you get that raise, you’ve already spent the additional money before it even clears ... view article details

"Politics" is Not a Dirty Word The politics of Obama, Romney & Co. are on everyone’s lips these days as the challengers and incumbents in the race for the highest office in the land battle it out on a global stage. Alas, the commentary’s rarely positive.  These days the term politics has become a four-letter word for many, in part because it represents a fraternity that spends more time defending itself than abiding by its dictionary definition: activities which are associated with government. The word has evolved to mean: the relational dynamics associated with influencing and govern... view article details

Health benefits concern the physical well being of employees and their families. Broadly speaking, this could include such things as medical coverage, dental and vision insurance, prescription drug plans, certain types of disability coverage, and counseling services, often called employee personal assistance programs (EAP). You might also have a flexible spending account, which allows you to pay for certain medical and dependent care expenses out of pretax dollars.Dental plansDental plans come in almost as many forms as regular healthcare coverage. Basic dental coverage usually has categories ... view article details

The Sequester, Job Search, and You A recent Gallup poll states 51% of Americans don’t know enough about the sequester to judge if it’s a good or bad thing for the economy or for themselves personally. I tend to take a more negative view. As a layperson, and a veteran resume writer, I hear from many people who feel the effects of the sequester and believe it’s a bad thing, even if those changes have not already taken place. It’s like waiting for the other proverbial shoe to drop: You know something bad is about to happen, you just don’t know when.This article spells out in layperson’s ... view article details

In Part 1 of the series Successful Job Transitions, we looked at how to stay in control of your job search.   Now that we're moving on to that new job, here are some tips for continuing your smooth job transition during the stickiest part of that transition: The final two weeks.It's why they're called "significant" others Before marching into the CEO's office to share a celebratory 'I quit!' make sure your spouse, children, bank manager and golden retriever know what you are up to. If you want them behind you, be up front. Just as this transition can b... view article details

Some gentlemen prefer blondes. Some ladies will only date men of a certain height.The laws of attraction differ from person to person, but Salary.com recently surveyed readers to find out if the size of a person's paycheck is a determining factor when men and women are looking for romantic partners.We surveyed nearly 2,000 people regarding the role money plays in romantic relationships, and discovered some revealing information about how men and women view money and attraction.Money Matters More to Women When asked if the number of zeros in your significant other's paycheck mattered, ... view article details

Feeling at Ease with Negotiating Here’s a test. Over the past year, what has been the typical response when you ask people “How’ve you been?” My guess is that very few answer, “Actually, I’ve been incredibly relaxed, calm, and productive.” Most likely they say, “I’m so busy!” “Things have been so crazy!” “I’m so swamped at work!” “I’m exhausted and busy and crazy!” I could go on.So when the end of the year rolls around, it seems that is the time that people finally set aside time to be with family, unplug from the working world, relax and recover. But what if you could feel more relax... view article details

What is the PSR? The PSR is our Personal Salary Report. You probably know about and have used our free Salary Wizard, but the PSR is an enhanced compensation analysis that costs a little bit of money, but gives you much more of an edge when it comes to negotiating salary.So why should you buy the PSR when you can get free information in the Salary Wizard? Glad you asked, because here's our step-by-step guide to understanding the PSR.For Starters... The very first thing you'll do is enter your job title, state, and city. This is important because the region in which you live h... view article details