Politics in the Office is Inevitable In a perfect world, this article wouldn't have to be written. When it comes to politics, reasonable people would agree to disagree, cast their ballots in private without fanfare, and then go back to office small talk. But during this election season in the most politically divisive time in recent memory, that's just not in the cards. So the question isn't whether or not people should talk politics at work, but how to survive talk of the election during office hours.It's hard to escape politics these days. As Election Day nears, the political ads ar... view article details

10 jobs for people with little to no experience If you are just graduating from university or changing career tracks, you may have difficulty in finding a job. Most companies prefer hiring experienced staff instead of beginners. Don’t worry. It is possible to find a job even without any experience. Here are 10 options to help you to get a start. You may find that many of them are quite interesting and beneficial for your career prospects. Administrative/Office Jobs 1. Sales Representative If you are confident in your social and communication skills... view article details

How Older Workers Can Better Overcome Obstacles to Getting Hired Older Workers Have a Tougher Time Getting a Job While the U.S. job market continues to make slow but steady gains, finding a job in the current economy is still challenging. All job seekers today face significantly more obstacles than they did a decade ago, but those over the age of 50 have a few extra hurdles to clear. According to a recent survey done by ExecuNet, a member organization for senior-level executives, a Vice President over the age of 50 takes 20% longer to get hired than a 41- to 45-year-old at the same level. W... view article details

Real-life Leaders, Their Shortcomings, and How They Overcame Them "A business owner has to realize that, as the saying goes, 'A skunk stinks from the head down,' and a business does too," writes Bill McBean in his book The Facts of Business Life. That’s why, McBean posits, behind every great leader is a successful business. But just because you’re sitting in the leader’s chair doesn’t mean you excel at managing and motivating a team. Plenty of highly-placed executives lack essential people skills, or worse, rule with a bully’s iron fist -- it’s their way or the highway, a la TV bosses Donald T... view article details

5 things you need to know about employment background checks Nowadays, Human Resource departments are facing a series of risks caused by carelessness. This is simply because some candidates are not reliable enough to take a position within the hiring organization. With senior management often spread thin, promoting the company's interests can become less evident. This can run the risk of people leaving the company to form their own, similar company – providing them higher salary and personal gain. So employment background check is an important step before salary negotiation.... view article details

Have you ever felt a little bit out of your element? Of course you have. Maybe it was traveling to a foreign country, eating an exotic meal that you’ve never experienced, or pursuing a new hobby outside your comfort zone. There are two other areas where people often find themselves out of their element: Negotiating their salary and starting their first business. And yet, they have a lot in common. And so it was that I found myself a bit out of my element on a bustling night in New York. I spent the afternoon at a co-working space called Impact Hub, and on my way out they were setting up for ... view article details

7 Skills to Become a Good Executive Assistant Skills to Become a Good Executive Assistant What does an executive assistant do? As an executive assistant, your role is to help your supervisor with daily tasks, such as replying to e-mails, controlling their schedule, coordinating meetings, and so on. But remember, an executive assistant is not a servant; they play an integral role as a strategic counselor for their supervisor, not simply do menial tasks anyone can do. Executive assistant duties are more complex. This position requires specific skills to make the best ... view article details

What to Do When You're There to Work, Not Make Friends It's All About Boundaries It might be tempting to hang out at the water cooler half the morning and indulge in the latest gossip, the fun anticipation of the office lottery pool, or friendly sports bets. But these easy friendships with coworkers can begin to spill over into your personal life, and that's when things get dicey. Setting boundaries is a good idea, but where do you begin? Can you set boundaries without hurting someone's feelings? Can you keep your work relationships healthy even while you decline invitations that infringe o... view article details

15 First Day on the Job Tips It's human nature for new co-workers and colleagues to form perceptions about the "type" of person you are based on initial impressions. These snap judgments can turn into long-term perceptions that may impact your career trajectory, and ultimately success, at an organization. That's good news for people who make a positive impression. But if you make a negative first impression, it could haunt you -- and your career -- for a long time. This article explores 15 first day on the job tips. 1. Arrive early, stay late A punctual arrival shows that you are organized, ... view article details

Every day should be a holiday. Yet, at work, only certain days are. At the end of the year, many employees look forward to extra wages, or paid time off, around the holidays. Let’s discuss how employers calculate holiday pay accurately so they can compensate you fairly. Every Day Should Be a Holiday In the United States, employees are not required to be paid during holidays. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employers as a whole provide compensation to their employees for an average of 8 holidays per year: New Year’s Day Easter Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day... view article details