North Dakota was the place to be in 2011, at least for people seeking work. The state ended last year much as it began: with the lowest unemployment rates in the country, according to numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to numbers released last week, the national, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.3 percent. North Dakota, however, had a jobless rate of just 3.3 percent, down from 3.8 percent in December 2010, according to BLS data from December 2011 which focused on individual states. Two other states from the upper Midwest and a pair of New England states rou... view article details

How to Keep a Low Profile & Stay Out of Office Gutter Politics Office Politics? Proceed with Caution We recently ran an article about why it's imperative for successful employees to engage in office politics. But as in the case everywhere, reasonable people will disagree. And that includes the writers at Salary.com. So here's the flip side of the office politics coin. Office politics occur in most workplaces. When employees spend hours per day together and vie for the same promotions and raises, competition is inevitable. Some people claim office politics are an essential part of the workpl... view article details

How to Ensure Efficiency While Employees Work from Home Have a strong organization. In the midst of this global coronavirus pandemic, companies which are fortunate enough to remain open have shifted to a work from home model. While embracing this new, temporary normal, strong management is needed to organize staff and remain productive while in isolation. One method to achieve this is to set up standard daily meetings at a fixed time to check in on your team, define goals, and get a reading on how everyone is coping during this trying time. This allows for communica... view article details

Career Coach & Author Jack Chapman Tackles All of Your Salary and Negotiation Questions You know them, you hate them, but how do you beat them? All the experts---Jack Chapman included---agree it's best for job-hunters to hold off on any and all salary talk until the interview process is complete and a firm job offer is in hand. But as hundreds of our readers have pointed out, the "salary boxes" found on online job applications often require a numeric answer. You want to play your cards close to the vest, but sometimes that feels impossible when a potential employer is barely letting you sit... view article details

While 2011 college seniors are excited about closing the door on one part of their life, it's common for them to feel pressure as it pertains to next steps. Some graduates may have already landed a job, but others may still not have a clue as to how to start their job search or what type of company they want to work for.So where are the best places to work for those just graduating? Experience.com has done the research and compiled a list of the top 20 Best Places to Work for Recent Grads. The companies on this list range from a wide variety of industries, and they're hiring! In fact, these co... view article details

You Only Get One Chance to Make a Good First Impression Finding a great job can be a challenge. But once you land that dream job, you need to realize the real challenge is still looming in the distance.Sure, take a moment to pat yourself on the back and celebrate getting hired. Good for you! But if you want to lay the groundwork for short- and long-term job success, you can’t relax and become complacent.It’s possible to get your future co-workers to take notice of you before you even start your new job. You can confirm why you were chosen for your position without stepping foot in the... view article details

'Safe travels'...at every goodbye these days, it seems, it's the same benediction. Beyond wishing each other well, what else can travelers do to play it safe in the air and in other countries? How can travelers overcome their reluctance to get back on the horse...or the plane? The U.S. State Department offers these tips on traveling safely to other countries.Before you leave...Read the consular information sheet for your destination country, which describes local conditions travelers can expect. Find out about any travel warnings or pertinent public announcements in case there are any perceive... view article details

If you’re like most people, your credit rating is probably the last thing on your mind while looking for a new job. Maybe you’re taking a second or a third look at your resume and cover letter, or having a friend or expert review or revamp them. You may even be taking a closer look at your wardrobe. But according to analysts and experts like Michael Germanovsky, editor-in-chief at Credit-Land.com who was our 'go to' expert for this article, your credit rating should definitely be on your mind if you want to get hired. In reality your credit score can play a very real role in whether or not you... view article details

Working in the airline industry can take you places. Even from an elevation of only 110 feet -- the official above sea level height of the city of Everett – which is the site of The Boeing Company’s commercial airplane plant on Washington state's northernmost coast. The career path of Bridget Beckmyer-Johnson provides clear evidence of the 'sky’s the limit' type of opportunities available to the dedicated employee. Her passion for people and learning has transported her from an entry-level position as an airplane “sealer” all the way to management during her 15-year tenure at the plant.Between... view article details

Job postings range from regurgitated job descriptions to carefully crafted sales pitches. At some level all job postings are designed to give you enough information to qualify yourself in or out of applying. And, if well done, the compelling copy and clarion call-to-action spurs you to 'Apply!' 'Submit!' 'Enter, enter, enter!'Before you take the plunge So, you're ready to apply online. Before you dive in, dizzy with anticipation of landing your dream job, consider: What do these common job posting phrases really mean?"We have an immediate ... view article details