Which statement best describes how you make a decision?The best decisions are the result of thorough research, where several alternatives are considered, and the pros and cons of each are weighed carefully before reaching a fact-based decision.The best decisions are the result of input from a group—two heads are better than one, and three heads are better than two.The best decisions are the ones I make unilaterally. Just kidding—sort of.The best decisions are the result of brainstorming possibilities and choosing the one that everyone is most excited about.If you are familiar with personality ... view article details

With the start of the New Year, employers will be finalizing their salary budgets for 2009. Many survey vendors collected, compiled and analyzed data regarding merit increases for 2009 and reported that merit budgets for 2009 were on track to remain consistent with previous years' averaging at around the 3.5% mark. As more economic turmoil surfaced toward year end, some organizations took a new look at merit budget plans for 2009 as we discussed in the article Pay Increases in 2009 May Disappoint Workers in our December 30th newsletter. Most employers are being cautious, pre... view article details

Dear Annette,I've been working two years at a startup that is about to go public. I enjoy working hard, but am starting to worry that I take it all too seriously. We are going through a very awkward stage of growth and there is much confusion about roles and responsibilities. Politics is rampant in what used to be a very team-oriented team. I find myself very angry and unmotivated. I want to make this work - any suggestions? Thanks,KimberlyDear Kimberly,Congratulations for making it this far. It takes brains, guts, and a cornucopia of snack foods to take a business from wish to winner. It's a ... view article details

'You need to devise a savings strategy that maxmizes your return. What's the best place for your savings? Knowing about the various options can help you build greater wealth for the future.'   Money Markets and CDs   Personal savings is the base of your financial pyramid. It is the foundation of your family's well-being and it's your starting point to building wealth. Starting a sound savings program isn't difficult, but it takes some thinking, planning, and commitment. Your first savings priority should be to build the money you'll want on hand for immediate and short-term needs. This money c... view article details

Recent surveys have estimated that over 132 billion business emails are sent and received each day. With that much communication going on through emails, there’s lots of room for confusion and misunderstandings -- especially if you are unaware of how your personality style is perceived by other styles.Follow these tips to make sure you are on the same wavelength as the recipient of your email.Direct style emails: When exchanging emails with the Direct style, keep it short and to the point. Jump in to your main point and stop when you are done. When you send them an email that doesn’t require a... view article details

The current economy requires major cuts across the board, and education is taking one of the hardest hits. Although the White House recently reported that the stimulus package was able to save or create 250,000 teaching jobs nationwide, massive layoffs continue to dominate headlines. In addition to faculty layoffs, students are even finding their programs cut, enrollment slashed and calendar year shortened, leaving parents to wonder what other options are out there to ensure their child is getting the best education possible.States in turmoilThe state of Hawaii announced recently that it would... view article details

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, so in the meantime, check out Salary.com’s Job Assessor tool, which ... view article details

Q. I work for a food and beverage management company that has had a few closures over that past year in my region due to cutbacks by our clients. To stay employed with my company, I agreed to consult in a different region (with a much higher salary scale for the same position) until new business opens back up in my home region. This agreement was on a month-to-month basis. Three months have gone by now and there is a possibility of new business back home. This new business will not open for six months though, so they have asked me to stay here until then. How do I negotiate for a salary increa... view article details

Medical and Health Services Managers are responsible for making sure that the day-to-day operations of the medical office run smoothly. Though Health Services managers do not provide health care directly, they are responsible for the planning and coordination of health care delivery, making their role just as essential to the medical field as nurses or doctors.A Health Services Manager may be either generalized or specialized, depending on the size and needs of the office. Bigger offices usually require a number of Health Administrators with varying specialties to implement procedures and poli... view article details

Folks, you might be wondering what your fellow job-seekers and compensation enthusiasts have searched the most on our Salary Wizard. Here is the top ten - with salary range and average as well as job descriptions. 1. Physical Therapist Salary range: $77,510-$91,296 Average: $84,141 What you’ll do: Evaluate and treat patients suffering from a physical disability due to injury, disease, or surgery. This person establishes treatment plans and treats patients using a variety of methods, including exercises, stretching maneuvers, hands-on therapy, and equipment to ease patients' pain and help th... view article details