Q: Are verbal agreements legally binding? I was recruited by my current employer through a management recruiting firm for a lateral position. The recruitment came with a verbal agreement that I would move into my supervisor's position in two to three years, after he moved back to the division headquarters. Now that he's moving back, the new plant manager has decided not to honor that agreement and the HR manager tells me no one is guaranteed a promotion.A: I'm not a lawyer - and I don't play one on TV - but I never take verbal agreements seriously. If your supervisor planned to move you into a... view article details

Michelle Babineau of Boston, Mass. has been laid off three times in seven months. The dot-com veteran has been through it all: the conference with a terse manager and human resources representative; the company-wide announcement led by a weeping CEO; and the 'let-go' meeting at an offsite location. Her third job lasted five days. 'The CEO quit on the day I started,' Babineau said.Can they do that? Unfortunately, they can - and do. There are a few protections for employees, however. Understanding the implication of laws your employer has had to consider helps you to position yourself as well as... view article details

Q: I am putting in my resume for a manager's position that has just opened up in the store where I am a sales associate. I have been in retail for about five years and with this company for about six months. I have a degree in textiles, apparel and merchandising and a minor in business administration. The manager who is leaving speaks very highly of me. The median salary for my area is about $36,000. Should I ask for less because I have no management experience? Or should I ask for a range of $32,000 to $36,000 and see what they offer?A: If the median salary is $36,000, that means the candidat... view article details

Q. I am a software consultant at a relatively small firm (under 50 employees). Recently, the company entered into contracts with several clients overseas and international travel will be required for me for three weeks each month. Management has made it clear that salary, rather than extra time off or other benefits, will be the main incentive for work abroad. What should I expect in a salary increase?A. If the company were relocating you outside the United States, you could expect it to provide you with additional incentives, such as a housing allowance, a travel allowance, hazard pay (if you... view article details

It's Not Easy, But You Can Make Big Bucks in the Mortgage Industry Each year, the news offers conflicting reports about the economy. It’s bad. It’s picking up. It’s crashing over the fiscal cliff. It’s enough to make one’s head spin! But for qualified sales people seeking new opportunities in 2013, prospects are looking up. The mortgage industry is recovering from the downturn and companies are looking to recruit top candidates as loan officers. But how do you get your foot in the door? Tim Padavic knows a thing or two about getting hired in the mortgage industry. He’s the VP of Business De... view article details

Q: Hello, you don't know me, but I saw your profile on Salary.com. You look so happy in your picture and I would love to see myself so accomplished in the near future! Do you have any advice for a hard working creative woman like me? I've been designing and managing at the same stable, but unfulfilling job for the past 8 years. I need a kick in the a** to make a move to senior management ELSEWHERE, but I have little time with a toddler underfoot? Please help!Heather: What a compliment! Thank you. But make no mistake, that photo was cropped to exclude unfinished laundry, a carry-in dinner and t... view article details

An interview is the only time during the hiring process when you and your interviewer can form a mutual relationship based on observation and communication. You're both on the same level: the interviewer wants to do his or her best to get to know you, answer your questions, and find out if you would be a good fit for the job and the company.Despite its etiquette and formality, your interview can yield a wealth of information. The key to a successful interview is to bring some knowledge with you yet keep your eyes open for the intangibles, such as office culture and the staff's personalities. Y... view article details

Job description Engineers research and develop solutions to technical needs in society. They design products, materials, machinery, factories, systems, structures, and much more. Their main work lies in ensuring efficiency, and working to constantly improve the quality of all aspects of life. They also analyze the impact their projects have had on the environment and society. Most engineers specialize in a certain area, there are more than 25 specialties recognized by professional engineering societies and each area has many divisions. Engineers will also sometimes choose to specialize in a s... 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

Job descriptionAccountants and auditors ensure that firms are run efficiently by providing them with valuable financial information and accurate record keeping. Accountants on a day-to-day basis are responsible for bookkeeping, including the tracking of expenses and revenue, payroll, and paying bills. Accountants are also responsible for preparing balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and other financial reports, and may also analyze trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations to predict future revenues and expenses.Accountants are increasingly becoming an important p... view article details