Being Able to Name Your Own Salary Might Sound Good, But It's Harder to Do Than You Think Picture yourself in the final stages of your job interview. Everything so far has gone fantastic. You've passed the screening of HR in the first round, met your future manager and totally connected, and have spoken with several other team members. The job is a great match for both your skills and your personality. The executive across the desk from you is thrilled, saying you're their ideal candidate, and is ready to make you an offer. The only thing left to talk about is salary. The mere thought of the c... view article details

The High Pay Isn't The Only Interesting Thing About These Odd Jobs.. "You Do What and Make How Much?!?" Think back to the last time you were at a party or a social event, and you had to make small talk with new acquaintances. Inevitably the question of 'So what do you do?” is asked, and everyone recites their professions. While the regulars seem to always come up – doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc. – every once in a while, someone comes out with a doozy that could leave you scratching your head or picking your jaw up off the floor. Did you know Horse Exerciser is a job? Or that you can make a livi... view article details

There is nothing more John Muscarello loves than bringing people together and having great conversation -- with or without food.As the founder of the website EndlessJobOffers.com, the 27-year old marketing manager from New York enjoys learning new ways to effectively create strong business relationships to enhance your career, and sharing those tips with others.But when he wrote his first post as a LinkedIn Influencer on a seemingly innocuous topic, he never imagined the way the conversation would turn.Growing up in Glen Head, NY, John’s dad was a French Pastry Chef and owner of a restaurant/b... view article details

The start of a new year is always a good time to set new career resolutions. No matter where you are in your career -- entry level, mid-career, or nearing retirement -- there are always new challenges to tackle and goals to meet.Make this year the year you shine at work and make some long awaited changes. Here are 15 resolution ideas to help make this the year you get ahead.Resolution 1: Conquer a fear Is there a pesky fear that's holding you back at work? Think about what that may be costing you. For example, if you're afraid of public speaking, it may be costing you opportunities to... view article details

What is a Severance Package? You've just been notified of your last day of employment. Your supervisor hands you a severance agreement and release, and your mind is flooded with questions about your severance package. If you are an employee at will, your employer can terminate you at any time, without notice and with or without severance. After the shock, here are nine things you should consider when reviewing a severance package agreement and managing the transition from one company to your next opportunity. 1. Last Paycheck vs. Severance Package For most people, the first questions that c... view article details

With the unemployment rate hovering at 4.5 percent, "calling in sick" or taking unplanned time off has fallen out of fashion to such an extent that experts have invented a word to describe it -- "presenteeism." The phenomenon results in employees coming to work even when they shouldn't. That's right -- there are legitimate reasons to call off work. The rules below apply whether your company has combined paid time off (PTO), or separate sick, vacation, and personal days. Valid reason 1: Contagious illness, such as the common cold or flu. There's no better reason to stay home than legitimate si... view article details

A Great Way to Get Your Feet Wet You wake up in the morning on a gorgeous day, throw on a pair of shorts and sandals, and head out to the river in a national park. You hear whitewater rapids rumble in the background, as you lather on suntan lotion. You get ready to put a raft in the river for your trip under the summer sun through a scenic gorge. What a peaceful vacation. But wait - you are not on vacation. You just arrived for work. Such preparations are part of the normal routine for Tom Bashore, a river rafting guide for the Rolling Thunder River Co. in Eastern Tennessee. Bashore was work... view article details

You've just been notified of your last day of employment. Your supervisor hands you a severance agreement and release and your mind is flooded with questions. How can this happen? Can they do that? Unfortunately, if you are an employee at will your employer can terminate you at any time, without notice and with or without severance. After the shock, here are a few things you should consider when reviewing a severance agreement and managing the transition from one company to your next opportunity. 1. Last Paycheck vs. Severance Package For most, the first questions that come to mind are "what's... view article details

The purpose of insurance is to protect people against financial disaster when they are unable to earn a living because of sickness or injury, or to give their dependents some type of income after they die. Whether to purchase insurance is an important financial decision about protecting one's earnings and lifestyle.Many companies pay the entire insurance premium, or pay up to a certain amount of coverage. Some employers require waiting periods, where for example an employee may receive limited benefits for the first year of employment and additional benefits on each anniversary of the start da... 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