Performance reviews present an opportunity for employees to demonstrate their accomplishments and distinguish themselves and their value to the organization. It is important to maximize use of this critical tool, as it has significant impact on pay, professional development, and job security. Here are ten tips to make the annual performance review work best for you, while also making it easier on your boss to write you a terrific review: 10. Know Your Role During Performance Review If you are uncertain about any aspect of your job, seek clarification. A great place to start is a detailed list ... view article details

Positive Conflict in the Workplace If everyone agreed all the time, there would be no reason to consider different perspectives or look for new ways to handle situations. The best ideas often emerge from the creative problem-solving process that has to occur to reach conflict resolution. Here are five benefits of conflict in the workplace: 1. As team members work through conflicts, they are able to make progress toward accomplishing goals that need to be reached. This is true in terms of project-specific goals, as well as the goal of becoming a stronger, more unified team. Team members ... view article details

Non-salary Job Interview Questions That No One Else is Asking Think Beyond Salary When you’re sitting in the hotseat of an interview, it’s natural to think about the immediate here and now: How do I answer all these questions, land this job, and negotiate the highest salary? Salary.com has plenty of resources to help you out. But at some point, the interviewer is going to finish grilling you, turn the tables, and ask, “So, do you have any questions?” Asking good questions is important for several reasons: It shows you’ve prepared for the interview and truly care about the position. It ... view article details

It's Tough to Succeed When You're Sending All the Wrong Messages Your Personal Brand is Critical for Success Donald Trump. Martha Stewart. Mark Zuckerberg. Sarah Palin. Chances are you can think of a few things to say about each of them based on the impressions you’ve gathered about their personal brands -- however unconsciously -- complete with triumphs, missteps, and various forms of public humiliation and scandal. And depending on what those critically managed (not always successfully) impressions are, and by how many they are held, the lives and affairs of the Trumps, Stewarts and Palin... view article details

Determine If Your Career Goals Align With the Job Before Accepting Dig Deeper Sarah was offered a new sales job with a reputable company. She’s been searching for six months for a new position, and quickly snatches up the opportunity after reviewing the basic salary and benefits information. But within a few months of accepting the position, she realizes the job isn’t a good fit for her. She doesn’t work well under the management style, doesn’t feel like her work is recognized, and wants a position where she is motivated and encouraged to bring innovative ideas to the team. Don’t let the e... view article details

The only way to truly get the life you want is by taking positive risks and planning a strategy for doing so.'Unlike negative risks, which are typically impulsive and emotionally driven, positive risks are calculated,' says Gail McMeekin, a nationally recognized creativity and HR career coach (www.creativesuccess.com). 'You must think them through, and anticipate what could happen,  before you jump.'Choosing to find a mentor to help accelerate your career is one way of taking a positive risk.  Develop “a road map” by first deciding if you want the mentor to be someone inside the company... view article details

Valentine's Day at Work: Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue -- Keep Both of Them to Yourself on Feb. 14 Valentine's Day is a Double-Edged Sword Valentine's Day. Perhaps no other holiday evokes stronger feelings from both the lovesick and those entirely sick of love. Sure the celebration of holidays at the office can be fun. After all, you're still sporting that certificate for "Best Costume" at Halloween. But if management wanted you to make a big deal about Valentine's Day at work, they'd have handed out a list of names and asked you to decorate a card box for your desk just like in the fourth... view article details

Everyone Thinks About Changing Careers Most people have thought about changing jobs. But what if you’re someone who has been doing a job for what seems like forever? Someone with a truly unique set of skills? Someone like -- Santa Claus.Even those of us with great jobs occasionally wonder if the grass is greener. So it stands to reason the big guy in red -- who has been doing the same gig for quite a while now -- might be a little bored with dashing, dancing and prancing across the globe every Christmas Eve. But even if he could find someone else to make the toys, drive the sleigh and... view article details

Performance review season is upon us. This presents an opportunity for employees to demonstrate their accomplishments and distinguish themselves and their value to the organization. In this challenging economy it is important to use this critical tool to its best advantage as it has significant impact on pay, professional development and, even job security. Here are ten tips to make the annual performance review work best for you, while also making it easier on your boss to write you a terrific review. Know Your Role for your Performance Review If you are uncertain about any aspect of your job... view article details

A lot of people are out of work and have been out of work for a long time. That means a lot of job hunters have spent months -- and unfortunately years in some cases -- looking for a new job. And as everyone who's ever been in that position will tell you, it's no fun. But while times certainly are tough and that directly contributes to not finding employment elsewhere, chances are you're not maximizing your hiring opportunities by doing the little things that make a huge difference during a job search.Alan DeBack is the author of 'Get Hired in a Tough Market: Insider Secrets to Finding and Lan... view article details