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. "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 or an outside coach. Know what s... view article details

Looking to negotiate your salary? Maybe you’ve received a job offer, or maybe you are simply looking to get a raise at your current company. Either way, salary negotiation can be a gut-wrenching process. Of course you want more money or more benefits, but will it affect the way your manager views you? Could the new company withdraw their offer in favor of a candidate looking for less? Many people are afraid of asking for more – particularly women, with a shocking 7% of women attempting to negotiate their first salary. And, for those that are unemployed, working in a toxic environment, or switc... view article details

While our economy appears to be making gains in other areas, unemployment in this country is still hovering around 9.6%, according to the most recent statistics released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor. If you are currently searching for a job, consider taking paths less traveled -- and therefore less crowded. This article explores 14 less conventional ways to land a good job.1. Tailor your message to potential employers Forget generic resumes and cover letters -- they won’t cut it in today’s competitive environment. Make sure your objective statement is specific to t... view article details

Be Prepared You definitely don’t want to get caught speechless in an interview if you are surprised by a tough question. Prepare yourself by developing possible responses before you are in the interview, and you’ll amaze the hiring manager with your ability to remain poised under pressure.Sticky topics can range from awkward questions about your career choices and uncomfortable personal issues that approach the limits of legal interview topics to hypothetical questions about challenging office politics.Review the questions below to see how you might respond and then consider the sugge... view article details

Set Yourself Apart by Showcasing Your Value Demonstrating value for employers is a way to set yourself apart from the competition even before you land the job. The value for you is that such a distinctive approach is likely to accelerate your successful hire! An effective strategy for showing your value is to develop a plan to identify and solve problems for the company, using tact in case the person who created the gaffe is also the hiring manager!5. Research the Company To accelerate your job search using this approach, you must target a specific company of interest. If you... view article details

Tips for Post Interview Follow-up You completed the job interview and now await the final decision. But in today’s competitive job market, your task is not yet finished.Following up after the interview could mean the difference between you or someone else getting the job. In a recent CareerBuilder survey, 15% of hiring managers said they wouldn't consider a candidate who didn't follow up. But with your future career on the line, it can be hard to judge where professional persistence ends and pestering begins.So here are several tried and true ways to follow up an interview.6. A Thank ... view article details

You've just received word from the human resources manager that your resume made the cut. Next stop: the interview.The job interview is your opportunity to create a positive impression of yourself, and can mean the difference between the door opening, and the door slamming shut. Here are eight tough but frequently asked interview questions, with eight kick-butt answers designed to help you create a favorable--and memorable--impact.Question 1: What can you tell me about yourself? Don’t brag, try to make yourself look interesting by sharing offbeat information, or prattle on and on abou... view article details

Although the electronic age has made it much easier to learn at a distance, the roots of today's distance learning courses are more than 100 years old. Some date distance learning back to 1889, when it was used as a way to provide learning opportunities for teachers who were unable to attend Montreal's McGill University during the cold winter months to study for their degree.Of course, technology has cranked distance learning up to new levels of complexity never dreamed of by chilly McGill students. While originally entirely paper-based, distance learning evolved to include radio broadcasts, s... view article details

As the debate rages on about whether women can have it all -- if we can balance rewarding careers with having a family -- the celebration of Mother’s Day seems an appropriate time to celebrate and discuss the hard work, sacrifice and responsibility of working moms in particular.I am a wife, working mom of three, and the family breadwinner. I can tell you right now it’s just not possible to work full-time, meet your career goals, and get that promotion – while also meeting the standards of a 1950s housewife. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t “have it all.”I am also the general manager... 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