If you are like most people in the midst of a job search, you probably haven’t given your references much thought. You’ve likely spent more time on your resume, cover letter and networking activities. But references can have a significant impact on the final hiring decision. You need to be ready at a moment’s notice to provide potential employers with at least three solid references. Human resource managers almost always ask for references when they are seriously considering someone for a position. You want to make sure that you provide a list of individuals that will speak about you in a pos... view article details

Figuring Out What You Want to Do Figuring out what you want to do and what you are good at is something we’re asked to do from the time we are little, and people start asking: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Most of us may have answered that question with a job or a title. And we never stop wondering if we got it right. Careers As Incremental Goals? The other day, I had a great conversation with someone who is building an app that helps you manage your career. I asked him to tell me about it. His story is worth understanding. “Careers,” he said, “are a combination of short term, ... view article details

Think back to your biggest accomplishment. The thing you're most proud of which you still brag about to this day. Maybe you lost 100 lbs, climbed Mt. Everest or successfully finished that marathon. Whatever your goal was, chances are it was difficult and you were emotionally invested, which made the success that much sweeter.Mark Murphy, author of 'Hard Goals: The Secret to Getting From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be,' is this week's guest on Salary Talk, and tells Aaron and Wendy that many people---and companies---have it all wrong when it comes to goal-setting.While SMART (Specific, M... view article details

Thanksgiving: the season to be among loved ones, pilgirms, and a cornucopia or two. More importantly, this holiday provides a well-deserved respite for American workers across the country. But wait! While most employees have time off during the Thanksgiving holidays, unfortunately some employees are busier than ever.  Here are 5 job positions that work through this holiday, and their respective salaries. We've included the average salaries and ranges based on Salary.com data. 1) Retail Store Manager Average: $56,966 Salary Range: $49,819-$68,086 What you’ll do: Which poor unfortunate souls are... view article details

Design Matters Whether you consciously think about it or not, design has an influence on the decisions you make every day -- the phone you use, couch you purchase, shoes you wear, and websites you visit. Why is it then, that the concept of design still seems to be in the dark ages when it comes to job-hunting? Many people think that great design is too expensive, but my feeling is that design is an investment.If you've got the knack for it, it's worth it to take classes and become skilled with the latest software. If it's not your thing, find a designer you enjoy working with who unde... view article details

Shakespeare, Hemingway, Stephen King—these are just a few names you might conjure up when you think of what it means to be a writer. But you don’t have to go to the library to read a writer’s work; writing is surrounding us all the time. If it weren’t for a writer, you wouldn’t be reading this article! And for every piece of writing published on the web or in print, there is an editor behind it, brandishing a red pen.Writers and editors are behind the text you see in books, magazines, and newspapers as well as in technical help manuals, advertisements, and textbooks. And it’s not just the word... view article details

Cash compensation comes in two forms: base salary and variable pay. As the term implies, cash is any type of compensation paid in the form of a bank check or direct deposit into your bank account. But what does cash compensation for doing your job really mean? Base Salary Base salary is a cash payment from the employer in exchange for your performance of your job. For most role, base salary makes-up the largest proportion, about 85% on average, of an employee’s total cash compensation. Base salary represents a fixed cost to the company, and the total cost of all employee’s base salaries are of... view article details

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

Got your eye on a cute coworker? You're not alone. Roughly half of all Americans have hooked up with a colleague, with a third of those admitting to steamy episodes in the office itself.  It's no surprise, given that most of our waking hours are spent at work.The good news is: A quarter of these office romances lead to long-term commitment or marriage. The bad news: Many more end up on the rocks. Here are some simple guidelines to help you navigate love without losing your cool at the office.1. Choose wisely First and foremost: Do not randomly hook up with a colleague at the company C... view article details

Likeanomics Examines the Truth Behind Earning Trust, Influencing Behavior & Inspiring Action Ever lose out on a new job or promotion even though you were the more qualified person? Maybe you're just not likeable. Rohit Bhargava is this week's "Salary Talk" guest and the author of the recently released book "Likeonomics: The Unexpected Truth Behind Earning Trust, Influencing Behavior, and Inspiring Action." Bhargava contends that likeability has become modern currency and is invaluable to everyone from political candidates to job seekers, making it more necessary now than ever before for pe... view article details