Get Back in the Game Whether you are fresh out of college, having a midlife career change or deciding retirement isn’t for you, you first must realize job searching has changed. It's different than it was a decade ago, and it's different than it was last year. It’s difficult to keep up with all the changes, but if you want to be competitive in the job market you have to stay ahead of the technology as much as you can.So if you're starting from scratch, here is my advice to stay and get ahead of the game.It Starts with the Resume Although some people will say they are being ph... view article details

Do you have a boss who frequently flies off the handle? A co-worker who constantly whines? A sabotaging supervisor? Every workplace and every department has them -- difficult people. Whether these people just 'get on your nerves' or are having a serious impact on your success, learning how to deal with challenging people takes skill.You'll meet 10 difficult personalities in Parts I and II of this article and learn some strategies to help you handle them.The Bully Meet Tom Tempestuous. Tom knows that most people dislike conflict and hassle, so his strategy is to throw fits and temper... view article details

To negotiate your pay package, you first need to identify the right opportunity. It is true that any time will work, but there are some natural 'money moments' that are perhaps more logical for negotiating a pay package. One obvious opportunity is when you are interviewing for a new job. In fact, for an executive not to negotiate at that moment would be considered foolish. If you're not interviewing for a new job, the obvious moments are fewer but they still exist. Performance review time is a good time, as are the end of a significant project, and promotion or change-of-role events.Start earl... view article details

Dear Heather,My husband is a firefighter. His dad and uncle are firefighters too, and it’s all he’s ever wanted to do. He was up for captain and had a good shot at it we thought, but he got passed over in favor of a guy with a little more seniority. My husband is devastated. I’ve never seen him like this. He can barely drag himself out the door to be at the station, and those guys are his buddies. He doesn’t want to do anything. Just comes home and watches TV on his off days. He said he’s not sure he’s cut out for the job anymore. What can I do??Katie Dear Katie,Watching a loved one struggle f... view article details

Yet keeping resolutions is important. Why? Keeping your resolutions will give you the confidence and motivation you need to set—and reach—new goals throughout the year. The ten tips below are designed to help you create and keep your resolutions.Tip #1: Limit the number of resolutions you make. Sure, there are a million things you would like to accomplish, and you are excited about every single one of them. But making a huge list of goals will ensure you won’t have the time - or energy - to reach them. Prioritize your list, and then pick one or two resolutions to follow thro... view article details

As we all know, the economic picture is and has been rather bleak the last few years. And with unemployment still far too close to 10 percent for anyone's liking, we can't tell you it's going to get better any time soon. But while you can't magically predict whether or not you'll join the ranks of the unemployed someday soon, you can be prepared for it. And we can help.These tips are good habits to get into to manage your career even in boom times. So even if you're one of the lucky ones who aren't concerned about being laid off, put the economy to work for you. Let it motivate you to g... view article details

You Can Do Both Whether you’re joining a staff of twenty or just two, it’s simply expected that you will act as a team player when you’re hired. And for the most part, you don’t mind working with others—as long as you are also able to be independent. The thing is, sometimes it’s hard to keep your independent working style when you’re forced to work in a group. Here are some ways to join the team—but still be true to yourself and get ahead at work.4. Respectfully Voice Your Opinions It can be easy to lose your train of thought -- as well as your voice -- when you are in a meet... view article details

After establishing contact with the party you're trying to reach, you should be ready to use the time as effectively as if you were in a face-to-face meeting.The speakerphone – friend or foe?Speakerphones are a great tool for communication via the telephone, but they must be used wisely. Some people prefer to use a speakerphone even when no one else is listening in so that they can take notes during the conversation without having to juggle a phone receiver. If you're one of those people, make sure you inform the people on the line with you that you are using a speakerphone, and if they seem a... view article details

What Does It Take to Get a Raise Today? Gone are the days of annual reviews and yearly raises. Today’s workforce has to truly think (and work!) outside the box in order to earn their extra 5%. So if you’re looking to increase your income, you’ll need to start laying the groundwork down now in order to ask for a raise later.Here are five ways in which you can ultimately ensure a raise at work.5. Think Like Your Boss While it can be hard to be objective, look at the workplace (and your relationship) from your boss’ perspective.Let’s say that you have a project that’s due in a f... view article details

With the U.S. presidential contest in full swing, I’ve been thinking about our American presidents. Four in particular, whom most people would agree were effective leaders: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Each led from a distinct strength, and I believe that was the key to their effectiveness.Envision the future: This was Thomas Jefferson’s strength. Jefferson was a visionary who could picture a very different United States with the addition of the Louisiana Purchase. People with this strength lead by seeking promising opportunities, taking risk... view article details