"Get a Job Kid!" Family togetherness is a wonderful thing, until your thirty-year old starts sending drink orders from the basement and commenting at breakfast that it 'sure would be nice' if you’d remember to use fabric softener on his t-shirts. Toddlers make for cute anecdotes. An unshaved genius with great potential but no real direction except for the path to your refrigerator makes for awkward moments at neighborhood parties.So, start now. Potential is but an outline for your child’s future. Fill it in with the life skills that will help him or her stretch and grow and -- get a j... view article details

Stop & Think Oh, you want a raise? Congratulations, you’re now in an elite group of American workers known informally as EVERYBODY!Seriously though, let’s get into a little tough love for a minute. We know you want a raise, but have you really stopped to think about whether or not you deserve one? What’s more, have you gone over what you’re going to tell your boss when he/she asks why you deserve more money? Too many employees haven’t, and as a result are disappointed when they’re denied.Believe me, we want you to negotiate and get more money. We’re Salary.com so that’s pretty much wh... view article details

There are times when negotiating your salary can be a multi-layered and complicated process. I’ve seen jobseekers juggling three or more offers, playing companies off of each other, stalling for time, and getting counter-offers to counter-offers like a circus performer spinning plates. Other deals can get complex quickly when you start to weigh the choice between a sure-thing salary, potential bonuses, and long-shot/high-upside stock options. And then there are the situations that have nearly everything in play: compensation, bonuses, equity, job title, relocation costs, vacation time, start d... view article details

It’s your cubicle. You even have a nameplate. So it’s your personal space, right? Not really. It’s more like a seat at the dinner table than a room in the house.In other words, any sense of privacy is an illusion. Treat your office space with respect if you want to be taken seriously in the workplace. You want to keep your job? Avoid doing any of these 15 inexcusable activities at your desk.Personal grooming As annoying as that little snag in your fingernail or chip in your polish may be, resist the temptation for an on-the-spot fix. Oh sure, it will just take a moment. But before you... view article details

Many of us live a large part of our lives online. So it's no wonder that your online presence can have a major influence on your career success.If your present or potential employer searched for you online, what would they find? Would those search results reveal a professional with many marketable skills? Or could the results do more harm than good for your career?Keep reading to learn the essential dos and don'ts for creating (or updating) your online presence.Do: Google your own name It's vital to know what potential employers and clients will find when they search for you.In a 2010... view article details

So, you taught your dog to catch a Frisbee and your parrot to squawk 'Loser!' when your brother walks into the room. Well done.The rewards of animal training are many -- ranging from the obvious advantages of a puddle-free house to the potential 15 minutes of 'stupid pet trick' fame on Letterman.  But it goes both ways. Our pets also model valuable behaviors worth emulating, such as loyalty, trust and affection. Are you learning, Teacher? Consider what pet traits are worth following and which demand avoidance in the workplace. Here are a few....Old dogs can -- and should -- learn new tricks ... view article details

Lisa D’Annolfo Levey is a consultant on work-life and diversity management and the author of The Libra Solution: Shedding Excess and Redefining Success at Work and at Home, which focuses on a gender-flexible approach to career and family management. Lisa first interviewed Roy Marden while doing research for her book and conducted a follow-up interview in May 2012.Roy Marden was the last person anyone -- even his wife -- thought would be the primary caretaker for his infant daughter. He admittedly felt ambivalent about the idea of becoming a parent. He thoroughly enjoyed the lifestyle that he a... view article details

Your bedroom closet redo might have happened during a last-minute quest for clothing donations at tax time. But now it's easier to get dressed for work and less likely that you will grab the navy blue jacket to wear with your black pants.Hold that thought. Mull it over as you sip your coffee, chiding the driving faux pas of your fellow commuters. Could this spring cleaning moment have other applications? What if you were to clean and organize your workspace? Here are some de-clutter tips that might just get you promoted. Or at least help you find your daily planner. Do a drive by Chec... view article details

Salary Negotiation Email Can Help You Get A Raise- Just Ask Rebecca! The Importance of an Email People send a lot of emails. In fact, the Radicati Group noted that nearly 269 billion emails are sent every single day. However, another study showed that only 14% of work emails are "important". So when is an email important enough that it’s worth $11,000? Answer: When it’s a well-crafted counter-offer to a job offer. Let’s take a look at three common questions job-seekers have. Should I Negotiate My Salary? There are dozens of reasons why people don’t indulge in salary negotiation, such as: They... view article details

Tips for Negotiating Salary Even After You've Accepted the Job Offer When it comes to the intricate back-and-forth game of salary negotiation, there are many crucial points in the process where a misstep can trip you up and cost you thousands. It starts with the ominous "list your current salary" entry on an online form or job application, continues in the first interview with human resources, and could be brought up again by the hiring manager. One thing is for sure, once you've received an offer and agreed to accept the job at that level, there’s no going back. Or is there? A common scenario... view article details