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
Do you think you are underpaid for the work you do? Have you recently received a pay raise and been disappointed at the increase amount? Would you like to unload on your boss for undervaluing you? Before you lose your cool and say something you may regret, follow our advice on how to prepare for and conduct a successful salary negotiation.Step One – Understand Your Role Make sure you understand your role and responsibilities and how your position contributes to the organization’s success. You and your employer will need to agree on your jo... 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
Learning how to 'manage up' is a critical skill that contributes toward the success of your boss, the success of your organization, and ultimately toward your success.This article outlines 12 steps designed to build a strong, trusting relationship between you and your boss. You'll learn how to give your boss what he or she needs, so you can get what you want!Step 1: Stop blaming your boss. It’s easy to blame work-related issues on your supervisor. “The project wasn’t completed on time because of poor communication.” “I’m bored at work because the boss doesn’t recognize my skil... view article details
There are three reasons why your credit card bill is so high every month. The first are the splurges: the plane ticket and hotel costs for your vacation; the $130 shoes you had to have; or that new flat screen TV for football season. The second are the lifestyle expenses. A few $60 dinners each week or that round of happy hour drinks on your coworker’s last day are common.The third expense is more insidious: low-cost, recurring monthly expenses that are a direct result of the digital age we live in. You probably pay $8.99 for Netflix, $9.99 for Dropbox, $4.99 for music streaming, $6.95 for web... view article details
When it comes to colorful language at work, on one end of the spectrum there's the timid colleague who gives up the occasional 'Darn!' and, on the other, there's the over-the-top constant curser who's probably got a trip to HR in his future.But sometimes, things are not be so black and white. That's why knowing the difference between the good, the bad and the ugly can save your ears -- and possibly your job. Here's how...Team Work: The Good Teams that can freely express themselves may build stronger ties. For example, when emotions run high, overlooking a 'freakin'' here and a 'What t... view article details
These "Worthless College Degrees" Might Make You Happy, But Fail the Tuition ROI Test College: Is it Worth It? What's more expensive than going to college? Until recently, the answer was easy: not going to college. Numerous studies over the years have shown that individuals with college degrees significantly out-earn those with high school degrees by $1 million or more over the course of a lifetime. But as the cost of education increases faster than inflation, people are beginning to question how they spend their education dollars. As student loans hit the $1.5 trillion mark and more and mo... view article details
Just Because You Were Offered the Job Doesn't Mean You Should Take It. The good news is you got the job. Which, in this still-reeling economy, is quite an accomplishment. But the bad news is you're worried you might be settling for a position that isn't the right fit for you. So where do you go from here? Look, the honest truth is there are times when you'll have to take any job offer you can get, even if you know it's a bad fit. Maybe your house is about to be foreclosed on, you can't make rent, or you have a family depending on you for income. We completely understand there will be times whe... view article details
Figure Out Which of Your Employees Are Causing a Problem Interested in good employee morale, team chemistry, and improved retention. Then you'd better realize your employees don't have to be best friends, but they do have to at least get along for productivity's sake. Quality coworkers can be the reason some people stay at a job, while horrible colleagues can make every day in the office a living hell from which they'll almost certainly want to escape. If you’ve spent any time managing employees, you’ve no doubt experienced a cornucopia of annoying workers. But have you ever wondered which one... view article details
The Best Doesn't Always Win If only competition in the workplace mirrored the simplicity of Olympic swimming. Whoever does the best job and touches the wall first, wins. It's the winner who goes on to earn bonus money via endorsements, and your smiling face lands on a box of breakfast cereal! If only it were as easy as slamming that completed report in the boss’ hand and stepping right up on a big corner office desk for a playing of the National Anthem and an instant raise and promotion.But there’s no winning buzzer in your department (just the occasional annoying ringtone), and somet... view article details