One of the main reasons people cite for leaving a job is not getting along with their boss. They complain the boss is 'too this' and 'not enough that.' They change jobs just to get away from a specific person, perhaps sacrificing a potential promotion or career growth. Has that happened to you? Consider this example:Philip has been a midlevel manager at a construction company for 10 years. He and his former boss, Keith, had a great relationship during those years, and he really enjoyed his work. He liked Keith’s hands-off management style, which he described this way: 'Keith basically left me ... view article details

If a job candidate is far enough in the interview process that the human resources professional is ready to ask for references, the candidate is close to being offered the job. For that reason, the references are crucial and have a significant impact on the final hiring decision. Any company that is going to hire you should ask for references, so be ready to give them at least three solid ones.Choose References Who Will Portray You FavorablyWhen asking people to serve as a reference, choose people who are unquestionably ready to offer a glowing report. If you won't be using them immediately, y... view article details

When I talk with chief-chiefs of major-major corporations about joining my extremely expensive Partners in Fabulousness program, I know they will have just one question: How could we live without you?It would take more than generally accepted accounting principles to detract from my flair for making each individual corporate officer believe that of all the stars in my firmament, he or she shines the brightest. I just wear my Cazal sunglasses to the meeting so my prospective clients can admire themselves in the reflection, and before long even the most curmudgeonly executive is signing the cont... view article details

Have you ever felt uncomfortable about a question someone asked in a job interview? Frankly, some things are none of your prospective employer's business. Moreover, many types of questions are not only inappropriate, but even illegal.Federal and state laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and others legally bar interviewers from asking questions about race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, national origin, marital status, or family matters. While questioners might throw in the odd zinger, questions should focus exc... view article details

Greetings Jack,I interviewed with a university office today; for a Licensing Associate position in Technology Transfer.This requires MBA, skills in business, science, and heavy communication with cold calling, together with database management, etc. I have all of these and more (PhD and MBA), and my experience in science is 10+ years and in business is 2+ years.Someone who I know and works with the director of that office, told me that the base salary was to be $55,000, but that the director was also planning to raise it to $75,000. The interview went well. They are planning to fill the positi... view article details

Are you on the verge of negotiating the terms of a new job? Or maybe you're trying to get a raise, but have no idea how to go about it? On this week's episode of Salary Talk, Aaron and Wendy chat with Jack Chapman, a nationally renowned career advisor, who has written a book that will hold your hand as you go step-by-step through the negotiation process. Negotiating Your Salary: How to Make $1000 a Minute gives you five hard and fast rules for negotiating an offer or promotion, and Jack shares invaluable tips on how to get what you want at every stage of the negotiation process. Jack Chapman... view article details

Dear Annette,Please tell me what to do about coworkers' kids in the office. I could understand if people brought their children in when there was an emergency, but everywhere I look there seems to be some toddler. The noise and distraction are affecting my work. I can't get away from it because we are all in cubes, but I need some way to tell my coworkers that the office is not a daycare center!RattledDear Rattled,It's not surprising that today's office has become so alluring to the young, with its bright colors, foosball table, and all the soda you can drink.I myself have only recently recove... view article details

How Did "That Guy" Get Promoted?? You know the guy I mean.He's competent (mostly), but never brilliant. He turns his work in by deadline, makes pleasant water-cooler conversation and walks out the door at the stroke of 5. He is emphatically mediocre.Why, then, does he get the praise, the promotions, the raises? Research by economist Marko Terviö offers a possible explanation: Companies spend too much hiring known talents -- even if they aren't actually particularly, well, talented -- rather than taking a chance on untested up-and-comers.Companies are Afraid of the Unknown Thi... view article details

It's great to have negotiating strategies and a plan beforehand. Preparation is key. But people---especially those new to negotiation---must be careful they don't cross that fine line between strategy and gimmickry.This week's question deals with what to do if you ever come up against a hiring manager who has experienced your strategies in the past. Should you stick with what works? Is using the same thing twice going to hurt your chances instead of help you? Our salary and negotiation expert, Jack Chapman, is here to help as always.QUESTION Dear Jack: The person who is currently in the job I ... view article details

'Why would anyone want to put savings somewhere unsafe? But the fact remains that a large percentage of popular saving and investing vehicles provide no guarantee of earnings, nor even assurance that the original capital will be preserved.'     Saving your money in a safe place may seem like an obvious priority. Why would anyone want to put savings somewhere unsafe? But the fact remains that a large percentage of popular saving and investing vehicles provide no guarantee of earnings, nor even assurance that the original capital will be preserved. Those that do make such a guarantee are conside... view article details