Q:   I have worked at a few short-term contract positions in the past few months after being laid off by my previous employer. How should I present this information on my resume? Is it possible to consolidate this experience into just one entry? If so, how should I list the companies, dates, and locations? I don't want to give a future employer the impression that I was job hopping, but this has happened considering the current state of the economy and the scarcity of opportunities.A:   I would call it what it is - short-term assignments. Don't try to consolidate the information. If your prosp... view article details

Q: I received an offer lower than my desired salary. I talked it over with HR, and they met me almost halfway with a second offer. Is it appropriate to renegotiate to get closer to my desired salary, or is it time to accept their offer?A: It is okay to renegotiate a job offer with an employer if you do not feel comfortable with their job offer. However, you should be clear what you're willing to accept. Intensive conversations about a few thousand dollars may in the end prove to be a waste of time. It is also okay to ask a company what their final job offer is.If the company won't meet you all... view article details

Get the Most Out of Your Employees Without Breaking the Bank Many employers lose good employees, thinking a pay raise or bonus will keep them going. Of course, money is always a solid motivator, as is a strong compensation plan, but a bigger paycheck is not always the better answer. Gas, groceries and daily necessities can eat up a bonus; rather than something employees can enjoy, it is quickly gone with nothing tangible to remember. Here are six ways to motivate your employees, achieve higher productivity and a happier business culture -- without buying it. Work isn't supposed to be Romper Ro... view article details

A hermit thrush spots you hiking outside Waterbury after your visit to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory. He swoops down and lands on the snow-swept path in front of you. “Say human,” he begins in a charming New England accent, “are you an out-of-state remote work employee interested in moving to my beautiful state for money?” Remote Work Jobs in Vermont Thanks to Bill S-0094 recently passed in the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Phil Scott, Vermont is offering up to $10,000 for full-time employees of a business outside the state to move there on or after January 1st, 2019, and work ... view article details

There's an App For That Smartphones can easily become a major distraction. With games, social media, and text messages just a touch away, it's easy to fall into a procrastination trap. Fortunately, there are a number of helpful smartphone apps designed to up your efficiency on a daily basis. Rather than distracting you, these clever apps will get you back on track and increase your productivity.6. Slack Messaging programs are often lacking when it comes to collaborating on projects, plus they pose the risk of distracting you with messages from friends and family. Slack, on th... view article details

Dear Annette,I work with a person who has a very bad attitude. She is nasty to her boss and to some of the other people she works with. I do not appreciate the way she speaks to her coworkers. I work in a firm that is very professional and I feel you must be professional at all times. She hates to do anything! She is always playing games on the computer and is always talking on the phone. What should be done? Annoyed in DetroitDear Annoyed,During the entire 1980s, my stylist insisted that a stern pout, severe heels, and short, stiff hair would communicate that I was a woman in charge. Every ti... view article details

They call them the salt of the Earth; the people who spend their lives learning a specific labor, directly benefitting the public with effective service. There are all kinds of skilled laborers, many of whom choose to work at The Jim Beam Company – makers of the best-selling bourbon in the world. Meet Kevin Boone, Process Control Sr. Maintenance Supervisor at the Jim Beam distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. He works in one of the three principal Beam factories in the state, just twenty minutes outside Louisville. The history of the Beam brand dates back to 1795, when the first generation of the ... view article details

You've Gotta Want It! Has your gym lock been repurposed for use as a paperweight? While it might be quite effective at holding down all those 'must read' memos, it looked better dangling from your gym locker. Remember? The gym? You first wandered in months ago. Hopeful. Resolved. You made promises. Signed papers. And bought a lock.Sure, it’s tough to fit in fitness. Especially in the dead of winter with crowded gyms full of people clinging to their New Year's resolutions and temperatures that make working out outside more than a little icy. Not to mention the fact that your job may re... view article details

 “The most wonderful time of the year” can seem like anything but when you're worried about family get-togethers, endless gift lists and shrinking budgets. And if you do not celebrate any holidays during this time, you can end up feeling like an outsider.To top it off, there's often no respite at the office, which can be fraught with potential faux pas and pitfalls during the holiday season. Aside from planning your annual vacation for this particular week, what's an employee to do to avoid feeling like a holiday humbug?Here's our gift to you -- a checklist for maneuvering through the murky mi... view article details

What to Do When You're There to Work, Not Make Friends It's All About Boundaries It might be tempting to hang out at the water cooler half the morning and indulge in the latest gossip, the fun anticipation of the office lottery pool, or friendly sports bets. But these easy friendships with coworkers can begin to spill over into your personal life, and that's when things get dicey. Setting boundaries is a good idea, but where do you begin? Can you set boundaries without hurting someone's feelings? Can you keep your work relationships healthy even while you decline invitations that infringe o... view article details