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

There are many reasons for wanting to quit a job. In Salary.com’s 2007/08 Job Satisfaction Survey released earlier this year, respondents who were unhappy in their current job felt they were underpaid, not given opportunities to advance, not adequately recognized, bored, and not given access to learning opportunities leading to career advancement. Given individual circumstances, these may be legitimate excuses. But when do you know you’ve really reached the breaking point? How do you know that the time is right to say good bye? Here are six possible scenarios:You really are underpaid! ... view article details

This might be the best job search article you read today because it’s simple to implement and so very powerful. I insist that my clients, men and women alike, attend all interviews with a box of 4' x 5' thank you cards and envelopes. Keep them in your car, messenger bag, purse -- no matter where -- keep them handy. You do not have to spend a lot of money to obtain a batch of professional cards from an office supply store or big-box retailer.Job search experts correctly tell you that upon completion of an interview, you should email or handwrite a thank you note to your interviewer. But I find ... view article details

If you're a fast-tracker striving for career advancement like a heat-seeking missile then this is a podcast you can't afford to miss. On this week's episode of Salary Talk, Aaron flies solo in this interview with Donald Asher, author of 'Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn't and Why' and 'Cracking the Hidden Job Market,' who deals exclusively with career professionals who aren't happy unless they're earning a promotion every 12-18 months. You'll find out why raises aren't about past performance, being indispensable isn't a good thing and discover why talent is a distant second to timing. Asher's insi... view article details

When Daft Punk released “Robot Rock” in 1997, surely they were portending the state of the job market 20 years later. In the modern war for talent, tech – and tech jobs – seem to be all the rage these days. If you’re looking for a job in the IT world, or are a current employee looking to make a change, it’s important to keep your eyes peeled for in-demand roles on the horizon. Based on a report by Robert Half, here are six entry-level IT jobs worth looking at in 2019. We've also included the average entry-level salaries for these kinds of roles, as well as their average total earning potential... view article details

Damn, did ol’ Bagsy Boonswagler from accounting bring in that delicious Oreo pie again? Hey, you can’t blame him. It isn’t just Bagsy who’s contributing to the plethora of unhealthy, yummy – and free – snacks in the workplace. 22% of working adults consume an average of 1,277 calories per week through free food and drink on the job, according to a unique survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That accounts for 71% of all total calories consumed at work. It’s no surprise that the free goodies found in vending machines, common areas, at social events, and after meetings tend ... view article details

Dads are officially in flux. And the ongoing changes and shifts in what's considered masculine is a great conversation to be having. In the 1950s, a "good dad" was one who brought home the bacon and had his Stepford wife fry it up. Sure maybe he doled out some discipline every now and again when mom uttered the "Just wait til your father gets home!" line, but for the most part work and being a breadwinner was the benchmark of a good dad. But now? Well, things are much different. Women are the breadwinners in 4 out of 10 families. The number of stay-at-home dads has doubled in the last 25 yea... view article details

Many students are faced with the realization that paying for college has become worth more than some people's yearly salaries. The rise of inflation, the budget crisis and annual increases are some of the reasons that college has become financially unattainable for some individuals. While there are government grants and financial aid, some students are still left with too great of debt to afford to stay. Some reasons students have to start paying for their education could be because their parents have lost their jobs in the recession, their grades were not up to par, or they're out on their o... view article details

The modern war for talent is marked by competition for highly-skilled workers. Companies know that a robust vacation package, remote work flexibility, and summer Fridays can appeal to all those darn millennials. But perhaps organizations shouldn't draw the line at these common work-life initiatives. Psychological evidence widely shows that shortening the 40-hour workweek altogether will increase productivity and employee engagement. Organizations Breaking with Tradition Earlier this year, New Zealand-based trustee company Perpetual Guardian took the working world by storm when it experimented ... 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