A proactive approach to long-term goals is necessary for career advancement. And, while it's important to focus on the big steps that will help you climb the corporate ladder, don't forget that small actions can have a big impact too.This article explores 12 things you can do in five minutes or less to advance your career.1. Make a meaningful connection Reach out to someone whose career path you admire, and ask them to mentor you. It takes a couple of minutes to make a phone call or send an email, but this small action could change the entire course of your career.2. Ask for more resp... view article details

Employees versus independent contractors. Sometimes it's difficult to know what camp you fall into as a worker. But when you consider health benefits, compensation and tax purposes, knowing the differences between the two is an absolute necessity. But what exactly are the differences between employee status and being an independent contractor? Our salary expert, Jack Chapman, has your answers.Question: When am I considered an employee and when am I an independent contractor?Answer: You’re an independent contractor when you have services you sell to a company. The biggest difference concerns wh... view article details

As a high school graduates decide what field of study to pursue, they may wonder what the job outlook will be after obtaining their degree. According to a report published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, new graduates looking for a high paying job in a growing field should set their sights on Information Services and Finance. It is anticipated that these jobs in these fields will have the largest growth – actual increase in number of jobs – over the next several years. The top 5 jobs on the list that require a Bachelor's degree and their anticipated percentage in growth are:RankTitle% chang... view article details

With economic uncertainty around us, now more than ever, we need to find little ways to escape from the stress and reward ourselves for hanging in there. We all need balance in our lives and deserve to treat ourselves every once in a while. Here we suggest some affordable ways to pamper ourselves at a time when many of us do not have extra cash to spend.A little chocolate never hurt anyone Who doesn’t love chocolate? And there is no harm in treating yourself to a little chocolate every once in a while. Better yet, treat yourself to a box of your favorite higher end cho... view article details

at Is Dad's Job Worth?   Working Dad vs. Stay at Home Dad Salaries For 2006    Salary.com has revealed that dads would be taking home a pretty hefty paycheck if they were paid an annual salary for the many 'dad jobs' they do for their families. Salary.com consulted with Stay at Home and Working Dads, and used the survey results to rank the top 10 jobs that make up a dad's job description. The analysis showed that if paid, Working Dads would rake in a total of $71,160 in addition to their day job salary, while Stay at Home Dads would earn $125,340 annually. See below for the top 10 most common ... view article details

In an economy where employees are often overworked and many businesses are pulling the plug on raises and extra benefits, some companies are shining stars when it comes to offering their employees cool perks. Most organizations say that they value their employees and offer generous benefits packages. But we’ve searched around and found employers that offer much more than standard benefits. Check out our round-up of 14 companies that offer their employees unusual and incredible perks. 1. Google Mountain View, CA-based Google doesn't just offer employees a stimulating environment to work and c... 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

Tattoos and Jobs: Find Out How Tattoos/Piercings Can Limit Your Career Ink Can Be a Career Stain Maybe it’s a tribal armband, the orchids on your lower back playing peek-a-boo with your coworkers, or -- gulp -- you’re wearing it on your face a la Mike Tyson. But even if it’s that cute little leprechaun on your ankle, our latest survey results show visible tattoos at work could have a negative effect on your pot of gold. A recent study from the Pew Research Center found nearly 40% of people between the ages of 18 and 29 have at least one tattoo, and body piercings are also a growing means of... view article details

Our first round-up of 13 Must-Read Business Books That Could Change Your Life sparked such an onslaught of suggestions, it was clear we only scratched the surface. So armed with a list of book titles, we decided to follow-up with a list of business books suggested by you, our readers.These books---some old, some new---run the gamut from business-building strategies to helping those who haven’t discovered their passion explore their options and goals.Check out these books that have helped change readers’ lives.Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Boxby Arbinger InstituteIf you disl... view article details

When it comes to careers, most of us are looking for the same thing -- fulfilling, meaningful work we enjoy that also pays the bills.While many people spend a good portion of their working lives looking for a career that meets these elusive parameters, there are some animals that have managed to achieve this balance quite nicely.This article explores six animal careers that put the 'fun' in job function. How does your job measure up? 1. Animal actors have it made Animal actors live comfortably with their every need taken care of and their days spent 'playing' on set with actors and tr... view article details