Advice

Though some miscommunications might make for a good knee-slap (nearly every premise of Arrested Development), it’s not so funny in the workplace. There’s a reason why employers tend to sprinkle the phrase “strong communication skills” somewhere in the job requirement — a lack thereof creates a cargo ship full...

It’s not always easy to keep cool when a prospective employer brings up a difficult topic, but some forethought and practice can help you keep the interview on track. Consider these expert tips for answering four questions feared by job seekers: 1.  What are your weaknesses? Tread carefully here. Nobody wants...

Having a pseudo work marriage is tricky. It could really amp up your motivation (e.g. feel less like a corporate robot) or it could be hopelessly distracting. Then, there’s the possibility of creating unnecessary inklings of neglect or mistrust in your actual partner at home. Someone who really knows a...

Let’s assume you became a quadruple millionaire – would you still get up every morning and do your job? Would you do it for free? Chances are your answer is no. But what if your job was your hobby? You might roll around in a bed of dollar bills...

Let’s face it: Having someone else in the workplace take credit for your efforts and ideas feels lousy. But when the culprit is your boss, the situation becomes especially sticky. While you may be eager to set the record straight, doing so might put your relationship (and perhaps even...

Hiring managers have to sift through a virtual avalanche of emails on a regular basis — the least you can do is try not to tick them off with email annoyances. A study projects that in 2012, a person will receive about 77 business emails per day. Yikes! No wonder...

Nine out of 10 career experts have said it: Your job search should be a full-time job. The point is well taken – if you want to land a new job, you need to put in the time and effort (yes, that means going above and beyond just shooting...

You spend many hours at work. We think that should be a happy time. It’s true, happy employees are generally more engaged and productive, and that’s great. But we’re not so concerned about how your happiness benefits your employer. We think you should be happy at work because it’s good for...

College is a great route for infinite possibilities, but it’s not the only one. Just look at Ben Affleck, Rachel Ray, Christina Aguilera (never finished high school) and, of course, America’s most famous college dropout: Bill Gates. Ironically, Harvard eventually gave him an honorary degree over 30 years after...

Congratulations! You've finally landed an interview at your dream company and it looks like all of the hard work you've been putting forth in your job hunt might actually pay off. A few days before the interview, you should get copies of your resume together and start thinking about responses...

Ask anyone looking to start a career -- job-hunting can be as time-consuming and anxiety-inducing as full-time work. From wading through mounds of job postings and rethinking résumé details to mustering the confidence to waltz into a room of strangers and ask to join their team, finding  (and securing) a...

Whew. It’s over! You’re out of the woods. You’ve done your best and now it’s all up to the employers -- or the universe, stars, lucks, fate, God, whatever it is you believe in. Aside from proper follow-up, there’s really not much you can do at this point. Vickie Austin,...

Sure, your specialized skills can get you in the game, but your underlying core skills are what will help you score. What exactly are core skills? They’re practical, universal human skills that every successful professional needs on a day-to-day basis. All jobs require these in some way. Here’s the tricky part:...

You can’t figure it out.  It should be easy to talk to your coworkers. You have things in common.  You see them on a regular basis, and yet the conversations are still awkward and, at times, uncomfortable. Is it your fault or theirs?  It could be a combination of both. In...

No doubt about it:  Every workplace from a classroom to a boardroom benefits from employees who consciously try to be great coworkers. Their positive attitude and willingness to do what they can for the common good make coming to work each day a better experience for all. But being the...

Like many students, you’ve been in school for years. In fact, you can’t remember a time when you weren’t studying, thinking about studying or feeling guilty because you weren’t studying. Sooner or later, though, the warm sea of academia will heave you onto the shore of reality and you’ll...

Everyone wants to be happy at work, yet so few people are on a consistent basis. So what is getting in the way? The impediments to work bliss are numerous, but in my discussions and consulting with professionals, there are five recurrent themes that I have seen. 1. The Unrealistic...

From clamming up at a meeting for fear others will think your idea is foolish to sticking with tried-and-true assignments when you’d actually love to attempt something different, workers often take the “safe” route. But while such actions may feel comfortable in the moment, giving in to anxiety and self-doubt...

I knew, as it was happening, that the job interview was going badly. The guy asking the questions – the managing editor at a mid-size Southern California daily – had lost interest in me quickly. He put his feet up on his desk and began eating his lunch. I sat...

Tell me … what do you do, who you do it for, why you do it and what can you do for me? And tell me quickly. Such is the challenge of the elevator pitch – a personal marketing spiel seldom delivered in elevators, but a staple of networking. A skillful elevator...