Jobseekers and Workers
Are you seeking your first job, looking to make a career change, or wanting to advance your current career? Start your steps toward success with :Jobseekers and Workers" section! Here you may gain access to a multitude of digital job-seeking resources including job and resume banks, career service providers, and valuable information on labor market trends and tips. Access these links for more information on current career news, government programs, and further job seeker assistance.
Congratulations! You've just accepted your dream job. You're excited. Your new company is excited. Your family and friends are excited. Now you just have to break the bad news to your current company. Not so exciting.
Changing jobs is stressful. Even if the new opportunity is everything you wanted, it's still a big change and it's natural to be nervous. You aren't...
The information provided in this article is of a general nature and may not apply to any particular set of facts or circumstances. It should not be construed as legal advice, only as general information.
An employer may voluntarily offer its employees a severance package, but in most cases, there is no legal obligation to do so, unless:
You have a written contract...
Over the years, I have been asked to speak to various organizations on Career Planning and Development. Invariably, people think it's something that you do only when looking for a job. In reality, it should be done on a continual basis. Taking an organized approach is the key.
I find that an ideal time to focus on planning is when first starting a new job. Following...
You are stoked about starting a new position and can't wait to dig into the work. The team and firm are so positive, and you heard somewhere that they are employee-friendly. Plus, the overtime will be great for getting ahead on the bills.
Fast-forward six months. You can't believe that you didn't pick up on the fact that overtime meant "no life" at this...
Attention, competent professionals: The best projects don't always go to the most competent people -- they often go to people who excel at marketing themselves and their contributions. It is no longer enough to be a whizz-bang programmer, research scientist or controller. Today's competition commands constant improvement in the processes around you, which means a...
As a child, I cherished a favorite toy called "Mr. Mentor," a plastic figure of what seemed to be a really smart guy. I asked a question, pulled his head forward and the answer popped up on a small screen. Yep, even as a kid, I realized it doesn't hurt to obtain input from another source.
Defined as a tutor, guide or instructor, a "mentor" can be anyone you know...
"Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery."
-- Dr. Joyce Brothers
Giving and receiving honest, direct, concise feedback is a tool that is misused more often than not. Many of us choose to avoid conflict -- even at the cost of growth -- and we end up glossing over the truth.
The same process applies at work. We all have met colleagues who tell...
When a Human Resources practitioner is the victim of a layoff or is dismissed for any reason, other than non-performance or some corporate malfeasance, the unfortunate recipient of the bad news is often heard to say, "I never saw it coming" -- "It was a complete shock to me" -- "How could I have been selected? My reviews were great," etc., etc., etc. At the same time...
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, in 1997, 40 percent of the injuries and illnesses that resulted in time away from work were due to sprains or strains, most of which involved the back. In addition, it was concluded in every major industry division that the trunk, including the back, was the most commonly affected body part in...
Life is good in America today -- or so it seems. We're living through the longest peacetime economic expansion in our history. Unemployment is low. Technology has made our lives longer and easier than ever before. Crime is down. And the United States now stands uncontested by any other superpower. By nearly every measurable standard, America is living through a...
If your business experience takes you back 10 years or more, you will remember the formal tone of business communication. But the with the advent of the most dominant form of information exchange today - e-mail - an entirely new etiquette has emerged.
Flexibility
E-mail is so "flexible" that it allows us to send a one-sentence response or comment, or attach an...
While the debate continues over whether or not pre-employment and random drug testing is effective, most companies still do it. The American Management Association (AMA) conducted a study in 1996, revealing that 78 percent of companies conduct drug tests. This was a 240 percent increase from the five-year period of 1987 to 1992.
Drug testing is not limited to large...
Have you ever been in a situation where your boss "dressed you down" in a profanity-laced tirade, condemning your work and threatening your position? Unfortunately, this happens too often in today's workplace. It's called "corporate bullying" and there is no place for it anywhere.
Not Harassment or Tough Management
Corporate bullying is significantly different from...
"I wish I'd said that." At some point or another, we've probably all wished we could erase what was just said and try again. Fortunately, with some practice, we can learn to say it better the first time. Outlined below are some tips to help you develop your communication style and improve your communication effectiveness.
1. Decide what you want as the outcome of the...
What happens when you suddenly find yourself looking for a job after being settled in with a company for a number of years? This is a familiar situation for multitudes of people who have faced the "grim reaper" of the corporate world -- downsizing.
Your Job is Gone -- Now What?
Linda Wilson spent 10 years with a telecommunications company, working her way up from...
