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Changing Careers? 7 Details to Include on Your Resume

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Editor

Every so often we feel the need to change our career. It is always a daunting step to go through and could feel like going back to zero. You think about updating resumes again, waiting for emails and calls, attending interviews and just falling in line again with other job seekers. Surely, shifting careers is not an easy decision. But…

What To Do When You Feel You Just Can’t Find Employment

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Editor

We’ve all been there, you are searching and searching but can’t seem to land a new position. It feels scary, like a dead end is near. If you have a family, your stress levels are higher. With over 80% of American’s not having more than $500 in their savings account, it can be a treacherous time. So what do you…

How to be a Good Neighbor in an Open Office

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Editor

So you have a new job – congratulations! It’s bound to be filled with all kinds of new challenges and tests – not the least of which is learning to get along with your new colleagues. This is not something to be taken lightly. How you get along with people will affect your social life and work performance at your…

How to Conduct a Confidential Executive Job Search While Employed

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Editor

According to the US Department of Labor, about 2 million Americans quit their jobs every year. And while these statistics are typically lower for executive-level employees, more and more senior-level team members are looking for new opportunities outside their current roles. Whether this is because you’re seeking new responsibilities, higher pay, you’re dissatisfied with some aspect of your company, or…

Reflect on Your Career this Holiday Season

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Editor

The holiday season isn’t just for relaxing with friends and family. Now that we’re on the brink of entering 2017, it’s a good time to reflect on the past year, what you have accomplished, and what you want to do next, career wise. Reflect on 2016 to Prepare for a Better 2017 So this year, as you sip your eggnog…

Networking for Millennials

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Editor

December is a time for parties so your networking skills—or lack thereof—will be tested. Millennials, as their reputation suggests, often do things differently. So it’s not surprising that they have their own strategies when it comes to networking. If you’re a shy millennial who would rather stay at home than mingle with your co-workers, or you’re a lost gen X-er…

Creating a Better Candidate Experience: Tips for Recruiting and Interviewing

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Editor

Good is sometimes a loaded word. Good often means just passable or adequate. But raise the standards a little, and you can go from good to better. Raise it even more, and you can be recognized as the best in your field. When sourcing a candidate for a job, sometimes recruiters forget that candidates are rating and comparing us, too….

Professional Resume Tips: Your Resume, Redone

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Editor

If you’re ready to get serious about your career, the first thing you will have to do is give your resume a good once, twice, or thrice over! The reality is your resume is your career calling card. Along with networking, good references, experience, a strong LinkedIn profile and connections, your resume is what gets your foot in the door…

Your Quick Guide to Surviving Holiday Work

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Editor

Maybe you’re a newbie in your office, or maybe you just drew the short straw. Either way, you’re stuck working this coming Thanksgiving. It’s a done deal. Nobody will trade shifts with you – after all, who would want to? They are just breathing a sigh of relief that it’s not them – and it’s written in stone on the…

From Salaried to Hourly: How to Tell Employees about the Upcoming Transition

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Editor

As an employer, manager, or human resources staffer, you’ve probably already heard the news that there’s a new Federal Department of Labor salary rule taking effect on December 1. The minimum salary to qualify for exemption will increase from $455 a week or $23,660 annually, to $913 a week, which will put the overtime threshold at $47,476 annually. How will…

The White Lies Employers and Recruiters Tell Unsuspecting Applicants like You

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Editor

When you’re looking for a job, you want to put your best foot forward. You and a hundred other applicants. You may be seeking employment, but the company is also looking for someone fantastic. Because they can’t hire everyone that applies, it makes sense that recruiters sometimes hide behind niceties to protect your feelings, such as… “We’ve decided to go…

Celebrating the Value of a Humanities Degree in National Arts and Humanities Month

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Editor

Whether you’re on the cusp of finishing high school or considering a career change and heading back to a higher education institution, you may be weighing out your options. Everyone has advice to give – “Take science classes,” your parents say. Your friends tell you to major in engineering, and your former teachers tell you that computer science is the…

How to Deal With Unethical Behavior in the Workplace

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Editor

Workplaces are complicated. There isn’t a lot of black and white most of the time, so it’s normal for employees to deal with issues of ethics at some point. Whether they’re asked to do something they don’t think is quite right, against the general morals of the workplace or society at large, or hide something, the guilty feeling in the…

Remembering the Importance of Work-life Balance after Labor Day

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Editor

Recently, we celebrated the last long weekend of the summer. In honor of Labor Day, workers vacated their cubicles, turned on their out-of-office notifications and had a great BBQ with their friends and neighbors. Did you join in the fun? Did you take advantage of the R&R? Or did you hunker down at your desk to catch up or get…

How to Administer Exit Interviews to Laid Off Employees

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Editor

When you’re the boss, one of the hardest things you’ll have to do is tell an employee that they no longer have a job, sometimes through no fault of their own. When an employee loses a job through termination, layoffs, firing, downsizing or reduction in force, the manager or supervisor should complete an exit interview. That might be the second-hardest…

5 Skills that Look Good on Any Entry-Level Resume

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Editor

If you’re a freshly-minted graduate, you’ve had the summer to take a break and recover from you hard work as a student, and maybe even relax on the beach, by the pool, or do some traveling. Perhaps you took on a job to save some money and gather your thoughts, or simply spent time meandering over what you’d like to…

A Primer for Compassionately Dealing with the Emotions of Laid Off Employees

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Editor

It’s the hardest part about being the boss – you will inevitably have to lay off one or more employees at one point in your career. If you haven’t had to do it before, you might wonder: Why is it so hard to lay off an employee? After all, it’s not your fault – you had no say in the…

Introverts: Afraid of Mingling? Don’t Let That Impact Relationships with Co-Workers

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Editor

There are all kinds of people in a workplace… Outspoken, gregarious types, and shy, timid types. And that’s OK, everyone is different. The problem with that is, even though we’ve moved beyond high school, popularity contests still exist in real life. People still gravitate towards others who are outgoing, friendly, outspoken, and give off high energy because they are exciting…

Career Advice from Moms, Dads, and the Parental Figures in Our Lives

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Editor

You may think of your parents as from a different generation, or even as archaic. But that doesn’t change the fact that they care about you and want the best for you. They’ve also been alive for a longer period of time, and likely have more work experience than you. So whether their wisdom is welcome or not, they give…

6 Odd Jobs for the Unemployed Running Out of Inspiration

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Editor

Its summer, which means a fresh new set of college graduates just entered the working world. If you’re one of them, congratulations! You’re about to embark into the career force – that is, if you are lucky. You will likely have more trouble finding a job than your parents did 20 or 30 years ago. Studies show that this is…

Lessen the Guilt You Feel After Giving the Pink Slip to an Employee

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Editor

Many managers have experienced it at one time or another; an employee just didn’t work out or fit into the workplace culture. But even when it’s the employee’s fault – a history of tardiness, no-call or no-show behavior, or performance issues at work – it’s hard to let go of someone. It’s hard, even with the knowledge that it is…

Lessons Learned after Firing Someone

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Editor

Being the manager or the boss definitely has its perks. Honing your leadership skills, having a say in the direction of the company, and the satisfaction of leading a stellar team are just some of its advantages. Unfortunately, being the boss has its downside, too. One of the hardest things that you may have to do at some point as…

Employee Recognition: How to Celebrate the Dad’s and Father Figures at Work

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Editor

As a manager or supervisor at your workplace, you’re responsible for more than managing the workload, assigning duties, and giving feedback to your team. You’re also responsible, at least in part, for their well-being. Why? A happy staff member is a productive staff member, and one who will call in sick less often, take fewer personal days, and be more…

3 Crushing Experiences Every Job Applicant Experiences (And How to Get Through Them)

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Editor

You usually feel pretty good about your work experience, education, and resume. That is, until you start looking for the job of your dreams. Suddenly, your alma mater isn’t as impressive as your competition’s and your previous experiences don’t look as interesting. Your resume just didn’t sparkle the way it seemed to just a while ago. So what happened? Everyone…

5 Challenges Veterans Face in Getting Hired

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Editor

They’ve been vigorously and meticulously trained, and have served our country with everything that was in them. But after they finish their term of service and get back to civilian life, many veterans, despite their extensive qualifications, find it hard to get employed. Even with their intense training and discipline, and the opportunities or programs offered to them, many veterans…

4 Steps to Spring Clean Your Resume in Less than 90 Minutes

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Editor

You probably have a resume. If you’ve been at the same job for a number of years, it likely lives in your computer somewhere, in some folder that contains important documents that you never really look at. It’s always a good idea to keep your resume fresh in case a golden opportunity pops up. That way, you won’t be wasting…

5 Ways to Calm Your Nerves and Fight Interview Jitters like a Pro

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Editor

You’ve spotted a posting for the job of your dreams. You decide that life is short, you’re ready for new challenges. You send out your resume and a cover letter, and hope for the best. Lo and behold, you get an interview! You’re excited. But getting an interview usually means jitters and anxiety. After all, you really want the job,…

4 Wrong Ways to Announce a Layoff

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Editor

It’s the hardest part about being a boss – delivering the bad news nobody wants to hear. With a global economic downturn comes cutbacks, and they are happening all over the country. Companies are slimming their budgets and making some difficult cuts. If this includes your company, you might find yourself having to deliver some rather difficult news. Nobody likes…

Don’t Accept that Management Job UNTIL You Ask Yourself these Questions

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Editor

For many people, getting a management role seems like the most obvious option in climbing their career ladder. While it’s true that nobody aspires to work at an entry-level job for the rest of their lives, the truth is that a leadership role isn’t for everyone. No, I don’t mean that you have to be born with it. Having a…

6 Reasons Your Presentation Didn’t Go as Well as You Imagined

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Editor

You’re accustomed to giving presentations. You felt well prepared, you knew your notes well enough not to have to read from them, and you weren’t nervous. Your voice was confident, and you checked to make sure that it carried across the room. Yet, you feel the presentation could have been better. As you glanced around the room, you noticed that…

How Layoffs Affect 3 Types of Employees

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Editor

Employees in different levels of an organization are all affected when a layoff occurs, but not in the same way. Just as every employee plays a different role in a healthy, productive company, they also play a different role, and act differently, in times of distress. Leaders and Executives Through thick and thin, leaders are there to guide the company…

4 Not-so-Techy Tech Jobs and the Skills You Need to Get Them

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Editor

The tech industry is one of the fastest growing fields worldwide. Unfortunately, a lot of students and applicants stay clear of the industry because they feel they’re not “techy” enough. The tech industry isn’t exclusive to programming, engineering, and computer science majors though. Tons of jobs exist for applicants in the field of analysis, humanities, business, customer service, and sales….

4 Spot-On Strategies to Get Your Manager’s Trust

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Editor

When it comes to your career, there are a number of factors that can influence how quickly you get ahead, or if you get ahead at all, but none are as crucial as your boss. Yes, your manager can control when you get promoted – and if you get promoted at all – what projects you take on, where and…

Warning! 5 Signs You’re About to be Let Go

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Editor

It’s every employee’s worst nightmare – being let go from a job that they don’t want to leave, or that they’re not ready to leave. Finding yourself without a job, with bills to pay and a family to support, is likely one of the most stressful things that could happen to you as an employee. Lately, with an uncertain job…

5 Things to Never Say (or Admit Out Loud) to Your Boss

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Editor

In a perfect world, you’d be on good terms with your boss. You might not be the best of friends, trading holiday cookies, or hanging out and drinking beer after work, but at least your communication lines are always honest and open. But you don’t live in a perfect world — no matter how nice your boss is. Your boss…

5 Layoff Alternatives that will Save You Money without Reducing Your Workforce

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Editor

Companies are laying off people again and some financial experts say we might experience another financial downturn because of China’s slowing economy. Before you start listing employees to layoff, consider how much a restructuring can cost your business, especially in the long run. Aside from severance pay, and the risk of litigation, your business will also suffer from the low…

How to Stop Beating Yourself up over Your Mistakes at Work

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Editor

I found this interesting post on Reddit. Can you relate? “We were at a conference and I had to take notes and photos and write a report on it the following day, several people were speaking and at some point I got distracted with taking photos and forgot to take notes for one of the speakers except for one or…

How can you be Assertive but Not Aggressive in Job Interviews?

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Editor

This month, I received a rather intriguing question from Jake in New Hampshire, “I just came from an interview and the recruiter told me that I wasn’t assertive enough. I don’t know what he meant, but as far as I know, I emphasized my strong points and other skills.” Great question. Many job applicants fall on the extreme ends of…

Suspicious Tactics Companies Use to Get Rid of Older Employees

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Editor

Just last month, two friends told me how their colleagues lost their jobs under dubious pretenses. The five people who were laid off were skilled and tenured professionals in their early 50s. They haven’t had any attendance or performance issues, as far as my friends could tell. That’s why everyone in their office was shocked. Is this the newest tactic…

Speakers, Here are 4 Powerful Ways to Start Your Speech

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Editor

Article originally posted at http://www.fearlesspresentations.com/presenters-here-are-4-powerful-ways-to-start-your-speech. Jitters, sweaty palms, scratchy throat, you’re practically shaking. Someone called you to the stage. The time has come, the time you’ve prepared for — and dreaded — for weeks. You’re about to give a speech. You take the mic and all heads turn to you. Suddenly, you’re extremely aware of the fact that people are…

How to Conduct Your Own End of Year Business Review

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Editor

It’s that time of the year again. Everyone is about to start planning their business goals for 2016. How about you? What are your business goals for 2016? Ramp up talent acquisition, restructure a department, cross-train employees, or close more sales? Hold your horses. Before you call the whole team for a brainstorming and planning session, you should first look…

Admitting Your Mistakes, Your Highway Ticket to Maturing as a Leader

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Editor

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/admitting-your-mistakes-your-key-to-maturing-as-a-leader. Would you rather die than admit you made a mistake? It’s midnight and three hours have passed but you’re still tossing and turning on your bed. You know your alarm will ring in a few hours, but you don’t want it to. The thought of admitting, in front of your team, that you made a…

Good Leadership Change Whiners and Pessimists into Top Performers

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Editor

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/good-leadership-change-whiners-and-pessimists-into-top-performers. A pessimist can bring down a whole team without trying. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore the pessimists in your team completely. In some cases, these people can add a touch of realism into an overly optimistic team. As a leader, you have two options here: convert the pessimists and whiners into cautious top…

Bosses Beware: Are You Exhibiting Symptoms of Bad Leadership?

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Editor

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/bosses-beware-are-you-exhibiting-symptoms-of-bad-leadership. Do you sometimes think your team hates you? Do you sometimes feel that they question your decisions behind your back? Does your team lack faith in your ability to lead them? Do you resent them for feeling this way? Or are you curious to know why they’re like that in the first place? As the…

How to Stop Using “Er,” “So,” “Um,” and Other Filler Words in Speeches and Presentations

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Editor

Article originally posted at http://www.fearlesspresentations.com/how-to-stop-using-er-um-and-other-filler-words-in-speeches. Call me weird, but it’s sometimes painful for me to watch motivational speeches. These talks inspire me alright, but I’m not looking forward to my knee-jerk reaction of counting ‘um’ and other filler words I hear during a speech. In fact, I recently sat through a presentation and in 60 minutes, the presenter said “Right?”…

How to Have More Big Wins by Pushing Your Team through Small Wins

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Editor

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/create-more-big-wins-by-celebrating-your-teams-small-wins. About 65% of employees don’t feel valued by their boss, according to a study by CareerBuilder. You might think it’s time consuming or expensive to celebrate if the accomplishment is just a small progress in an ongoing project, or an otherwise unnoticeable upward movement in a long term goal. It’s not like your team was…

5 Signs Your Team Needs a Teambuilding Event

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Editor

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/5-signs-team-needs-teambuilding-event. The word “Teambuilding” alone is enough to get some rolling their eyes and checking their calendar for a scheduling conflict. And while many of our first thoughts of teambuilding go to a comical episode of The Office or a YouTube video of an exercise gone wrong, the process of teambuilding, in whatever form it takes,…

Re-engaging a Team: Refresh, Re-Focus, Re-Invent

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Editor

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/to-re-engage-a-team-refresh-refocus-and-reinvent. Teams come in different shapes and sizes, and serve various purposes. When you’re lucky enough to have a team that has been together for some time or worked on multiple projects, one of the difficulties can be re-engaging that team. Downtime can be great; you can consider it like an “offseason,” but what to do…

Do You Care about the Quality of Outplacement Services Given to Departing Employees?

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Editor

Many companies say they value employee satisfaction. But does that commitment extend to departing employees during a layoff? I don’t mean to say that the HR leaders and managers of organizations conducting layoffs don’t care about laid-off employees — I think they do. But in times of distress, priorities shift to keeping the company afloat so concerns like employee satisfaction…

November is a Month to Give Thanks, another Reason to Send a Thank You Letter

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Editor

For many of us, we remember Thanksgiving as a time for family reunions and big celebrations. It’s a time to reflect and give thanks for everything good that happened this year. Even when you’re job hunting, Thanksgiving should remind you to be grateful for every opportunity you’re given, including job interviews. Gratitude, a Critical but Overlooked Tool in the Job…