Has Casual Friday Become Too Casual?

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/2l/ar5c4y26zx7qx465632l.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/2l/ar5c4y26zx7qx465632l.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Friday is, hands down, the best day of the workweek. Not only is it the last working day, it's usually in conjunction with pay day, summer hours and, if you're lucky, a casual dress code.<br /><br />But how casual is too casual?<br /><br />Remember Casual Friday at TV's favorite paper company in Scranton, Penn.? One Friday at Dunder-Mifflin, Oscar showed up wearing sandals, Stanley in a sweat suit, and Meredith had the gall to don a mini-dress sans undergarments -- not a pretty sight when she ends up exposing herself while using the copy machine. When Angela complains about her co-workers' attire, Toby calls an office meeting and cancels Casual Friday when it's clear that certain staff have interpreted the term too loosely.<br />Although this might seem like an extreme example of "too casual," it's not far off from what employers have seen in their own offices.<br /><br />Richard Laermer, CEO at RLM Public Relations, says he once had a male intern wearing capri pants, plus many sockless employees and a few with holes in their jeans. All of these are no-nos, he says.<br /><br />"I've sent people to the corner [near our office] where there's an H&M, Banana Republic and a Gap," he says. "I have said, 'Go get something to wear that doesn't make you look 12.'"<br /><br /><br />Mary Harris, an etiquette consultant who specializes in business etiquette for small and large companies, says she visited a client's office on Casual Friday and saw everything from football jerseys to sweat suits.<br /><br />"Our culture has gotten so relaxed that casual to many [people] means what you would wear around the house on a Saturday," she says. "It's gotten lost that the meaning is still professional but somewhat relaxed."<br /><br />Casual confusion<br />It's no wonder that the meaning of casual has been lost on employees -- after all, it's defined as "without formality, relaxed." Yet, what is casual for one person or company may be totally different for another.<br /><br />"Few employers expected, when 'business casual' or even 'casual casual' policies were instituted, that anyone would interpret them as allowing flip flops, major views of cleavage or stomachs, intimate garments or athletic wear," says Sue Thompson, a professional speaker on workplace issues. "Many employers are just fed up with people dressing like they are still in college and have just rolled out of bed."<br /><br />As a result, some companies have had to embark on stricter -- or at least more defined -- dress codes in the office.<br /><br />I Love Rewards, a web-based employee rewards and recognition program provider, implemented a dress code in 2006 that would hopefully refine the line between casual and business casual: First Date Dress Code.<br /><br />"It's exactly what it sounds like. Come to work dressed as you would for a first date: classy and sophisticated," says Razor Suleman, founder and CEO of the company. "I think casual is a vague term and can mean anything from shorts and t-shirts to a suit with no tie. This is why First Date Dress Code works. We created it, we set the guidelines and the employees made it their own."<br /><br />Economic effect<br />Some companies have chosen to define their dress codes in a different ways and for different reasons. Laermer recently decided to allow his employees at RLM to wear jeans every day as a result of the economy.<br /><br />"People want to give their folks 'something,' since more money is not going to happen. When I realized there was not going to be a 'Summer Friday' this year, I decided that in this era of recession and blues, we need to be comfortable," he says. "I believe we (and I especially) are happier to come to work and push as hard as we have to during this difficult time. It's a lot about working early and late and I don't want to be thinking about ties."<br /><br />Casual counsel<br />Having trouble deciding what is "too casual" for the office? Here are five tips for you to dress professionally, yet still allow you to be comfortable in the office:<br /><br />1. Culture check<br />"In choosing casual dress for your current or applied-for job, consider the corporate culture," says Susan Fitter Sloane, founder of Global Manners. Dress in a way that is consistent with your company's values, whether they are conservative or liberal.<br /><br />2. Blend comfort and professionalism<br />"Keep in mind that dressing professionally and being comfortable are not two mutually exclusive things," Thompson says. "You may be psychically uncomfortable in business attire, but there is no reason the clothing you purchase should be ill fitting and uncomfortable."<br /><br />3. You are what you wear<br />"Remember you are an important part of your employer's image," Suleman reminds. "The way you dress reflects the type of company you work for and speaks volumes to your customers and clients on how your company sees itself and its people."<br /><br />4. Be economical<br />"Dressing professionally does not have to cost a fortune," Thompson says. "'I can't afford it' is no excuse. The problem may be that you do not know how to dress well or carry it off." Check your local Goodwill for some very nice, freshly dry-cleaned, high-end suits or separates, she suggests. They may need to be hemmed, slightly altered or have buttons replaced, but these are easy fixes.<br /><br />5. Make good choices<br />When there is a truly casual atmosphere on the job, at least don't wear anything that represents what you do away from the office like going to the beach, exercising, cleaning the garage or rearranging your attic, Thompson says. "What would you wear to work if you knew the president of the company would be asking you to come to his or her office that day? Always be ready."<br /><br />Thompson reminds employees the following: "It is not your civil right to dress as you please. A casual, dress-down day is a privilege; learn do it with style."<br /><br />Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a> </div>

Has Casual Friday Become Too Casual?

Friday is, hands down, the best day of the workweek. Not only is it the last working day, it's usually in conjunction with pay day, summ...

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Favorite TV Workplaces

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/vf/ar5c6nb634dz1hwph7vf.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/vf/ar5c6nb634dz1hwph7vf.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>After a long day's work, workers often look forward to a relaxing evening at home, enjoying their favorite TV shows to escape the chaos that they (hopefully) left at the office.<br /><br />But what happens when the workplace follows us into the TV? These days, more and more shows are set in work environments, making it easier for viewers to relate to realistic characters and storylines.<br /><br />In a recent CareerBuilder survey, when asked which TV show reminds them of their work environment, 15 percent of workers said "The Office." "Deadliest Catch," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost" trailed with 3 percent each, and "CSI," "Rescue Me" and "Ugly Betty" followed with 2 percent each, respectively.<br /><br />Here are some of our favorite TV workplaces and why:<br /><br />1. 30 Rock<br />Work environment: TV network<br />Why we love it: Because it's entertaining (to say the least).<br />Summary: Set behind-the-scenes of a fictional, live sketch-comedy show, its characters are beyond hysterical. Between Kenneth, the overeager, quirky, entry-level studio page; Jenna, the conceited, flirtatious and often flighty actress; and Tracy, the unpredictable, self-centered and "crazy movie star," we barely have time to focus on Jack Donaghy, the interfering network executive and Liz Lemon, the narrator and head writer for the show.<br /><br />2. The Cleaner<br />Work environment: Drug intervention<br />Why we love it: Because it's inspirational to workers and people everywhere.<br />Summary: William Banks, an extreme interventionist, is inspiring in his passion and dedication for his work, referring to it not as a job, but as a calling. "The Cleaner" focuses on Banks and his small team, all of whom are recovering addicts. Together, they use unconventional, often extreme measures "by any means necessary" to get rock-bottom addicts on the road to recovery.<br /><br />3. Glee<br />Work environment: Secondary education<br />Why we love it: Because it portrays the ups and downs of what it takes to be a great educator.<br />Summary: Will Schuester is an optimistic teacher who takes on the difficult task of restoring the formerly awesome glee club. Despite opposition from his co-workers (specifically, the hilarious gym teacher), Schuester demonstrates that with a little determination, even the toughest tasks at work can be handled.<br /><br />4. HawthoRNe<br />Work environment: Hospital<br />Why we love it: Because it teaches workers to stand up for themselves and others at work.<br />Summary: Whether she's your boss, your colleague or your nurse, chief nursing officer Christina Hawthorne encourages workers everywhere to make a difference. Compassionate and headstrong, Hawthorne fights for her patients to the death (no pun intended), defends her staff and stands up to authority if necessary.<br /><br />5. In Treatment<br />Work environment: Psychotherapy practice<br />Why we love it: Because it touches on an industry that isn't always talked about, but has become a staple of American society.<br />Summary: A show about a psychotherapist (and his psychotherapist), the drama captures Dr. Paul Weston and his sessions with his patients. We think it gives the oft-unrecognized psychotherapist some well-deserved credit.<br /><br />6. Lie to Me<br />Work environment: Various<br />Why we love it: Because it's unique, honest and contributes to the greater good.<br />Summary: If your boss is Dr. Cal Lightman, you can forget about feeding him a line about your alarm clock not going off this morning. Lightman is the world's leading deception expert and can detect the truth by analyzing a person's body language, facial expressions, voice intonations and speech patterns. (Talk about an intimidating boss.) Lightman and his team help federal law enforcement, government agencies and local police with their most difficult cases.<br /><br />7. The Listener<br />Work environment: Paramedics<br />Why we love it: Because it focuses on a (cute) 25-year-old paramedic who can read people's minds, and therefore, solves crimes. How's that for good qualities in a co-worker?<br />Summary: Toby Logan can listen to anyone's most intimate thoughts, a secret he shares with only one other person. He tries to use his gift to help as many people has he can, personally and professionally, but struggles with his own inner demons.<br /><br />8. Parks and Recreation<br />Work environment: Local government, specifically the parks and recreation department<br />Why we love it: Because everyone can relate to a character on this show as it pokes fun at how seriously -- or in some cases, lightly -- some people take their jobs.<br />Summary: Documentary cameras follow Leslie Knope, mid-level government official, as she tries to advance her career by helping turn an abandoned construction pit into a community park with no thanks to one colleague who "cheerfully exploits his government position for personal gain," and her boss, "who is philosophically opposed to government in any form." If nothing else, this workplace is pure comedy.<br /><br />9. Rescue Me<br />Work environment: New York City firehouse<br />Why we love it: Because it pulls on our heartstrings watching the camaraderie and relationships among colleagues.<br />Summary: Focusing on the men in a New York City firehouse -- the crew of the fictional Firehouse 62 -- the show mainly follows Tommy Gavin, a veteran firefighter and relapsed alcoholic. We also get a peek into the lives of his crew, and the day-to-day struggles firefighters face personally and professionally every day.<br /><br />10. True Blood<br />Work environment: Local diner/small town<br />Why we love it: Because of its character storylines -- especially the cute vampire coupled with a telepathic waitress.<br />Summary: Realistically, this "workplace" isn't realistic at all, what with the selling and dealing of vampire and synthetic blood; anti-vampire movements and the general idea of the co-existence of humans and vampires. But Merlotte's is your typical small business...<br /><br />Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span></strong></div>

Favorite TV Workplaces

After a long day's work, workers often look forward to a relaxing evening at home, enjoying their favorite TV shows to escape the chaos ...

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When a Co-Worker Steals an Idea

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/r2/ar5c6fn74ly1swnh9cr2.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/r2/ar5c6fn74ly1swnh9cr2.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>You're sitting in a meeting, minding your own business, when one of your colleagues makes a suggestion. As you jot down notes, you realize that his proposal sounds vaguely familiar, but don't know why. Wait a second: He stole your idea!<br /><br />Co-workers stealing ideas in the workplace is more common than you think. Why exactly this happens is unknown, but Charmaine McClarie, founder and president of McClarie Group, a leadership development and communications-consulting firm, thinks that fear and laziness play equal parts in the process.<br /><br />"Colleagues take credit from others because they think they probably can get away with it," she says. "If one feels powerless to affect positive and necessary change, then stealing what one can't create oneself begins to look like a plausible solution."<br /><br />How to deal with it<br />Why a colleague steals an idea is not as important as how you react when you realize it's happening. McClarie says you can prevent someone from stealing your idea by getting credit for it long before you do the work.<br /><br />"Part of planning a project should be planning who needs to know about your ideas and how they should learn about it," she says. "When a group of people know and support your ideas, no one else can come in and take credit for them."<br /><br />Other experts say that unless there is a really good reason not to, confronting the credit appropriator is the best route to take -- as long as you do it in a non-accusatory manner.<br /><br />"Speaking about [stealing your idea] in the form of a complaint can make you seem like a whiner," McClarie says. "You may want to beat them with a stick; but wave your wand instead."<br /><br />Perhaps the best option you have when an associate takes credit for your idea is to try to regain control and move the idea forward.<br /><br />"If someone does steal your idea at a meeting, avoid trying to stake your claim on the idea then and there. It will leave a bad impression," McClarie advises. "Instead, send an e-mail afterward to those who attended. Present a few points that will move the idea forward. You're allowing others to know that you're a leader and strategic thinker who gets results."<br /><br />A different view<br />While many believe that ideas belong to an owner, Richard Gallagher, author of "How to Tell Anyone Anything: Breakthrough Techniques for Handling Difficult Conversations at Work," has a different perspective:<br /><br />"There is a misguided belief that ideas, and credit, should be hoarded as a kind of career currency," Gallagher says. "In reality, ideas flourish when fertilized by the input of an entire team. People who worry too much about idea ownership are often putting self-interest ahead of the good of the entire workplace, an attitude that can hurt your career."<br /><br />In other words, Gallagher thinks that ideas are not copyrighted and cannot be stolen, only spread. By encouraging people to spread your ideas, Gallagher says you gain more leadership credentials than by squabbling over credit.<br /><br />Advice and tips<br />Here are five ways you can deal with or prevent idea appropriation (or idea sharing):<br /><br />1. Create advocates for your idea<br />"Too often, when we think of a great idea, we turn to the person closest to us and share it. Instead, get strategic," McClarie says. "Ask yourself who in your organization is seen and valued as a leader and needs to know about [your ideas]. You're getting your idea out there before it can be stolen and you're also making it clear that it's your idea."<br /><br />2. Reframe your views<br />"Change your perspective from one of having your idea stolen to one of having it communicated," Gallagher says. "Congratulate the other person for doing such a great job of communicating the idea and tell your boss what a great job this person did of helping bring your idea to life."<br /><br />3. Ask others for support<br />"Ask others to speak to [your] idea at an anticipated meeting, particularly if you think there might be some pushback," McClarie says. That way, people will refer to the idea as yours. "'Well, (idea-stealer), that's an interesting point; Charmaine and I were speaking about this last week.' At that point, the idea has been unstolen."<br /><br />4. Think beyond the idea<br />"Over a century ago, someone had the idea of turning a horse carriage into an automobile. Do you remember who that person was? The people we really remember are the ones who took ideas and built on them," Gallagher says.<br /><br />5. Borrow, encourage and give credit<br />"When you openly encourage people to 'steal' your ideas and get in the habit of 'stealing' from others and crediting them, wonderful things happen to your career that you could never imagine when you try to be the long ranger with a great idea."<br /><br />Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a> </div>

When a Co-Worker Steals an Idea

You're sitting in a meeting, minding your own business, when one of your colleagues makes a suggestion. As you jot down notes, you reali...

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Discover Your Passions to Find the Right Job

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/cc/ar5d6x26gf4t3ky2v0cc.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/cc/ar5d6x26gf4t3ky2v0cc.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>We've all heard the bad news about the challenging odds that today's job seekers are up against. Unemployment rates are high and competing for a position with so many other skilled workers can feel a bit like being a rookie basketball player on the court with Kobe Bryant. So what can you do to stand out among all of the other candidates competing for positions today? Tap into your passions!<br /><br />In order to find the right job, it's essential to understand the kind of worker you are and the internal drivers that provide you with a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. Operating from your passions will not only make you shine during the interview process, it will allow you to soar once you've landed the job. Passion is what we can combine with our skills to deliver great results and at the same time find meaning in our work. So, rather than adopting the mind-set that you're looking for a job, and concentrating solely on the title and job description, why not focus instead on whether the position will offer an outlet for your passions? It might open up new possibilities in your job search.<br /><br />Purpose Linked Consulting has identified 10 "Passion Archetypes," or styles of passion that workers demonstrate. They are specific and measurable personality characteristics described in "The Purpose Linked Organization" (McGraw-Hill, 2009):<br /><br />· The Builder: This is an archetype that welcomes opportunities to construct new business or build a new function on an open landscape. Builders love uncharted territory and work best with an established goal and a clean sheet of paper; they require the freedom to create their own blueprint for achieving objectives. Builders are relentlessly results-oriented drivers of the business and are often natural leaders.<br /><br />· The Transformer: This archetype thrives in chaos and change. Transformers identify and embrace possibilities for improvement in the business, the environment or in others. They rarely wait for change to happen, but instead seek to orchestrate change and may become bored when things remain the same.<br /><br />· The Processor: Quality-oriented and analytical, Processors enjoy sifting through information and data to see what it reveals. They often anticipate what course corrections are needed based on their interpretation of information, saving themselves or the organization from serious mistakes.<br /><br />· The Altruist: With a strong passion for doing work that benefits society or contributes to the higher good of the organization, the Altruist often acts as the company's moral compass. Altruists will challenge the organization to make decisions that positively impact the larger world.<br /><br />· The Healer: This archetype takes personal responsibility for helping others navigate through their pain. Healers can be found working behind the scenes in an organization, offering advice and counsel to co-workers, as well as in traditional health-care roles. They are likely to be the first to identify dysfunction in the organization and step forward with a remedy.<br /><br />· The Connector: With a passion for communications, negotiation and building bridges between people and needs or between problems and solutions, the Connector is the architect of relationship. Connectors seek common ground on which issues can be resolved and individuals brought together.<br /><br />· The Creator: Like the Great Masters, Creators take the concepts in their minds and translate them into a form that others can appreciate. Creators focus intently on the aesthetic, and look for beauty and functionality in whatever they manifest through their work. They are the artisans of the organization.<br /><br />· The Teacher: These individuals are promoters of learning and avid seekers of knowledge. Teachers can be counted on to help others develop, to translate new information in ways that make it easily understandable and to share all that they know within their area of expertise.<br /><br />· The Discoverer: Discoverers are the explorers of the organization. They enjoy designing experiments or approaches that will help uncover a hidden truth. They are often innovators who enjoy solving challenging puzzles.<br /><br />· The Conceiver: Big-picture intellectual acrobats, Conceivers consistently push the edges of the envelope of thought and are likely to be the ones with the crazy idea that contributes to a breakthrough product, service, process or strategy. Because of their expansive thought patterns, they may resolve challenges while others are still grappling with understanding the question.<br /><br />It's a startling fact that most of us spend more 84,000 hours of our lives at work -- and in these economic times, organizations are asking employees to deliver even more. So, why not make the most of that time by building a career in which you can thrive? Applying passion and skill at work is the winning formula that can make the difference between a just having a job or a creating a lifestyle.<br /><br />Alaina Love is a business consultant, writer, speaker and the president of Purpose Linked Consulting, a leadership and organization development firm. She is co-author of the new McGraw-Hill book "The Purpose Linked Organization: How Passionate Leaders Inspire Winning Teams and Great Results," which offers free access to the customized Passion Profiler tool that will help you identify your individual purpose and distinct Passion Archetype. She is also the author of "Leading With Purpose," a monthly column for BusinessWeek.com.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a> </div>

Discover Your Passions to Find the Right Job

We've all heard the bad news about the challenging odds that today's job seekers are up against. Unemployment rates are high and com...

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How to Answer Salary Questions

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/zc/ar5f2mm63mxjpptyrczc.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/zc/ar5f2mm63mxjpptyrczc.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Americans aren't keen to discuss money. We like making it and we like spending it, but money doesn't belong in polite conversation. It sits on the shelf of forbidden topics, alongside politics, religion and sex.<br /><br />Yet, one of the requisites often found on a job posting is, "Include salary history."<br /><br />You haven't even met anyone at the company yet and you're expected to divulge information only you and your bank account know? How rude.<br /><br />Like it or not, salary talks are part of job hunts, and often they arise in the early stages of the game. For a topic as sensitive and tricky as money, how should you proceed?<br /><br />And what if you don't?<br />When a job posting tells you to include salary history or requirements on your résumé, you have only two choices: do it or don't. Sure, you can ignore it or dance around it by writing, "Salary to be commensurate with experience and responsibilities." That doesn't change the fact that you haven't handed over any hard numbers. And that's fine, as long as you realize you might remove yourself from the running, says Sue Fuller, director of talent management for EDL Consulting.<br /><br />"When a job posting requests salary history, the purpose is to identify candidates who are in a viable compensation range," Fuller says. "In these instances, it is important to show salary history. Otherwise, the risk is to be excluded from consideration."<br /><br />Job seekers aren't hesitant to hand over financial information only due to manners; they are afraid to hurt their chances of getting a good salary or even the job. For example, if your current income is higher than what this job will pay, the employer might assume you won't take a salary cut and remove you from the pool of applicants. Conversely, if your salary is well below this job's rate, the employer can lowball an offer. Either way, you lose.<br /><br />The interview<br />Even if you're able to sidestep the issue during the application process, you might encounter it during a phone interview. Unless you like long, awkward silences, you'll have to address the issue.<br /><br />"The best answer is to tell the employer what you are currently earning [or most recently earned]," Fuller suggests. "At that point, compensation is not at a negotiation stage; it is at the information gathering stage. This is an important distinction to understand."<br /><br />If you're asked what you expect to earn, not what you did earn, Fuller recommends you give a realistic range for the position. This gives the employer an idea of what you want and can lead to a discussion of whether that pay aligns with what he or she had in mind.<br /><br />Regardless of when the topic arises, Fuller stresses that job seekers be honest about their salary history. Employers can verify your salary in a matter of minutes these days, so lying only serves to make you look bad. Just because you give a high number doesn't mean the employer will match the amount, Fuller says.<br /><br />The real purpose of salary talks in the beginning is to get a clear picture of what you're worth and what the company can offer. This is why Fuller advises as much flexibility as possible on your part.<br /><br />"When an offer is made, the candidate can negotiate several tangible and intangible factors that may include a six-month review, incentives, benefits, career development and/or flexibility," Fuller says. "Candidates should realize that value proposition [is about more] than just dollars and that companies will reward employees who perform."<br /><br />The dos and don'ts<br />As with any portion of a job hunt, there are bad signals you can send to an employer and vice versa. For example, you don't want to show up wearing beach attire to an interview. At the same time, you don't want to work at an office where all the employees looked unhappy and terrified of the boss. Salary talks have similar red flags.<br /><br />"During salary discussions, an employer does not want to hear about financial pressures candidates may have, such as debt, loans or, especially, maintaining a lifestyle," Fuller cautions. "Showing an appreciation for the tangibles, intangibles and the big picture will go a long way. [Also], employers will screen out candidates who are all about the money and not about the contribution and advancement of the organization."<br /><br />But be wary of employers during these conversations. You need to trust what you're being told; otherwise you probably don't want to work at the company.<br /><br />"Candidates who cannot establish trust with an employer about the role, the expectations, the compensation and the future outlook should not accept an offer with an employer," Fuller says. If you have no faith in what you hear, can you imagine what it will be like to work for this employer every day?<br /><br />Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a></div>

How to Answer Salary Questions

Americans aren't keen to discuss money. We like making it and we like spending it, but money doesn't belong in polite conversation. ...

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Work sucks

The title of this post says it all. Work sucks big time lately. No boring details, just know it really sucks to be me lately. I know I should be glad I have a job, but they're killing me. A slow and painful and tortuous death.<br /><br />I skipped my morning workout because I had to be in the office at 6:30am to take a call from our vendor in Tulsa. I made up for it tonight with an hour and half workout. It was really nice not to worry about gym guy.<br /><br />Big event of my evening was I ate tortilla chips in front of my husband. He bought them and left them on the counter. So I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">measured</span> out two servings and ate them. He had the nerve to say, "you're not suppose to eat those". I told him "you're not suppose to bring them in the house! If they're here you know I'll eat them!" (and yes, the "!" was used in the conversation, at least on my part).<br /><br />We watched Dr. Phil tonight, and I rarely watch him anymore (he kind of bugs me). Actually, I made my husband watch it with me. It was about couples not having sex. We watched it, and talked about it afterwards. We have work to do in that area, but not tonight. I'm exhausted.<br /><br />Actually, I'm just too tired to even think right now, much less post anything even semi-intelligent . Is that a word "semi-intelligent"...it looks kind of "stupid"?

Work sucks

The title of this post says it all. Work sucks big time lately. No boring details, just know it really sucks to be me lately. I know I shoul...

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5 Job Search Tips to Survive the Recession

Today's economic news may be gloom and doom but it needn't derail your job hunt. You can still win a great job, even in a lousy economy. You will have to get smarter in your job search strategy, though.<br /><br />Here are five tips to incorporate into your job search approach during an economic downturn:<br /><br />1. Research your options<br /><br />Does your industry or line of work offer little promise of employment in the coming months? If so, now is a good time to step back to identify the projected top performing industries and jobs. The best place to find this info is on the Web through Google or Yahoo. Start with "best industries work recession" or "recession jobs 2008" to uncover articles describing some of the more "recession-proof" sectors to target.<br /><br />2. Change your focus<br /><br />Start asking yourself the question, "What's in it for them?" as opposed to, "What's in it for me?" Especially in an economic downturn, you'll want to stay focused on what you can accomplish for your next employer. Show them that you understand the macroeconomic "bigger picture" of the role you play in moving the company forward.<br /><br />3. Sell results, not skills<br /><br />Leave behind that old mindset that your job-related skills or length of service are selling factors. The new mindset is to think of yourself as a mini profit-and-loss center rather than just an employee. Employers today buy results and are less impressed with candidates promoting a long laundry list of skills. You'll want to define the many ways your past and present job performance is an asset to your next employer.<br /><br />4. Start talking money<br /><br />The downturn has made the private sector economy even more bottom-line-oriented than ever. Hiring managers categorize employees into one of two distinct groups:<br /><br />a.) those who help make money<br /><br />b.) those who help save money.<br /><br />Which one are you?<br /><br />For example, Barry, who preferred to withhold his last name for the purpose of this story, worked as the human resources manager of a midsized company. While much of his work focused on compliance issues, he noticed that the company was paying many thousands of dollars to locate and hire good employees. As a result, Barry developed and implemented an in-house employee referral program that netted three quality hires in a six-month period. This saved the company almost $70,000 that the company would have paid for recruiters and advertising costs.<br /><br />Barry saves money for his company, and this is an accomplishment future employers will want to hear about.<br /><br />Rethink your current or past job to understand your position in the bigger corporate P&L picture. Here are some questions to ask yourself:<br /><br />How did my work improve the performance of my department or company?<br /><br />How many roles did I perform that saved the company the expense of added employees or contractors?<br /><br />How has my work made the work of others (employees and managers) easier, faster and more effective?<br /><br />Collect specific examples of the benefit that your company gained from the work you've already performed. Clarify the specific benefits your company received by making money or saving money, and write them down.<br /><br />5. Add achievements to your résumé<br /><br />Employers don't hire employees, they hire problem-solvers. Your new résumé should be a hard-hitting sales tool designed to accomplish one goal: get the interview. To demonstrate this, add a specific achievements list to your résumé. Take the list that you developed in the previous section and hone it down to your biggest and most notable accomplishments. Now, describe the benefit that your employer gained from each example. This will put you several steps ahead of your job-seeking competitors. Plus, you'll now have some talking points ready for that next phone interview.<br /><br />Summary<br /><br />Don't let all the hype about the recession spook you into a state of panic. By revising your tactics to include a more solution-selling approach to employers, you stand a better chance of getting hired in today's faltering economy.<br /><br />As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked," Turner has been interviewed on radio talk shows and offers free insider job search secrets at: http://www.jobchangesecrets.com/<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

5 Job Search Tips to Survive the Recession

Today's economic news may be gloom and doom but it needn't derail your job hunt. You can still win a great job, even in a lousy econ...

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Eight Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Career

Ah, the arrival of spring: The sun is out and it’s time to get your act together. You can pull down those holiday decorations. Wash the layers of mud and salt off your car. Take those running shoes – that you bought last spring – on their first jog around the park.<br /><br />This is the one time of year when everybody’s eager to improve their lives.<br /><br />Unfortunately, work life rarely gets the same attention. While your home might be in order, you won’t feel completely refreshed if your work situation is a mess. Whether you have a job or you’re looking for one, here are some tips to make the most of your spring cleaning.<br /><br />Update your résumé.<br />You know you should check your smoke alarm once a month, but you really give it attention only when the battery’s dying and it won’t stop beeping. Don’t treat your résumé the same way. Even if you’re not looking to change jobs, it can’t hurt to have an updated résumé. Keeping it current saves you time down the road when you are job hunting. Also, you might not remember all your impressive accomplishments and responsibilities months or years from now, so go ahead and write them down.<br /><br />Sort through your inbox.<br />E-mail inboxes have become the digital equivalent of the junk drawer. You don’t want to delete the message about the upcoming meeting (that took place four months ago) or the memo you’ll read when you have time – so they just sit there. Truthfully, once the message falls low enough on the page to require scrolling, you’re not going to revisit it. Go through each e-mail, trash the ones you don’t need and put the important ones in an appropriate folder. You might be surprised how less stressed you feel when you open your inbox and don’t see hundreds of messages sitting there.<br /><br />Tidy up your desk.<br />Odds are your work space could use just as much housekeeping as your closets. A tower of memos and wads of Post-Its don’t scream “I’m on top of things!” to your colleagues and boss. Aside from giving a bad impression, cluttered desks are also notorious for making important documents disappear. Throw away what you can and file the rest. Use the extra hour of sunlight to admire that desktop you haven’t seen in years.<br /><br />Clean your closet.<br />While you’re at home organizing your closet like a good little spring cleaner, take a look at your business suit. Does it still fit you? Is it tangled up in a knot under a pile of shoes? Is it a leisure suit? If you were to be called to an interview tomorrow, would you be able – or even want – to wear it? Much like your résumé, your interview attire should be ready to go at all times. If you need to take it to the cleaners or buy something new, better to do so at your convenience rather than in a rushed panic the night before the interview.<br /><br />Get schooled.<br />It’s not uncommon for professionals of any industry to grow comfortable in their positions after a few years. However, as technology evolves rapidly, it affects every occupation – whether it’s construction, sales or medicine. To keep up with the crowd, see if your company offers classes on industry trends. Some employers will even pay for courses at colleges if it benefits your work. At the very least, pick up a few books or industry journals to see what’s going on around you.<br /><br />Meet your neighbors.<br />People often become so engrossed in their jobs that they forget colleagues are working only five feet away. Learn the names and personalities that belong to the faces you see every day, or even to those you only see occasionally. It never hurts to have contacts who can answer a question or help with a future job hunt. Plus, it’s nice to know a little about the people you work next to for eight hours a day.<br /><br />Schedule some interviews.<br />If you’re contemplating a job switch, one way to simplify the decision-making process is to go on some interviews. Although you might not be ready to quit your job just yet, going on interviews gives you an idea of what opportunities are available. You can use these interviews as practice for the ones that matter most if you decide to start a job hunt.<br /><br />Evaluate your situation.<br />You might not be the type of person who writes out a list of goals and resolutions each year, but you probably have an idea of where you want your career to go. Think back to where you were last spring: Are things going as you hoped? Are you on a career path that will get you where you want to be one or two years from now? Are you earning what you deserve? Decide if you’re OK staying where you are or if it’s time to make a change.<br /><br />Spring cleaning doesn’t just have to be about tidying up; it can be about starting fresh.<br /><br />Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

Eight Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Career

Ah, the arrival of spring: The sun is out and it’s time to get your act together. You can pull down those holiday decorations. Wash the laye...

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Today's Best Part-Time Jobs

Many people are opting to find part-time work these days. Parents want to spend more time with their children; students need to balance work and school; and would-be retirees aren’t ready to give up their careers just yet.<br /><br />Here are the best part-time jobs pay well, offer flexible schedules and are expected to grow both in demand and the amount of job openings over the next 10 years.<br /><br />1. Pharmacy technicians<br />What they do: Techs work in hospitals, health care facilities and retail pharmacies helping pharmacists prepare prescriptions for patients. Depending on location, their duties can include counting medicine tablets, maintaining inventory and patient records, handling prescription requests and performing administrative duties.<br />What the hours are: Due to the many places a pharmacy tech can work, there are a variety of scheduling choices, whether one prefers daytime hours or graveyard shifts.<br /><br />2. Tax preparers<br />What they do: Tax preparers help people and businesses file their annual income taxes. They know what expenses can be deducted and what forms need to be filled according to the law.<br />What the hours are: Between the first of the year and April 15 tax preparers experience their busiest time of year. Therefore it’s possible to maintain another job for the rest of the year and only work part time during tax season. A large percentage of tax preparers are self-employed.<br /><br />3. Dental assistants<br />What they do: Dental assistants help dentists with procedures by preparing equipment, taking X-rays and tending to patients.<br />What the hours are: With approximately half of dentists working part time and the rest keeping standard business hours, dental assistants don’t have to worry that their schedules will conflict with their personal lives.<br /><br />4. Personal and home-care aides<br />What they do: Personal and home-care aides work at the homes or assisted-living residences of elderly, ill or disabled patients. They help patients perform daily tasks and ensure their surroundings accommodate their needs.<br />What the hours are: Many jobs, especially for home-based patients, only require a few hours per day or a few days per week. Hours are based on the patient’s need for assistance, so aides often choose patients whose schedules are compatible with theirs.<br /><br />5. Receptionists<br />What they do: Receptionists greet and assist guests when they visit a business. Their duties depend on the type of business, but generally they perform administrative tasks and in medical offices they handle patient records and insurance information.<br />What the hours are: Although offices tend to keep 40-hour work weeks, part-time receptionists can often specify which shifts or days they can work.<br /><br />6. Clerical library assistants<br />What they do: Library assistants check out and reshelve books; they notify customers of overdue items; and ensure the library’s materials, such as books, movies and music, are in good condition.<br />What the hours are: Hours vary by library, as some smaller libraries are open fewer hours than larger libraries, which can stay open late or even 24 hours a day, such as those on college campuses.<br /><br />7. Demonstrators and product promoters<br />What they do: Product promoters and demonstrators generate buzz about products by illustrating their usefulness. They show products at trade shows, retail stores and even corporations, depending on the item they’re promoting.<br />What the hours are: Demonstrators and promoters rarely have traditional nine-to-five schedules because trade shows and retail stores often require them to work evenings or on weekends.<br /><br />8. Childcare workers<br />What they do: Childcare workers supervise young children either in their own home, at a childcare center or at the child’s home.<br />What the hours are: Many workers care for children while their parents are at work. Some parents only require childcare for a few hours per day or even per week, when they might have medical appointments, need to run errands or between the time school lets out for the day and the parent gets off of work.<br /><br />9. Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors<br />What they do: Fitness trainers work either in large fitness centers or in private gyms to help clients achieve their physical health goals, which often include losing weight, building muscle or conditioning for an event. Instructors teach group classes like spinning and a variety of aerobic courses at gyms.<br />What the hours are: Trainers base their schedules on when clients can meet, and instructors teach courses when the gym decides there’s a demand. Therefore, the hours tend to be scattered and best for people seeking part-time work.<br /><br />10. Physical therapist aides<br />What they do: Aides assist physical therapists during their sessions with patients by having the area organized and any equipment ready. Aides provide physical support to patients who have trouble walking or standing during the sessions.<br />What the hours are: While some clinics and health care facilities only schedule physical therapy sessions during normal business hours, others offer night and weekend appointments.<br /><br />Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.ca. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

Today's Best Part-Time Jobs

Many people are opting to find part-time work these days. Parents want to spend more time with their children; students need to balance work...

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What to Do When You're Labeled 'Overqualified'

Sherry Shealy Martschink, 57, is a former state legislator, state senator and worker's compensation commissioner for South Carolina. She's a recent law school graduate and has experience in journalism, marketing and education. For the past few years during her job search, she's been told -- in not so many words -- that she's overqualified.<br /><br />"Sometimes the opposition is in the tone of voice rather than the actual wording of the questions and comments," Martschink says. "An employer may say something like, 'we are hoping to find someone who will make a career here' or 'why would you want this job after doing such-and-such?' Another type of question has to do with whether I could be a team player after being in such leadership positions."<br /><br />How does Martschink respond to such opposition? Plain and simple:<br /><br />"If I weren't willing to do the work, I wouldn't be applying for the job," she says.<br /><br />Geoff Tucker, who has a college degree and six years experience in his field, has faced opposition more than once during his job search. In one interview, the hiring manager started with, "We both know you're overqualified," and but went on to say she wanted to do a "gut check " to determine if Tucker would be OK with the tasks he'd be handing.<br /><br />"In other words, she wanted to see if I was OK with being versatile to the point of helping clean around the office and refill the toilet paper in the bathroom," Tucker says. "I affirmed that I do not have an issue with doing tasks that maybe I haven't had to do in a while. I am not that egocentric and I don't regard these tasks as 'below me.'"<br /><br />Many job seekers wonder how being qualified can be a bad thing, but it's a catch-22 that many job seekers face today. They can't get hired for positions relevant to their experience so they apply for jobs at lower levels. The problem is that they can't get hired for those positions, either, because they're overqualified.<br /><br />"Employers are in the cat-bird seat," says Kathryn Sollman, co-founder and managing partner of the Women at Work Network. "The high volume of job seekers makes it possible for employers to hold out for their ideal candidates. You're not an ideal candidate if you have held a more senior position in the past; employers assume you will leave as soon as you find something at your normal level."<br /><br />What's the deal?<br />Assuming you'll jump ship when the economy turns around is only one of the many objections employers have to hiring overqualified candidates. For one thing, many job seekers assume that their high credentials automatically mean they are skilled for a more junior job. But, Sollman says, just because a position is less senior than the one you previously held, does not mean that you have the appropriate skills to succeed in that role.<br /><br />"Take an administrative position, for example. Many mid- to senior-level job seekers haven't done anything remotely administrative for years," she says.<br /><br />Right or wrong, other assumptions hiring managers might have about hiring overqualified candidates include:<br /><br />· You'll be bored and unmotivated<br /><br />· The salary will be too low for you<br /><br />· You'll be unhappy<br /><br />· You'll leave the minute something better comes along<br /><br />· You could possibly steal his/her job<br /><br />· You won't be able to step down from a leadership role<br /><br />Hiring managers only take overqualified candidates seriously if they are convincing about a valid reason they want to take a more junior-level job, Sollmon says.<br /><br />The best reason is saying you have decided that you don't want to work crazy schedules and are interested in a better work/life balance, she says. If that's the truth and you're truly not looking over your shoulder for a senior-level job, employers will consider you for a more junior job.<br /><br />Tucker says the doubt he gets from hiring managers regarding his experience is unfair.<br /><br />"They should consider my above-par qualifications as a way to gain additional capabilities on their staff and team. I will bring just as much passion to this role as I would any other," he says. "I would not apply for a job if it weren't a fit for me. It's about the work I'm doing and the contributions I'm making that matter."<br /><br />If you're being told you're overqualified during your job search, here are seven ways to convince your interviewer otherwise:<br /><br />1. Admit that you're worried, too<br />Tell the hiring manager that you are also concerned that it might not be a fit, suggests Duncan Mathison, co-author of "The Truth about the Hidden Job Market." Promise that if at any point during the hiring process you feel the job appears too low or not one where you will bring the full engagement needed to excel in the position, you will withdraw your candidacy. Your willingness to walk away tells them you are motivated if you stay in the game.<br /><br />2. Take salary off the table<br />Make it clear that you're flexible about salary and that your previous earnings are not relevant to your current job search.<br /><br />"Tell the hiring manager that you work for both green dollars and personal satisfaction dollars," Sollman says. "Lately you've had a deficit in personal satisfaction dollars and you want a chance to try something new."<br /><br />3. Put the issue out there<br />Ask the interviewer if he or she sees any positives or negatives to your candidacy based on your higher qualifications. Get the issue on the table so it can be addressed, Mathison suggests.<br /><br />4. Use your accomplishments<br />"Tell the hiring manager that you're proud of your accomplishments and you have proven to yourself that you can perform at a more senior level," Sollman says. "Now you're not interested in chasing titles and promotion. You want to make a contribution at a compelling company."<br /><br />5. Distance yourself from your higher qualifications<br />Be empathetic to those parts of the hiring manager's jobs -- indicate that you have a clearer understanding of what a manager needs from their people.<br /><br />"For example, say you were a manager and are applying to an individual contributor job," Mathison says. "Tell the hiring manager that you are looking for a job that would give you more hands-on technical work and give you a break from the people management and corporate politics."<br /><br />6. You want to learn<br />If you've held more senior positions at a different kind of company or in a different industry, tell the hiring manager that the best way to really learn about a new industry is from the bottom up, Sollman says.<br /><br />7. Make a commitment<br />"Tell the employer that you know that job hopping is a major don't in the business world. Say that barring unforeseen circumstances, you are ready to make at least a two-year commitment to the company," Sollman suggests.<br /><br />Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

What to Do When You're Labeled 'Overqualified'

Sherry Shealy Martschink, 57, is a former state legislator, state senator and worker's compensation commissioner for South Carolina. She...

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Jobs de saison

<BR><br /><strong>Vous recherchez un emploi et vous aimez la nature ?</strong><br /><br /><strong></strong><br />C'est la période des travaux saisonniers : vendanges, ramassage de pommes et de poires, arrachage et mise en bac des endives etc. Le besoin de main-d'oeuvre est important et des postes sont à pourvoir jusque mi-octobre.<br />Si cela vous intéresse, pensez à regarder quotidiennement les offres sur le site de <a href="http://www.anpe.fr/espacecandidat/nicola/AfficherCampagnesRecrut.do" target="_blank">Pôle emploi</a>. Vous pouvez également faire des candidatures spontanées; pour trouver des lieux de récolte, adressez-vous à la <a href="http://www.loiret.chambagri.fr/" target="_blank">chambre départementale d'agriculture</a>, aux mairies des communes rurales, ou recherchez tout simplement avec les <a href="http://www.pagesjaunes.fr/trouverlesprofessionnels/index.do" target="_blank">Pages Jaunes</a>.<br /><br />Favorisez les contacts directs avec les exploitants pour mettre toutes les chances de votre côté !<br /><br /><a href="http://www.anefa.org/pages/rechercher/emplois.php?idreg=15" target="_blank">Pour en savoir plus</a>....<br /><BR>

Jobs de saison

Vous recherchez un emploi et vous aimez la nature ? C'est la période des travaux saisonniers : vendanges, ramassage de pommes et de poir...

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Caught in the Act!

One day in 2002, Neil Moodley was bored at work. To idle his curiosity, he decided to check out a few Web sites to see what other jobs were out there. The next thing he knew, his boss's voice was behind him asking if he was "off to sunnier climes."<br /><br />"I panicked -- no doubt about it. First I swiveled my chair around to try and futilely hide my screen. Then I tried to cover up by claiming I was researching jobs for a friend," Moodley recalls. "The exit interview a few months later when I did actually find a new job was somewhat awkward."<br /><br />Whether you're bored, underpaid, overworked or all of the above, it's not uncommon for workers like Moodley to want to search for greener pastures. The problem comes when you're doing it at work.<br /><br />With respect to your current employer, it might be OK to conduct a job hunt at work if your employer is actively downsizing and you've been told your job is not secure, says Lori Mattison, of Mattison Resources. What is not OK is if your job is safe and you're just looking for a better deal.<br /><br />"During these economic times, those with secure jobs should be grateful and give 150 percent when they are at work. If employers get wind of a trusted employee looking for a better deal, you might put your job in jeopardy," Mattison says. "Don't forget the current pool of qualified applicants is huge at the moment; almost anyone is replaceable."<br /><br />What not to say<br />You know that job searching at work is a bad move -- yet, you do it anyway. So the question is not whether it's right or wrong, but what exactly should you do or say if you're caught red-handed?<br /><br />What you don't do is laugh or launch into a list of grievances about your job. This is what happened when Dwayne Schweppes, a manager at a professional services company, caught an employee not job searching but interviewing at a nearby coffee shop.<br /><br />"My issue was not that [the employee] was looking for another job -- far from it. I advised everyone who worked for me that they should do whatever they felt was necessary to improve their careers as long as they did it on their own time and maintained some discretion," he says. "The fact that [the employee] took neither precaution made it clear he was either aiming to throw his dissatisfaction in my face, or perhaps simply that he lacked any shred of common sense."<br /><br />When Schweppes confronted the worker, he laughed at having been busted.<br /><br />"As the conversation wore on, it became clear that he couldn't see the problem with what he had done or that his actions were an affront to the company and to his teammates. Far from being contrite, he launched into a litany of frustrations with his job," Schweppes says. "That sealed it. Later that day, the company parted ways with [the employee] on the grounds that we would have never been able to trust him again with a client assignment."<br /><br />Is honesty the best policy?<br />If you're caught job searching at work, the situation doesn't have to end as badly as it did for Schweppes' employee.<br /><br />Several years after he had been caught job searching at work himself, Moodley was a senior project manager at a software company when he found a direct report researching job sites. He remembered his own story and played the situation differently.<br /><br />"I saw this as an opportunity to perhaps discover a problem with the work, company or culture that needed fixing. I made it clear [to the job hunter] that I didn't want to lose him ... but I respected that he had career ambitions of his own that he wanted to fulfill," Moodley says. "I asked him how I could help do that, even it meant arranging an interview with the company recruitment consultancy to find him the best possible job in another company."<br /><br />Understandably, the employee was shocked by Moodley's reaction, but as he put it, "if [the employee] wanted to leave there was no point in trying to convince him to stay." Ultimately, the employee left but when he did, it was as a friend and an employee, he says.<br /><br />Similarly, Doug Johnson, president of G.R. Johnson and Son Consulting, says he understands that employees may get dissatisfied or want more opportunity in their careers. As such, he instituted an open job-search policy as a manager and business owner. Employees were free to look for other work under two conditions: They used company time for company business unless they'd completed their work; and those job searching needed talk to him or another manager and tell them why.<br /><br />"I would rather have them be honest with me about it than lie and hide what they're doing," Johnson says. "Let us know so we can see if there's something we can do to change your situation with us to keep you."<br /><br />Such a policy created a positive work environment where workers felt they could be open and that they were cared about and valued.<br /><br />"We ended up with a win-win situation: happy employees, harder-working employees, loyal employees," Johnson says.<br /><br />What should you say?<br />The fact is, most employees expect their bosses to lash out or start a confrontation if they're caught looking for work elsewhere; their first instinct is to be on the defensive. What many job seekers don't realize is that many managers aren't upset that you're looking for other work but they do want to know why.<br /><br />In fact, getting caught job hunting at work could totally work to your advantage if you play your cards right. If you're unhappy with your pay, don't like the work you're doing, feel underappreciated or whatever the circumstances, it's the perfect opportunity to talk openly with your boss.<br /><br />Any lie you tell will come back to haunt you and ruin your existing work relationships. If you're honest with your boss and end up continuing to work there, it's more likely that your manager will be able to not only trust you, but want to help you reach your career goals.<br /><br />So what should you say if your boss catches you job searching at work? Simple: The truth.<br /><br />Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

Caught in the Act!

One day in 2002, Neil Moodley was bored at work. To idle his curiosity, he decided to check out a few Web sites to see what other jobs were ...

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forgetaboutit

<strong>The binges</strong><br />I'm going to stop talking so much about my binges. I've beaten that dead horse to death. Yes, I definitely have a problem with binge eating, but not every night, just some nights. Sometimes a few nights in a row and then I'm okay for a few nights. I don't know, maybe that's normal. What is normal anyway, does anyone even know?<br /><br />I noticed the more I talked about the binge eating, the more obsessive I became about it. I still want to stop it, but the obsessing about it needs to stop first. I'm just making it worse by talking about it all the time.<br /><br />Instead, I'll let you all know how it's going each week, if I've figured anything out. I'll share any tricks or tips on how to stop it, that is if I actually ever figure out how to stop it.<br /><br /><strong>My food</strong><br />Why does every social get together have to revolve around food? Last night it was sushi when I met up with two girlfriends to celebrate our August birthdays. We had a great time, but I ate about 15 pieces of sushi (too much). Then I came home and was starving so I ate a bunch of other crap. None of which were filling foods. Sushi is definitely not a filling food for me.<br /><br />This afternoon I left work early for an early dinner and a movie with another girlfriend. It was some Mama something place for dinner, Italian. Yes, a dieter's worse nightmare. I ordered an Italian Chop Chop salad without the salami. It was lettuce, tomatoes, smoked Gouda, smoked turkey and a couple slices of avocado, with a balsamic vinaigrette. It was delicious but very little Gouda or turkey and also the smallest salad I've ever seen. Which led to SweetTarts and a few handfuls of movie popcorn.<br /><br /><strong>The movie</strong><br />The Time Traveler's Wife. I read the book a couple years ago and cried. Today I cried while watching the movie. A total and complete chick flick. Something my husband, who will usually go to chick flicks with me, actually said no way he was going to see this movie. Probably because when I was reading the book I kept telling him the story. He said it was the stupidest premise for a book that he'd ever heard. I loved the book and loved the movie.<br /><br /><strong>The gym</strong><br />Dear God, please make him go away! What is the deal with the 38-ear old guy that keeps hanging around me and insists on telling me his life story and all his girl problems. Today it was how his 53-year old girlfriend had broken up with him the day before. He was asking me all kinds of questions as to why I thought she broke up with him. Maybe you talk too much!<br /><br />He's making me crazy. When I see him I try to sneak and go to one of the other workout rooms. It's kind of ruining my mornings. I've tried the headphones, the "I really need to workout and can't talk", the "I'm really in a rush this morning and have to keep moving". None of it's working. He hangs around me like a lost puppy dog. I know he wants me to be his friend, but news flash, I don't want to be his freaking friend!<br /><br />I'm at my wits end on this one.<br /><br /><strong>Pamela</strong><br />If you're fan of <a href="http://www.uncoveringpamela.com/blog/" target="blank">Pamela</a> (and who isn't?), her blog is back up. She had a little technical difficulty and disappeared on us for a while. Stop by and say hi to her and welcome her back to blogland. I, for one, sure did miss her.

forgetaboutit

The binges I'm going to stop talking so much about my binges. I've beaten that dead horse to death. Yes, I definitely have a problem...

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10 Jobs That Pay $30 an Hour

by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer<br /><br />Remember when you got your first job and realized one movie ticket was equal to one hour of work or that a pair of shoes was an entire workday? Somewhere along the way, many of us stopped looking at our paychecks as units of time and started focusing on how much we deposit in the bank.<br /><br />If you haven't calculated your hourly pay in a while, now might be a good time crunch some numbers and see what you're bringing home each day. The median household salary is $48,201, according to the 2006 U.S. Census Bureau report. This makes the average hourly rate $23.17 based on a 40-hour workweek.<br /><br />We've made a list of the top 20 jobs that earn $30 per hour, along with their median annual salary, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).<br /><br />1. Electronics engineers, except computers - $38.97/hour*<br />Electronics engineers create a variety of electronics and monitor their manufacturing. They are involved in electronics of all sizes and functions, from personal and home audio equipment to broadcast systems.<br />Median annual salary: $81,050<br /><br />2. Computer applications software engineers - $38.36/hour<br />Computer applications software engineers create or improve programs and software in response to user needs. Their applications might be bundled with other software or they might be created specifically for a client's private use.<br />Median annual salary: $79,780<br /><br />3. Chemical engineers - $37.91/hour<br />Chemical engineers solve problems related to using or manufacturing chemicals, whether it's in the machinery used in the production or in materials created with the chemicals.<br />Median annual salary: $78,860<br /><br />4. Electrical engineers - $36.50/hour<br />Electrical engineers develop electrical equipment, such as a building's lighting and wiring or cars and airplanes.<br />Median annual salary: $75,930<br /><br />5. Administrative law judges, adjudicators and hearing officers - $34.90/hour<br />Administrative law judges, adjudicators and hearing officers preside over court proceedings that relate to a specific government agency. Their cases can involve everything from health code violations to workplace discrimination.<br />Median annual salary: $72,600<br /><br />6. Mechanical engineers - $33.58/hour<br />Mechanical engineers are involved in the creation of new tools, machines and components, from the concept's inception to the production and testing stages.<br />Median annual salary: $69,850<br /><br />7. Civil engineers - $32.98/hour<br />Civil engineers draw up plans for roads, airports and other public goods and oversee their construction.<br />Median annual salary: $68,600<br /><br />8. Management analysts - $32.72/hour<br />Management analysts look at a company's structure and business plans for ways to improve revenue and productivity.<br />Median annual salary: $68,050<br /><br />9. Personal financial advisers - $31.79/hour<br />Personal financial advisers work with individuals to asses their financial situation and help them reach certain goals, which can be anywhere from establishing a retirement fund to deciding the best investment options.<br />Median annual salary: $66,120<br /><br />10. Operations research analysts - $31.08/hour<br />Operations research analysts are brought into businesses and organizations to identify, investigate and solve logistics problems through the use of statistical analysis and computer programs. The type of problems can vary depending on the nature of the business, whether it's a production factory or the military.<br />Median annual salary: $64,650<br /><br />*All salary information based on BLS data.<br /><br />Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

10 Jobs That Pay $30 an Hour

by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer Remember when you got your first job and realized one movie ticket was equal to one hour of ...

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America’s 20 Fastest-Growing Salaries

Money isn’t everything in a career, but for many people, it sure comes close (whether they admit it or not). While everyone has different criteria for what’s important in a job, whether it’s location, challenge, advancement opportunities or overall satisfaction, pay is often the driving force behind many workers’ decision to stay in their current gig, search for a new one, or accept or decline a job offer.<br /><br />We know looking for a job with an adequate salary is difficult. It depends on the current job market, where you live, your skill set, your experience level and, perhaps most importantly, your job duties. That’s why we’ve done the work for you.<br /><br />Here are 20 jobs with the highest salary growth, according to data from CareerBuilder.com, in conjunction with CBSalary.com and SalaryExpert.com. The percentage listed is the rate of salary growth for each occupation nationally. The data is based on data collected on an ongoing basis, and comes from several different sources, including the Occupational Employment Statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and ongoing surveys conducted by Salary Expert.<br /><br />1. Business operations specialists have job duties that vary depending on the industry. Typically, these folks oversee all business aspects of the company.<br />Salary growth rate: 7.4 percent<br />Salary: $38,648*<br /><br />2. Survey researchers create and perform surveys for clients, collecting information used for various reasons.<br />Salary growth rate: 6.5 percent<br />Salary: $31,734<br /><br />3. Industrial-organizational psychologists apply psychology principles to improve productivity and quality of work life in the workplace.<br />Salary growth rate: 6.4 percent<br />Salary: $106,844<br /><br />4. Protective service managers monitor security staff protecting individuals; homes; and business, commercial and industrial organizations. They investigate crimes against clients and create plans to protect clients from theft, sabotage, violence or other situations that endanger the client’s well-being.<br />Salary growth rate: 6.4 percent<br />Salary: $75,848<br /><br />5. Agents and business managers represent and promote clients to prospective employers and handle contract negotiations and other business matters.<br />Salary growth rate: 5.8 percent<br />Salary: $113,771<br /><br />6. Agricultural inspectors make sure agricultural workers abide by laws and regulations surrounding the health, quality and safety of agricultural commodities.<br />Salary growth rate: 5.6 percent<br />Salary: $37,001<br /><br />7. Music directors and composers lead musical groups and create original music.<br />Salary growth rate: 5.6 percent<br />Salary: $51,910<br /><br />8. Film and video editors edit soundtracks, film and video for the movies, and cable and broadcast television.<br />Salary growth rate: 5.4 percent<br />Salary: $62,958<br /><br />9. Aircraft assemblers put together and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles or missiles.<br />Salary growth rate: 5.3 percent<br />Salary: $49,824<br /><br />10. Protective service workers guard individuals and industrial or commercial property against harm, fire, theft, vandalism and illegal entry.<br />Salary growth rate: 5.3 percent<br />Salary: $25,727<br /><br />11. Semiconductor processors are production workers who manufacture semiconductors into different-size disks.<br />Salary growth rate: 5.3 percent<br />Salary: $35,799<br /><br />12. Public relations managers supervise public relations specialists, often specializing in specific industries, and create campaigns for targeted audiences.<br />Salary growth rate: 5.2 percent<br />Salary: $91,396<br /><br />13. Geological and petroleum technicians measure and record physical and geologic conditions in oil or gas wells.<br />Salary growth rate: 7.4 percent<br />Salary: $53,004<br /><br />14. Lodging managers oversee all aspects of hotel operations, like establishing room rates and making sure all standards are met within the hotel.<br />Salary growth rate: 5.1 percent<br />Salary: $39,517<br /><br />15. Anthropologists study the origin, cultural development and behavior of humans, while archaeologists recover artifacts to gather information about humans.<br />Salary growth rate: 4.9 percent<br />Salary: $66,861<br /><br />16. Derrick operators assemble equipment and control pumps to circulate mud through drill holes.<br />Salary growth rate: 4.8 percent<br />Salary: $42,363<br /><br />17. Purchasing managers buy goods and services, like raw materials for manufacturing or office supplies, for companies/organizations.<br />Salary growth rate: 4.7 percent<br />Salary: $79,606<br /><br />18. Set and exhibit designers design special exhibits and movie, television and theater sets.<br />Salary growth rate: 4.6 percent<br />Salary: $49,190<br /><br />19. Biochemists study the chemical composition of living things and the chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth and heredity.<br />Salary growth rate: 4.5 percent<br />Salary: $87,408<br /><br />20. Law clerks assist lawyers or judges by researching or preparing legal documents.<br />Salary growth rate: 4.4 percent<br />Salary: $42,754<br /><br />*Salary is total national average compensation, including bonus and benefits.<br /><br />Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

America’s 20 Fastest-Growing Salaries

Money isn’t everything in a career, but for many people, it sure comes close (whether they admit it or not). While everyone has different cr...

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Your Dream Job Search Begins Now

by Richard Castellini, Senior Career Adviser for CareerBuilder.com. Did you have high hopes of being an astronaut or even the president when you were growing up? Now you’re stuck behind a pile of papers wondering exactly when you lost the desire to dream big.<br /><br />If you didn’t start out 2008 in your dream job, you’re not alone. A new survey of more than 6,700 workers by CareerBuilder.com and Disney Parks reveals that only 15 percent of workers say they are in their dream jobs.<br /><br />So what does the perfect job entail? It means something different for everyone.<br /><br />Most of us are looking for more than just a paycheck. Ninety percent of workers said, if they could get a job that would allow them to make a difference in the world, they would do it. More than a third (35 percent) said they would even take a pay cut if they could help others or give back to the community.<br /><br />Why wait to find your dream job?<br /><br />Is your job negatively affecting your personal life, are you having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning? Maybe you’re staying put because of the benefits or because you are worried you aren’t qualified for the job you really want. There are all sorts of reasons (or excuses) for not seeking out a dream job, but you may be in a better position to find that “dream job” now than you realize.<br /><br />Increasingly, job seekers are finding themselves in the driver’s seat as employers face a shortage of qualified talent. Baby boomers are ready to retire and there aren’t enough experienced job seekers to take their place. In fact, CareerBuilder.com’s annual job forecast found that 40 percent of employers say they have positions for which they can’t find qualified candidates.<br /><br />This could be good news for you in 2008. Not only are employers making their jobs more attractive with unique perks and better salaries, but they are also casting a wider net when it comes to finding talent. This means you could be considered for positions that you weren’t perceived as qualified for in the past.<br /><br />Finding your dream job in 2008<br /><br />• Identify a role model: Is there someone out there who has your dream job? Consider what makes this person successful. What path did this person take to achieve his/her success? Ask him or her what responsibilities, experience, education and training are needed to obtain their position.<br /><br />• Get some help: Reach out to HR professionals and ask what qualities they look for in a candidate who doesn’t have direct experience. Talk to a career advisor or take an online career assessment test learn how your interests, skills and personality can translate into a new job or career. You can also find career tests at sites such as www.CareerPath.com.<br /><br />• Don’t underestimate your skills and experience: The qualified talent shortage has helped employers become more open-minded about relevant experience. Do your homework and understand what skills are necessary to be successful in the job you dream about. Then position your experience accordingly.<br /><br />• Plot your path: Do you want to change jobs or careers, but are worried about starting over? Understand that the route you take doesn’t have to be direct. Consider the steps that could help you get the job you always dreamed about. Could you volunteer or take a similar job in a different industry to gain some of the skills and experience you need?<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

Your Dream Job Search Begins Now

by Richard Castellini, Senior Career Adviser for CareerBuilder.com. Did you have high hopes of being an astronaut or even the president when...

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Get Real: Four Realities of the Job Search

A strong hiring environment may cause you to think that your job search will be a piece of cake. But the truth is that finding the right job can be hit or miss. It’s important to have realistic expectations to keep your spirits high and limit frustration.<br /><br />So that you enter the process with your eyes open, here are some job-search perceptions you may have and the reality behind them:<br /><br />Expectation: My job search will take no time at all.<br />Reality: There’s no guarantee how long it will take to find a new position.<br /><br />Finding the right opportunity is not always easy. The open positions you come across may not seem challenging enough, or certain details about a job, such as the salary or commute, may not be appealing. Along with searching classified ads and online job boards, you’ll increase your chances of finding a job quickly by tapping your network of friends, former co-workers and industry contacts for leads.<br /><br /><br />In addition, hiring managers may take several weeks to respond to your application. After all, they have full-time jobs with demands of their own, and hundreds, if not thousands, of résumés to review. That said, don’t be afraid to follow up with a prospective employer to help move the process along. Eighty-two percent of executives polled by Robert Half International said it’s a good idea to do so within two weeks of submitting a résumé.<br /><br />Expectation: I need to send out only a few résumés.<br />Reality: Finding a job is a numbers game.<br /><br />As mentioned above, a hiring manager may receive countless résumés for an open position. That’s why it pays to spread a wide net. And while you want to keep in mind your goals, it may be unwise to hold out for the “perfect” job, which you might not find — or which might not even exist.<br /><br />Also keep in mind that some of the résumés you distribute may not reach their destinations. If you e-mail your résumé, it could end up in the hiring manager’s spam folder, depending on the words it contains. For instance, if you “won an award” for being a team player, your message could be seen by an e-mail filter as a sweepstakes or moneymaking promotion. “Received formal recognition” would work better.<br /><br />Networking with members of your professional network is one way to save yourself some time and effort. Hiring managers give preference to personal recommendations and may move your résumé to the top of the pile if someone you know puts in a good word for you.<br /><br />Expectation: My résumé and cover letter are terrific!<br />Reality: You could probably improve your application materials.<br /><br />Take a close look at your résumé and cover letter. Do they sell your skills and qualifications? Make sure that, instead of simply listing your previous duties, you detail your accomplishments and contributions in previous roles. So rather than saying, “Wrote one high-tech column for company intranet each week,” try, “Wrote weekly high-tech column for company intranet that increased readership by more than 200 percent and helped employees better utilize company systems.” This will show a prospective employer exactly how your work improved the bottom line and why they should hire you.<br /><br />Also make sure your materials are targeted. Research the company before responding to an ad to determine how your qualifications can meet their business needs. In addition, read through the job description and include specific terms from it in your résumé and cover letter. Doing so will demonstrate to a hiring manager that your skills are a good fit for the position as well as increase the likelihood that your documents will be flagged as promising by résumé-scanning software.<br /><br />Expectation: My skills are top notch — any company would want to hire me.<br />Reality: You may not be as marketable as you think.<br /><br />A common mistake job seekers make is overestimating their marketability. Although you may think your skill set is solid, take an honest look at your qualifications to determine how in demand you really are. Keep in mind that your marketability depends on many things, including factors that may be out of your hands. For instance, you may live in a part of the country where many other individuals with similar experience are also looking for employment.<br /><br />Of course, there are some factors you can control. For example, many firms seek employees with well-developed soft skills, such as communication and leadership abilities. Enrolling in a class or seminar can help you build these competencies. Industry publications, members of your professional network and recruiters can help you determine your weaknesses and identify ways of strengthening those areas to improve your marketability.<br /><br />Finding a new position is difficult, and it’s easy to fall prey to your frustrations. But by maintaining a realistic outlook, you’ll be better able to overcome any hurdles and land a job quickly.<br /><br />Robert Half International is the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 350 offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

Get Real: Four Realities of the Job Search

A strong hiring environment may cause you to think that your job search will be a piece of cake. But the truth is that finding the right job...

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What's Your Sign? Hot Jobs for Your Horoscope

Come on, admit it. You sneak a peek at your horoscope now and then, don't you? And even though horoscopes aren't always correct, every once in a while you read one so dead-on it makes you reconsider your feelings about this whole astrology thing.<br /><br />Amazingly, horoscopes can occasionally even tip cynics toward reluctant self-discovery. Here's a list of characteristic personality traits and suggested career options, along with the average national salary, for each sign of the zodiac (with help from www.findyourfate.com). Who knows? This list might just predict your future.<br /><br />Aries (March 21-April 19)<br />Your traits: Ambitious, inventive, confident and independent. You can be impatient, but your creativity and high energy inspire people and make you a natural leader.<br /><br />Compatible jobs: Arians often succeed in creative fields such as journalism, publicity, publishing and advertising. Leadership positions in the military or law enforcement are also potential matches. Look for jobs that allow you to flex your imagination and work either independently or as a leader.<br />• Publicity Writer: $45,696<br />• Police Officer: $46,564<br />• Radio DJ: $41,281<br /><br />Taurus (April 20-May 20)<br />Your traits: Practical, loyal, dependable and patient. You have strong opinions, but are slow to anger.<br /><br />Compatible jobs: Due to your methodical nature, you have the potential for success in finance and accounting. Artistic Taureans should look for careers in architecture or landscaping.<br />• Financial Planner: $66,328<br />• Architect: $55,509<br />• Stock Broker: $53,978<br /><br />Gemini (May 21-June 21)<br />Your traits: Enthusiastic, communicative, optimistic and intellectually curious. You are full of passion and energy, and have a voracious appetite for new experiences.<br /><br />Compatible jobs: Since you crave intellectual stimulation, look for jobs that allow you to continually learn new things. Consider a career in academia, research, investigative journalism or fields that require travel. Geminis are often good with their hands, and therefore might consider working in construction or carpentry.<br />• Research Assistant: $31,248<br />• News Reporter: $38,668<br />• Carpenter: $35,541<br /><br />Cancer (June 22-July 22)<br />Your traits: Compassionate, energetic, intuitive and imaginative. Your sensitivity, loyalty and organizational skills make you an excellent caregiver.<br /><br />Compatible jobs: Tap into your nurturing nature with a job in health care, social work, psychology or teaching. You might also consider a career in law, where your desire to protect and defend others would be put to good use.<br />• Social Service Worker: $45,461<br />• Public Defender: $83,442<br />• Adult Education Teacher: $43,763<br /><br />Leo (July 23-August 22)<br />Your traits: Ambitious, confident, optimistic, straightforward and outgoing. Your generous, dramatic presence draws others to you.<br /><br />Compatible jobs: You feel most comfortable in leadership positions where your star power can really shine. Consider a career in politics or film, or in an entrepreneurial business role that allows you to manage others.<br />• Campaign Worker: $54,808<br />• CEO: $336,305<br />• Newspaper Editor: $71,815<br /><br />Virgo (August 23-September 22)<br />Your traits: Observant, meticulous, friendly and industrious. Thanks to your patient, analytical nature, you are an excellent problem solver.<br /><br />Compatible jobs: Your logical, inquisitive mind makes you an excellent candidate for a career in medicine, law, research or teaching. Since Virgos are detail-oriented, they often succeed in accounting, statistics and programming.<br />• Analytical Statistician: $62,326<br />• Elementary School Teacher: $41,712<br />• Internal Medicine Physician: $164,549<br /><br />Libra (September 23-October 22)<br />Your traits: Diplomatic, idealistic, easygoing, creative and sociable. Your gregarious and trustworthy nature makes you well-liked by all.<br /><br />Compatible jobs: Your sense of justice and interest in people make you a strong candidate for positions in public service, philanthropy, law and medicine. Libras' imaginative nature also lends them to careers in the arts.<br />• Poet: $53,864<br />• Judge: $72,990<br />• Public Services Director: $39,221<br /><br />Scorpio (October 23-November 21)<br />Your traits: Purposeful, motivated, energetic and passionate. Your mental strength and resourcefulness make others feel safe around you.<br /><br />Compatible jobs: Your intensity, drive and analytic ability make politics, police investigation and the military fitting fields for you. A career in espionage, physics or astronomy would serve your inquisitive nature.<br />• Undercover Agent: $43,038<br />• Astronomer: $84,767<br />• Internal Affairs Investigator: $54,598<br /><br />Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)<br />Your traits: Positive, adventurous, ethical and sincere. You love to travel and learn new things, and then communicate your newfound knowledge to others.<br /><br />Compatible jobs: Philosophical by nature, you're suited to science, theology, law, politics and public service. Careers that allow for travel will also be of interest to Sagittarians.<br />• Travel Agent: $28,197<br />• Social Worker: $55,606<br />• City Superintendent: $177,059<br /><br />Capricorn (December 22-Jauary 19)<br />Your traits: Responsible, disciplined, ambitious and authoritative. Your serious, goal-oriented temperament pushes you to succeed in all you do.<br /><br />Compatible jobs: Excellent with math and money, you thrive in business situations where you are given a lot of responsibility. Additionally, many Capricorns are good with their hands and do well in engineering and construction.<br />• Treasurer: $102,364<br />• Mathematician: $61,884<br />• Construction Worker: $38,631<br /><br />Aquarius (January 20-February 18)<br />Your traits: Innovative, tolerant, personable and quick-witted. Creative and independent, you set the trends that others follow.<br /><br />Compatible jobs: Your excellent aesthetic sense lends you to a career in the arts, such as photography, music, writing and acting. Aquarians are visionaries, and therefore are also suited to science, aviation and computer technology.<br />• Jet Pilot: $86,567<br />• Fiction Writer: $45,646<br />• Software Developer: $74,196<br /><br />Pisces (February 19-March 20)<br />Your traits: Empathetic, patient, artistic and loyal. Due to your kind and intuitive nature, others often turn to you for support.<br /><br />Compatible jobs: Your compassion makes you well-suited for a career in health care, social work, philanthropy or veterinary science. The artistic, imaginative side of Pisceans would be engaged by a career in theater or film.<br />• Actor: $33,103<br />• Registered Nurse: $52,035<br />• Veterinarian: $79,452<br /><br />Salary information provided by CBSalary.com and the U.S. Department of Labor.<br /><br />Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

What's Your Sign? Hot Jobs for Your Horoscope

Come on, admit it. You sneak a peek at your horoscope now and then, don't you? And even though horoscopes aren't always correct, eve...

Read more »