No Vacation Nation The United States has been dubbed “No Vacation Nation” because we have no guaranteed paid leave written into our laws, and our standard amount of paid vacation is two weeks. And, in 2016, 54 percent of employees didn’t even use all of their paid time off, leaving 662 million vacation days on the […]
Thinking of making a career change or maybe tweaking your current one a bit? Maybe you’re considering going back to school or a little extra training to give your expertise an edge. Before you sign up for that online course or quit your day job, however, you might want to consider which way the job market […]
If you have kids, you’re counting down the days until summer break. The kids themselves are undoubtedly excited about sleeping late and keeping their own schedules for the next couple of months. You, on the other hand, may feel more ambivalent. Even for parents, summer vacation can be a nice respite from getting kids to school, […]
There are a ton of forum threads where people debate the merits and disadvantages of a long commute; it’s a common sticking point for accepting a new position or considering a move. Can I drive an hour-and-a-half each way for a year without losing my mind? Two years? Indefinitely? While most people eschew the idea […]
You just received an offer from a company in another city. The money is more than you’re making now. It’s time to pull up stakes and move, right? Not so fast. There are more things to consider than just salary. Cost of Living The real question is, “How much more is it?” Investigate the cost […]
When preparing for an interview what’s most important? Being prepared. You know the company’s culture and history; you are familiar with the position for which you are interviewing as well as the company’s larger projects and goals. Your clothing should be the least interesting thing about you, so don’t stress over it. Here are a few tips […]
When considering a new position, pay is a priority, and it’s easy to let it eclipse all the other factors involved in creating a quality work life. It’s true companies who pay better tend to value their employees’ time, but some of the non-monetary pieces of compensation can be just as, if not more compelling. Location You […]
I was once told that managing people means giving up control of a project but maintaining responsibility for it’s being done properly. Sounds scary, doesn’t it? The stress of being responsible for something — possibly something big and expensive — means that managers may want to maintain close scrutiny of their teams. Whether you’re the manager […]
Negotiating salary is often the part people balk at when securing a new position. What if I ask for too much, and they decide not to offer me the job? What if I ask for too little? What’s the right answer when the hiring manager asks what my salary requirements are? Here are a few, […]
Winging it, while admirable at times, is not something you should be doing in an interview. We all expect potential employees to come prepared, and as the person responsible for their hiring, you should too. Aside from doing your research on a candidate, via social media and their resumé, prepare a stock list of questions. If […]